Rules

MICHAEL

One thing I hate the most is the smell of books. Old books. It irritates me.

I obeyed and followed her to the place where they imprison books. Which is stylishly called the library. The library, I scoffed.

We entered the castle library and I was surprised by its magnitude. It was a grand example of architecture, with its majestic columns and intricate designs adorning the ceiling. She sat on a chair that had a small round table beside it with a beautiful flower vase on it. I awkwardly stood in front of her and I looked around for a chair to sit on.

"What are you looking for, Gorgeous?"

My whole body stiffened, what? Did she just call me... gorgeous? I squeezed my face in annoyance.

"I am looking for a place to sit." That was my reply.

She parted her lips wide to produce an audible howling sound that disturbed the peaceful state of the library. It was awkward for me to think she found what I said funny. When she noticed how ridiculous she was and the grim look on my face, she composed herself and cleared her throat, "You, my Gorgeous are going to stand before me while I lecture you on how to be a proper human. Starting from not sneaking into my room or jumping off balconies. How did you even survive that?"

I shrugged, "I guess...I could withstand gravity."

"Really?" She asked in disbelief.

I ignored her and carved out a small wooden chair from the little magic that was left in me and sat in front of her with my legs crossed.

"Woah! D-d-d-d-did you...just conjure up that chair from thin air?" She asked with her eyebrows raised and her eyes popping out from their sockets.

I blew the invisible specks of dust on my fingernails to prove my point. "Yes. Yes, I did."

"Wow...what was that?!"

"Magic."

"You can do magic?"

"Yes. It's a bonus to what I am."

She gave me a questioning look, "And what are you?"

I fell silent as we stared at each other. I could see the eagerness in her big brown eyes as she waited for my reply or declaration of what I didn't even know I am! I remained silent.

"You don't know what you are?"

I moved my shoulders like it was nothing and no big deal.

"And...you are not concerned about that?"

"Why am I being summoned here in the first place?" I cut her short and tried to change the sensitive topic of who I am or not.

She thankfully decided to leave that part of discovering my identity and moved on to the reason why she called me here.

"Well, my Gorgeous-"

"Stop...calling me that. It's irritating."

"I'll stop calling you that, once you agree to listen attentively to the teachings I have for you today."

I scanned her appearance and noticed how odd the colors of her dress and slippers contrasted terribly with each other.

"Do you always dress like that?" I had to ask.

She looked down at her dress briefly and, "Yes, why?"

Where I come from, blue on red is termed a color riot. You don't wear blue on red. It's considered inappropriate and a weird dressing style.

"It's terrible," I answered bluntly.

Her lips parted slightly and I saw the hurt in her eyes. She tried her best to hide how my honesty affected her but she failed badly. I had already seen it.

"Michael, please concentrate."

And that hit me like a blow to my face.

"Who told you my name?" This is serious. First I bit her neck, and now she knows my name?

"Is your name not Michael?" She pursued.

I thought about it. Yes, my name is Michael but now that she knows I think I have to change it or deny it.

"No."

"What is your name?"

I was getting irritated by the moment. She is pushing me and I don't like it. She compelled me to this god-forsaken environment and now she wants to confirm if my name is Michael or not.

"You don't worth knowing it." Her face deflated like a balloon. For a moment there, I thought that she was going to cry. But she did not.

"Listen, Michael, I only brought you here to educate you a little about how we do things here. You have to blend in if you ever want to prosper here. Insulting me would do you no good. You are not helping both me and yourself if you continue like this. I hope you understand that."

I kept quiet as I continued to observe her. I can't help but stare and wonder if she dresses up like this every day. It was weird. I thought princesses were the best when it comes to dressing up properly.

"First of all," She continued, "Coming late to training is forbidden here in Andromeda. We are diligent and committed here. We don't joke with our activities and training. You have to obey the king no matter what because whatever the king says is the law. Rebellion would do you no good but land you into more trouble.

You bow down three times whenever you come across any member of the royal court. We have forty-two members. So, you would have to bow down one hundred and twenty-six times if you encounter the forty-two members in one day. They deserve such respect as they play important roles in ruling this country aside from the king.

We welcome only one religion and doctrine which is the teachings of the eye god. No other form of enlightenment is allowed.

As a knight or one in training, The safety of the king comes first. Your life should have no significant meaning to you when you become a knight. That is, you should never be afraid to die for a good cause as a knight.

Two years of training is only required of you in other to be officially recognized as a knight.

And as a knight, you must be loyal, diligent, respectful, trustworthy, righteous, and humble. Having those qualities in you should be your watchword.

If you commit even the smallest offenses such as lying or being disrespectful in any form, it's a death sentence. We have little or no tolerance for reckless knights. Having manners and what the elite society calls character should be your aim from now on.

We read and also believe in oracles before we go to war. We hold onto them for victory. The knowledge of oracle reading should be taken seriously by a knight. You are to train ten hours a day, and the rest of the day should be spent wisely as well.

Failure to abide by all of this would be a death sentence for you. Am I clear on that?"

I was speechless and overwhelmed by their impossible rules. I don't follow rules. I never did.

"Any question or is there anything that you want me to explain further?"

"I have a question," I raised.

"And what is that?"

"How do you expect me to follow your rules when I have never kept to any before in my life?"