"Sorry to spring this on you all at once, but I will be leaving the academy," his words echoed, as everyone within the room widened their eyes in surprise.
"Wait what?," Allen asked, breaking the silence. "What's with the sudden leave? Is something wrong?"
"Well, about that…," August responded, searching for an answer.
The announcement for the semi-finals was coming up tomorrow, which had all of the members of the small resistance feeling tense. Luckily, Thomas was finally out of the infirmary and feeling better, but however out of the blue August informed his friends that he had something important to advise them of, only to be told he will be leaving?
"Well, spit it out," Rose commanded, getting impatient.
"I promise it's nothing too crazy," August claimed, as he scratched the back of his head. "It's only a temporarily leave"
"Ah temporary," Stephen said, with a small smirk. "Did you already do something to get yourself in trouble?"
"No, nothing of that sort," August sighed after seeing Stephen's expression. "My father has just requested I return back home, regarding some royal business I need to help deal with"
"Your father?"
"The king?"
"Royal business?"
"Pretty much," August shrugged. "You guys should've expected something like this, given I am a prince and all…"
True, Allen thought, as August reassured them. It's probably a surprise he hasn't been recalled so far. We just haven't really thought about it, considering how busy we've been and with everything going on.
"Anyways, I promise I won't be gone forever!," August put a finger up. "I've come to enjoy this academy, and don't want to leave just yet"
"How long will you be gone?," Thomas asked.
"Hmm," August started to say, searching for an answer. "I'll probably be back in time for the finals?"
"The finals?!?!," everyone said at once.
"Yeah, given what my father said, I estimate about a week," August added. "Don't worry, I promise to be back in time!"
"You're making this sound like it's not a big deal," Rose pointed out. "If it's important enough for your father to request your help instead of dealing with it himself, it either means he wants your input on the matter, or it's something he can't handle alone"
"Good point," August agreed with her. "My father… well nevermind. Either way, I promise I'll help my father handle it as fast as I can, so I can be back in time!"
Everyone looked at him in disbelief, as it seemed very unlikely that the prince believed he wouldn't take that long. Either way, they couldn't argue against him leaving, considering the circumstances. But, that didn't mean they weren't a little disappointed he would be gone.
"However, Allen and Stephen," August raised his voice, pointing a finger at the two of them. "One of you two better make it to the finals!"
Allen and Stephen looked at August, at each other, then back at him in confusion.
"Well, I would hope at least one of us makes it to the finals," Stephen said with a smirk.
"Stop being a smart ass!," Rose slapped the top of his head with a rolled up document she held in her hand.
"Oww! You can be a lot gentler! Also, shouldn't the Student Council President be a bit more… reserved?"
"I'll wipe that snarky grin off your face first!," Rose yelled, as she kept hitting him.
"Alright, alright, I'll calm down! Just stop!," Stephen pleaded.
As everyone laughed, August waited for things to calm down before continuing.
"Anyways, just make sure one of you makes it to the finals," he repeated. "After all, I want the finals to be worth watching!"
"Oh, it'd definitely be worth watching if it was two females," Stephen said, a large grin forming on his face.
"What was that?," Rose asked glaring daggers into him. "Seems you haven't learned your lesson quite yet!"
The rest of them rolled their eyes as they watched Rose chase down Stephen within the halls of the academy. A few students stepped out the way, as they were surprised with confusion as they horridly watched her chase him down.
"I'll… leave those two to do their thing…," August commented, as he watched Rose chase him down in the corner of his eye. "Anyways, I'm counting on you two to do your best!"
"Of course," Allen said, with a brief nod. "I'm already doing what I can to get better!"
"Good," August nodded with approval. "And maybe, you'll have a girlfriend when I get back?"
"A… what now?," Allen asked, as his eyes widened.
"Well, you already have two girls interested in you," August said with a chuckle. "It's pretty obvious that-"
But before August could finish his sentence, Rose just happened to be within earshot and immediately stopped to cover August's mouth.
"Alright, alright we get it August! You can leave already!," She advised, with her face flushed.
"Oh come on, you act like you didn't profess your love in front of the entire academy!," Stephen pointed out, as he gathered his breath.
"Well, it's a bit different now," Rose claimed, as she fidgeted in place.
