[11.2] The Basta- No, The Cousin of the Prince

I took a step back from the two bowing to me. I waved my hands to get them to stop, "You really don't need to."

Zephyr chuckled, <<HAH! Stupid girl. Look how uncomfortable you are. I'm really enjoying this.>>

I glared at him, <<Don't you ever know when to shut up?>>

Caldwell's smile froze when he noticed Zephyr. His eyes looked oddly cold as he gazed at him, "Who is this little fox?"

I flinched, "Fox?"

Caldwell motioned to Zephyr.

"Ah! He's not a fox. He's a cat."

Zephyr shrieked, "I AM A FOX YOU DUMB GIRL!"

I ignored him, "This is Zephyr. He's my familiar."

I snapped my fingers and with a *poof* he turned into a normal-looking boy around my age. He barked at me immediately, "F*cking IDIOT! I'm not a CAT! I'M A FOX!"

I rubbed his hair that was standing up, "There, there little kitty."

He bit my hand and I quickly put a layer of ice on my skin so he wouldn't draw any blood. Caldwell and Cyrus watched our exchange with their mouths hanging open. Caldwell forced out a laugh, "It seems that the two of you are very close."

Zephyr and I both froze.

We both shouted simultaneously, "We are not close!"

We both glared at each other. Zephyr growled, "Stop copying me!"

"You're the one copying me!"

Cyrus felt his face twitch as we argued, "Let's just finish the tour… Shall we?"

I clicked my tongue, "Lead the way."

We were escorted around the Academy until my feet hurt. I groaned, "Why is the Academy so big?!"

Cyrus nodded with a wise look, "Due to the magical spells on the building, it is larger inside than it appears on the outside. The Academy is really one of a kind. No other place can compare to its grandeur."

I clicked my tongue, "Are you a student or the school's personal marketer?"

He tilted his head, "I've already told you I'm a Prince."

I sighed, "That was a rhetorical question."

"I will show you outside now." Cyrus led me outside where he pointed to several areas, "The Academy has its own stables for larger familiars. Over there is a lake which is quite popular for lovers to go on dates."

I raised an eyebrow, "And how do you know this?"

He coughed awkwardly, "Everyone knows this. It's very popular at the Academy. There are even gazebos and gardens there for that very purpose."

I narrowed my eyes, "How old are you?"

He blinked innocently, "11. Why?"

I shook my head, "You are too young to be thinking about girls and going on dates."

Caldwell chuckled, "Ohoho~"

His face flushed, "I-I'm not! I was just- Ugh! I was just giving you a tour!"

I nodded, "Mhm. Sure."

"Whatever!" He turned away still grumbling, "Over there is the forest near the Academy. They sometimes use it for combat training. The forest is dangerous so you're not allowed to go there unless you have permission. Finally, I will show you to the garden. You can reserve your own plot of land and raise whatever plants you'd like there."

I snickered, "I'm not interested in that. I'm almost as bad as the Headmaster when it comes to raising plants."

Cyrus raised an eyebrow, "The Headmaster raises plants?"

Caldwell tilted his head, "The Headmaster is bad at something?"

I froze when I saw the beautiful scenery. The rose bushes and flowers were in full bloom giving it an ethereal look. I smiled softly, "Oh… This is actually… Rather beautiful…"

Caldwell nodded with starry eyes, "Nothing is more beautiful than my young Master."

Cyrus tossed him a look, "Caldwell. Behave yourself or else I will leave you behind again."

Caldwell sniffed pitifully, "Young Master… How can you be so cold?"

"Prince Cyrus!"

A brown-haired boy with gentle eyes ran over to us waving. He was only a bit taller than Cyrus, but he acted much more like a child than Cyrus did.

Cyrus smiled with him, "Ah! Felix. Come greet Reika. She's the Headmaster's daughter."

I mumbled under my breath, "I'm not his daughter."

Felix smiled at me and bowed, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Lady Reika."

I raised an eyebrow. I'm a lady now?

He continued, "My name is Felix Newman. I am Prince Cyrus's cousin."

I looked Felix up and down, "Cousin?"

The two of them looked completely different. Cyrus had an overly confident and proud appearance while Felix looked humble and friendly.

Felix glanced at Cyrus, "Prince Cyrus. You seem to treat Reika very well. Usually, you are quite disinterested in others. What makes her so special?"

I glanced at him.

Cyrus coughed awkwardly, "She's the one who saved my life."

His eyes widened, "Ah! I see! So this is the famous girl who saved you!"

I frowned. Are people talking about me behind my back!?

Cyrus nodded with a thoughtful look, "The Headmaster asked me to keep her accountable. From now on we will probably be around each other quite a bit."

Um. No thanks. I don't even like people my own age… Why would I want to be around children?

"I see. I hope we will all get along." Felix chuckled lightly then turned to Cyrus, "Have you convinced her to join the cause yet?"

I looked at them in confusion, "Join the cause? What cause?"

