the writing in here is a pretty mix of old and new writing. i was sick of these super old stories sitting in drafts so i dusted them off a little. ermm...i wouldn't hold your breath waiting on updates 🕊
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꧁ 𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 ꧂ ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
Once again, she was being scolded for acting 'unprincess-like'. Sometimes she could hear the woman utter the words 'hot-head' or 'immature', even belittling her kingdom, spitting venom as the word 'aerulite' barely left her tongue.
"What was that?"
The woman seemed taken back by her speaking up. Her face became red and Aries could see her clenching her jaw, brutal words trapped behind her taut lips. A part of her wanted the woman to speak freely — it'd give her a chance to react, act out again.
"Go back to class, Ms.Ende."
'You're too young to be fighting!'
'A princess shouldn't fight!'
Aries had heard them all before. How could she not fight though? Some lousy nobleman's son called her weak, so she showed him just how weak she was by breaking his nose. It was only fair!
In a moment of quiet between the scolding Aries quickly spoke up,"I'm only defending my honor. It's not my fault the kids here yet haven't learned to fear me...yet."
A victorious smile grew on Aries face when her instructor only replied with a heavy sigh and walked off. She regained her composure and followed inside the building a couple steps behind her instructor.
Ariess could feel a sense of pride swell up within her when she passed kids coming down the hallway and they would do little bows and curtsies, but another feeling roamed within as well - uncertainty. She gained respect through fighting, showing she was strong and capable, but as she was constantly told, there was more to being a leader than just brute strength.
Aries needed the kids to trust her. She was a righteous ruler of her hall, but did the others think so? While in thought, Aries had failed to realize her instructor had stopped walking to break up a scuffle between two boys—both of whom inherited odd features. One boy had long silky hair that fell around a pair of gnarled horns, while the other had facial markings that resembled some exotic animal— a lionfish if her memory served. In fairness, Aries couldn't judge their features too harshly, people of the land tended to inherit odd features depending on their homeland.
'Gemini and Cancer.' She had recognized them quickly, they were heirs like her, so they were all grouped into Class A.
After a rather harsh scolding, the instructor sent the two princes on their way. Gemini walked away holding his cheek, yet still seemed somewhat unfazed. Cancer departed muttering under his breath, a deep red flush on his face— poor thing.
Aries at first was going to follow behind her instructor, but a little voice in the back of her mind spoke otherwise.
'Show them you're nice, trusting.'
Putting on her nicest and—about as well as she could— most motherly smile, Aries walked over to Cancer. Before she even opened her mouth, he had his back her.
"I'm fine."
Pride. Aries was guilty herself of letting her pride turn down any help from others, and apparently Cancer was no different.
In between one of his sniffles and whimpers, she took the chance to introduce herself,"I'm Aries. You're Cancer, right? Heir to the Vat'ska Kingdom?"
The last bit was acquired knowledge from hours of eavesdropping on multiple events of her father reading up on files on the other kingdoms. If she wasn't mistaken, Gemini was the heir to the Kukosori Kingdom. She was the Aerul Empire heir.
"You know a lot about me, it's...strange," Cancer narrowed his eyes while looking her up and down. She always held herself to the upmost standard: proper posture, head held high, yet hands behind her back almost as a sign of respect for who shes speaking to. They had her full attention.
"I do my research," Aries beamed,"I have to if I'm going to be heir."
Cancer seemed to straighten up at the word 'heir'. Any sign of frustration or sadness from before was completely gone and now replaced by a straight face.
"Indeed, we are heirs. We must hold ourselves to the highest standards." Aries held back a snicker at the boy's sudden change of attitude.
"Glad to see you're okay. Now I must go and check up on Gemini." Aries bowed to Cancer. As she turned away, she could feel the way his eyes bore into her back. Did she make a good impression? Would he remember her name in their future interactions? Only time would tell, she supposed.
It didn't take long for Aries to find Gemini, the heir was surrounded by a group of ladies— rich daughters of nobles. Typical. Many nobles and heirs alike often fawned over the people of Kukosori. Their wings and horns were points of interest and astounding beauty, though they were also known for having deep pockets.
"May we have a moment alone together, ladies?" Aries strode up to the group, a natural air of superiority around her. The noble daughters scurried away, giggling and whispering amongst themselves.
Childish.
"I'm guessing you enjoy the attention?"
Gemini gave her a lazy smile,"It keeps my ego well fed. I suppose you didn't come to feed it though."
"No, I wanted to check up on y-"
"I'm fine," Gemini interrupted,"Cancer pulled his punches."
Aries followed Gemini's hand to the bandaid on his cheek,"What makes you believe he held back?"
The sharp laugh from him took her by surprise. "Vat'skals might be pretty and all, but they're far from docile or weak like some may think."
"Ah-"
"What are you two doing here."
Aries and Gemini turned their attention to the intruder— Cancer.
"Aries and I were just talking about you," Gemini replied.
Cancer gave a soft 'hmph', but stayed put where he stood.
"What for?"
Aries was quick to cut off whatever response Gemini had,"We were planning to hang out, the three of us."
"We just met," both boys expressed with a surprised look.
Motioning to an exit, Aries beamed with a look full of confidence,"Hanging out will give us the time we need to get to know each other then. Perhaps we'll get to see what Cancer is like when he doesn't hold back."
