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Chapter Text

....I can vividly recall my first day at this 'prestigious academy.'

RING!!!! RING!!!!!

The sounds of the alarms screech into the ears of all Royals & staff in Sunnyside. Panicked whispers, screams, teachers commanding students to evacuate all clatter together in a noise of chaos and disorder. A security breach hacked into the systems of the school's technology, the gates are wide open outside, the yells of mortal guards can be heard faintly outside. 

"FIND THE INTRUDER- NOW!!" Head Guard Estelaria's voice boomed outside.

I was told by my mother & father about Sunnyside.

"Attention all students & staff, there has been a breach in the academy. Please evacuate to the nearest exit-"

Of how it would assist me in learning more than they did. Get an education, they said. 

A mysterious dark figure moves rapidly at the speed of light.

Despite their constant proposals & my father's questionable ways of persuasion. Father things. After two weeks, they had passed me a map & told me: 

"You will find your way into Sunnyside. In the Sorcery Kingdom. We will breach the system. You will get in. Kill every guard on sight. Make your entrance. Your bags will be passed later in your dorm." 

What dorm? I clearly said I did not want to be there. I am aware of the horrors my family has went through, the whole of Cora despised us. 

Every sword swing: dodged. Every guard: gutted. The figure was like a sentient blade, literally, it went through the hearts of the guards, piercing them before it turned into bloodbath. Blood was splattered. On the walls. On the floors. On the gates. The organs of the guards sputtered out like crazy. Estelaria, the trained high & mighty guard... couldn't keep up???? WHAT. 

Thunder storms slowly ensue, winds get stronger. While everyone else in the school were so guarding up, the fight continued on not long until most of the guards were injured, severely injured or dead. 

The figure had fled its way into the ground, disappearing at sight. Estelaria grunts in rage. It melts like tar, it slips into the cracks and into the soil beneath, it moves like ants, ready to conquer its quest. Moving into the school. 

"Everyone!! Move to the back of the school, we must stick together!! A woman with her sun-like hair wrapped in a bun exclaimed. Her face was more than in shock or disbelief. It was beyond it. 

"No....NO. It can't be...we must get them out-"  She thought to herself. 

Oh Headmistress, you should be relieved I did not actually harm your precious students. 

A bunch of Royals hudled together. In small groups or alone. A violet-haired girl dressed in the finest of modern Star fashion eyes widened, she clung onto a green haired girl- Flora Royal, presumably as the ground quakes. A Water Royal stumbles in fear, hyperventilating. A Wind one,  who wasn't paying mind to the thunder and "noise" outside, stood frozen, next to him an Ice Royal yelled: "ZEPHYR DO SOMETHING-"

A tentacle shoots out from the ground, nearly hitting him. Twice, almost hurting 2 Shadow Royals at the corner, the brother pushing the sister away.  As more started coming out. The mysterious figure from before rises from the darkness, black smoke fills the air as if Death itself seems to be in this room. 

Looks of fear sewed onto every Royal in the room. Glass shatters, walls cracked. How could you not be when a school as "safe" as this could be breached so easily? 

Two Solar Royals huddle close to that woman. Well actually the boy is hiding under the desk, the girl is pulling him out to escape. Supposedly, she was their guardian, or mother or something. An older one looked worried but scowled at his fearful cousins. A Scent Royal hugs a Reflection Royal close to her, A Sorcery one sheilds them. A stupid Time attempted to record it at first sight of this event but its friend slapped the phone out of his hand before dodging the incoming tentacles.

They are all so pathetic aren't they? Wretches. Cannot even comprehend the sight of the mind-blowing entrance I improvised on my own.

The figure starts to take shape. The dark ink turns into hair, as it forms into lovely, luscious curls. Pure white skin becomes visible to the eye as it becomes more...human. The skin is sterile, untouching, the Ice Kingdom would break if skin like that was touched. The dress in question comes into the picture, revealing an Obsidian Black dress, adorned with gold patterns & at least two gold big pins. One on the chest. One on the waistline.

Ugh...this was such a bore.

The shoulders of the dress hold high like it's user's head. It was like watching a monster transform into its beautiful human disguise. 

The figure's eyes open. It's eyes were black with white pupils. It's face was toned with a sharp chin. Unsmiling. Reluctant even. 

"Tch. Pathetic." 

Next thing you know, I am at this school. 

...

This is stupid.

Chapter Text

Obviously my name is not Enigma. I will not tell you my identity just yet. Instead I would like to narrate the nonsense that occurred in this chapter. 

The figure, still airborne, slowly levitates onto the marble floor. It looked graceful floating down like that whilst the rest were disraught from the appalling scenario that just occurred in front of them. Besides the broken windows plus the wall cracks so deep it was deeper than my father's poetry he wrote back in 12th grade, books that tumbled down from the shaking scatter around the marble floor. Paintings of the room slightly ajar. 

"Crescenta!! Are you okay?" The Flora Royal panted. 

"H-HAZEL. WHAT. WAS. THAT." Crescenta, the Star Royal, shuddered loudly, doing the Thousand-Yard stare thing.

Crescenta, the Star Royal, came from the same Kingdom that coincidentally used to be a neighbouring Kingdom to mine. Before it all went to chaos. What she wore was a purple, short-skirted dress with golden accents & hem. A lavender collared undershirt had a diamond at the chest area with long, puffy sleeves. From her pink leggings to her boots, everything was adorned in gold. Her purple eyes hid secrets, combined with a desire to be more than she seems. Her hair was tied in a ponytail, underneath a purple-pink gradient with constellations as decorations. All dolled up with a nice bow. 

Her friend, Princess Hazel, was the Heiress to Flora. Sage green coils compliment her brown skin & hazel eyes. Some of her hair was tied up in two small buns. She had a purple dress divided to reveal a pink petticoat-  Why does everyone in this god forbaden school love Purple and Pink - with pink lacy cuffs, boots and leafy emblems. Her expression was pure fear. I can tell when fear is fear in someone. 

I stared menacingly at the rest of the wretches but that caused everyone to go on instinct. Some flinched. Some fell back. A few others were even bold enough to face me. 

The Sorcery Royal- Maximus- activated his magic. His hair was a bright blue with grey blue gradients, now glowing as it fluttered softly in the faint wind. His magic swirls in his hands. 

Why was he dressed up like the whores my mother rejected back in the day. 

"Everyone, stay back!" He exclaimed, on defense. 

Before anyone could take a breather, a Strength Royal lunges towards the Enigma- went by the name of Valerie. She leaped across the tables that were in her way, charging like a bull seeing red. Her right arm supercharges with enhanced strength, greyish-cherry red blood runs through her veins, energy crackling through her fist. She blows her fist into its face. Instantaneously, it exploded, its face disperse into inky pieces.

However. Just when anyone thought it was done, the face reforms in seconds. The figure grabbed Valerie's arm with both hands, swinging her in circles until she richocheted into a wall. The force was so strong it created a ripple effect amongst the students & the Headmistress, causing them to fall back. 

Her vision was getting blurrier. She was dazed and confused. Her bones cracked faintly. But she was not ready for defeat. Valerie sprints towards the Enigma, blowing punch after punch. Yet to no avail, the figure just kept dodging it with little to no effort. It then striked a fierce punch to the nose, flinging Valerie into the air. 

She starts to stagger. She starts to lose consciousness. But stubborn as ever, she continued. How was this....creature, able to just block punches by THE Strength Heiress and cause her to LOSE CONSCIOUSNESS? Valerie shook it off. She staggered, then ran, ready to attack a still-standing Enigma. 

WHOOOOOOM~ 

Solar energy engulfes the both of them. Glowing bright yellow. It retracts Valerie from landing any more blows, clearly did not want to be restrained this way, while the figure just....stands there. This was the doing of Headmistress Ayla. Her eyes glimmered bright yellow, her sun hair floated upwards. As she lets go of Valerie, Valerie stumbles down, gasping for air. 

She then let go of me too. However, in an instant, a bubble, glittering & purple [Kill me already why do I see so much purple] traps me. Now this was the doing of that Head Guard just now most likely. 

"We got her!" Yelled Estelaria. The mortal guards ran in an orderly fashion, guarding the bubble. "Headmistress Ayla, we will take care of this as of now." 

She turns around, "Anybody hurt??" Estelaria grunts as the guards lift up Valerie from the ground. "Take her to the nurse, she needs medical assistance immediately!" 

Headmistress Ayla nods curtly. "Thank you Estelaria. Please, lock her up until we figure this all out. We must not let any other threats occur. You will interrogate her and find information on her whereabouts." 

"Understood, Headmistress," Head Guard Estelaria bowed slightly before taking me to God knows where. 

It's not like I can care any less. I will break out anytime soon. But as Father said, "Wait for my signal!! :3" 

Good grief is he irritating at times. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------

The cellar, despite being much cleaner than the dungeons back home, felt cold & sterile. There was a forcefield guarding the bars that will not let me out. A pair of guards stood outside my cell as I stared aimlessly at the ceiling. 

Elsewhere, the Headmistress was monitoring security in her office. CCTV, as it was called as I know from my knowledge, was placed in every crevice of this academy. Whatever shenanigans or tomfoolery any unwitty student was conjuring, most likely they could catch them in the act. 

One.

The cameras played like normal. Headmistress was sipping from her mug of coffee. 

Two. 

She glanced at the security. And- 

Three. 

 ERROR. 

SYSTEM CORRUPTED.

The Headmistress jumps out of her seat. The screen flickered profusely, a wave of static washing over the image. A high-pitched whine filled the air, growing louder, then abruptly cutting out. 

"HAAAAAA- AHAHAHHHHA-" a voice stuttered, the words garbled and distorted. The world lurched, a dizzying kaleidoscope of colors and distorted shapes occurs on the screens. 'Can...you...hear...me?' the voice rasped, each syllable a separate, jarring burst.

Father. 

"Sooooooooo....how was my daughter? Was she nice?? DID YOU GIVE HER NICE WELCOME???" The voice was crushed, like an 8-Bit game. 

This is King Purnama. Current ruler of the ???????????????????????????????????

Kingdom. Eccentric, as you can tell. This is my father. 

His black messy mane was all the way to his hips, adorned in gold, his crown was gold. His sash was gold. He appeared as a flickering hologram in the screens, calling through his mirror, most likely. He was literally shirtless, the only thing fully covering him was his sash. One slip and its all over. His skin was a golden brown, though not noticeable as his projection was off a flickering black. The screens were all red. 

"Was this your setup?" Headmistress Ayla stumbled out. 

"Noooooooo.....Yes. Actually. But I had requested my daughter to carry out her education path herself! Since greedy nitpicks like you won't even let my own child have an education," His smile stretched beyond recognition. It was unsettling. "I thought it would be best to let her do it!~" 

Headmistress Ayla turns livid. "BY WRECKING THE SCHOOL?? Do you not understand what could have happened to those children?? Multiple guards- murdered. Everything is one inch away from ruin." 

"Your reputation is horrid already. What do you not get?" 

His smile fades. 

"Look. I merely have one request. Let my daughter attend your classes, and no one will be harmed anymore. Do so otherwise-" 

An illusion forms from King Purnama's hands, intricately forming the Sunnyside Royal Academy building, slowly but surely....tumbling down. The students in there, every single one of them, brutally gutted, fading away into dust. Last came the illusion of Ayla, who is then seen getting her head, ripped off...by him. 

"Everything will be destroyed." 

Headmistress quakes in fear. Her knees buckle, her eyes welling up. She could not say another thing before the projection goes off. 

"... What will I do." 

Chapter Text

WHISHH~

The sound of the forcefield faded away. The bars open up when one of the guards tap a card onto it, granting access to the cell. I suppose now this is when they start asking useless queries before making me go stay somewhere in a house so colorful I will vomit rainbows. 

"Head Guard Estelaria will like to escort you to the Interrogation Room," One of the mortal guards said in an almost smug-like tone. This one REEKS of feebleness. "Don't try anything funny now kid." 

The other guard gives him a look, elbowing his coworker. "Get up kid." 

The guard whips out these mechanical, high-tech, glove-cuffs...whatever they are from their pockets. They clung onto my skin harshly, engulfing the entirety of my hands. They then have the gall to grab my arms and pull me to the Interrogation Room. They drag me from direction to direction, endless halls of this underground facility we pass through. I stay obedient however. I'm curious as to how this will play out, to see whether or not my parents' predictions will happen.  

I find myself in front of a steel door. The guard standing next to my right, the douchebag one, pulls out that card once more, tapping what I presume is a sensor that allows for access to the rooms. This revelation showed me that this card is a key, it's important and definitely has the ability to unlock every room in this facility. Perhaps to the whole school even. 

Inside, Head Guard Estelaria sits upright in her chair. The two guards place me onto a chair in front of her, leaving me in here. 

"For years, I have never seen anyone. ANYONE. Break into this academy without getting caught immediately or not even attempting to do so. Yet here you are." She said. "Under the laws of Cora, you have committed; homicide, treason, property damage & security breach. How do you plead?" 

"Not guilty," I retorted. 

"This is a serious matter. Unless you tell us who you are and your purpose. We will not let you out scotfree." 

Unsurprising answer. 

"You do realise that I am able to slip out of these cuffs and tear your digestive system out of your flesh right?" I said, giving her a heads up. "Frankly, I do not think you would like to suffer the same fate as all your colleagues did." 

 Her pupils shrink at those words. Estelaria's finger that was tapping about 7 times throughout this whole conversation stops moving. 

"Listen here. In here, whether you were some teenager in over your head or an intruder or an actual societal threat. You lie, you die. Sooner or later, confessions will start to spew from you." 

We stare for about ten seconds in straight tension. I know she is serious but do you think I, out of all people will take her seriously? 

A sharp ring is heard. It comes from the earpiece Estelaria was wearing. She slowly stood up, focusing her attention onto the live message played out. "Hello?"

"Captain, the Headmistress....... zzzt...Screens.....He wants......zzzzttt..... give her the house.........Princess Aixa." 

Head Guard Estelaria just hung up. She froze in place. Her hand slowly moves back down, she turns around to face me. She was giving me the same look those other Royals gave me this afternoon. "And....you are...?" 

"Ah, I see you have found out about my identity." The cuffs fall right off my hands as I broke them in half. As practiced, I took a step back beside the chair, curtsy, bowing before the stunned woman. 

"Good evening miss. I am Princess Aixa of the Pure Power Kingdom. A pleasure to meet you."

Chapter Text

I have heard of this term called "whiplash" by a classmate at one point. The meaning of it is usually to describe the descent of emotions or occurance in a story & the constant change of tone in each chapter. 

To be fair, I completely understand how you would feel in a situation like that. The constant change of life events can be troubling. 

But when you are someone like me, you will realise that these times will eventually be over, before learning you have mastered the art of 'moving on.' 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

At that time, it was 9.28pm. Night has befallen, the tension cooled off. I traced my finger on the wall as I waited for further information. I hope this "house" is for me and me only.

Nobody else to bother me. Not after what must occurred. 

It took a while for them to set me a house but they instructed me:

"Near a hill, two lefts, three rights, go North then another left, lastly you will find your house." 

At this point please respectfully end your 60-year lifespan old hag.

Soon as they let me out, I followed the pathway to the house. I sigh, breathing in the fresh air. It was....much different from home. The air was p polluted, foggy, green over there. Here, on the other hand, was....clean. I was familiar with radioactive waters swarming the villages, instead, crystal clear water. Mutated insects or creatures skitter around the ground everywhere you walk. Here, there's only the sounds of grasshoppers chirping, the sight of fireflies surround me in its natural light. The grass is green. Actual green. Not 'I-suffered-a-wildfire-a-month-ago' green. 

I may not be used to it, granted, this is my FIRST time outside of my own home. Nevertheless, I do not mind this type of atmosphere. 

This house of mine was whimsical, like a fairytale.  It was like the architecture back in my Kingdom. A place like this was the common home structure commoners would reside in. With steeply sloped navy-blue roofs, charming dormer windows, and a tall turret capped with a lantern-like spire. The main structure was of a cream-color with pastel purple stonework forming the base, giving it a slightly mystical and alchemical vibe.

From what I saw, there was a semi-glass structure on the roof, supported by string lights and a railing, hints at a greenhouse or stargazing observatory—an area likely used for study, magic, or celestial observations.

The front porch is detailed with quaint benches, a lavender-hued door, and pastel support beams, inviting guests into its cozy interior. The yard is sectioned off with a delicate iron fence, enclosing a garden and walkway that curves warmly toward the entrance.

Cozy. I guess. 

I noticed at the porch, 3 bags were orderly placed in size were in front. That must be the bags Father was talking about. 

Each were labelled:

1) "CLOTHES" 

2) "BUGS, BLOOD & BOOKS" 

3) "DECORATIONS FOR YOUR ROOM" [This was the biggest bag.] 

I take the bags into my hand, lifting them up with ease. I walk towards the front door, my other hand taking the knob and opening it. The door creaks, it's hinges seemed like they just oiled recently but it had no effect on the hinges as it still produced that irritating sound. 

I peek inside. The lighting was dim, the living room was likely used today. A few snacks were out in the open. A few blankets over the couch. I spotted the last room at the end of the hall. That must be mine. 

I went into the room, unpacking my belongings as I meticulously organised my books, vials, etcetera before moving on to decoration. I must admit my father chose decent options for my room. One of the other things that's good he does outside of fucking my mom, plotting world domination & being an actual good ruler to the community. 

Hehehehe....

A giggle was heard. I brushed it off. 

Heheheheahaha... 

The faint giggles and hoarse whispers start growing louder. 

It grew. 

It grew. 

And it grew. 

And it grew even more until. 

"Hey newbie." 

I turn my head around to see a boy. Quickly I realised he was one of the Shadow Royals from this afternoon. There was a few actually, a brother and a sister and their cousin. It's the brother I'm conversing with at the moment. 

"You stirred some chaos out there this afternoon. I say, interesting person, I'm impressed," He grinned before it turned a bit strained. "The part where you nearly hurt my sister was....unacceptable. However you did catch my eye. What is your name, pray tell?" 

He extended a hand. 

I narrow my eyes at him. He is odd. I thought. 

"Princess Aixa." I shook his hand

"Prince Kieran, Shadow Royal." 

Whereas other Royals usually would scream "Stuckup Spoiled Brat" or "Basic", this man screamed of "Occult Aristocrat" & "Showman Of The Night." Deep purples and black dominate, with ivory skin contrasting starkly against the dark clothing. This time I do not mind the purple. 

He wears a tailored, deep-purple waistcoat jacket with buttons and a flared hem. His neck holds a Pentagram necklace, long, dramatic sleeves covered with his black coat. A flowing black overskirt cascades down from the waist.

