Arcane Academia

Chapter 17

I slam the nearest bathroom door SHUT and lock eyes with the chic in the mirror.
Breathe Rei.
ROYALTY.
MY MOTHER WAS A FUCKING PRINCESS.
WAS MY WHOLE CHILDHOOD JUST A BUNCH OF HORSESHIT??
I pound the sink, my eyes purpling. Arcane slowly sizzling my fists.
OKAY.
Breathe. Breathe Reia. Breathe in.
And out.
I raise my purpling hands and push my hair put of my face.
Breathe.
I can't change my past.

I notice my hair in my reflection. Its grown past my neck.
Three years ago I'd snipped it to my jaw out of rage.
----
"They're dead."
The Professor's voice still stung my mind.
Dead.
In a world full of billions. They lay deceased. My family.
DEAD.
I'd slumped against the bathroom sink
No tears showed as I just stared at myself.
Something metal cooled my hands.
Scissors.
I remember sliding them off the desk as I'd left.
My hands twitched as the scissors shook in my palm.
I didnt know what to do.
Frustration ate me.

But, I deserved better.
SO MUCH BETTER
I deserved vengeance. My family deserved vengeance.

I'll kill them. Whoever it was, I'll kill them all.
The scissors opened and I swept it through my hair.
I sliced and sliced and sliced till I heard someone slam the door open.
The scissors were pried from my hands as I'd screamed, tears raining from my eyes.
My parents were dead. I couldn't even save my brother.
---

"REI, we're about to leave," the princess said dragging me out of the memory.
I stroked my black locks.
I'd come so far. I wasn't stopping now
Besides even with chopped hair, I'd still looked pretty fine then.

"How are you faring?" Prince Kian asked as the carriage arrived. Although mobile automation like cars existed, the royal family had their rather ancient methods of transportation.
" Swell, " I say not looking at either of them.
"Grandfather can be a bit challenging to guests," Princess Kiana says.
" He's an ass to them," The prince says.
"Brother," Kiana says.
I turn amused," so you get along swell."
"Oh, Kian's not on best terms with papa," she says ," granddaddy issues I'd say."
"We're here," he says," don't say I didn't warn you."
I step out of the carriage and my jaw has quite the urge to drop.
Its magnificent.
The towers and towers of dark buildings with its massive estates of great green lands.
The entrance had a wide pond with a fountain, water shining. Definitely enchanted.
We had driven through a road of trees. A great garden.The castle itself had bushes surrounding it. But what did fascinate me most was its crystal. Along the building walls, purple crystals lined the walls.
Protection. The Crystal's were impenetrable.  Take an army to crack even one.
The crystals alinged the stairway and constructed the railings.As the doors opened I stop.
I could've lived here.
The ceiling raised with a massive chandelier dripping from the ceiling.  This was also adorned in crystals, white ones. Big staircases rose leading to several little ones. Light or sconces you could say, aligned the stairway and ceiling.Rich carpeting decored the floor.
The staff arrived in purple uniform to take our coats.
I remove mine and I'm astounded.
Theres something rather chilling about the place.
" The sword as well," the prince says.
Glaring, I hand Vipress as well.
We descend up the stairway.
"Mother had all this," I say realization hitting me.
I could've had all this.
And yet she had chosen to stay in that shoebox of a house.
Real pity.
The doors to the throne room open.
The king sits in his high seat in the grand room, guards at either side.
On his left and right were empty seats.
For the Prince and Princess. No seat for a queen. It was removed once she'd passed.

His majesty in question stares at me as I walk up the great room maintaining eye contact.
His eyes showed more age than hair.
I halt at the front of the raised stair to the throne.
The prince and princess take their seats.

Silence.
The King snaps his finger and the Prince walks into him with a rolled sheet of paper.
Taking his time, the king slowly unfolds the sheet before clearing his throat.
"Upon several inspection of DNA, it is evident that the subject Reia Aze shows definite resemblance in DNA with that of the missing princess, Her majesty, Princess Clara. It appears that the missing princess was busy on her time away, raising a family on her own. All members however tragically passed in an attack by Kirche terrorists. "

I hear the car windows smash through my mind. I suck in a breath.
The king looks up.
" Except one. Reia Aze, a student of the Arcane academy. Or should I say, the lost royal."
With that the king drops the paper and stares pissed," this is the draft of the journalist of Daily News Ariaz's latest article dropping this weekend."

Silence as I don't drop my gaze.
"Now Reia," he says enunciating my name," how convenient is this."
His majesty's a royal bitch.
The twins look at each other.

"I do beg your pardon," I say voice flat, but calm.

"Just as war is about to break, you appear discovered," he says ," why take all this time to identify yourself,  pray tell."
" Are you suggesting all this was intentional?" I ask now a hint of anger in my tone.
"You choose, " he says watching me.
My temper struggles to keep shore.
The prince shakes his head, eyeing me.
Deep breath.
I don't take the bait.

"Tempting, but I thought you spoke for yourself,  your Majesty, " I say.
I hear the prince sigh.
I still don't eye contact with the king.
His gray eyes pierce mine.
Everyone in the room appears to hold their breath. Silently I fist my hands preparing for any attack.

The king chuckles.
His laughter growing and echoing the cold, icy halls.
He stands up
"Welcome to the family."
WTF.

Dearest fanbase,
I'll have you know, I'm back.
For now.
Xoxo,
Moi