A P H I A
I sighed as I closed the book my predecessor left for me and the next generations. I am reading their books or diaries every night before going to bed to learn more about my powers and responsibilities.
I am sitting on my bed while my back is resting on the headboard, and I am wearing a very comfortable nightdress. However, for some reason, I have to wear my robe to cover what it can cover because some unwanted guest visits my room at this late hour.
"You have my full attention now," I said as I put my arms over my chest. "What can I do for you, your highness?" I said. He is sitting comfortably on the couch while waiting for me to stop reading. He is wearing a pair of pajamas. I think he was ready to sleep when he decided to go here for some unknown reason.
"I am allowing you to call me Kalmin if we are alone." He said, and my eyebrow automatically rose upward.
"Why would I do that?" I asked in disbelief. "Other people might think I am not respecting the crown prince."
He looks at me with a straight face. "Well, are you? I am giving you a special treatment, yes. Why? Because I want to. No more questions about it." He said, and my mouth gaped open in disbelief.
"You just stop me from complaining," I stated, and he nodded. What a jerk. "So, what are you doing here at this hour?"
He diverts his gaze from me to Alpin, who is sleeping soundly on the other side of my bed. "What about him?" I asked.
"I just want to check Alpin." He said.
"He is in good hands, Kalmin," I said as I emphasized his name.
"I am not quite sure about that, Aphia." He said, and I threw the pillow at him in annoyance. He luckily caught it. "Do not hesitate to ask me for help, especially when it concerns Alpin." He said, and I glared at him. He chuckles before throwing the pillow back at me. "Why are you looking at me like that?" He asked.
"Why are you so nice these past few weeks?" I asked suspiciously. "Are you planning something against me?" I scrutinized his face.
He laughs at me. "You are crazy, Aphia. Please stop using your brain. It will make you more stupid." He said while laughing.
"Hey! I'm not stupid!" I shouted in annoyance.
"Then, stop thinking dreadful things about me. I'll kill myself first before I can do anything terrible to you." He said as he shook his head in disbelief.
"What the hell are you talking about?" I said in a poker face. "You are making me cringe with your words," I said as I caressed my arms, and he laughed at me.
"Are you comfortable having Alpin around?" He asked, changing the topic.
I nod. "Yes. I like Alpin here. At least I am not alone anymore." I said as I chuckled.
His eyebrows knit together while looking at me. "What are you talking about? You are not alone. You have me." He said, and my eyes widened in shock. He immediately diverted his gaze away from me when he realized what he said, and I laughed at him. Talk about an awkward moment.
"Yes, Kalmin. I have you, and you have me." I said as I teased him, and he just looked at me in a straight face, trying to hide his embarrassment.
"Will you take me seriously, Aphia?" He asked, and I nodded.
"I am always taking you seriously, Kalmin," I said while smiling, and he groaned in annoyance. "What?" I asked as I laughed at him.
He shakes his head as he lets out a deep sigh. "By the way, please don't mind Eeshaan and Esmeray." He said, and I looked at him in confusion.
"What are you talking about?" I asked as my eyebrows knitted together.
"You know that they are just teasing us, right? Don't let them affect you." He said while looking at me intently. He looks serious. Is he bothered about it?
I smile at him and nod. "Of course. I was just playing along with them. Besides, I also enjoy teasing you." I chuckle.
"I don't want their teasing and their words affect you because I want you to feel it naturally without someone influencing your feelings." His words seem vague to me, and the only clear thing is my heart that skips a beat while I am looking at those blue eyes.
I don't know how to react to what he said, and I don't want us to get awkward with each other.
I diverted my gaze away from him before I could drown in those beautiful eyes. I chuckle awkwardly. "Don't worry. I am not the kind of person who can be influenced so easily." I said as I darted my eyes at Alpin.
"It's good to hear." He said. "Have a goodnight Aphia." He said before leaving. I breathed out as I felt myself suffocating for an unknown reason. What the hell? Did he make me stop breathing for a few seconds?
The next day, Prince Kalmin dragged Alpin and me going to the Chateau de Arcovia for our training. I am scheduled to join Elbrus's Fifth Order next week, and I have to train for a week while I am here at the castle.
"Stop playing with Alpin, Aphia!" Prince Kalmin shouted to the nth time today. He is training Alpin and me, but I always ended up playing with him instead.
"I couldn't resist Alpin's cuteness. I want to play with him instead of asking him to do this and that." I complained, and he groaned in frustration.
"Alpin needs to train, Aphia. He should learn how to protect himself and you, or else both of you will get hurt." He explained.
"I understand what you are saying, but how can you ignore this!?" I carry Alpin and show him to Prince Kalmin. He smiled at him as he made a cute sound. I chuckle. "He likes you," I said, and Prince Kalmin shot us with a death glare.
"Aphia Gray," I quickly put Alpin down.
"Yes, your highness. We will do it." I said. He's calling me in my complete name once he gets mad, and I hate him for that. I breathed out as I looked intently at Alpin. We have been trying to make Alpin breathe his fire, but he cannot do it yet.
"You need to make Alpin follow all the things you want him to do, Aphia. He cannot ignore or reject your orders in the middle of battle or emergency situations." He stated, and I nodded.
"Hey, Alpin," I called his attention since he was busy catching his tail. He looks at me and sits in front of me. "Listen to me very carefully," I said, and he nodded. "Good boy." I patted his head as he smiled at me. "You and I are partners in battle. We will protect each other while defeating those monsters, do you understand?" I asked, and he replied with a 'yes'.
"So, we have to train and understand each other. We need to know each others' power so we can use it in battle. We have to learn our strengths and weaknesses, alright?" I asked, and he made a cute sound, but he actually responded to me. I chuckle at his cute reaction.
I stand up and step backward. "First, show us your fire, Alpin. You have to breathe fire, so we can see how strong your flame is." I explained, and he nodded. I took more steps away from him to make sure I was safe from his flame.
Alpin looks upward in the sky, and it seems like he is planning to breathe his fire in the air. He inhaled some air, and when he opened his mouth, he breathed out a blue flame. My eyes widened in shock as I stared at his blue flame. He made a huge fireball despite his age and size.
"It's amazing!" I exclaimed, and Alpin jumped in happiness.
"You have the same color of flame." Prince Kalmin commented after witnessing Alpin's flame. "I think you can combine your fire elemental magic on his fire to make it stronger." He suggested.
"We will try to do that," I said as I looked at Alpin with admiration.
I asked Alpin to fly as high as he could. Prince Kalmin and I want to measure how high and far he can fly with his wings. So far, he can fly at about ten feet high from the ground, and he can fly around the whole castle premises.
"Do you think I can take him with me next week?" I ask Prince Kalmin while Alpin is resting. We will try to combine our magical powers and our combat skills after a short break.
He nods. "You cannot leave him here, Aphia. He will follow you wherever you go. Just don't let him engage in a battle yet. Let him experience what an expedition looks like. He also needs to witness how you fight and how you use your magic." He said, and I agreed.
"Lady Aphia!" Someone called my name, and I looked around to find that familiar voice.
"The commanders are here." Prince Kalmin said as I saw all of them walking towards us.
"They love to hang out together," I commented, and he nodded.
"Let's continue your training even though they are here." Prince Kalmin ordered, and I nodded.