Chapter 2:
(Skyler POV)
I woke up the next morning and looked over at the clothes that were laid out for me. "Good morning Prince Skyler, it is time to get ready," I turned and saw the castle stewardess coming into the room drawing the other curtains. "Thank you Bailey," I said walking over to the trunk where my clothes were waiting for me. "I shall leave you to it then sire. The carriage leaves in an hour and there is breakfast in the north sitting room. You can ring for a maid to guide you there should you need the assistance." I nodded my head again before thanking Bailey.
I quickly got dressed and looked at myself in the mirror retying my bow tie trying to get it right. I wore dark black boots which hid with the color of my pants, a purple waistcoat, a white tunic and a dark purple tie. I didn't recognize myself in the mirror as I looked myself over. I was the cobbler's son not a prince. Still I at least looked the part I mused to myself. I found the sitting room Bailey had mentioned and grabbed one of the pastries that were laid out. I made my way to the front of the castle where Jane and Onyx were waiting for me. Jane smiled up at me, "Are you ready?" I gave her a nod and looked over at Onyx, "We still have our understanding?" I nodded my head, "Of course Prince Onyx."
We rode off to school and I watched as Onyx made a beeline towards the other princes as soon as we landed, not without shamelessly flirting with every princess he passed on his way. I made my way out next and helped Jane out as well. I looked at the intimidatingly large grounds of the school and thought back to how small the schoolhouse was in Dunwiddie. "Sky are you alright?" I looked down and saw Jane looking up at me. I gave her a small smile, "I am fine." "Do you need hel-" "Jane" "Jane" "Jane" and just like that Jane was swarmed by the group of princesses Onyx was previously speaking with.
They didn't seem to notice me and I was grateful, "I'm going to find the Headmistresses and get my schedule, see you later." All the princesses stopped when I spoke and turned to face me. I didn't like their examining eyes. One finally spoke, "You're new." It wasn't a question it was a statement. Jane cleared her throat, "Allow me to introduce my new brother, well step-brother if you are looking for technicalities, Prince Skyler." I went into a semi-bow and I watched as they curtseyed. Jane introduced me to all finishing with the one who spoke before, "This is Princess Hermione." I nodded looking across all of them. "Lovely to meet you all, please excuse me." I made my way into the school quickly and quietly trying not to draw too much attention to myself. I entered the school and ran into the Headmistresses. They guided me to my first class where I saw Onyx was already there along with some of the princes and princesses I saw outside of the school this morning. I quickly made my way over to my seat trying to keep to myself.
The classes were alright, quickly fading into one another and soon enough we had a break in the day where we were allowed to be outside. This seemed as good a time as any to try to start making some friends. The feeling of my old life slipping farther and farther away as I began to make the attempt. It was hard to find people who were not closely associated with Onyx, who I had just reached a truce with, but I was beginning to relax around the other royals in the school.
(Hermione POV)
I watched the new prince of Enchancia, quite curiously throughout the day. He was polite, cheerful even in the yard with all the others but there was something in his eyes. His blue eyes that was clear that this is not where he wanted to be. I made my way over to him trying to find out more when I heard a voice behind me, "Princess Hermione." I turned and saw Prince Onyx. I went into a curtsey, "Prince Onyx." "Where are you off to we hardly spoke this morning?" Onyx began striking up a conversation. "Yes I believe we exchanged curtsies before I went off to find your sister. I was just on my way to speak to your brother." I watched him become stricken as I called Skyler his brother and I noticed his gaze narrowed in Skyler's direction. "Prince Onyx?" I questioningly said trying to alleviate some of the newly created tension but he just shook it off and refocused on me, "My apologies. Lost in my own thoughts if you could imagine. Please excuse me." He walked past me before I could respond heading in the direction of Skyler and a gut feeling warned me that I had made a mistake.
(Skyler POV)
I was talking with a few princes and princesses talking about nothing of importance, most of them telling me that they were excited for the upcoming Ball. I felt an arm slung over my shoulder and turned to see who it belonged to. I was shocked to see that it was Onyx but i didn't say as much. "Skyler have you tried the Enchanted Swing Set yet?" I shook my head and felt him guiding me over to a silver swing in the middle of the courtyard.