 Black, lace-up boots rise to mid-calf, adorned with a lattice of silver or pale thread whilst atop his dark purple hair that covered his eyes, a deep violet hat rests there with black bead strings. To top it all of, he had a mischievous grin plastered on his face, making the look complete. 

Behind him is his cousin, Erebus. Not as fashionable however the other attributes to his appearance interest me. He was a literal shadow figure. With a hoodie, a beanie and a surprisingly calm look on his face as he glanced at me. 

"Kieran, is that the girl from just now?" He asked. 

"Yes it is Erebus. Yes it is." 

"Ooh new girl?" Another voice pops up. 

Now this person did not give a care in this world at ALL. They had a blue-white striped hat atop their white hair, a sun clip on the side. Their outfit consisted mainly white and a few different shades of yellow. Their expression was the least I expected when meeting me. 

"Hey." They said before turning away.

... "Uh-"

Kieran interrupted my speech, "That's just Ryla. They're an Emotion Royal, they're really chill. They do not give a shit AT ALL." He did that hand flap expression thing. 

"....can I go to sleep now." 

"Uh yeah sure, we will be talking soon however." Mischief glints in his face. Erebus walks behind him, waving at me before going off to bed. 

"...I am so confused." 

-

Chapter Text

3 days has passed by the time I was permitted to officially attend classes. As requested, I received my timetable, classes and study materials. 

During the 3 days, I holed up in my room. There was this feeling I could not shake off that the staff would not want me to come to school until further notice. 

[6.45am]

Aixa carefully tidied her hair. She neatly adjusted her collar as she flipped her hair to the side. Her right hand takes a pin in place as she used the sharp edge to slice of the rest of her hair, only leaving into shoulder-length. She pulls up her hair into a bun, piercing the pin through to keep it straight. The Princess admires her reflection for just a bit longer. She's tall, lithe and had that sort of hourglass figure. She holds her head high, contrasting with her hair, which feels heavy, semi-solid ink is long, sleek, black like wet paint that dripped slightly, curling solidly at the ends. Her clothing usually consisted of traditional Indonesian garments plus a few Victorian elements. This girl never smiles, well rarely, but its worse when she does. Today, she decided to wear a Kebaya-esque outfit from her mother- Lady Sadia. She found it packed neatly in a box inside the "CLOTHES" bag. 

Before I made my way, I was curious as to know if the other three had made it known of my current whereabouts to the rest in school. Since it was still early, judging from the soft sounds of dialogue outside my room, they were awake. 

Click-clack-click-clack: was the sound created from Princess Aixa's black heels. She spotted a hungry Erebus chomping on a stack of pancakes, Ryla using their phone & Kieran spritzing a pink perfume with the tag: "From: Mika." 

"Oh, you're awake already?" Kieran glanced my way. 

"Yes," I regained my posture, "You did not speak about my release from my cellar & that I will be attending classes today. Did you?" 

"Nope," Kieran replied back, "I ain't the type to do that, at least not often."

That grin appeared on his face again as he faced the living room mirror he was standing in front of. 

I was suspicious of him. An answer to a question like that tends to have malicious intent behind the facade. Despite this, I could not seem to conprehend the feeling that he was speaking the truth, that he was....interested in me, in some way. 

"Besides, you seem interesting. If I were to talk about you to others, I would merely mention your arrival here. Nothing much," Kieran chuckled darkly, tilting his head to the side. It was comical personally. This whole interaction. In my Core, I was aware, sooner or later, we would meet again. 

As if on cue, Erebus pops into the conversation. 

"Oh by the way, you want some pancakes?" He asked, mouth full with syrupy pancakes, his tone of voice was more calming & sweet (?, contrasting from the tone of voice from his cousin. 

There was a pause. 

...

"...Sure." 

---------------------------------------

[7am] 

Princess Aixa left the house with a pancake in her hand, nibbling on it as she strolled down to Sunnyside. Her roommates told her she can go first, that they will see her there soon, not even offering a smidget of guidance for what may occur next the moment she enters.

Sounds of laughter, gossip and giggles filled the air. Everyone was in their own cliques, there were a few that kept to themselves. A dark red haired boy with orange highlights stood at a locker. His eyes were a brew of orange & red eyes. He wears a traditional red hanbok that covers a large burn scar to the right of his chest. There was two other girls huddling close to one another.

 One of them had blunt cut bangs out of darkish blue short hair. Her eyes were orange, tapering down to blue. She wears a modified scientists coat with a half skirt and legging esk pants, a scar on the right side of a face adorned with rectangular red glasses, and tan skin. A Separation Royal. She was gossiping with the other girl, a Luck Royal, akin to a leprechaun. Her hair was a short ginger cut, a green hat with clovers decorating her green-white striped sweater and jeans. Her outfit perfectly matches her personality alongside her vibes. And her light skin. The duo walked down the halls, pushing eachother playfully as their laughter ensues. 

A Time Royal walks behind them. Kali. She flips the hair of her chestnut bob streaked with yellow, a yellow scarf envelops her beige shirt, her hands in the pockets of a beige skirt. Her facial expression shouted "Don't bother me, periodt." 

Yet another Time Royal, his dyed red hair looked as if he shaved it with a blindfold on with absolutely no light in the room whatsoever. Grayish tan skin paints him all over, yellow eyeliner on the top of his eyes. His hair was not even dyed properly, a few yellow strands pop out. A rustic gold sash embellished with a particular pattern that symbolises clocks that dictate the times from all over the world is over his dark blue jeans. He guffawed at some ridiculous pranks he caught on his phone, his clock necklace swaying over his red & white striped shirt. 

"YO FALCON!! Check this out," He shoved the screen into his friend's face, to which it was shoved back. 

"Horace, please, that's enough!" 

A Fauna Royal- Falcon- scowls at Horace, his eyebrows narrowing at him. Gold glitter pops out of his dark skin & dark eyes. Slinged violet glasses hang on his indigo-purple hair, gold threads tied up his hair in a ponytail. Falcon's outfit was an assemblage of various shades of purple, tons of gold necklaces drap over him. A gold piercing on his eyebrow. Falcon carried a stack of books as he walked side-by-side Horace, his wrists were an exhibition of gold bangles & bracelets. His top had celestial moons, suns and star patterns all over. 

Behind them, little critters ran after Falcon. Squeals were heard from four girls passing by. A Fire Royal- Aurora- dressed in a sari, embellished with gold, all red and orange in colour. She seemed to have the stereotypical 'mean girl' personality that she hides behind a kind facade. 

Syneffa- A Cloud Royal- her hair was well...clouds. Her bright puffy dress, gloves differentiate with Celisa's looks- A Sound Royal. Her hair was dark blue at the edges, her dress sleeveless with floral patterns all over. 

In front of them, was the most unhinged woman you could ever encounter in your life. Amelia of Fabrication. Furious was an understatement when she almost tripped over those critters. Her eyes were boiling with rage, she looked like Medusa, about to turn a nonchalant Falcon into stone. 

"FALCON!!" The girls screeched in unison. Amelia being the loudest. 

"Sorry ladies, they love to run wild, like me~" He teased back at them. 

With all the crowds drowning in their own worlds, its easy to lose yourself in it, just tap out from reality. Aixa, however, could not float out from an uneasy gut. Rather than entering from the front door, she slithered behind the bushes, rushing through the cracks of the floor, every word & sound went over her head. 

It is moments like these you have to figure out what will be done next before acting. I could have reannacted by lovely entrance a few days ago. Or instead, I barge through the front door, strut down as all eyes lay on me in fear. 

She blends in with the shadows, following different directions to figure out this whole school, or at least parts of it as class would start anytime now. 

Yet...I never did. 

Apart from the awkward revelation such that I was two weeks late, so I was to sink myself into "Alchemy Basics 101" whilst every other feeble-minded maggot sharing the same facilities as I am are on a whole different chapter from me. 

Aixa stops in one dark corner. Near the Art room. 

The problem was that I could not consider what I should do next. 

This is the part where my parents would explain the rest of the steps & leave me to carry out. An example would be, "When you enter Alchemy class, don't knock, just appear. Listen attentively but do not be afraid to cause some more trouble if anyone bothers you." 

Even so, they are not here. They will not be...for...who knows how long. 

They will not be here. No. No. No no no no no no no no no no no no no no NO-

No. I should not be worrying over this. This trivial matter. 

Get over with it. Just go. Just go to class. 

Go

To 

Class. 

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[7.30am]

The Alchemy Room was filled with students flooding in. The bell had rang, signalling the start of the school day. 

Abundant in vials, chemicals & potions of all tyoes of corrosion. Each possible mixture could either become a wondrous spell or an exploding disaster if you are not careful. 

The 'mean girl clique' were next to eachother at their own tables. Maximus next to Helios, the Solar Heir. His appearance in terms of hair colour, skin & eyes were much like his aunt, Headmistress Ayla - whom was the caretaker for the other Solar Royals: Dale & Swan. Whereas Dale were lighter in terms of his yellow colour palette, Swan being the same as Ayla, in style more relaxed, Helios was refined. Posh. Uptight. A black coat over his ruffled white shirt that had an orange sleeveless top over it. Sun earrings, gold threads in his ankle-length braid accomplished the look of "dressing to impress." Despite the aura excudes off him, Helios was shooting daggers through his eyes, Maximus paid no mind however, instead, mentoring the other Royals in the class. Swan was in Maths, while Dale was in Alchemy, glancing at his cousin and felt slightly worried but brushed it off. He was with his friend Spinel. 

The Water Royal named River partnered with Zephyr.

"Hey Zephyr, uhh- You don't mind if I partner with you, right-"

"We are already partners. Since the first lesson," Zephyr cut him off. 

 River had short blue hair, olive skin, thick-rimmed black half-moon eyeglasses perch atop his nose. A blue sweater with striped blue, pink cuffs and a wave design that crosses the chest was the top part of his formal attire. He also had a cyan scarf he knotted around his waist, a pair of loose navy pants that end in set of blue boots decorated with teardrop designs below. 

His heel emblems are amorphous blobs of blue, resembling his element.

Whereas Zephyr, was more casual. Light beige skin alongside his short to medium-length dark brown hair (part of which is a white colour) plays with color of his grey eyes. A red jacket drapes over a black hoodie, its cuffs rolled up, and a black belt with a silver buckle. His shoes are red. His heel emblems are white cloud-like shapes. He also has black fingerless gloves, a V-shaped collar necklace, and paints his fingernails black.

The teacher in charge of this class was Ms. Helibe. The woman was slim, dirty blonde hair cascades down her shoulders, its ends streaked with both pink & a blue-purple. A turtleneck blue top adorns a pink pearl choker, grey jeans and brown boots. Her heel emblems were akin to Maximus', a swirly teal emblem. They were definitely related. 

"Ok, settle down class!" Ms. Helibe chirped, "I know you all are excited for today's lesson as we are finally working on creating our own potions!" 

Excited murmurs spill through the students. 

"As of now, we will be experimenting with this brand-new topic! Make the basic potion as usual, I recommend the 'Foam Creations' or 'Smoke' one best. You can follow other recipes, mix it up and BOOM!! You have created your own potion! We have learned multiple ways to create different concoctions, which chemical works with which, but in case you need assistance, I will be right there!!" 

While chatter grew instantly, a shy hand raises up from the left corner of the class.

"Ms Helibe?" A mysterious girl spoke up, chatter slowly dying as everyone looked towards her. "What if that...girl comes back?" 

...

silence. 

"O-Oh, great question Darcy," The teacher stammered. 

The Shadow Royal, Darcy, nods slowly at her. Her dark purple hair moved on its own, covering most of her face, she stared meekly down. This was Kieran's sister. 

"Okay. I know you all must have been...shooken up by the incident a few days back. I was recently informed of it, and whew- it shook me to my very Core. Nevertheless, we will continue lessons like normal & with the syllabus as well. I assure you all that it is under con-"

CREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK. 

The door creaks open. 

Silence yet again. 

"I hope I was not interrupting anything," Said "girl" retorted. 

The students go into a panic, they whispered into eachother's ears:

"Is that the girl?!"

"No, i-i-it can't be!"

"I thought they said she was locked up-"

"WHY IS SHE HERE????"

Ms. Helibe was stunned. She did not process what had happened till she regained composure, "Everyone, c-c-calm done! I am sure the Headmistress uh- was about to announce this??" 

"Indeed she was supposed to," Princess Aixa glowered at Ms. Helibe

"You see, after a formal complaint written by a family member of mine, the Headmistress let me out of that hydrobolic cellar that you all stand on. Whilst you all played, spewed on about gossip, typing on those cellular devices talking about my appearance, I was slipping away from consciousness underneath. It was not until I was informed I could finally go to classes." 

A pause. 

"I hope we all have a wondrous time together."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I will save this one for you. 

Ms. Helibe constantly stuttered throughout the lesson, I was put at the back of the class and as I did the experiment, it turned into an eldritch ink spirit [I used the Smoke potion as a base for this like most] and fogged up the whole class. 

The fire alarms triggered which caused the sprinklers to turn on. Leaving everybody drenched. 

The girl beside me however paid no mind. In fact, when she sensed the rain, she pulled out an umbrella from assumingly nowhere, serene about the whole ordeal. This girl was soon to become one of the biggest banes in my existence. The embodiment of love. 

Her name was Mary. 

Health Royal. Mary was everything I feared. I can excuse her fashion. I do adore frilly dresses. What I cannot excuse was how sickeningly sweet she was. 

Mary's dress was akin to a nurse's outfit. Her dress was of Lolita fashion, high white stockings and red shoes, from her head-to-toe, she was all red & white. Her skin was light tan. She looked like a strawberry shortcake as a human being.

I could care less that she was...

Aixa's eyes trailed down to Mary's hand, holding a cane. Back to her fully pale eyes. 

Unable to see the glory that was me. But did she no hear of what I have done? The murders of entire squads of guards? I literally set off that potion right next to her. 

Yet she stands next to me, umbrella over her head, nearly touching my chin [I am 10ft tall so there is your fun fact of the day], just...at peace with it. 

"Princess Aixa, is that correct?" Mary asked charmingly. "My name is Mary, its nice to meet you!"

Her gloved hand finds a way into mine, she shakes it lightly before giving it in a firm squeeze. 

"Mary?" 

"Mhm! That's me." 

"....why are you holding me like that." 

Mary's face shrinks, she soon let go of my hand.

"Oh, I-I'm so sorry! Are you not comfortable with physical touch? Or are you nervous? Because I COMPLETELY understand how you feel," she gushed skittishly. "You know, all those rumors about you? I don't believe them." 

"I know I don't, know you-know you, but I do think you seem really nice. Everyone always has bad things to say about someone."

The sprinklers start to slow down, the water trinkling. I glanced around, I assume no teachers had, or will spot us here now. Most likely they evacuated outside or in the cafeteria. 

"I-I...I see." 

... Gods below & above my composure just faltered. 

"Oh that's great to hear! Anywhoooooo, since from what I know, you were not here for the first 2 weeks of school, I'll bake you a WHOLE batch of strawberry shortcake cupcakes!! I baked a bunch for everyone here the first week, but this is special!" 

Why is she just saying this so casually. 

"But uh, I gotta go, I need to go for the other classes. I'll see you there though," Mary patted by arm lightly. And just like that she was skipping away into the next class. 

I do not understand. I have met multiple Royals 'okay with me.' ME. Ryla. Erebus. Kieran. Now Mary. 

What in the name of all things grotesque & unholy is occurring to me? I should be able to move on now but this...whatever it is, keeps bugging me. I do not understand. Do I just go to the next period now? Magic Basics, was it? Okay, I see. It is either that or I get sent to the Headmistress' office for something purely foolish such as "misconduct of magical chemicals." What is happening. \What is happening. What is happening. 

Aixa's face flushed a black hueish blush, she leans against the wall. Her hands grip her face. For what may be the first time this happened, Aixa...actually faltered. Not from losing a battle, or earning her true love or bullshit like that. Just by the mere act of kindness shown from Mary & the unbothered reactions to her roommmates. 

Chapter Text

The rest of my first day barely crossed the line of decent. 

During Magic Basics, Ms. Arcadia - another Sorcery Royal - kept glancing at me as she barely attempted to conceal her fear when teaching. Aurora got up to show a Fire spell called "Phoenix," smiling proudly as students gasped in awe.

Show-off. 

Core Resistance does not seem to egregious. However, the teacher- Mr Topaz of Crystal- made me sit at the back & did not let me partcipate. It was either he too felt some fear or he ignored me. He seemed too tired for this. 

We had a free period but I did not bother to do anything. 

Finally came Lunch. Mary had requested I meet her at her table, she had made time to make me a batch of her strawberry shortcake cupcakes that shall be handed to me. I was still not used to her, however, it will be a shame to turn down this pitiful girl's offer. 

Aixa made her way to lunch. Her heels clicked-&-clacked against the floor, a hanuting sound to most. Students who chatted and walked by her scurried away from her, clearing a path for in an instant. 

At least they have some decency for space. 

Princess Aixa remarked sarcastically. 

The Lunch Hall was packed. It was nothing short of majestic chaos. Towering archways, marble architecture framed the enormous space, Long, polished tables of oakwood for big groups, smaller ones for smaller groups to sit together or to eat alone. Laughter, shouting, and arguing echoed throughout the Hall- an unruly symphony of teenage royalty.

In every direction, there was someone who was:

- Practicing magic, especially on their food

- Arguing about who stole their cookie

- Laughing over failed food experiments (*cough cough* Blaze *cough*) 

- Or just eating like a normal person

Each Kingdom had their own dishes, and every single one was served here in Sunnyside's cafeteria. 

From Fire's burning hot mains to Water's refreshing fruit desserts, arrays of various foods were served by Head Chef Noemia of the Taste Kingdom. It was a rainbow or eye-soring colors, diversity shown through the act of cooking, impeccable flavours that left students salivating for seconds. To Princess Aixa however, it was the complete opposite feeling. 

She stood there, staring at the buffet, then at Chef Noemia, then at the students gobbling it down, then at the buffet, then at Noemia, then at the students, so on & so forth. 

"This is..." Princess Aixa mumbled, "Disgusting." 

I knew my priority was to look for that Mary, and yet I could not take my eyes off this...repugnance of culinary culture. 

So agonisingly vibrant. So exuciactingly gross.

Just then, at the corner of her eye, Aixa found Mary in the top right corner of the cafeteria. Mary carefully propped herself onto the bench. She placed her cane down before rummaging through her bag, grabbing ahold of a big Tupperware. The plastic box was filled. Mary whistled a tune as she opened the lid, revealing freshly baked strawberry shortcake cupcakes. The scent was immaculate, strawberries propped on top of cream frosting that sat on the vanilla cupcake. Red cupcake holders hold the baked goods in place, all were arranged in about two rows neatly, there were about 6 cupcakes in there. 

