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"Christine! Christine!" Lord Maurice Rickman sighed in exasperation as he looked around the stables for his daughter, Lady Christine Rickman. "For heaven's sake, where is that girl?!"
Just then, he heard the tell-tale sound of hooves, and he turned around to see his daughter emerge from the riding trails around her estate, sitting astride her black stallion, Loki. He sighed with relief.
"Father!" Christine's eyes lit up as she slowed Loki down. "What a pleasant surprise! What brings you all the way out here?"
"I need to speak to you, it's rather important."
"If this is about that last suitor..."
"Christine, we have gone over this. Your mother and I won't be around forever and we want to make sure you are well cared for." Maurice sighed. He just wanted the best for his stubborn daughter.
Christine rolled her eyes. "Father, if you want me to get married then find men who aren't boring, brutish, or arrogant. Clearly, the stock of eligible men are not to my standards." She dismounted Loki and petted his snout before dusting off her riding clothes. "I want a man who challenges me, who ignites a fire in my blood. I want someone educated, cultured, handsome and none of the men in the Dutchy are suitable for me."
Maurice cleared his throat. "Christine, forgive me for asking, but we are living in modern times. Perhaps, oh, how do I ask this...do you prefer the company of women?"
Christine's eyebrows shot up in surprise over her silver glasses. "Father!"
"It is an honest question, dear. If men are not to your taste, then I am sure we can find you some women who will suit you. Like what about your friend from the Queendom of Roses? Miss Trinity?"
"Father, don't encourage her." Christine sighed as she led Loki into the stables, Maurice not far behind her. "Trinity is a dear friend but a romance with her would only end in tears. And I do prefer the company of men, just not the ones you've sent my way."
Maurice coughed. "Well, that should put your mother at ease, at least. She was fretting about what we should do if you turned out to prefer women. I told her that we aren't barbarians and that if that was what you liked, then we needed to accept it."
"You sound like Trinity's father," Christine said as she handed off Loki to one of the stable boys and then turned to her father, hand on her hip. "Now if you're done Father, I have to get washed and changed for tea with Meg.”
"Christine, I'm not done..." Maurice took a breath. "If no man will suit you, then how about a beast?"
"A beast?"
"King Falena Kingscholar of the Sunset Savannah is looking for a bride for his younger brother, Leona. His children are much too young and he would prefer to get his brother out of his mane. Leona has refused every possible match, so...I submitted you."
" YOU WHAT ?!" Christine screamed. "YOU OFFERED MY HAND AND DIDN'T ASK ME BEFOREHAND?!"
"He's a prince, Christine!"
"A spoiled lazy prince! I want no part of it! I could handle a beastman, fine, but him? After the gossip, I've heard about him and his terrifying power?!"
"You don't have to meet him right away. He's currently in school at the moment..."
She paused. "Father I'm 23 and you want me to marry a schoolboy ?! Are you mad?!"
"He's not a child, he's twenty," Maurice sighed. "Christine, an alliance with His Majesty would secure good relations, significant wealth, and a safety net for you. You don't even have to have children. At least..., consider it. You may be the only woman capable of taming him."
Christine huffed, blowing a lock of her dark hair out of her face. "I'll consider it. But don't expect me to say yes."
- 🦁🦁🦁🦁
"I cannot believe that Father would do such a thing! After all the suitors I turned away, he then gets the idea to marry me off to a prince?!" Christine nearly broke her teacup.
"Oh, Cris, be reasonable. I'm sure Leona isn't that bad..." Meg sighed as she took a sip of her tea, unsure how to console her friend.
Christine and Meg were sitting in the sunroom of Christine's manor house, Rose Labyrinth, with tea and snacks. Christine was attempting to enjoy her tea, but instead, she kept rambling on between sips, while her spaniel, Lady, napped at her feet.
"Can you imagine ?! Me, a Princess?!"
"Christine Kingscholar does have a nice ring to it..."
"'Meg, you're not helping!"
"Cris, do try to look at it from your father's point of view, he just wants the best for you and it just so happens..."
"If even half of what I've heard about Leona Kingscholar is true, he is not what is best for me. I'd rather marry Malleus Draconia!"
"You hate Malleus."
"I don't hate him, I find him terrifying. His presence unsettles me." Christine sighs deeply and pours herself another cup of tea.
"Well, why don't you try to get to know Leona? If it doesn't go well, you can always break it off and start from square one. You don't have to end up like Trinity."
"Meg, what happened to her was a tragedy, not a cautionary tale. Stood up on her wedding day by a coward! And now she doesn't leave her house. It's sad."
