I do not own Midnight Cinderella Ikémen Royal Romances.

Chapter 11: I Glared At Leo

August 21

5 Days Till Coronation Ceremony

After the dance lesson, Giles brought me to lunch. He explained some of the details of my coronation ceremony and what it entailed. He gave me a ten minute break afterwards, supervised by Nico of course, but I eventually managed to give him the slip and wander around the enormous castle, which was technically kind of now mine.

I wasn't quite sure where I'd ended up, but judging by the more run down and less colorful doors and hallways and rooms, this part of the castle obviously didn't belong to the more 'important' palace goers. It was mostly empty though, so I wasn't able to quite find out who did live here. Whoever it is though, I do envy. They're probably out in town, or at least doing something interesting... Just as I was beginning to grow bored here, I heard the clang of metal on metal. What was that?

The intriguing sound lead me to the Royal Wysterian Guards' training room. I stood there in awe, watching the knights train from afar. It was incredible, the way they so nimbly swung their swords, and their stances, even the way they moved was amazing.

"You there! Keep your legs steady!"

"Yes, Captain!" The word 'captain' didn't immediately register with me. For the moment, I was mesmerised. It would have taken effort to look away, but I didn't want to. Instead, I copied one of the knight's movements, recreating his stance, and swinging around an imaginary sword the best I could in my dress. This is amazing! I've always wanted to learn sword fighting, this could be my chance!

"Oh! Isn't that the princess elect?"

"It is!" My presence alone was enough to distract the knights from their practice. I stared curiously onward, wondering at first why they had stopped.

"Focus men!" One shout from Alyn and the knights hurried back into formation. This is so cool! I continued watching the knights. I didn't even notice Alyn until he was right in front of me. He, like always, used his height to his advantage, leaning over me suspiciously. I hope I'm not interfering with their training. I thought peering around Alyn, but the man stepped closer, completely blocking my view. He had a very frustrated look on his face. "What are you doing here?" Alyn asked, exasperatedly.

"I was given a short break, so I took a walk." I answered without missing a beat, even crossing my arms and smiling.

"So they let you wander around alone?" He asked, leaning even further over me, brows furrowed. "At least get someone to accompany you."

"Psh," I waved off his comment, still smiling. "I can very well take care of myself, thank you." I nodded at him, and Alyn gave me a small sigh. I quickly ran my fingers through my hair to push it back.

"You sure are confident." He took another look at my face, as if he had just noticed something. He's getting kinda' close... "Your eyes are red."

"Oh, really now?" I replied sarcastically. I still looked away and rubbed my eyes anyways though. I haven't slept in who knows how long because of my little adventure last night... "You were up last night too you know, how come you're not falling desperately asleep?"

"I'm fine. I can handle it." I gave a look of mild disgust, as the edges of Alyn's lips curled up as he spoke. Just then, I heard a voice call out behind me.

"Oh! If it isn't Ava." Spinning quickly around, I saw Leo stop as he passed by us. "Good afternoon, my lady. You're looking lovely again today!" I grinned brightly at Leo, before I turned immediately back to Alyn.

"Anyways Alyn, how about teaching me some of those moves?" I asked excitedly, but Alyn had tilted his face away in order to hide his expression. "Alyn?" He seemed greatly irritated by something. Narrowing my eyes, I glanced back towards Leo, who was watching us curiously, then back to Alyn again.

"I need to get back." Without answering my question, Alyn had turned around, his cape swishing importantly, and he was gone without even sparing us a second glance. There is definitely something going on between these two... Alyn returned to the training hall, and my question was quickly forgotten.

Afterwards, Leo chewed me out playfully for escaping Nico, and we left the training hall. I contemplated the exchange as Leo walked me back to my chamber. The two obviously don't get along. I wanna know why!

"Leo?"

"Hm?"

"Alyn obviously doesn't like you. Why is that?" Leo narrowed his eyes playfully as he glanced my way.

"The two of us are alone and Alyn is still the only one you talk about. A guy could get jealous." Leo put a hand on my shoulder and pulled me toward him. I looked up to find him staring right at me, a radiant smile on his face. He sure is a friendly one. I shrugged his arm away, too tired at the moment to indulge myself in Leo. "No need to be shy, Av-a." I smirked half heartedly at the attractive man.

"Oh Leo, how naive. I'm not shy, just exhausted. Now, answer my question." I told him boldly.

"Alyn's always like that," Leo laughed a bit as he replied, not caring and obviously used to Alyn's behavior.

