-Victoria-
I was still reeling from the information dump I had just received during the walk from the front of the school to the headmaster's office. Oxea, basically, explained that we were in Evania, the realm of magic, which ran parallel to the realm of humans. There were two kingdoms; Aivora, represented by the wolf, and Varezia, represented by the fox. Both kingdoms got along as well as fire and ice. Constant wars, disagreements, spying, assassinations, and distrust. Pelmora was created as a way to foster peace. You grow up learning all about your own kingdom and basic magic. Once you're 18, you come to Pelmora and learn about the other kingdom along with more advanced magic that you'll use in whatever field you enter. I had to wonder what field I would go into.
Someone cleared their throat besides me, jerking me out of my thoughts. It was Oxea. She was smiling while holding open the large wooden door.
"The headmaster will see you now," She said.
The headmaster's office was surprisingly simple. I had imagined something out of Harry Potter when Oxea said headmaster. Instead, it was rather simple. There was a sitting area with a fireplace, walls lined with bookshelves, large stained-glass windows, a balcony overlooking the courtyard out front, and a desk in the middle. Behind the desk, a slightly older man sat with his hands folded neatly in front of him. He wore the same type of robe like jacket that Oxea had on but his was blue and looked to be made of far nicer material. He also had a suit vest and the various trimmings underneath all accented in blue.
"You must be Victoria." He said gesturing with his hand, "Please sit." He looked me up and down, "Why were you hiding out in the human realm?"
"I didn't know there was another option." I said, shrinking into myself under his sharp gaze.
"By all accounts, she was born and raised there." Oxea said, placing a hand on the back of my chair in support, "Seems her mother was the one who fled Evania, as I already informed you headmaster."
"Right, and where is your mother, Victoria?" He asked, staring intently at me.
"She escaped before we arrived," Oxea once again answered, "As I have already mentioned, headmaster."
"How did your mother escape, Victoria?" He pointedly addressed the question to me.
"We don't know how she escaped," Oxea said, now clearly angered, "Neither does she, headmaster, as I've told you."
"Thank you, inspector." The headmaster stood up from his desk, also angered by Oxea answering for me, "I think your job is done here. If you'll leave me with my student."
"I think I'll stay." Oxea glared at the headmaster, "At least until she's been shown to her room."
"And if she turns out to be Aivorian?" The headmaster bit back.
"I'll stay nonetheless." Oxea replied, crossing her arms.
They just glared at each other, causing the air in the room to get heavier. Magic flashed round them in what appeared to be little sparks of lightning. I tried to make myself smaller as the same feeling from earlier built up inside me. Before anything could happen, however, someone cleared their throat from behind me. The headmaster gasped and Oxea spun around before both bowed at the waist.
"Your highness," they both said.
I spun in my chair and was met with a girl probably the same age as me. She wore a red dress that was both fancy and way too revealing. She also wore a red robe over top with a silver tiara covered in small rubies in her black hair. She wore a small smile while she eyed me up and down.
"My presence was requested?" She said in a light voice.
"Yes, your highness, I thank you for coming so quickly." The headmaster said, "The inspector was just leaving."
"Actually, your highness, I was planning to stay to make sure Victoria was properly settled." Oxea said, "She was raised in the human realm and needs all the guidance she can get."
"That is evident," The princess replied, laughing lightly, "But the prince and I will make sure she is taken care of. You can go back to your duties."
"If it's all the same to you, your highness..." Oxea began to speak but was interrupted.
"That is an order, inspector," the princess said, "Not a suggestion."
"Of course, your highness." Oxea bowed then turned to look at the headmaster who was smirking. She glared at him before addressing me. "I'll be sure to come check on you in a week or two. Once you've settled."
She glared one more time at the headmaster and then left, slightly bowing as she passed the princess. Once Oxea was gone, the mood got significantly darker. The princess's beautiful face twisted into a smirk as she looked down on me.
"It is considered a grave insult for a peasant to not properly greet royalty when they enter a room." The princess said.
"Oh, I'm sorry." I replied, smiling sheepishly, "I don't have any experience with royalty."
"Well then, this will be your first lesson," Her face pulled into a clearly fake smile, "When royalty enters the room, you stand and bow."
"Ok, got it." I replied.
"Do you 'got it'?" Her fake smile got even sweeter, "Because all I see, is you...still...sitting."
I stood slowly, my body shaking with nerves under the intense stares of the princess and headmaster. I awkwardly stood there in silence for a few seconds before performing what had to be the worst bow anyone has every done. I felt awful and judged and I had no idea what to do with my arms. As I returned upright, I saw the princess roll her eyes while releasing a sigh.
"Good enough, I guess." She said, her face went back to a more polite and regal look while she addressed the headmaster, "I know you had some questions, headmaster. I hope that now that the inspector isn't here we'll get our answers."
"Quite right, your highness." He said, nodding before returning to his seat behind the desk, "Let's start from the beginning, Victoria, shall we? Why were you hiding in the human realm?"
I stood there like a dear in headlights. Without Oxea here to intervene, I would be at the mercy of the headmaster and the questions I have no answer for. Before I could say anything, however, a deep voice came from behind me.
