Pretending To Be Gilead's Prince and Master Wizard

I went to school the following day feeling really sleepy.

Why wouldn't I? I was disturbed in my sleep at five in the freaking morning to do my usual early morning training sessions before I go to school

Waaah! Seriously though. Now that I'm improving a lot from my previous training, should they just give it a break and spare me the early morning sessions?!

Yawning, I went to my seat, placed my bag and took a seat and rested my head on my table. I see my friends are not here yet.

"Good morning Krisella!"

Speaking of them, I just saw Maggie and Ariella went inside the classroom together wearing their usual bright smiles on their faces.

Oh geez, I wish I could be like them at this minute.

"You look like someone who lacks sleep," Ariella commented while taking her seat right next to mine. Maggie did the same thing next to her.

Well, technically speaking, I am lacking sleep right now. But I can't just tell her that, or else she will start asking me questions.

"I just have a hard time sleeping at night, then need to wake up early in the morning. That's all." I grunted and remained resting my head on my table.

From my peripheral vision, I saw Ariella and Maggie exchanged worried glances at one another.

It was then that the atmosphere around here changed when our air-headed class president went inside the classroom with his breezy attitude-- as usual.

But the moment he walked past my table…

"G-Good morning, Krisella."

Ever since that incident with him when Lucas caught him spying on me and when he was able to meet his idol Alex, things began to change between me and the class president.

After that, he was a lot nicer to me, but still a jerk towards my other classmates. Because of this sudden change in his attitude, my classmates-- especially my friends-- are already having doubts if there's a thing going on between me and the air-headed jerk.

I still can't help but be surprised every time he greets me like this early in the morning.

"Good morning," I greeted back.

Then he was already out of our sight as he went to his seat in the far end corner of the classroom.

I don't need to look at my friends to see their curious and teasing faces because I can already feel it even if I am resting my head on my desk.

"Again, there's no such thing that is happening between me and the class president, okay?" I said for the nth time and continued resting.

I only snapped out of my thoughts when we heard our adviser, Mr. Pumpkin, went inside and greeted us in his modulated voice that got everyone's attention.

Later that day, my friends and I walked together outside the school gates after our classes for the day. Since our last period teacher had dismissed us early, and the teacher before him didn't show up today, I have so much time to spare right now to be with my friends.

All of us decided to go to the public plaza, where different food stalls are being placed and events are being held annually. My mouth literally gaped at the sight of it.

It can also be compared to a city park, where several benches filled with visitors and made of wooden planks are placed under each shade of a tree. A huge statue was placed at the center of it, which-- according to Maggie-- is the statue of Gilead's Prince and Master Wizard Prince Arthur.

Moving my head up, I took a closer look at the silver carved statue placed here and suddenly asked myself… have I asked my mentors how long is the prince been missing? Maybe I have to ask that from them when I go back to the castle later.

Beside the prince's statue, a fountain made of marble was also built with its overflowing crystal blue water. Then, as I cast my gaze in my surroundings, I noticed several colorful unlighted lanterns were placed hanging above us.

"Is there a celebration right now that I am not aware of?" I asked my friends.

Maggie was the one to answer that. "Tomorrow will be the city's festival."

Oh? A festival? I'm sure my mentors haven't mentioned anything to me about this one. I wonder if I'll still be getting my training sessions by tomorrow.

"Ahh… that's why our classes were suspended for tomorrow," I said and scratched the back of my neck.

"Mr. Pumpkin mentioned it earlier. Perhaps you were too sleepy to pay attention to class." Ariella chimed in while chuckling.

"Yeah…"

Blame my mentors for that!

They continued touring me around the plaza until we came across a certain group of men in their uniforms-- consisting of a black trench coat and a pair of black trousers with a symbol embroidered around their chests-- are gathering on a corner.

"Oh! The Magic Army!" Maggie suddenly exclaimed.

I wasn't able to miss the opportunity to see Ariella's sudden change of facial expression the moment she heard what Maggie said just now.

Due to her excitement, Maggie went closer to the group. There, we came across a certain lad whose back is faced towards us.

"Sir, you must be the captain of the Magic Army." our friend stated, which stunned me for a bit.

Captain of the Magic Army?! Does she mean….

The lad, whom Maggie approached earlier, turned around which made me jerk my head in the opposite direction, and pretended to look busy.

"Yes, I am." The voice of that heartless, cold jerk, whom I've known at the castle answered our dear friend's question.

Then he went silent, and I felt his stare shifted towards my direction… or was it only just my imagination?

"You are so cool!" Maggie continued to praise him, to which he didn't react.

Yeah, cool outside but jerk inside. I wish Maggie could have known his other side.

'Apologies, young miss, but we have training to do. So if you could excuse us,"

Whoa! Why does he sound so polite and a gentleman to others but not to me?!

��Oh, of course! I'm sorry for disturbing you."

And with that, Maggie finally went back to her senses and walked towards us. Then we started walking away from them.

"Captain Alex is so cool, don't you think so guys?" Maggie uttered and turned to look at us.

I just averted my eyes. "Yeah… I think so."

"Captain Alex would always be a jerk and a coward to me!"

Maggie and I looked stunned upon hearing Ariella's last statement. It's as if….she is holding a grudge towards the lad, or anything of that sort.

I wonder what happened that made her think of Alex that way...