Princess Aixa sauntered towards Mary, adjusting the bust of her dress with her fingers. She regained her composure, simultaneously facing only Mary whilst avoiding 100% eye contact with any students she walked past. Uneasy whispers scitter amongst students. The class clowns shut their mouth when Aixa passed by. The quiet kids look up at her. The gossipers abruptly stop talking. 

Princess Aixa then reaches Mary's table. Obviously she will not notice her, so Aixa gently lingered a touch on her hand, which alarmed Mary. 

"Huh, who was that??" Mary turned her head in different directions. 

"You wanted to see me, Princess Mary?" Aixa cocked her head to the side. "I see you have the...assortment of pastries you had brought my attention to this morning." 

The color was not as bad as the cafeteria meals. The taste....I was not as sure. 

Mary gasps loudly, facing the direction of Aixa's, a pleasant smile grew on her face. 

"Princess Aixa!! I'm so glad you came!" Princess Mary beamed, "You are just in time, because I had baked the batch I promised you during Alchemy during free period and- AHHH!- I'm so excited for you to try!" 

I stare at the cupcakes. Hopefully I will like it. 

"Of course. I will take one and try." 

I was not used to color, or sweet things. Usually when I consume food, it was dark in different color tones, was either extremely spicy, extremely savoury or sweet but only if it was slightly bitter. 

Might I add, I don't exactly have any. Organs I mean. 

As a being of magic, I function without any, no brain, no organs, no reproductives. I am anything but "normal." In this situation, food goes in my 'blood', are alternatives for me to snack on & are merely done for social norms. Still, I can taste, I can feel, I can see, I can hear, I can touch. But right now I do not want to bring about these facts to Mary. A thing like her will be disheartened to know I will not be able to consume her creations. 

Princess Aixa takes a cupcake with her thumb and middle finger. She delicately removed the casing with her long, thin fingers before taking a big bite, till finished.

She chewed, and she chewed, and she chewed....until....

"Mary, would you excuse me, I have to take a trip to the restroom. I will be back." 

"Oh that's alright! I'll wait for you here!~" 

I walked off. And as soon I was out of sigh of the canteen I sprinted to the bathroom. No, I did not need to remove excess waste after consumption. I do not even need to do that ever. I went here so Mary cannot see me like this. 

BLEAUURRGGGHHHH!!!

Princess Aixa clutches the toilet seat, kneeling down as the remnants of the whole chewed cupcake were now in the toilet. The sound of her vomiting echoed throughout the stall. Luckily no one else was here to see the Pure Power Heiress puking with such intensity.

She chokes. HEEURRAGHHH!!- 

She reaches for the button, coughing, pressing it as her vomit flushes down into the drain. She gasps intensely, sucking in the fresh air. Princess Aixa wipes her mouth with the back of her hand. She opens the door, curtly striding to the sink. When the tap begins to run water, she dumps it onto her face, without a care of the splashes she made. Princess Aixa exhales. Looking into her reflection. She leaned down slightly, her being 10ft tall was not always that helpful. Her semi-solid hair was a mess, her black lipstick was smudged slightly. She looks down to see a spider, crawling towards her. She picks it up before throwing it into her mouth, munching on it before she sighed of relief. That crunchiness & savoury taste she missed. 

"The cupcake was not for me," she huffed, "Much...too sweet."

Her face did not show it, it was more of a stunned & unblinking reaction, but a sense of remorse could be seen through those eyes. 

"My apologies...Mary." 

Thunk, thunk, thunk! 

A knock was heard from outside. 

"Princess Aixa? Are you in there?" It was Mary. Her voice was muffled but Aixa was able to make of the words. 

"You've been in there for a while now, is your stomach cramping or anything?" Mary gasps, "Is...Aunt Flo with you right now?" 

Princess Aixa sniffs, rubbing her temples. "No, I was...feeling uneasy." 

Outside, Princess Mary narrows her eyes, "Why is that?" 

"It is my first day here. The food I had laid eyes on made me feel sick. Your cupcakes were...fine. Despite this, I could not help but feel the need to refresh myself. Gather my composure, before I go back." 

Technically, it was a lie. I was not wrong about the cupcakes however. 

"Well, if you ever feel really bad or sick, you can always ask me for help. You seem really nice and I do not want you to feel bad about not looking for help,"

Mary spoke thoughtfully, leaning her head against the door, her gloved palm feeling the smooth wood of the door, her other hand holding her walking cane. 

Princess Aixa nods. She starts to fix up her hair, retying it before pinning it with her gold needle pin. She wipes her lipstick aside. Her gaze returning back to the cold, unbothered look.

"That is true." 

She walks to the door, turning the knob as it opens. Princess Mary backs up, before that smile returns to her face as she awaits the presence of a slightly disheveled Aixa.

Princess Mary speaks up, "So, since Lunch is probably gonna end soon, you wanna walk with me to the next class?"  

She extends a hand to Aixa, signalling she would like to initiate the contact of holding hands. 

Princess Aixa stifles, "Is this not, a bit forward?" 

Princess Mary merely replies, "Well, I'd like to hold hands with my new friend, new friend," she giggles. 

Princess Aixa's eyes dart to Mary then down to her hand. She hesitates, slowly taking her hand, as their fingers touch Aixa could not comprehend it all. It's her first day, can you blame her? Holding hands with a Royal she just met? That's a bit much, isn't it? As long as nobody else sees this, it will be fine-

"Attention all students, please evacuate to the back of the school, this is an intruder alert-" 

"What?!" 

"What." 

The duo exclaimed. 

Chapter Text

The sirens blare throughout the speakers. 

Princess Aixa & Princess Mary turned their heads as the announcement repeated in terror-struck confusion. 

"Attention all students, please evacuate to the back of the school, this is an intruder alert-" 

- Over & over. 

"Princess Aixa, WHAT IS HAPPENING???" 

Princess Aixa turns to face a terrified Mary, her soft touch turns firm as she gripped Mary by her hand, to keep her close whilst her figures out the danger. If things go south, Aixa would be able to keep her safe. Not like she actually cared about this Royal she just met today?.... Right? 

"Mary, hold my hand tight," Aixa instructed Mary. 

Mary, whom trusted Aixa, gripped her hand back, nodding. "O-O-Okay," she sucked in a sharp breath of air. Despite her trembling, she had a feeling it would all be okay somehow. Her new friend would be there for her.  

The two ran carefully to the source of the intrusion, the echoes frightened students grew louder. The dim lighting from the area they were in just now grew brighter & brighter. Soon they found themselves on a balcony near the cafeteria, the view of other students near lower balconies rushing to see the scene are more apparent now. Royals like Horace and Demi recorded the scene, alarmed Royals like Crescenta; Hazel; River & Zephyr or Kaori (A Scent Royal) & Dosia (A Reflection Royal), huddle close. A few were curious & calm at the sight, like Kieran & his sister Darcy. 

"More intruders?!" 

"Oh God no-" 

"Dosia, stay close to me-"

"OH FUCK-"

 Whilst Royals like Glacier, Blaze & Aurora whispered amongst one another, Aixa looked down to see three figures surrounded by mortal guards. 

The three figures in question stood their ground, on defense for the oncoming guards about to fight. The first one on the left had a short, Spider Black bob with choppy bangs, adorned with two deep red bows tied neatly on either side. Her large, expressive black eyes shimmered with highlights & rage as she pulls out a dagger, pointing threateningly at a guard. There were teardrop-like markings underneath her eyes. 

She wore dark, elegant long-sleeved coat with a rich maroon skirt peeking underneath. The outfit has lacey, frilled detailing and a high waistline, gloves matching the dress’ deep tones, adding a Victorian elegance. Black veins pulse, visible on her neck, reaching her face, signalling her slowly activitating her magic.

The second one in the middle was more terrified than the the other two. Long, flowing white hair cascades past her waist, with a gentle wave and an elegant front lock slightly curled back. Pale ice-blue eyes shrink at the sight of swords pointed at her by the guards. She had no weapon on her, only having the other two to protect her.

Her dress was a delicate pastel ensemble blending soft blue and white hues, featuring floral accents, puffed sleeves, a layered ruffled skirt, and a detailed apron-like overlay adorned with dots and lace. At her neck, a prominent round blue necklace matches the gentle allure of her appearance. She however was crouched slightly in fear, eyes darting around for an escape. 

The third one on the left was ready to murk everyone in her way. She had neater bangs, her hair was a Void Black shade, her long hair was braided all the way to her kneecaps, her crazed eyes lock with the guards, her sword ready to swing. She had pieces of Iron armor on, the pauldrons (shoulder armor); her lower arms engulfed in the iron, leaving her fingers shown and her calves all the way to her toes were in iron high boots. The armor donned the dark velvet fabrics she wore, gold trimmings as the patterns on her top & chopped skirt. 

The third one immediately swings her sword, clanging with the guards' as she gets into offense. She cackled insanely, kicking a guard down and its off with his head as she swiftly chopped it off. The first one leaps from the ground, in midair, she throws her dagger into the head of a guard & lands onto him, pulling the dagger out. Blood spurts out in an instant, the attacker charging through the rest of the guards, dagger moving at the speed of light as it meets the faces of each guard. The second one tried to run, but in an instinct, her hands met a sword, her hands transformed into claws, black gradient grows on her arms. 

Her gaze turns more animalistic as she pushes the guard away. She charges towards him, her Core becomes stronger, her hair turns blacker and so does her eyes. Her hands claw at the guard's armor, she tears through his underclothes, and dug into his skin, blood splatters on her face. She tore through his organs. His spleens were on the ground. The last thing that guard saw was this scared girl murdering him brutally. 

The third one continues to swing her sword. She blocks the guards' attacks effortlessly, her braid swings in sync as she dodges. She finds a weak spot in the armor, revealing a small crack so vulnerability, before she chopped their necks, not fully but just enough for them to die slowly. 

"CAN'T CATCH ME HOES!!" She cackled. 

On the high balcony Aixa & Mary were on, Mary confused by what is happening, turns to Aixa.

"Aixa, what do you see? What is happening??" She asked, trembling, her grip on Aixa tightening as her other arm holds onto Aixa's. 

"I see...." 

She paused. As Aixa vision slowly clears, her eyes widened.

"Dear Cora." 

Princess Aixa slowly lets go Mary's hand, her arm slips out. Mary was confused as of right now, trying to find Aixa's arm.

"Aixa, what are you doing-"

"Mary, whatever you do. Stay put. I will be back." 

"Wait WHAT-"

WHOOOSHH!!!

Princess Aixa steps foot on the railing, her hand on the side. She lunges forward, sprining into the air. The leap was dramatic, it was like watching an action movie scene in slo-mo. 

"IS THAT AIXA?????"

"WHAT IS HAPPENING-" 

Gasps were heard from the crowds of students as Aixa made her entrance into the battle. Midair, Aixa spins in a circle, her right arm instantaneously transform swiftly into a tentacle larger than Princess Aixa herself. She swerves her enormous tentacle arm, targeting the mortal guards. With one move, she pummeled the swarm of guards into a part of the school. The three girls caught off-guard by this. The walls crumble, the guards disoriented & injured. She lands elegantly onto the tiles, she transform her arm back to normal, dusting off her outfit. 

The three girls whip their heads towards Aixa, their eyes turn comically enormous when they meet her gaze. 

"*GASPS* AIXAAAAAA!!!!!!!" The three girls screeched in unison. The first one however, was incoherent in her speech. Instead it sounded like "Aeiaaa."

"Cousins," Aixa rasped. 

The trio squeals in delight, sprinting towards Aixa, tackling her in a hug. 

"I can't believe it!!" The second one cried out. 

Ayano. 

"We're finally here!!" The third one sobbed, hugging her older cousin. While the first one nodded in agreement. 

Yuna. Circe. 

My cousins are here. 

And thus, the four of them embrace eachother in a warm hug, laughing, crying, just a bit. Aixa didn't show it, granted, she was not the best with feelings, she was just glad she will be with familiar faces in this academy. They were relieved. 

Everyone else, not so much. On top of the highest balcony, the staff stare in horror at the massacre & the girls. Headmistress Ayla's mouth agape. Her hands tremble, gripping tighter on her cane, then- 

SNAP! 

Ms. Helibe, whom was standing next to Ayla, stuttered:

"H-Headmistress...what will we do??"

"...I do not know, Ms. Helibe." 

Chapter Text

[A week later.]

I was not surprised when my cousins got locked up like I did. Their fate was undecided till they had settled on giving them a house until they can go to Sunnyside in a few days time. After both these incidents, it was reasonable for them to postpone school. 

The staff are definitely in for their work. [*imagine Aixa trying to smile but she can't*]

I plan on visiting them after school hours. Anyone who dares to stop me can go drown themselves in burning lava. 

‐-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------‐--------------------------------

News of the arrival of both Princess Aixa & her cousins; Princess Circe; Princess Ayano & Princess Yuna; spread like wildfire amongst the school all the way to the Sorcery Kingdom, even from other Kingdoms. On the media, thousands of articles, blurry pictures, sightings from witnesses are everywhere. 

"Sighting of Mysterious Cryptid Causing Rampage In The Roads of the Motion Kingdom-" 

"Three Cloaked Criminals Massacre Guards In Star Kingdom-"

"Girls Steal Supplies From Health Kingdom-"

"Demon Sighting Spotted In Sorcery Kingdom-"

EVERYONE was talking about it. 

Princess Aixa, whom was clearly unfazed, just continued on with lessons. It was going to be a long day so she might as well just deal with it. Today, she had decided to go back to her usual one-piece dress she wore when arriving at Sunnyside. The one with high shoulder, gold patterns, jewellery and all in black. She wore the grey pants underneath alongside the high-heeled boots. Which if we count the height of the heels with her height, accurately she would be 10'3"ft tall. But 10ft is nicer to say,

At Sunnyside Royal Academy, Etiquette class is a lavish class that makes you feels more like you have attended a royal ballroom than a classroom. Here, you learn how to sit like a Royal, eat like a Royal, behave like a Royal. No slouch, poor posture or any mistake goes unnoticed here. Velvet drapes in soft lunar tones hang from the arched windows, filtering sunlight into a delicate, moody glow. The air is faintly perfumed with calming chamomile and moonflower essence to discourage restlessness.

A long crystalline table stretches down the center, students sit here as usual for class. On days focused on royal dining etiquette, it's laden with a full spread: delicate teacakes, spiced meats, artistic, lovely drinks in silver, silver soup bowls, and golden-cut flatware, for each hand and for different purposes.

Mr. Manor of the Lunar Kingdom was the instructor, stands up at the front. He dresses in a one-piece dark Sherwani with gold crescent moon patterns on his sides, left shoulderand a gold trimming on his left arm's sleeve. Glasses perch on top of his nose, whilst there was a full-on beard that literally looks like he applied a fake beard with Gorilla Glue on for 5 minutes and called it a day. Underneath his formal attire is a pair of light grey pants. 

"Good morning, class," Mr Manor greeted in a cordial tone. "Today we will be recapping on table manners, and if we're lucky today, we may be able to move on to social manners. Where you learn how to speak to your subjects, in meetings or other Royals as well as how to be considerate in terms of behaviour." 

Princess Aixa hated Etiquette with her entire being. She hated every lesson, unless at the end she managed to leave satisfied with whatever chaos she caused. Princess Aixa was seated in the back (of course) and was seated a row away from Prince River, who was visibly mortified by Princess Aixa's presence. The people sitting next to her were Princex Edi - who was validly uncomfortable &.....sigh......Princess Amelia. There were no more seats left, besides that Syneffa; Celisa & Aurora were not willing to sit next to Aixa. Amelia, however, scoffed at them. 

"Pfft, those mortal guards are disposable anyway! She's not even that scary," She thought to herself. 

When the class moved on to table manners, Amelia decided to carry out one of the worst decisions she has ever made. Outside from being a basic bitch mean girl. But she wasn't just a basic bitch mean girl, oh no. Worse will come from her than the rest of her clique. As of right now, she will just stick to messing with Aixa. Again, not really that great of a decision. 

When Mr Manor asked the class to demonstrate which utensils to be used for appetisers or the main course, Amelia "accidentally" flicked Aixa's spoon onto the floor, resulting in a loud "CLANG!!!" sound onto the marble flooring, alerting Mr Manor.

Princess Amelia giggled, "Oh! Are you okay, Princess Aixa? It's okay, I'll pick it up for you!~"

Princess Aixa could only stare at her. 

Next was, dropping Aixa's cup.

Then, it was taking her teaspoon when she did not have any. 

Thirdly, Amelia kept mimicking Aixa's voice through coughing really loud. By the way, HORRIBLE impression of her & AIXA barely coughs. 

Lastly, she proceeded to commit a heinous crime. Aixa did not do anything at this time, but Amelia STEPPED. ON. HER. FOOT. 

UNDER THE TABLE. 

All while she was snickering with Aurora, Syneffa & Celisa, all smiling at her condescendingly behind Mr Manor's back. 

Princess AIxa was tired. Purely lethargic. Already 8.35am in the morning, yet she must endure these ridiculous shenanigans. 

From a row down, she took a glance at River, who despite his perfect posture & (artificial) grace, is incredibly rigid in his stature. Trembling in nervousness & sweat. He had taken a small knife int his hand, slowly cutting a piece of fruit cake served in front of him. Lest, he ended up being too rough, the impact of the gold knife scratched against the plate, the gravity from his hand pressing down on the knife caused the plate to fall off the table, ending with the plate breaking into pieces. 

"GAH!!-" Prince River jumped, "Oh no oh no no no no no no NOOO-" 

Near him, Glacier chuckled smugly. Blaze laughed slightly louder, while Zephyr remained silent, letting his "friends" mess with River. 

"Want some help, water boy?" Glacier chuckled, "You seem a clumsy lately, did our last encounter rough you up?" He taunted, causing Blaze to laugh even harder. 

"G-Glacier please, we're in class-"

"Shhhhhhhhhhhh." 

"You don't need to say anything else, River. You're just pathetic, and you know it."

"W-WHAT-"

"I'm just speaking the truth. You always need things up for the class, always saying 'Let's learn more on this!!' or just being plain annoying!" 

River gasped, "I AM NOT ANNOYING-"

"Ok class, please settled down!" Mr Manor instructed, "We all have our feuds and arguments, but let's not let our feelings get the best of us." 

Glacier rolled his eyes. He stands up from his table, crossing his arms, "Mr Manor, River has been messing up at before that freak came to our school," 

The Ice Prince has patronised my title. 

