ELEX VINSPEAR (POV)
Closing the door of my dorm room, I stripped all of my clothes down to my underwear and threw myself face-flat onto my bed. The smooth fabric felt nice on my skin, as it helped release the stress in my body.
‘What happened to me yesterday?’ I thought ‘The Trigon released itself and I didn't even notice.’
Those few moments of recollection on my bed were wasted, as I hadn’t been thinking about what that could entail. The mysterious unknown power had taken form on my body against my will, and that huge fact slipped through my mind.
I kept the lights off as I tossed and turned under the thick linen covers of my bed. Thank Arcinose for the extremely high budget of this school, because if it weren't for the affluent lifestyle of the students who attended this academy, I wouldn’t get to enjoy small pleasures such as this.
I had to get back up and go to my next lesson, but my body felt so overused from all of the internal mana training and then the incident with Caesar . . . I simply wanted to sleep all day. On top of that, the headmaster knew who my father was, and apparently, they were pretty close too. Well, In the past anyway. It bothered me that my father never mentioned him, not even once. Although, it would explain why he was so eager to look at my acceptance letter when I first received it at home. It must have shocked him to see his old friend's name on the paper.
My body quickly became hot and started to excrete what felt like buckets of sweat and my arm still stung a bit from where the Trigon first appeared on my shoulder. Was there a reason it hurt so bad? The incident happened yesterday, but it still felt like it was searing into my arm and spreading across my body. Why did it act on its own, and what were those strange thoughts I was having?
I could remember quite vividly how my thoughts and emotions were scrambled between pride, fury, and the boost of my ego. I unknowingly turned numb to what happened around me and didn't even flinch when I had caused that boy's leg to break. However, only as soon as I realized the Trigon was beginning to show itself on my body, those thoughts dispersed, and I returned to my normal self.
‘I suppose the real question isn’t what happened to me, but what’s happening to me.’ I thought.
A knock on my door slightly shook me up from under the covers. Was it a teacher? Had they come to look for me for skipping class? No, there are too many students for them to notice - let alone care - if one was missing from class. Perhaps it was the headmaster. It had already been a few hours since he let me go from his office. Maybe he wanted to know more about my parents.
“Elex, it's me,” Chrollo said. “Are you ok?”
“I'm fine,” I called out. “Where were you? What happened?”
He didn't respond for a while and imagined him just standing outside my room door.
“I . . . had things to do,” he said, “but, Elex, listen. I just want you to know that I'm sorry I wasn't there for you.”
What was he talking about? There was no way he could have known what would happen. It’s not his fault that things played out the way they did. He was just used in Caesar's plan, the same way those other kids were.
“It's ok, It wasn't your fault.” I replied, “Do you want to come in?”
I waited in silence for a while. No response.
“Chrollo?” I called out. Still no response.
It seemed he had left, walked away. I thought it a bit strange, but I didn't really question his actions too much. He said he had things to do, maybe he went to resume them. Or perhaps he was late for another class . . . class! Shouldn't he have been in class? I was no exception, I was intentionally skipping out on lessons, but why was he?
I sighed and rested my head back on my pillow. ‘Perhaps I worry too much about my own problems that I’ve become blind to realize that the people around me have their own obstacles as well.’ I thought. ‘I need to be more open with Chrollo, and maybe he would be willing to open up to me.’
I let my body rest while my mind stayed awake and answered questions that needed to be asked. I needed to know what I would do from here on. Remind me why I’m here, why my grandparents went out of their way to get me into this school, why my mother and little brother’s killers were still breathing the air of the world. I felt as if I was wasting time, like I should have been doing things faster, making more obvious progress. Or maybe that was unrealistic. The more I thought about it, the more I laughed at the image of me - a fourteen-year-old kid - fighting against terrorists.
‘Give it time,’ I told myself ‘Whatever you wish for will come to pass.’
A saying my mother would always tell me. Whether it was true or not, I chose to believe it. I still remember when I was younger, I asked my parents for a little brother or sister and they looked at me with embarrassment. I was so naive, to really think that whatever I wished for would become reality. However, when Casper came into my life, I was sure there was nothing I couldn’t do. I genuinely thought I was special. Which is why it only hurt so much more when I stood there helpless, as my father took me away and my mother and brother were killed.
