Arcane Academia

Chapter 18

Silence.
"Welcome back ma 'feti', " the king says pulling back from the hug.
I watch him and then force a small grin.
Despite being so open there's something cold about His Majesty.
My mother wouldn't have just left out of mere boredom. I wonder if I'd just entered the mouth of a dragon.
"Well, genetics work," I say looking at my cousins who still remain quite shook.
The king chuckles once more," and her wits."
The twins get up from their seats as the King beckons.
"Reia will be staying the night, Kiana make sure she's settled, I'll be seeing you for dinner," the King says looking at me.
"Oh no you don't have- " I start.
" Nonsense, it's the kings order," he says.
I look at Kian
"We have training to get back to sir-," Kian says.
"Enough boy, kings orders."
The prince shakes his head before I say anything more.
"Eh why not" I say and Kiana pulls me by the hand.

We descend up the ancient stairways, dark lighting illuminating the way.
Every now and then I see a glimpse of purple crystal's embedded in wall and floor.
"Welcome Reia," Kiana says and slides open one of the many  room doors.
"Charming, " I say.
It's a vast room. It could definitely fit three of my childhood bedrooms. A queen sized bed in the centre,  plush red carpeting adorning the floors...
Rich furniture placed delicately around the massive space.
"So he seems nice," I say entering the room.
"Got him on one of his good moods, if I'm being honest he's never laughed like that since... I've known him," the Princess says.
Just in case I forgot, the twins' father ( my mother's brother) passed on in war before they even turned 13, their mother left the palace,  taking the last daughter with them. The twins were raised by the King ever since. War has the gravest tolls.

"Damn," I say dropping on the bed," ooh I'd get used to this."
"Clothes are in the closet over there," she says.
"What do I call you now " I ask
"Ki," she says" that's what my sister used to call me."
She gives me a smile which I return.
"Rei, what my friends call me" I say.

"Dinner at 7," she says as I snuggle in the bed with my training gear.
"Right," I say.

"And apologies for the room, all the large bedrooms are under maintenance, " Kiana says.

--
I'm on a surgical bed.
"Mom," I scream as she leaves.
"It's just temporary sweetie," Mom says.

---
DING.
I wake up in sweats, my fists raised in self defence.
A maid looks at me concerned. Then clears her throat.
"Apologies, the King's dinner starts in a half hour, I am here to help you dress," she says.
I raise my eyebrows slightly," dress?"
"For dinner your Majesty, " she says.
"I'm good , and call me Reia," I say getting up.
"Dinner is always a formal occasion, and perhaps you'd prefer to look more put together in something more comfortable?"the maid asks.
Rude.
I sigh," gimme a second."

I head to my bathroom and once again I'm stunned. It's vintage with dark lighting and a sexy black tub at the far end.

I wash my face in the cold water and stare at my reflection. My dream flashes my mind.
What was that? It felt eerily realistic.
Almost like-
"Your Majesty,  it's almost dinnertime, " the maid says knocking.
Deep breath, we'll see what grandpapy has to say.
Sighing I walk out.

The maid ( Klaudia it seems) dresses me up in a purple gown with long sleeves reaching the floors with a white belt.
  I have never owned a dress let alone worn one in a long time.
But still, I looked so damn fine. I let Klaudia do my hair into a braided ponytail.
"You look just like her Majesty Clara,"she says.
I stiff at that comment. "Do you know why she'd left?" I ask casually.
"Its not in my place to say,King's orders."
Now I know why.
As she heads to open the door I turn to follow.
I pause.

I remove my white belt and replace it with my training belt.
I remove the pearls and wear my signature black chain.
I put on my boots and stare in the mirror.
Better. Hardly changed anything yet changed everything.

I smirk.

"Well we don't want to be late," I tell Klaudia and take my leave.

I walk down the dim hallways and the voices of the Royals echo through the empty walls.
I stop at entrance and everyones stops talking.
All eyes on me including the guests Nathaniel and ETHANE.

I don't care. I grin as I wink at Ethane who for some reason can't seem to look away, and walk to my seat. A staff pulls an empty seat next to Kiana and Ethane.

"Apologies for the delay, I had taken to an afternoon nap, " I say as I make myself comfortable.
"Of course, " the King says before snapping his fingers.
An array of chefs and staff walk out with pans and stacks of meals.
The lid is hoisted off the first one to reveal a gorgeous, tender beef , drizzled in oozing creams and spices.
A variety of other meals from chicken wings to pasta drenched in aromatic cheese.
"Bon apetit," the chef says bowing as he leaves.

I reach to grab a wing when Ethane pulls me back.
"King first," Ethane whispers.
"Bitch I'm starving," I say pulling my arm back.
The staff slices the beef and it falls softly on the King's plate.
"You may eat," he says.

Entitlement or what.
I take a bite of meat and nearly faint.
Heavenly.
I love the newfound relationship I'm building with food.
---
Long silence.

"So Reia, tell me, how was life in that...quaint home of yours?" The King asks with subtlety of pronunciation.
"It was ... quaint," I say.
I avoid thinking of home , except in my sleep. Then it's not really a choice.
" Do elaborate, " he says looking at me.
"I'd rather not, your Majesty, " I say.
The twins stop sawing their meat, Kian giving me a warning glance.

"Of course due to personal reasons, it's all too heavy to recall," I say, and I don't owe you shit.
"Of course, must have been awful raised in...rather low income situations, " he says, trying to raise bait.
"Mhm," I say pretending to care.

" So guys, meeting will be conducted in library-"
"Hush, Kiana, so how many times a day did you'll eat? "
"Once a month, it was daddy's treat," I say.
Nathaniel snorts.
"Was your father a part of the unemployed peasant funds?" The king continues," or was it voodoo he used to make your mother fall for him and act so...well stupid."

"Bastard," Ethane whispers, but I barely hear it.
Usually insults about my upbringing or anything for that sake, entertain me but, this one pierced me.
I take a deep breath.
"Pardon," I say.
I then stab my steak so hard the table shakes.
I push my seat out, turn my gown and make my way to the door. With my stake.
Biting it I drop the fork on the carpeted entryway and leave the room.
Disrespect me , I'm out.

*- Child/Dear in ancient Arian