The first week of February, it was the academy break-in week, the first year students were walking around the Academy's premises in between opening classes. It was really a beautiful place, the twins' group of friends were enjoying the place, more particularly the student lounge on the tenth floor, a large glass room with quadratic patterns, poofs, sofas and divans scattered around, some study tables, it was a really nice place to relax, there were the four friends in a round of poofs played.
– What a class, it's better than I dreamed. – Sandy said stretching on the poof.
– I understand you, and when the biology teacher is beautiful like that, we really concentrate. – Artemisia laughed.
– And there are still several places to visit... It will be really cool. – Commented the Hecatrix mage.
– Yes, but has anyone else noticed the prince who's been looking here disguising for more than ten minutes? – Said Adam.
– Just ignore it if it doesn't do you any good. – Said Artemisia worried about her brother, she realized that Nathan was on her brother's tail a few days ago.
– Do you want to go take a look at the library? We haven't even been there yet and I heard that there's everything you can imagine there. – Sandy said wanting to calm down the mood.
– Come on, I have to take a look at some books about anatomy and the nervous system... I'll have to grapple with the Astarte article, apparently the aunt wasn't kidding when she said that the comparison and the pressure would be heavy for me, but I'll handle it. – Apollodro said that he was focused on his studies.
The group got up and walked to the exit, taking a quick look they saw that students from other grades tended to walk in trios or in multiples of threes, the reason the first-years weren't exactly sure. Near the exit door to the corridor Nathan intercepted Apollodro.
– Hi… Polo, so, I was wondering, can we talk? – Nathan asked with confidence.
– It's just... Well I'm busy... I have to go somewhere with my friends. – Apollodro said, who soon turned around and left.
– Oh, okay… – Nathan said that he was left talking to himself.
Gale approached her cousin.
– It's going to take a lot of work… I'm roommate with those two girls, they're interesting, we don't talk that much, but this little group is very close. – Gale commented, she was very analytical.
Alana and Megara entered the lounge and went to talk to the prince.
– Nate! Coincidence to meet you here, how is the adaptation going? – Asked Alana nicely.
– Oh, going well, I just have to focus more on the classes. – Nathan said.
– I recommend going to the library, it's very well equipped, I've never seen a place so tidy. – Commented Megara. – Gale, later we have to go to the pool, I heard you love swimming. –
– Of course, just schedule it. – Gale said, she was dealing carefully with those two, they weren't bad people, but they weren't approaching for simple friendship, even though she saw that they could be good people, she was an excellent judge of character.
So they continued to talk, but the prince could only think about Apollodro and what he had done.
***
Belladona Academy Library, a mirrored and glazed dodecahedron structure, inside had six floors filled with books, knowledge, and a remarkably large base, study tables, and all that. Apollodro was getting books on magical medicine to rent and study in the dorm, while Adam picked up books about spellbooks, Sandy was looking for books about elemental magic convergence and Artemisia by "free and spontaneous pressure" from friends also picked up some books to study, she was more of the action than theory, then they were leaving and heading back to the main building for their next classes.
– Do I really have to read all this? – Artemisia complained holding three thick books in her hand.
– If you want to be a master mage… knowledge is essential. – Pollo laughed.
Nathan seemed to be nearby watching Apollodro from far, but the young Hecatrix didn't even notice.
– I have to go to the gym afterwards, train, not everyone was born with an ease for super strength like certain people, right brother? – Artemisia said with sarcasm.
– As if it made so much difference, Artê, you burn everything and win, you always won. – Commented Adam.
– I know, but taking care of these details is never too much. – Commented the young female Hecatrix.
– We better go, the next class is teacher Gorgon. – Sandy said. Together with Apollodro, she seemed to be the moral and judgment compass of the group.
– Let's go, I don't want to take an observation in the first week of school. – Adam laughed.
So the friends went to their next class, the day went well, the morning and afternoon classes had been very productive and the young mages were getting used to the routine of the classes, there was just something that bothered Artemisia, Prince Gallard that seemed to be chasing her brother.
