The Elusive Prince

Chapter 8: Cassian enters the chat!

Merideth

After that little squabble in the cafeteria, and Reagan basically beaming with his win, we finished breakfast and decided to head to our classroom which was quite a distance from the mess hall so we got moving before the bell rang, signifying the start of class. We went earlier than what was required of us because Amity wants us to and our adviser, Mr. Hexford, doesn’t tolerate tardiness even though he really likes our class, I’m sure we will still get punished if we show up late in the first day back to school after our break. Also we don’t want to trigger him because he’s notorious for giving out surprise quizzes when he’s pissed so nope, we don’t want that. Better behave.

As we were walking, all 14 of us, talking loudly in the hallways, I had a sudden feeling that today will be a surprise. Not like it hasn’t already especially after that nightmare of mine but that’s just a surprise for me alone. A surprise I loathe.

Our class was quite famous in the school, not only because we are a whole class of nobles and royalties and no, not only because we always cause mischief, though we are pretty notorious for making trouble. Anyways, got a little sidetracked, we were also famous because our whole class was talented and we were all so close and never had a single disagreement, well maybe sometimes especially when Luna and Kellen proposes something that we didn’t like, like that one time in 5th grade that they wanted to put frogs in our teachers desk and even if we disagreed they still did it but that’s a story for a different time. Our class has been together ever since we started school and thus our bond was very tight knit and unbreakable. It’s like having a second family full of chaotic energy and only functions because Amity keeps us together and also when we have the mind to consider our image and begin acting like we should and I love that.

We reached the classroom fairly quick because when you’re having fun and with people you love, time seems to pass quicker than usual. We got inside but got confused because Sir Hexford wasn’t there yet. That was unusual because he was usually 20 minutes early than the bell and was always waiting for us in the classroom, ready to hand out punishment to those who were late with that signature smirk of his that you would think he enjoys it. Well I’m pretty sure he does.

Luna suspected that he eats breakfast without chewing or he wakes up during 3 am to chant his spell of giving us hell in the early morning, or he’s the devil himself, but that’s just Luna exaggerating so don’t mind that. We personally just believe he likes waking up early and being in class early so he can have the satisfaction of punishing us as payback for being problem children and always giving him headaches. Anyways, unlike today, he was running a little late especially for his standard as we stared at the clock and confirmed that there was only 3 minutes left before class started.

After that confirmation, someone started speculating that maybe he was kidn*pped or he’s back in the underworld, that’s probably Luna, and someone in the background was saying that maybe he just woke up late, and that’s probably Amity. The discussion didn’t last long though seeing as the door opened to reveal Mr. Hexford looking at Luna sternly, who I guess heard her theories, and Luna had the gal to smile innocently at him as she sat down.

“Good morning problem privileged children. I was late for a minute and someone begins to suspect I’ve been abducted. And although I’m glad to hear you care enough to question me being a minute late, it really makes me question what’s going on in those brain of yours.” He addressed all of us but I’m sure he was glaring at Luna particularly, who was whistling like she did nothing, because of course it’s always Luna.

“Anyways, I hate to break your expectation but I wasn’t for a fact been abducted nor did I take a trip back in the underworld where I rule, no, I was late because the principal decided to give me work and also a new headache.” He said seriously which made us laugh but also stop for a moment when we begin to decipher what he said on the last line. A new headache? Could he mean that we were having a new classmate?

As if the class had the same mind, you can tell the exact time we all figured it out because the whole class just erupted with questions and noises that can only mean excitement. Sir Hexford just looks like he’s ready to return to the underworld, at least it was silent there and there were no annoying royal brats there.

“Calm down all of you. Your reaction make it seems like you’re deprived of human interaction that the moment you knew you have fresh meat you erupt like a bunch of unrestrained animals.” He said which only made us laugh out loud.

“But sir!!! We never had a new classmate ever since Reagan! And that was back in 3rd grade!!! Can you really blame us for getting excited over fresh meat????!!” Luna just practically vibrated in her seat which made us all erupt in laughter. I’m pretty sure Sir Hexford is ready to jump out the window now.

“That’s right sir! Can you really blame us? We’ve been together for years now with just us! I’m starting to get sick of their faces so seeing a new face will be refreshing and good for my health!” Kellen added fuel to the fire. At his teasing statement, a series of “Well I’m tired of your ugly face too Kellen. Imagine seeing that everyday for years.” Rang out the room as we all dissolved in a laughing mess.

“Okay save the teasing for later. Can you please quite down now?” Sir Hexford tried to calm us down but it was futile because the teasing and the laughter was still circulating the room. Sir Hexford looks so done so he decided to give that responsibility to Amity instead as he shot her a look that can only mean help. Amity got the message immediately as she stood up.

