=Bolverk's POV=
(Friday, 6/7/2020-10:00 am)
(Archian Isle; The Castle)

Well, here we are. Five months on from the day I decided to be good with my friends Heather, Olivia, Eret, and Soren at Astrid's coronation of becoming queen. All five of us former outcast kids still reside at Archia Prep, and we're coming up the school's summer break. It started Friday, June 14th after the final bell rang. Everyone was excited because there was a royal ball on Saturday, the 15th. So, some updates on where things are since that night of the coronation. With my father still trapped as a lizard, and evil locked on Outcast Island, the dragons have indeed begun returning in small groups. I still have Toothless, and our bond is incredible. We fly together every day, in the morning and at night. I've actually graduated from the Dragon Training class already because I was able to show that training dragons is definitely not something I needed to learn how to do. Toothless and I simply understood one another that training wasn't needed. I did have to show I could train other dragons, but that wasn't hard either. My friends all have bonded dragons too, but they're still in training for one more year. In September, they'll be able to start learning how to fly. We do still all have our Terrible Terrors too.

This was no contest for me, I showed I could fly with ease the day Toothless and I took on my dad. And I showed I could clearly calm a dragon with ease before the coronation started. If I could do that with a Night Fury, then I could do it with any dragon. As I said, I did still have to prove it, but that was quick and at the start of this month, I was informed by Valka, former queen, that I graduated early due to my expert skills with both mine and all dragons. I did mention my father was still a lizard, I guess he hasn't learned to love yet. Or, at least, not enough to transform back into a human. He has gotten bigger and longer, but still a lizard. We originally said that my father was small because that was the size of the love in his heart. I assume that if he's getting bigger, maybe he's learning to love more. That's the theory anyway when I took it to Mala, Stoick, and Valka that my father had grown since the fight. We've already said that if a time comes where he suddenly shifts back to human, he has to return to Outcast Island because we couldn't take the chance that he wouldn't try to take over again. It was said once that he felt small against my power, but I don't see how because he taught me everything I know. I suppose it didn't really matter.

The day everything happened, it was clear that I had people I had to protect, and perhaps that's what made me stronger in the end. I know my father is evil, but I still love him. To be honest, lizard or not, I kind of like having him here with me. Nobody knows I do it, but sometimes I take him out of the cage, let him sit on my shoulder while I do homework, or lay in bed while my friends are out. Sometimes, my dad helps me with stuff if I get stuck. The man is still my father, and I guess that love he does have in his heart, no matter how much, must be for me as his son. Parents can't hate their kids, right? Astrid mentioned that one time, before I spelled her. Even villains love their kids and want what's best for them. I'm sure my dad was hard on me so I could be the best I can be, and maybe he was furious that I went back on the plan to take over Archian Island, but he had to love something in order to shrink to such a small size after the fight. I still say it's me, I know he didn't love anything or anyone else. He claims to hate my mother, I don't even know who she is because my dad refused to talk about her. I think maybe she died giving birth to me, but hey, I have no way of knowing.

I am still dating Astrid, and coming to find out that it's not easy being the boyfriend of the queen. I've had to travel to other parts of Archian Isle to meet people with her. I've had to be at her side in some meetings, or speeches. All this while still going to school. I'm seventeen and technically graduated and done with Archia Preparatory. It was decided that I don't really need the extra year of lessons because I excel in spells, potions, dragons, and even all basic subjects like Math, Science, Reading/Language Arts, and History. The only lessons I'm currently going to be taking are exclusively for me, on royal etiquette. I guess it was for the sake of me and Astrid eventually becoming engaged and married. I'd be her king, ruling the island beside her. It was expected of me to behave like a royal, like a leader. I made changes to myself, to fit the role. I'm obviously not going to embarrass Astrid by dressing as a delinquent from Outcast Island. I keep hair done nicely, and dress accordingly to be seen with Astrid. I like her a lot, but I think she loves me. I don't know if I feel the same for her. I don't know what love feels like.

I know love for my friends, my father. But for Astrid? I don't know. I feel strongly for her, but I don't know if I can call it love. Everything going on lately has me stressed out because I feel like my entire life has just changed in the blink of an eye. I wasn't ready for everything, and who could I tell? Nobody. My friends all love it here, have blended right in, and don't even think about Outcast Island anymore. Not that it matters, we're the five most hated people over there right now. Me? Sadly, despite choosing to be good, see how much easier it was to be bad. It's been on my mind for weeks now since this royal ball was announced and everything has kicked into high gear. Was it bad that I wanted just a little of Outcast Island's craziness to be here? I kind'a miss everything not being totally proper. I like the good, but that's my problem. It's always good. I miss being able to do whatever I wanted whenever I wanted.