***
8:00 pm, it was dinner time, students were heading to the cafeterias, the group of Hecatrix twins opted to go to the highest cafeteria on the top floor, it was in an open area near a swimming pool, it was an area of large enough proportions to receive up to 500 students to eat, there was a fixed buffet with various types of proteins, a salad area, side dishes, the kitchen where all this was prepared, it was very practical and serial with trays, cutlery and plates piled up on a metallic mat next to the food. Artemisia and company were about to enter the restaurant, but something seemed to pique the curiosity of Hecuba's daughter.
– Guys, go ahead and I'll go, I have to go to the bathroom, Polo, you know, I want my lemonade without any sugar. – Said Artemisia.
– All right! – Apollodro said, and then followed with the other two.
Artemisia realized that Nathan was lurking around behind a plant trying to hide in darkness, but noticed him, dragging the prince to a blind spot and putting your highness against the wall, immobilizing him with her forearm against his neck firmly.
– What do you want with my brother, man, you don't stop chasing him, you didn't realize he's avoiding you... And with good reason. – Artemisia said, she didn't like those who messed with her brother. She knew he could be kind and complacent, but she was tough for both of them.
– Calm down, I can explain... I have my reasons. – Nathan said choking with his throat being pressed against the wall.
– For your own good, is better you got an excellent excuse! – Artemisia said, giving him a vote of confidence and releasing him from the press.
– You may bet the story is good... I leave you alone for five minutes to go to the bathroom and you already chasing trouble? Sorry for it, Artemisia, he's just a lovesick fool. – Gale said affectionately and arriving with class.
– Gale, well if you say so, I'll hear it myself. – Said the mage who liked the princess's style, from the little she had lived there these days, she had thought the princess to be a sincere girl and with a mood very similar to her own.
– Where to start… I was an asshole to Polo and I rejected his feelings, I denied him when he talked about us… – Nathan began.
– ... That I already know. – Said Artemisia short and thick.
– Continuing… I loved him too, I just didn't know how to deal with it… The education in the royal family was stressful and always demanding, I didn't think it was fair for Polo to involve him, I was afraid of losing him in the process and I ended up pushing him away in advance... Not to mention that I was a very stupid boy, I thought they would bug me to get a wife and have children, when I was fourteen I came out gay, everyone accepted it well, but it was too late to win Polo back, I was a dumb with him, but it was the hardest thing I had to do, I never stopped loving him, but he blocked me on all social networks, he didn't even want to see me in his mind. – Nathan told crying.
– Asshole! – Artemisia and Gale said at the same time touched by the story, he had been a rash asshole, but he was a rash asshole for love.
– I've seen you guys agree on something. – Nathan said.
– Boys! Idiots in any age. – Artemisia said, recomposing herself.
– I'm glad I'm not one anymore. – Gale said with good humor. – So Artemisia, how about giving it a chance to see what this story is going to do. –
– Of course, but it comes at a price. – Artemisia smiled mischievously.
– I do anything. – Nathan said being sincere.
– Will do my homework for a month. – Artemisia said. – And Gale, you can call me Artê, you have to come for our group. –
– I would be pleased… And Nathan, don't forget, you'll do mine too. – Gale laughed.
– Why yours too? – Nathan said that he wasn't so stupid either.
– Because Artê and I are going to set you two up so you can be alone, so better thank us. – The princess said.
– I already had the idea, after dinner I'm going to tell him to go to the chemistry lab and tell him I forgot a book in teacher Areta's class earlier. – Artemisia said.
– And I'll check and make sure no one enters the place... You'll have your chance. – Said Gale.
– Have you thought about it now? – Nathan asked perplexed.
– Yeah! – The female mages replied in unison.
***
Dinner went normally, the food was very good, Artemisia and company were leaving to go for a walk on the lake, but on the way out, Hecuba's daughter seemed to "remember" something that "forgot" in the chemistry room.