“Okay guys that’s enough for now. How are we supposed to meet this new classmate of ours if we don’t give Sir Hexford a chance to speak?” Ah the ever gentle Amity interrupted the chaos which worked and Sir Hexford is ready to collapse in thanks. Although, everybody was still vibrating in our respective seats. I’m pretty excited too because as they said, we really need a new face.

“Thank you Amity, you’re the only sane one here in this class honestly. As I was saying you have a new classmate. I assume all of you were present in King Philip’s ball right?” at the question everybody straightened up and all reached the same conclusion. We were still buzzing with excitement and ready to burst with questions when Sir Hexford went to the door to gesture someone to come in, though we already know who it was, it was still a surprise to see the Lost Prince of Trost come in, clad in Irini’s boys uniform which consisted of the same black and white color but instead of a skirt, obviously, he was wearing black slacks with the signature white collared long sleeves paired with a black tie with white stripes at the bottom and a grey vest that has the schools crest on the right chest pocket. He stood there on the platform in front beside Sir Hexford.

“Not that he needs introduction, but I guess for formalities, introduce yourself to these hell spawns.” Sir Hexford said which only triggered a snicker to come out of our lips but immediately quietened down as we all look expectantly at the “fresh meat.”

“Hello Sir Hexford’s hell spawns, I am Cassian Strauss. I’m 18 so I may be older than some of you here. And as for my title, I’ll leave it to you guys because I’m sure you already know.” He smiled and some of us laughed at his first sentence. Kellen was already chanting “one of us” in the background at his statement which earned a smile from us and also from him. I couldn’t help but notice how his smile made his eyes look brighter and more exquisite than usual.

“As I was saying, a new headache. Anyways, seeing as Cassian has only been in the royal life for a week, he will need to attend basic etiquette classes and some of your early classes to give him a head start. Also before you spout none sense again, yes he has been held back for a year and will also not be taking your exams next month because of his adjustment period.” At the mention of skipping exams, groans can be heard and “lucky” rang out which only made Cassian smile curtly and Sir Hexford to smirk.

“But sir, since he will be needing to learn the basics, does that mean he needs to go take them along with the beginners or something?” Spie asked which made the others began questioning it too. Sir Hexford just massaged his temple slowly as feels a headache rising because of that stupid question.

“No he will be having private lessons Spie, don’t you think it’s ridiculous for a teen to take classes along with the 6 year olds? And if he was, did you really think we’ll put him in this class?” Sir Hexford replied sarcastically which earned him some snickers from us. He does have a point though.

“Also has his room been done? We never saw a spare room was added in ours.” Levine asked out of the blue.

“Yes he will be moving in to your dorms Levine. And yes, there is in fact a spare room in your dorm. You just didn’t know.” Sir Hexford smirked which made the boys exclaim loudly about not being able to know about it despite living in the same dorm for a year now. With all the chaos going on, I couldn’t help my eyes to drift over on the silent Cassian who was just standing there with a smile on his face with our antics. I’m pretty sure he will fit right in with us. As I was thinking so, his eyes suddenly caught mine, alarmed and embarrassed from being caught staring so blatantly, I looked away and urged the blush to go away.

“Also Merideth,” Sir Hexford suddenly called my attention despite the chaos still going around and everybody turned their attention towards me, as well as Cassian who I can feel staring at me stronger than the others and it might be because he caught me staring, I’m not sure though.

“Yes Sir?” I asked a little quietly, seeing as I was still keeling over the fact that I was caught staring by the new student at that.

“The headmaster decided that since Trost was closest to our kingdom and Irini is set on Wiyelt and because you’re quite good at tutoring, you along with the help of some of your classmates, will be responsible for accommodating and taking care of Cassian during his stay here.” As soon as he said that, the class erupted into chaos again as I just sat there. I know it was my duty seeing as Irini is indeed located in our kingdom, so as the princess it was my duty, but that doesn’t mean I like it. It’s not that I hate it but with the turmoil going inside my head with the combination of exams, that stranger that I still haven’t figured out, and the return of my nightmare, another duty is going to be a pain to take care of. 

I groaned softly just thinking about it which made Ava pat me on my shoulder as comfort. I looked up to see Cassian looking at me, although I can’t recognize the emotion behind those mismatched eyes, but when he met my eyes again, this time welcomed unlike the first time, he gave me a small smile as if to tell me with just his eyes that he can understand my pain and offered consolation. I just smiled back at him as if to say thanks.

I guess it’s not so bad and I needed all the distraction I can take so really it’s fine. I might make a new friend after all and that’s more than enough consolation for me, at least for now. 

