AUTHOR'S NOTE :
Oh my gosh. You actually found TIME to read this silly rambling excuse for a fic?!?! Hwow, shocking!
To all my reviwers : Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!
So, you like Rei here, huh?
Yeah, he sounds cool.
Please tell me if he stop acting like a boy and starts sounding like a deranged anime fangirl. Please.
To Cammie : Thanks for putting up with me incessant pleas to post this...It will not go unrewarded...I'll do anything EXCEPT walk Chay-Chay - man, that dog is huge!
DISCLAIMER : Don't own it.
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CHAPTER 2 - ROYALS
I shut my eyes and throw the thick silk blanket over my head. 'Too early...need beauty sleep...go away...'
As I buried my head deeper into the pillow, the door creaked open.
Before I knew it, the curtains were thrown open, letting in a most unhealthy dose of sunlight. And to add to the torture, my last defense (aka the blanket) was unceremoniously wrenched out of my grip, and thrown down to the floor. In an instant, glaring rays assaulted me.
"Aw...can't you let me sleep longer?" I groaned, lying down on my stomach, sheilding my face from the unforgivable sun.
A curt, stern voice replied. "Highness, it is ten o'clock. Time for royals to get up."
"Yeah, and the royal says go away."
"Sir, your food is getting cold."
"We have thirty pantries, dammit. I doubt it if that food will be missed."
"They have your favorite, pancakes with chocolate syrup, sir."
"They always have that."
"The princess wanted to see you."
"Meg or Cleo?"
"Cleo, sir."
"Cleo's not here, dimwit."
"Meg, sir."
"Meg's outside. I heard her screaming."
"Sir, you must get up, or I will be forced to take drastic measures."
"OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!" I hollered, turning around and sitting up.
Otis looked at me severely. "Sir, if you are now awake enough to act your age, please get out of that bed so that I can fix it, and if you will be so kind, get dressed."
I scowled. "Fine. Be that way." I shot out of bed, and went to my bathroom.
The servant shook his head and rolled his eyes. "Same as always."
Okay, so I'm not a morning person. Who is? I hate being shaken awake. I hate being disturbed. I am a boy who appreciates his sleep. It's that one time of day when I can escape from boredom.
I change into my everday clothes, a blue shirt over a white long-sleeved one, jeans, and old Adidas sneakers. Casual, neat, cool. What were you expecting, a crown? Yeah, right.
My reflection stared back at me, as I stuggle to tame my wild hair with the comb and a gallon of gel. I honestly don't know what women see in me. (Told you I wasn't egotistic.) I have dark brown hair that sometimes gets into my eyes, and, according to my mother, is as "stubborn as the person who grew it." Blue eyes, rather tall, skinny...Not much of prince, really.
I let out a yawn, and left the bathroom. My bed is already made, and the curtains are now fully drawn back. I squinted my eyes, binded, and turned around and left my room.
Otohata Hall is huge. There are four galleries, making the palace look like a cross from above. The building in the middle, called the Silver Helix because it's roof is in a spiral shape, is where everyone assembles - ergo, the dining hall - or is sometimes used as the entrance hall.
The East Wing is the Gallery of Knowledge. Libraries after libraries, computer rooms, science rooms, map rooms, greenhouses all on the first floor, and the Celestial Ward at the top floor. The West Wing is the Hall of Power, named after the TV show. My father was a fan of it. It's where all the officials, kings, and anyone related to politics gather and make life-changing decisions that could make or break the country. South is the Art Chamber. Or Beauty. Whatever. I hate this place. So many flowers, enough to make you sick and vow never to see another one ever again. This one has paintings, after painting...and all kinds things that would make people look good, like spas. Ew.
The North Wing is the Living Quarters. When I hear it's official name, I think of a soldier's barracks. Shudder. It's where the living rooms, sitting rooms, game rooms, attics, basements, bed chambers, bedrooms, bathrooms, den, dayroom, and all that are located. Basically, it's my favorite place in Otohata Hall.
