Actions

Work Header

White Vienna

Summary:

18世紀,一位男校女生的自立自強奮鬥史。當然,也是個愛情故事。

It is a story of a girl who studied in a boys' school in 18th century. It is about self-reliance of a girl, and of course, it is also a love story.

** English version in the bottom**

Chapter Text

威尼斯港碼頭人來人往好不熱鬧。在亳不起眼的陰暗角落裡卻有兩個少年互相依靠著。其中一人不時四周張望,神色凝重。

 

金髮的少年雙手握著拳頭,眼光閃瑟,他低著頭,背向大街,彷彿周圍的繁華令他甚為不安。雖然,這種緊張的臉容跟他儒雅的外型不太相配。

 

棕髮的少年是個高個子,長得很俊秀。他輕輕拍了拍金髮同伴的肩膀,語氣溫柔的道︰「卡多魯,別緊張。」

 

「多諾…」語氣中還夾雜著繃緊的情緒,他無法釋懷。想要說甚麼,嘴巴在喊出對方的名字後卻語塞了。

 

然後急促的腳步聲向他們走來。另一位黑髮的年青人走到他們跟前才將披風的頭套除去。

 

「船票已經準備好了。維多利亞號是我家族的船隻,我已跟船長交待了,他會在一路上照顧你們。」他將船票交給被稱為多諾的少年,「到了亞力山卓港就到商會去找霍華德,把這封信交給他,他會安排你們回到俄羅斯。」

 

多諾輕輕的由口中吐出謝意,卡多魯也才展露出個稍稍開懷的笑容︰「諾茵,謝謝你的幫忙。這次若沒有你…」

 

諾茵輕輕搖頭︰「我們是好朋友,互相幫助本來就是自然不過的事。那麼,」他稍稍向後移步,使自己可以同時面對二人,「多諾,卡多魯,以後你們兩位要互相照顧了。」

 

他轉向多諾,展露出個淡淡的微笑︰「我們…會再見吧?」

 

多諾眉目間有一絲的傷感,他強擠出個苦笑︰「但願…」

 

諾茵低下頭,也是一個苦笑。再抬起頭來,已經換了個平穩的笑容,催促他們上船了。

 

卡多魯站在甲板上,目送著漸漸遠去的港口,內心竟有一種釋懷的感覺。

 

「順風的話十天後便會到達亞力山卓,一個月左右會回到俄羅斯。」多諾走到他旁邊靠近他,深深吸了口氣,伸著懶腰的去感受那陣海風的自由氣息,臉上展露出一個久違了的笑容。

 

「到現在我還感到很奇怪…多諾,一切都像夢幻一樣…」

 

多諾把對方被海風吹亂的頭髮輕輕從他臉上撥開。

 

「我想,諾茵他一定很喜歡你。」

 

突然聽到這句話,多諾的手停頓了。他把目光轉向海浪彼方,靜靜沉思著。卡多魯也沉默的站在他身邊。

 

「他…是個溫柔的人。」

 

「的確…」

 

「溫柔得,像個女孩一樣。」

 

卡多魯張大眼睛,苦笑著︰「這是讚美他的說話嗎?」

 

多諾點點頭,教卡多魯感到不可思議︰「有時候我會有這樣的錯覺,總覺得他像個女郎…」溫和的語氣透露出對往事的回味。

 

「是因為他對你特別溫柔嗎?」

 

「是感覺…」多諾糾正他,然後聲音漸漸低沉起來,「不知道從甚麼時候開始,有時候會把她當成女孩子了。」

 

聽到這句說話,卡多魯感到有點難過。

 

「別擔心。」多諾搭著他的肩膀,輕輕將他抱入懷,「我眼中只有你。」

 

「注意一下地點…」卡多魯想要由他懷中逃出來,他輕輕的推開他,但對方卻牢牢的把他抱著,沒有放手的意思。

 

他溫柔的在卡多魯的耳邊低語︰「以後我就是你唯一的依靠,你不要從現在開始習慣一下嗎?」

 

卡多魯淡淡的笑了。沒錯,他們幾經辛苦的走在一起了,難道還要在意其他人的目光嗎?