I could feel that something was wrong as eyes turned toward us but, it was too late for me to do anything other than get on the swing. I quietly sat down holding on to both sides before I felt myself rocking back and forth. I watched the people around me and noticed that none were in the path directly in front of me or behind me, just to either side. I looked ahead and saw a pond and realized my fate as I was tossed from the peak of the swing. I wasn't sure how deep the water was, or if I could attempt to land but judging by everyone's faces around me this wasn't the first time that it had happened. I moved my feet under myself and kept my knees bent as I went into the water. It wasn't too deep and I was able to land on my feet before standing up. I tried to maintain my dignity as I went to step out but, I slipped on the bottom of the water and ended up soaked anyway. I stood up brushing myself off before laughing it off, "Nice one Prince Onyx." I climbed out of the pond and made my way into a woods neighboring the school.
I took off my coat, tunic, tie, socks and boots to try and dry them off. Wringing them out individually and leaving them hanging on a tree branch that was in the sun. I sat down by the base of the tree slightly adjacent to my clothes so they didn't further drip on me. I ran my fingers along the chain were the rings hung around my neck before sliding the rings up and down on the chain mindlessly as I let the sun hit my face.
(Hermione POV)
This idiotic prank. Every time a new student arrives someone, usually one of the princes, guided them towards the swing set and we all watched as the poor soul got launched into the pond. Skyler was different thought. He seemed naturally suspicious of ONyx's intentions which struck me as odd seeing as they are family. As Skyler sailed through the air it was clear that he had no intention of being dosed by the water below as he tucked himself into a ball and ended up landing on his feet. No one had ever managed such a feat and left everyone stunned. His boots and pants were still clearly soaked but he came off drier than most others. Unfortunately I thought that too soon and he tripped as he completely drenched his clothes.
As the crowds later dispersed I watched as he made his way to the woods away from everyone else. I felt myself drawn to him out of sheer curiosity as to what he would be doing so after waiting a few more moments I made my way over down the path that he went down before. "Prince Skyler," I eventually called out. I then noticed garments hanging from a tree branch up ahead. I went closer realizing they were his. I ran my hand over the clothes realizing they were dry when I realized that his tunic was hanging here as well. "Princess Hermione. I turned and saw Skyler sitting on the ground looking up at me. I turned and faced away, "I just came to check and see if you were alright." "Well I am. Thank you. Would you mind passing me my..." He started and I realized that my hand was still on his tunic, "Right of course." I handed it to him and felt my face grow red. "Are you decent?" I heard him contemplate this then in a joking tone, "I'm not sure about that but, I am dressed if that is what you mean." I turned to face him and saw his tunic loosely. His hair wasn't completely dry het but it was forming soft fawn curls I couldn't help but admire. I also so a chain that fell under his shirt.
"Well you made quite the impression," I smiled. He just shook his head, "Yes the Prince, who's own step-brother turned against him. I'm sure I will be the talk of the school in no time. I don't even know why I'm here." He said as he leaned against the tree. "Didn't your father marry a Queen?" I asked half joking. He gave me a look that told me that this wasn't the time for jokes as he muttered, "I never asked him to." I heard the bells begin to chime. "We need to get back now," i began tossing him his coat and tie and other garments before hurrying back to the path. "Thank you," I heard him call out and I stopped myself from moving closer to the school. "You seem to be very nice and I know I haven't been extremely pleasant but, you haven't seen to hold that against me so Thanks." I smiled and nodded my head. We both began to walk on the path back towards school in a comfortable silence.
We reached the bridge that would lead us back to school. Skyler stopped and I didn't understand why. He went back near a tree and knelt down. I soon saw that he had caught a baby bird in the corner of his eye. He carefully carried the bird back to the nest before rejoining me. "You are something else," I whispered. "What?" He asked. I hadn't meant to say it out loud, "We better get going. You have a lot to learn before your Ball." A frown briefly crossed his face and I could tell that he was nervous, "If you would like help, let me know. I have been around royals my entire life. I could help you learn what you need to survive a Ball." He smiled, "I might have to take you up on that." I smiled as well. I then realized that his tie was crocked. I quickly fixed it smiling as I pulled the ends out, "There fit for royalty." We walked into class in a comfortable silence and I knew I had found a very good friend.