‘No,’ I thought ‘Never again will I be powerless . . . Never again.’
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CHRISTINA PORLOV (POV)
“Your Highness, I suggest you think of another way to go about your business,” Erika advised.
“No, that isn't the problem. The problem is that I'm not doing it well enough - not as well as I know it can be done.” I replied.
We walked past the large open silver gates and down the long staircase that led to the entrance of the academy, as we were to be meeting with an envoy to take me to the palace. Erika was simply my guide, her access to the palace had now become the same as everyone else's, despite the fact that when we were younger she would come over as much as I liked.
“With all respect, Your Highness, I think it’s foolish and will leave a stain on your image. The last thing we want is for rumors to go around saying that the Princess is an easy romantic” she said.
“That's ridiculous, Erika.” I rolled my eyes “We all still may be young, but we're about to move into our second year, I doubt anyone will be having thoughts like that”
“Your highness, you clearly don't know enough about these students then. They're always looking for a bit of gossip, something to chat about and hopefully gain leverage on other students.” Erika explained.
“This isn’t war, Erika. It’s school.” I said “And besides, I won't ever speak to those last two students again, they may be slightly gifted on the field, but it seems they have little to nothing when it comes to common sense. Did you take their names off the list like I said?”
“Yes, your highness”
“Great,” I sighed “Back to square one, almost a year has gone by and I've essentially done nothing. Out of the others on that list, I’ve only spoken with one of them. I don't seem to have any luck with the rest.”
“And you won't if you keep trying to use your feminine wiles to get what you want. The last two were easy bait because they were simple-minded, but for the rest of the people on this list, you will need more than just looks. Especially for this one, she’s female” Erika said looking down at her own copy of the list we had made.
‘What was I doing wrong?’ I thought ‘It always works for mother, the way she can make father do the things she wants. How does she do it? I should have had an effect on Chrollo when I spoke with him, but he didn't bat an eye. Despite my constant smile and . . . hopefully welcoming embrace, he seemed more or less indifferent to my presence. For God sake, am I not the Princess?’
I sighed again “I suppose some of the students here are much deeper than they appear.”
‘Chrollo, who are you?’
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Exiting the carriage doors held open by the chauffeur, I stared up at the familiar guarded entrance to my home. Has it really been a whole year since I came back? The thought of leaving the palace for more than a few weeks before would have been a dreadful experience, but now, I don't feel that way anymore. In fact, I felt more out of place, considering I wasn't meant to be home just yet. The school year was coming to an end, but it wasn't finished, still, another month remained before I would either choose to come home or stay on the school campus for the holiday.
Approaching the opened doors, the guards who were positioned there stood a little straighter. “Your highness,” one of them said. I smiled back and walked into the palace.
Nothing had changed. Well, few things rarely do change within a year, but the carpet that covered the floors was still the same dark blue color and the ceiling still sat high above, perhaps unnecessarily high. Chandeliers hung from every room's top and paintings along with expensive furniture decorated the halls as I traversed through them. It was slightly refreshing to be back. The welcoming scents of the palace bombarded my nose and I was hit with a slight sense of nostalgia.
Climbing the stairwell and heading to my parents' chambers, where I hoped I would find my father, I heard the familiar purr of my beloved animal around a corner.
“Tulip?” I called out.
The white-pawed cat came running around the corner toward me, and I knelt down to embrace her as she licked my fingers when I picked her up.
"How are you, girl," I said in a raised voice while rubbing her belly.
I still remembered the day I had to fight against my brother to decide whether we got ourselves a feline or a hound. Our parents decided to take our quarrel and escalate it to the point where we were forced to pitch reasons why our choice was the better. And with the help of my eldest brother, I won.
Approaching my parents' bedroom, Tulip in hand, I set her down and knocked on the door.
“Enter,” The voice on the other side said. And so, I did just that.
“Christina?” My mother said, “I thought you would be coming later in the day. Your father is very busy at the moment” she said whilst fitting an earring in her ear.
