Chapter Eight


Author Note: I just had to pop in with an update and say massive thank you for over 10k reads and 500 votes. You have no idea how it makes my day to see people supporting and loving this story! Thank you once again and enjoy this chapter!

✧・゚: *✧・゚:*    *:・゚✧*:・゚✧

Deeming it safe enough in the empty halls, Amber muttered the incantation once again, breaking off the charm's effect.

"Talking to yourself?" A voice said from behind, startling the blonde. A girl with auburn braided hair walked out from her shadows, looking at Amber questioningly. It took a moment for Amber to realize it was the air fairy from the Stone Circle.

"I wasn't quite aware there was someone else to talk to," Amber replied, giving her an equally cautious look.

The auburn-haired girl scanned her with her eyes before speaking again, "You're Emma, right?"

"Amber." She was quick to correct.

"Sorry, my bad," The girl replied, yet didn't seem apologetic in the slightest, "I'm Beatrix. So, what are you doing wandering around this late?"

"Going to the library," Amber said, trying and failing, in controlling her annoyance at the girl's questioning.

Beatrix narrowed her eyes, "The library? Sorry to tell you but it's closed after 22:00,"

"Fuck," Amber muttered, already turning to make her way back to the suite.

"Unless," Beatrix began, lips shaping into a playful smirk as she took out something shiny from her pocket, "You have a key,"

Amber stared at the key in the girl's palm with confusion, "How did you get this?"

"Let's just say that Dowling's assistant is really easy to persuade." The air fairy answered, before motioning to the library, "Now, shall we?"

As Beatrix turned on the lights, Amber couldn't help but gasp at the place. The library was huge, 10 times larger than any library she had seen before. Each row seemed to go on longer than the one before it. Countless books, collections, and journals were on each shelf.

Beatrix snickered at Amber's gaping gaze, "You look like you've never seen a library before,"

"Of course I have!" The blonde stated sharply, glaring at her.

Beatrix didn't even flinch, only rolled her eyes, "I didn't ask for your anger to be directed at me."

"Yeah, nobody did," Amber muttered as she slowly followed Beatrix to the depths of the library. "We have a library at my pal—place. Just not as big as this one."

They stopped in front of an isle that was decorated with flowers and leafage carvings. "I assume an earth fairy like you would be interested in those kinds of books." Beatrix said, glancing at Amber.

"We can skip that section, I'm not exactly planet-friendly."

"I don't think you're friendly at all," Amber had to stop herself from smiling at Beatrix's remark. Beatrix was... interesting.

Amber shrugged, "That's fair,"

"So, what's the thing with your magic?" The girl asked, looking at the blonde as if she was mentally taking notes.

"It runs in the family," Amber let out a sigh as she scanned the books around her, looking for some kind of lead, "My sister has a thing with gems, and I can move walls and rocks."

Beatrix looked intrigued, "Your sister can manipulate gemstones?"

"Yep," The earth fairy confirmed, caressing the thick spines of some random books. There had some sort of explanation as to why Amber's magic was practically out of control every time she was feeling even a speck of anger. Sure, magic was linked to emotion, but no fairy she'd ever met had their magic act this way every time their emotions got a bit intense.

She tried to bury down the frustration and when that didn't work, she thought a distraction would be better, "So, what were you doing outside so late?" Amber turned to Beatrix.

"I was actually just getting back from here," Beatrix replied calmly, "Just doing a little bit of light reading before tomorrow's class with Dowling. Wouldn't want to let her down or make a fool of myself."

"Oh please," Amber almost snorted, facing Beatrix, "Drop the newbie act. You nailed it at the Stone Circle. I bet you could have done it blindfolded with one hand tied behind your back." It wasn't a compliment, but a mere fact. Beatrix was not at the same level as first years, she was skillful and confident and anyone could see it.

Before Beatrix could say anything, a third voice joined them, "That sounds kinky, what are you two up to?"