"Bolverk!" I snapped out of my thoughts about missing my old life. I refocused and saw Astrid coming up beside me. "Well, there you are," She smiled, linking her fingers with mine.

"Sorry, Milady," I bowed my head to her gently.

"Are you feeling alright?" Astrid inquired.

"A bit tired. I'm okay," I smiled at her. "What did I miss while I zoned out?"

"Nothing yet. Everyone is just arriving, but you zoned out when I asked if you were ready to be bombarded with questions?" Astrid giggled.

"Forgive me," I said. "It's been a busy week. I probably just need a nap or something. Yeah, I'm ready," I added. Astrid nodded as she motioned for the guard by the door to let the press in. I inwardly sighed and prepared myself for the next hour or so. This meeting or conference was for Astrid to announce something and then we take questions. I wasn't sure on the announcement, I just knew that it had to do with the royal ball, and me.

"Welcome everyone," Astrid greeted. "We're so happy you were able to come and I do apologize it's taken this long to arrange this meeting. Much to do with finishing school and preparing for next week's ball," She added as the people holding journals, cameras, recorders, and other such things laughed a bit. "So, as there is still so much to get done with so little time, I will be making one announcement regarding the royal ball next Saturday, and then we're happy to take your questions and answer them to the best of our ability,"

"What is your big announcement, Queen Astrid?" Asked one person.

Astrid smiled brightly as she held my hand tighter. "It is my honor to announce that next Saturday at the ball, Bolverk will be joining the royal court as my lord," That's what was happening? I was joining the court, and as Astrid's lord? What did that mean? Why hadn't I been told before now? I saw people smiling and clapping. I guess this was a good thing, but I still didn't know what it meant to become a lord of the court or whatever. I looked at Astrid, who had her head on my shoulder and she was looking at me with a smile. I sort of read her eyes and what she wanted, so I shifted a bit to kiss her cheek. Astrid blushed and then lifted her head up to face everyone in the room. "We'll take questions now,"

Astrid and I never kissed on the lips except for five months ago at the coronation party, and it was ever so slight and quick. Astrid was queen, and I was her boyfriend, so I'm led to believe that in certain situations, we have to maintain a level of professionalism or something. Also, again, it's been crazy busy since Stoick removed the outcast mark on my friends and me, allowing us to live here as residents. Astrid and I have hugged, held hands, and usually just pecks on the cheek. Occasionally, she'd wrap her arms around my waist and I'd copy the motion with one arm around her back and hand resting on her side. For right now, I was dealing with the press firing off question after question towards Astrid and I. She was answering most of them, I'd just smile, nodding in agreement with something she said. Towards the end thirty minutes later, I realized some of the questions were being asked directly pertaining to me and I started to feel overwhelmed.

"Bolverk, how are you adjusting to life on Archian Isle?"

"It's a bit much to get used to, but one day at a time," I replied.

"Are you excited about the ball?"

"Of course. I've heard it's about as big as when Milady was crowned queen," I said, seeing Astrid blush.

"And are you thrilled to be joining the royal court as Queen Astrid's lord?"

I wasn't entirely prepared for the question since I didn't know what it meant. "I'm…Thrilled to be in my queen's life at all," I said, really hoping that it was a good answer. Astrid blushed more, adjusting her arms to lock around my waist, so I fixed my arm to be around her back with a smile.

"Aw," A few drew out with smiles.

"Did you ever believe this could be your life?"

"Definitely not. Until the princess's, now queen's movement, I believed Outcast Island would be the place that I had been born and would die," I admitted.

"Were you surprised when you were chosen to come?"

"I-," I began,

"What made you choose to be good?"

"Uh-," I tried.

"Which villain came up with the idea for you to steal the scepter?"

And now I really wanted to just get out of here. The press was always doing this, it started good and easy, then they'd get on what happened five months ago. "Was it your father?"

No one was even giving me a chance to answer. "Has he learned to love?"

"Why hasn't he been taken back to Outcast Island?" I was trying to keep up, but I couldn't with how fast they were asking questions. My eyes darted around and I felt myself starting to slip a bit. The kind where I'd end up angry. My friends knew I did it, any time I got mad, my eyes would suddenly glow green and my abilities sometimes sparked up. I kept a very tight lid on my anger, I knew that I could hurt someone if I lost control in a moment of anger.

"Is he still a lizard?" I felt the lid loosen and the green glow started to come into my vision.

"Okay!" Astrid chimed in as the green receded back and the lid tightened once more. "I believe that's all we have time for. Thank you for coming, and we'll see you again soon," She had released me to get in front and put her hands up to the press. With help from the guards, the press was pushed out of the room as I took a breath to relax, closing my eyes as well. "I'm so sorry about that, Bolverk…It's…Their biggest highlight that I'm with you,"

I looked at her calmly, smiling softly. "It's alright, I understand. Rather hard to respond when they come at you like that," I informed.

