KRISTIAN
I skipped into the classroom after shooting a futile shot at Isabelle. I might've failed, nonetheless, it was worth it. There were a few minutes left before the starting of class. Still, all the students were present in the classroom, concentrated towards the empty space at the tail end of the classroom.
There seemed to be a commotion.
Curiously, I walked over to the throng and pushed my way in, while muttering apologies along the way while flashing my irresistible smile. Some noises grew towards the centre of the horde.
When I reached core of the mob, a horrifying sight met my eyes. Irene was there sneering down at the new girl, Princess Patricia who was on the ground, appearing frail as she shook in fear.
Irene was bullying her.
While everyone in the gathering muttered to one another about how unethical it was, no one put any effort to stop it. I noticed Princess Aprialla was standing beside me, watching the situation.
"Why is everyone just watching? Why is no one helping her." I said to Aprialla, gesturing at the feeble princess on the ground. "Who do you think would dare to speak against Princess Irene?" I gained a response.
It boiled my blood instantly. Yes, everyone dreaded her. It led Irene to assume she could boss around as much as she desired. No matter how lavishly one describes her, she is just an arrogant bully who needs to be taught manners. Oh! how idiotic I was when I thought I could fix a monster like her. She is someone who is probably even feared by the devils.
I stepped forward.
"Stop it." I gravely said. Several heads turned to me in a blink. "Keep your nose out of it, Kristian." She ignored me and turned to Patricia. "Go on, lick the floor, newbie."
Princess Patricia was trembling. One side of her face was red. I presume Irene dared to slap her. She leaned in towards the floor. It ached my heart for some strange reason. With two long steps, I went to her and yanked her up with her arm, gaining some gasps.
I then turned to Irene.
She stomped to me. "Don't you dare touch her again." My voice dropped to a threatening pitch.
"And what if I do, huh?" Irene snapped. Sometimes I want to slap that sassiness off her face. "Don't interfere, Kristian." She added.
"If I see you anywhere near her, you will regret it. I mean it. Be thoughtful, Irene." I glared down at her with flaming eyes. What a fool I was to think she is someone one can love.
"You son of a bit-" Before Irene could continue, she was hauled away by Princess Pristine which I am delighted for. Or else Irene would've realised that she wasn't the only one blessed with the autonomy to curse.
Eventually, the crowd scattered.
I took in a breath in an attempt to calm myself down and turned to Princess Patricia with an endearing smile. "Are you hurt, princess?" I gently let go off her arm. "You should avoid Princess Irene for your own good."
She dusted off the dust from her uniform which we have started to wear as of today. It involved a royal Navy-Blue fabric with the intricately designed golden crest on the blazer that shines like a beacon of pride. It was identical for both the genders except that the girls wore skirts and ribbon ties, while the guys wore pants and regular ties.
"Oh no, I am fine." She flashed a gentle, feminine smile.
Unlike that mean sneer Irene always wears.
Shaking off the unwanted thoughts of that bully, I kept my radiant grin intact. I bowed and put forward my hand. "Prince Kristian of Chalcedon." I lifted my head. "But a beautiful lady like you can address me as Kristian."
The princess' face crimsoned. My effect never fails. "Princess-" She started but I cut her, taking her hand in mine and planted a gentle kiss on the back of it. "Patricia of Bellonia. I am aware. Your splendour caught my attention yesterday."
She reddened even more.
She was about to say something but "Get to your seats, students." A stern female voice bellowed. It was Professor Joandra, a part-naiad and the Enchanted Gardening teacher.
Professor Joandra was a tall petite half-naiad with platinum blonde locks, ocean blue eyes and graceful demeanour. If only she was human and a little closer to my age, I wouldn't have hesitated to try my luck with her.
Though today is Saturday, we are having classes. Demo classes to be specific of thirty minutes each so that at the end we can select the Recreation Activities we prefer.
Translation: Our weekend is going to be wasted.