"He's been constantly dropping things and can't even look people in the eye, is this seriously what you want in class?" Glacier scorned at River, gesturing at him as the whole class looks at him. 

"Prince Glacier, do not look down on your fellow peers, it is not good-" 

"No. He's right."

River’s eyes begin to well up. 

"I-I mess up, a lot in fact...!" 

Mr Manor's gaze softens, "Prince River, do not say such things about yourself," He said before getting interrupted.

"....P-Please, please just LEAVE ME ALONE!!" 

River's voice echoes throughout the class. Tears start to roll down his cheeks,when his outburst occured his Core Form activated a bit, his hair transforms into floating water, his eyes turn yellow with blue pupils whilst ears turn into gill-like merman ears. This prompted a startled reaction from Mr Manor & a few students beside him. 

"I-I'm s-so sorry, I'm sorry, I'M SORRY!!"

Before Mr Manor could stop him, River backed up from his seat. As he stumbled towards the door, he sprinted out of there as fast as a cheetah, his sobbing blared throughout the hallways. 

"PRINCE RIVER WAIT!" Mr Manor shouted for him. 

Mr Manor turned to Glacier, a frown forms on his face. Princess Aixa glances at River as he runs away. 

"Prince Glacier, this behaviour is unacceptable! You understand that belittling your classmates instead of helping them when they are struggling is not right! You will apologize to River later, or detention!" Mr Manor spoke firmly. 

"And how will you convince me to do so, sir?"

"Well, I-I....I- well-"

As if lightning had struck down on poor Mr Manor, Princess Darcy shoved him to the side, making him land on the floor face-first. She was furious, if you take a closer look, her moving hair was clenched into fists as well as some in the form of claws. She was definitely targeting someone. 

"PRINCE GLACIERRRRRRRR!!!!!"

Darcy's voice boomed with vexation. 

"HOW DARE YOU BE RUDE TO MY ASHER!!" 

Darcy storms towards Glacier, she throws her arm into the air, her fist clenched before she punched Glacier right in his face. He fell onto the table, Darcy grabbing at his shirt before slamming him onto the center of the table. Blaze was terror-struck while Zephyr was basically paralysed by this ungodly sight. 

"HEY HEY HEY! L-Let's calm down here!" Blaze tried his very next to cool off the situation. 

"SHUT UP!!!" Darcy yelled, her voice ricocheting Blaze off his seat. 

Darcy made quick with time, punching Glacier with brute force over and over until he bled out Ice blood from his nose (turquoise blood, supposedly). His visors cracked from Darcy's pure rage-filed strength. 

"THIS.

IS. 

WHAT. 

YOU. 

GET. 

AFTER. 

MAKING. 

FUN. 

OF. 

THE. 

LOVE. 

OF. 

MY. 

LIFE." 

Mr Manor is unconsious. There is a brawl taking place on a table. Students are either freaking out or recording this shit. Princess Aixa watched. She merely watched. 

This so-called botched "brawl" has become a humdrum in an instant of 5 seconds. You cannot convince me this is clearly lacking in creativity. This girl is only repeating the same exact move on her opponent. Where is the variation in her attacks? Where is the precision? The plan is currently unavailable to enter the class. It is not there. 

In seconds, curiosity sparked the peculiar entity. She was bored clearly, classes will be delayed. As usual. Why not torment someone else whilst this settles down? 

I thought about the Water Heir. Most common case, he is in the library as of now, crying his tears out. Or perhaps the restroom. Most uncommon case, he is plotting his revenge against the Ice Heir. The one who dogged on my name in front of all these maggots. Or maybe I will find someone else amusing to toy with. 

Princess Aixa slowly melts into the ground once everyone's face was turned away from her. She sat there unblinking, like a statue, whilsther semi-solid body slowly slides into the floors like goo. Princess Aixa made quick haste with her time, crawling out of the door before transfiguring into the form of a black snake, moving from the floor to through the vents. Princess Aixa navigated her way around the school. Inside the vents, she hears faint murmurs from different classes & rooms, observing every little ant in her sight. 

Time started to slow down for her. A mere 5 minutes & she's already bored. Princess Aixa seemed to not find her target. Unexpectedly, she heared faint sobbing nearby. 

"That boy issss closssssse..." Princess Aixa hissed in her snake form. 

Princess Aixa slithers down, through the gaps of the air vents, she had managed to peek through, spotting an upset Prince River, coddled up like a millipede next to the window, leaning against the bookshelf. The sunshine from outside blended into the dim lighting of the library, casting a soft silhouette around the mournful Prince, tracing every part of him. His glasses was on the window perch, his eyes had slight wrinkles underneath them.

"Why? Why can't I just be perfect...?" Prince River heaved heavily, "I was doing s-so well, and I messed up, AGAIN." 

Prince River looks out the window. He shudders, trying to hold back any more tears.

"I just want to be good enough. Good enough for me, good enough for my Kingdom, good enough for my friends, I guess. Good enough for Mom. Good enough....for Dad."

Prince River wipes a tear, using his magic to manipulate the water drop to float atop his finger. He mindlessly played with it, turning it into random shapes while he sighs.

"I need to be perfect." 

"Perfect you say?" 

Prince River yelps out loud. He turns his eyes up at the vents, his eyes grow wide in terror as a snake slithers out of the vent gaps. He did not know it was Princess Aixa. Yet. 

"You Royalssss will conssssistently create long monologuessss of 'perfection' and 'being good enough for' whatever it issss you run your mouth on." Princess Aixa exhaled loudly. "Yet you all never bother to even reflect on why you have not achieved sssssuch abssssstract, near-impossible goalsssss." 

"W-Who- WHO ARE YOU?? WHY ARE YOU A TALKING SNAKE??? WHO SENT YOU????" Prince River stood up, breathing heavily as he stands in defense. 

"I do not plan on introducing myssssself just yet, Prince. I would rather you guess, I am bored." 

"Tell me who you are first!! Maybe I'll guess later." 

"Oh sssso now you are sssstubborn? You can sssstand up to me but not to that bungled, misssssmanaged annoyance bringer, Prince Glacier?" 

Prince River's eyes widened. Princess Aixa viced disgust in her smirkful "Hmph." She slithered onto hanging ceiling ornaments, spinning round & round it as she transformed into a black cat. Now sitting atop the mini chandelier. 

"I suppose since you will not speak another word till I formally introduce myself, I will do so," Princess Aixa groaned monotonously. 

She jumps down from the mini chandelier, she plunges onto the floor, dispersing as a huge puddle of tar, as she slowly transformed back into her normal form. Princess Aixa stares down at 9'4" Prince, glowering at him in 10ft, she flipped her curled hair to the side. Prince River stood frozen in place. Frightened was an understatement. To someone like him, it is like meeting Death Incarnate. 

"N-No, NO WAY. YOU ARE-" 

"I am Princess Aixa. Heiress to the Unknown Kingdom. I only tell a few of its actual name. 'Less you already know."

Prince River began hyperventilating. He stumbles back, hands gripping the window perch. 

"No no, w-whyyyy are YOU here?? Did I do anything to," He gulps, "Upset you???" 

Prince River's words slurred like a drunkard. Instead of alcohol however, it was fear & anxiety he was drunk on. 

"I am merely here to chat with a new target." 

"T-TARGET???" 

"You are....amusing, Fairly annoying however. You have a botched haircut." 

"EXCUSE ME?????????" 

Princess Aixa sighs.

"....Listen here. I may have only been here for less than two weeks. But they all have been agonising days filled with petty insults, barely decent comebacks & his terribly mess in general. You let people step all over you like a used doormat. I see your stubbornness for a few seconds and it told me everything I need to know about you." 

"E-Everything....?"

She leans dangerously close to River, back forward. face-to-face eye contact. River slowly backs up into the shelf but causes himself to be more vulnerable to be cornered.

"Meaning, you have the ability to fight back. Plot. Sabotage. Revenge. Yet the chains of remorse & regret hold you back from getting even."

Silence. 

"I would be interested in seeing you in a fight." 

Prince River's eyes dart left and right. He stays quiet, until he finally stammers. 

"I-.....I-.......I NEED TO LEAVE." 

Prince River immediately grabbed his glasses, clumsily putting them on as he rushed for the exit door, running like his life depended on it as he was finally out of Princess Aixa's grasp. Princess Aixa watched as he ran, staring. Her black eyes unblinking, her white pupils....dilate.....slightly. She has many generic and interesting beings so far for nearly 2 weeks. 

"It seems I have found a new one. Only this time,he does not plan to hold hands but either run.....or fight."

Chapter Text

On the last period of lessons, which was Art, Princess Aixa sneaks out of class, slithering out to visit her cousins. She turned back into her snake form once more, scooting around the hallways, up around the pipes & back into the vents. She caught sight of a few guards slacking off on the job (as in the guards that are actually alive or not severely injured- one of them did have a cast on their right arm however.) The moment the guards had their backs turned, Princess Aixa snuck out of the vents, a small thud occurred when she dropped down. Luckily, she managed to recover, getting right back on track. She snagged one of those key cards off the buckle of one guard, swallowed it whole and wriggled out of there. At the entrance of the cellars, she lengthened her tail, tapping the card onto the scanner, crawling quickly when opened. 

In the cellar the cousins shared, Princess Circe was juggling her pair of shoes in their, Princess Yuna was aiming darts she had took from the guards after they confiscated her weapons whilst Princess Ayano sat in one corner, reflecting on something. Perhaps of home, or perhaps of the guard she brutally murked during her arrival. 

All the cellars Princess Aixa passed by, they were all empty. Supposedly, Head Guard Estelaria was right about no intruders being able to get in or even bother to come.

The moment she found their cell, the cousins' eyes lit up, squealing in joy. 

"AIXAAAAA!!!!" (Circe: "AIEEAAAA!!!")

"Hello, cousssinssss..." 

Princess Aixa transforms back into her normal form, but this time shes wearing a new outfit. Instead of opting for the traditional Indonesian garments she usually wore or her usual bodysuit dress, she has turned to her Gothic Lolita side of fashion. Her hair was still the same, but her dress was much shorter that usual. The dress was super frilly & lacey, all the way up to her knees. Her white socks all the way up to her knees as well, her high heeled boots were the same size, they were piano-tiled themed. Black frilly gloves cover up her arms, her shoulder pads covering up the rest. The entire outfit was black & white. 

The cousins gasped in awe at their older cousin, amazed by the sudden change in her style. 

"WOOOOOOAAAAHHHHHH!!~" They harmonised in unison. 

"Aixa, where did you get that new dress? Its so lovely!" Princess Ayano gushed.

Princess Circe nodded profusely, her pigtails goofily bounced up & down in sync with her head bopping. 

"Its so different," Princess Yuna added, "Where'd you get it??" 

Princess Yuna paused for a moment. "WAIT.....Was it from that Health Royal Mary you told us about the other day?" She questioned. 

"...Yes." 

"Oh damn, cool." 

Princess Aixa squatted onto her knees, leaning against the forcefield that blocks her cousins. She glanced sideways, checking for any guards coming her way. She has not asked them yet, but she was curious as to know why her cousins came after her a few days later. Her parents only planned for Aixa to attend Sunnyside & had already alerted her cousins of her departure....but why?

"Tell me cousins....why did you come after me." 

"Huh?" 

"You knew they would not accept you into Sunnyside immediately. Unlike I, whom can handle it, I was not entirely assured you three will be able to handle the distasteful treatment Sunnyside will give you." 

The three stared at eachother. Eyes darting left & right. 

Princess Ayano (in her mind): "Should we tell her????"

Princess Yuna (in her mind): "I mean we do have to!! It's pretty obvious that we fucked up a lot throughout our journery over here! There's literally an article online called 'Girls Steal Supplies From Health Kingdom!' "

Princess Circe (in her mind): "Hmph!" 

Princess Yuna: "...She would kill us though if we told her." 

Princess Ayano: "Yeah....At most Aixa will just stare at us for a really long time." 

Princess Yuna speaks up. 

"Well basically, what happened was-" 

Cue a whole flashback montage. Originally the trio was meant to go through the Star Kingdom, then they will arrive at Sorcery. Instead, these dumbasses accidentally rerouted their makeshift shipto the Health Kingdom & crashed there. Princess Circe decided to steal supplies for the trip, before starting a whole ass riot. They dipped and then moved back to Star. Same thing, more rampages, then they took a detour to Reincarnation then finally arrived in Sorcery. 

Princess Aixa could only feel no emotion whatsoever but everything at the same damn time. She stared at her cousins until they finallye ended their explanation. 

"And that's basically how we got here," Princess Yuna grinned smugly. 

"...Yuna what the actual f-" 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Corran History. The period where Royals learn about the past, present & possible futures of Cora & their Kingdoms. Also where the most heated debates & verbal insults get thrown in every single direction possible. In this room, portraits of previous generations of Royals from every Kingdom hung on the walls, ancient artifacts & murals dictating Cora's evolution are seen. Pots of flowers & flora decorate the bright-litted room. In the top right corner of the room, a ginormous shelf sits right there alongside glass tanks. Two hung on the wall, a bigger one beneath it. The seats are manufactured with crystal and marble, made to match with the overall aesthetic of the school. Like a lecture room, there are multiple rows of seats, in front is the whiteboard & teacher's desk. Where Headmistress Ayla stands. Princess Aixa hated this lesson. Not because it was boring, repetitive or any words under that category. It was the propaganda spreading throughout the class that pissed her off. 

"Royals cannot marry other Royals!" 

"Royals are special as they have Cores!" 

"Royals are superior because of blah blah blah-"

"You cannot do this! You cannot do that-"

The classism towards their subjects. The superiority they hold over themselves, saying we should never repeat the mistakes of the past, yet right now, there are probably wars, feuds and conflicts with Kingdoms, just like back then.

Worst of all, the treatment of her Kingdom. 

Princess Aixa read through the syllabus and the contents in her Corran History book. That was going to be the main subject she will be learning for the ENTIRE term.

A once thriving, peaceful Kingdom was destroyed by the forces of Mailforge. A dark powerful magic that can be used by anyone. Mortals, Royals, anyone really. And the Pure Power Kingdom was its first victim. After that, all of Cora turned its back on it, leaving it to rot. It was wiped off the map, and is now referred to as the Unknown Kingdom. Much to Aixa & her family's distaste. 

Princess Aixa sat at the back row in the middle. About 2 metres of space is spread in-between each Royal. Princess Crescenta & Princess Hazel sat next to eachother on the third row. Prince Blaze, Prince Zephyr & Prince Glacier sat in that order at the last row, the fourth one. Very. Very. Very far from Princess Aixa. In front of Princess Crescenta & Princess Hazel, Princess Arid of the Sand Kingdom, Prince Amethyst of Crystal & Princess Aurora sat in front of them. Princess Syneffa sat at far right of the same row. As for Prince River, he sat at the far right of the front row, scribbling notes down as if he's writing his father's death certificate. Princess Sage of the Mind Kingdom & Princess Celisa were next to him.

Prince Dale, Princess Regina of Charisma & Prince Padparadscha of Crystal sat together at the second row, gossiping with eachother about something. Maybe new tea or crushes. In front of them was Princess Swan, Dale's sister, and Prince Aiano of Sound. Celisa's cousin. Prince Helios was placed near them, but he ignored them, paying attention to his aunt Ayla instead. Next to Syneffa was Princess Ruth of the Colour Kingdom. Prince Horace sat next to Princess Crescenta, yapping to Prince Falcon whom was also taking notes. Princess Amelia snuck in-between Princess Aurora & Princess Syneffa to get her seat (shes late for class), immediately opening her damn mouth once she sat down. Princess Iris of the Colour Kingdom on the left side of the front row. 

"In this term, we will be covering a new chapter," Headmistress Ayla continued her lecture, "We will continue with the syllabus, however, we must bring light to a new subject that you must all know more about-" 

The Unknown Kingdom. 

"The Unknown Kingdom."

Ugh, this is such a chore. 

Headmistress Ayla continues her speech, clearly putting aside the fact that there is a LITERAL ROYAL FROM THAT KINGDOM IN HER CLASS. 

"The Unknown Kingdom was once an ally to us all. It was known for being one of the most peaceful Kingdoms in history, a mediator to conflicts between other Kingdoms. They helped us in our darkest times, and was strongly against Mailforge." 

Everyone in the room tenses up as Headmistress Ayla paused, whom had a rather solemn look on her face yet holds a sense of some kind of anger. It was a conflicting expression.

"However, all was lost when they were eradicated by the evil forces of Mailforge, their Kingdom was destroyed, the Core and the Royals were poisoned by its magic, cursed with it. But we did not exile them because of this," Headmistress Ayla said, "Even if they were our allies, they were against the laws if Cora. They treated mortals as if they were their level. Many times did they speak against us for our laws. We did all we could to help them, yet they refused. As so, the Unknown Kingdom broke ties with the rest of Cora, now living as a disgraced Kingdom." 

The other students whispered to eachother, glancing uneasily at Princess Aixa. 

Prince River raises his hand up, as if about to drop some unessecary opinion on this thats also lowkey relevant. 

"So basically, they did not want the other Kingdoms to help because there were already rising conflicts between the Unknown Kingdom and the rest, and so it continued on until they supposedly broke the truce?" 

"That is correct, Prince River." 

"As of right now, the Unknown Kingdom is incredibly dangerous & biohazardous. They have annihilated multiple military forces from Kingdoms such as the Star Kingdom-" 

Princess Crescenta glances away.

"Or lost voyagers that come near their borders. Beware of the danger they can cause, and the power they hold as one nation." 

....

"Is that all you have to say?" 

Princess Aixa's voice boomed, silencing everyone.

"Because we did not believe in your rules......we left you?" 

SLAM!!!!! Aixa's hands slammed onto the table, everyone else jolting in fear. 

"NO." 

"YOU drove US away." 

Princess Aixa held her head high, glowering down at the Headmistress. 

"WE begged for your help. We were in ruins. We could barely help ourselves, how could we help our people? We turned to you, despite our differences, we knew we had to work together through this, Mailforge had attacked us, it could have attacked every other Kingdom next. But no. You rejected us. You left us to rot. You left MY family to rot. For my grandparents to suffer the pain & for every other generation to suffer the aftermath. I bet if Mailforge attacked any of you-" 

She slowly turned her head towards each and everyone of them.

"You would not even bother to help your own people. You are all selfish creatures, barely any that actually cares, do you understand that you are all being fed lies?" 

"Princess Aixa, calm down-" 

"This is my Kingdom you speak of. MY HOME. I cannot believe you would put this in your syllabus," Princess Aixa scowled, "Tell me, Water Prince, are you just going to keep nodding at whatever she is speaking, as if you cannot tell all she is saying is false??-" 

When Princess Aixa turns to Prince River, he flinches. 