‘It’s good to see you too, mother’ I thought.
“My schedule was free, so I took it upon myself to come earlier. I thought father would be happy to see me.”
“I’m sure he will, darling. He’ll also be excited to hear what you have to say. Of course, If you have good news to tell him?”
“It depends on how he sees it,” I said
She turned to face me for a second, and then back to the mirror. “I guess not then.” She finished up and then turned to talk to me properly. “Well then, tell me, how is it?”
“Your jewelry?”
“No, the academy. It seems word of your attendance has made many other nobles - especially high-born ones - to send their kids to Haulburn Academy as well. I can only imagine the overwhelming attention you must be getting.”
I shuffled a bit “Quite the opposite actually. Everyone seems more . . . hesitant when it comes to interacting with me.”
“As they should,” she scoffed. “ you're the daughter of the king, the other students will either give you everything you want or grovel and tense up when they enter your presence. You need to know how to use their reactions to your own advantage.”
My mind instantly thought back to how Chrollo was unfazed by my “royal presence”. He didn't give me what I wanted, and he most definitely didn't grovel. Things are different when I speak to him compared with the other students. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it but there was something different about him.
“That's easy for you to say. People don't act the same way around me as they do to you. I'm not a beautiful woman who’s married the king.” I replied
My mother looked at me and smiled. A smile that said. “You're right, but life isn’t as simple as that”.
“Sweetie, beauty isn't something you're born with, it's something you create. You can give a pretty woman everything in the world, but as soon as she gets jealous of another, she turns into a monster. And let me remind you, monsters aren't beautiful. Beauty depends on how you act towards others, or more so, how others perceive you. Your image plays a huge part in beauty, and I don’t mean in the physical.” She said “ However, you are as pretty as you need to be, my sweet darling”
“I suppose so,” I said with slight disbelief.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
“Now, I must be going. I have a meeting with one of the councilors about events to take place in the outer city.” She said while putting on more layers to head out.
“When can I speak with father, where is he?” I asked. I would have thought he would be here, in his chambers with mother. However, apparently, he was busy. Something that was unusual to see in my father. The more that I think about it, the more I can confidently say my mother was the one who seemed to always be occupied. Like now, I just came back after a year away, and she is already leaving to go out for business.
“You will speak with him after you have greeted your brothers, only then, will you meet him in the throne room. Although you are the daughter of the king, and the little sister to his heir, you have standards to keep up.” She said, straightening her gown in the mirror
“Yes, mother,” I said submissively.
She looked at me and then sighed. “Don't take it that way, I wasn't scolding you” She ran her fingers through my black hair. “ Try to understand, we live in a world run by men, they may be your brothers, but it is always in your interest to treat them with the respect they deserve as princes, ok?” She adjusted my hair behind my ear, and kissed me on my cheek, “Have a good day darling.” She said, heading for the door.
I followed after her as she exited the room, and watched her travel along the hallway and head to the staircase. I made my way toward my eldest brother's room - where he usually dwelled - with Tulip walking by my side. My brothers had always had a good relationship with me, my eldest brother was always more serious, but protective, while my other brother played with me more, and is the reason I have the mindset of wanting to leave behind my responsibilities and venture into the world.
I knocked on the closed door. Standing in front of it, looking eagerly at the handle and waiting to hear his voice. No response.
I knocked again, harder this time. Still nothing. ‘Could he be out?’ I thought. I grabbed the handle and pushed down to open the door slightly. As I peeked my head into the room, I saw my brother down on his knees, facing away from the door with his head down, a slight mumble coming from his mouth. He was praying.
“James?” I called out.
He didn't answer
“James!” I said more firmly.
He sighed, “I didn’t know that if there was no response after you knocked on a door, it meant you could enter.”
“Well, if you didn't want anyone to enter you should have locked it,” I replied.
“I wasn't expecting anyone to enter, baby sister.” he smiled. “ Your back, how have you been ?” he said, getting up.
“Stressed” I replied “School is harder than it seems.”