Another great thing about palaces, is that there are loads of secret passages. Heaps of hidden rooms that are the perfect place when you want to hide from wannabe wives of the Crown Prince. My favorite one is the loft on the top floor of the North Wing. A concealed staircase (next to the mirror outside the Midnight Blue Den) winds up all the way to a small room facing the east and looking over the lake and gardens.
It's where I can watch, through the wide window that runs the entire length of the wall, Meg make a fool of herself as she gets lost in the maze, Cleo write her stories, Father ride the horses, Mother tend her plants...Like a watchtower, you know?
There's one small shelf, which I placed all my comics and books. A small day bed (sort of like a couch and bed thrown into one) with one pillow (I'm don't want to be choked to death by pillows, thank you very much), around three bean bags, a rug that takes up most of the floor, a desk when I get in the mood to do school work (Yeah, right.), and the best part, a huge stereo on the wall across the bed.
It's massive. The main component has three tape players, and a five disc changer. Awesome. Two huge speakers stand on either side of it, and I placed the other smaller ones around the room for surround sound. Hey, it said on the box - do-it-yourself - and besides, no explosions! Yet.
I slide down the main staircase's handrail, and plop down on the floor of the Silver Helix. I look down on the dining table, and see that no one left me a pancake.
"Thanks a whole lot for leaving me breakfast. No, I'm not really hungry, Mother. Don't leave me anything. Yeah, thanks for letting me die of starvation!" I shout out loud, my temper getting the better of me.
All the plates of food were scraped clean, with hardly a scrap or crumb left. Glaring at the unbelievably clean dishes, I spotted one platter untouched. "Bread. One lousy croissant. The Crown Prince of Raegaia is forced to eat one measly piece of bread for breakfast. Heads will roll today."
"Well, getting the hang of ruling with an iron fist already, Your Highness?"
I turn around and face my older sister, Cleo. I glared at her, and went to pick up the lone scrap of food. She had her arms crossed, and raised an eyebrow. "What, no 'I missed you'? 'Welcome back, sis'? 'Long time, no see'?"
I look her up and down. "You look like crap."
Cleo tossed her long, curly black hair over her shoulder. "So I hear."
"When did you arrive?" I asked, before stuffing my mouth full of wheat.
"Just ten minutes ago. I met Meg on the way. Gods, she grew a lot when I was gone." Her dark forest green eyes twinkled.
I smirked. "Yeah. She grew sideways."
"I heard that, smart ass!" A shrill voice echoed. I look towards the doors leading to the garden and saw my other, this time younger sister, Meg.
It's weird how different my sisters' are. Cleo has black-brown hair with green eyes. She's super smart - you know, A all the way -, kind of short for 18, soft-spoken, inhumanly patient, a good cook, respectful, but a wild streak keeps her from being Ms. Perfect. Meg, on the other hand, is as weird as a three-dollar bill. Orange hair (not kidding. It's as orange as well...an orange.), blue eyes that always seem to change shade (one minute, sky blue, the next dark blue, the next powder blue), unnaturally tall for 14 (5'7?! She's catching up to me!), talkative, bubbly, loud, noisy, impatient, a good eater, smart - capable of achieving A, but sometimes forget what 'A' means - and basically, one freaky girl.
I blinked innocently. "Did I say something?"
Meg's blue eyes flashed dangerously. "You said I was fat!"
"No, I didn't! Are you deaf, too?"
"Well, Sparky...I have selective hearing, y'know."
"That explains so much." Cleo said.
"Eh?"
Cleo and I looked at each other, then glanced at Meg, and looked at each other again, and rolled our eyes.
"Hey, I'm still here!" Meg waved her hands above her head.
My other sister held her hand over her mouth in faked surprise. "Oh, really?! I haven't noticed! Sorry, honey, I didn't see you there."
"Ha. Forgot to laugh, Cleo." The two of them glared daggers at each other, and burst out laughing.
Girls. Letting out an exasperated sigh, I then asked, "Hey, what time is it?"
Meg answered, "It's time for you to buy your own watch."