"I-I w-well-" 

"Speak." 

"...W-Well, even if you do now believe in what the Headmistress is teaching us, its still a part of history, isn't it??" Prince River shrugged.

"...I beg your pardon." 

"It still happened, didn't it? You still broke ties with them, r-right? Your Kingdom still in the wrong for not accepting Cora for what it is and refusing alliance. Cora's laws and rules are structured to create a balanced society, to differentiate mortal from Royal & made it the beautiful world it is today. Your Kingdom fought against us for merely trying to make the world a better place," His voice handled a subtle smug tone, however he still sounded fearful, being stared down at Princess Aixa. 

"Oh so that's why you hate us, don't you?"

"I-I NEVER SAID THAT-" 

"You are falling for the vague propaganda that they spread to you, you know Cora is not perfect and still flawed even after all this-" 

Prince River grew more anxious, he starts to frown, spitting out these words without thinking:

"W-Well, ITS NOT MY FAULT YOUR KINGDOM HAS BEEN EXTINCT FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY-" 

And oh my God was he not thinking. Princess Aixa stares down at him. Her pupils shrunk. Distraught.

"...What. Did. You. Say."

"I-I--"

"That's enough you two!" Headmistress Ayla exclaimed. "Both of you, will speak to me after class."

Princess Aixa clawed at her table, her nails dug into the wood as her breathing slowed down. She was angry. And yes, her rebuttles were incredibly vague & not explaining what the hell was going on with her & her Kingdom and the truth behind it all. However, she got caught up in her emotions. She was spewing whatever came to mind for her. She was becoming irrational in her words. She must calm down.

She needs to talk to her parents.

Chapter Text

Princess Aixa slammed the door of her room. Pissed off from Corran History, she was going to inform her parents of what the Headmistress & Prince River spoke of. 

I will not tolerate such disrespect to my kingdom. Their presences shall be known soon. They will tell me what I shall do with them soon.

Princess Aixa cracked her fingers, loosening herself before she cracked her neck.

She dipped her fingers in her sea salt bowl on her vanity table, alongside all her other witchy items, traced a Pentagram with it & activated her mirror. The mirror was a part of her vanity table.

"دري ساتو عالم ك عالم يڠ لا؞ين، اكو مڽرو كڤدامو اونتوق ممينتا بنتوان. ايه، اكو ايڠين برچاكڤ دڠنمو."

{English: "From one realm to another, I called out to you for help. Father, I want to talk to you."}

{"Malay", in English wording: "Dari satu alam ke satu alam lain, saya memanggil anda untuk mendapatkan bantuan. Ayah, saya ingin bercakap dengan anda."}

Eradicated by Mailforge & clashing with the rest of Cora over politics & their controversial ways of carrying out war & humanity, this Kingdom shields itself from the rest of the world in exile. Its neighbouring Kingdoms are the Star Kingdom; the Reincarnation Kingdom; the Plasma Kingdom & the Health Kingdom, separated by huge walls made of stone & black sapphire, as well as the "Smog Border" [set up by Queen Sadia- sorry, Lady Sadia as she prefers to be called- herself] that seal this realm away from it all. A forcefield protected by a massive, swirling storm of smoke and shrieking wind that guards the outer edge of the kingdom. It is impossible to cross unless guided by Pure Power magic.

Bathed in black, white, and shades of shadowy grey. Color here is foreign. Magic bleeds from the soil, the wind hums like whispers, and time feels...warped. The sky is of a grey- (slightly) violet haze, cut by black lightning and constellations that don’t exist anywhere else in Cora. Porous stones riddled with black veins of Mailforge's eradication still stay. Twisted, elegant creatures that look like inky silhouettes with moving white eyes and mouths are one way to describe a majority of Pure Power's creatures, infected by radiation.

The citizens of Pure Power walk the lands as if they did not have to go through a whole biohazardous lake to go to work. To be fair, Corans do not need water to survive. Unless you are from Water, they do not need air either unless you are from Wind. Still the waters can harm them if not careful. But they are not just ordinary mortals, no, they are the generations that came after those whom survived Mailforge and suffered as much as the Royals, even more. Yet they stayed to help rebuild the Kingdom despite all that has happened.

Crowds of people swarm the downtown streets, multiple commoners selling street food & bargaining prices, dressed in Indonesian-esque clothing. While the upper class were dressed in fancier, refined Victorian outfits. They walked down the streets with poise, some were buying from the commoners. A sense of community wafted in the air, despite the spooky atmosphere and horribly grotesque creatures swarming, there was warmth & kindness that come from them. Despite the fact the citizens themselves do not look too human either. 

Up the hills is Candra, Ashburn Mountains. The King's home before he was crowned. He used to be a Duke. The finest gold, silver & gems are imported from there.

Also known as the Citadel of Marrow, the Castle is part architecture, part breathing core-being. Built from inkstone, bone, and magic. The structure shifts subtly when no one looks. Towers reach impossibly high, spiraling into smokey clouds. The halls seem endless, moaning doors, paintings that whisper. Generations of Pure Power reside in this Gothic Victorian-esque castle for thousands of years, housing luxurious silk, shining gold & silver, paintings of previous generation hang on the walls, with more to come.

Inside the Great Hall, the regal King Purnama Wibowo stood in front of his magic mirror. It was almost the size of the entrance door to the Great Hall, and the door is HUGE. The King was...barely dressed. His skin was a golden brown, curled-tangled black hair reached all the way to his hips. Gold robes wrap around his snatched waist, thing gold chains and red & green gold jewellery hung over it. More gold robes hang from his arms, donning over his toned muscular arms. Gold arm buckles chain different areas of his arms, a pair on his knees, a multitude of gold necklaces worn over his abs. In the middle of his abdomen, a jagged Core was placed in-between, black veins pop out of his skin from the Core. He was barefoot. 

In a moment the magic mirror activates, blue smog appears from the mirror as well as from Aixa's side, projecting projections of the both of them from each side. 

"AHHHHHH- My darling daughter!!~ How is Sunnyside? Lessons going well?" King Purnama's voice echoed from Aixa's side of the mirror, a toothy grin plastered on his face. 

"It was incredibly substandard, Father," Princess Aixa lamented, "As you may have known, I will not call you & Mother unless of an emergency. And as of today, this emergency regards your attention." 

"Oh? Well, what is it? Surely, it is not a serious thing-" 

"Today during Corran History, the Headmistress had taken a bold direction in her lessons. She decided to teach about our Kingdom, Father. And as I expected, she was horribly uneducated on our Kingdom's history & I quote "broke ties with them because we did not agree with their laws." 

"....she. Said that?" 

"Yes." 

"The Headmistress...had the gall to speak of this."

"Yes."

"To add on, right after the Headmistress' speech, the Water Heir proceeded to call our Kingdom-" 

"Extinct."

"....Excuse me." He said, leaving the mirror.

*Cue those fuckass goofy crashing bg noises, that one cat sound & the unholy screeches that appeared from the King*

*"THAT WHORE- HOW DARE THEY-"* 

*cue even more of this*

King Purnama appears back in the "call," slightly on the edge. Perhaps a bit triggered. 

"As I was saying, Father, what shall I do with them." 

"Continue as usual, Daughter, you will continue with your studies as usual. If anyone dares to insult you or harm you. Take matters into your hands. Fight back. As for the Headmistress, pay no mind to her. However, as for that Water Prince. Take observation on him. 

The grand, fractured throne room of the Pure Power Kingdom gleams with monochrome beauty. Tall, jagged windows cast streaks of silvery moonlight across stone floors scarred by centuries. Obsidian banners sway gently from the ceiling, etched with swirling, ink-like sigils.

King Purnama begins to pace, the gold chains on him clinking with each stomp.

"They don’t even try to understand her. She's not some brute. Not a demon."

He slams his hand against a cracked column, his voice echoing in the hollow hall.

 "SHE'S NOT THEIR DAMN CAUTIONARY TALE!!! SHE IS MY DAUGHTER!!"

He fumes. 

"Sunnyside acts like it’s doing her a favor, acting so horrid towards her—like enrolling her was some privilege. As if we begged them. I pulled strings. Bartered favors. Threatened old alliances just to get her in!!!"

The King's voice starts to lower, his breathing slows down.

"She’s made for more than that institution. She burns too bright for their gilded cages. They fear her. Of course they do. They dress it up with smiles and welcomes, but it’s the same old fear—like when how they looked at us back. Like how they did with the previous King & Queen."

"My daughter is precious. I sent her there so she could have an opportunity to have something we were not privileged to have..." 

"And still, she tries to be better. She tries to play their game. Just… differently. I raised her to command, not bow. And now they whisper when she walks into a room."

"Let them whisper."

King Purnama pauses.

Queen Sadia sits on her throne like a statue carved of marble and shadows, unmoving save for her hand. In one arm, she cradles infant Prince Asma, who suckles quietly from her mammary with her milk pooling slightly from the newborn's lips. Sadia’s face is covered with a Vulture mask, she wears a black cloak that covers her entirely, the hood over her head.

Sadia doesn’t respond just yet. She gently shifts Asma’s position, adjusting the soft black silk veil that shields the baby. 

"They will be on their knees one day. The moment she decides to stop pretending to be small. She will find her way around Sunnyside. Perhaps she will...dare I say, make allies. Perhaps...friends. She has proven herself through her strength & magic, she will now prove herself with her intelligence & her social skills. Our Aixa is prepared. I am sure of it. If anything, she will call us once more for guidance..."

King Purnama sighs. He slowly gathers himself, walking up to his wife. He places a hand on her thigh, caressing it softly. 

The baby Asma lets out a soft, purring growl. Sadia hums a low, reverent melody—something ancient. The room seems to respond, the shadows curling lovingly around the throne. Purnama steps closer and gently rests a hand on Asma’s head. His sharp features soften.

"He’s going to change the world. Just like her sister will, one day."

"And nobody will stop our children from doing so."

They sit in silence now—one fuming, one serene—as the fractured kingdom breathes around them.

"....May I have some, darling?" 

"...It's for the baby." 

"Why not?"

"You are not a baby." 

"...we can share." 

...

".... I want to die already." 

Chapter Text

After what seemed like forever, news of my cousins' release spread. I, of course, was one of the first to know of this. I planned on a warm congratulation to my cousins, a bouquet of Black Dahlias I retrieved from the gardens at the back of the school in my hands. 

I walked through the aisles, Mary clutched onto my arm, the other holding her cane. 

As expected, many questioned of why Mary out of all people, would be with a monster like me. If you actually spent your time figuring out why you do not have any competent allies instead of behaving like an abhorred sow, you would actually gain a companion like the Health Royal clinging to me. I wore my usual dress today. For what I plan to do as for today, I plan on 'observing' the Water Prince, as Father advised. I will not harm him. I will merely be watching him from afar, analysing every part of his moves, I may be angered of his words however I am interested in him. As well as his friends- 

Aixa you sound like a stalker right now. 

...I beg your pardon. 

You sound so obsessed with him right now, like you BARELY even know that guy! ':|

Yuna, for the love of Cora, I am doing my best to narrate the story- 

I mean Aixa, she's kind of right, you don't really need to overexplain it! 

Ayano- 

&&((*&@^%jwwehieef@IHGuyyt77868623oh@&^&^^^$@#@)!"><?_+{}+~#@&%^Y($#$^(&&*)yhjg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!????????????????????????????

[in unison] Circe what does that mean. 

....Alrighty sooooooooo, in this chapter, you get to see more of US in action! More of us finally getting to school & yk making friends and shit, more of us in general!

Excuse me what-

 Please be warned that this chapter is super cringe & it features me crying. So don't fuck with me.

-------------------------------------------

When finally released from the cellars, Circe, Ayano & Yuna were overjoyed. The trio embraced eachother in a warm hug, they squealed, already imagining about what Sunnyside was going to be like for them. Right now, they're outside the underground cellars. They had received their books and are packing up to go to classes immediately. 

The bubblecases they owned were like a similar design to all of Cora's bubblecases from all the different Kingdoms however the bubblecases in question make weird gurgling sounds when you shoved things into it. It was almost sentient-like. The main colors were black, grey of all shades and some white. The colors blend together like a gradient painting, white sparkles all over. There was a huge eye at the center, unblinking, the bubblecases were the shape of those sun designs in a way. 

"How come the King never gave Aixa these cool bubblecases?" Princess Ayano asked curiously, "Or whatever they're called, I really like these designs they manafuctured for us!"

Princess Ayano meticulously ordered her books in size order, then placed her stationery & little trinkets at the front. Unlike her, Yuna was shoving everything inside all at once, Circe doing the same. 

"But anyways...I heard from Aixa that the classes here are really boring," Ayano spoke, packing up her books in her bubble case, "She said she hated Corran History especially." 

"Ugh, forget that, why aren't we getting our houses FIRST, then we go to classes??? Why do we have to go right after we spent a whole week rotting in this high-tech bull crap?!" 

Yuna aggressively stuffed her things into her own bubblecase, a scowl forming on her face. 

"Next thing you know, the students at Sunnyside suddenly become bolder than they were with Aixa, and start throwing paper balls at us in class," She grumbled, dusting off her clothes. 

"Mmhmm!!" Circe nodded overexaggerately, both hands on her hips, a pout on her face as she stopped packing her own things.

"Or maybe even their lunch," Yuna grumbled. 

"Hey hey, let's not be so negative right now, Yuna," Princess Ayano got up from packing her things and placed a hand on Princess Yuna's shoulder. Both their expressions on their faces soften as their eyes cross eachother's.

Ayano's pale blue eyes contrast with the darker shades of Yuna's eyes, who's eyes were sharper with smaller pupils. On the other hand Ayano's was rounder, doe-like, more kinder. More friendly. More of...what Yuna kinda wants to look like. 

Princess Ayano's voice lowered slighlty, her voice mellow & sweet, she tilts her head to the side. 

"We came here willingly, we came to follow Aixa cos who knows what will happen to her if she's like...alone here. Besides, King Purnama & Queen Sadia allowed us to go and get a cool scholarship like the King said, plus our parents you know, can't really say anything about it since we have their permission," Ayano added on, trying to light up the mood. 

"Perhaps we could make some...allies here. Friends? I am sure there's other people that we can click with, so you won't be alone." 

"...what about you guys? I-I can't just like, abandon you or anything like that-"

"You won't abandon us Yuna! We'll still be here! We'll be by your side no matter what, even if we're in our really bad moods." 

Before Yuna could retort back, Circe jumps out of the background, tackling her elder cousins into yet another warm embrace, this time more playful & aggressive. It's Circe after all, she likes warm hugs. 

"HAHA!! Circe!!" Yuna laughed whole-heartedly. Princess Ayano laughed too, but softer. 

Yuna sighs, her breath once shaky eased with the comfort of her cousins' presence. "Come on girls. Let's go off now to Sunnyside." 

The halls are busy as usual. Jammed packed with students surprisingly this early, new tea, new jokes are spilling all out but the gossip on the 'Unknown Royals' haven't stopped just yet. Their like the hottest topic right now, even if you never bothered to listen in on the news or hell, you weren't even there when the Aixa break-in or her cousins' break-in occured, you'd still hear about them at least ONCE. For the students that are whispering about them because they find these four terrifying or rather not to be their next target, that's valid. If you're one of the students however, mocking them, teasing them because "Oh they must be so horrid! so ugly!" and shit, you are part of the reason for why they bother to target people. 

The Princesses strided down the hallways. Princess Circe, bubbly as ever, had a bounce in her steps as she hopped like a baby bunny, her bubblecases move side by side her, her curly pigtails bounce to the beat. Princess Ayano was more graceful in her walk. Her silk white hair sways in the gentle breeze occuring from literally nowhere. Unless you count the air-conditioning. A couple small groups of students stare at her in awe, admiring her beauty, probably shocked at the fact she doesn't look like any of her cousins. It was mainly Princess Yuna people were whispering about. Her sharp teeth, her menacing stance, the fact she's wearing iron-forged armor over a neatly pressed school girl uniform with a knife in her pocket, yeah I bet you would whisper about that too.

Their feet moved in unison, if you notice besides the fact they have genetic synchronisation, their heel emblems are all swirly and stuff. It looks like glittery dark goo with eyes in it, there's a huge one in the center. 

The trio spotted their eldest cousin, Princess Aixa, walking down the aisle with Princess Mary clinging to her arm. Princess Mary had a wondrous smile beaming on her face, her Lolita dress was a lovely mix of white, pale shades of pink & red, ruffles, lace, decorate her puffy dress. Contrasting to Princess Aixa, her dress had green vines wrapped around the black rustic fabric, red shoulder pads, some gold patterns & jewellery, her heels clacked underneath the skirt. Aixa smelled of copper & old blood. Definitely not her blood. Whereas her new friend carried the scent of strawberries & lollipops. 

In Princess Aixa's hand, she held a bouquet of Black Dahlias, wrapped nicely in white opaque shawls, a welcoming gift for her dear cousins.

"Dearest cousins," her voice echoed calmly, cold yet gentle, "They have finally released you all from the cellars?" 

"AIXA!!" They screamed. 

"Yes they did!" Ayano said, Circe nodded in delight. 

"Lovely news. Of course they took longer to let you all out."

"Yeah they finally let us out after so long, we should ask your dad to file a complaint. Or like kill the staff."

"Yuna, my father can meddle with the school all he wants for it to move exactly to our whims, however, he still has royal duties to tend too. He's currently moving forward with the Water Filtration Act, settling new architectural plans for the entire kingdom's industrial planning, as well as settling my mother down," Princess Aixa lamented. 

"Ohhhh yeahhhhh.....fuckkkkkkkkk." 

"Okay nevermind that- Is that the Princess Mary you were talking about next to you??" Princess Yuna looked back and forth as Aixa then at Mary who was most likely clueless to the conversation occuring. "Is she, asleep?"

"....O-OH! My apologies," Princess Mary snapped out of it, "I was dreaming, but you must be Princess Aixa's cousins! Such a pleasure to meet you all." 

Princess Mary slowly lets go of Princess Aixa's arm, her touch lingered, before her gloved hands met all three of theirs' as she formally greeted the cousins one by one with a firm handshake. 

Princess Aixa steps forward to pass the Black Dahlias to the trio, Yuna almost falling onto the ground by its heavy weight. 

"Consider this your gift entering this boring hell. You may place this in your new house when the staff stop being cowards and set up the damn place to stay in." 

Princess Yuna nodded in response, lifting up the bouquet to her head-level. 

"Well we gotta go now, we'll see you soon Aixa." 