“All troubles you have now will soon fade, trust in Arcinose, and he will make a way,” he said. “Do you still pray, like I showed you how?”
“I . . . try to,” I looked away from him.
He smiled, “It's alright, everyone’s journey takes time. Just make sure, to be honest with the people around you, because only then, can you be honest with yourself, baby sister”
“You and Mother both teach me different things concerning other people.” I said, “Mother says to use them to my advantage, while you say treat them the way I would want to be treated. It seems that both are to my benefit, but both are also in contradiction with one another, so, which should I follow?”
His smile faded, and he took on a serious expression. “Christina, do you know why our lord, Arcinose, hasn't destroyed all the four races?” He asked me, “Despite the evil and corruption within the world, he still lets me, you, our mother, the thief from yesterday and the killer tomorrow, live another day. Have you ever asked yourself, why hasn’t he wiped us all out yet?”
“I suppose I haven't really thought about it, '' I said honestly.
“It’s because we all have a motive, and these motives all stem from something we can't control. The thief steals not because he is greedy or because he only wants more, but because he wants to survive, and that need for survival promotes theft. The murderer doesn't kill because he wants to kill, he does it because something within him -a motive - controls his body and mind to take the life of another. Whether that be revenge, hatred, fear, anger, or whatever causes one to kill, however, it is not in their true nature. After all, would you take the life of a child if you knew they would kill thousands in the future? No, you would look for whatever moment in that child's life that turned them to be the way they are, and change that instead.”
“Mother would disagree with you there,” I said. “She says she used to know people who would kill because they simply loved it.”
“Agh, I'm twenty years old now and mother is much older, she will have had many different experiences with other people than I have. But you shouldn’t confuse age with knowledge, baby sister. Mother and I have had very different lives, and we see things differently too. The way she helps the poor and provides for the less fortunate - good actions they may be - but what is the motive?”
I was silent. Not only for the fact that I didn't have an answer but for the reason I enjoyed listening to my brother share his wisdom. I liked it when he would go on and on about his own worldviews as opposed to others. A devoted believer in The Arcin Born, this kingdom will be lucky to have him as their king.
“Our Lord understands that good and evil must both exist,” he continued “and they influence each other, meaning good cannot live without the bad and bad without the good. For what good is the good that someone does if there is no evil? And who is to say that it is evil you are doing if there is no good to let you know that it is evil? Arcinose knows that erasing us will not allow us to develop as a society, so he instead lets us evolve, learn and grow. So my point is, baby sister, that you shouldn't believe me or mother just because we tell you to. Do what you think is the correct thing to do, only once you have done it, will you learn if you made the right or wrong choice, but make sure that when you make your decision, you know what your motive is, because if you have no motive, what's the point of doing it?” He finished.
“You talk a lot, James,” I said.
His smile returned, “I suppose, but you enjoy listening, baby sister”
“From others, yes.” I joked,
He gasped sarcastically, “I didn't realize I bore you so much, I guess I'm not the elder brother you always wished for.” He said, pretending to get emotional.
“That's not what I meant,” I smiled.
“I know it's not,” he chuckled, “Have you spoken to Xavier?”
“I haven't had the chance, I first spoke to mother and then made my way to your room simply because it was closer,” I replied.
“Well, if you want to go and speak to our beloved brother, you’ll have to wait. He isn't in the palace”
“Not in the palace? Where is he?” I said with confusion.
Until we turned a certain age, father forbid that Xavier and I leave the palace on our own. However, Xavier was only sixteen - two years older than me - there was no way father would have let him leave the palace grounds. He didn't even let James go out on his own until last year, just before I enrolled at Haulburn.
“He’s decided to spend most of his time these days at the library. It turns out that after you left, his interest in venturing and learning about the world only spiked.”
“And father let him?”
“Mother was against him going out on his own, but . . . you know how father has a soft spot for our brother. Besides, he isn't allowed to leave unless he is escorted by a cohort of guards, and I’m sure mother has her own people watching him from a distance for extra protection”
What had made father let him go out into the city like that? He always seemed to favor Xavier more than the rest of us, but, wouldn't that make him more paranoid about his safety? I mean, was he also allowed to enter the outer city? Or was father blinded by the sight of his son being happy that he wasn't thinking straight?
