[59.1] March Onwards to the Foreshadowed Event

I stood on a stage in a dressing room as my dress was pulled tight. I sucked in a breath as I continued to complain, "You're not listening to me!"

"Reika, please darling. We are running late." My mother ran around the room giving orders to the many workers as she helped us all get ready, "No, no! The theme is Royal blue! ROYAL blue! Not cobalt blue!"

"I have something really important to say!!!" I slapped away the hand of the worker who wanted to make my bodice even tighter, "And why the hell are we in these costumes!?"

My mother spoke absentmindedly, "You and Prince Cyrus must match for the parade. It's not a costume."

I clicked my tongue as makeup was added to my face, "Well I feel like I'm being dressed for a circus."

Cyrus stood on the other side of the room, separated from me by a room divider. The Headmaster was trying to help him get ready but looked clueless. Zephyr was beside him spitting out orders to help him.

Cyrus spoke in a calm tone, "Is the important matter about how you are hiding something from me?"

The Headmaster and Zephyr exchanged a look. Zephyr whistled, "Draaama~"

My throat went dry and I forced a weak voice, "It's not that I'm hiding anything. I just haven't had the time to say anything. So basically what happened was-"

My mother interrupted in a harsh tone, "-Is this a good time?"

I glanced at the workers who were pretending not to listen, but it was obvious they were secretly hoping I would divulge something interesting.

I pursed my lips and looked away from them, "Maybe not for everything- BUT! The important part is that your nasty Uncle is planning something!"

The Headmaster finally raised his voice, "This is really what you want to discuss? I told you, I looked into it already with Captain Lou. I couldn't find anything to suggest something will happen at the parade. It must have been about something else, so Captain Lou is still looking into it."

Cyrus added, "My Uncle wouldn't dare do anything in the King's presence."

"Ugh!" I pushed aside the workers and stepped on the other side of the partition, "You're not listening!"

Cyrus flinched from my sudden intrusion and attempted to cover up the top part of his buttons that had yet to be done. I stopped for a moment and chuckled, "Why are you trying to hide? It's nothing I haven't seen before."

The Headmaster glared at me, "What did you just say?"

"..." I cleared my throat and buttoned up his shirt for him, "...Let's just button that up. As you know, I'm a delicate flower whose innocence must be maintained."

Cyrus scoffed with a teasing smile, "Yes, indeed."

The Headmaster's face grew dark at an alarming pace, "You-You two! What are you both giggling about!?"

"Not giggling." I quickly changed the subject and threw out an accusatory tone, "I'm trying to say something important and you keep changing the subject!"

"Reika! You're the one trying to change the subject-"

"-Attention! All contestants must report to the meeting point!" A worker popped her head in to announce then left as quickly as she came.

My mother quickly clapped her hands, "Let's go, let's go! No more talking."

I was dragged out of the room, "But you aren't listening to me!!!"

The Headmaster quickly pulled up Cyrus's tie, strangling him in the process while glaring, "We will discuss this matter about innocence later."

After the Headmaster spun around on his feet to leave, Cyrus quickly fixed the tie to breathe again. His voice was hoarse as he rubbed his throat, "...Looking forward to it."

Zephyr snickered beside him, "I can't wait to dance on your frozen body."

Cyrus gave him a look then rolled his eyes, "Your fatherly attitude didn't last for very long."

As he left, Zephyr skipped after him, "That's because Reika is Reika and she has precedence over a smelly brat like you."

Once I was dragged to the meeting point, I anxiously bit my lip. My mother and Zephyr left to get to a "perfect spot" while the Headmaster went to the King where he was assigned as a bodyguard.

Cyrus squished my face so I wouldn't bite my lip any longer, "Don't be so anxious."

I spoke in a muffled voice from his hand, "I'm telling you something is wrong."

He let my cheeks go and smiled to reassure me, "The Headmaster and Captain Lou are handling it."

"Yeah, but…" I looked into the distance where the sounds were getting louder, "I just have this instinct that something is very wrong."

He flicked my forehead, "Focus on the parade for now. Do you remember what to do?"

I let out a sigh and pulled out my wand, "Yes, yes. Show off my amazing skills without outshining you."

He chuckled as he played with my hair affectionately, "Even if you do nothing, you'll probably shine brighter than me."

I stuck out my tongue and watched as everyone took position in the line. The top three contestants were all placed into one group. First, a band would lead, then a group of M.I.B officers, then the contestants, another trumpet band, followed by the King, and the rear taken by the Royal Guard.

Nicholas saw me and ran over with a bright grin, "Reika! Looking nice! You're truly a pleasure on the eyes!"