"Byee!" (Yuna & Ayano) "BAIIIIIIIII" (Circe)

The group bidded farewell. Princess Mary held on to Princess Aixa's arm again, walking to their next class together. 

For the trio, their first class was Core Resistance or P.M.E (Physical Magic Education), by Mr Topaz of the Crystal Kingdom, the deadbeat tired teacher that likes to treat students fairly or vice versa depending on the day. 

Circe, having great stamina, went through all the warm-ups and exercises with ease (at one point she did like 7 cartwheels), whilst Ayano struggled to keep up. Yuna did quite well too, she wasn't too happy that people did not want to partner with her or any of her couisins. That is expected however. 

They all had separate classes for awhile, Ayano took Art, Circe was in Mathematics because apparently she didn't get a curriculum timetable so she decided to go there and Yuna took Music. They met up at lunch, did NOT enjoy the food there [at least nobody puked] and headed to their next shared class, Magic Basics. 

With no specific seating plan, they rushed to the remaining spots of open seats, Ayano grabbed the front, Yuna & Circe took the back. Ayano was on the second first row of the class, the other two were in the third row. 

"Dude, then some guy named Zephyr was talking back to the teacher and his dumbass was like 'When does class end?' after the teacher asked what instrument originated from Reincarnation in like the 17th Century, and the flipping teacher just told his ass to get out!" 

Princess Yuna cackled. It wasn't that funny. But if you were there it would be funny. 

Just when things were settling down, Ms Arcadia arrived in class. They did their greetings and all and some presentation stuff.

Since they were the only students, aside from Aixa, that are not caught up on the syllabus, Ms Arcadia requested for each of them to show a spell of theirs, or a cool power move from their Kingdom. Everyone else did on their first day, so they had to do it too. 

"First up, Princess Circe. Please go up to the front and present your abilities." 

Circe was up first. Despite her inability to produce proper sentences fluently, her actions spoke louder than words. Circe took in a deep breath. She clasped her hands into one fist, her eyes close as the sound around her deafens, the murmurs from other Royals ring out of her ears. In the blink of an eye, she sprinted to Ms Arcadia, her hand touched her forehead, absorbing her magic through physical touch. Circe backflips into the air, forming the absorbed magic into one giant ball of blue energy and shot it into the air, before forming into a bird, exploding into black smog as she landed swiftly on her feet. 

Surprisingly, there was a small applause. From Princess Darcy, next to her was her elder brother Prince Kieran- Aixa's housemate. 

"THAT WAS- O-oh my," Ms Arcadia was shooketh, "U-Up next, is Princess Ayano." 

Oh boy was this a nervewracker. See, for Princess Ayano, managing her own abilities was trickier. For almost every Pure Power Royal, it was not a problem to manifest their magic to great potentials, they aren't called PURE POWER for no reason. Every Royal from this kingdom shared similar abilities, some more diverse. It is rumored that they could manipulate any element possible. 

Unfortunately for sweet Ayano, she was not exactly the best at controlling her element. Perhaps she can do a simple spell, form a cute shape from her powers, no that would be too basic- How about she tries to summon tentacles?? No that would go out of hand- Maybe she could try something like what Circe did? Or maybe- Agh the whispers in this room are too loud- Just stop thinking that you are standing in front of multiple Royals from all over Cora staring and whispering about you and saying bad things about you, just focus, focus, focus- 

"Can we just get on with this already?" 

The room's energy dimmed drastically by that one sentence alone. Students turned to face whom spoke that, Yuna & Circe whipped their heads fiercely. the person in question was seated all the way at the back. 

Prince Gray, a Mixed Royal of Colour & Wind. Just from looking at him, his aura forms a depressive episode over the vibes of the class, his eyes felt lifeless in which was staring at Princess Ayano. Princess Circe growled at him, Princess Yuna was about to whoop his ass into his deathbed. 

"U-Uh... o-okay," Princess Ayano stammered softly. "This spell is w-what I like to refer to as, 'Dancing with the wind.'"

She took a deep breath, collecting herself. As she clasped her hands together, the dark magic forms from her hands, swirling gently around her. Her hair starts to grow darker at the edges, at her fingers, in her eyes. When she releases her hands from holding, her feet shifts, her body moves, she spins gracefully, her feet circle around her. The inky-like magic swirls in a circular pattern, surrounding her, bending to her every whim. She dances, her magic accompanies her. She breathes, it breathes too. 

When her mini showcase finishes, the applause was slightly louder. It came from Princess Darcy, a few other genuinely amused students. 

Princess Ayano's breath stifles in her throat. She was surprised to receive such reactions from an audience that judged her in silence, she tried to bow, but before she could react, Ms Arcadia spoke up. 

"Well done, Princess Ayano! Y-You and Princess Circe did very well," There was a hint of hesitance in her voice yet Ms Arcadia tried to mask it. 

She returned to her seat, Princess Circe grabbing Ayano by the neck with her arm and tousling Ayano's hair with her other hand, congratulating her for getting the praise. 

"Lastly, it will be Princess Yuna presenting," Ms Arcadia announced, "Princess Yuna, you are last."

Princess Yuna cracked her knuckles, a smirk forming on her face. "Welp, I'm up I guess." 

As she got to the front, the students around her became more uneasy. 

Her back goes straight. Her limbs are stiff. Her stance is firm. 

“Have you ever heard the story of the King's Corruption?” she asked, her voice smooth as oil. "Lemme show you through the art of my magic."

Her fingers snapped, a drop of ink appeared. When they came out, the black liquid clung like it didn’t want to let go. With a slow, deliberate motion, she flicked her wrist.

The ink leapt from her fingertips, midair, not falling but flowing, coiling into a swirling shape. It stretched, grew, and in seconds, a miniature battlefield hung suspended above her palm. Soldiers no taller than her thumb, armor gleaming wet-black.

“It began when the King & Queen announced of their heir's upcoming birth,” she said, and the ink rippled, hills rising in jagged strokes. “Mailforge took over us.” She tapped the air, and ink soldiers marched into formation. “Our home as it was, was being destroyed. ”

The battlefield came alive. Little spears lowered. Tiny banners waved, dripping black droplets that vanished before they touched the ground. Then, from the opposite side, a King screams in pain as the Core of Pure Power turns from white to black.

"On this day, when our Kingdom was poisoned, the King Acanthus lost control of himself. His body. His powers. Everything." 

She narrated as the inky armies clashed. Every beat of her words sent the images shifting — ink arrows streaking across the room, ink flames licking the edges of an invisible wall. The watchers leaned in, shadows playing over their faces.

"He went mad, Mailforge's powers corrupted him and the entirety of our Kingdom. We were in mad destruction, the King was attacking his own people as well as the Mailforge users that were there themselves, he was not conscious to know what he was doing."

Queen Lestari calls out for her soldiers, whom come into place immediately. She raises a sword high. 

"Mortal Queen Lestari, 8 months into the birth of the current Queen, Queen Sadia, ,” she said, tilting her wrist to form the figure of the Queen, despite her condition, swung her sword high as she goes through the crowds, in desperate attempts to lead the army and stop her husband. 

The battlefield flooded. The soldiers thrashed, dragged under by inky tendrils. A few stood their ground, stabbing at the darkness, their forms shimmering like brush strokes in motion.

“Then…” Her voice softened, almost reverent. "After a long, long battle, the Queen, with the words of a solemn goddess, voice mellow, brought King Acanthus back to his senses. 

The two figures emerged. She made the motion sharp, decisive. Then softer. 

"Queen Lestari was weak, she felt pale, she was in no condition to go any further, her and her baby needed rest. King Acanthus cries in guilt, he cradles his wife close to him, regretful of what he's done to her, his Kingdom, his people. But at least the war was over."

Her ink magic fades into the air, signalling her presentation was done. 

The room fell into a hush. Everyone could just....stare. Princess Ayano was on the verge of tears while Princess Circe tried to hold it in, but the look on her face was clear, they were moved by Princess Yuna's presentation. 

"Okay wait- so you're meaning to tell the, Queen fought the King when she had a baby and then Mailforge corrupted your entire Kingdom??" 

Prince Gray inquired, he looked shocked but the way he said it was so sarcastic & bitter. 

"Uh. Yeah. It's a part of our history." 

"...you got a problem with that." 

"No no it's just, what does this have to do with Magic Basics? Save that for Corran History." 

"Oh so are you trying to say my presentation wasn't good? That I'm shit?? Did you really have to open your mouth???" 

"Ugh just SHUT UP, God!" 

"WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO SAY HUH?! C'MON SPILL IT!!" 

"JUST SHUT UP YOU FREAK!!!" 

"....freak?"

"OH YOU DID NOT-" 

Princess Yuna leaps forward with great agility, she leaped from table to table before lunging at Prince Gray. As she tackles him, they both fall to the ground with brutal force, the chair Prince Gray was sitting on collapsed with the both of them. Princess Yuna grabbed his hair with both her hands, and started yanking at it violently.

Whilst some students watch in horror, some amused & Ms Arcadia trying her absolute best to break up the fight, Princess Yuna continued on with her rampage. Princess Ayano ran over to Princess Yuna, struggling to pull Yuna off Gray as Princess Circe cackles maniacally in the background, pointing at Prince Gray. 

"Yuna please, CALM DOWN!! He's not worth it!" Princess Ayano pleaded. 

"JUST LET ME GO AND LET ME BEAT HIM INTO A PULP"

"YUNA PLEASE-" 

Her teeth grew sharper, her pupils smaller and her grip turned tighter & more painful. Princess Yuna started to grow claws, she pulled and pulled on his hair until-

RRRRRIIIIIIPPPPPPP!!!!!!!

EVERY. SINGLE. STRAND OF HAIR. GONE. 

It was so sudden, one moment Gray was calling Yuna a freak, next thing you know he's officially bald. 

Prince Gray screamed in agony. Tears well up in his eyes, he pushes Princess Yuna off before Princess Ayano helped her cousin up, whom still had a lot of his hair in her hands. 

"WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU???? I'M BALD!!! I'M BALDDD!!!!"

Prince Gray screeched, his hands held his head, which barely has any hair left. He runs out of the class, screaming as tears roll down his face. 

"INDIGO WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU???? OH GOD-" 

Princess Yuna stared at him as he ran away, gripping the hair strands tightly. 

----------------------------

It was almost time for Lunch. Princess Yuna wasn't found anywhere. Princess Circe actively looked into closets, lockers and trashcans while Princess Ayano called out for their cousin. 

"Yuna! Yuna where are you??" 

She sighs. "Where do you think she could be Circe?" Princess Ayano asked, wandering the halls, "She could be anywhere now, I hope it isn't because she was so bothered by just now, which is why she's hiding..."

Meanwhile, upstairs on a higher level of the school, Princess Yuna sat crouched on the floor. Her eyes were red. She was trembling slightly. Her breathing stifled, she rubbed at her eyes, trying to not well up. 

"I'm not a freak....I'm not a freak....." 

"I just wanted to show my powers and history....it was just an idea, it was cool, it was to show them something more to us....it wasn't that bad, r-right?"

"What isn't bad?" 

Princess Yuna jumped at the sound. 

"WHO'S THERE?????" 

"....P-Princess Darcy. I was the one clapping in the class. For you and your cousins? They're your cousins right?" 

"Y-Yeah. Why do you ask..." 

"Listen um...I know we haven't met formally yet, but you shouldn't feel bad about what people say about you. That Prince started it, it wasn't your fault-" 

"YEAH but now I'm probably gonna in trouble for it or something and like....I don't know. He called me a freak. They all do. Always."

•••••••

"I'm a freak too." 

"You don't have to be a freak alone. You're...just misunderstood like me." 

"....so, do you want to come out now?" 

"Sure." 

After a few moments of silence, Princess Yuna comes out of the stall. She opens the door slowly to see Princess Darcy, her stare was unnerving but oh so, so kind. Her hands held together in front of her chest, her posture was slouched, her indigo hair moved on its own, as if a being on its own. They both made eye contact. It was awkward yes. Was it somewhat comforting. Also yes. 

"Come now, your cousins are probably looking for you right now. We'll take you to lunch." 

"We?" 

"My brother Kieran is waiting outside for us. The two of us will help you." 

The duo leaves the bathroom together, Darcy staying close to Yuna. She was unsure of what to feel about the Shadow Royal, but it was better to be with someone who was okay with you. Maybe. Outside of the bathroom, Prince Kieran leaned against the wall, a small smirk on his da face. 

"Ah, so, you must be one of Princess Aixa's cousins, Yuna right? She told me about you and the others some time ago, she's my housemate." 

"Yeah she told me about you and her other housemates too, Ryla & Erebus. Said you were the first ones here to accept her. Or you know, not care about the fact she murdered 90% of the mortal guards here." 

"Oh I see, say, can you put in a good word for me to your cousin?"

"...what?" 

"Tell her to meet me in the gardens after school. I wanna talk to her about something." 

"Uh yeah, if you're gonna do ANYTHING to her, I swear I will-" 

Princess Darcy interrupted. 

"Yuna, can you do it?" 

"I'm sure he won't do anything bad....he's my brother." 

"I-I....fine." 

Chapter Text

Princess Yuna, Princess Darcy & Prince Kieran walk side-by-side to the canteen, the usual chitter & chatter occured in the lunchroom. Princess Ayano was waiting anxiously near the entrance, pacing around, while Circe was scorfing down on a bun, her mouth full like a squirrel storing nuts in its cheeks for the winter. 

Ayano spots Yuna in the corner of her eye, immediately rushing to her as Yuna was fully in view of her.

"Yuna!!" Ayano calls out to her cousin, rushing up to Princess Yuna before giving a hug. Yuna hesitated at first, slowly giving into the hug, her hands touch Ayano's back. 

"Where were you Yuna? I was worried sick for you, we looked everywhere to find you!" Ayano exclaimed. 

"I-I was just um...like, refreshing myself in the toilet," Yuna muttered with subtle hesitation. 

"The toilet?"

"Uh....Yeahhhhh."

Princess Ayano tilts her head slightly, before she slowly nodded, "Well, I'm just glad you're back, me and Circe thought we lost you for a second," she rubs Princess Yuna's shoulders for a moment, before letting go. "Come on, we got some bread that Circe found just now to eat!" 

As Princess Yuna was ushered by Princess Ayano to the table they will be seating at, she couldn't help but keep glancing at Prince Kieran, whom was walking with his sister to the lunch line. Although he seemed rather refined, well-kept & in a way, gentlemanly. The way he kept his clothes pressed. The way he walks. Talks. Acts. She couldn't help but just have this guy feeling that something was...off about him. She didn't know what it was. She barely knew the guy. But whatever it was, she had to warn Aixa about it. That her housemate wants to meet with her. For what? God knows what. 

Princess Yuna tried to brush it off, an uneasy expression formed on her face, like she was having a stomachache. She knew she didn't had to worry, her elder cousin was very capable of handling herself.

"Nevermind, just tell Aixa about it. I-I'm sure it's nothing. Well to her it is." 

Princess Yuna thought to herself. 

As she sat down next to her cousins, who were all having a jolly ol'time, Yuna was staring at Kieran. Until they exchanged glances. 

"OH SHIT-" 

Princess Yuna whips her head around. 

"What's wrong Yuna?" Ayano asked, concerned. 

"OH NOTHING- just- I'm just having a hard time adjusting to all the grandness of this school!!" 

"Oh. Okay!" 

They laughed, Yuna forced a smile onto herself. She inhaled a sharp breath. Shaking. Just a little. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Princess Aixa rested her chin on her hand, her inky eyes drooping, her energy was drooping too. To the lectures of Corran History & the montonous voice of Headmistress Ayla.

Princess Aixa fiddled with her stationery with her hand, twirling the pen (Corran-equivalent of a pen I guess) in her fingers as she sighed with her obvious reluctance to even pay attention to the lesson. She had gained a burning hatred for this particular subject after THAT incident. 

She's obviously not giving a shit about it. 

Ms Ayla's nonstop mamering was blurred out of Aixa's "mind" until she spoke this particular phrase. 

"For today's topic, we will all be doing an engaging project involving the history of our home Kingdoms architecture, and create a diorama of our castles." 

Aixa raised her eyebrows. 

"We as Royals have placed a remarkable impact on Cora, our hardwork & imagination has placed its effect on what our Kingdoms are today, which means our influence has also affected our architecture. From small things like wall murals to great big domes on the top of our castles. From today until Friday, you will spend time on creating intricate dioramas of your castles, presenting on the history & what makes it an important piece of your Kingdom whilst showing your final product in front of the whole class." 

Princess Aixa rolled her eyes. 

"What a waste of time. I cannot comprehend the fact that I have to see some of these morons presenting their stupid 'dioramas' in class-" She muttered to herself. 

"UNTIL FRIDAY?????" 

Prince River jolted out of his seat at the front row, almost toppling over his books as he fell off. His glasses were slightly askew on his nose. 

"Oh, oh, its fine! Its fine! Just finish it by Friday! Alongside the other 10 assignments and worksheets we have to finish ON THE SAME DAY. It's fine. It's fine..." Prince River yammered on to himself, panicking. 

"Oh my Cora...that waterboy will never quit it with his incessant yammering," Princess Aixa groaned. 

"I am sure you will finish it on time Prince River. I am sure you will ALL finish it on time. Am I right?" Headmistress Ayla asked, her voice enunciated on the 'all' part. A bit too loud. 

The room went silent. 

"As I was saying, this project will also allow for you students to participate in more teamwork-based activities, which as crucial in building bonds, especially in the future when you all become Monarchs," Headmistress Ayla continued. 

"You will all be paired into groups of two, you and your partner while working on your individual dioramas will also be having discussions of eachothers' kingdoms and there will be a section in your presentation where you mention what you have learned from your partner's side of the story & what makes you intrigued by it-"

Multiple students exchanged glances with their best friends as soon as pairings were mentioned, some glared at others with a fiery resentment towards one another. Princess Aixa minded her own business, ignoring the stares of some students who clearly are not comfortable pairing with her. 

"Now I understand some of you do not have... strong relations with certain Royals, however, you will all need to set aside your differences in order to complete this project. You also can't choose who you're being paired with." 

"WHAT????" The whole class screamed. 

Headmistress Ayla sighed, "Let's get into the pairings shall we?" 

The Headmistress takes out a list, possibly of all the pairings she thought about for this lesson, looking around the class as she eyed everyone under the scrunity of her gaze carefully. 

"Let's see, Crescenta and....Aurora." 

Crescenta shrieks in shock, hand CLUTCHING at her pearls. Aurora was in shock too. Seems like they hate eachother. 

"Glacier & Zephyr, Hazel & Honey, Magaly & Syneffa, Amethyst & Perpetual, Blaze & Arid..." 

