Augh, I Hate This Guy!

Magic: you’re born with an affinity. Whether or not you can call it up is a different question. If you’re one of the few who can, you can use magic.

Magic is split into 4 affinities: fire, water, wind, and earth. Really self-explanatory, correct? A lot of the stories I read split them the same, along with the incredibly rare light and shadow affinities. My powers are water, but…

“I told you, blonde knight… I AM a water mage!”

“It’s hard to see that when you haven’t produced water from your hands in the 20 seconds I’ve been staring.”

We’re on the now unflooded street that makes an uphill beeline to the deteriorating castle. Ever since the freshwater stunt, people have been asking me to make more water.

Except,

“Uh, Mr. Blonde Knight. How do I use magic?”

He sighs. “You've got to be kidding me.”

I went back to the castle in defeat. “King Aurelian, there’s a mob asking for my head.”

“What!? Why!?”

“They think I’m a scam artist. A one-hit wonder.”

“Oh, well, let’s hire a tutor then!” He suggests.

I look at the man in scorn. “And how will you do that exactly? With what money?”

He pulls out a leather pouch. “The emergency reserve!”

I think I can predict the flies that will fly out of this thing.

Not even flies flew out of it. It’s just so pitiful to see our king fall so low…

“I’m sorry,” he mutters. “I’m not much of a King, am I?”

“N-no worries,” I reply. “It must be hard with 4 Kingdoms trying to get you to fall.”

“Well, as your King, I should be expending more resources to help you understand your Heroine duties. Unfortunately, I have lost a lot of authority since I’ve stopped solving the people’s problems.”

“Could it be…” I ponder. “You’re a failure!?”

“Lucia! Don’t say that!” The blonde knight gasps.

“Huh!? Why!?”

“IT’S TRUE!!”

I think I’m disappointed I made a grown man cry on his knees. Not only that, but the King of the Sinclair Kingdom, the kingdom I live in, by the way! What would Mother or Father think of my words?

Well, let’s ignore what Father would think. He’d laugh. Mom would scold me. That’s the appropriate response. I think I get the frivolity from him, after all.

Wherever he is.

“I-I’m sorry! You’re holding it down really well!” I stammer.

“I see. That’s good. I always knew I was a competent leader.” How did he recover so quickly!? Is he weak to compliments like me!?

I sigh. “There must be someone in this castle who can use magic.”

“I mean there is…” the king mutters. “But I fear you two won’t like each other.”

“Huh? Why?”

“I have a son your age…” he mutters. “But, just judging on both of your personalities, you’ll clash and create a black hole under this castle.”

“How did we get there!?” I holler. “Whatever. We’re desperate. I’ll see your son.”

“Lucia! You realize that his son is-”

“The Crowned Prince? I know that.”

“He’s royalty! If you mess up!”

“Off with my head,” I reply, on my knees, faking my beheading. “Come on. I read the stories. How bad could it be?”

I stroll into the castle gardens. Apparently, King Aurelian told me the sole Prince of Sinclair likes to read in the garden. That, and also strike dramatic poses while sitting on overhangs, or branches, or both at the same time.

“What a freakish person,” I mutter.

“Who are you calling freakish?”

“Who!? Who said that!?” Quick turns of my head. Analyze the green bushes that surround the gray stone path in this glass-contained garden. Where did that voice come from?

“Above you.” I look at a boy sitting in one of the trees above, eating an apple, eyes glued to his leather book— straight dark-red hair and golden eyes: really fitting the Sinclair Kingdom colors, huh? His outfit is nicer than the king's: a beautiful red-and-gold coat with ironed, white pants.

“I’ve been expecting you,” I say.

“That’s my damn line!” He leaps down and, with a single flip, lands perfectly while striking a dramatic pose. He flips his hair with his white-gloved hand. “I heard you’re the Sinclair Heroine.”

“I hate that name. Call me Lucia. Lucia Velvetora.”

“Oh? Lucia, huh? You’re kind of annoying to think I’d introduce myself to someone like you.”

“What do you mean ‘someone like you’?” I interrogate.

“You’re a girl from the boonies, right? I’m nobility, so why do I have to be associated with a broke pig?”

“Big words coming from the broke kingdom prince.”

“Now, listen here…” His hands start glowing red and orange. Ah, I see!

“Fire magic!” I marvel.

“Yeah, the Sinclair Kingdom hosts the mighty phoenix as its sigil! The Sun Phoenix chooses the Sinclair family to wield its power.”

“Then, your fire!”

“It’s because I’m the crowned prince,” he finishes. “But I heard from my father. You need help with magic, correct?”