"Really?" I tilted my head in curiosity.

"Yup. Nothing a cutie like you needs to worry about." He flashed another smile at me, but his eyes that I suddenly realized were extremely similar to Alyn's were narrowed. It was if he was signaling that the topic was closed. His demeanor reminded me of the fights my students sometimes got into. Even I sometimes fought like that with others. Closed off and mean, but Leo was brilliant at masking it. Everyone here seems to be hiding something... As I mulled that over, Leo's smile looked a shade more serious.

"You seem quite concerned about the two of us."

"What of it?" I retorted, just as Leo had grabbed my arm and backed me up against the corridor wall. "Hey-" He placed both arms against the surface behind me. What the hell?! I'm trapped! I was a bit shocked to be honest, at being bullied like this by Leo. I looked up at the man in front of me. His eyes were narrowed in amusement as he caressed my cheek.

"You're such a kind soul, Princess. Choose me as your suitor, and I'll tell you everything. You want to know about me, don't you?" Leo slowly drew closer, a bemused smile on his face. My eyes narrowed, and I pressed myself tighter up against the wall. I didn't like the way he was acting towards me. I didn't like being bullied.

"Not that badly, I'm afraid. And no sort of bullying is going to change my mind. Now release me Leo." Leo smirked once more, before laughing, taking a step back, and turning aside.

"You really are adorable." I didn't make a sound, only watched him suspiciously. Leo moved farther away from me. He also peered intently at me for a moment, before closing his eyes. "I suppose I'll leave it at that for now. See you soon, Av-a." I'm beginning to dislike the way he says my name... God though, I'm more curious now than I was before.

"Leo, wait!" He ignored my call and spun around to leave the hall. "I still have questions..." I mumbled. As I watched him walk away, I realized something I should have a long time ago. He was avoiding the subject, wasn't he? I ran my fingers through my hair again, sighed, and turned away.

Not too long later, Nico finally tracked me down and dragged me by the arm to see Giles. He was very flustered and quite upset that I had given him the slip for so long, and complained about it for some time.

I was lead to a library, which was almost as amazing as the ballroom had been. Books lined the walls from the floor to the ceiling, and there were many rows of them. In the back of the library was an office like area. There was a desk and a couple of chairs, along with a green couch off to the side. On the desk was a few history books, paper, pencils and ink, and drawers which I figured contained more items you'd have in an office. Just behind the desk was a large arched window, which let in warm sunlight. Giles was standing just in front of the window, and began speaking as soon as I entered.

"From here on, I would like you to acquire the fundamental knowledge you will need as the princess. For that reason, I would like you to have a tutor. However-" Giles gave me a small sigh, and then spoke again. "The most essential person to this discussion is not here yet."

"Hm." I let out a bored 'hm' which could almost be considered a laugh. Then, I sat on the arm of the sofa, crossing my arms. I don't need a tutor. I'm a tutor for God's sake! Giles frowned, before making his way over to me and pulling me off of the sofa, and smacking my arms lightly so that I uncrossed them.

"It seems that Louis will have his work cut out for him during your lessons." After rolling my eyes, I heard soft footsteps and then a voice.

"Ahh, sorry, sorry I'm late!" I blinked in surprise, suddenly very, very irritated.

"What exactly do you mean by being late?" Giles spoke in an exasperated tone which reminded me of a father who had just given up on his children. Leo gave him a quick smile. I glared at Leo.

"That's why I said sorry." I stopped breathing for a moment as I thought about my current situation. So Leo is going to be my tutor... He was the last person I'd expected, and I was still upset with him about what had happened just minutes before. Giles seemed to notice my strange expression, and he sighed.

"I know how he looks, but he's a very talented bureaucrat. He will be able to teach you everything you need to know, from regional languages to the history of this country." I exhaled obnoxiously before replying.

"Fiiine." I glanced in Leo's direction, and as our eyes met, he smirked at me.

"Looking forward to working with you, Av-a." I felt my eyebrow twitch when Leo said my name. Stop doing that. I was a bit surprised with myself at how quickly Leo had turned from a flirtatious and mysterious man that I would have liked to get to know, to someone I wanted to punch right in the mouth. Giles and Nico left the room, leaving me alone with Leo. I chewed my lip lightly as I gazed at him, and ran my fingers through my hair. I'm not sure that this is going to work. I've only ever seen Leo acting playful or like a total dick. But even as I was thinking that, Leo leaned close and peered at me.