 

 

諾茵站在碼頭一直目送船隻離開,直至船消失於眼前。

 

他的眼眶紅了濕潤了,淚水都在打滾。

 

「再見了,我小小的初戀…」他嘴唇在動,卻沒有發出任何聲音。

 

多諾已經走了,以後在聖克學院的日子將會更難捱。他心中難免一陣唏噓。

 

會走上這條路也是必然吧?當初要她以兄長迪斯奴夫‧諾因海姆的身份入讀聖克學院這所只有男生的學校,本來就不是正常的做法。

 

要隱藏女性之身在男同學中生存已經令她感到很疲憊了。一直以來多諾‧巴頓是她的精神支柱,現在他走了,她已沒信心可再撐下去。

 

海風刮過她的臉頰,淚水被抽乾了,眼睛因乾澀而輕閉著。回想起來,過去兩年一起生活的情況在她腦海中排山倒海的襲來—

 

*********************************************

1713年,奧地利維也納。

 

剛冬去春來的時節,聖克學院的第二學期也開始了。

 

諾茵坐在教學大樓旁邊的小長椅上靜靜的看書。手上拿著的是塞萬提斯的《堂吉訶德》,當讀到感慨的地方時,她望著漂浮在天上的閒雲,重重的噴了個鼻息。原來到維也納來已經有半年了。

 

聖克學院是所男校,感慨的諾茵也是個外表俊朗的少年。只是,俊美的少年卻偏偏是個不折不扣的女生。

 

她不是因為好奇,也不因為好學而在這裡。想起過去的日子,還有身負的重任,她的嘴角抿起,目光滑落到草地上去…

 

還有三年五個月零八天。

 

又再噴了個鼻息。但這次嘴角不經意的微微上揚。

 

然後,目光轉向身邊的小提琴,微微皺起的眉毛稍稍放鬆,白晢的手指滑過琴盒…

 

今天是管弦學團練習的日子。她投注了一個溫柔的笑容。

在這種擔驚受怕的日子裡,最起碼可以見到他。完全因為這樣,她才可以支撐下去。想起最初到來,因為害怕暴露女生的身份,她選擇沉默低調的瑟縮一旁。雖然跟她開朗的性格背道而馳,但在陌生的、充滿著男性的環境中,她實在開朗不來。

 

最致命的是,她遇到了她的「宿敵」︰西班牙的國斯里達侯爵的長子 — 杜魯斯‧國斯里達。她之所以非得在這裡不可,還不因為這個國斯里達家。而且國斯里達家的那兩個嘍囉,還喜歡作弄她欺負她呢。

 

不過,偏偏因為這個原因而遇到了他。在自己最狼狽的時候,那個人挺身而出救了她,那溫柔的神情和語氣實在令人不能忘懷。這位英雄也成為了諾茵在這裡繼續生活下去的勇氣來源。

 

噹、噹、噹。

 

教學大樓頂樓的大鐘被敲起,諾茵收起書本,拿起小提琴走到音樂廳去。想到將會見到心上人,她的心情突然變得愉快了,腳步也變得輕快跳脫。

 

還未走到音樂廳,在長長的走廊上已聽到悠揚的音樂,是長笛和小提琴合奏的《和聲的靈感》。這首協奏曲本來只為小提琴而寫。但長笛巧妙的加入使樂曲生色不少。幾乎不用想,諾茵己肯定裡面是哪兩個人。她知道躲在門後偷聽是不禮貌的行為,但她實在不想打斷這對絕佳組合的演奏,而且,靜靜在一旁遠望著那個「他」也是一種享受…

 

當音樂停止,她才緩緩由門後走出來,雙手亳不吝嗇的鼓掌。

 

「如常一樣,合作得很出色。」她拿起小提琴走向兩人,為了配合男性的身份,聲音刻意壓得低沉,「卡多魯整首曲都拉得很完美,」她轉向另一個人,知道自己的臉頰定是添紅了,但仍刻意保持持平的語氣,「聽多諾吹長笛也是一大享受。」

