Cior crossed her arms in frustration, pacing back and forth in the lavishly decorated room she had been given. The room, though private, was still part of a one-story building, and her father's insistence on her staying there while attending the academy was starting to wear on her patience.
"No way, Father," Cior said, her tone sharp with defiance. "I am not going to live in the same quarters as those dukes! It's bad enough that I have to be in the same academy as them, but now I have to share a building with them? No, absolutely not."
Kieran leaned back in his chair, his face unreadable as always. He had been the one to arrange everything for her—after all, she was his official child now. He had made sure she had the best of everything, but there were some things, like this one, that even his power couldn't change.
"You have to," Kieran replied calmly, almost as though he were used to her resistance. "We're helpless in this regard. At least you got your own room because you're my official child. That's the one privilege I could secure for you."
Cior groaned and flopped down onto the bed, crossing her legs in the air. "But it's the same one-story building. I don't want to share space with those overprivileged kids. They're... so much to deal with!" She buried her face in the pillow for a moment, feeling the familiar weight of frustration settle in her chest.
Kieran's lips twitched into a small smirk, his gaze softening ever so slightly. He had always found her strong-willed nature amusing. "You can't run from them forever, you know. Besides, having your own room is a small victory, don't you think? Not many students get that privilege."
"But why does it have to be with them?!" Cior protested, sitting up again, her hands thrown in the air. "I don't even know if I can stand one more minute of being around those four. The crown princes are trouble, each in their own way. They already seem like they're plotting something."
Kieran's smirk faded, and he leaned forward, his eyes narrowing slightly as he met her gaze. "It's not just about you, Cior. There's more at play here. You need to be close to them. You need to keep an eye on them—and what better way to do that than living under the same roof? You have your advantages too. Use them wisely."
Cior let out a long sigh, falling back onto the bed once more. "So, basically, I'm stuck with them. I can't believe this."
Kieran chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Yes, it seems like you are."
For a moment, there was silence, only the sound of the wind blowing outside the window breaking it. Cior stared up at the ceiling, mentally preparing herself for what was to come. The princes, her classmates—everything was going to be so complicated.
"I guess I'll survive," Cior muttered after a while, rolling over onto her side. "But you owe me extra cake next time, Father. For all this torture."
Kieran grinned, his usual sarcastic smile appearing. "I think we can arrange that. But no more complaining, alright? You're a big girl now."
"Yeah, yeah," she muttered, her voice muffled against the pillow. "Just make sure no one tries to pick a fight with me. I'm not in the mood for games right now."
Kieran raised an eyebrow, his amusement evident. "Who would dare? You can handle yourself, my dear."
Cior smiled faintly, despite herself. "That's true." She rolled over to face him and sat up, her mood slightly lighter. "Fine. I'll deal with the princes. But if any of them give me trouble, I'm holding you responsible."
Kieran's smirk returned. "Oh, I'm sure you'll handle it just fine."
Cior glanced out the window at the setting sun, feeling a strange mix of anticipation and dread. The academy, the princes, her new life—it was all about to get a lot more complicated. But somehow, she knew that whatever came her way, she could face it.
And maybe, just maybe, she'd get through it all without too much chaos—though she wasn't going to bet on it.
"Alright, Father. But no more surprises, okay?" she said, her tone still playful but with an edge of determination.
Kieran just chuckled, standing up and moving toward the door. "No promises, my dear. But I'm sure you'll figure it out."
As he left, Cior leaned back against the bed, staring at the ceiling once more. She had her own room, at least. And it wasn't like she didn't have a few tricks up her sleeve. The princes could wait.
This was just the beginning.
The academy was far more magnificent than Cior could have ever imagined. As she walked through the grand gates, her eyes widened at the sight before her. The towering spires and intricate stonework seemed to stretch endlessly toward the sky, the architecture a perfect blend of classical elegance and modern design. The vast expanse of lush gardens, sparkling fountains, and perfectly manicured lawns made it feel like a palace more than an academy.
Every building seemed to possess its own charm, with ivy creeping up stone walls, banners fluttering in the breeze, and ornate carvings adorning every surface. The courtyard was bustling with students, some of them flying through the air with their wings spread wide, while others walked in small groups, talking and laughing. The air was filled with the sounds of distant conversations, the rustle of leaves, and the occasional flap of wings as students practiced their skills.
Cior felt a sense of awe and trepidation wash over her. She had grown up in luxury, but this—this was on another level entirely. The academy was a place where the best of the best were trained, where noble bloodlines and powerful families sent their heirs to learn. It was a world that seemed so distant from the quiet life she had known with Kieran.
She couldn't help but marvel at how everything seemed to be designed to perfection—each building, each hallway, even the smallest details, all made to evoke a sense of grandeur and importance. The academy was not just a place of learning; it was a symbol of power and prestige.
"Welcome to your new home," Kieran's voice interrupted her thoughts as he stood beside her, observing her reaction. "Impressive, isn't it?"
Cior nodded slowly, still taking in everything around her. "It's... beyond anything I could have expected," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I can't believe I'm really here."
Kieran smiled knowingly. "It's going to be a lot to take in, but you'll get used to it. Just remember why you're here. Focus on your goals, not the distractions."
She nodded again, feeling the weight of his words. There were many challenges ahead—meeting the princes, surviving the politics of the academy, and dealing with the pressure of being Kieran's child. But at that moment, she couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement bubbling inside her. The academy was a world of possibilities, and she was about to dive right into it.
"Alright, let's get you settled," Kieran said, turning to lead her through the main gates. "You'll be starting your classes tomorrow. Let's make sure you're ready."
Cior followed him, her heart racing with anticipation. The academy was more than just a place of learning—it was where her future would unfold. And though she wasn't sure what that future held, she knew one thing for certain: she was ready to face whatever came her way.
Cior rolled her eyes as Kieran's voice echoed down the hall, his words lingering in the air like an unwanted aftertaste. "No falling in love, okay? You will only be betrayed. They are your prey, okay?"
She let out a sigh, crossing her arms as she stood at the door, watching Kieran retreat down the hallway. "I'm pretty sure I can handle my own emotions, Father," she muttered under her breath. But Kieran had already disappeared around the corner, probably too smug for his own good.
She shook her head, half-amused and half-annoyed by his overprotective, sarcastic warnings. "Oh, sure. I'll just turn my heart into stone and make them all into my 'prey.' Because that's totally how normal people interact, right?"
With a huff, she pushed the door open and stepped into her room, the soft light of the afternoon filtering through the windows. The place was comfortable—more than comfortable, in fact. Her new room was luxurious, with plush furniture, elegant décor, and a large desk by the window. But the only thing on her mind at that moment was Kieran's last sarcastic remark.
Prey? She wasn't some cold-blooded hunter. She wasn't planning on conquering anyone's heart anytime soon. And even if she did—well, she didn't need her father's guidance on that.
"Guess I'll just stick to figuring out how to survive this academy without causing a full-scale rebellion," she muttered to herself, flopping onto the bed with a dramatic sigh.
As the door clicked shut behind her, she leaned back, staring at the ceiling. The academy was full of possibilities—some good, some bad. But love? Yeah, that was definitely at the bottom of her priority list. For now, at least.