CHAPTER 111: CHAPTER 111 SUN WAS RUDE

She sighed, looked at the contact list, and tapped on the next name: Vlad Jr.

Ring~

Ring~

Click.

And then... a silence so heavy, she almost forgot to breathe.

"Hello." A deep, smooth voice finally spoke—so cold and calm that the temperature in the room seemed to drop. Like someone had opened a window to the dead of winter.

It was him. Count Vladimir.

Alina stiffened in her seat like someone had pointed a crossbow at her. She swallowed. "H-hi. This is Alina," she said, trying to keep her voice from shaking. "I’m Vlad Jr.’s class teacher... calling from Little Fang Kindergarten."

A long pause.

"Ah," came the reply at last—smooth, velvety, but still ice-cold. "Yes. Miss Alina."

He sounded... ancient. Polite. Regal. Like someone who had worn a crown in five different centuries.

"Is this call," he continued, "regarding my son’s academic pursuits, his comportment in class, or some other affair? If so, I am entirely at your service."

Alina blinked.

That sentence alone made her feel like she’d just entered an ancient vampire court.

"Uh... not exactly," she said gently, clearing her throat. "Actually, I just wanted to check on Vlad Jr. He didn’t come to class today, and I was hoping he’s alright."

There was a brief pause.

Then Count Vladimir exhaled slowly, like a gentle mist in the dark. "My son is... well. He has chosen not to attend class today, claiming the light outside was too offensive to his noble complexion."

Alina paused. "Oh."

"Yes," the Count continued, calm as ever. "He said the sun was rude."

Alina blinked again. "He said the... sun was rude?"

"Yes," the Count said without a trace of amusement. "And that it burned his left eye more than the right. Therefore, he declared today a royal mourning of light."

Alina pressed her lips together tightly to keep from laughing. "I see..."

"Is the sun," the Count asked seriously, "particularly aggressive near your classroom?"

She blinked. "Uh... well, maybe, but not that aggressive."

"Hmm." The Count hummed. "He may be exaggerating."

Alina smiled politely. "He’s very expressive in class too. But very polite and sharp. And... very princely."

That finally got a response.

Count Vladimir’s voice softened just slightly. "He enjoys your class."

"He told you that?" Alina asked, surprised.

"He wrote it in a poem. He titled it, ’Lady of Light and Colored Chalk.’"

Alina paused, then blushed slightly. "That’s... really sweet."

"He also said your hair reminds him of ’withered roses in the moonlight’."

"...That’s less sweet," she said with a chuckle.

"He meant it as a compliment," the Count said.

"Oh... okay," she nodded slowly. "Well, I wanted to let you know—several students were absent today. We suspect they might’ve overheard something... possibly rumors about worm monsters."

There was silence again.

"...Ah. Those abominations," the Count said darkly. "I will ensure my son has not been influenced by such talk. I do not allow fear in my household. Only strategy."

Alina gave a small smile. "I appreciate that."

"However," he added calmly, "if any of those worm creatures approach your kindergarten... please notify me. I still possess one or two relics from the Crusades that may be useful."

Alina blinked. "Um... I’ll keep that in mind, thank you."

"Miss Alina," he said after a pause, "you are quite brave, I must say. Handling a classroom full of little beasts and royalty. You have my respect."

Alina’s eyes widened a little. "Thank you... that means a lot, Count Vladimir."

"I will send Vlad Jr. tomorrow. I will personally apply the anti-sun ointment and make sure he brings his cloak."

"Perfect. We’ll dim the classroom for him a little extra."

"Very good."

And then—without a goodbye—the call ended in a faint whisper, like a cold wind passing through a cathedral.

Alina lowered the phone and stared at it for a second.

"...He really said the sun was rude?" she whispered.

"Alright, one last call," she whispered to herself.

Her eyes landed on the contact: Rocky’s Parent—King boulder

She tapped the contact name and pressed call, her thumb hesitating for just a second before the dial tone rang in her ear.

Ring~

Ring~

"Hello?" came a voice from the other end—deep, kind, and rough like the sound of rolling stones across a quiet riverbed.

Alina immediately felt her shoulders relax.

"Hello!" she replied with a soft smile. "This is Alina, Rocky’s class teacher. I’m calling from Little Fang Kindergarten."

There was a pause—then a sharp inhale.

"Miss Alina?" the voice gasped, filled with sudden worry. "Is everything alright? Did Rocky miss something important in class?!"

Alina’s eyes widened. "Oh—no, no! Please don’t worry!" she said quickly, waving her hands even though he couldn’t see her. "I’m so sorry if I scared you. Nothing serious happened! I just called to check in on him... he wasn’t in class today, and I wanted to make sure he’s doing okay."

King Boulder let out a slow breath of relief on the other end. "Oh... thank the mountains," he muttered. "You really gave me a fright. He had a bit of fever this morning."

Alina’s voice instantly softened. "Oh no... fever? Is he alright now?"

"He’s resting," Boulder said, his voice suddenly filled with gentle worry. "Poor thing looked so scared this morning... he refused to move from under his blanket. We asked him again and again, but he just curled up and whispered something about not wanting to be ’eaten.’ So... we let him stay home."

Alina frowned, her brows creasing. "That matches up with what I’ve heard today... a few other students were absent, and I found out they’ve all been hearing rumors about worm monsters. I’ve already spoken to the other families and I’m trying to piece together where it started."

"Ohhh..." Boulder groaned, his voice full of sudden realization. "So that’s what made my Rocky so scared, huh..."

Alina nodded thoughtfully, then hesitated. "Um... if he’s awake, would it be okay if I talked to him for a moment?"

"Of course," King Boulder replied warmly. "Just a moment—I’ll go get him."

Alina heard the faint sound of heavy footsteps, like someone walking barefoot on solid rock. Then a door creaked open. Muffled voices. More footsteps.

And then—

"Teacher...?" came a tiny, surprised voice from the speaker. Soft, nervous, but full of light.

Alina’s heart instantly melted. "Rocky! Sweetheart, are you okay?"

"I... I’m okay now..." Rocky replied, his little voice a bit hoarse. "Are you really my teacher?"

Alina smiled. "Of course, sweetheart. It’s me. I missed you today."

There was a small pause on the other side. Then, very softly—

"I got scared..."