2 A Prince

"Oi, you! Where are you taking me?"

Bridget flailed violently in the feathered embrace of the giant chicken.

"Don't move or I'll drop you." A cold threat issued forth from the girl-knapping member of the Aves class.

"You wouldn't dare! I'll fry you and your ancestors!"

The chicken chuckled at the girl's brazen words. Fry his ancestors? They'll scare you to death! His family is one of royal lineage dating back to the founding of the Gallinarian Empire. Countless fierce warriors and wise rulers have been born into the House of Ignis.

The giant chicken gently put her down once they reached their destination but refused to let go of her no matter how she struggled in its grasp. They were now in a secluded part of the school garden, sitting atop a wooden bench surrounded by foliage. Large leaves hung from vines that clung onto elaborate metal pergolas. Brightly colored exotic flowers bloomed brilliantly around them on both sides. It was clear that this garden was being taken care of very well. Bridget thought that these little things that astounded her were probably normal for prestigious schools like this for rich kids. The finer things in life could not be fathomed by commers like her, who got in with scholarships.

After appreciating the surrounding scenery, she returned her attention to the problem at hand.

"What do you want?"

"Marry me."

"Eh?" Bridget stared at the chicken, shell-shocked.

Marry him? But they just met! And why did it sound like more of a command than a question? Most importantly, he was a chicken! She did not have that kind of kink, no thank you.

She stared at him adamantly and pouted her cherry lips. "I refuse!"

"You have no say in the matter."

"Fuck you! I have human rights! You're just a chicken! Who are you to tell me to marry you?"

The chicken's eyes flashed with something unknown. It paused momentarily before asking: "What did you say?"

"Huh?"

"Repeat the words you just said."

Bridget glanced at the brooding storm in the chicken's beady eyes and swallowed back her "No, I won't!" She started speaking with a slight stammer in her voice, trying to recall her own words.

"F-f-fuck you…. Er… I h-have human r-rights….. Y-y-you're just a chicken…..Um-"

"Did you just call me a chicken?" His stern voice interrupted her.

"Y-you… You ARE a chicken! Can't I call you one?" She asked indignantly, growing braver when she saw the storm has passed.

"You really… see me as a chicken?"

"You're not a chicken?" Bridget questioned back. What on earth was he trying to say? Couldn't he just get to the point already?

The chicken sighed, an untraceable hint of a smile played in his voice. "I thought we were destined when I first saw you and now I know I was right. Go home and pack your bags. We're leaving 8:30 am tomorrow sharp."

It took a little time for Bridget to process what he just said.

"Eh? What? Leaving?! Where to?"

"Of course it's to meet my family. I finally found my bride so I have to take to back to my country. I won't ascend to the throne until I'm 22, so you only have five years to learn everything. It's best to start right away."

"Throne? You're a PRINCE?! No, that can't be… you're obviously just a chicken. I must be having a weird dream."

The chicken looked a little irked when it saw how little she believed him.

"My family has carried the royal blood of the Imperial Phoenix since time immemorial. Every generation, a single heir inherits a particularly large portion of the Phoenix gene and that person is chosen to become the country's ruler. To everyone else, I am a normal man. Only the soul mirror and my destined life-long partner is able to see the shape of my soul. You are that person I've always been waiting for." The chicken paused, a softness glowed in its eyes.

"You must come with me and fall in love with me. You will become the Queen when I take the throne and you will also give birth to my children. When you fall in love with me, I will no longer assume my Phoenix form in your eyes so that is not a problem. I'll pick you up at your home at 7:00 am tomorrow morning. You don't have to worry about your parents or the school; I'll deal with everything. Remember: 7:00 am. Don't make me wait."

The words that came from the chicken flew by in a flurry over Bridget's head. When she had finally came to her senses, she was sitting on the wooden bench alone in the garden. The chicken had already disappeared as though it were nothing but a mirage.