HELLO! It has been a very long time since I have written, but I recently got back into watching K-dramas and came across one of my old favorites, Goong/Princess Hours. So I decided to take a spin on this sorry with a Pair of Kings twist. This will be told in Mikayla's POV.
Disclaimer: I don't own Pair of Kings or Goong/Princess Hours
Chapter 1: A Simple Life
I set my sights on my target, a makeshift dartboard with a painted red circle. I grip the handle of my dagger and draw it behind my ear and swiftly release it toward its destination. Before I have time to watch the weapon rotate in midair, I grab a second dagger and do the same thing. I repeat the process and once more, I take the final dagger and throw it toward the target.
I look at the timer I held in my left hand. 9 seconds. It was my personal best for this exercise. I checked to see the target and as expected, the blades were stabbed within the red area of the board. I should have been proud, but I frown at the sight of my last blade, which is near the outer edge of the paint.
The sun blinds my eyes as I walk the fifteen feet toward my target board and retrieve my daggers. The orange and pink sky is a sign that my training is over. I grab the rest of the weapons I had laid out: a crossbow, a staff, and my machete. I walk toward the quaint house just behind me.
After setting my weapons away in the shed that held all the other fighting instruments, I fumbled my way through the front door. I was clearly exhausted and wanted nothing more than to collapse on my bed. That thought was then replaced with the list of chores I had to complete before falling into slumber.
So I did everything that I needed to do without so much as a sigh: cooked dinner, tidied up the living room, did the laundry, took a shower, and finally made my way to my room to finish my school work. I surprised myself at how at ease I was doing this same routine day in and day out. Many of my friends were more surprised that I did this all on my own.
Mikayla Makoola. When people hear my name, many of them know more about me than I would like them to. They know that I basically live alone. They know that I focus all my time and energy on training and schoolwork. They know I'm a Makoola.
My father is Mason Makoola, previously the head guard of the Kinkowan monarchy. However, my father has risen in the ranks and has become a royal diplomat. He's very respected among the people and the royal officials. Both professions have required him to spend most of his time dealing with palace matters and less time with his only daughter. By the time I was sixteen, my father was only home three days a week. I wished I could complain about his job, how much I hated the castle for taking him away, but I can't. It's because my goal is to join my father on the Kinkowan royal staff.
Most of my time is spent training in my backyard to refine my combat and fight skills. My goal is to become a royal guard of the palace. Being a royal guard is not only a financially stable career, but it leads to promotions and advancements. It is also a tradition within the Makoola family. We are naturally skilled in this line of work and it is only fitting that I join my dad and those before him.
But obviously, I do not want to be a royal guard all my life. My biggest ambition is to become a palace official, to rise in the ranks close to that of the king. I've always dreamed of living in the palace, knowing my future family is set. Although my dad was head guard and now a royal diplomat, only he is permitted to reside in the castle. Even with only one daughter, the palace has ignored this simple fact and does not allow me inside the palace. So of course, it is my duty to rise above the glass ceiling to which I have a job that guarantees my family will be secure and together. Aside from the monetary benefits and security, becoming a leader of the Kinkowan people has its strong appeal. I know I cannot be Kinkow's monarch, but working for the royal family is one of the most esteemed honors in the island –something I am working to make a reality.
I finish the last set of math problems and close my notebook. I turn off the desk light and head straight to bed. It isn't long before my eyes grow heavy and I start to doze off. I glance at the clock. 10:30 PM. I have seven hours of sleep before I have to wake up again and start this routine all over.
"Hey, Mikayla!" calls a high-pitched voice. I walk toward the outdoor table where my friends sit. Despite it being a fairly large table, only three people sit eating their lunch.
I take a seat in front of the girl who called my name. "Hey, Candace."
Candace is one of the prettiest girls in the university. She once was one of the most popular girls, until some drama of some sort. I never really understood the full story, but I knew she was shunned from her popular crowd and was forced to leave. One day she asked to sit with me at my lunch table and the rest was history. Candace knows how to push my buttons, but after getting to know her she is okay to be around sometimes, although she and I do not have much in common. Nevertheless I understand it's better to have a few friends than to be alone.
I watch her as she plays with her wavy blonde locks. Her eyes are fixated on her compact mirror, meticulously looking at each strand. Her attention is much more focused on her reflection to continue talking to me.
"Hi Mikayla! How was class?" says an eager voice. I look in her direction as she flashes me a cheeky smile.
"Hey, Tessa. Class was ok. It was a little hard to stay awake today." I reply.
Tessa sits next to Candace. She has glossy red hair that is pulled into a low ponytail. She wears black-rimmed glasses and is more focused on her biology textbook than actually eating her lunch. Tessa used to be home-schooled before entering Kinkow University and socializing was never really her forte. Like Candace, she came to our table one day and sat herself down. And she has been hanging out with us ever since. She is a bit odd and eccentric, but has good intentions. Surprisingly, she and I share many common interests like Kinkowan weaponry and hiking. I know we could be close friends, but her strict parents usually prevent her from ever socializing outside of school and my training schedule does not make things easier either.
