As if he had read the book many times, his eyes traced the words once again as he followed the patterns. 

“Alberick, it’s time for supper.” A boy with hair white like snow, and eyes like the blue sky peered into the room as Alberick shut his book and set it to the side. 

“Alright.” Standing up Alberick walked over to the boy, a friend of his of many years, the room had six beds for six boys that could be seen from the hallway, and this was one of the many roommates Alberick was forced to stay with. 

The boy's name was Keith, his attitude was like that of ice, perhaps that’s why him and Alberick got along, the two were rather cold towards most. 

Walking the halls Alberick looked around the boarding school the boys stayed at, the wooden halls were less than passable, cracked, and full of splinters. 

Wood that was stained a brownish-red hue made the cold hall seem warmer than it was, to a normal person it was almost welcoming. 

This place is like a prison. Alberick thought as he looked to the window he passed, and then forwards to an open door. 

A prison with no way out, except getting older. Having strong views on this place, Alberick sat at his assigned table with Keith. Four other boys sat with them totaling six. 

Each boy varied in age, Alberick was said to be the second to youngest, on paper at least, the moment he was put here, they wrote the age he appeared to be, and never asked another question, a mere 14 years of age, after all, the younger they say you are the longer you’re stuck here. 

“You two were almost late.” Freckled and grinning Orion let out a small giggle as he placed his chin in the palm of his hand, Orion was a troublesome one, his orange hair like that of fire and his eyes glittered like the embers of a fireplace. 

“But we weren’t, so shut up.” Keith snarkily said back in his usual attitude that always came with a scowl. 

“Come on now, we’re trying to eat over here.” One boy with purple hair barked as another who looked just like him chimed in. 

“Yeah, don’t spoil the mood.” The twins were a mischievous duo, they had purple-tinged hair and Alberick couldn’t understand their antics, frankly, he found them rather annoying. 

Luis and Clay were their names, but you could never tell which was which, the teachers made them wear wristbands but truth be told, they would switch them around. 

And lastly, the shy member of the table who sat at the end across from Alberick just ate his food in silence, he had brown hair and honey skin, horns and ears like that of a goat, the moment he caught Alberick’s gaze he smiled and gave a soft wave. 

Many thought Luthas was a mute, but in fact, he was just born with a horrid stutter that made him far too uncomfortable to speak, especially in front of the twins who enjoyed poking fun at them, it was an odd group, but it was the one the teachers assigned to Alberick. 

Looking down at his food, he wrinkled his nose. I’m getting tired of bean soup, it’s got such a slimy texture. Having a thing for textures, Alberick stirred around his food as he forced himself to bite it, he was indifferent towards the taste, but the texture was horrid, it was as if he was eating small little insect eggs covered in saliva, that thought would never leave his mind as he ate the bean soup.

“The weekend starts tonight, a break of classes for two whole daaaaaaaays.” Orion stretched as he relished in the thought of not having to think for two whole days. “Well, for everyone but you” 

Everyone looks to Alberick who clicks his tongue. “Well sorry, I have better things to do.”

“I wouldn’t count your Ink classes as better Al, seems more like torture to me.” Rolling his eyes Orion yawns, the desire for sleep hitting him after a nice warm meal. 

Looking at his mostly empty bowl Alberick sighed, the Ink & Quill classes were for the students who proved themselves to be academically smarter than the rest, it was the only class that mixed the ladies and gentlemen dorms, and it was a class where students were taught from a member of high society. 

Despite this boarding school being cheap, in the middle of the snowy mountains, and for kids who were practically thrown away, being an Ink or Quill was the best thing that could happen to you, after all, it meant you had a better chance at one day leaving here with a good enough education to get a job, and not end up on the cold streets back home. 

After the supper bell rang the women who ran the gentlemen’s boarding school gathered everyone up, the ones who taught were called Teachers, while the ones who were similar to maids were called Mistresses. 

It was strange as the term mistress was used for improper things, yet Alberick couldn’t help but wonder why they were called that at first, but as time went on, it became obvious. To become a Mistress here you have to…

As Alberick ran his thoughts in his head he was interrupted by his friend Keith. 

“You’ll be back in two days, right?” Keith was always bitter that Alberick had to go, after all, Keith hated women, the very thought of Alberick having to study with girls around his age made his skin violently crawl as if he wouldn’t hesitate to throw one out a window. 