"I'm just saying, you don't have to agree if you don't like Leona. You don't even have to bear him heirs! Just get to know him. What's the worst that could happen?"
Christine sighed and took another sip of her tea. "You really think he's not that bad? I mean he's still in school!"
"Not just any school, though. Leona's at Night Raven College! And I hear he's the head of the Savanaclaw Dormitory there, a prestigious position! You could just write to him, and if he says no, then move on."
As Christine considered this, Meg then tossed in one more anecdote.
"I see why your father submitted you. After all, you do have a reputation for taming even the wildest of beasts."
"MEG!!!"
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After Meg left, Christine decided to sit down and write Leona a letter. She figured it would be some time before they could arrange a formal meeting, so she decided to take the first step.
As Christine set out to write, her phone buzzed.
It was Trinity.
"What's this I hear about you being engaged?"
"Who told you? Was it Meg?! I ought to start putting silence charms in her tea so she doesn't go running her mouth off..." Christine paused. "Wait a minute, what do you mean ENGAGED ?!"
"...what do you mean you're not engaged? Christine, you're all over social media!"
"WHAT?!" Christine opened her web browed and typed her name and then, saw, to her utter horror, the blaring headline:
"HIS MAJESTY KING FARENA KINGSCHOLAR OF THE SUNSET SAVANNAH ANNOUNCES THE ENGAGEMENT OF HIS YOUNGER BROTHER PRINCE LEONA TO LADY CHRISTINE RICKMAN OF RHE DUCHY OF BEAUTE!!"
Christine turned white.
"Christine?! Christine, are you there?" Trinity's voice came through her phone. "For god's sake, girl, say something!!"
Christine shakily raised the phone to her ear. "...yes I'm still here."
"Christine, I'm hurt, you get engaged to a prince and you don't even think to tell your best friend?!" Trinity sounded as though she was on the verge of tears.
"Trinity, please stop crying, father just dropped this on me today. He said that he'd submitted me as a candidate for Leona's hand, he made NO mention of the fact that King Falena had chosen me!"
"You mean you didn't know about this?"
"NO! Not even a peep! I haven't even met Leona yet!"
"Well, obviously King Falena declared you suitable because he announced to the entire world he's found a perfect match for his brother in you."
"What is this, the 17th century?! I thought we were past marrying off the nobility sight unseen!"
"Oh, you know the man is desperate at this point. And imagine, you on the arm of one of the world's most eligible bachelors!"
Christine sighed. She could just picture Trinity's face lighting up at the possibility of seeing one of her friends be happy. "Trinity, it's Leona Kingscholar ."
"And?"
"You read all the same gossip rags I do. You know what people say about him. He's spoiled, lazy, rude, and on top of all that, I don't like the idea that this choice was forced on me!"
"He's the second prince. You'd be like that too if everyone was always comparing you to your brother. Or do I need to remind you about that one incident in our writing classes with that bitch we went to school with who was envious of how much better you were? Constant comparisons do things to people. And besides, he's exactly what you're looking for."
"Have you, Meg, and Father all lost your collective minds?!"
Trinity sighed. "Hear me out. You want a challenge, yes? A man who can be your equal, educated? Cultured? And perhaps with a wild side? Leona's it . I'm positive there is more to him than meets the eye."
"He's a lion, not a Transformer!"
"Oh, for goodness sake, girl, open your mind! Give him an honest chance. Let him surprise you. After all..." She paused. "His Majesty must also think the same. A difficult prince married off to one of the most stubborn noblewomen in the Duchy of Beaute. It's a perfect match. So make it a genuine love match."
"After all that fool put you through, I'm amazed you're still such a firm believer in true love."
"Christine, I just want you to be happy. And I'm positive Leona will make you happy."
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Leona Kingscholar lowered his phone and made a deep rumbling noise of irritation. He'd known that Falena had spent the last several years since Leona had gone away to Night Raven College trying to find him a suitable wife (since Leona refused every single member of the Nobility of the Sunset Savanah) and while he didn't completely approve, he would begrudgingly "entertain" whatever woman his brother put in front of him (usually by scaring them off). What Leona didn't expect, however, was Falena to just up and make the choice for him anyway.
This didn't stop him from calling his brother on his private line. "Falena..."
"Leona! I am so glad you called! Saves me the trouble of popping over to the college..."
"Falena, were you ever actually going to inform me that you had chosen a bride for me before you announced it to the world, or was this always the plan? I haven't even MET her yet!"
"Leona, she's perfect for you. You'll love her."
"I'll be the judge of that, Falena! Look, I understand that part of the reason you're even going through all this trouble is that you want an alliance and some other royal nonsense and you're not comfortable using your own kids, but this is MY marriage! At least let me have some kind of say in this!"