“Uh, no.”

“Hell, you mean ‘no?’”

“You called me some broke pig from the boonies,” I scoff. “Sorry, but with that attitude, no girl is going to like you.”

“No girl from the sticks, correct.” His eyes sparkle with some sick beauty. “But some rich nobleman’s daughter will want me for my position, and thus my lineage will continue!”

“That’s quite a sorry life you want to live,” I admit.

“Huh? You’re weird. Who wouldn’t want to get married? I’m a prince, too! I have to!”

“Or else what? You’ll be known as the guy who couldn’t continue his noble bloodline!”

“No! It’s just… either way, I’ll be getting married. It’s just the way it is.”

I glance around the garden, watching roses and violets dance in the non-existent wind. “Well, why do you hang out in the garden?”

“Because it’s quiet.” He adjusts his golden cufflinks. “So much is going on outside. I don’t want to deal with it.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s below me!” he yells. “I’m a prince of a kingdom! I shouldn’t be dealing with this stupidity! It’s my dad’s fault that we got like this!”

“W-what?”

“Ever since Mother died… Father made bad decisions since Mother was responsible for examining such cases. Come on, it’s not my fault-”

I slap him across the face. He staggers back, unsure of what I just did.

“Did you just slap me!?” He yells, golden eyes blazing with red flames.

“I did. Yeah, I’d be mad, too. This whole thing isn’t your fault. You’re just a kid who got placed into an uncomfortable role.”

“Yeah, so why did you-”

“Because it’s like you said!” I grab his collar. “YOU’RE CHOSEN BY THE SUN PHOENIX OF THIS KINGDOM! YOU HAVE THE POWER TO CHANGE LIVES, SO WHY ARE YOU HIDING AWAY IN THIS PITIFUL GARDEN, WATCHING THE REMAINING FLOWERS WILT!?”

He pulls me away from him. “SHUT UP, YOU SIMPLETON! YOU THINK A LITTLE SET OF WORDS WILL CAUSE ME TO CHANGE!?”

“Then, let me beat it into you.”

The heat in the glass-encased garden increases. Those flames sit on his gloved hands. Isn’t he scared of burning the flowers!?

“The Sun Phoenix Flames have a special property,” he explains. “It burns what I want to burn. And there’s only one target in this room I want to damage!”

In one quick motion, he tosses a flame from his right hand. It collides with my farming clothes, setting me ablaze. Hot, it hurts! It hurts!

No, it doesn’t… apparently, my water extinguished it before anything dangerous could occur.

“WATER!?” He steps back. “A direct counter to my flames!?”

“Ha, I got lucky. I would have some serious damage to my beautiful face if those flames sat on me for a bit longer,” I sigh.

“OH SHUT UP!” The other flame is thrown, but the result is the same. I scratch my denim.

“Could be the clothes,” I ponder. “I see… I wonder if I’ll copy you; I’ll get the same result.”

“W-what?”

“Let’s see. Let’s just throw my hand in rage. Maybe that’ll work.”

Timeout: what does it mean to be a Heroine?

Why the hell am I asking a question I don’t know the answer to? Well, if it’s one thing I should’ve realized before this move.

It’s power.

BOOM!

It was not a water-sphere that erupted from my worn hands.

It was a FREAKING GEYSER.

The geyser carries the prince to the edge of the garden, destroying any flower along the way. After colliding with the glass walls, it shatters, causing him to roll on the stone path in a daze.

“W-whoops…” I mutter. “U-uh… Mr. Crowned Prince! Are you alright!?”

He’s out cold. His stagnant body remains in the puddle of cerulean water as the last reminder of what I just did.

“I KILLED THE CROWNED PRINCE! MY HEAD IS GOING TO FLY OFF!”

I run through the halls in a panic. “THE CROWNED PRINCE IS DEAD! OH NO! OH NO! OH NO!”

“What are you yelling about, Lucia?”

“EEP! I went into the royal hall without knowing it!”

“Pretty sure you meant not to say it aloud,” the blonde knight mutters.

“I SAID IT ALOUD!?” I fall to my knees. “King Aurelian. I killed your son. Please kill me.”

“HUH!? WHAT!?” King Aurelian sighs. “No, look behind you. We have an interesting visitor.”

I turn around and look enough…

“HIS SOUL IS READY TO TAKE ME WITH HIM!” I sob.

“Are you any less dense!?” the boy yells. He clicks his tongue. “Damn it… that hurt a lot. You’re lucky I’m tougher than I look!”

“Judging by your drenched uniform, I can assume Lucia hit you with some water magic.”

