I just finished beating the shit out of some thugs that thought it was a good idea to jump a little kid who just got given a baguette. The kid probably hasn't eaten in a few days. And they snatch it off him. How disgraceful.
With the baguette in hand I hand it to the kid who won it in the first place. "Here you go, little guy," I say. kneeling down. "Th-a-n-ks" he nervously thanked me, while slowly taking the bread.
My eyes scan his scrumpy, broken and unclean clothes. They seem a bit too big for him.
He probably stole it from a washing line, while no one was looking. I sigh in annoyance.
I dig my hand in my pocket and take out two golden coins. The kid looked in fear at one moment, then the next amazement by the amount in my hand. And this isn't even a lot.
It'd probably buy you one night at an inn…or for him it should be enough for a new shirt and shoes. I hold the coins towards him indicating for him to place his hand under mine. And so he does.
I passed him the coins. Say goodbye to my lunch money. Which are now in the hands of a kid. "Thank yo-u, sir," he says, smiling for the first time. "Go buy yourself a new shirt, okay." I tell him, before standing up. "Sure will, sir" he says, before running into the buzzing street, out of the alleyway. "At least he has good manners." I looked back at the unconscious men at the back of the alley. Laying as if they were dead, on the floor. Are they dead? Who knows.
I don't care if they are or not. I walk out of the alley. Finally taking in a deep breath after that encounter. When I hear shouts within the crowd. I glance to the left… to see two palace guards pointing at me. Oh, great.
"Your highness, stop right there!" The one on the right commands. Commands—you hear me. The only people that commands me is…well me.
Here we go again. "See ya!" I wave them goodbye with a smile…which was more like a smirk, I'd like to say. And then start running the opposite direction through the crowd.
It's been twenty minutes and I still haven't lost them. New record. For them, that is.
I took a narrow pathway hoping that would set them off for a couple of seconds.
Slowing down once I exited the pathway. Which slowly turned into a rapid walk, trying to blend in with the crowd. I look back to see if they're still on my tracks. When I unknowingly bump into something. I began to walk past when I realised it was a person and they dropped something.
I walk in front of them and kneel down picking up the piece of paper on the ground.
I sneak a peek at what's drawn on the paper. It looked to be a map. A pretty badly drawn map.
I nearly burst out of laughter, however, I managed to stop it from coming out.
That'd be a rude thing to do.
I hand them the paper, and the person takes it. My gaze landed on their fair, unscathed hands.
Around this area there weren't usually any nice looking hands like theirs. I don't think much of it and get going before I get spotted once again.
Just realising I never looked at them. The one in a robe. I look back out of curiosity. My eyes direct me to the ground where their feet were. Slowly travelling up.
They're only just beginning to stand up. Long blonde hair comes into view. My eyes go wide. I don't know why they did. They just did.
I recover from my unknown expression, right when I realise we're both looking at one another. She looks me in the eyes fearless of eye contact—for a person wearing a hood. I stare right back at her. She had a pair of the most admirable pair of forest eyes. She looked about my age.
She had the cutest stare and…she…cute?
And there was an and. Am I nuts! Get your head back to reality.
She faced the other way as if someone was calling her. Her hair replaced her gaze.
I drag my eyes to look over her figure/silhouette. A person dressed in a guard uniform urgently looking left to right. And that's my cue to leave.
…
I peek through the enormous window just outside the throne room where my mother, 'the queen', sits reviewing scripts for whatever means. I'm currently breathing heavily. Standing on the smallest piece of stone below the wide window. My head barely reached above the stones to the window. Landing me a view from inside the castle—are the private conversations no one gets to hear.
Like this one.
That is the plus side from being seven hundred feet high up, with one wrong step and you're gone. The guards on garden duty rushing to the soulless body. Even if I fell within the night sky, I'd never hit the solid ground. I'll put it this way; I don't climb things recklessly.
If I did fall I could easily teleport myself to safety. "Sir Oscar, Sir Oscar. I'm waiting!" she began to shout impatiently.
"My apologies, your highness, I was in the middle of researching a potion" announced the sorcerer, Oscar. I hate that guy.
"Do you know where Princess Eva is?" she questioned, "she's in the piano room, playing the piano." That idiot tells. "And my son, Prince Caleb. Where is he?"
"I'm not sure, he's probably in his room reading a book with music on" he answered unsure.
Yeah, go with that. "Probably? please go check." She swings her index finger towards the door.
"I will." He bowed before her, about to leave. He won't find me there.
A servant scurried up to him and whispered something in his ear.
"What! Again!" He shouted by surprise, "What's the matter, Sorcerer Oscar?" my mother asks, "um- well, I know of the location of Prince Caleb" he hesitates. "And that is?"
"In the city square," he managed to say, squinting his eyes, expecting the sound of rage.
Wrong. That was a while ago.
They need to improve their security, if they don't want to get information twenty minutes later.
"But you just said he was in his room!"
"I assumed he would be in his room. Apparently the prince has sneaked out of the castle"
Yep. Took you a while to realise that.