"You weren't exactly making yourself the easiest bachelor to marry..."
Leona then hung up before he could start yelling. He threw the phone down on his bed and groaned as he flopped down on it.
He cursed his luck. Not only was he born the second prince, never to see the throne, but now his brother in his infinite fucked up wisdom had also taken the choice of his bride out of his hands. It felt like Leona's entire life had been decided for him the moment he was born.
His phone then buzzed again and Leona lifted it to see an email from a Lady Christine Rickman.
He raised a brow. Was this the girl his brother had decided was right for him?
Sighing, somewhat resigned to his fate, he opened the email.
Dear Leona,
I suppose by now you have already heard the news of our sudden betrothal to one another. Believe me, I am just as surprised as you as all my father told me was that he had submitted me as a potential bride. The next thing I heard, King Falena had announced us to be married.
I want you to know that I had about as much say in this as you did. However, despite these circumstances, I am willing to give you the fair chance you deserve. I have heard all the unflattering things said about you and I don't believe any of them. I believe in letting men show me their true faces before I judge them. I feel you must be more than just the image of the lazy prince you project.
If we are to be wed, then I want to make this work. I hope we can form a genuine love match from this. I will do my part to make this work if you are willing to do the same.
However, if this is not what you want, you let me know and we will walk away from this with our reputations intact (hopefully).
I look forward to hearing from you and perhaps meeting you soon.
Sincerely yours,
Lady Christine Rickman 🌹
Leona reread the email a few more times. Something stirred in his chest as he read her words. Some of them touched a place in him he'd tried to bury under the sands of his resentment. Could this work? Could his brother have actually been right?
Leona then pulled up MagiGoog and tapped her name in, figuring he should at least know what she looked like.
Christine didn't have much of a social media presence, save for a MagiCam account that mostly focused on her dog, but he did learn other things about her. Christine was a few years older than him, a Sagittarius, and had attended Night Raven College's sister school, the Academy of the Black Crown. She'd graduated near the top of her class and had led that school's equivalent of Pomefiore, a title she'd held by being the school's best alchemist. After she left school, she'd become a published author, dabbling in equestrian competitions and dog showings when she wasn't writing.
A few more taps showed a recent picture, depicting a beautiful and elegant young woman with dark hair and hazel eyes hidden behind silver glasses, seated in her family's rose garden, holding a cocker spaniel, Lady, her prized dog.
"Kinda pretty for a herbivore," he commented to himself, his thumb lingering along her face.
He shook his head, trying to push back the feelings her words had unburied. She was beautiful, but she looked awful delicate. He didn't want a wilting rose for a wife.
Throwing caution to the wind, Leona tapped out a brief response to Christine's email.
Christine,
I hope I can meet your expectations.
Leona.
He wondered if that would be enough and decided to hit send anyway.
For once in his life, he decided to see if this girl was worth the effort.
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Over the course of the next two months, Leona and Christine sent emails back and forth. Christine's open heart encouraged Leona to slowly open himself up and before he knew it, he was telling her all his secrets, confessing about his resentment and pain, about how it felt to be seen as a bad omen because of his unique magic...a power he didn't ask for.
Christine spilled her own dark stories, including how she'd become the dorm leader of Poisonwood, her dormitory at the Academy of the Black Crown, it wasn't a very nice story, involving her raking revenge on a former friend with an absolutely peerless poison. But it had been enough to secure her power, which she kept until graduation.
Leona had actually been impressed. Christine had certainly given him the impression of a wilting rose but to his joy, he was quickly learning that she had thorns to spare.
"Impressive," He'd commented when she was finished.
"She was sick for a solid two weeks, but I had my revenge and the position I wanted. No one dared challenge me for it after that, so I held it until I couldn't anymore. Is that how it works at your school?" They'd graduated to occasional phone conversations now.
"In order to become vice dorm leader, you need to beat me in a fight," Leona said. "Nobody here can, so I do without. I gotta say, Christine, I didn't expect you to be an adept poisoner."
"I favor alchemy over all other types of magic. I prefer to use my wits. I'm not strong like you."
"You are strong in your own way. You don't need brute strength to fight. Wits and clever thinking, those are also things I prize." There was a weird sensation in his chest as he spoke, stomach flipping at the sound of her laugh.
"Trinity was right, there really is so much more to you!"
The next words were out of Leona's mouth before he could stop himself. "When the school year is over, come...come visit me in the Sunset Savannah. I want to show you everything."
"Don't we have to go through your brother and stuff before I can come?"
"It doesn't have to be an official visit. I can sneak you in and out. I think you'll love it and then you can show me your home, too."