“A bit too much! A whole geyser nearly ripped my favorite outfit apart!” His scornful eyes don’t seem to die down. “Apologize.”

“W-what?”

“You attacked a Prince of a nation!” He growls. “Apologize!”

“That’s only because you attacked me first!”

“OH COME ON! THAT’S BECAUSE YOU SLAPPED ME ACROSS THE FACE!”

“BECAUSE YOU AREN’T DOING YOUR JOB TO HELP THE KINGDOM!”

“GOD DAMN IT! I CAN NEVER ASSOCIATE MYSELF WITH YOU-”

“THAT’S ENOUGH!” King Aurelian booms. “Brendan! To your room!”

“Whatever.”

He storms off as fast as he showed up, leaving a trail of wet footprints on the tattered carpets. That was the first time I witnessed the wrath of King Aurelian.

Oh no, he’s still mad!

“I’ll offer to off my head-”

“Enough with offing yourself!” he sighs. “Listen, Lucia. I’m sorry you had to see such a terrible sight of a father yelling at his own son, especially royalty.”

“No, no, it’s fine. I’m just…” I look at the footsteps. “Well, after meeting him, I can assure you I hate his guts.”

“Lucia!” The blonde knight jumps.

“Well, I don’t blame you, Lucia,” King Aurelian sighs. “He used to be so much nicer.”

“W-what happened?”

“He lost his mom, and I lost my wife,” he replies. “While my mind focuses on the kingdom, he must still be sulking over her. He has no siblings either; when I’m busy, he’s truly alone.”

I turn my back. Of course he’s hurting. Who wouldn’t be after losing their mom? He must have had no one to vent to either. I would cry so much if I lost my mother, too. “Sorry, Mr. King, sir. I need to talk to him.”

“Go ahead. I figure he needs this, too.”

I follow the trail of wet footprints to a set of doors on the second floor of the castle. They are tall enough to fit a golem of some sort. I knock.

“Who is it?” The voice is stern and quiet, but at least it’s there.

“Uh, it’s me!”

“What do you want?”

“I-I wanted to apologize for today.”

“For what? I was the one in the wrong.”

“N-no… It’s just, well… I hurt you.”

“A genius told you that?”

“Oh come on!”

“I hurt you, too.”

I look at the arched brown doors. Did he just apologize? I sit down to relax my tired feet from all that standing.

“You said what now?”

“I said what I said! But it doesn’t change the fact that stupid geyser almost ripped apart my clothes!”

“Y-you said it was your favorite set of clothes.”

“Of course it is!” There’s a moment of silence in this large, desolate hallway. “My mom told me it looked good.”

The late Queen… In some of the portraits as I ran up here, I saw her beautiful golden eyes, which entranced me with what a true woman could be. Pure vigor and beauty in one body- how was it possible? I could never grow up to look that beautiful.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault. Don’t apologize for things you didn’t do.”

“I-I almost ripped your uniform!”

“That’s because I didn’t teach you how to use your magic like I was supposed to!”

“But you have a distaste for me, right?”

“Yeah, I do.”

Come on, man! “See!”

“But I can tell you’re a good person.”

Oh, that comment made my heart skip a beat.

The door creaks open. “And I hate being mean to good people. My mother was kind to anyone, regardless of status. That’s one of the things I loved about her, and something I wanted to shut out when she died. I honestly don’t think I could be like her now.”

I gaze at his golden eyes as they shift away from mine. I sigh. “I mean, I get what it’s like to lose a parent.”

“You?”

“My father left when I was young.” I put both hands on my heart. “The only thing I have left of him is all the stories he told me when he visited the Capital.”

“Then, why are you here? Is it because you were forced to?”

“Maybe. I’m still figuring it out. Why was some girl from the boonies the Heroine the world needed? What could it possibly mean? Why is it me?” I stand up.

“However, I have no time to answer those questions. I was chosen. That’s why I need to go forward, doing what I can to help those who cannot help themselves anymore.”

I hear another dissatisfied tongue click. “Are you done yapping?”

“W-what!?”

“You’re staying in the castle for the time being,” he states. “Which means you should get acquainted with the only other child in this household.”

“Then!”

He opens the door entirely, averting his gaze as his shaking hand comes forward. “I’m Brendan Sinclair, the First Prince of the Sinclair Kingdom. I hope we can get along.”

I smile warmly. “Likewise!”

As soon as the handshake happened,

WHOOSH!

A set of GOLDEN FLAMES encases my body!

“HOT!”

“HAHAHA! GOT YOU!”

“YOU LITTLE!”

Yeah, I HATE THIS GUY!