"Oh nonsense! You should definitely consider taking my environmental science class, if you want to feel awake in the morning." Tessa chatted enthusiastically.
I listen to her out of courtesy as she goes on about marshes and bogs. Candace is busy fiddling with a tube of pink lipgloss, tinting her lips a shiny rose color. I believe she is the only girl I have seen that has to apply makeup before eating a salad. I look to the boy I sit next to. He is busy devouring a sandwich the size of Tessa's mousy face.
"That's really cool, Tessa. I'll be sure to look into it next semester." I say politely. I pull out the small paper bag containing last night's sea bass dinner and begin to eat.
"You sure you ok, Mikayla? You look awfully tired." Says the blonde-haired boy I sit next to.
"I'm fine, Tristan. Training was brutal this morning." I say. Tristan shrugged his shoulders. He knew I wanted him to drop the subject.
"I have to agree with Tristan. Those dark circles under your eyes need serious help. I might just have a concealer in my bag that can take care of your hideous discoloration." Candace beamed.
"It's alright, Candace," I say through a fake smile. "You can go back to fixing your eyelashes."
Tristan nudges my side with his elbow, urging me to drop the attitude. I furrow my brow, letting him know that I am not in a patient mood today. Usually, I can tolerate Candace's snooty comments, but today was not one of those days.
"Cool it, Mikayla." Tristan says under his breath.
I turn to him and force a small grin on my face. He returns it with a genuine smile, revealing his pearly white teeth. I go back to my lunch in silence, but another voice interrupts me with a question.
"So, I hear you're trying to be a royal guard!" Tessa says happily.
I look at Candace who rolls her blue eyes. "Mikayla, really? How many times have I told you that being a guard is not a sensible job for a semi-pretty girl like you?"
"Oh hush, Candace. Mikayla can have any job she wants," I ignore Candace's ignorant comments when I hear Tessa at my defense. "But then again, the acceptance rate for royal guards is really low. I heard only 3 people got accepted last year. Your chances are probably slim if the same amount of people apply again."
My cheeks are flushed and I know I cannot calm myself any longer. Before I speak, I feel a light kick to my ankle. Tristan is saving this lunch table from a scream fest by trying to shut me up.
"Oh look at the time! Tessa, Candace don't you two have class?" Tristan asks just in time.
My so-called friends check their watches and begin to pack their things. My anger begins to subside as I watch the two girls get up.
"See you later guys!" calls Tessa. She skips to the main campus building as she waves goodbye.
Candace gives us a big smile, before she walks in the same direction. "Bye Tristan! Bye Mikayla!"
"Cut them some slack, Mickey." Tristan says gleefully. I give him a look of annoyance. He probably thinks calling me by my nickname would make me feel better.
"Oh alright, I'll just let them talk down on me all the time." I spat back sarcastically.
Tristan puts his arm around me and pats my shoulder. "I'm not trying to defend them, but you know how they are. If it makes you feel any better, I know that you have nothing to worry about when it comes to royal guard signups."
For the first time since having lunch I put on a genuine smile. Tristan is my best friend. I have known him since we were 10 years old. For a while, he and I did our own things and never had the time to hang out. Tristan is an adrenaline enthusiast, constantly looking for his next rush of excitement. He spent a lot of his time traveling the world getting himself into the craziest situations –jumping of high places, diving into deep waters, wrestling dangerous animals. It was not until last year that he came back to Kinkow permanently. His parents gave him the ultimatum of being cut off financially or returning to Kinkow and attending school. Obviously he chose the latter and is a full-time student at Kinkow University just like the rest of us.
"Thanks Tris." I say in return. I munch on my food quietly, slowly forgetting about my friends' patronizing remarks.
I shift my attention from my meal at the sound of girlish giggles. Two girls with in dance attire pass by our lunch table. The girl with long black hair stares right at me as she passes by. She gives me a challenging look and turns to her friend and whispers something in her ear. She gives me one last sneer before her friend shrieks with laughter. I stare both of them down, but they ignore me and continue to giggle like rabid baboons.
"What's their deal?" Tristan asks, clearly annoyed.
I shrug my shoulders. I have encountered my fair share of catty girls. I never really understood why they act that way toward me. Candace says it is because they either envy me or are intimidated by me. I know I am different from most girls my age. I don't go to the Kinkowan clubs on Friday nights. I don't plan spring break trips to Kippi Kippi. I don't spend the night with my girl friends painting our nails and exfoliating our skin.