“Perhaps I'll meet him another time, I came home to speak with father anyway,” I said.
“Oh? About what? You know, now that I think about it, why are you home? I thought the academy holiday wouldn't begin for at least another month.” He asked.
“He . . . just wanted to check up on me,” I said whilst heading for the door.
I almost forgot that father hadn't mentioned my task to my brothers. To be honest, I didn’t even know the reason why I was doing it either, but the fact he hadn't told them indicated that he didn't want them to know. Best keep it that way.
“Well, I need to go now, father should be waiting. Will you resume prayer?” I said
“No, I think I will go and speak with the priest at the chapel. I enjoy helping him prepare for the sermons. The atmosphere of the church brings me peace. You should come yourself some time” He offered.
“Hmm, perhaps. Well, I'll be going now, It was nice seeing you, brother”
“And you too, baby sister,” He said, pulling me in for a hug.
Closing his door behind me, I made my way through the long hallways and corridors back to the bottom floor where the entrance of the throne room was held. The guards who stood at the entrance greeted me and opened the double doors to allow me passage.
The floor in the throne room changed to marble and the roof held the grandest chandelier within the entire building. As I walked through the long walkway to the throne where my father sat reading papers, the faces of the previous rulers - my ancestors - stared at me down in the form of paintings and stone-head sculptures.
This room always intimidated me as a child, and it still slightly does. However, although my insides are shaken, I try my best to keep my face in check as I approach the king who seems to have taken no interest in my arrival.
“Father,” I called out “I have returned as you asked”
“Christina,” He said, “You came early.”
“I realized I had spare time on my hands”
“Oh, Is that so?” He replied not bothering to look away from what he was reading.
I gulped, “Father, I’m here because you called for a report.” I said loudly. I always tried my best to stay confident when I was in his presence. I wanted him to know that I wasn't the little girl he would pat on the head and force to stay in bed whenever she came down with a cold anymore. I was an independent individual, who deserved respect.
“Well?” He sighed.
I shifted slightly, “I have a list consisting of seven people . . . well, only five now. But they look promising,”
“Five? You’ve only been able to get five people?” He questioned. “It's been almost a year now, what have you been doing?”
“With all due respect, father, the people I have chosen are far above any other student within the first year by a long margin. It would be a waste of time for me to invest any interest in others. I have spent my entire year making sure that statement is true, which I can confidently say, it is.” I said assuredly, my heart slightly pumping harder than normal.
“Very well,” he said “and what are the names of these . . . exceptionally talented individuals.”
“Ashton Gillock, Caesar Kadmin, Yasmin Folshaw, Elex Vinspear, and a boy from the demon kingdom named Chrollo,” I replied.
“Oh? Lord Kadmin’s boy? Interesting.” He said while rubbing through his clean-shaped beard. “And what of this Vinspear boy, who is he?” he asked.
“He’s from the human kingdom, and we believe he has ties to the upcoming elixir shop in the inner city called “Boldwick”.”
“Hmm, I haven't heard of it. Anyhow, I hope you are going about this in a discreet manner as I told you.”
“Yes, of course, father, I am,” I replied.
He shifted in his throne, and the light from the stained glass at the sides of the room reflected in the black gemstones sitting atop his crown. The Fontorion Crown they called it. Father wouldn't let anyone touch it, he had told us that it was custom for only the current king to touch the crown, no matter the circumstances. Only during the coronation of the new king, would a priest of the Lumin Cathedral be able to place the priceless ornament on the next monarch's head and declare his regality.
He looked at me with his scrutinizing eyes and then dropped his act. “Christina, I hope I'm not putting too much stress on you. I know you may still be wondering why I’m asking you to do all this, but I want you to know it's for a good cause.” He gave me a warm smile. “However, if your comfort is breached or if you ever feel as if you can't go on, I won't hesitate to let you withdraw. I stress you understand I’m not forcing you to do this, ok?”