Got to admit. I'll give you a point on figuring it out five minutes earlier than the other times I've sneaked out.
"That's the eighteenth time this year. When is he going to learn?"
"Well, I-" Oscar attempts to talk. "What am I going to do about him, well I'll think about it. Go and tell the guards to search for him. But make it discrete, I don't want the citizens knowing the prince is unpredictable."
I sneakingly entered my room through the terrace which leads to my room. Letting the cold air enter. Beside my cotton dark blue sheets and silk pillowcase king bed, with a traditional bed frame.
Shortly afterwards I could hear the squeak of my heavy wooden bedroom door slowly open.
The person who walked in was none other than my devious mother, or as other people think of her as the most fearful ruler of Nyxaria.
There are many that despise her, but also the same amount that look up to her for her fearless act. That dark aura surrounding her. Her mid length ginger red hair, and dark purple eyes.
How she can easily sacrifice something of hers if it comes to the matter. Even if it were her own child. As her children we're not to expect anything. It leads to disappointment, and unpleasant emotions—Revealing you as a weak person.
Not worth respect from anyone but- "Where have you been?" she finally questions me, after spotting me sitting on a chair in front of my desk "I went for a walk." I coldly tell her, "without permission!" She exclaimed, appearing to be fuming with rage. As expected.
"If I would have told you, the guards would have been watching my every move." I explained. "It's to keep you safe."
"I'm sorry to have to say this Caleb but…" her hands rest on her hips.
"You're grounded." Grounded. I haven't been grounded before.
"You can't leave the premises until you understand-" I cut her off as I stood up from my spot. "What? You can't be serious!" I said feeling infuriated. Not being able to step foot outside the premises. I hate the feeling of being locked up like this. Caged in. Not being able to do what I want. It's agitating. I'm nineteen. An adult. Not a child you can command around with.
No- "I can because I am your mother and your queen!"
"In fact, I order you!" she demanded harshly. "You can't do that!" I argued
"I can do whatever I want. I rule this kingdom, dear" She said as she left the room. Closing the door lightly behind her. I take my time to sit back down. Sighing. Not unable to see a solution. "Great." I haven't been grounded before, due to the fact I've always stayed within the rules. Did what I was told. Till this very year. I've had enough of following those dreadful rules. Her. This kingdom. I'm like a dog, she can order whenever she wants. I've travelled to other lands, for peace, supplies, and for banquets. When I was growing up I trained, and studied day and night. For battles within the near future. Punished criminals. Tortured spies. To sirve my life on a platter. All for the kingdom. The kingdom I dread not to stay in.
Oh, what I'd do to leave.
Moments later Eva. My older sister walks in, knocking on the door. Her mid jet black hair and violet eyes reflect the room.
"Are you all right, Cal?" she asked me in a soft tone, "I'm fine, it's not like I could go out much anyway." I assuredly contested. Eva stopped mid track from walking towards me. Placing her left hand beneath her chin.
Eva is the next in line to the throne. I'm out of the question. Theoretically I'm supposed to take on the role of either the palace guard, duke, or her right hand man—Stay by her side for the rest of my life. Be a selfless being to devote myself for her as the shadow kingdom's ruler. Fuck no. I will not devote myself to anyone. Not even if they were an angel or a god.
"I know!" she exclaimed. My attention is placed back on her. Lifting her hand towards the air, then walked back to close the door silently behind her before speaking.
"Why don't we take a vacation and go to someplace else for sometime?" She enthusiastically recommended. "I don't know, we'd get in trouble for leaving? Also, I'm not allowed to leave the premises." I hopelessly replied. "Since when do you listen to the ground rules? It'll just be for a bit and I have the perfect escape plan."
"what is it?" Might as well hear it.
"Tomorrow, mother's having her guards leave for earth for some time and two of them owe me a favor or two-" she starts. Just get to the point already.
"Where are you going with this?" I asked abruptly, impatiently interrupting her.
"We can disguise ourselves as guards, and one of the guards that owe me can distract mother for the time being" she finishes.
"That's actually not a pretty bad plan." I curiously remarked, leaning my arms on the table "hey!" She responded, with an offended expression. "So…"
"Okay, let's do it"
It's the next day, and Eva and I had woken up early to head down to the servant headquarters. Where we were going to get our guard uniforms from. After dawn had risen, we sneakingly ran past the servants and headed to where the other guards were by the gate.
They were wearing the exact same uniform, with the purple rose flower at the top of their black jacket that matched their black dress shirt and dark blue slacks with a gold stripe. As for the shoes they were wearing short black leather boots.
"Where were you?" asked the guard that owed her the favor "took longer to get out, then expected." She whispered back.
After some time waiting among the crowd, they opened a giant circular purple portal that I assume led to earth. Cuz where else would it be headed. "Let's get going," Eva whispered, moving forwards. We made it to earth. This is going easier than I anticipated. All we needed to do now was to lose the small group of guards. Eva and I slowly cut down our walking pace, to the back of the group.
