Pretending To Be Gilead's Prince and Master Wizard

-KRISELLA-

After Mr. Pumpkin's sudden announcement two days from now, it is as if all I literally could hear around me is the same news of the prince's sudden death for two days straight. As much as I wanted to feel sympathetic for him right now, I don't know anything much about this guy.

"So, you were saying that you were able to see the prince with your own eyes?" 

We were now at the cafeteria as we spoke about the prince. Ariella was saying something about visiting the prince here in this very campus grounds when Gilead Academy was celebrating its annual Foundation Week. How come I don't have any idea about all of this?

"Yes! Since he is an alumnus of the school himself, graduated at the young age of fifteen." Ariella responded, dreamily. "He was very gorgeous like I expected him to be, though his voice is oddly feminne to listen to, I must say. But still…."

"I agree." Maggie chimes in. Then she shifted her gaze at me and said, "I wish you had been with us at that time he visited here. Something thrilling happened that day as he was just about to give his speech… and we've got to see the knights in action with our very own eyes!"

From what I am hearing now from my friends, the starting day of the said Foundation Week was incredibly awesome. If I also had the chance like that to meet the prince in person, I wouldn't have missed it for the world. But heck, where could I have been and why did I waste such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity? Not everybody is given the chance to meet a real-life prince!

"I don't remember attending this kind of event…" I rubbed my chin as I think hard of what I have possibly done to miss all that action. "Where did you say I was at that time?"

"You called in sick  at that time and excused yourself not to take part in the opening ceremony, remember?" Ariella pointed out, as if that should explain everything. I sure do notice her keen observation as she waited for my reaction after saying those words.

Rather than be enlightened on her explanation, I was still confused about it. Maybe I did fall ill on the day when the prince made his appearance in school. What a waste of opportunity, indeed.

"Yeah, maybe I did fall sick at that time…" I accidentally said my thoughts out loud, causing me to almost clap my hands together in my mouth but fought the urge to do so.

Cailin's sigh of frustration soon made Ariella's gaze shift at her. "So what would the royal council members do now? Prince Arthur Spellman was the last royal bloodline of the royal family after his parents were killed when their boat sunk in the Mediterranean seas, or so I've read from an article."

"I don't have any idea as well…" Ariella answers, making her think about it as well as she sipped her barley tea. "I'm sure they would find a way, or maybe appoint someone from the royal council members to be the next ruler of Gilead."

After munching a couple of  the homemade cookies that Cailin made and brought for us, I also took a sip of my hot chocolate drink As weird as it may seem, a triggered memory suddenly flashes back inside my head after placing it back on top of my table.

It was a cold afternoon, and I could picture myself in that memory as someone who is sitting in front of an expensive-looking desk. As the interior of this room that I am currently in, the way it's so expansive and full of furniture and books does make her feel likeI am in some kind of an office or something.

Oddly, I could see myself as I stood in that spacious room, like I am just looking at my reflection in a full-size mirror. The only difference is that this version of me seems funny and weird to look at, for the girl, who technically looks like me, is in a man's lavish robes and shoes… like she was forced to disguise herself as a man considering how tired she looked like right now.

"Krisella…"

The girl seated in the desk across from me jolted her head upward as she heard that very familiar voice… one that I am sure I already have heard before.

She barks an explanation afterwards, "I swear I am not sleeping earlier!" in fear that the man who entered the office just now would chastise her or something.

I finally got the courage to whip my head around to see who it was. With a wide-eyed expression painted across my face, I nearly flinched into my position as I saw that it was none other than the archbishop of Citadel. I would often see this guy in the orphanage where I used to pass by on my way to my apartment, or in church if I decide to take part in the Sunday mass.

Why would a priest like him be here in this luxurious-looking office? Am I somehow connected with him as well? Except for the captain of the magic army, do I have to approach him and have a chat with him as well?

These were the questions that suddenly appeared inside my head, like a mushroom that emerges from the ground out of nowhere. But before I could answer for them all, Maggie yanks me back to reality as she continuously waves her hand in front of me.

"There you go again… having your usual episodes of your little daydream. I mean, is that even normal?" Maggie shrugs and stops waving her hand the moment she was sure that I am now fully back to my senses.

Sighing, I responded without thinking about it that much, "Sometimes, I don't even know anymore what is real and what is not…"

That surely startled them, I suppose, because of how they all gave me their questioning looks. But before they could actually bombard me with their inquiries, the school bell happens to ring once more, saving me for the day. Almost hurriedly, we stood up from our seats and placed our used cups, utensils, and plates in the washing area before leaving the cafeteria to go to their next class.

History, being the most boring subject for me ever since in my elementary years, was now, surprisingly, turns out to be the most interesting subject that I ever had since this morning. Our history professor, Mr. Mcclory, has started discussing the dark age of Gilead… a thing that I am seriously interested to learn about.

From what I've learned from his slightly-interesting discussion, it all began when the most powerful dark wizard of all time named Salazar, gathered his minions all throughout the nation, some even in different corners of the Earth, as he wished to conquer the whole world. Gilead, being one of the most big countries having occupied one thirds of the whole continent of Iruna, was his last target to add in his collection after conquering almost all the nations across the globe.

Not long after Salazar and his fleet set foot in Gilead, having first to arrive in the small island of Thule, he and his men were almost successful in conquering all the parts of Gilead… until they finally came to the heart of the country where the proud city of Colossus (Citadel's old name during the dark age) stands in the middle of it. 

His hopes of conquering Colossus had suddenly been devastated when he fell into the king's trap. King Citadel II (our current prince's great grandfather) and his highly-trained magic army has successfully defeated his dark forces and eventually killed their leader Salazar in the midst of what is now known to us as the Great War. 

It was not stated in class what happened to the leader's body after he had been defeated by the king. However, a year after the war happened, the capital city's name was immediately from Colossus to Citadel in  honor of the brave king who successfully defended his people from bondage.

Our ever-energetic class president soon raises his hand that makes everyone groan. Classes were about to end soon, and here he is, deciding to spoil the fun and is about to ask a very complicated question to lengthen our discussion.

"Rumors say that this leader is being planned to be resurrected once again. Is this even valid or not?"

That question from him has surprisingly caught everyone's attention and now are waiting patiently for the professor's response.

"Yes, it is…" The professor answers, causing us to omit gasps all of a sudden. "By the blood of the most powerful wizards and one royal bloodline, he shall live once again…"

He says this as if he is really sure that it is bound to happen, which I find suspicious. Since when did this teacher start teaching in our class once again? I don't specifically remember his face though…

Before anyone could have the same chance to ask another question, our classes were called to an end for the day as the school bell started to ring.