Chapter Seventy-Three: Face to Face With The Princess

AN: Hey guys just wanna talk about a few things. Recently my uploading hasnt been consistent on this story and you guys deserve a reason, honestly I've been sick. Allergies are kicking me in the behind. Im trying to write more everyday but sometimes my energy just vanishes from me. I hope you understand that I am trying to get better quickly and get back to witting in a consistent manner.

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"IM SORRY!"

"....What?"

Alex was shocked after hearing the princess' sudden apology.

"I'm sorry for acting the way I have all day." Seraphina said.

"What are you sorry for exactly?" Alex asked.

"I've been acting a little more rudely than I would've liked toward you, but please let me explain the reason for that." Seraphina said.

"Go ahead, Princess." Alex said this as she was trying to figure out her motive behind this talk.

"I was rude to you because I needed to save face. I'm supposed to be this cold but beautiful, unapproachable princess, so I acted a bit rude to you and Freya, and for that, I'm sorry. That's not who I want to be." Seraphina said.

"Then why are you acting like someone you're not?" Alex asked. It didn't make sense to him why she would have to act like someone she wasn't.

"My father asked this of me; he wants to keep my social circle limited to those he approves of; if he even learned we were talking privately like this, he'd be angry." Seraphina explained.

Alex knew about this kind of situation. A controlling father, even more so with him being an emperor, and considering the politics of the royal family, he wouldn't want to risk his daughter possibly talking to or dating someone she wasn't supposed to. The sad thing about being in a political family is that you don't get much freedom in who you associate with. He also knew every word Seraphina said was her truth as by using Xymaris gift that was given to him, he couldn't sense any falsehoods in her statement.

"Well, I don't mean to offend, but your father is a dick." Alex said it so calmly that it shocked Seraphina to see how brazen he was.

Alex continued talking. "You are your own person, not your title; talk to who you want to talk to; be friends with who you want to be friends with; love who you want to love; his opinion doesn't matter, even if he is the emperor."

Seraphina's jaw dropped upon hearing what Alex said.

"You...how do you speak so casually about something like that?" Seraphina said.

"It's simple. I don't care. I don't care about anyone's opinion other than mine and those I love. If the Emperor himself were here in the flesh, I would say the same thing." Alex stated.

Seraphina was at a loss for words. She had never meant anyone to be so brazen in their words. Everyone she had met had always sucked up to her father and her family, and they never showed how they truly felt.

Seraphina took a deep breath and said, "Alex, I was serious about wanting you as my protégé, even more so now."

"Sorry, but Freya chose me, and I'm not going to disappoint her." Alex stated.

"So there's no way I can dissuade you?" Seraphina asked.

Alex looked at her in the eyes and said "No, there isn't; however, if you want, you can talk to me whenever."

Seraphina's eyes showed a glint as she asked "Really?"

"Yeah, like I said, I don't care what your father says, and you shouldn't either. So if you just want to talk, I'll listen when I can." Alex said.

Alex could never turn away someone like Seraphina. He could see she was lonely due to the "act" her father forced her into. Alex knew what it was like to feel alone. Even if he wasn't in the greatest mindset personally, he still wanted to help her in whatever way he could, even with the little help he could offer.

Seraphina felt relieved to hear Alex's words. He didn't care if she was a princess, but he was still willing to just talk to her.

"If you're willing to give me a chance and willing to talk to me, I'll gladly take you up on that." Seraphina said.

Alex and Seraphina came to the agreement that Alex wouldn't care about Seraphina's status and that Seraphina would be willing to talk to him when she wanted to.

Alex and Seraphina walked together down the hallway, catching quite a few eyes and murmurs from the other students. After all, Seraphina was a princess walking with a minor noble, one who performed so brutally in the entrance exam.

The two eventually split up as they both went towards their next classes, but not without a goodbye that would shake the school's foundation.

"Well, Seraphina, I'll be going to my next class; where are you going?" Alex asked.

"Oh, I have a study hall period to go to; what about you?" Seraphina asked.

"I got...mathematics." Alex said sighing.

"Not a math fan?" Seraphina asked.

"Basic math, sure, but that's about it." Alex said with a slight smile on his face.

"Well maybe I could help you, I'm not exactly a math genius myself but I understand it pretty well." Seraphina offered it with a smile on her face.

"That would help, thank you." Alex said being thankful he could get some help with his worst subject."

"You're welcome; now I've got to go before the bell rings; you should hurry too." Seraphina said.

"Yeah, you're right..." Alex sighed as he headed towards his next class, while Seraphina watched Alex walk away and felt sad when Alex vanished from her sight.

"Thank you, Alex." She whispered under her breath.

*Meanwhile at a random village in the Empire.

"Iris, hurry up!" Xymaris yelled out.

"There's ice cream with cherries in it, Xymaris!" Iris yelled out.

"This is not the time for ice cream, Iris; we have to head to the capital." Xymaris said.

"Sis, listen to me; just taste this." Iris handed her sister an ice cream cone.

"Fine, I'll humor you." Xymaris said as she tasted the ice cream. "There are chocolate cookies in it!" I need to know what this is called."

"It's called cookies and cream-flavored." Iris said.

Xymaris walked up to the ice cream stall and asked "Can we get these to go?"

*Back at the Xymaris Academy*

Alex had just finished his math class, which he mostly fell asleep in. When Alex was interested in a subject, it would have his undivided attention, but when it didn't, he wouldn't bat an eye at it.

Alex walked to his next class, which was outside of the school in a small arena.

There were about two dozen students standing around in the arena waiting for the class to start. Alex tried to see if there was anyone he recognized, and Amelie was sitting down reading a book.

Alex walked up to her and sat down next to Amelie.

"Oh, hey Alex, we have combat class together?" Amelie asked.

"Looks like it; what are you reading?" Alex asked.

"Oh, just a book about a prince falling in love with a commoner girl." Amelie said.

"You read romance novels?" Alex asked.

"I read all types of novels; romance is one of my favorites, though." Amelie said.

Alex wanted to ask her more, but the teacher arrived in the arena.

"Alright, listen up!" the teacher yelled out, gathering everyone's attention.

He was an older man with scars all over his arms, which were showing since he was wearing gear you would see mercenaries wear.

"My name is Austin, and I'm a commoner from the northern part of the empire. I'm also an A-rank mercenary, and first things first---

Welcome to Combat Class."

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