"Don't tell me-" He tilted his head to one side. "You're sitting there wondering if you can really rely on my or not?"

"Exactly." I replied, as I sat down behind the desk and rested my chin in my hand.

"You're like an open book, Ava, one that talks back anyways." Leo grinned in amusement, and I gave him a sarcastic smile. "Anyway, shall we get started?" Leo reached into his breast pocket and to my surprise, pulled out a pair of glasses which he put on, and then he pulled a thick book out from the pile on the desk and opened it up. My curiosity easily overtook my irritation with Leo, and I leaned forward, looking at his glasses.

"I didn't know you wore glasses." I told him with mild interest, staring at them. They were simple and black and rectangular, but they somehow suited him. Made him look more sophisticated. Leo shrugged before answering me, and I didn't quite notice the look in his eyes as he watched me looking at him.

"Not a lot of people do. I only wear them when I'm reading." I nodded once in understanding, before leaning back into my chair. "Anyways, we will be starting with Wysteria's medieval times. Here are the things you'll need to remember..." Leo looked at me expectantly. I waited for him to continue. After an awkward moment of silence, Leo tilted his head at me amusedly. "This is when you start to take notes."

"Oh!" I scrambled to get some paper and a pencil ready, while Leo began to talk. As I took hasty and messy notes, I glanced up at him now and again. He makes it really easy to understand. He must be smarter than I gave him credit for.

"Ava? What's up? Do you have a question?" I blinked, coming back into focus.

"Ah- no, it's nothing." I continued to write down the jist of what Leo explained to me. I actually did listen. I found the medieval times of Wysteria a bit interesting, but didn't actually know half of what Leo was teaching me. After a while, Leo paused in his explanation. He looked down at me scribbling half heartedly on the parchment, as I mostly just preferred to listen, and he smiled suddenly. Then Leo came around to stand beside me, and placed a hand on the desk.

"How about a little test?"

"Wha-?! I am not ready for a test!" The question startled me, and I looked up to find Leo smirking down at me. I frowned in response, sticking out my lower lip in a pout.

"Let's call it a pop quiz then." Leo removed his glasses, and leaned towards me. I backed up a bit, remembering what had happened between us in the hallway, but there wasn't really anywhere to go while sitting down, unless I just wanted to fall over. Leo's face moved close to my ear, and he murmured softly. "If you get the answer wrong-" I swallowed, unable to help myself. I could feel his breath against my ear, and my body shivered. Jesus... "You owe me a kiss."

"WHAT?!" Now I fell over in the chair backwards, letting out a small screech. As I tried to sit up, Leo gave a throaty laugh, full of amusement. My cheeks burned, and I couldn't help but scowl. "Shut up! Stop teasing me..."

"Hey, I'm totally serious." Leo said, ignoring my protest entirely and helping me to sit back up in my chair. He picked up the history book again, and actually continued with his stupid 'pop quiz'. "Right, here comes the question. Are you ready?" I glared at Leo, but he didn't even look at me as he asked his question. "In what year did King Harold the second announce Wysteria's move to become a completely independant country, and the elect system?" The question surprised me. It's about something he just taught me, in great detail too.

"Um, 1512?"

"Yep, that's right." Even though I'd had no intentions of kissing Leo in the first place, not after the whole 'choose me as your suitor' discussion, I breathed a huge sigh of relief. "Aww heck. That was my perfect chance, to." Leo gave me an easy grin as he spoke. I gave him a small smile in return. Leo put his glasses back on, and turned to look at the book again. He must have known I'd get the question right... Maybe I should give him another chance, as long as he doesn't try anything like he did in the hallway again anyways... Leo seemed to notice my staring, and raised his eyes again.

"Is something wrong?" I played it off cool, and ran my fingers lightly through my hair.

"Nothing at all. Please, continue." As Leo began to talk again, I gave a soft sigh. I don't understand anyone here at all... You know, he hasn't said my name like he usually does in a while... Leo's kind of nice when he's not being a jerk... I suppose I should get used to it, though.

August, 21

5 Days Till Coronation Ceremony

Alright, shout out time!

Thanks A Person for the review about swearing into a pillow. It helps ;)

SnowOwl765 commented on me calling Nico honest... but I mean, it'll be a big surprise later in the story!

Nyma said that Ava is waaaay better in here than in the original story. Haha, you know it!

A guest said that he need 'moar'. All I can say to that is um... Thanks! Please review again!