"Ha. When I can I laugh?" I raised my eyebrow, something I'm very good at.
"It wasn't a joke, Rei, it was a remark. And a reminder...kinda."
Cleo smiled at me. "Ten thirty. Why?"
"I just woke up."
"Yeah, we missed you breakfast, Sparky." Meg said.
I smirked. "Did you miss me enough to leave me some food?"
"Nope!" Another thing about Meg, she tells no lies. Yeah, sometimes she lies, but eventually she'll tell the truth.
"I thought so. Where's Mother?"
Meg pointed to the way she came in. "In the garden, Rei. Want to come with me?"
Cleo looked at the both of us and said, "Hey guys, I have to go. Need to unpack and get things in order. You mind if I go?"
Meg shook her head. I turned to Cleo and answered, "Yeah, take you time, sis. You need to look more like a princess, not some lass picked up by the wandering trade ship and dunked overboard."
"Shut up, Rei. Since when have you started talking like that?"
I jerked my thumb over at Meg. "Since she played Pirates of the Carribean over and over again nonstop for the past week, it's amazing we've haven't started speaking with a British accent."
"Can't blame me, mate. Can I help it if Orlando and Johnny look 'mazing as pirates? 'Credible how they do that...Makes me want to comandeer a ship and go pilfer my weasly black guts out!" Meg answered, in a very convincing British accent.
I turned to face Cleo, and said. "Savvy?"
"Okaaay...Next time I leave, I'm staying out for two days, tops." My older sister rolled her eyes and let out an exasperated sigh. "And we're supposed to be royalty."
"And we are royally nuts! Whee!" Meg started bouncing up and down, and whirling around like a top.
Before she could do serious damage to the fine porcelain, I grabbed a fist-full of her hair, and tugged - hard.
"Son-of-a-boar-gundam-thing! What the hell did you that for?!" She yelled straight at my ear. I released her hair out of my hand, and snapped my fingers near the ear she just might have probably rendered deaf.
"I really liked my hair, Rei! If you pulled on it any harder, I would have lost all of it! And it's getting really long! Omae o Korosu!"
Now sure that my ear is working probably, I asked her. "Meg, have the Gundam boys visited lately, by any chance?"
Her eyes widened in surprise. "How did you know?"
"You're sounding just like them. Answer the question."
"Sheesh, Sparky. They came the day before yesterday. You were out riding Phantom. Stayed for lunch and left right after that, bloody scallywags."
I raised an eyebrow. "Why didn't you call me?"
"Hey, I know my voice is loud, but not that loud to reach you at the other end of the palace grounds, 40 miles away."
We turned a corner and walked towards at the veranda.
It was simple, no huge fountains or statues of kings long gone. Just a lot of nice big trees that are perfect for listening to music, reading a book or plain day-dreaming. Oh, and the occasional flower bed.
My mother was sitting on the swing when Meg and I found her, near the small pond.
She's really beautiful, my mom.
Long brown hair that reaches her knees when untied, blue eyes that Meg and I inherited. Eyes that either twinkle or burst into flames, and always have this mysterious sparkle. Tall, queenly, yet kind. Boy, is she kind. Yup, that's my mom.
"Hey, Ma!" My sister dashed toward her. "Watcha reading?"
Varie (my mom) looked up from a piece of paper I didn't notice, at first. She smiled at me, and rolled her eyes at Meg. "Dear, tone it down a little bit."
Meg sighed, and said. "Rei wanted to see you."
She turned to me and nodded. "Well, psychic factor of 10. I was wanting to talk to you, too." Mom pointed at the space next to her.
I walked closer and sat down. Meg waved bye, and muttered something about meeting someone, and ran in the direction of the lake.
"Who's she meeting?" I asked my mother.
"Oh, someone. Why, don't you know?" She gave me a surprised look.
"Am I supposed to know something?"
"Honestly, Meg hasn't told you, Rei?"
"Told me what?"
Mother rolled her eyes, and laughed. "Oh, never mind. It's not my secret to tell."
Now having aroused my suspicion, I pressed on. "Awww...C'mon Ma, tell me!"