The words of the Headmistress died down as Princess Aixa dialed it out of her head, she daydreamed, staring into space as random thoughts were being thought of:

- "Should I get chocolate later on during break?" 

- "I want to meet my cousins after this."

- "I am so bored." 

- "I want to die. Get me out." 

"Amelia & Celisa, Darcy & Dale and that is about it."

"Wait, Ms Ayla, you did not call out my name!" Prince River claimed. "Who am I going to be paired with??" 

Headmistress Ayla immediately realised her mistake, "Ah, my apologies Prince River. I shall fix that- ahem- is there anyone else I did not mention?" 

Everyone turned their heads to Aixa. Except River, who looked confused.

"...Um. Who here wants to take in River, as a third?" 

No one raised their hand. 

"...Who wants to take in Aixa?" 

Same reaction. 

"Well. Princess Aixa & Prince River, it seems that the two of you are...partners."

"What."

"WHAT?!?!?" 

River basically dies from shock. Aixa is already dead inside. Now she's even more dead with the fact she's paired up with this lowly loser. 

"Good grief."

----------------------------------------

The bell finally rang, lesson ended. Princess Aixa walks out of the class, looking down at the other Royals as they jolly hopped to their other classes. Thudding footsteps grew louder and louder, coming in closer to Aixa's direction. 

"Aixa! AIXA!" 

"Yuna?" 

Princess Yuna panted as she stopped in her tracks in front of her elder cousin, catching her breath. 

"He...your.... WHEEZEEEEE ....meet....garden-" 

"Pardon, what." 

"Ki-Kieran...suspicious....meet...youuuu-" 

"Yuna, dear. Take a deep breath. What is it?" 

"K-Kieran, your *WHEEZEEE* housemate, he's acting so weord, sorry, weird. That guy told me to tell you about this thing, i don't know what's going on but i don't think you should go but if you don't something bad might happen and i don't want you to get hurt even though i know you can handle yourself-"

"Yuna. Stop." 

She shutted up. 

"What did he inquire?" 

"WELL, He just told me, out of NOWHERE, that he wanted to meet you in the gardens at night or something! That happened after his sister Darcy, found me in the toilet. I mean, dWhen this happened it was after his sister uh- Darcy or something found me in the toilet & he was just waiting outside for the both of us. He told me to inform you about this one-on-one meeting with you. on't you find this the slightest bit suspicious? Like, I know he's your housemate, that doesn't mean he isn't plotting some cartoonish villain things against you or something."

Yuna flailed her arms around as she explained the situation, clearly she was scared and didn't want anything to happen to Aixa. Her pupils shrunk as she spoke & started sweating more and more. 

Aixa puts a hand on her shoulder, before pulling Yuna into a hug. 

"Yuna, it is okay. You are not involved in this. This is not your problem, I will handle this myself." 

"IT ISNT FINE-" 

"YUNA." 

A pause.

"It is okay, I will handle it...." She murmurs, Aixa's voice became more mellow & softer. 

Yuna reciprocates the hug, her arms wrap tight around Aixa's body, her breathing became less rapid & starts becoming more normal. 

"Okay...I'll try not to worry so much." 

"Good."

The hug lasts for a little longer, before the cousins let go of eachother. Princess Aixa wipes away Princess Yuna's sweat with her fingers gently, her hands rest on Yuna's cheeks, Aixa trying to comfort her cousin a bit more to ease her. 

"I will talk to this Kieran, and if anything bad happens, I will take these matters into my hands."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the green meadows of the night, Princess Aixa breathed in the air, taking it all in. 

The meadows stretch wide and endless, blanketed in a deep, velvety green that glimmers faintly beneath the silver wash of moonlight. Each blade of grass sways gently with the cool night breeze, carrying with it the crisp, clean scent of earth and dew. The air feels impossibly fresh, cool on the skin, light in the lungs, as though the world itself has paused just to breathe. 

Fireflies drift lazily over the meadow, their soft golden flickers rising and fading like quiet heartbeats in the darkness. Overhead, the sky is a vast dome of stars, so clear it seems as though one could reach up and brush their fingertips against the constellations. The moon hangs low and luminous, painting the meadow in a calm, silvery glow that soothes rather than blinds.

Every sound is softened. Only the hushed whisper of grass moving, the occasional trill of a night insect, and the faint rustle of leaves at the meadow’s edge. There is a cool dampness to the ground, refreshing as the scent of rain long past, and with every inhale, it feels as though the air itself is washing you clean, leaving only quiet peace in its wake.

Princess Aixa, while walking around aimlessly to find this Prince Kieran, takes in the whole scene, twirling around gracefully. Her long sleeves flow with the wind, along with her dress and hair, spinning slowly as she played around in the grass. 

It didn't take long before she spotted Prince Kieran in the corner of her eye, under a green willow tree, his flowing robe and the dim lighting from the moon casts a beautiful silhouette on him. Princess Aixa puts a halt on her fun, slowly approaching Prince Kieran with caution, her softer, more relaxed expression she had recently turned into her usual stoic expression, hard as stone. 

"Prince Kieran." 

Prince Kieran turns around to face her. 

"Princess Aixa of the Unknown Kingdom."

Silence falls over the duo, just a few metres away from eachother, as they stare into eachother's eyes. Well, Aixa was just staring at wherever Kieran's eyes were, being covered by those bangs and all. 

"What do you want." 

"Just to talk is all."

"Talk? Is that all you desire from me, or is there more to this 'chat'?"

 "...Walk with me." 

Princess Aixa gets closer to him slowly, before they were side-by-side, walking down the meadows with eachother. 

"Princess Aixa, ever since you came into this school, I was rather...intrigued by you. You basically came into this school, killing a majority of the guards protecting this school, then you walk around this school, scaring almost everyone here by your mere presence. It's fascinating to observe." 

"So?"

"So? It's not just me that's intrigued. A couple of others and I have talked about you. You're useful. You can shift into anything right?"

"...yes."

"Become as small or big as you can?"

"...yes."

"You are skilled in multiple forms of combat, you can sneak out of class without anyone noticing, as well as keep secrets well right?"

"Yeah."

"You usually do things for your own amusement or for other people right?"

"I am sorry, how is any of this relevant." 

"Just checking."

"Is this finally the part where you actually tell me what's going on?"                                                                    

"You are correct, Princess. You fit the requirements to join a secret little group I formed myself a while back. The Secrecy."

They paused their stroll.

"What we do in the Secrecy is basically, get blackmail on people, store said blackmail, other students pay us to get blackmail on a certain person they target, we give it to them and we get the money. However, if they ask for blackmail on a Secrecy member, we blackmail them. Vice versa if another member does so to another. It is important we do our best to keep our identities secret, and keep eachother's safe. Also, just a little note, brawls happen a lot with the Levels below 3. Just note that we don't really do killings. Unless it's called for." 

"And you want me in it?" 

"Correct."

Kieran passes an envelope to Aixa, placing it in her cold, boney hands. His hands were cold too, however you can barely sense he actually has blood flowing in his veins just by the small tinge of warmth eminating from the middle of his palm. 

Princess Aixa looks down at the envelope. It was neatly stamped, it was a red velvet color that the stamp was. It had an 'S' symbol on it, the envelope was made of fine smooth paper. 

"Benefits include paychecks, protection from the Secrecy for you and your loved ones, your information is kept safe, AND you get a cool new uniform! Plus hygiene products." 

"...I do not experience menstruation." 

"Oh! Well you can just pass them to your mother." 

"She's 100 years old." 

"....your cousins?"

"Sure."

Princess Aixa's grip on the envelope tightens, her right arm, holding the envelope, falls to her side, looking back at Kieran. 

"I will consider it. Contact me in a week. And no, I do not and never will own a Cryslst, it is a stupid waste on this so-called technology everybody fawns over." 

The two of them walk back to their house, Prince Kieran trailing behind a reluctant Princess Aixa, whom did not bother to look back at that stupid grin. She looked ahead, replaying the conversation they had just now, maybe she'll join, maybe she won't. Maybe she'll play hard to get. Eh, whatever floats her boat. 

Chapter Text

And so project work begins. 

Lessons go by, passing like the leaves fall from the trees before being swayed by the wind, so, very, slowly. So slow. Too slow. 

Princess Aixa scavenged for art materials in her dorm, she grabbed a bunch of clay she had for some reason, acrylic paints, brushes, bundling it all up into a big sling bag she got from her mother. Black in color of course. She brought a small book with her, dried up vines were wrapped on it, it was rusty and it looked so old. You can sort of spot some gold patterns on it, but the dust & possible mold distracted you from looking closely at it. 

Princex Ryla, who was just reading a book, glanced at Aixa as they lounged on their bed comfortably. 

"You actually care about that project thing Ms Ayla mentioned?"

"No I do not care about it. I care about doing my Kingdom honour through this diorama thing. They will not be prepared to see what I have in store for them all. Including that fish boy." 

"River?"

"Mhm."

"Welp, suit yourself then, I don't really give a shit honestly."

Ryla went back to their reading, while Aixa packed up her things and went off to go to the library during these after-school hours. Kieran was out because "school stuff" (Secrecy probably) while Erebus was out with his friends. So that left with Aixa leaving to do her diorama and learn about River's Kingdom, and Ryla lazing around in the house. At least they are not the type to make a mess. Hopefully. So far they didn't. 

Princess Aixa's heels clicked & clacked to an invisible beat, echoing in the hallways as she entered through the front door, her sling bag over her. Princess Aixa was wearing a similar dress to her iconic one-piece dress she wears every other day, only it was down to her ankles and her heels, a dark crimson were visible. As well as her heel emblems. 

Since its after school, currently 3.45pm right now, most Royals were either hanging out with their friends or back in their dorms. Only a small percentage would be in school, not counting staff. A part of this percentage is River. 

Very studious, very hardworking. Such an unfortunate thing he's so panicky and stammery. 

Princess Aixa finally arrived to her destination, sighing reluctantly as she braced herself for River's screechy reaction to her when she arrives.

The library was hushed except for the scratch of quills and the occasional creak of wooden chairs. Golden light from the sunset filtered through stained-glass windows, scattering colored shapes across the marble floor. The place always felt too holy for Aixa, with its tidy rows of books and polished silence. 

She finds him in the deeper ends of the library, he was sitting on a big table, a bunch of books pile around him, a bunch of art materials surround him as an amateurly work-in-progress diorama of his castle was in front of him. It was in its bare bones, popsicle sticks and glue, but it was executed so horribly Aixa felt she was staring at the aftermath of what happened when her mother 'talked' with her father. 

Prince River was engrossed in his work, with shaky hands he tried to put the sticks together with glue but it was kind of sloppy. Princess Aixa stares down at a crouched River, standing behind him. 

"Prince River."

"GAH!!" 

He whips her head around to face Aixa. 

"Princess Aixa!! W-Wow I did not expect you to come so quickly, or even at a-all." 

River's voice fades away as Aixa just stared at him, straight into his soul. 

"I am here to do this project after all. Cooperation in group work should always be mutual."

Princess Aixa took the empty seat next to River, placing her purse down on the table as she scouraged for her stuff, taking them out one-by-one. Once all of her items were placed in meticulous order, she sat down, ready to start. 

"Right, so glad to um, hear that from you." 

Prince River pushes a strand of hair onto the back of his ear, pursing his lips together. 

"So Princess Aixa. From what I recall, we have to learn about eachother's history and castles, right?"

"Yes. Why do you ask?" 

"W-Well, I'm just- REALLY nervous is all, and I was just checking if you remember!" River's voice croaked a bit louder than he wanted it to. The two of them shared an awkward silence together, the tension in the air thickens by the minute. "It's merely a habit, hah." 

Princess Aixa looked at him up & down. "...Right." 

They get to work, River does his best to polish the bare bones of his diorama, referring to the finalised sketch he made of his castle. It was sort of messy, but you could at least make out what the Water Kingdom's castle looked like. 

The drawing shows a fantastical floating castle city with streams of water cascading down from its elevated base into the lands below. The setting is whimsical and dreamlike, with bright pastel skies, fluffy clouds, and crystal-blue waters surrounding the main structure.

Many of the domes are painted in blue and white patterns, the elevated foundations and water flowing beneath the structures were built above ground as waterfalls occur beneath it. Plant life, coral-like decorations, and even aquatic plants decorate the rocky castle base.

Surrounding the main castle, on the sandy terrain are smaller houses with blue-tiled roofing, resembling coastal barangays (villages). The flowing water integrates the settlement with the ocean. 

[The Water Kingdom is based on the Phillipines btw, hehehe]

Paper scraps, miniature wooden beams, seashells, paints, clay, and a bucket of shimmering blue resin that River was using for his diorama. 

River sat upright, posture painfully proper, quill gripped like it was a sword. He was drawing careful lines across a parchment, sketching the dome of his kingdom’s palace with obsessive neatness. His lower lip caught between his teeth, betraying his nerves.

Across from him, Aixa was sketching on the parchment paper with her quill, 

Finally, River spoke, his voice taut.

“According to previous history records,” he began, not looking at her, “the Water Kingdom’s palace dome was modeled after the old colonial dome shapes, which used to look like turtle shells. A symbol of protection, longevity, and continuity. Our architects built canals around the castle to ensure water always runs through its foundations. It’s not just structure, it’s philosophy. It shows us a big part of history and is now reflected through the modernised architecture we have developed today.”

He risked a glance at her. Aixa was staring directly at him, chin propped on her palm. 

“...It's cute,” she said smoothly. “Like a floating turtle sanctuary for nobles.”

River’s shoulders stiffened. “It’s not cute. It’s-” He stumbled, then rallied, “Its- just because I said it was inspired by the old dome models that resembled turtle shells does not mean, whatever you're saying!"

"Hmph. I was merely teasing, Prince River. It seems nice, your drawing I mean. Nothing compared to mine, honestly."

Her voice carried enough to make a librarian down the aisle glance over. River flinched but held his ground, nervously cutting a piece of cardboard meant to be a palace wall.

River glanced at her own sketch. For him he used colors on his drawing for the planning, but Aixa's was grim, dark, there was barely any colors on it. At most, some grey, dark grey, then black. The ink from the quill outlines the coarse chalk she used to color in. 

The castle towered impossibly high, mist clouds surround the tips of the sharp edges of the castle, the Citadel was anything but welcoming, towering over a bunch of villages, the castle stood on a high mountain above it all. Gothic Victorian influences the aesthetic and architecture of the castle, while the kampongs were made of wood, straw and some even of bricks. 

Swamps and little drawings in said swamps of what looks to be mutated sea beasts, one in particular resembled of an angler fish. 

“Well,” he muttered, not daring to meet her eyes, “your architecture kinda looks more like a mausoleum than a castle. It's...very gloomy.”

Aixa rolled her eyes. “Well yours looks like a toy palace for mermaids to play house in.”

The tips of River’s ears went a blue scarlet. He sat straighter, clenching his fist which was holding the knife for cutting the cardboard, looking like it was going to snap. 

“At least it's- pleasant to the eye. My kingdom’s architecture is alive, woven with the sea, breathing with the people. Not some o-oversized grave monument drowning in swamps.”

River places the glue bottle down as he spoke. 

Princess Aixa raised an eyebrow. Which um just a little fact, she doesn't actually have any but for moments like these, it just forms out of nowhere. And it's a very thin eyebrow. 

"We are still thriving at least, our community thrives as a whole, we built back from the ashes of our ruins. We are still surviving till this day, we are happy with what we have now, despite the challenges we faced and still do now. Our looks don't define us."

"Hmph, t-then that means your family hadn't had the privilege of not getting poisoned into whatever you are now hmm?" 

River's voice progressively grew more passive-aggressive throughout this conversation. It seems Aixa was starting to tick him off. And that particular comment River made seemed to do the trick on her too. 

"Oh don't you go there," Princess Aixa glowered. Her voice lowered in pitch, slightly raspier. 

"Why not." 

A pause. 

Aixa tilted her head to the side, her gaze hardens. She leaned across the table, tapping her black-painted nail on the table, then leaning closer to River. “That bite in your voice. It intrigues me.”

She points at him, touching his chest with her finger when pointed at. 

River scowled, his nervousness was still there but his scowl did not get overpowered by it. His heartbeat thudded painfully in his chest. He turned back and picked up a paintbrush, dabbing blue across a cardboard dome with a little too much force.

He cleared his throat. 

 “We’re supposed to be working, Aixa. If you keep mocking me, I’ll tell Ms. Arcadia you contributed nothing.”

She reclined in her chair, “I'm doing work now, dearest Prince River of the Water Kingdom. You do not need to inform Ms Arcadia of my contributions, we barely started.”

 “W-Well, just stop bothering me like that. God you're so d-dramatic.”

“...Dramatic?” she echoed, mock-offended. "I could do better than you if it wasn't for your stiffening energy clogging up the fresh air, making me suffocate on your clenched-up aura."

River snorted. A sharp, involuntary sound that even startled him. He quickly turned it into a glare. “W-Whatever! It- uh- you- you're spire is crooked.”

Aixa notices that one of spires she drew, was crooked. Their eyes locked over the table, tension crackling in the silence. 

"You’re going to be fun, little prince," she murmured under her breath.

Chapter Text

(2 days back) 

After Corran History, River stumbles out of class, the dark circles under his eyes suddenly aged by 10 years the moment he stepped out. 

Crescenta, Hazel & Zephyr were just tired. SO. FUCKING. TIRED. 

"Are you kidding me," Crescenta's jaw was on the floor, "Are you FUCKING KIDDING ME?!" 

She throws her books on the ground as she screeched, a few students stop to look at her. 

Aurora and her clique especially looked at her from afar, whispering to eachother, 

"I can't believe you're paired up with HER," Princess Amelia muttered, while Princess Syneffa and Princess Celisa glanced at eachother. 

Princess Aurora glanced at Princess Crescenta, her gaze lingers for a moment before she spoke up: 

"Its fine, I'll work my way around this," She switfly turned her back and walked away, the other 3 girls trailing behind her. 

Back to the other 3, Crescenta was absolutely pissed, smoke coming out of her ears, dear lord her flabbers were GASTED. Hazel tries to comfort her by her side, patting Crescenta's shoulder while Zephyr just watched from the sidelines, taken aback by Crescenta's outburst. 

"I- I can't believe it! I seriously can't believe it, I'm paired up with that stupid Fire Princess! Out of everyone I could be paired with, it HAD to be her," Crescenta fumed as she clenched her fists. 

"Crescenta, I know you hate her and things haven't been great with the both of you, but it's just a project, things will pass by very quickly & it'll all be over," Hazel tried to reassure her, doing her best to show the lighter side of things. "Besides, like what Ms Ayla said, we need to put our differences aside for this, let it all go for now." 