Alberick couldn’t help but almost roll his eyes, Keith wasn’t bright enough to become an Ink and join him despite studying so hard, but Alberick also didn’t want him to. After all, it would be hard to explain his association with a few people there. 

“Yes, I’ll be back Sunday morning.” Staying the night in the Grimm tower was a pleasure of students who were of Ink and Quill. 

“…..I’ll see you then…be careful.” Keith walked off as Alberick stared. Was he always so dramatic? I’ll be gone for two days. 

Whenever women were involved Keith lost it, he hated both the teachers and the Mistresses, he was only partially okay with the doctor, but he even gave her a stare that could melt a flower. 

Walking down the hall Alberick looked out the window to see the wintery landscape, blue trees covered in snow, glowing winter vines that bloomed flowers of ice, little snow fairies that danced along the trees, and lastly the large Grimm Tower that centered the mountains.

It was a large tower that was decorated with wooden rafters, cobblestones, and blue orb-like lanterns filled with an essence of wonder. The tower was old but mystical and wondrous nonetheless. 

Despite loathing this place, he liked the tower a lot, it was nicer than the boarding school, warmer and he got his own room, while he enjoyed the company of some of the boys, silence was another he enjoyed the company of, it was two days of learning and study, what could be better in the eyes of a young scholar? A small tug of enthusiasm tugged at his heart as he walked to his room and grabbed his bag. 

He managed to slip by the boys without saying goodbye, it always took too long, walking to the center hall of the boarding school he awaited Teacher Ann who was a wrinkly old woman who walked them to the school. 

“Alright gentlemen, grab your cloaks and buckle your bags, it’s time you settle in for class.” The old teacher had her black and gray hair up in a bun, it was neatly done and pulled at her head which was probably why she had so many wrinkles. Her eyes were a soft gray and her face was spotted with age marks. 

Her posture was that of a true lady as she stood high with her bosom out, as a noble in high society did, it wouldn’t surprise Alberick to find out she was once a noble. Perhaps a fallen noble, a divorced one, a widow who lost everything? I’ll figure it out one day. 

The sun was about to set which meant it was time to go, they always left at nightfall as the tower would lock once the new sunrise began, it was a strange wonder it did, the teachers once said. “It’s to keep those unworthy away during the light of day.” 

It wasn’t a straight answer but one Alberick could work with, Teacher Ann grabbed a lantern that flickered blue with the fire of winter as it was a lantern that could always lead to one’s destination, reading about winter fire in books, it was a fire that could only be created by burning a fairy’s ashes. 

Some called it the sorrowful flame, the boarding school called it winter fire due to its blue and white coloring. 

“Hurry along now, we’re leaving.” Quickly putting on everyone’s cloaks, the door opened as the crisp cold winter air greeted them. A cold air that could take your breath away, the land was crystal white and covered in snow, despite the sun setting it was more of a gray than black, the sun wouldn't truly vanish until late into the night, and it was just as late to rise. 

Walking along the path with the other few boys, Alberick glanced at his reflection in an icy stream as his breath became a cloud that passed by him, his cheeks tinting pink along with his nose. 

Snow flowers bloomed along the path and vines crept along the stone bridge they crossed that lurched over a chasm so deep you couldn’t see the bottom, nor hear it if you dropped a pebble down. 

Soon approaching the base of the tower, Teacher Ann brought her lantern up to the door as the blue flame resonated with the crystal attached to the door, and soon the doors opened themselves, the loud creek as they opened made many shudder as the warm air from the tower touched everyone’s cheeks. 

Rustling in, a group of both men and women came to grab the boy's cloaks, The Mistresses and the Masters, as if the simple maids were high-ranking nobles they were named with dignity and grace, despite mistress being another word for a side lover. 

As Alberick set down his bag and took off his cloak, he felt warm hands creep up his neck and to his face as gentle fingers stopped at his jaw and carefully made him look up, red eyes looked at him. 

“Hello Evelyn…” He softly spoke.

Being taller than him she caused his chin to rise to face him as she stood behind him, he could feel the warmth of her hands as her thumb found itself on his cheekbone gently rubbing it…

Evelyn, the most puzzling person he’s ever met.