It was Friday and Amir was just walking back from his ranking exams, confident in his ability to once again top all those in his year.
"I'm definitely going to get a better score than that spoilt prince! His money will run out soon, and then there would be no way for him to pay his way in."
There, standing in the halls were a small group of minions surrounding a very familiar individual. Noticing Amir pass by, the cocky person made to call out and show his prestige over the crown prince, however, his efforts were easily ignored.
"Oi! Don't get all confident just because you were chosen as representative instead of me!"
Amir ignored Nikolai's calls. Why must he always get singled out in the hallways? There was nothing particularly romantic about them.
With a head tilt in his cousin's direction, Amir barely had to blink before his ever-present shadow stopped Nikolai.
"I must ask you to please leave the young master alone, sir."
Amir, thankfully, didn't have to stay to watch the end of the confrontation, as Nikolai was known for being rather loud with his protests.
///
In the back corners of the school, was an irritated young man, easily identifiable to be Nikolai Marginstine, the prince's cousin.
His pace was a shoe-tap of irritation as he walked backwards and forth the small, hard steps rally hidden behind the school.
"Look who we have here?" The voice was disguised, making it deep and crackly, coming out of nowhere and shocking the very much concentrated Nikolai out of his reverie.
"Who are you?!"
"Who I am is of importance, but what have you so frustrated is." Nikolai turned his body, and surely right behind him was a cloaked figure. Neither tall nor short. The figure's build was fully obscured, causing much uneasiness to settle in Nikolai's stomach.
If Nikolai were not as rash as he was, he would have already run from the dangerous manner in which the person walked. However, Nikolai was rather brash and cocky, and his thoughts, even though such a dangerous time were of his greatest annoyance.
"I just hate Amir for getting the representative position. For always getting what he wants! He didn't even try hard for it. I am still of the judgement that he paid his way into the position!"
"Why do you disrespect the heir so?" The individual may be obscured, but he would be blind to not notice the rising tensions between the cousins, however, such ignorance can be easily faked if needed.
"He is not the king! I will be the next king! Not that waste of talent!"
"You wish to be king?"
"I only wish for the position as much as any person would be, had their kingdom stolen by someone else."
"You do not hold royal blood yet hold yourself to such high standards." The person making sure that the cloak's hood still held up, walked forward.
"Huh?! What do you mean to say!"
"I will help you become king, in return, you have to listen to my every word."
"I will be king, no matter what."
"Then it seems as though we have a deal." Two pairs of gloved hands joined together in greeting. Much like a fallen, corrupted angel, the white of Nikolai's glove was swallowed and joined together by the swallowing blackness of the one before him. In his ignorance, he could do little to understand what his actions have caused.
This is much alike to the phrase, 'making a deal with the devil'. And once could only wonder what Nikolai's price may be.
///
Amir, once again alone in his bed-chambers, abandoned all thoughts of comfort and instead wrote the letter that he so despised to complete.
"Dear younger brother,"
It would be remiss to write a letter and not address those of the origins of his birth. Amir was of no such person.
Taking out another parchment, the crown prince started again.
"Dear Father and Mother,"
Amir could not understand if he were supposed to write this as a letter addressed to the 'King and Queen' or 'Father and Mother'. He is writing it specifically on business that he had rather immaturely put off, however, he would like to think that even if the letter is all business, his parent would be happy with a reply from him.
He wished he could ascertain such a complicated thing.
"Dear King and Queen,
I have looked through the information provided, and have decided to ask for your permission with a task that I have in mind.
Before getting to such an undignified problem, I would like to thank both of you for your concern and the protective jewel that is now hanging around my neck.
It is rather stable, and I have had no known difficulties with it yet, and cannot think so in the future."
Amir could not continue with this line of thanks, his stomach already dropping in unease.
Out of concern, it might be, but the amulet was nothing but another chain the kingdom that he would one day rule.
Amir wished his elven guard was by his side, keeping him company, instead of guarding the door.
It was a thankless job that they got. Both the crown prince and his guard.
Both looking out for the welfare of others, the prince of the nation, and still getting pressured into situations.
Amir wished to never look at the parchment again. Wished he could just burn the whole situation to ash, and not pay the consequence. Alas, the world was rather restrictive, and he could no such thing.
Amir realised with an unsteady heart that he had no choice but to continue writing the dreadful letter, and so wished to send it away by the end of the day. To put it out of mind for much time.