I bat my eyelashes and speak in a sickeningly sweet tone, "Oh you know, like why is Mikayla always hanging around Tristan? She's such a little tease…"
Tristan gives a laugh. "You really think they're into me?"
I punch my friend on the arm. I realize I punch him a little too hard when he begins rubbing the area I hit. He laughs out loud. "I'm kidding, Mickey. I would never be into those girls."
"Good. The thought one of those self-centered dance girls sitting in our table makes me want to knock someone's teeth out." I say viciously. I knew those girls would never have a shot at my best friend.
"Let's save the teeth knocking for your training." Tristan says playfully.
I am done with classes for the day, but I spend my afternoons working on upcoming assignments. The library is predictably empty. Exams are not for another two weeks, and many students stray far away as possible from this building. I sit at my usual computer toward the back of the library, typing a Kinkowan history assignment. The words I type start to become fuzzy and I close my eyes for few moments. I know I should leave soon, but I am too focused on my paper. My eyes open when I hear whispers coming from a nearby shelf. I think nothing of it until I hear a slightly familiar voice.
"So when are you free?" I recognized that voice. I know I have heard it before, but the hushed tone makes it difficult to decipher.
"I finish practice around 6 tonight. I can meet you at our usual spot." Says a female voice. It is a voice I do not recognize.
"Sounds good." He says.
Their conversation ceases and I cannot hear what they are saying anymore, but I know they are still there. I refrain from typing –fearing the tapping sounds of the keyboard would startle them. I realize the boy and girl were meeting in the library for a private moment. I roll my eyes, wondering what kind of couple needs to meet in the back of the library to display their affections. I know I am not the most romantic person, but I do know that I would not like to have a date in a room full of books.
My heart drops when I hear my phone ring. The girl lets out a yelp and I hear the boy curse. I hang my head down on my desk and hide behind my arms. I pretend that I am asleep. I would like avoid being caught eavesdropping in their conversation, so I pretend to breath deeply and I hear someone walk in my direction.
"She's asleep. It's fine." Says the boy. I still cannot match a face to the voice.
"Fine for you, I'm getting out of here." The girl snaps back.
The boy whispers to his girlfriend. "Sabrina, wait!"
I sit there for a few more moments and let my phone ring, still pretending to be asleep. When I feel like the couple is long gone, I pick my head up and check my phone.
Tristan. 3 Missed Calls.
I save my computer work and begin to pack up. My mind begins to wonder about the couple meeting by the bookcases. I wonder who they are –actually I wonder who the boy was. I shake my head. I wasn't the type to eavesdrop, but maybe I have been hanging around Candace too long.
Tristan greets me as I walk out of the library. I can tell he's been waiting for me.
"I was beginning to think Kinkowan history was more important than hiking Mount Spew." He says.
"Sorry, just needed to save my work." I reply.
I scan the area, still curious about the couple in the library. As I observe my fellow classmates in the campus courtyard, I set my eyes on the king, himself. Brady Parker, the "esteemed" leader of our island nation was a student at my university. He stood out among his group of so-called friends.
His twin brother was by his side speaking in animated fashion, throwing his hands up and making exaggerated facial expressions. Brady's twin brother is Boomer Parker. I see their posse laugh out loud. Surrounding the group is a few palace guards, making the king stand out even more. I shudder thinking that this could be my fate if I become a palace guard –standing around a crowd of snobby kids "protecting" the king.
Although they are twins, Brady and Boomer look nothing alike. Brady has a lighter skin complexion and had a slightly athletic build. He had dark brown hair and hazel-green eyes. He dressed in dark colored button-ups and board shorts. Boomer was of a darker complexion and was stockier in size. He dressed in brightly colored t-shirts and wore similar board shorts. While they were different, they were inseparable.
They were new residents of Kinkow, having only lived on the island for about two years. The twins were raised in the United States for most of their lives, before returning to their home country when they were sixteen. Despite being twin brothers, Kinkowan rule states only one person can succeed the throne. Being the older of the two siblings, Brady was the rightful heir.
For most of my life, there had been an absence of a monarch. It wasn't until the twins arrived had there finally been an established ruler. My father had told me that their parents had died when they were young and the boys were sent away for their safety.
I am indifferent toward the king, but lately many of the islanders oppose him. While he has accomplished a lot for his age and sudden succession of the throne, he has wrecked much havoc during his reign. Recently his antics have toned down, but many of his critics still deem him unfit as the ruler of Kinkow.
Tristan and I walk pass the crowd of people and my eyes continue to gaze at the king. I am surprised when he stares right back at me. We look at each other with blank expressions until he furrows his brow at me. He returns his attention to his brother and the group. I continue to look at him, surprised by this encounter. I knew I attended school with the king, but it was the first time we had ever acknowledged one another.
What did you guys think? I'm kind of rusty with the writing so bear with me. Thanks for reading!