 

看不清楚背向陽光的多諾的表情,但聽得出是愉快的聲音︰「你今天早到了。」

 

「你們更早。」幾乎是立即回應過去,諾茵將琴盒放在桌上,拿出一個橡木色的小提琴,「要再來練習一下嗎?」

 

「好提議。」卡多魯微笑著望向多諾,就像是要取得他的同意一樣。當多洛也對他微笑點頭,這位來自瑞典,膚色白晢的男生才再次執起馬毛琴弓。

 

伴隨著多諾和卡多魯,諾茵也拉起了她的小提琴。常說彈奏樂器的時刻最能反映人的心情,諾茵的手指在琴弦之間舞動,並且輕快的拉動著琴弓。只有這一刻令平靜下來。只有跟多諾在一起,她才可以放寬繃緊的心情…

 

「想要演出歌劇嗎?」練習過後,在穿越充滿矮木的戶外走廊上,多諾向他身旁的諾茵問道。

 

「歌劇?」諾茵從來不知道多諾加入了歌劇學會,她有點驚訝。

 

「我的一位朋友迪奧‧麥韋是歌劇學會的編劇。他為即將來臨的校慶寫了一部歌劇《羅賓漢》,現在正找尋適合的演員。我想,熱愛藝術的諾茵也許會有興趣。」

 

迪奧‧麥韋,來自英國的新興貴族。諾茵知道他是誰,麥韋家族從事英倫海峽的航運生意而致富,他們跟在地中海從事航運事業的諾因海姆家族是行家。只是,她感到很奇怪—

 

「歌劇學會本身應該有足夠的演員才是,為甚麼突然找學會外的人擔演?」

 

多諾跟卡多魯交換了個眼神。

 

多諾看著卡多魯的眼光總是那樣溫柔…諾茵呆呆的望著他。這種仔細的觀察還有細膩的情感大概只屬於女性。其他人也許沒注意到,但諾茵對多諾如此溫文的眼神卻很敏感。

 

就在她將要陷入沉思之際,卡多魯的回應令她回過神來︰「本來準備起用的是迪奧的劇本《羅賓漢》,但在兩個星期前,學校通知轉演另一套歌劇《漢尼拔》。」

 

「《漢尼拔》?」諾茵提高聲調,「我記得最初歌劇學會就是從這兩套劇中作甄選,最後選出用《羅賓漢》作為校慶劇,為甚麼會轉回用一套捨棄了的劇目?」

 

多諾抿一抿嘴,以低沉的聲線解釋︰「因為校慶當天西班牙的科隆大公會到來觀禮。當考慮到西班牙跟英國的關係…」

 

「原來如此…」未待說明,諾茵已經瞭解了。因為西班牙皇位繼承問題,西班牙的波旁皇室聯同法國在早幾年前跟英國、荷蘭、奧地利及普魯士等國家開戰。年半前雙方才簽定了《烏得勒支和約》宣佈停戰。這次西班牙的貴族到來,當然要避免使用英國的劇目了。

 

「很可惜,迪奧花了很多心血才寫出這個新劇目。」卡多魯的眼光充滿同情。這位貴公子總充滿著悲天憫人的個性。

 

多諾點頭贊同︰「英國的學生當然不同意,所以作為代表的美利安多便向學校提出抗議。」

 

「果然…」諾茵自言自語。她跟這位美利安多並不認識,但她確信彼此都知道對方的存在。第一學期的考試諾茵是全級第一名,美利安多則是第二名。最重要是這位英國皇室成員可是學校裡其中幾位最尊貴的學生之一,他的身份可讓他成為了學校的風雲人物。

 

多諾溫柔的笑看著諾茵︰「你知道,作為英國漢諾威皇室有排名的皇位繼承人之一,美利安多不可能對這種『屈辱』善罷甘休。在他要求下,學校唯有作出讓步,讓《羅賓漢》在校慶第二天公演。只是由於歌劇學會的同學們都需要集中資源演出《漢尼拔》,一時間無法兼顧《羅賓漢》的演出,所以迪奧唯有四出找尋合適的人選。」