"Didn't you say two girls?," Thomas jumped in. "Do you mean-"
"Yeah, I wonder what Sarah would have to say," August interrupted, as everyone's attention turned to Alice.
"No," she declared, refusing to take her glasses off.
"Oh come on, we just want to hear what Sarah has to say!," August tried to encourage her.
"No!," She repeated herself, putting her arms in the shape of an "x" and slowly backing away.
"I'm totally fine with not being bothered by Sarah right now!," Allen spoke up with worry in his voice, agreeing with Alice.
"A shame," August shook his head. "Anyways jokes aside, I do have to get going. So, I will trust that all of you will stay focused on your studies and training while I'm gone"
"Well of course they will!," Rose said matter of factly. "Otherwise, the two of them will be in for some punishment if they don't. You two will behave, right?"
Rose gave a glare to both Allen and Stephen, who nodded their heads in fear.
"Good. Allen since you beat me, I expect you to fully train these next few days, and better at least try in the semi-finals"
"Right, I will," Allen nodded again. "Besides, that was my plan from the start"
"Good," August nodded in approval. "I should hopefully see you all soon!"
With final goodbyes being made, August made his way out of the academy, to head back to the royal palace.
The journey back home did not take too long for August, who had been taken back by a carriage. Luckily, the royal palace wasn't too far from the academy, which both reside in London.
The trip itself isn't a headache, but being back home will be, August thought with a sigh, as he rested his head on his hand. Just what could they be arguing about now in court once I return?
Growing up in the royal palace, August had become accustomed to the discussions and arguments his father and his members of the royal court had every single day, regarding England's problems and its future. This however didn't make it any more intriguing for him, and he now dreaded it more than ever, after enjoying himself at the Magical Knights Academy, away from the royal court.
I just hope this is something we can resolve quickly, August thought, as the carriage rapidly approached the royal court.
Once August had arrived back home, it didn't take long for the royal guard to recognize him and let him through. He was then informed that a court was in session.
With nothing else to do, he proceeded to the court, where he would find his father and his trusted members of the court.
"-and that's why we should finally do something about it!," one of the members spoke out. "If we don't do something about the Triumvirate-"
"Silence!," a familiar, yet commanding voice filled the room.
Everyone within the room immediately obeyed, and ceased any quiet conversations they might have been having.
August noticed his father, King Edward V, sitting atop his throne as he quieted everyone within the room. He had spoken with much authority, with almost no room for anyone to disagree.
August also noticed his mother, Queen Elizabeth, sitting right next to him. An elegant, yet refined woman, his mother matched his father's sense of authority as she looked around the room for anyone else who may dare go against the wishes of her husband.
"I understand the severity of the issue," his father broke the silence. "However, all of you should understand the Triumvirate's current position. As much as I would like to act upon it, we must tread with caution…"
Same as ever, August thought to himself, as he took a seat off to the side.
"But your majesty," the same member from before spoke up. "Can't we at least-"
"No we cannot," the King immediately interrupted. "Are there any other issues anyone else would like to bring up to the table?"
Whispers went throughout the courtroom, as many were annoyed with the king's interruption. August could somewhat understand it - the court wanted action, and his father denied it.
After a moment of silence, his father finally spoke up. "Very well, all of you are dismissed"
While grunts and whispers of frustration filled the room, the rest of the members got up from their seats and finally began to leave, more than likely making their way back home to govern their own territories.
His father wore a tired expression, before finally noticing August in the corner of the room. He gave him a quick nod, before finally exiting out himself, followed by August's mother.
Well, that means he wants to meet soon, August thought to himself, understanding his father's look.
August's childhood consisted of learning the ways of diplomacy and etiquette over playing and messing around. His father wanted him to best represent his family as the First Prince, and always carry a sense of dignity and authority with him everywhere he went.
Overtime, August learned to pick up on body language and looks, which helped him discern what someone else may want from him or what they may be after. After all, he needed to always be a step ahead of everyone, in preparation to become the next King of England. In this case, August easily understood the nod his father gave him just moments ago.
Let's find out what's going on, August reminded himself, as he met his father in the quiet location they always used to stray away from unwanted eavesdroppers.