"Hazel, I don't think losing your childhood BFF and then having to work with her after so long is gonna be 'let go' that easily." 

Hazel tried to think of other ways to somewhat cheer Crescenta up.

"Yeah well, um- uh- Nevermind, how about we get some ice cream later? If you want, of course." 

There was a pause for a few seconds, before she spoke up, "Hmmmm....sure, I guess," Crescenta shrugged. 

Hazel smiled, patting Crescenta on the shoulder again. 

"Yaayy!! That's great to hear." 

"..Speaking of pairings though," Zephyr spoke up, "Um...River..." 

Zephyr, took notice of River, whom was still standing next to the 3 of them, motionless. He points at him as the girls also took a look, immediately they get concerned. 

"River, you okay?" He asked, raising an eyebrow. 

"Okay? OKAY???" River exclaimed, "How am I gonna be OKAY?? WHAT AM I GOING TO DO?? I'm paired up with Aixa, AIXA." 

The other 3 exchanged glances as River continued to freak out, the looks in their eyes telepathically messaging one another: 

Crescenta: "So um, he's REALLY COOKED." 

Hazel: "Definitely, I know Aixa, hasn't really done anything so far? But, I do not know how to feel about this one."

Zephyr: "Forget that, his reputation is done for. I just know Glacier is going to go nuts with this information..." 

Crescenta: "STOP HE WOULD." 

Zephyr: "Probably something like, 'Oh, aren't you hanging out with that freak ink girl Princess Aixa? Don't be surprised, you're a freak too just by association! Oh sorry, you already are one,' like. Shut the fuck up. Genuinely."

They recalled on how they reacted when they heard about his pairing. 

Crescenta was pretty shocked. She was already scarred for life when she became a witness to Aixa's overdue arrival, she now has to deal with the fact that she's in a majority of classes if not ALL with Aixa. Having her bright, loud energy dimmed down by the suffocating tension of Aixa's presence. 

"HUH WHAT HUH?????" 

Crescenta, obviously feeling that something is off when she was paired with River, she watched them closely, including Aixa's behaviour and the way she looked at River. 

"That creepy ink girl is plotting something on that stupid nerd, I just KNOW IT!! I don't know what it is, but I gotta figure it out..." She thought to herself.

Hazel’s reaction was quieter, more anxious. She worries for River because he's someone that tends to cling to...the order of things and quite uptight while Aixa seems like she tears these internalised conditions apart just by existing. She was trouble, he was anyting but that. Hazel whispered nervously:

“Oh dear… that doesn’t look like a good match at all. Do you think he’ll be okay?”

Despite the nerves, Hazel isn’t dismissive of Aixa. She’s rather curious about her strangeness, and part of her thinks maybe River needs someone to shake up his rigid worldview, and interact with other people. Maybe Aixa isn't so bad. Maybe. Maybe.

“Bro, you’re done for. Aixa’s gonna chew you up and spit you out. Or worse, become your friend or something." 

Zephyr was rather surprised as well, but his reaction wasn't as extreme as River's. He was sat in his chair, gum chewing in his mouth, watching it all happen.

[Flashback over....]

River is still tweaking, the other three are rather unsure of what to do. 

"WHAT DO I DO?? WHO KNOWS WHAT SHE'LL DO TO ME, PLUS SHE'S TEHNICALLY A CONVICTED CRMINAL OF TREASON, ASSAULT, VIOLENCE AND MENTAL TORTURE!! What if she dissects me? What if she eats me?? WHAT IF-" 

SMACK!!

"OH MY CORA SHUT UP YOU WALKING SEAHORSE NERD!!!" 

Crescenta yelled as she bitch-slapped him. 

"Whether or not you like it, you are paired with that- THING for this project! But hey, t-that's a good thing actually-"

"Crescenta, what do you mean?" Hazel asked.

"I mean, it's an opportunity to find out more about her. Her Kingdom, her life there, how gross or how terrifying it truly is, maybe after that you can tell us about it! Yeah, yeah then we can plan on what to do afterwards!"

Zephyr raised his eyebrow, "Plan as in....investigate her?"

"YES"

"I mean, best case scenario she actually does tell us this 'info' we can research on her about them kick us out. But why are we doing this?"

"Because she's suspicious! Because who knows what other motives she has! Because maybe we can figure out more of her Kingdom so we can talk to her more without any uhhh- what's the word??"

"Hostility?"

"YES, hostility." 

....

Hazel: "Well, what if Aixa...isn't suspicious then? What do we do then?"

"I-I uhhh, I don't know actually." 

"I guess, I can agree with the talking more to her thing." 

"Same, I-I think. As long as nothing hostile occurs."

"Well- GREAT!" 

The three turn to River, who was still quite stunned by everything.

"So, what do you think nerd?"

"...S-Sure??"

"Ok that settles it! We are going to find out more about this girl AND build a....relationship with her!" 

River still had his head in the clouds, Hazel and Zephyr glance at eachother nervously while Crescenta beamed, almost quite strained, as if she still seemed unsure of why she is doing this. 

When you're suspicious of someone and you are dragged into the web of having to interact with, alongside your friends being dragged into it, you either a) continue ignoring the person you do not want to be with or b) you find out more about them to see whether or not they are as suspicious as they seem. It seems the Core Four plan to do B.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The day after River & Aixa's little feud in the library about the project, Prince River sighed heavily, hand in his head as he walked down the halls to see the other 3. He looked pretty disheveled, tired from yesterday.

"Yo River, you alright?" Zephyr glanced up and down. 

"That girl, Aixa, is a prick."

"Prick?? What the hell happened?" Crescenta yelped. 

"She's just so, UGH! She got on my nerves so bad, it's not as bad as Glacier but, it's getting to me," River grimaced. 

"Princess Aixa called my Kingdom a house for mermaids to play in!! FOR MERMAIDS TO PLAY HOUSE IN!! She teased me for how the structure of my Kingdom's castle is like a turtle for nobles! Well it's based on turtles but you get what I mean!" River ranted, whipping out the drawing he made from his bubblecase and shoved it in their faces. 

Crescenta snickered before giggling as Hazel chimed in.

"I mean, I can see the resemblance honestly," Hazel spoke nervously.

Crescenta broke into laughter. Zephyr broke into a smile. 

"Its not funny!" River's voice went up in an octave, his cheeks grew blue. 

"Ok ok fine, we'll stop," Crescenta calmed down from laughing.

"But for real, you still gonna work with her on the project?"

"I have to, this project is going to give us a raise in our grades, it's meant for us to showcase our architectural history and the meanings and details of it." 

"Yeah yeah we get it but you really sure you're okay with her? Cos you seem really tired from yesterday's meetup."

"I stayed up all night doing mine while she just left after a while. She didn't say anything to me after that."

"Well River, we are planning to 'get to know' Aixa more, so you're gonna see her a lot more now," Crescenta inhaled sharply.

"Oh Cora...."

Hazel goes up to River, leaning down to match his height by a bit, as she patted him on the shoulder with her hand. 

"It's okay River, we're gonna be there for you no matter what! I'm sure this probably won't go that bad. I don't think Aixa will harm us. To be fair, she minded her own business around us most of the time, besides the occasional glances or....glares." 

They recalled to the time before this whole project thing, Princess Aixa walking past them without a peeve, looking up high & mighty as she passed by with her cousins, whom laughed and yapped to Aixa. 

When Aixa eats her lunch, or rarely does, Aixa coincidentally sits near the Core 4 with her cousins and/or Mary. But she never bothers them. 

When Aixa asks for a quill or anything, she would ask Mary or her cousins. Nobody else.

Nothing bad actually happened to them. Who's to say what will happen when they start interacting with Aixa? 

"You won't have to worry so much, plus with us here, you'll feel less nervous around her." 

"R-Right. Yeah, you're right Hazel."

"Good. Let's head to class now."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ringggg!!! Ringggg!!!

Class has ended for the time being, it was time for break. The Core Four looked at Aixa whom was spacing out, hand resting on her chin. 

Crescenta walked up first, then the rest followed behind her, last is River who, wasn't actually that sacred of Aixa but more so wanting to get some space from her. He couldn't understand why but he just felt that way. 

"AHEM- Princess Aixa, right?"

Princess Aixa 180 degreed her head to face them like an owl, making the four flinch at her. 

"What."

"EUGH!!!" They yelped. 

Princess Aixa glanced at them before her gaze fixated on Prince River, her eyes tensed, her mouth pursed. 

"Oh, it is you." 

"Y-You," Prince River averted his gaze. 

"What do you all want from me." 

There was a pause of silence, before Hazel cleared her throat and spoke up.

"Um, Princess Aixa, we have been rather curious about you for these past few months. I mean ever since that, entrance you had-" 

"COUGH COUGH Rather destructive COUGH COUGH" 

"Crescenta!!-" She whispered-shouted.

Hazel continued, "Ahem-You seem so mysterious to a lot of us, and we'd honestly like to get to know you a little more."

Aixa tilted her head as she faced them. 

"So...would you uhhh, like to sit with us?"

"Sit. With you?"

"Yeah! During lunch I mean."

"....I want to sit with my cousins. However, I shall go tell them if you would like then."

The Core Four were rather surprised she technically agreed to their offer, as seen in how their eyes widened simultaneously together and how their mouths slightly opened. 

"Of course! Thank you for your time, Princess Aixa." 

The Core Four turned their backs, waking normally until they left the door as their pace turns more rigid yet faster, their shoes clacking against the floor before they halted.

"That went um- relatively well...." River blurted out.

"I'm surprised she ACTUALLY took the offer just like that! HAH! She's pretty easy," Crescenta laughed shakily

"Surprised she didn't turned us down after your little quip Crescenta," Zephyr mumbled. 

"HEY!" 

They argued back and forth, their chatter echoed the halls, Princess Aixa could faintly hear them from the classroom, sighing. 

"Hmm..." 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Before lunch, Princess Aixa had alerted her cousins of her sitting at lunch with her classmates, she felt a bit disappointed to have agreed with sitting with classmates she barely knew but she did not want to come off standoffish. 

"Cousins, I have been invited to sit with four other classmates of ours for lunch." 

"Huh? Who are they?" Ayano asked. 

"Princess Crescenta of Star, Princess Hazel of Flora, Prince Zephyr of Wind and Prince River of Water." 

"Ohhhh, yeah they seem okay!" Ayano said.

"So you are okay with me going with them?" 

"Of course!" 

Circe hesitantly nodded alongside Ayano, which she notices. 

"What is it Circe?" 

"....3(>%%<:<2^>%<...." 

"Hazel? What's wrong with her?" 

"...67ugig_-'^c}●▪︎}¤}♡《" 

"Oh yeah, you're not a fan of green." 

"Mhm."

"Or tall people outside of the family." 

"Mhm." 

"Nevermind Princess Hazel... Prince River? That nerd?" Princess Yuna remarked, "We do not mind them or you having lunch with them but isn't that the guy you are currently working with on that project?" 

"Yes." 

"He seems rather, standoffish." 

"Well I guess I shall have to interact with him more to come to that conclusion." 

"I see, well, we'll see you later then." 

They bid their farewells for the time being, heading to wherever they plan to go, [guys i swear Mary will start appearing more I SWEAR], heading off to lunch. 

Princess Aixa struts down the lunch hall. As of now, the students here have slowly become less itimidated by Aixa's presence. They are still uneasy, some are still deathly scared of her, otherwise with how she's doing and the more people she has talk to, things have eased. Supposedly. 

She spots the Core Four somewhere in the middle tables, her eyes then meet Hazel's, whom motions to come sit with them, her face perks up, 

"Come on over here! We saved a seat for you!" 

As Crescenta makes a lil duck face kinda thing as she whipped her head to face Aixa. Zephyr bothers a glance but that's about it, the only person who hasn't bothered to look at Aixa is River. Whom was reading a book. Upside down. Writing on it. Sorry, more like scribbling on it. When by right, its a textbook for Corran History, not a writing book. 

She had a container of vanilla cupcakes with butterscotch icing on it from Princess Mary, this time it was less sweet and she had requested for Mary to add less sugar but more eggs & butter. Aixa liked rich foods but not too rich. 

Inside the oval container next to the cupcakes were dried-up dead cockroaches Circe found for Aixa and were prepared by Yuna, put next to the cupcakes by Circe. 

She sat down next to said empty spot, which was in-between Zephyr and River, in front of Hazel and Crescenta. 

Zephyr scootched to the side a bit too give her space, River dragged himself all the way to the edge of the bench, using all of his energy to not make any eye contact if interaction with Princess Aixa AT ALL. 

"So Princess Aixa, how is everything going for you?" Hazel questioned politely. 

"Mhm. Decently I suppose." 

"Uhh, are you struggling with any subjects cos we can help you if you want!" 

"No thank you." 

"Uhh, maybe after school things?" 

"No." 

"....not even the project?" 

"I am fine, Princess Hazel."

Hazel inhales sharply, before Crescenta leans into her ear.

"I don't think she's going to budge Hazel, she's not even looking at us!" 

"I know, I know, its all just, I'm trying to figure it out okay??" 

"Ugh, let ME do the talking then!!" 

"Ahem, Princess Aixa, it is with great honor we all have that we welcome you to sit with us today during lunch! I understand we may not know eachother well but let us all enjoy our time at the moment!! ^^" 

Crescenta extends her hand. 

Aixa looked up, "...I did not expect you four to directly ask for my permission for my presence to grace you all during our break, but I am glad you are....welcoming." 

Aixa took Crescenta's hand and 

CRACK!!!!!!

"OH MY STARS WHAT THE FUCK-"

Her handshake is....strong.

As Crescenta fucking dies and the rest look in shock [except River who is STILL LOOKING AWAY], Aixa looked down at her container, before she opened it. 

The warm aroma faintly grew stronger as it wafted in the air, the cupcake was glossy & buttery and looked like something the angels of the afterlife craft for the spirits whom live up in the clouds, then next to it is a bunch of dead roaches. 

River shuffled away from Aixa even more, his lego built squared-up rectangular ass is hanging on for dear life on the edge of the bench, shuffling his Halo-Halo [equivalent] with his spoon [equivalent] as he yet again is still persistent in not participating in the conversation because Princess Aixa is here.

"O-Oh!" 

"Oh!" 

"Oh." 

"....hm?"

...

"ROACHESSS.....NEXT TO CUPCAKES....PRINCESS AIXAAAAA, YOU ARE SO CULINARY-INCLINED!!" Crescenta squealed, her voice straining like a balloon rubbing on another balloon about to pop. 

"I JUST...OH MY.... THAT'S SO NICE!!" Crescenta wants to fucking die.

"Those cupcakes look really good tho," Zephyr remarked as he took a peek, "Did Princess Mary make them?"

"Yes, she took the time she had and decided to create a total of 6 cupcakes for me today after I gave her roses. Well, only the buds, I gave the thorns for Circe to eat them. I requested Princess Mary to craft them to become more rich in fats than in the amount of sugar used, which is much lesser than the first batch I had tried before." 

Hazel perked up, "Oh yes, didn't she make a batch for everyone in school on our first days?" 

"Mhm, it wasn't bad actually." 

"Hmph, it was solid to say the least, nothing that can completely match my taste in cuisine!"

"Cres, you tried to drink Dr Pepper [equivalent] and eat a whole bag Carolina Reaper chips [equivalent] in 1 minute, you are not part of the 'lovers of haute cuisine.'"

"OH MY GOSH SHUT UP ABOUT THAT!!!" 

They all laugh and loudly chat as Aixa eats her food, unbothered by it all, the sounds of their yapping fade off as the sounds of platform shoes fell into the scene. 

"My oh my, what do we have here?" 

The sound of platform shoes sassily made clicking sounds strutting towards their table. 

"...Oh stars."

"....Is that Princess Aurora?"

"The one and only," Princess Crescenta sighed.

Princess Aurora of had that smirk on her face. The smirk she carries every day without fail. Her gaze is fixed as she carries herself with poise and "kindness."

She has short, wavy orange hair, and rather confident eyes. 

She’s wearing a long, flowing sari which is a deep red hue with gold accents along the neckline, cuffs, and hem. The dress is modest yet elegant cut, with long sleeves and a flared skirt reaching just above the ankles.

Draped over her shoulder is a translucent brownish-maroon shawl, simple flats that match her outfit, also featuring gold detailing.

She has small, simple earrings and a pendant that matches the golden trim of her dress. Her hands are gloved, possibly for style or to control her fire powers.

"Princess Crescenta, are you and your friends for real hanging out with- THE Unknown Royal?" 

Aurora teased. 

Behind the scenes, Aurora had teased Aixa or talked about her behind her back. It did not bother Aixa at first, but it was a little too loud after the arrival of her cousins. 

It wasn't anything extreme, it was just plain annoying. 

She stood in front of the Core Four and Aixa's table while Syneffa, Celisa and Amelia stood way  behind her, gossiping and kept looking at the five of them weirdly. Amelia was more mean about it while Syneffa & Celisa seemed more neutral on it.

Aurora 'smiled,' noticing Aixa's food. 

"Princess Aixa, you have a rather....interesting taste in food, I did not know the Unknowns love to eat insects like them!" 

"Aurora, go away NOW." 

"Oh cmon Cressy, I'm just curious on your new friend's lunch!" 

"Oh my supernova...I already have to see you for that stupid architectural history project every other day, I'd rather want you to stay away from me outside of that," Crescenta quipped.

"Oh don't be so mean, I just want to talk, like old times." 

"Anywho," Princess Aurora shoved Princess Crescenta to the side as Hazel rushed up to help Crescenta, Zephyr moving away a bit and River stunned, leaning towards Aixa.

"Princess Aixa, I know you are a freak and all, but just letting you know, its fine being a freak. With your roaches and stone face, and soulless eyes, you're really pretty, too bad for someone like you looks don't really matter!" 

Aurora and her clique laughed, Crescenta is literally being held back from beating her up, looking distressed as Hazel tries to calm her. Zephyr backs up and gets off from his seat and prys River off it, who was equally uncomfortable.

Princess Aixa was not bothered. 

She stood up from the bench, walking up to Aurora slowly, it didn't take long for Aixa to say solemn but not for before she gave Aurora a light tap on the shoulder. 

SLAM!!!!!

DIVA DOWN. 

SHOT INTO A WALL WITH AIXA'S FLINGING ARM, HEAD FIRST INTO IT, SHE'S DOWN, AIXA BITCH SLAPPED THAT GIRL. 

Everyone watching gasped in horror, and amazement, the Core Four the most stunned. Someone might have just passed out. 

Princess Aixa looks back at them. 

"I noticed you seemed distressed when she came by. I did you a solid." 

And just. Walks off. Like its a normal day.