Mai's First Day

We met up again just before classes began. Students poured into the school’s stone halls, all wearing their pristine matching uniforms with fiery red lines and golden trim.

All their heads came up to my eyebrows at best, most not even making my shoulders. Not that this was uncommon. Every part of me stood out: my height, the white stripes on my sleeves marking me as royalty, not to mention my pale hair lighter than most people's skin.

When it came to someone like Olivia, she couldn’t help but adore the crowds that inevitably cast a curious eye. Those kinds of shows typically didn’t go well for me.

“Good morning Princess Mai, did you sleep well?”

“Pleasantly so, Prince Rio.” Unlike the rest of us, Mai was dressed in her dark blue uniform from the night before. Her suit was crisp, sword shining, and skirt softly swaying back and forth in the wind.

“That’s excellent, I’m glad that our accommodations could be fitting for you,” I said.

The thoughts of yesterday still filled my head. I wasn’t the smartest thing to do, a complete mistake really, but I wanted to bring it up so bad! This formal Mai was draining my sanity. Any chance to break her out of her shell I’d have to take.

Just, when was the best time to bring it up?

We walked past the practice arena, watching as blasts of energy ricocheted out like bullets. Legions of flames, electricity, chunks of brick–whatever I could think of would eventually get blasted out in a spell. Combat magicians were nothing if not creative.

“I heard that Arhonia doesn’t focus as much on combat magic, is that right?”

“For most students no, but don’t assume that we’re lacking in that regard.”

“Assume? There wouldn’t be this lasting conflict otherwise. Trust me, most magicians in both Mikin and Arhonia could beat me without breaking a sweat, I’m not one to talk.”

“There is no need to downplay yourself like that, Sir Rio.”

“Please, just Rio is more than fine.” Hearing the sir created a ten inch layer of ice between us, one that I didn’t have the ability to easily break down.

“Screw it…” I muttered under my breath, low enough to where Mai couldn’t hear. Everyone in my family considered me a talentless clown, so I might as well play the part. “You know, one of the brilliant aspects of the dorms is how soundproof they are.”

“I see…” Mai said, narrowing her eyes in confusion.

“I don’t know how it works in Arhonia, but said soundproofing sadly doesn’t work here when the door happens to be cracked, it's a shame, truly.”

“W-what do you mean by that?” Mai stammered out, face suddenly completely flushed red.

“I’m glad that you think I'm cute, though I’m saddened to inform you it's only my siblings who love getting called nobles while jerking each other off. My father is a cunt though, you got that part right! One for two, not–”

“Y-you heard everything?”

“Crystal clear.”

“Holy flames, I’m a fucking moron,” Mai said, any sign of her cold persona completely and utterly melted.

I scoffed. “If it was one of my siblings maybe. Let me reintroduce myself,” I walked right in front of Mai, giving a royal bow. “I’m Rio, fifth prince of Mikin, and the dancing monkey of the royal family. It’s so nice to meet the real Princess Mai.”

“Cunt,” Now it was her turn to scoff. “I suppose there's no need to keep up the pretense then.”

“I figured if we're gonna be stuck with each other, we might as well get the formalities out of the way.” I glanced around. We’d wandered into a small marble crevice overlooking the school grounds–not another person in sight. “My father thinks you’re here as an Arhonian spy. Yet I can’t say I’ve met a spy who leaves her door open while yapping about the very people she’s supposed to be spying on.

“How do you it’s not just all one big fucking trick.”

“Simple, I don’t,” I shrugged. “But I’m choosing to believe that you’re not, Mai.”

“You’re such an idiot.”

“Oh I’m the idiot? Who left their door open again?”

“And who admitted that to the daughter of their family's sworn fucking enemy? Huh Rio?”

“And I’d do it again! Sorry, I choose to trust people, a fatal flaw I know.”

“Fucking cunt.”

“You’re one to talk.”

“Holy flame, I get sent to Mikin and they pair me with you. This is worse than torture.”

“Sorry to disappoint, that's my sibling's area of expertise.” At this point, both our voices were more than raised, echoing over every bit of the stone halls. “I can learn for next time to meet your expectations.”

“Rio! What in the breeze are you doing?” A shiver crawled up my spine as that familiar barking voice came from behind.

“Hey Felix…” I slowly turned. Facing me, my brother glared with his eyes like a snake from behind his glasses.

Felix, the fourth prince of Mikin, and the only other one of us to be currently enrolled in school. Only difference was while I loitered away in the art room, he happened to be the student council president.

He wore the same outfit as me–a red suit with white stripes running down the sides–with a large glimmering golden badge on his chest. His suit was finely ironed, blonde hair perfectly done, and glasses spotless. Felix truly was the spitting image of a royal student.

“What are you doing making this commotion?”

“Just yelling into the void as always. You should try it sometime Felix.” I said.

“To the breeze Rio, when will you learn to not make a commotion? Father doesn’t ask much of you.”

“I’ve been doing just that. Did the king not tell you about my latest assignment?”

“I greet the prince,” Mai said, giving a picture perfect curtsy, her icy exterior back in force. “My name is Mai Arhonia, second princess of Arhonia.”

Felix raised an eyebrow, seemingly noticing Mai for the first time. “May the breeze bless you, princess. I heard that you had arrived a few days ago. Has everything been to your liking so far?”

“Everything has been splendid, Prince Felix. Prince Rio has been more than helpful with helping me unpack and get adjusted to my new life here in Mikin.” Mai said.

“T-that's splendid! I am glad your first few days here have gone well.” The way Felix’s surprise was so evident almost hurt me. Was it so shocking that someone could give me praise? “If everything is going well, then I see no reason to bother you two any longer. Princess Mai, as a representative of the Mikin royal family, I want to assure you that everyone in the royal family will do our utmost to make sure your stay is comfortable, and if there is anything you need, please do not hesitate to ask.”

“Thank you, Prince Felix, I shall keep that in mind.”

“Very well,” Felix spun around towards the way which he’d come. “I’ll see you in class.”

“Goodbye Felix.” The second he turned the corner, I breathed a sigh of relief. “Sorry about that.”

“You’re brother seems… interesting,” Mai said. “I could see the stick up his ass from his first word.”

I chuckled. “That describes him pretty well. Anyway, class starts in like five minutes, and we probably don’t want to be late on your first day.”

“Shit,” Mai said, eyes wide. “Lead the way then.”