 

明白情況了。想不到學校的校慶節目竟然成為了國家間的政治鬥爭,諾茵對此深表厭惡,因為她本人就是政治角力下的犠牲者。諾茵不想要牽涉入西班牙跟英國的權力鬥爭中,雖然是多諾提出的要求,但看來也不能幫上忙了。

 

「抱歉,我對演歌劇一點不在行。我去幫忙恐怕反而會為各位添麻煩。不過,非常感謝你對我的邀請。」這是由衷的感激。對於對方在需要幫忙的時候想起她,她內心實在高興不而。

 

多諾輕輕搖頭苦笑,也沒有再游說她了。然後,他溫柔低沉的聲音作出了另一個邀請︰「明天上午課結束後,我們有一個郊遊會,你會來參加嗎?」

 

我們。諾茵當然知道指誰。除了多洛跟卡多魯外,「我們」所指的就是那幾個來自英國的貴族︰美利安多‧卑斯賴多、希羅‧尤爾還有迪奧‧麥韋。

 

「沒關係嗎?」諾茵有點顧慮。雖然共同學習了一個學期,但她對這幾位學校的風雲人物都不認識。

 

「當然。」多洛看到有點害羞和擔憂的諾茵,忍不著笑了,「你要有點自信。迪斯奴夫‧諾因海姆在學校裡也是個著名的人物。他們也會希望認識你。」

 

被喜歡的人稱讚,諾茵臉上飛上了紅霞。她低下頭,流露了一點點女性的羞澀。她大概不知道這種神態會令眼前二人感到奇怪吧?

 

「明白了。」再抬起頭來,已經回復英氣了,「謝謝你們的邀請。」她有可能再拒絕多諾的邀請嗎?

 

************

 

黃昏時份的陽光很耀眼,溫暖得令人產生寫意的感覺。校園的白樺樹隨風搖曳,葉子都被覆蓋了一層金黃。冬末的北風並沒想像中的寒冷,還傳來了薄雪草的清新香氣。諾茵伸了個懶腰,剛才拉丁課的郁悶都全然消散了。

 

事實上今天過得很順利,還跟多諾約定了明天一起到效遊會,這可是他們之間第一個約會。

 

她忍不著偷偷笑起來。

 

忽然,她的腦袋被甚麼突然飛來的東西襲擊了一下。

 

「哎、」她手上的書本都掉到地上了。左額很疼痛,她擦擦額頭,幸好沒流血。再看看地上那東西,原來是一枝樹枝。

 

幾乎不用想也知道這不是意外,一定是那兩個人做的好事。還未來得及反應,她耳邊已傳來了那幫人示威的叫囂聲。

 

「中了!」兩個高大的男生由草叢中走出來,因為諾茵的中招而得意的笑著叫囂著。

 

「果然是你們!」諾茵連忙收拾好在地上的書本,惱怒的盯著他們,「阿歷士!繆拉!」

 

「真遲鈍,這種程度的偷襲都躲不過來。」阿歷士跟繆拉圍著諾茵,對她東推西倒。

 

「玩夠了沒有?快走開!」諾茵想要推開他們,但嬌小的身形卻被強大的身軀阻擋著。

 

「我聽見那俄羅斯人約會你了!」繆拉搶掉她手上的書,「難道你要加入英國那邊的陣形嗎?」

 

「你胡說甚麼,這只是單純的聯誼— 把書還來!」諾茵拉著繆拉的手想要把他按下來,但繆拉立即把書本拋給阿歷士。

 

「西西里的諾茵不會是想要背叛杜魯斯大人吧?」阿歷士神氣的道。

 

「背叛?我不隷屬於西班牙。我來這裡只是讀書,根本不想牽涉入你們西班牙跟英國之間的糾葛。」望著繆拉跟阿歷士二人,只有孤身一人的諾茵雖然深深不憤,但面對兩個西班牙男人魁梧的身形,她也得考慮一下後果,若果再激起他們,吃虧的恐怕只會是自己。

