Cassandra

Chapter Eight

Cassandra POV

I notice that the crowd getting silent when the teacher takes his position in front of us. I don’t know how but he looks taller than he did last night. He stands straight and looks ahead. His hands are behind his back and his feet are at a shoulder distance apart. His chest is puffed out and he is taking deep breaths. 

I notice that he isn’t blinking, now that it has come to my attention, he isn’t showing any expression, like every emotion is under his control. I see him glancing at me and then glancing at the guy standing next to me. 

He is measuring all those who are present here with caution. 

He turns towards the right and puts his right foot first then left, and starts to pace. He picks a wooden stick with his left hand and throws it towards the crowd. The stick is caught by Arrogant Prince Edward. 

There is a huge egoist grin on his face like he has won a battle. He looks sideways to his allies, I suppose and his chest has swollen three inches just by their looks. 

“Moron”, I mutter which makes the guy with the green eyes look at me, his eyebrows are furrowed and I just shake my head. 

“I see some of you are here who possess the ability to be a true knight”, he looks at Edward who is already gloating, “and then there are some of you who might be forced to attend these classes”, I see him looking at the guy near me.

“And then there are some who definitely don’t belong here”, his eyes land on me and I shiver. 

Why? I haven’t yet shown any of my skills and he thinks that I don’t belong here? 

I feel my shoulders falling down along with my head. I try to focus all my attention on the ground. 

“And there is no place for such people on the battleground, where lives of thousands lie on your shoulders”, his statement pains my heart. 

I want to be someone whom people depend on, I want to be someone whom people can trust. I know I am A GIRL and I want equal respect and appreciation when I serve as a knight. I want my subjects to have faith in me that I would keep them safe in every way I can. 

I look up and he is looking straight at me. I see a hint of a smile at the corner of his eyes. 

I can’t understand if he is mocking me?

“Your people, their families, woman, children, everyone are under your shelter, the shelter of safety. If you let them down, there won’t be a purpose for you to live”, he gets back where he started from. 

“And I would not see the day where anyone innocent is hurt just because you were not capable enough to fight for them”, he moves to a wooden table kept just behind him where a bowl is kept with some paper in it. 

“Some of you would be given papers while some won’t. The ones given the paper would have the name of the people who were not given the paper and whom they will fight with. Now comes forward and picks one, the name is written on it will be your opponent in the first combat here which will be on overmorrow. Remember you are not supposed to open it until the day of the combat and I will know if you did”, he looks at everyone and I am surprised how he is able to do that. 

All of the guys rush forward, pushing me aside and I just stand at my place, waiting for them to collect the papers. I don’t know what the difference will make if I rush and take it now. 

As the crowd gets thin, I make my way to the bowl and pick one paper. I have so much temptation to open it but I resist it for now. Keeping the paper inside my pocket. 

“Oh Lord, I got Prince Edward”, I hear someone whisper and I am trying hard to not laugh on his luck, apparently he is one of the allies of Edward. 

I see him going to the Prince and saying something. 

“Now, Everyone, There are some rules by which you have to stick by till you are staying here”

The crowd has gone silent again hanging on to every word of the teacher 

“Till you are staying here, you have to clean your own rooms”, everyone burst out with moaning and disagreements. A loud thud silences them again 

“Except for the Class One of Royal Families, whose chambers would be cleaned by the servants here”, he looks again at Edward who is smiling at him. 

“That’s preposterous”, I mutter again and try to hold in my anger as much as possible.

“The food will be served according to the class too”, it is getting out of hand already 

“I want everyone in the bed by dusk and no one is allowed to go outside the academia unless told by me”, I could hear whispers of people moaning about it and I feel sorry for them as I have already lived this life. And that I know how to break rules. 

“Now all of you should go back to your chambers and get ready for tomorrow.”, he leaves after saying that and I quickly rush towards the guy who was lying on the ground. 

I see someone pushes me and look back to see the same guy who is an ally of Edward. I stop in my steps till they all have gone. I don’t want them seeing me helping the guy. 

When everyone has left, I run towards him and sit on my knees observing his condition. He stills looks in a lot of pain. 

“Why did he beat you?”, I can’t stop myself from asking him. 

“He….he just wants ….wants…to show….everyone”, he says with difficulty. 

I put my arm around his and help him get up. He is keeping one hand on his stomach while the other is around my arm. 

“What is your name?”, I ask him trying to change the subject 

“I am…my name is Cedric..”, he says and I am astonished by such a beautiful name. 

“And you are?”, I ask him while we keeping moving at a slow pace. 

“I am the Prince of Fortem”, I almost jump with joy. He is the Prince of a kingdom which is an ally to my Daddy’s. I want to tell him that we are meant to be friends but I can’t reveal my identity. 

I see that it is getting darker, so I increase my pace and we only stop at my chambers. 

“Uh...I don’t know which chamber is yours”, I say looking at him. 

“Uh…it is at the far end”, he says looking to my right. 

“I guess, the Princes are having their chambers far from the smell of rotten vegetable”, he looks at me and then looks at my chamber. 

“Oh..I didn’t know they are keeping you here..so you aren’t a Prince?”, for a second I am taken aback, Prince?

“I am A Girl, Sire”, I couldn’t hide the blush forming on my cheeks due to being embarrassed. I didn’t know that I don’t represent a girl at all. 

“My Mistake, My Lady. And a girl shouldn’t be in such chambers, you should switch chambers with me..”, I hear him laugh but it is as if he is laughing at himself, “I don’t belong in that chamber any way”, I could feel the hurt in his voice and I am so mad at Edward for making him feel this way. 

“One Day doesn’t define your Sire, I believe you are more than that”, finally I could see a smile forming by the end of his lips. I take him to his chambers and say my farewell.