"No, dear. I can't tell you if you don't know. You have to find out like Cleo-"
"Cleo knows?!"
"Well, they're sisters, aren't they?"
"And what am I, the next-door neighbor?!"
She laughed again. "Oh, don't take it seriously, Rei. You'll find out. You might catch Meg."
"Oh man...Mother, one last question - How else knows about this?"
"Just a minute, let me think." She said, and looked thoughtfully at the fountain. After a while, she answered. "Your father, Otis, Cleo, um...Oh, right, Duo, Heero, Van, and I think Dilandau, that patient and shy boy-"
I snorted. Dilly was a lot of things, but not in a million years was he shy. Or patient.
"Quiet, Rei. Well...that's all I can think of. Now, what did you want to see me for?" Mother turned to me.
"Just wanted to see you, Mother. Making sure you're still alive, and all."
"Ah...We missed you at breakfast."
"I can see that. Your concern over my hunger and appetite was overwhelming, really." I raised my eyebrow.
She smiled, and said, "You sound exactly like your father."
"I wonder how? Is it because, um, I think, I'm his son?" I answered sarcastically.
This caused to laugh harder. "You'd make a great king, Rei."
I leaned back on the bench, and raised my arms beside my head. "Sure I would, Mom."
"Which reminds me, dear, I have to tell you something."
I turned to her. "What?"
"We-ell..."
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This is so not happening.
Not to me.
Aw, fuck.
No.
No.
It's been a whole day, and I still can't process it.
Not processing...Not processing...
"ARGH! NO!"
I slammed my fist against the wall of my room.
Okay, let me explain my sudden fit of violence.
Remember that my mom was supposed to tell me something, right?
You might wanna sit down for this.
There is this deal, this ancient agreement that started a long time ago. You see, when the leaders of all the countries on Earth were established, there was this problem. One of the leader's sons, well, needed a wife, so to speak. Turned out, most of the royal kids needed a wife / husband. So, all the leaders sent their kids to this "boarding school", where they would be trained to become better, you know, learn Math, Latin, Greek, English and a whole bunch of crap...
But the main objective of this school was to play matchmaker.
Yeah, sorta like the "Hormone Capital of Royals". Everybody gets to find somebody. Or rather, has.
So this school deal thing applies only to royals aged 14 above- marriageable age, of course- and who have not been engaged in any relationship, marriage, scandal, and other things.
Otherwise - little 'ol me.
Hey, when I wanted a change in the wind, I didn't mean a typhoon.
Look, I don't understand it any more than you do. How come no one else I knew were sent to boarding school?
Dilly? Van? Meg? Cleo? Heero? Duo?
Is it because my parents are that desperate to get me married?
Oh, please, Gods, don't answer that.
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"Be careful, dear. Iverness is on the other side of the world, so don't expect it to be like home. Watch out for all those mean people, oh, and don't forget to drink your vitamins-"
"Don't worry, bro, you'll make it."
"When you come back, I'll set up a huge bonfire."
"Man, you're so lucky! Think of all the royal chicks!"
"Why don't you go, instead of him?"
"You kidding? And study all those dead languages? Nu-uh!"
"Sparky, I swear, if you go all preppy and good-boy on me, I'll kill you!"
"Rei, you'll love Iverness. I swear!"
"You been there, girl?"
"Um, well, passed by it more like..."
"Right...I smell something..."
"Dilly!!!"
"What?"
"Aaaah!!! My hair is on fire! My hair is on fire!"
"Bye, Rei!"
"See ya in two years, buddy!"
"Two years? He's gone that long? Whew..."
"Come back in one piece!"
"Tell all the chicks I said hi!"
"Sparky! Make sure you bring home a girl!"
"Make sure she's good in bed!"
"Shut up, Duo!"
"Make me proud, Rei!"
Cheers, mate, to a new beginning.
For better or worse.
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Like it? Please like it...
-- Note : The Meg here - that's me. Don't worry, Cam, you're in here...A real lucky role too...Dang...
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