 

她深深吸了口氣,雖然心不甘情不願,但還是放輕了語氣︰「你們也應該很清楚,如果迪斯奴夫‧諾因海姆在這段時間遇上了任何意外,杜魯斯‧國斯里達也脫不了關係。你們想演變成西西里跟西班牙的政治問題嗎?」

 

阿歷士和繆拉呆著了。明顯以他們的頭腦似乎沒有考慮過這點。

 

留在這裡只會夜長夢多,諾茵快速的從阿歷士手上搶回書本,立即快步離開。

 

突然間,她從後的被人抱起來。

 

是阿歷士!

 

「喂—放開我!」諾茵被嚇了一跳。

 

繆拉以手用力按著她的嘴巴。他跟阿歷士二人互相對望,然後邪惡的笑了︰「我們不可以加害你,但可以把你困著!」

 

「你不要想參加明天的交遊會了!哈哈!」

 

雖然諾茵極力反抗,但阿歷士跟繆拉兩人還是合力將她拐到不遠處的雜物房將她困住了。

*********
待續

 

** English version**

 

The port of Venice was so busy. In the inconspicuous dark corner, there were two teenagers relying on each other. One of them looked around from time to time with a solemn expression.

 

The blond boy clenched his fists in both hands and his eyes flashed. He lowered his head and turned his back to the street, as if the bustling of the street made him felt disturbed. Although, this nervous face doesn't match his elegant appearance.

 

The brown-haired boy was tall and handsome. He patted the blond companion's shoulder and said softly, "Quatre, don't be nervous."

 

"Trowa..." There was tension in his tone, and he couldn't let go. He wanted to say something, but his mouth was choked after calling out the name.

 

Then hurried footsteps came towards them. Another young, black-haired boy walked up to them before removing the headgear of the cloak.

 

"The tickets are ready. “Victoria” is a ship of my family. I have already told the captain. He will take care of you two on the way." He handed the tickets to the young man called Trowa. "When you arrive Port Alexandria, please go to the Commerce Chamber to find Howard and hand this letter to him. He will arrange for you to return to Russia."

 

Trowa gently spit out his gratitude, and Quatre showed a slightly open smile, "Noin, thank you for your help. If you weren't here ..."

 

Noin shook his head slightly, "We are good friends. Of course we should help each other. " he stepped back slightly so that he could face the two at the same time, "Trowa, Quatre, you two will need to take care of each other going forward."

He turned to Trowa and showed a faint smile, "Will I.. see you again?"

 

There was a trace of sadness between Trowa's brows, and he forced a wry smile, "This is also my hope..."

 

Noin lowered his head with a wry smile also. He raised his head again with a gentle smile, urging them to board the boat.

 

 

Standing on the deck, Quatre watched the port gradually disappearing, feeling a sense of relief in his heart.

 

"If we go down the wind, we will reach Alexandria in ten days, and return to Russia in a month." Trowa walked forward and approached him. He took a deep breath, stretched out to feel the freedom of the sea breeze , A long-lost smile appeared on his face.

 

"I still feel weird... Trowa, everything is like a dream..."

 

Trowa gently pushed the blond's hair tossed by the sea, breeze away from his face.

 

"I think Noin likes you very much."

 

Trowa's hand paused when he heard about this. He turned his gaze to the waves, quietly pondering. Quatre also stood silently beside him.

 

"He... is a gentleman."

 

"indeed…"

 

"So gentle that like a girl."

 

Quatre opened his eyes and smiled wryly, "Is this a compliment to him?"

 

Trowa nodded, making Quatre feel incredible, "Sometimes I have the illusion that he feels like a girl..."

 

"Is it because he is so gentle to you?"

 

"It's a feeling..." Trowa corrected him, and then his voice gradually became low, "I don't know when to start, sometimes I think of him as a girl."

 

Hearing this comment, Quatre felt a little sad.