"I believe the inspector already answered that headmaster." The voice said, "Why trouble the fair lady anymore? I'm sure she's had a long day."
I turned to face this new arrival and was struck with a feeling unlike anything I've felt before. There in the door was a man, muscular and dapper, wearing a formal suit with blue accents and a blue robe over top. On the lapel of his robe he had a crest with a wolf on it. His face was serious but he lightly smiled when he noticed I was looking at him. That smile made me feel warm and safe, like everything would be ok. He approached me, taking my hand in his own, he lightly kissed my knuckles as he bowed. My face went red.
"You must be Victoria," He said, still holding my hand, "Welcome to Evania. I am Prince Azax of Aivora."
"How'd you know my name?" I asked, blushing brightly since he hadn't released my hand.
"It was reported to me as soon as you arrived." He chuckled, his thumb running across the back of my hand, "Aivorian spies are everywhere. I also spoke to the inspector quickly on the way up. She seemed rather concerned about you."
"She's been very nice." I smiled lightly.
"I promised her I would look after you." He gazed into my eyes, sincerity showed in his before his gaze shifted to the headmaster, becoming more serious, "I keep my promises."
I didn't need to see the headmaster to know he was nervous. The energy in the room changed as tensions got higher. I just stared down at my hand in the prince's. That feeling beginning to grow again. I felt a hand softly move some hair behind my ear. I looked up into the prince's eyes once more. The feeling went away, the tension was gone, as I saw the gentle and slightly concerned look he held. It was like I was in a trance. My hand started to move to touch his face but was stopped when someone cleared their throat. He dropped my hand as we were both jolted out of our trance. Our attention was pulled to the princess who was bright red with anger. When she noticed our we were looking towards her, she took a deep breathe and put on what probably meant to be a sexy smile. The princess sauntered over to the prince, grabbing his arm and pressing her boobs up against it.
"Darling," She said, fluttering her eyes at the prince, "I believe the headmaster called us here for a reason. We should deal with whatever it is so we can go back to our rooms."
"You're right, Ustrea." The prince said, respectfully trying to peel her off him, "What was it you needed, headmaster?"
"Ah, yes," The headmaster began, "Since we were unable to apprehend the young lady's mother, we don't know which kingdom she belongs to. I will need you both to reach forward with your magic so we might ascertain this information. The prince can go first."
"Of course, headmaster." He gave a nod, raising his hand. Blue energy appeared lightly around his hand before fading, "I do not sense much magic but what I can sense is definitely not Aivorian."
"Very well." He politely addressed the princess, "If you would, your highness?"
She also stuck her hand out and red energy began to appear around it. I felt something growing inside me while her eyes narrowed ever so slightly. Eventually the red energy disappeared and the feeling along with it. Her face twisted into a small smirk before going neutral again.
"I barely felt a hint of magic," She said, "And whatever magic is there, is not Varezian."
Everyone was shocked by this. There were only two options and for me to be neither meant maybe I shouldn't be here.
"Are you quite sure, your highness?" The headmaster asked.
"Are you questioning me?" She looked rather offended.
"Never, your highness." The headmaster bowed, "But this puts in a rather difficult situation, if neither kingdom has claim to her, where does she belong?"
All eyes turned to me and I felt very small. I belonged nowhere, so what was going to happen to me? I caught the prince's eye and that same feeling of safety came over me. I felt something flowing through me, awakening the tight feeling in my gut. Both stopped together and I saw the prince nod lightly.
"She belongs here," The prince stated, "At Pelmora."
"But no kingdom claims her." The headmaster argued.
"Pelmora is for all whether you belong to a kingdom or not." He declared, "It was created, after all, for all Evanians."
"Where would she be kept?" The headmaster continued to argue, "Dorms are separated by kingdom."
"The castle is very large." The prince assured, "I'm sure you can find her a room. That's an order."
"Of course, you highness." The headmaster bowed, having lost.
"Come darling, there is much to do." The princess grabbed the prince by the hand and began pulling him out of the room.
"Also," The prince dug his heels in, turning back to address the headmaster, "No more questions you've already had answered. That is an order as well."
The headmaster only bowed, a sour look on his face. Once the two royals were gone, the headmaster didn't say another word to me. Instead he stood quickly, sweeping out of the room. I scrambled to follow him. We went deep into the depths of the castle. This place was clearly meant to be a dungeon with how dark and damp it was. He opened a door in the middle of the long hallway, mentioning me inside. Once I was past him he allowed the door to slam. It wasn't good but not terrible. There was a twin bed with clean sheets, a bureau, closet, and desk with chair. There was some school supplies on the desk and in the closet there were what I assumed to be uniforms. Unlike the blues and reds I had seen everywhere, my clothes were white, probably meant to symbolize how I didn't belong.
Walking into a door left of the closet, I was surprised to see a bathroom with a shower and tub. All the necessities were in the bathroom as well. I decided at that moment I would take a hot shower and go to bed. It had been a long day. As I lay down I worry about what tomorrow will bring in this strange new world.