Making sure no one was tailing him, August entered the room to find his father examining several documents spread out on the table. He took a moment to acknowledge August's presence, before turning his attention back to the papers.
"Greetings, your majesty," August bowed, before approaching the table.
"You can forget the formalities," his father answered, without looking up. "No one else is around"
"Understood, just a force of habit," August admitted.
"That's fine," he answered, as he wrote something down. "Academy life treating you well? No problems I presume?"
"I'm actually enjoying it more than I thought I would," August admitted, as he glanced at the table. "As for problems, well there are some problems regarding the temporary head director"
"Yes, I've heard about that," his father responded with a sigh. "I hope you've been neutral about the whole ordeal?"
"Neutral enough…," August scratched the back of his head in embarrassment.
That was originally my intention, he thought. But well, things are different now…
"I see," his father answered with another sigh. "Just try your best to represent your family well"
He definitely saw through me, August thought with a wince.
"Making a few friends too?," his father asked, breaking the silence.
"As a matter of factly, I am," August nodded with a satisfied look on his face. "We even had our own club"
"Good to hear," his father smiled for a moment. "But I highly suggest seeing your fiance when you have the chance. She's been getting… irritable…"
"Eh, sure…," August answered as he averted his eyes.
My father may be a cautious man, and rarely scared of anything. But if he's scared of anything, it's my mother and my fiance, August thought, as he noticed his father also averted eye contact. And honestly, I don't blame him.
"Is my sister at least doing well?," August asked, changing topics. "I didn't see her earlier"
"She's still attending the academy for royals and bureaucrats"
"I see," August answered.
It would've been the academy I would've attended, if I wasn't able to use elemental magic, August thought.
It wasn't very common for those of royal blood to be able to use elemental magic, unless one of the parents came from a mage family. Even then, it wasn't very common for someone of royal blood to marry a mage, as it was considered improper.
However, recently the royal family has been trying to encourage better relationships with the mages, due to the growing tense relations between mages and non-mages over the years.
With August being able to use earth magic, unlike his family or his former predecessors, his father sent him to the Magical Knights Academy in an attempt to better the relations between the royal family and the elemental magic families.
"Anyways, let's get to business," his father spoke up, as he set down the documents he was reviewing.
"No doubt why you called me back so suddenly?," August assumed.
"Indeed. The tensions between us of royal blood and the Triumvirate are only getting worse," his father answered, almost guessing August's thoughts.
"I presume that was in relation to what you and the other members of court were speaking about earlier?"
His father took a moment to check the room before speaking. "Unfortunately, yes. Many are growing worried of the somewhat recently formed Triumvirate rapidly gaining power as they continue to stress the importance of their magic, all the while hunting down their fellow fire mages"
August grimaced as he took in his father's words. He knew his father had been dealing with this issue for a while now, ever since the "Fire Outbreaks" happened, before August's own birth.
Many non-magic citizens of England began to grow more wary and afraid of mages, after the fire mages had supposedly burned down many homes and killed all in their path. The (at the time) Council of Magic had placed a ban on fire magic use, in the hopes of quelling the outbursts on the streets.
"Ever since Solomon Windblade took power, it has only reversed our progress in removing tension. I overestimated how cooperative he would be," his father explained, as he looked to the floor. "I'm becoming worried we are running out of time, with the increase in fire mage activity…"
That's right, August thought. The Fire Rebellion. I've heard very little about it, but apparently they're a group of fire mages attempting to take down the Triumvirate, due to the hunt of their own.
While August was not present, he had heard about how the magical knight training program many of the students took part in was interrupted by a fire mage. Not to mention the actual fire mage attack the academy suffered, leading to William Windblade being stripped of his position. And that's only a few of the several cases that continue to grow each day, as more fire mages are spotted attempting to ensue chaos.
"Despite being a Monarch, I cannot deal with the Triumvirate, the fire mages, or even quelling my own court and people," his father explained with a sigh. "And to think I thought my father had it easy"
As August and his father sat in silence in the empty room, he contemplated what their future may hold. With things only getting worse, he could only hope that they will be well equipped to handle whatever may come. Regardless, he promises to do what he can to assist his father, so he can continue to enjoy his current life at the academy surrounded by his friends.
"But it won't last forever…," August murmured, as an unwanted but familiar thought slipped into his mind.