The Soot Princess [Hiatus]

56

Dean

After our evening dinner, I took tea with my mother by her request. When I entered the room, I was the only one there. A maid poured me a cup of tea. God, I hate the stuff, so bitter. I glanced around before putting three scoops of sugar in my drink, after a stir I take a sip. Better, but not by much.

My mother walked through the door and I stood to greet her. "Mother."

"Charles, it is so good to have you around. With all of you boys away for most of the time." She sat across from me and I returned to my seat.

"Why are we here?" I asked.

"Always one to cut through the fluff, aren't you?"

I sat in silence.

"Well, how are you holding up?"

"Why would you ask that?"

"Well, a lot has happened. I'm just wondering."

"I'm fine, but she's not. She hates me." My eyes stare at my small reflection in the cup of tea.

"How's school?" she asked.

"I've only been there a day. I skipped today."

"I know. I just want the best and I know how set against everything you were."

"It's not like it matters. I'm there whether I want to be or not."

"How is she, Eevon?"

"How should I know?"

"Your the one who is closest to her."

"And that means?"

The queen sighed. "I never thought I would have a son this dense about romance."

I raised a questioning eyebrow.

"But if you do love her, you have to show her."

"I confessed to her and she said... She said..."

"She didn't say." The Queen took a sip from her tea and put the dainty cup back down. "Do you honestly think she remembers your confession, after being subdued by pain medicine? I guarantee she doesn't."

"Wait, why are you helping?"

She took another sip before answering. "My biggest regret as an adolescent is not being able to chose who I love, only being told who I am supposed to love. I do not wish that on my sons."

"That's why you allow Mason's... frequent relationship changes?"

"Yes, at least partially, he is also the crown prince. Have a good night Charles."

"You too Mother."

I left my untouched tea and walked out the door. My watch read ten-thirty. That took way longer than it should have.

Back in my room I shrugged off my jacket and logged onto the computer, back to the school forums. After scrolling through the pages, I lost interest and went to bed.

............................

The next morning, it was the same thing over again. I got up early and ate breakfast in the dinning room. Mason, Alex and Julie joined me and then we all rode to school together. Eevon didn't show, except to grab a bite from the dinning hall on her way out.

Julie got up as Eevon was leaving. "Hey, Eevon was it?"

They were far enough away that I didn't hear the rest of the conversation. When Julie returned, I asked, "What was that all about?"

"Nothing much, just checking up on her after I heard what you did to her."

"It wasn't all my fault..." I muttered under my breath.

"So, James, I did not see you much yesterday. I believe we don't have any classes together," she pouted and walked towards him and wrapped her arms around his shoulder, while he ate.

"I am trying to eat. Do you mind?" He said and took another bite.

"Well, I have to finish getting ready anyway," she replied and left.

"Popular as always," I commented.

"I don't want her attention. Who ever gets it, has to marry her."

"Wha?" Mason exclaimed with his mouth stuffed. He swallowed and said, "Damn, I didn't realize she was here for that."

"I feel it is safe to assume that," James confirmed.

"Has Mother or Father said anything?" I asked.

"Of course not. Like I said, this is all an assumption."

"Well, I don't think she wants to marry me!" Alex exclaimed.

"I too, think you are in the clear," James replied.

"Well, thanks for letting us know." I got up and left the room to have a butler bring my bag for school.

When we rolled up to school in our car, we were surrounded by the student body again. Is it going to be like this every day? A security guard wall was formed around the five of us as we entered the school. We were on our own once we got inside. We went our separate ways to the different homerooms. Talk of the welcome ball was all I heard.

"What are you wearing to the ball?" a girl across the aisle asked me.

"I haven't thought much about it."

"Well, I'm sure you'll look fabulous like always. What about your brothers?"

"I think they don't know either."

"Ashley," John called her name, "You know it is taboo to ask about what people are wearing to the masquerade.

"Oh?"

"It's a big deal here. That's why most people don't go with dates, to mix and mingle. Some do go as dates though, especially if they already are dating. Oh, are you taking anyone, Prince Dean?"

"I don't think so, I haven't even decided if I'm going."

"You not go? It's right up your alley! You are joking, right? That's too funny," Ashley insisted.

"Yeah, haha." I laughed stiffly. Better for Mason or James if you ask me. I can't handle this type of person.

The bell rang and roll was called. Eevon's name was called last, and she responded with a here.

"The only announcement I have for you is be good and do good things. You can talk at your leisure, until the next bell rings."

I walked through the halls to my next class, geometry. Mrs. Young greeted everyone as they entered the classroom. She was explaining angles. Starting with the basics, any angle less than ninety degrees is an acute angle and any angle greater than ninety is an obtuse. She also explained what degrees are. As class ended, she checked up on my progress getting a place to donate the blocks to. I told her that I had been pretty busy recently and would be in touch soon. I also may have forgotten to do it, but I didn't tell her that.

In latin class, it was mostly review from what we had learned from the royal tutors. Easy first declension vocab. Amo puella. Amas puella. Amat puella. I love the girl. You love the girl. He/she/it loves the girl. I can sleep through this class.

In English, we started plays and learned about Sophocles and his play Antigone, Euripides and Medea, and Agathon and Anthos. We read excerpts form each and were taught how to analyze the text and look for hidden meanings.

In home economics, we watched a video, about sewing, a skill I will never need. I am just here for the food.

Unfortunately, I had to wait until lunch for that.