 

"Don't worry." Trowa put him on his shoulders and gently embraced him, "You are the only one in my eyes."

 

"This is public.." Quatre wanted to escape from his arms, he gently pushed him away, but the young man held him firmly and didn't mean to let go.

 

He softly whispered in Quatre's ear, "I will be your only support from now on, don't you want to get used to it?"

 

Quatre smiled faintly. That's right, they walked together after several hardships, why should he still care about other people's mind?

 

Noin stood at the pier and watched the ship leave until the ship disappeared.

 

His eyes were red and moist, and tears were rolling.

 

"Goodbye, my little first love..." His lips moved, but there was no sound.

 

Trowa was gone, and his days at Sanc Academy would be even more difficult. He inevitably felt a sigh in his heart.

 

Was it inevitable to go this way? It was originally not a normal practice to ask her to study in the Sanc Academy, which is only for boys, to replace her brother DixNeuf Neunheim.

 

To hide her gender and survive among the male classmates had already made her very tired. Trowa Barton had always been her spiritual pillar, but now that he was gone, she had no confidence to continue.

 

The sea breeze blew her cheeks, the tears were frozen, and her eyes were lightly closed because of dryness. In retrospect, the memories for the past two years was overwhelming in her mind—

 

 

*********************************************

 

In 1713, Vienna, Austria.

 

Just before Spring was coming, the second semester of Sanc Academy also began.

 

Noin sat on the small bench next to the academic building and read quietly. She was reading "Don Quijote de La Mancha", when she read the place with emotion, she looked at the idle clouds floating in the sky and snorted heavily. It has been half a year since she came to Vienna.

 

Sanc College was a boy' school, and Noin also looked like a handsome teenager. But this handsome boy was just an out-and-out girl.

 

She was not here because of curiosity or studious. Thinking of the past days and the heavy responsibilities she shouldered, the corners of her mouth curled up and her eyes fell smoothly on the grass...

 

There were still three years five months and eight days.

 

She snorted again. But this time the corners of her mouth rose slightly inadvertently.

 

Then, her eyes turned to the violin next to her, her frowned eyebrows relaxed slightly, and her white fingers slid across the case...

 

Today was the practice day for the orchestra. She bet a gentle smile.

 

In such days of fear, at least she could see him. She was able to sustain it entirely because of him. Thinking of the initial arrival, she chose to cower silently and low-key because she was afraid of revealing the girl's identity. Although it ran counter to her cheerful personality, she was really not cheerful in a strange and masculine environment.

 

The most deadly thing was that she met her "enemy" - the son of the Marquis of Spain, Treize Khushrenada. The reason why she had to be here was because of this family. Moreover, the two “servants” of the Khushrenada family liked to play tricks on her.

 

However, she met her spiritual pillar for this reason. When she was most embarrassed, the man stood up and rescued her, and his gentle expression and tone made her unforgettable. He had also become a source of courage for Noin to continue living here.

 

Ding, Ding, Ding.

 

The big clock on the top floor of the academic building was struck, Noin put away the books, picked up the violin and went to the concert hall. Thinking of meeting her “sweet-in-heart”, her mood suddenly became happy and her steps became brisk.

 

Before she walked to the concert hall, she heard the melodious music in the long corridor, which was the "L’Estro armonico" performed by flute and violin. This concerto was originally written only for the violin. But the clever addition of flute made the music more amazing. Hardly need to think, Noin was sure which two people were inside. She knew that it was impolite to hide behind the door to eavesdrop, but she really didn’t want to interrupt the performance of this great pair, and it was also a pleasure to quietly look at "him" from afar...

 

When the music stopped, she slowly walked out from behind the door, clapping generously with her hands.

 

"The cooperation is excellent as usual." She picked up the violin and walked towards the two of them. In order to match the male identity, her voice was deliberately lowered. "Quatre's entire song was played perfectly," she turned to the other person, knowing her cheeks must have been reddened, but she still deliberately maintained a flat tone, "It is also a great pleasure to listen to Trowa playing the flute."