The two girls turned their heads to see a boy smirking at them. It was Sky's friend – Riven.

"You in the library? I hardly think you fit the view." Beatrix retorted yet looked slightly happy with his arrival.

"You're not wrong. Had someone from the staff spotting me and didn't wanna get caught. Luckily for me, you left the doors unlocked." Riven said as he approached the two. He glanced at Amber before squinting dramatically with a certain glint of mischief. "You're Amber. Sky's friend, right?"

Amber hummed and nodded, not really looking to make a conversation with him. Perhaps she was still holding some grudge for how he acted the first time they met. She also didn't like that he was misjudging her and Sky's friendship.

Riven pursed his lips for a moment before continuing, "Listen, Sky's my best mate, really. But he's made some questionable decisions lately. So, maybe you should put your focus on someone more... reliable."

"Really? And who that might be?" Amber let herself get entertained.

Riven looked at her as if the answer was as clear as Solaria's skies, "Me."

Beatrix let out a scoff, looking annoyed, "Are you serious?"

"Come on, Bea. I'm just messing around," Riven laughed, trying to put his arm around her shoulder but she shrugged him off with a pointed glare. "It's just a joke, you know you're the only one I'm interested in,"

"Maybe I should add lame jokes to your list of flaws," The girl responded dryly. "I'm afraid it's getting too long already."

Amber started to grow uncomfortable, not wanting to get caught in this somewhat lovers' quarrel. She grabbed a few books that managed to catch her eye, hoping they could give her some hints or some lead to where start looking, before turning to the bickering couple.

"Thanks for tonight." Amber told the air fairy before walking towards the exit.

The halls were just as quiet as before. But this time, she knew she wasn't alone. At first, she thought it might be another nearby student wandering around like Beatrix or Riven, but as she kept walking, she realized that whoever that person was, was following her. The steps felt familiar somehow.

Amber's eyes glittered with emerald hues, and a brick from a wall near her flew to her palm at her command as she turned to the person behind her. It was the same brown-eyed, rude boy from her history class. Suddenly the pieces seemed to connect, it was the same person she felt following her as they were leaving the woods earlier that day. He was also watching her sometimes during lunch.

"Why have you been stalking me?" Amber demanded, her magic breaking the brick into sharp pieces as they hovered dangerously above her glowing palm.

"Stalking? That's just a tad bit dramatic." The brunet boy replied, not seeming fazed even a little bit, "I'm just doing my job."

Amber frowned, "Your job? Is it to creep around girls in dark hallways?"

"Please." He scoffed loudly, walking further towards her, but her magic grew brighter to warn him, "I'm not gonna hurt you. In fact, I've been hired to do just the opposite, but you've been making it very hard with running outside the barrier and sneaking around at nighttime."

"Hired? By whom exactly?"

He stilled, seeming to almost calculate his next words carefully, "By your parents, princess."

For a moment, Amber was tongue-tied, somehow perplexed by the boy in front of her, "What?"

Sensing her immediate withdrawal he continued, "I know you've been trying to keep it a secret so don't worry, I won't blow up your cover. I gotta say, your so-called last name was a nice touch; Rackley. But let's not beat around the bush anymore – I've been asked to keep you safe, be your personal guard."

"No," Amber shook her head quickly, "No, I don't need anyone to protect me, I can handle myself, so you can just leave."

"Sorry to disappoint, but you're stuck with me, princess," He insisted, picking up a folded letter from his pocket and showing it to her. On the letter was a broken seal, shaped with her realm's crest, "Royal duty and all."

"You're not a guard. I know my palace's guards." Amber refused, and the stones that were once hovering in the air fell to the ground with echoing thud sounds.

"Perhaps not all of them." The brunet claimed. Amber felt her confidence faltering, knowing she hadn't spent the last year roaming the castle as she had been doing when she was younger. She knew things must have changed after the accident.

