Chapter 13: Meeting the original Heroine

The openings ceremony was probably as exciting as peeling potatoes.

This gave Alythia some time to scheme about how she was going to give Karlyle the slip, however, even nearing the end of the speeches she still couldn't come up with anything good enough to actually fool this intelligent and immensely perceptive Dragon.

"Yo Kyle" Blake said in greeting as he walked up to them after the ceremony had ended. "Mr Damiano wants to see you, something about logistic problems"

Karlyle let out a sigh "How troublesome" he muttered before glancing at Alythia.

He then turned his attention back to Blake "Fine, then you accompany Tia to the notice board. She'll get lost if she goes alone"

Alythia's eyebrows rose in surprise 'Eh? What am I?? Some child who needs a nanny??'

She stared at Karlyle with puffed cheeks, but he interrupted her before she was able to argue "Tia, you're not a child but you are extremely bad with directions"

She wanted to protest but couldn't, since he was right.

Karlyle moved closer to her and whispered in her ear "And I know you two are up to something but in my absence please stay out of trouble"

Alythia wanted to deny that she was up to anything but before she had the chance she felt someone yank her arm and pull her out the main door towards the garden.

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"Lucky for us the Headmaster wanted to see Kyle otherwise he never would've let you out of his sight" the black haired boy hummed in amusement "Quite the protective and over-bearing pet isn't he?"

As they passed the fountain in the middle of the garden, Alythia felt a push from behind before plummeting face-first into some nearby bushes.

She scowled at Blake as he crawled in after her "ARE YOU INSANE!?" she hissed but was silenced by a pair of big pale hands covering her mouth.

"Shhhh or they'll hear you" Blake said, pointing over the bushes into a direction.

When Alythia peeked out she saw a boy and girl walking together. They also seemed to be heading towards the School's Square.

The olive skinned girl was exceptionally pretty. She had chocolate brown hair and dark-green eyes.

"Ray Rivermore" Alythia muttered when she realized that the girl's appearance matched the description of the Heroine from the novel

"Eh? You already know her?" Blake asked, clearly surprised. "That's strange, since she was only supposed to move into your room this afternoon..."

"Ah well I've hear rumors about her you know, it's not every day that a commoner gets --- WAIT A MINUTE --- what do you mean 'move into my room'?"

Blake looked at her and responded without even a hint of shame "She's you're roommate – I arranged it like that to, you know, make it easier for you to help me out with her"

Alythia stared at the prince, absolutely astonished by how he is able to abuse his power for personal gain without even the slightest bit of remorse.

'He's supposed to rule this country in the future.... shouldn't I immigrate?'

Alythia let out a deep sigh, tucking her conscience away as she proceeded to help this foolish boy with his unthought-through-plans.

"Ok so what's the plan" .

"Don't have one"

"Aggggg figures.... WAIT.... HOLD UP.... you mean to tell me that you pushed a helpless lady into the bushes for nothing?? What kind of wana-be hero are you supposed to be?"

"HAH? Lady?? Hahahaha where might she be? I don't see anyone in here other than me and you Pinky"

Alythia growled at him "Do you want to die snake boy? I'll skin you alive"

"Ag calm down, I'm only kidding" he said, ruffling her hair up in a playful manner. "All I need for you to do is distract that guy so I can accompany her in his stead. Try to not mess it up, okay pipsqueak?"

'Tsk, this idiot is going to be the reason I'll be sporting headaches for the next two years'

"Got it" Alythia said as she stood up and crawled out of the bushes.

The pair were still leisurely talking around the fountain – the boy seemed to have been explaining to Ray what all the buildings around them were – when Alythia interrupted them.

She looked at the boy as she spoke "The headmaster wants to see you, it seemed quite urgent so I'll guide you to him" and with that she dragged the boy away.

He didn't protest.

When they rounded a corner, she yanked the poor bewildered guy behind some nearby trashcans before crouching down next to him.

She hushed him before he was able to speak and pointed towards Blake and Ray who were already walking off together.

"Ah" the boy said, finally catching on. "So all that talk about the headmaster wanting to see me was a lie?" he asked with an accusing tone.

Alythia turned to the boy, ready to self-justify her way out of this mess, but stopped mid-sentence when she caught sight of his eyes.