 

It was hard to see Trowa's facial expression since he was standing in front of the window with sunshine, but she could hear a pleasant voice, "You arrived early today."

 

"You two are earlier." In response almost immediately, Noin put the case on the table and took out an oak-colored violin. "Do you want to practice again?"

 

"Good idea." Quatre looked at Trowa with a smile, as if to obtain his consent. When Trowa also smiled at him and nodded, the white-skinned boy from Sweden held the horsehair bow again.

Along with Trowa and Quatre, Noin also played her violin. It was often said that the moment of playing an instrument could best reflect people's mood. Noin's fingers danced between the strings and pulled the bow briskly. Only this moment she could calm down. Only with Trowa could she relax her tension...

 

"Do you want to perform an opera?" Trowa asked Noin next to him on the outdoor corridor full of low wood after the practice.

 

"Opera?" Noin never knew that Trowa had joined the Opera Society, she was a little surprised.

 

"Duo Maxwell, a friend of mine, is a screenwriter of the Drama Society. He wrote an opera 'Robin Hood' for the upcoming school celebration and is now looking for suitable actors. I think you might be interested because you love arts."

 

Duo Maxwell, an emerging aristocrat from Great Britain. Noin knew who he is. The Maxwell family became rich by engaging in the shipping and vessel business in the English Channel. They were experts with her Neunheim family, who are engaged in shipping in the Mediterranean. But she felt very strange—

"The Drama Society itself should have enough actors. Why are you suddenly looking for someone outside to perform?"

 

Trowa exchanged glances with Quatre.

 

Trowa's eyes on Quatre were always so gentle...Noin stared at him blankly. Such careful observation and delicate emotions probably belonged only to women. Others may not have noticed, but Noin was very sensitive to Trowa's gentle eyes.

 

Just as she was about to sink into contemplation, Quatre’s response made her come back to her senses, " ‘Robin Hood’ was originally planned to be used, but two weeks ago, the school notified the transfer of another set of opera ‘Hannibal.’"

 

"Hannibal?" Noin raised her voice, "I remember that the Drama Society initially selected from these two sets, and finally selected Robin Hood as the school celebration drama. Why do they switch back to a discarded set?"

 

Trowa said in a low voice, "Because the Cologne in Spain came to observe the ceremony on the day of the school celebration. Think about the relationship between Spain and the Great Britain..."

 

"So that's it..." No explanation yet, Noin already understood. Because of the issue of the succession to the Spanish throne, the Bourbon royal family of Spain and France went to war with Britain, the Netherlands, Austria, and Prussia a few years ago. Only a year and a half ago, the two sides signed the "Peace of Utrecht" and declared a truce. When the Spanish nobles came, of course the school would have to avoid using British repertoire.

 

"It's a pity that Duo took a lot of hard work to write this new play." Quatre's eyes were full of sympathy.

 

Trowa nodded in agreement, "Of course the students in the Great Britain disagree, therefore Milliardo as the representative protested to the school."

 

"Sure enough..." Noin said to herself. Milliardo and her did not know each other, but she was sure that they knew each other's existence. In the first semester of the exam, Noin was the first in the class, and Milliardo was the second. The most important thing was that this member of the British royal family was one of the most distinguished students in the school. His identity allowed him to become a famous man of the school.

 

Trowa smiled at Noin gently, "You know, as one of heirs of the royal family of Hanover, Milliardo could not give up this kind of "humiliation". At his request, the school could only make concessions and let ‘Robin Hood’ performed on the second day of the school celebration. It’s just that the students of the Drama Society need to concentrate their resources on performing ‘Hannibal’ which cannot take care of the performance of ‘Robin Hood’ for a while. This is the reason why Duo has to look for suitable candidates."

She understood the situation now. Unexpectedly, the school's celebration program turned out to be a political struggle between countries. Noin was deeply disgusted by it because she herself was a victim of the political wrestling. Noin did not want to be involved in the struggle between Spain and Britain. Although it was Trowa's request, it seemed that she could not help.