After that little debacle and chaos with the new student, Sir Hexford made Cassian sit beside me which so happens to be empty for some reason unknown to us because I can clearly remember there wasn’t a seat beside mine before, okay maybe they added a new seat purposefully there so I can be close enough to tutor him or whatever. So now I am sandwiched between Ava who was currently biting her pen while in deep thought, and Cassian who was looking at the notes I gave him for this class. The seating arrangement was slightly altered a bit to accommodate the new seat but all in all it was good.

Apparently, Cassian only needs to take the beginner stuff for proper etiquette and royal ways or whatever because he was quite advanced and he did have education back to where he was found which wasn’t shared to the public yet but I have a theory it was in Rhodes because where else would it be? Anyways, other than basic etiquette and extra stuff taught specifically for royals and nobles he was to take the same normal subjects like math, history, and such along with us. Although he was older than some of us by a year, he was advanced back in Rhodes so I guess he won’t be struggling that much with school works.

Speaking of school works, we are currently in the middle of retelling for History class about the great wars before the alliance for the exam. I absolutely love History class because it was fun to learn about how everything started and how a simple alliance and decision ended wars and saved lives, though my classmates would disagree with that, not with the way some of them were groaning, but for me I always loved History for the sole reason of fascination. It’s so nice just knowing someone was willing to yield for war to end and have everyone love each other instead of hate.

Sir Hexford was currently droning about the first war that started with Wiyelt and Rhodes and my classmates were desperately trying to take notes and I was currently doodling a bit because I already learned that stuff and besides my notes are with the lost prince who was currently trying to copy from. I was absentmindedly drawing the mask of that guy from that night when I felt someone poke me in the arm gently. I snapped out from my daze and looked up at the perpetrator who was currently looking at me innocently like a little lamb that was lost from his flock. With that face he was making you couldn’t really get angry or even annoyed.

“Yes what can I do for you?” I asked politely because I am currently on Princess Duty Mode. He just smiled a bit and dropped his eyes on my desk and looked at it curiously. I followed his eyes to see what he was looking at and when I realized that he was looking at my drawing, specifically of that guy’s mask, wait when did I draw that?

I hurriedly tried to close my book and looked up flustered to Cassian who was looking at me with a cross between amusement and confusion because of what I just did. I almost went red because why the hell did I draw that? Was I crazy or what?

“That was a very pretty mask. Did you design it yourself?” he asked quietly because Sir Hexford was still droning on the platform in front, and he proceeded to go back to taking notes to act like he wasn’t just talking to me. I was almost amused with his actions but remembered about what he was asking about.

“No, it was worn by someone I…” I was about to say someone I knew but that would be a lie because I know nothing about that person other than the fact that he was a mystery. “It was worn by someone I saw at your announcement ball.” I opted for that instead so I didn’t have to lie and also to divert the topic away from him trying to question me more.

“Oh that, I was quite embarrassed about that. Father wanted to throw a huge party and he even decided for it to be some sort of surprise but I was so nervous about being presented like that to the public, let alone to other royals and nobles but he wasn’t going to budge.” He whispered, all the while never taking his eyes off Sir Hexford.

“You were nervous? You didn’t seem like it. You seemed confident up there. Like a very regal prince.” I added while trying to subtly erase that cursed mask drawing of mine.

“Oh so were you analyzing me or something?” he asked teasingly and I couldn’t help myself and I turned my whole body around to look at him.

“Oh come on, I’m pretty sure everybody was. You came as a surprise. A pleasant surprise.” I said and after realizing that he was still acting like he was paying attention to class I turned around back again.

“Oh, I---” before he could say something though, I could feel Sir Hexford’s stare on us. He doesn’t usually get mad at me for not paying attention to his lecture because he knows I already know anyway, but it was a different story when I was making noise and causing distraction for the others. 

“Mr. Strauss and Ms. Staiys, please refrain from talking in the middle of the lecture. Unlike you two who seem to be finding this easy, the others aren’t as lucky enough to comprehend this lesson so I hope you understand and not cause any more distractions to these monkeys who are trying to figure out how the late Commander of Trost fit a whole army inside a manhole to invade Rhodes. Also please reserve getting to know each other after these guys finish knowing about this lesson.” Which earned quite a few giggles from the room and a small smile to rise up on my lips. Although, Cassian seems to be going a little red about being caught talking and not paying attention in class, which I guess is normal seeing as he was still new so leaving a bad impression on our strict adviser is a big no no.

“Of course sir I understand. Carry on with your lesson.” I said politely and he just nodded and went back to retelling the raid that the late Commander of Trost did to Rhodes. I just gave one last smile to the still red Cassian and proceeded to go back to doodling without looking up anymore at the still red prince beside me who was now eagerly taking notes. How cute.