"Believe me, I know. Happened a lot where my parents would have to step in to make them back off when I was just the princess. The guards still have to do it sometimes as I'm queen," Astrid sighed. "I saw you getting overwhelmed, thought I'd rescue you,"

"Appreciated," I kissed her forehead. "Was that all for today?" I asked.

"For now. I have a council meeting at 2 pm, but I don't need you for it. It's more stuff for the ball. What are your plans for the rest of today?" Astrid wondered.

"Maybe a fly with Toothless, lunch, nap…" I shrugged.

The door opened, revealing Heather and Olivia. "You most certainly will not be doing those things," Olivia informed as I blinked a few times.

"I won't?" I inquired.

"No! You're coming with Liv and I right for a final fitting on your ball attire or you're going to the event in your riding suit!" Heather demanded.

"I'm…Perfectly fine with that, actually," I stated. Olivia and Heather grabbed my arms to drag me out of the room.

"You're joining the court as a lord, you will not be wearing your dragon-riding suit!" Heather and Olivia yelled at me.

"I'll see you for dinner, Bolverk!" Astrid called as I was being forced out of the room. "Don't be too hard on him, girls!" She added and I was out of sight.

. . .

=Normal POV=
(11:30 am)
(Archia Preparatory)

Bolverk was dragged, physically, to the school and right to the girl's dorm room. Granted, Bolverk finished school, but his friends had not so while he had been offered to reside at the castle, Bolverk decided to stay at the school with them. Of course, Bolverk's four friends did not know of the offer he was given, Bolverk didn't feel like they needed to know since he turned it down anyway. Once inside Olivia and Heather's room, Bolverk was demanded to put on the suit Heather and Olivia were working together to make him and now he was standing on a small stool for them to make sure everything was perfect on his suit.

"Odin above, Heather…I'm getting stiff in this thing," Bolverk grumbled.

"Deal with it! The ball is a huge event, Bol." Heather glared.

"Well, I'd like to be able to actually move around!" Bolverk protested.

"And you can…" Olivia smiled.

"After the ball," Heather giggled. Bolverk sighed out as the girls kept working, then the news covering the royal ball came up as the three of them ended up watching a scene from a visit Astrid and Bolverk made to one of the neighboring towns. The reporter was going on about how Bolverk was going to be named Astrid's lord and joining the royal court.

"Shoot, that reminds me. I still gotta go over that list of other royals…I'm supposed to be meeting them all at the ball…" Bolverk got down carefully, moving to his backpack and pulling out a notebook, and flipping to the page with a list of names on it. Olivia and Heather watched as Bolverk grabbed a book out of his bag, and started flipping through a few pages. "Read it fast, remember strong, and then there is no way to be wrong," Bolverk set the book aside as he hovered his hand over the notebook and black aura encased his figure and the notebook. When the aura faded, Bolverk started to read the information on the page, dragging his finger across the line, and continuing down at a rapid rate.

"Bol…You still have your dad's spellbook?" Olivia asked.

"Why do you believe I would have gotten rid of it?" Bolverk inquired, still reading the page.

"Because you know we don't use dark magic here…" Heather informed. "And it should be in the museum, along with all other magical artifacts…"

Bolverk sighed. "Look, you know that without some of these, I'd never fit in here…"

"I'm sure Astrid would understand that there's a lot of pressure on you to play the part of being her boyfriend…Just talk to her, Bol," Olivia offered.

"And that's exactly my point, girls," Bolverk looked down. "She's been conditioned her whole life as royalty for these things, not me. I was raised to be cold, dark, evil…Whatever. Yeah, I chose to be good, but…I can't just…I'm not on her level. I've been with her five months, and everything has just been…Nonstop." He sighed again. "Without the spellbook…I'd let her down and just make a mess of things…"

"I still believe she'd understand…" Olivia tried.

"Bol…If Astrid finds out you've been using magic these past five months…She's gonna be hurt because she believes you gave this up and are doing it on your own ability." Heather said.

"She won't find out as long as you two keep your mouths shut…I just need it to get through this week and the ball, after that…I've got plenty of time with being out of school now to work on all that…Royal boyfriend stuff." Bolverk remarked as he went back to reading. "Hurry up with this fitting…I would like to get something to eat and go flying with Toothless," He stated as he got back on the stool for them to keep measuring and adjusting. Olivia and Heather looked at one another, then sighed before getting back to work. Bolverk continued to read the list of people he would be meeting at the ball. After that, things would calm down and he'd have time to breathe and learn everything else.