Whether this was a test or some sort of trap, I wouldn't fall for it. Father was a caring man - I knew that - perhaps more caring than mother ever was, but, I don't want him to see me as someone struggling with a task given to them.
“It's not a problem father, I am fine” I replied, standing a little taller, making my back a little straighter. ‘Look at me, I'm not the same person I was a year ago.’ I thought.
In reality, I had not changed much myself. However, being away from my family for a prolonged period of time allowed me to return and have an excuse for a sudden change in attitude. Despite the fact I had always been like this on the inside, my family always treated me as the little girl who needed protection or assistance. However, now that I've returned after some time away from them, I could act the way I have always wanted and have a reason for it.
“I see. If you’re ok with it, then so am I,” he got up from the throne, and walked down the dais. “How is your friend, Erika? I hope you were happy I asked her father to let her join you on this task.”
“Yes, father, I was very pleased. She has been more than just exceptional help.”
“Good, I’m glad to hear you're enjoying yourself. To be honest, I wasn't completely sure how you would fare in Hualburn, but, considering it is the best of the best in the kingdom - and after I spoke with Harrison about it - I decided it would be the best place to put you,” He said.
“Thank you for the consideration, father. I don't think you could have made a better choice than Haulburn academy, It truly is outstanding.” I said while he approached me.
“Good, good. Umm, Christina, do you possibly have the names of those people written on some paper?”
“I do,” I said, reaching into the pocket of my school blazer. “Here,” I handed him the crumpled paper.
“Thank you, Christina, I am very grateful for this.” He said putting his hand on my back.
“It's not a problem, I'm not afraid to step out of my comfort zone for you, father”
He looked at me, with an expression I couldn't understand “Hmm, follow me” he said.
We walked down the throne room hallway towards one of the stone head sculptures of a past ruler.
“Christina, do you know who this is?” My father asked.
“It's King Jonathan Porlov,” I answered.
“Correct, it is. Did you know that King Jonathan was one of the only monarchs who lived to be older than ninety-five years old?”
“I . . . I didn't.” Where was he going with this?
“Out of all kings in human history - that's recorded anyway - he was one of the longest-ruling kings, and what makes it even more impressive was that he was ruling during a time of war. Tell me, Christina, what do you think the reason is for his long life.”
“Good hygiene?” I said. I knew that probably wasn't the answer, but I thought I'd say something that made sense, considering I didn't know the real answer.
Father chuckled to himself, “ Ahh, good hygiene, if only. No, it was because he surrounded himself with the right people - powerful and strong people - and he didn't listen to those who he knew were foolish.”
“Seems he was a smart man himself,” I commented.
“Indeed, he was. But, what I'm trying to say is that you shouldn’t go the extra mile for anyone unless it's for your own benefit as well. I know that rule doesn't apply to everyone, but for people like us - the people at the top - we shouldn't waste our time with those who are lesser than us, and I advise you to surround yourself with people who are powerful and intelligent. King Jonathan understood that. He surrounded himself with smart people to guide and advise him on his actions and choices, he surrounded himself with powerful people to protect him and help him with his battles. Together with that combination, he was truly a monarch to be feared.” He said.
“Seems he was a very smart man then,” I joked.
My father smiled, “Christina, I’m saying you should do the same. We are entering a time of uncertainty and many things will happen in the near future. I'm sure your brothers have told you about the reports of terrorists going around the continent and causing mayhem.”
“They have.”
“So, I urge you to make sure you surround yourself with the right people - intelligent and powerful people. It will only benefit you in long run.”
“Yes, father, I will,” I said.
“Good. Now, I have already set a carriage outside of the palace waiting to take you back to the academy. I told Harrison that you wouldn't be gone for too long." he said, "And, thanks for this Christina.” he said, holding up the paper slip.
“Your welcome, father,” I replied, then turned and left the throne room for the carriage outside.
As I began my ride back to the portal entrance to the school, I thought to myself why father had decided to lecture me about the people I hang around. As if I don't already know who to surround myself with. Secret my task may be, he still refuses to let me even know the true meaning behind it. Does he still see me as a little girl? Or is there more to this that I just can't see?