Pretending To Be Gilead's Prince and Master Wizard

The class of 1-A began leaving the auditorium one by one as we prepared to return to the Gilead Academy. But I remained inside, standing next to Ms. Leighman with my adviser Mr. Pumpkin standing behind her.

My heart throbbed at the moment. Thinking about her offer more carefully, I could have a different way to earn my own income. I could also be away from the castle and pretended that the people I met there did not exist at all. 

And then… I could have all the peace and time in the world, just like what I originally planned and wanted the first time I went here to Citadel.

No more sorrows, no more heartaches, no more strict time schedule to follow… or an arrogant teacher to face every single day. 

I will be free… at last.

"Ms. Leighman… I…" I proceeded to speak, thinking I would like to take this once in a lifetime opportunity bestowed to a person, but I do not understand why my heart seems to grieve in the decision that I am now about to make.

"Hmm?" The director crooked one eyebrow upward, indicating that her patience is already at its limit for waiting for my answer.

It's true that I started my time in the castle quite rough, I suppose. However, there are certain good things I am currently enjoying while I'm still pretending to be the prince. 

I was able to master certain spells that I cannot execute properly in the past, thanks to my short-tempered teacher. Then there's the privilege of living in a castle other people dream of. I have good friends like Lucas and Lancelot, as well as a large sum of money no woman my age can earn nowadays.

All in all, though my first stay in the castle did not go well, I also cannot say that my whole stay there for the past few months is really worse. In fact, it is really not so bad.

And then… There is also this childhood dream that I have of being a master wizard like my deceased father once was. I won't trade it for anything else, even though there seems to be no hope for that.

Now, going back to Ms. Leighman, I smiled at her-- an apologetic one-- and resumed my statement.

"I believe that the offer is truly enlightening for me... especially since I'm not an experienced actress myself. However, I prioritize my studies above all else, so I apologize if I need to decline the offer."

Well, there goes my chance of being a famous theater actress. This better be worth the risk, or there might be a possibility that I would have to regret this for the rest of my life.

Ms. Leighman's stern face managed to force a smile, and said, "Well then, it is nice to meet you in person. However, in case you changed your mind though…" 

She handed me a small piece of thick paper, which I gladly took. The top of the paper is printed with the name of their theater group, and below it is her name, printed in bold letters.

"... You can reach out to me through the telephone number written on that card."

That was her last statement before she gave a curt nod to both me and my class adviser and went back to her group on stage. 

"And now, we shall return to the omnibus." My teacher said, to which I responded with a nod. 

---

That night, at the castle, I was still thinking about the chance that was given to me to change my fate as I lay down at the prince's king-sized bed. If I came to accept the offer, then maybe I won't have to do this whole impersonation thing ever again.

I would have the freedom that I truly deserve.

And yet, why did I let that chance slip through my fingers? Is it really because of my dream of becoming the master wizard someday? Or is it because of something else?

Seriously, why am I even thinking about this at the moment? Shouldn't I drop this matter on hand since I already declined the offer? What is the use of worrying about it anyway?

I heaved a long, dramatic exasperated sigh and tried to close my eyes to let sleep come to me in this instance. But no matter what I do, it seems that I cannot force myself to sleep at this rate.

"Oh damn it, it seems I could not retire at this hour," I grumbled to myself and proceeded with getting up from the bed and sitting in the corner of it.

"Now… what should I do?"

It may have seemed stupid, but I started getting up and performed several jumping jacks I had learned during my elementary years. Maybe, just maybe, I would feel sleepy from exhaustion later on.

I was still jumping up and down while clapping my hands in the air when I heard a voice saying this out of nowhere.

"You know, you look like a dimwit while you are doing that kind of thing,"

My lips parted when I heard the arrogant, cold muscular voice emerge from nowhere. I did not react at first, however, when my senses regained normality again...

"Secretorum Fidelium!"

I snapped to my right, stretching my right hand forward in the process, as I perform the spell used to reveal persons in their invisible mode.

There was no doubt that the captain of the magic army managed to enter this room, in his invisible mode earlier… for his familiar figure was soon revealed in front of me.

"What the hell is this Alex?"

I almost screamed, but then after reminding myself that there might be some curious ears that could hear me squealing in a girl's voice, I prevented myself from doing so.

"Calm your nerves. It is only I." he casually said. And how the hell is he so casual when he almost acted like a freak barging into a girl's room? By now, I had forgotten about the jumping jacks part and was solely focused on him.

"Do you know that you look like some creepy stalker of mine that likes to barge inside a girl's room?" I spat, not able to contain my frustration.

To my surprise, however, I do not feel angry at all... rather, I feel relieved seeing him here, acting as if we are back to what we were before all of that awkward moment happened.

"Creepy? With this charming face that I possess?" And he still has the guts to arch one eyebrow playfully at me! "Ms. Lancaster, don't you think you are being too rude to your mentor?"

"If there is someone who is being rude here at the moment," I said, jabbing one finger in his direction. "It is most certainly you, creepy stalker."

"Okay, first of all… you left your door unlocked and I was about to chastise you about your carelessness," he pointed out, motioning his eyes in the direction of the door to which I followed.

"And second of all, I am anything but creepy." 

I sigh in defeat. I had pretty much figured out that there is no point in arguing against this guy who is likely more knowledgeable than me.

"Then what are you doing inside the prince's chamber at this hour?" I was aware that I spoke louder than I should have, so I immediately covered my mouth to remind myself to speak quietly.

"Sorry," I immediately mouthed.

"As I said..." Alex now switched back to being his cold, arrogant self and made a serious face. "I wanted to remind you for the nth time to be careful around the castle. Your actions could undermine our plans. You have to be careful around here.." 

I felt a flash of irritation rush over me without any valid reason at all, yet I tried not to let him see it. Instead, I made an apology face.

"Oh. I am really sorry for that. It must have slipped through my mind earlier." I sighed. "But from now on, I will make sure to lock it at all times, so you have nothing to worry about."

"Good."

"Anything else?"

"I believe that would be all."

This was the last statement he said before he went toward the door. Just as I turned to get back into bed, he chose to turn around and glance up at me once more. There was a tinge of something in his eyes as he stared right at me.

Was it relief? Joy? I'm not quite sure.

"I was so glad when you declined that offer at the auditorium earlier... Thank you for staying here," he said, his eyes restless from staring at me for over two seconds.

"You do?" was all that came out of my mouth.

But then he came back to his usual self in the next couple of seconds.

"Well, of course! I was worried that our plan might be compromised, and that we wouldn't be able to find an instant replacement if you left us. What were you thinking?" he said, quite irritated. 

But I have this impression that he is not irritated towards me. More on..., he is annoyed with himself for some unknown reason.

"You are most definitely welcome," I muttered sarcastically, ignoring his remark earlier as my arms crossed over my chest.

When the lad didn't speak after that, I added, "Anything else?"

But he also chose that time to teleport his way out of here with just a snap of his fingers, leaving freckles of sparkling dust in the process.

I shook my head in disapproval. "Typical Alex."

While lying on the bed, it suddenly dawned on me how the hell did he learn of that offer in the first place?