"I would be sanctified if you'd care to meet be at the Celestial Observatory after classes?" I flirted. "Indeed." Patricia accepted without second thoughts. Grinning at her one last time, I flew to my seat. "You won't regret, Princess." I winked.
Another success of my charm.
We were then taken to the Enchanted Garden for the demo class of Enchanted Gardening. The garden was capacious with vibrant flowers glowing with an ethereal light, ancient trees, and sparkling fountains, smaller than the one in front of The Grand Door.
We were led to an expansive empty patch where I am assuming, we are ought to work.
We were soon divided into groups of five, according to our rows in the classroom. To my agony, no one in my group was anywhere near being a gardener. Professor Joandra soon started the lecture that made me want to doze off.
We were later given little works. To identify the correct seed cachet from a bunch of cachets from the greenhouse. I was thrilled to have the others enjoy the task while I honoured them with my presence.
On our way back from the greenhouse to the garden, we encountered Princess Pauline's row working diligently.
Princess Pauline seemed to get along well with Princess Patricia. They together were planting something.
Princess Patricia caught my eyes that were staring at her and flushed, I flashed a gentle smile before continuing on my route.
By the end of the class, our group too managed to plant this Heartsong or whatever. A plant that switches its colour according to the one holding it. Red for love, blue for sadness, orange for anger, yellow for happiness, grey for boredom and so on.
The other groups had separate plants which I didn't bother to note.
"Kristian!" A chirpy voiced rang in my eyes. "Samirah." I didn't need to look to recognise who it belonged to. She had approached just as we were testing if it worked Benjamin plucked a flower after Professor Joandra had sprinkled Growth Glitter on it.
The colourless flower turned grey.
"Boredom. Indeed." Benjamin groaned out.
"Indeed." Prince Angus said in a worn-out voice. "What is this, Kris?" Samirah was practically ramming her chest against my arm now. I shifted my arm a little, hoping she would take the hint. However, instead she pressed her bosom against my arm even further. If she was anyone else. Maybe Princess Patricia, I would be enraptured to be stuck in this position. However, she was not. She was Princess Samriah and I whole heartedly regard herself as just my best friend.
I gave up on trying to free my arm.
"This is a Heartsong…." I explained her the function of a Heartsong as she eyed the flower in Prince Benjamin's grasp curiously. "Interesting… Our group was assigned to grow these flowers called Luminbloom. The flowers glow in the dark. How boring." Samirah rolls her eyes. "The princesses appear to be fascinated. But I cannot say the same for me. You know, I am not like the other princesses. I prefer fencing to gardening." Samirah giggled.
"That is exactly why we like you." I briefly winked at her, earning another giggle. "Yes, I am one of the princes."
She then walked over to Prince Benjamin to get a better view of the Heartsong, finally unfettering my arm from the cave of her breasts.
Suddenly the colour of the Heartsong switched. It turned red. All of us, including Princess Samirah were perplexed. "Why did it turn red? Change of mood?" Samirah's curious eyes travelled at us.
"Y-yes. Red means anger." Benjamin yanked the flower and strode away. "Did it change because of me?" Samirah stared at the flower on the ground. "It switched its colour the moment I went closer in proximity."
"Prince Benjamin must be mad at you, then." Agustine spoke up, locking his eyes with mine. I nodded. "Did you perhaps wrangle with Benjamin recently." I questioned. Samirah shook her head naively.
"But Benjamin seems upset with you. Something surely is wrong." Angus commented. "Red means anger, Sam."
"Oh no….. What did I even do….." perturbation palled Samirah's face.
"I think you should question that to Benjamin." I said to her. Samirah lifted her head, appearing to be convinced. I walked over to behind her and gently pushed her towards the direction where Benjamin went. "Go, go. Ask him what's wrong."
It worked. She was easy to manipulate. Princess Samirah tailed Benjamin.
I turned to the other princes. We wore the same expression and probably bear the same thoughts.
Red doesn't represent anger.
But love.
Prince Benjamin fancies Princess Samirah.