– People! I forgot my book in teacher Areta's room... Polo, can you get it for me? – Artemisia said, pretending tiredness very well.
– Hey, why don't you go get it? – Apollodro said.
– And so? That's how you pay me, your denatured brother, after I spent nights nursing your fever, and the times I covered for you when you took boys home, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts. – Pretended Artemisia playing the dramatic.
– Okay, if you were so lazy, just had to talk, I'll meet you at the lake. – Apollodro said that he knew that his sister always did everything for him, it didn't hurt to do a favor once in a while.
Artemisia held back from laughing, her drama had worked and now her brother was heading straight for the plan she had developed with Nathan and Gale.
– You, lazy? The world will end. – Sandy joked.
– I'll explain to you on the way. – Artemisia said at her friend's ear.
***
Apollodro went to the chemistry laboratory on the seventh floor, it was a very large and airy room with double benches for experiments, he didn't see any books, but he came across Nathan who seemed to be waiting for him there with a bouquet of white roses.
– They still your favorites, aren't they? – Said the prince friendly and wanting to get closer.
– What is all this? – Apollodro said, he accepted roses, but he was embarrassed, blushing, and saw that there wasn't much to escape there.
– I just want to talk to you, sort things out, settle a silly boy's disagreements. – Nathan said.
– Look here, you exposed me, discarded me and humiliated me, made me look like I had made it all up, I had to feel ashamed and like used garbage. – Apollodro said who took an active stance and threw the flowers aside on the side bench.
– That's what I wanted to talk to you about… I'm sorry, I know what I did was wrong…– Nathan began.
– You think? – Apollodro said with irony.
– Okay, I was a real asshole, but it's because I loved you and didn't want you to suffer from the possible lack of attention I would give you for the rigor of royalty and because I thought they would make me give up you... All this business of being an heir, having to give an heir to a crown. – Nathan said trying to explain himself.
– Do you know how difficult it was for me? It was like being stabbed by someone I loved the most, and the worst thing is that it took me time to get over it, I suffered too much. – Apollodro said, crying.
– And I never forget you, even after I came out, I didn't stay with anyone else. – Said the prince.
The two continued to talk, it was something very delicate, they talked about how the experience had been for each of them, but at least they were talking to each other.
– ... And that's why I wanted to ask you, from the bottom of my heart, come back to me? – Nathan said approaching with all his beauty, strain, romanticism and passionate gaze.
– No! – Apollodro said, who turned away from the kiss.
– Why not? – Nathan said sadly.
– Look, I forgave you a long time ago, but forgiving and repeating the same errors are not the same thing, trust is gone, you need to regain it, but I'll tell you... We can be friends, just friends. – Apollodro said firmly, he did not let himself be carried away by Nathan's beauty, wealth and influence.
– If that's how you want it. – Nathan said that he was amazed at the sincerity, clarity and purity of Polo's heart.
– You and your cousin can hang out with us, no problem, as I said we can be friends, all of us. – Apollodro said with a sincere smile.
Nathan was impressed with the generosity, kindness and light in the heart of the young Hecatrix, he was still the Polo Hecatrix the prince had fallen in love with, but he would only have him as a friend, a hell of an ordeal, but it was better than nothing.
– Well, I accept, it will be good, I miss your company. – The prince smiled.
So the two left there, found Gale and then found the rest of the people near the lake, explained what happened and that they were new friends for the group and were already thinking of everything.
– Luckily me and Polo fell in a dorm with just the two of us, we can see your transfer there, since the girls are all together. – Commented Adam.
– It would be amazing. – Nathan said that he was happy to be making new friends and getting closer to Polo.
So the night ended, neither a victory nor a defeat, but would it be so good to be with someone so loved and not be able to kiss, or express your love? The prince needed to bear the consequences of his actions, but at least he won back the coexistence of his beloved, and even a group that was united, would not take long to get used to them.