They were staring at her pointedly but something seemed odd. His eyes looked... well...

"lonely" she murmured before slapping both hands over her mouth.

She closed her eyes in embarrassment when she realized she had said that last part out loud.

She groaned 'How awkward'

The boy just stared at her wide-eyed.

'This seems like a good time for back-peddling' she thought

"Ah I meant lovely, yea that's it!! Wow your eyes are so pretty, I've never seen a blue like that before" She waved her hands in front of her face as if trying to shoo away her conscience – currently giving her a hard time for continuously lying.

The blond boy's eyes narrowed as he thought over what she had just said and then a deep crimson blush shot through his face.

'Eh? Isn't this boy quite innocent – blushing at a random compliment like that? He looks too young to be in the academy... perhaps he's someone's brothe---'

But her thoughts were interrupted as she noticed the wind pick up. It suddenly started blowing quite profusely – to the point that her hair was completely covering her face and she couldn't see a thing.

Then the realization hit her.

She felt a chill shoot through her spine as she heard a deep voice, almost like a growl, coming from behind her.

"Tsk, isn't Tia being a bit shameless, complimenting another guy's eyes behind my back?"

Alythia jerked her head back and for a moment it felt like she forgot how to breathe.

'Kai looks furious' she thought, as her limbs started shaking.

Karlyle walked towards them.

He pulled her up to her feet and stepped in front of her, blocking the blonde boy – who was still crouched down – from her view.

He glared at the boy.

"Leave" he said with an icy tone.

"HAH!?" the blue-eyed boy furrowed his brows "Why should I? Isn't it her fault for dragging me here in the first place?"

But after seeing Alythia's pleading expression, peeking at him from behind the Dragon's back, the boy relented.

He casually stood up, dusted himself off, and leisurely walked away from them.

Alythia let out a sigh of relief the moment the boy was out of ear shot, but her relief was short lived as the wind around them was still blowing uncontrollably.

They were now in the center of what seemed like a tiny hurricane.

Karlyle turned towards her, still glowering "Tia, is it that fun to tease me? Do you want to test the waters and see how much I can take before I SNAP??"

Alythia flinched as his voice got louder. "Kai I'm sorry.... Blake and his stupid---"

"Don't blame him Tia!!" he cut her off,  "I told you to stay out of TROUBLE didn't I? But why is it that you don't seem to care at all what I say but jump at everyone else's BECK AND CALL??"

The wind was getting stronger and it became increasingly difficult for her to breathe. Her legs were now trembling and she felt light headed.

"Kai I'm sor---"

But before she could finish her sentence her knees gave way and she fell.

Karlyle, however, caught her just in time and gently lifted her up in his arms.

The wind surrounding them instantly died down.

He placed her on a nearby bench and crouched down in front of her, clenching her tiny hands inside his.

As her eyes fluttered open she saw an extremely concerned expression staring back at her.

She put her hand against his cheek and he leaned into her touch.

"I didn't realize the air around us had gotten so thin... sorry" he mumbled, staring down at the ground like some guilty looking child after throwing a tantrum.

Alythia couldn't help but chuckle. 'He's quite cute when he's pouting' she thought.

"I'm sorry I did what you asked me not to do. So we're both sorry – it's even" she said as her smile grew larger.

But Karlyle gave no response.

He simply stared at her, eyeing her shyly - a rather unusual expression, one he very seldom wore.

"You..." he closed his mouth, and took a deep breath.

"You still prefer... my... eyes... right?" he finally asked with a soft voice, one which lacked his usual confidence.

Alythia's smile faltered and she felt a pang of guilt shoot through her heart for causing such a misunderstanding between them.

"Kai's eyes will forever be my absolute favorite, there's no doubt", she reassured him, with as full a chest and as serious a tone as she could muster.

Karlyle smiled.

He tood up and, leaning over her, planted a soft kiss on her forehead.

"I'm assuming you haven't checked the notice board yet?"

"Nope" Alythia shamelessly confirmed, with her grin again spreading from ear to ear.

"Kai knows me so well"

Karlyle chuckled before helping her to her feet. "Let's go see whose class you're in"

He quickly linked their arms to stabilize her as he led her through the garden, towards the School's Square.