The Dark Prince

Lesson

"Alright everyone, let's begin today's lesson" Mr. Rodney announced.

We were seated in a big classroom, the room illuminated by the soft sunlight filtering through the windows. A light breeze swept through the class, making my hairs stick up in goosebumps.

Arthur was seated beside me, rambling on about another one of his stupid stories. I punched him in the arm, indicating him to stop talking.

Mr. Rodney waited for the whole class to quiet, and soon began his teachings.

"Before we start class today, I would like to check you did the readings I had assigned last week" he told us.

Everyone grumbled reluctantly and began opening up their notes for Mr. Rodney to see.

I for one stayed still, knowing I had not done them. I have never completed any homework he gives me, so my incompletion must not come as a surprise to him.

He rounded the room, marking down everyone's work. He soon came to our desks, peering at us behind his small, square rimmed glasses.

Arthur beamed with pride as Mr. Rodney checked his writings.

He then turned to me, glimpsing my empty desk with nothing to show.

"Nothing again, Miss Natalia?" he sighed, disappointed. I shook my head, which earned another mad grunt from him.

I had always been curious of Mr. Rodney. He was one of my people from the Kingdom of Eden. It always seemed absurd that he taught this Kingdom's history while he was from another one entirely.

I have never truly gotten a moment where I could talk to him. I wanted to ask him so many questions, but our conversations were kept school related.

If he ever had any feelings about me, he never showed it. He treated me like any other student, barely giving me a glance.

I was not nervous I would receive consequences for my missing work. King Roman could not give a care about my school life, and my teachers never bothered disciplining me to do otherwise.

Mr. Rodney left our desks and carried along to the ones behind ours.

"Nothing from you either I presume?" he conversed with the student behind me.

I heard the boy chuckle, propping his legs up on the table. "Nope" they said, popping the p.

Of course Dominic had to be seated right behind me. The first day of class was open seats, meaning we could pick our desks where we would sit for the whole year.

Dominic had by choice, sat in the one after mine. He knew it would annoy me more than anything. If it were up to me, I would like to sit as far away as possible from him.

Mr. Rodney exhaled loudly, scribbling in his notebook what must be our absences.

"I ask that you two start to take responsibility with your work. The participation I have recieved from the both of you is unacceptable" he addressed us.

I didn't have to turn around to see Dominic's smirk. "If you have a problem, then you can take it up with my father" he said, much more of a challenge than a suggestion.

Mr. Rodney gave up on his chastise and moved along.

I heard Dominic slide his feet off the desk. He made some shuffling movements, and suddenly a breath caught the back of my neck.

"I see someone's being a rebel" he cooed, his hot breath hitting the back of my ear. I shivered at the feeling, wanted nothing more than to shove his face far away from me.