Cyrus quickly stepped in front of me, staring down his cousin, "Where's your parents, Nicholas? I didn't see them at the Palace."

Nicholas looked a bit embarrassed and rubbed his head, "Ah… Actually, I was going to ask if you've seen any of my family? They seem to be… Missing?"

I poked my head out, "Missing!? See! There is something wrong! His parents weren't even there to help him get ready!"

Nicholas spoke quickly with an innocent expression, "Oh, no! This is quite common actually. My parents wouldn't help me get ready. They would send someone, which they did…"

My face twinged with pity, "Oh… Oops."

His magician suddenly appeared behind him and reminded him in a low voice, "Young Master. Do you remember your parents' request? As a future King, you mustn't communicate with people below you."

Nicholas' face turned sour for a moment before a smile returned, "I will speak to you later. Reika, it's been a pleasure."

He smoothly took my hand to place a kiss upon it before running off to his spot before Cyrus could punch him.

I held Cyrus back, "See? Your uncle is up to no good!"

Cyrus sighed and turned back to me, "As I see it, it's the same as it's always been."

"How so!?" The parade line started moving so I followed after Cyrus, "Doesn't Nicholas being concerned worry you?"

He glanced back and thought about it, "Hmm… A little. He's usually not the type to worry."

I clicked my tongue, "See! Suspicious."

He patted my arm, "We have to start so let's just keep our eyes open."

I let out a grumpy sigh and followed after him. Waving my wand, I created my signature ice dragon which jumped in front of him to glare. He chuckled and rubbed the dragon's face, "Don't be upset. I trust in your instinct that something is wrong, but we don't have time to investigate it right now."

The dragon spit out its tongue and started flying around him. As we followed the parade's direction, it continued to coil around him much to the crowd's pleasure. The other magicians all had their own idea of how to wow the crowd. Each one was based on the contestant's attributes. Since Cyrus was against using anything illusion related, I merely had my dragons fly over the crowd waving and stopping to give the children a kiss on the forehead.

Some children burst out crying, others laughed hysterically. However, it seemed as if the crowd had one fan favorite: Cyrus.

I nodded in approval.

Why wouldn't they want him to be King!? Compared to the rest of these losers, he's the only good choice.

As we traveled further into the parade, my eyes trailed behind me. The King was behind us, but thanks to the flat road, I was able to see him beaming with joy as he waved to the citizens. The citizens all screamed for his attention and he happily waved back to give them what they wanted.

Guess he's also a fan favorite.

As my eyes pulled away from him, I caught sight of a woman in the alley wearing an unforgettable cloak.

AHA!

I knew they were up to something!

Well, this time I'm not going to let her have her way!

This time I have the element of surprise!

I glanced at Cryus and the rest of the crowd around me trying to come up with a plan to slip away.

It's not like anyone is watching me, they only want to see Cyrus!

So in order to run away from him, all I have to do is-

I put my wand in the air and set off multiple fireworks. Once everyone was distracted, I slipped through the crowd effortlessly as they continued exploding behind me. I snickered, tiptoeing in the direction I saw the woman. Just as I went into the alley, someone suddenly grabbed my arm. I spun around in surprise to see Felix who was looking at me with a frown, "Where are you going!?"

I pushed off his arm, "I have to use the bathroom."

He shouted at me, "Reika! You can't just leave the parade! You are Cyrus's magician! You have to be at his side!"

I turned around with a malicious smile, "You're right, I can't… But no one said anything about a fake Reika."

"Huh?"

I quickly slapped a magical bracelet on his arm and pushed him through the crowd into the parade. Felix was suddenly pushed behind Cyrus, looking exactly as I had.

Cyrus felt the fake Reika bump into him and turned around to see the fake Reika smiling at him nervously. He let out a sigh, "Felix?"

His smile faltered, "Um… No?"

Hearing a manly voice instead of a feminine one, Cyrus knew immediately he was right. He stared ahead with dark eyes, "Looks like she really wants to be punished."

Felix gasped, "What are you planning on doing?!"

He chuckled darkly, "Relax. I will just give her a light spanking."

Hearing such a suggestive thing, Felix's girlish face squished in disgust.

Once I ensured the parade was continuing smoothly without me, I snuck back to the alley. With my wand raised, I tiptoed while remaining alert. The alley came to a dead end and I realized I was the only one there.

Did she leave already?

Suddenly my arm was grabbed.

I let out a sigh, "Felix. I can't believe you left the parade-"

I was pulled close and felt the sharp side of a knife press against the skin of my neck, causing the rest of my sentence to be sucked back into my throat.

A soft, melodious voice sent shivers down my spine as she whispered in my ear, "Just the girl I was looking for."

My expression deadpanned, "Sh*t."