Ashes and Stardust

Whispers rippled in the air as two infamous royalties were paired together in a buddy system. For most the notion of this icy prince guiding someone was borderline mythical. For they knew that if she falls, he'll probably pull up a chair and watch her go down tragically.

While some students lit a candle for the princess, mentally shaking their heads as if she'd already signed her social death warrant. Others envied the princes for stealing the academy's newest eye candy.

Envy practically dripped from every corner. Many women who were hoping to be paired with the handsome prince, couldn't help but send death stares to Eve with full force. Dozens of women who had been mentally rehearsing their "Oops! I tripped into your arms" act all this time where now watching their dreams getting kicked into oblivion. Each one mentally screamed 'That was supposed to be me!.' It really was a tragic day for delusional matchmaking.

Back to the pair in question, who were oblivious to internal monologues of other students, continued to stare at each other. One with obvious dread and another one with amused curiosity. 

To break their intense staring contest, Prof. Dante cleared his throat, secretly enjoying everything unfolding before him like a sadist he was. He loved to watch people suffer and made no effort to hide it. With a grin so blinding it could power a small village, he said, "Alright you two can join where the other pairs are standing. I'll give further instructions once I announce the last two guinea pi- ahem, students."

Eve snapped out of her stupor and looked at the creepy Professor, "Ah, yes," she said. With a polite nod she turned on her heel and walked over to where other unfortunate ones were gathered, while completely ignoring the tall, brooding shadow trailing behind her. She could feel his intense stare drilling holes into her back, but she didn't turn.

Eyes followed them like hawks, but at this point, neither of them really cared. 

Soon after the last two pairings were announced, Prof. Dante said, "As headmaster Charles mentioned earlier, this academy is built on the principle of learning together, regardless of what species you belong to. To enforce that we implemented this buddy system. You will be required to attend every class together and will sit next to each other for guidance. This also means that for any group projects or excursions, you must remain paired throughout." 

He paused for dramatic effect before adding, "Your partner's academic performance will impact on both of you. The buddy system is considered as a core component of the Inter-Species Relations curriculum. Should you fail this subject….congratulations! You'll win a one-way ticket to joining the academy's overworked and underpaid staff. Uniforms are not included." 

"And just a reminder" he added cheerfully, "staff work also included cleaning the place where our adorable hounds reside. They don't take it very kindly to strangers. Especially the ones who smell like failure" he said it all in the kindest smile ever, like a true psychopath he was proudly proving himself to be.

The hall fell silent like death was just warming up. It wasn't only Eve who felt its chilling presence hovering in this crazy academy, every other student did as well. Even the ones who were previously scheming on how to torment their assigned partners, felt the gravity of the situations. 

Meanwhile other faculty members who were standing in the corner, exchanged side eyes with each other, fully aware that Dante was enjoying this far too much. They had initially been skeptical to add the prince in the buddy system, but the king insisted. 

He wanted Ivan to interact with others, in return, he guaranteed that his son would not leave the academy, even if things went south. Sighing inwardly, they all prayed this decision wouldn't end with the prince being pissed off or worse.

After this, they were dismissed to have their breakfast before starting their classes. While everyone slowly made their way to the exit, they chatted about everything that just happened. 

Eve also turned to walk towards the exit when Ivan leaned closer and said in a low voice, "I hope you are not just a show princess without any brains." Then, in a quiet threatening tone he added, "Because if your incompetence drags me down, I won't be the one paying the price."

Although Eve felt the full force of his threat, she didn't like the fact of being looked down upon or having her intelligence doubted. She clenched her hands into fists, and turned to look him in the eye, and said "You may not think much of me, but you have no right to look down on me when you don't even know me. Believe me when I say this, I have no intentions of failing or dragging anyone down." she paused. 

Feeling a little brave, she added, "I can say the same about you, but I didn't. I believe we are both adults and understand the consequences of our actions. Regardless, your cooperation would be appreciated." She gulped dryly, hoping not to get murdered on the spot, by the way he stared at her in silence.

"Do you?" he asked suddenly, stepping closer while she stood rooted on her spot. 

"What?" Eve's voice came out as a mere whisper under his heavy scrutiny.

"Do you know the consequences of your actions?" he asked. 

He continued in a voice that was low and cold, "If not, let me make it clear again, should you get in my way…let's just say you won't make it to the point of becoming a staff here. It would be a direct ticket to hell." 

There it was, a thinly veiled threat from Prince Ivan Ignia de Ashen, warning her that her failure would not end in demotion, but in a grave.

With that, he left the hall. People instinctively cleared his path by stepping aside. Eve just stood there watching his back disappear, without crumbling. She hadn't even realise she had dug her nails so deep into her palms during their intense exchange.

Releasing the breath she didn't know she was holding, she frowned recalling his words. 'Why does he think that I could be the only one to bring us down? It could just as easily be him! I will show his pompous self exactly what I am capable of! Hmph!'

As Eve was continuing with her yet another internal rant, she jumped with a start when she felt a hand over her shoulder. Turning around she patted her chest to calm down when she saw it was Cece looking far too amused, with Damien beside her.

"Cece!" she gasped. "You scared the life out of me!"

"Why did you think it was a certain prince?" Damien asked with a wide grin on his face.

Cece blinked innocently "Oh, I am so sorry, I called your name a couple of times, but it seems like Ivan got to you more than expected. I thought he broke you when you weren't responding." 

Damien chimed in "I apologise on his behalf, my brother has a knack for traumatizing people before breakfast." 

"Your brother?!" Eve's eyes widened with realisation. "Prince Ivan is your brother." She said it more like a statement this time, adding two and two together. 'Of course he is their brother, the siblings were from the Silvercrest family of Versailles.' Not like Evelyn studied their family tree in depth, but she didn't think deep enough for the possibility of them being the blood relatives of the King.

"Ah, didn't I mention his name yesterday?" he asked. When he noticed a big fat 'no' written on her face, he chuckled.

"Well now you know. Hey, on the bright side, since he is your chosen buddy, it will be much easier for us to hang." He broke into a maddening laugh, like it is the funniest thing he has ever heard.

Cece elbowed him on the ribs and said "Stop laughing like a villain, you're scaring her!" 

She then turned to Eve and added more gently "I'm pretty sure the King is behind this. Probably thought it would force Ivan to learn social skills… or at least stop glaring at people like he wants to set them on fire. So you really don't have to worry for him to harm you. Not when the King is involved." 

Evelyn sighed, rubbing her temple at the first sign of headache that was starting to form. She nodded and said "Let's just have breakfast together before our classes?"

The siblings beamed at her and made their way together to the dining hall. One grinning, one sighing and one silently reevaluating her life choices.