A/N: Greetings! First of all, I'd like to thank everyone who's reading this story. And extra special thanks to everyone who's put it on alerts or favorites. You're all wonderful!

Second, I apologize for pulling a cliffy at the end of the last chapter. I know it wasn't very nice of me. XD.

Third, I am SO sorry for not updating sooner. Honestly, I was going to update a week ago, but my doc manager wasn't uploading anything; it kept spouting off nonsense about file extensions. But, I guess it's working now, so... enjoy the chapter!

Uh-oh was Merlin's first thought. It was his second one, too.

His third thought was Did he hear us talk about magic? and that quickly became his biggest worry.

But looking at Arthur's face, it seemed like the king's son hadn't overheard their conversation. He seemed just as surprised to see them there. The prince quickly changed his expression though, schooling his features into that haughty entitled look.

"Well, what do we have here?" Arthur smirked. "Two little bookworms, buried up to their ears in homework."

"Some of us don't have the advantage of our kingly father being friends with the headmaster." Merlin said, shooting Marlet a don't-freak-out-everything's-fine look.

Arthur snorted. "I don't need my father's influence to pass my classes."

"Oh, sure, sure. That's why you're here, then? To study? It definitely wouldn't be because you were following us."

"F-follow you?" The prince laughed, though it sounded a little forced. "You're just some poor peasant transfer, why would I waste my time following you?"

Merlin arched an eyebrow. "Oh, well in that case…" He grabbed Marlet by the arm, and walked past Arthur, ignoring the books he'd dropped.

"H-hey! Your books-" The prince called after him.

Merlin didn't answer, and soon they had left the prince standing in between the shelves, an unreadable expression on his face.

"I'd never have talked to the prince like that!" Marlet whispered as Merlin led him out of the library.

Merlin shrugged. "I'm not you. Besides, I didn't plan to say that. It…just sort of came out."

"Came out?" Marlet repeated, looking confused.

Merlin flushed. "I don't know. I just feel…strange, when I see him. It irritates me."

Marlet frowned. "I'm not sure I follow, but…okay. Hey," he added. "let's go meet Lance. His club should be over by now. We can go for an early lunch."

Merlin nodded, still feeling unsettled. "Lance. Lunch. Sure."

An hour later, Merlin was headed back to his room, after a lunch of fish and mashed potatoes. For him, lunch had been a rather awkward affair. Lancelot had been cheerful after his club, but Marlet was jittery after getting back from the library, whereas Merlin was silent and brooding. Made more so when he noticed Arthur watching him with a puzzled frown. He'd left the dining hall feeling even more bothered than before.

Reaching his room, however, he was surprised by a stack of books outside the door. His stack of books, in fact. Complete with the gray-used-to-be-green volume on local history.

Arthur must have brought them, Merlin realized. But…why? Frowning, he picked up his books, and entered his room. He sat down at his tiny writing desk, and decided to try and get through some of the assigned reading he had to catch up on. Transferring in after the school year had started, he needed to get up to speed. Fast. Unfortunately, Arthur's strange behavior was nagging at the back of his mind, and he couldn't concentrate.

"Stupid princeling." Merlin muttered, trying for the fifth time to read a passage on an earl who'd traded two dozen cows for a statue of gold. "Stupid earl. Stupid school." Stupid Arthur.

He couldn't understand why Arthur's strange behavior bothered him so. It didn't make any sense.

A/N: Okay, so it was a really really short chapter, for which I apologize. But it was an important chapter, don't you agree? (Amiri: You in particular should have enjoyed this chapter. :D). I've got the next chapter almost done, and it's much longer, so look forward to that. Anyway darling readers, review and let me know what you think so far. I love feedback. :D

Also, I've recently started a blog, where I'll also be posting my stories. So if there's ever another dryspell for my stories, check my profile, and hop on over ot my blog, because odds are the dryspell stems from hijinks. The blog'll have some of my original works, too, if you're interested in those (though you can also find 'em at fictionpress, under the username LazuliLarisa).

Wow, I've just shamelessly advertised, haven't I? XD Oh well. Have a wonderful day people. :D