"Sorry, I'm not good at acting at all. I'm afraid it will cause you trouble. However, thank you very much for your invitation." This was sincerely grateful. For the other person thinking of her when they needed help, she was really happy and honour.

 

Trowa shook his head lightly and smiled bitterly, and he didn't lobby her any more. Then his gentle and deep voice made another invitation, "We will have an outing after the noon lesson tomorrow. Would you like to join us?"

 

We. Of course Noin knew who they are. Except for Trowa and Quatre, "we" referred to the nobles from England- Millirado Peacecraft, Heero Yuy, and Duo Maxwell.

 

"Is it okay?" Noin was a little worried. Although they have studied together for a semester, she didn't know this group of people.

 

"Sure indeed." Trowa couldn't help but smile when he saw Noin who was a little shy and worried. "You have to be a little confident. Dixneuf Neunheim is also a famous figure in school. I am sure they also want to meet you."

 

Complimented by the person she liked, Noin’s face turned red. She lowered her head, showing a little feminine shyness. She probably didn't know that this attitude would make the two of them feel strange.

 

"Well." When she raised her head again, she had already replied to the heroic spirit, "Thank you for your invitation." It was impossible for her to refuse Trowa's invitation twice.

 

************

 

The sun at dusk was dazzling, and it was warm enough to give a freehand feeling. The birch trees on the campus swayed in the wind, and the leaves were covered with a layer of golden. The north wind at the end of Winter was not as cold as expected, but also came the fresh fragrance of Edelweiss. Noin stretched, and the depression of the Latin class just disappeared.

 

In fact, today went smoothly, and she also agreed with Trowa to go to picnic tomorrow together. This was the first date between them.

 

She couldn't help chuckle secretly.

 

Suddenly, her head was hit by something.

 

"Hey," all the books in her hand fell to the ground. Her left forehead was very painful. She wiped her forehead, but luckily there was no bleeding. Look at the thing on the ground again, it turned out to be a branch.

 

She was sure this was not an accident, it must be a hit by those two people. Before she could react, she heard the clamour of the group of people demonstrating.

 

"I hit him!" Two tall boys walked out of the grass, laughing proudly because of the trick.

 

"I know it’s you!" Noin quickly packed up the books on the ground, staring at them angrily, "Alex! Muller!"

 

"You are too slow, why can’t you hide from a sneak attack like this." Alex and Muller surrounded Noin and pushed her around.

 

"It’s enough. Go away!" Noin wanted to push them away, but her petite figure was blocked by two powerful young men.

 

"I heard that the Russian has a meeting with you!" Muller snatched the book from her hand. "Are you going to join the Britain?

 

"What nonsense are you talking about? This is just about friendship - give back the book to me!" Noin took Muller's hand and wanted to press him down, but Muller immediately threw the book to Alex.

 

"Does Noin of Sicily want to betray Lord Treize?" Alex said loudly.

 

"What do you mean for betrayal? I am not affiliated with Spain. I am here just to study, and I don't want to be involved in the entanglement between your Spain and the Britain." Looking at Muller and Alex, there was nothing but Noin was alone. Cowardly, coupled with these two Spanish burly statures, if Noin made them angry, she would be the one to suffer.

 

She took a deep breath, and although she was unwilling to do so, she still relaxed her tone, "You should also know very well that if Dixneuf Neunheim has any accident during this time, Treize Khushrenada is also inseparable. Do you want to evolve into a political issue between Sicily and Spain?"

 

Alex and Muller stayed there.

 

It was not safe to stay here, Noin quickly grabbed the book from Alex and left.

 

Suddenly, she was picked up from behind.

 

It's Alex!

 

"Hey - leave me alone!" Noin was taken aback.

 

Muller pressed her hand firmly on her mouth. Alex and he looked at each other, and then smiled evilly, "We can't harm you, but we can trap you!"

 

"Don't think about your friendship picnic tomorrow! Haha!"

 

Although Noin tried her best to resist, Alex and Muller worked together to abduct her to a utility room not far away and trapped her.

********************
to be continued..