Cyrus broke out into coughs, "Ah! I-"

Felix ignored him and grinned mischievously, "Cyrus has just joined the competition for the throne."

"And what does that have to deal with me?"

Felix spoke, "He wants you to join him, of course."

I frowned, "Join him?"

Of course. People are only ever nice when they want something.

Cyrus stepped in and cleared his throat, "I am extending the offer to you to become my personal magician. It is a very high honor that very few could hope to achieve."

There's no way in hell I'm doing that.

I shook my head, "That sounds like too much work. I decline."

Cyrus stared at me with a wide mouth, "Y-You decline?!"

Felix laughed and pat his back softly, "Prince Cyrus, it appears your charm doesn't work on her."

Cyrus ignored him and spoke confidently, "I don't think you understand. If you join my side, I will not only reward you handsomely, but you will also become famous. Even if I don't get the throne, the personal magicians are offered high-level jobs in the Palace. It's a position very few could even dream of getting."

I flicked my hair, "Although I like having money, I could care less about being famous. I'm not doing it. I will NEVER do it. So you can stop asking."

Felix smiled as he spoke, "Don't say 'never' so quickly. You don't know what the future holds."

Cyrus crossed his arms, "Well, I won't give up. You just watch. You'll eventually join my side. I'm sure of it."

I rolled my eyes, "I'm sure. But why do you want the throne so badly?"

His expression turned serious, "It is the only way I will survive."

"Huh? Survive?"

Isn't that a bit dark?

....Is he really a child?

Cyrus nodded solemnly, "In the beginning, I thought if I didn't join the competition then my family would leave me alone. However, I was wrong. Just by being alive, I posed a threat to them. They were intent on killing me no matter what."

No wonder this child acts so mature! He was forced to grow up so quickly because everyone was trying to kill him.

And it was all because of competition for the throne?!

I crossed my arms in irritation, "I can't believe your own siblings are willing to kill you! That's just cruel!"

Cyrus shook his head, "They aren't my siblings. Anyone in the next generation of the Royal family is capable of joining the competition. We are only related by royal blood. They are more like my distant cousins."

I glanced at Felix, "Cousins? So you're also competing for the throne?"

Felix flinched. He shook his head quickly, "N-No! I can't compete."

"Hm? Why not?"

He blushed slightly and looked away, "I am only half-related to the Royal family. Technically, I am not even considered as being part of the Royal family."

Zephyr snickered, "You're a bastard, aren't cha?"

I smacked Zephyr's head when I noticed Felix's depressed expression.

Zephyr shouted, "Oi! That hurt!"

I glared at him, "Apologize!"

"I will NEVER apologize to a filthy human!"

Felix panicked as he saw we were about to fight, "I-It's okay! He doesn't have to apologize. It's the truth after all. My mother was a commoner and the Duke is my father. For this reason, I can live with the Duke but I can't compete for the throne."

I wagged my finger at him, "Now, now. You shouldn't speak like that. If you act like that, then people will only take advantage of your kindness. You need to fight back and bare your teeth at them."

He blushed, "O-Oh… N-No, I can't fight."

"Can't? Or won't??"

He looked away in embarrassment, "Both. I'm a healer, not a fighter. Since I am a wood attribute, I lack the ability to fight. I am only skilled in botany and healing."

I shook my head, "You are capable of anything you set your heart to."

Caldwell chuckled, "My, my, Reika. You are a very strong-spirited girl. Are you sure you are only a child? You act much older than you look."

I chuckled, "I can assure you, I'm not a child. I'm actually a-"

Zephyr tugged on me, <<Oi! Idiot! Don't tell them that! They will definitely lock you up!>>

<<Bah! If they try, I will just run away.>>

<<Are you stupid?! How can you run away!? They specifically have medication that they can use to make you unable to use magic!!>>

<<They… They do?!>>

He sneered ominously, <<It's a poison that is very hard to procure. But I heard that humans will use it on prisoners who are really strong.>>

I looked away from him with an ominous feeling growing in my chest. That can't bode well.

Felix turned his attention back to Cyrus and shook his head, "I still can't believe your Aunt and Uncle tossed you to those kidnappers. They should really be punished."

My eyes widened, "Wait. They weren't punished?"

Cyrus pressed his lips together but didn't answer.

Felix sighed, "They merely got a slap on the wrist. The King just gave them a fine and put them on house arrest for a week. It is really hard to punish someone in the Royal family."

"What?! Even when it concerns murder?! He's still a Prince! How can the King just look the other way?!"

Felix looked troubled, "I suppose if it was another member of the Royal family then they would have faced a heavier punishment. However, since it is Prince Cyrus, it is different. He has the blood of a de-"

Cyrus smacked his hand over his mouth, "S-Stop talking!"

Felix calmly removed his hand, "Prince Cyrus, she is going to find out eventually. It's not like it is a secret."

I looked between the two in confusion, "What is it?"