"Look it's just a means of precaution, I'm sure your parents just want to know that you're well," If the boy's words were meant to give her any comfort, they didn't.

"I am well." Amber said, but that was a lie.

"Then I'll be here to make sure it stays that way," He replied, eyes boring into her, "My name is Jaden."

This had to be a joke. Or a big misunderstanding. Because if it wasn't, it meant that they... Even if it had already been a year, even if she had that stupid bangle. They still... still thought—

She didn't notice that she was backing away towards her suite until Jaden spoke again, his next words sent nothing but dread to fill her heart, finally shattering the tattering fantasy she had created within the school's walls.

"Sleep well, Amber of Eraklyon,"

~~~



Farah's office looked smaller than the last time Amber had seen it, although it might be because it had been years since the last time she was here. It was tidy and organized, vast round windows that were placed up the walls let the sunbeams light the room gently. Not too bright or too dark. It was warm and quiet, offering her somewhat comfort, yet it certainly was not a place any fairy would want to be on their first day of school.

She found herself spinning the globe Farah kept, watching as the magic implanted in it caused the drawing of the seas to move with waves and ships sail across the oceans. She absentmindedly caressed the area her castle was located.

"Homesick already?" The headmistress asked with a teasing smile.

"Not really. It's just been a while since I've left the castle and gone to another realm." The blonde girl admitted, letting go of the globe.

"I'm sure your parents are proud of you for making that step." Farah said and motioned to Amber to sit on the chair in front of her. Amber looked down at her lap, not entirely agreeing with the woman's statement. "So, why did you want to speak with me?"

Amber took a deep breath before she began, "I love Eraklyon, I do. But I think I need to forget my royal status for a while. I can't let it be an obstacle. I don't want Alfea to know who I am."

She saw how all of Eraklyon fawned over her sister. How popular Stella was on her social media platforms. Amber didn't need that kind of attention right now. Here, in Alfea, she didn't need to be the younger princess of Eraklyon, she just needed to focus on herself.

Miss Dowling pursed her lips, awistful look hovering on her expression, "Nothing good ever came up from leaders who kept secrets, Amber."

"I can't be a leader if I don't do well here!" Amber said but lowered her voice when she saw Farah's scolding look, "It's not a decision I made lightly, but I need a fresh start and space, and I can't do it if I'm the center of Alfea's gossip."

"I understand." Miss Dowling replied, but she still looked bothered.

"I don't... I don't want to hurt anyone again," Amber confessed, eyes pleading at the Headmistress. "My magic is unreliable and violent. I have to be better for my people, I have to do it for them."

"No, Amber. You have to do it for yourself," The woman said with a somber look. She let out a long sigh, "Very well. Your schedule will be adjusted. Your professors and teachers will be instructed about the situation accordingly, and I'll talk with Sky and Stella as well to inform them about your decisions."

"Thank you, thank you so much," Amber felt the relief rush through her. She might have a chance to finally do it right. To be the princess her people truly deserve.

"But the rest is your responsibility to handle," Farah added, giving her a cautious look. She then replaced it with a soft smile, "I'll keep your secret, I promise."


____________________________________

Yes, Amber, aka our favorite angry girl, is the Princess of Eraklyon.

SOME IMPORTANT NOTE: Sky is not the prince of Eraklyon in the Fate version, his father is not the King of Eraklyon, but he is a well known warrior from there. THEY ARE NOT SIBLINGS. However, I did metion Amber has a sister and I'll leave up to you to figure that one out.

If you didn't have a hunch, you're welcome to reread some of the previous chapters as I've dropped several tiny hints within them, but it's finally out.

And now you know one secret. 

BTW, I wish I could say Beatrix was just being a book nerd helping another (possibly) book nerd, but you know Beatrix. There's always some ulterior motive to her actions. She is, after all, quite the troublemaker.

Once again, thank you for reading and please leave your thoughts about this one in the comments.

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