Now's our chance to make a run for the trees. I shouldn't teleport as there's a possibility they may sense the dark energy. "Where do we go now?" I asked, hiding behind a tree. Not knowing the next part of our escape plan.
"We're going to go to a friend's place, who I met some time ago. She has a child that goes to primary school."
A while later we made it.
It already started to become dark as the sun started to set by the ocean. The sunset was a calming peach color mixed with the blue sky, coloring one part to a light blueberry and purple color.
Eva rang the bell. The bell sounded like chimes as it rang.
Not long after, the door opened revealing a young woman in the doorway.
I would say she looked like she was in her late twenties. She had short brown hair, up to her shoulders and hazel eyes.
"Eva! Long time no see!" she exclaimed, jumping in for a hug. "I know, how is everything?" Eva hugged her back. "Great! Come in. Come in." She said as opening the door wider.
And so, Eva explained her and my situation to the young woman, whose name was 'Andrea' and she had a kid, like Eva mentioned earlier. Who just turned five, called 'Lucy'.
Thankfully Andrea Warmling, let us stay with them for as long as we'd like.
The weekend passed by quickly and it became Monday.
I woke up ready for the day as I couldn't sleep that night and got up early.
I walked down the stairs half way, when I heard some noise coming from down stairs. It was Andrea and Lucy, rushing to head out.
"Lucy, come on we have to go, otherwise I'm going to be late for work and you for school!" shouted Andrea downstairs, rushing to put her shoes on. They seem to be in a rush.
"I could take Lucy for you, if you don't mind?" I offered, trying to be helpful, "you're our guest though…" she debated, "it's the least we can do, for letting us stay here for a bit" I stated.
"Okay…I'll send you the address of the school, although it's just up the road from here." She explained, giving in. As we arrived at the school steps, Lucy continuously begged me to accompany her inside the school and I couldn't say no to those puppy eyes she pulled. In the shadow kingdom, no one would have fallen for those things since kids used those types of things to treat people in giving them stuff or robbing them blind. But earth isn't like that.
I don't need to worry about this stuff here.
I bid goodbye to Lucy once I brought her into the school. The entrance was like stepping into a different world. I've never been to a school before.
The fluorescent lights overhead cast a harsh glow on the linoleum floors, making them gleam almost unnaturally. A row of lockers lined one wall, their metal doors adorned with stickers and graffiti, hinting at the personalities of the students who passed through each day.
The walls were plastered with colorful posters, shouting slogans about unity and diversity, featuring smiling faces of students engaged in various activities. A bulletin board at the center of the entrance was a chaotic display of flyers and notices, tacked on top of each other haphazardly.
The sound of students' voices echoed through the hallway, blending with the ringing of bells and the clatter of footsteps on the hard floor. The air was filled with the scent of cafeteria food and teenage cologne, creating a unique mix of scents that was unmistakably the smell of high school.
A place I read so much about.
The entrance was a hub of activity, with students rushing past, chatting with friends, and greeting teachers. It was a place of transition, where the outside world faded away, and the world of friendship, classrooms, and cafeteria lunches took over.
In the shadow kingdom I was never enrolled in school. Always home schooled within the palace.
I've only heard of high school from murmurs within the palace and books.
I turned a complete 360-degree circle, admiring the grandeur of the building from every angle.
As I faced the entrance, I unexpectedly noticed a familiar face among the crowd of people outside through the glass window.
Her hair catches the light, giving it a shimmering appearance. Those eyes of hers were a striking jade of a shimmering green color. Adding a unique and captivating aspect to her overall appearance.
Then it hit me.
I know where I've seen her before.
She's the girl I bumped into in the city square. When I was trying to lose those guards.
She seems delicate, just like last time. I can't seem to forget that expression on her precise face—Surprised—as if she found what she was looking for that day. Though I doubt it's her.
Mainly just my mind playing tricks on me.
She was entering the school building talking to two other people. Who seemed to be a couple, due to the fact that one had an arm wrapped around the other. The girl had brown hair, similar height to the blond one. The boy is light haired. With different shades of eyes.
"Huh?" is all I make out. Confused at that.
Was I hallucinating? I rubbed my eyes, hoping to come back to my senses.
But I wasn't. When I opened my eyes once again. She still resembled the girl I saw back in Nyxaria.
What was she doing here?
"Hang on," why don't I find out myself and maybe finally be able to experience high school life?
Brilliant idea. It was reckless. Yes. But not the worst.
I sneakily followed her to class and soon entered after the teacher.
"Excuse me, miss." I quietly said walking up to the teacher "yes, hello."
"I'm a new student here" I lied.
"Ummm… hang on, let me check my list of students. What's your surname?" she goes onto her ipad "Hennace" I quickly make-up.
Before she gets a chance to scroll down, I click my two fingers together behind my back.
"Ah, look here it is, Caleb, I presume." She finds, "yes" I reply with a gentle smile.
Adding my name to the list isn't doing any harm. Even if I do get found out, it won't be for a while.