"You know I have a dog, right?"
"I live with dogs all the time. Lady won't bother me. I'm sure she'll warm up to me eventually."
"...I would like that. Let me think about it, okay?" Christine was trying to hold down the joy bubbling up in her chest.
"Okay..." Suddenly Leona went quiet for a moment. "Ah. Duty calls. I have to go. I'll talk to you soon, okay?"
"Of course, bye Leona."
"Bye, Christine."
Once she was sure the call was over, Christine lay back on her bed and squealed like a schoolgirl, kicking her legs in the air. "He wants to meet me! He wants to show me this home!"
Her phone beeped again and she saw a notification from Leona. It was another letter. Christine gave it a quick glance and then nearly swooned before opening her laptop and video-calling Trinity and Meg.
"Oh, it's the conference video call, it must be important," Meg said once they were connected.
"Are you going or read us another heartstoppingly romantic love letter from the lion prince?" Trinity teased.
"And here we thought she wouldn't warm up to him."
"Oh, Meg, please. She was always going to warm up to him, she just needed a nudge. He's exactly what she wanted."
Christine laughed. "Well, yes, I plan to read you another letter, but I'm calling because Leona invited me to the Sunset Savannah once his school year has wrapped up."
"How exciting!" Meg clapped. "But wouldn't it need to be like all official and stuff?"
"Only if Falena knows I'm coming. He can't monitor someone who doesn't want to be..."
"Sneaking around with the second prince? Christine, that's thrilling. Are you going to go?"
"I said I'd think about it, but...I want to meet him sooner than that."
Meg picked up on the implication immediately. "You're not seriously considering going to Night Raven College are you?!"
"I am."
"Christine! That's a school for magic! You can't just visit there on a whim!" Meg was surprised. Usually, her friend wasn't so impulsive. "Also, it's an all-boys school! They'll eat you alive in there!"
"If I can handle stubborn horses, even more, stubborn dogs and tame a difficult prince then a little visit to Night Raven College shouldn't be that much of a challenge!"
Meg groaned. "Cris, be reasonable!"
"Well, I think it's terribly romantic. Sneaking into a school for a little personal private time away from the prying eyes of royal gossip? Oh, Christine, it's like a drama plot!" Trinity was clearly all for this idea.
"You absolutely NEED to get out of that manor house," Meg muttered. "I think being alone with your cats has scrambled your brain"
"Aside from the fact that you DO need to eventually leave your house," Christine gave Meg a look. "I suppose it is like some drama plot."
"I cannot wait for the sweeping epic romantic drama they'll make once you marry Leona.~" Trinity was gushing. "Or maybe they'll make it into a musical!"
"You're getting so far ahead of yourself...." Meg groaned. "Anyway, Christine, this plan is bonkers! It's not like you can just sneak in!"
"Given that Dire Crowley is an airhead who is terrible at his job, I personally think she won't have much trouble. I mean, you've seen Vil Schoenheit's MagiCam? Apparently, there's a girl and a weird cat hanging around now. So I imagine sneaking into campus, or at least paying some kind of visit won't cause too many headaches." Trinity had switched into planning mode. "I do have an idea as to how you can get on campus, though."
This got Christine's attention. "How?"
"Well, you ARE one of the only mages in the world who's managed to replicate the Sleeping Death potion the Fairest Queen once used, right? Maybe you could persuade Divus Crewel to let you guest lecture."
Christine rolled this over in her mind. Her successful replication of the Sleeping Death had gained her a ton of acclaim and calls to guest lecture at other famous magical schools. She prided herself on her skills in alchemy and kept her lab well stocked just in case. "I do remember that he sent me a letter asking me to come to talk at Night Raven College. Something about how I might be able to whip some puppies into shape..."
"There's your opportunity," Meg had given up on trying to talk Christine out of this. "Guest lecture then some secret canoodling."
"I'll have to keep it a surprise from him, though. It would be easier if the seniors weren't off doing internships..." Christine then got an idea.
"Wait a second...."
🦁🦁🦁🦁
Two weeks and a flurry of emails later, Christine had arranged to come to Night Raven College for her guest lecture on some of the finer points of advanced alchemy. Divus had been absolutely thrilled at the prospect of her coming and had wasted no time in convincing Crowley.
He'd also arranged for Christine to have a guide.
"Hello, I'm Sakomi Suzuki." Sakomi was a petite girl with dark hair and dark pink eyes. She greeted Christine with an easy smile and gestured to her feet where a small black cat-like creature with flaming blue ears was sitting at her feet. "And this is Grim."
"Christine Rickman," Christine says as she shakes Sakomi's hand. "I take it you're the guide Professor Crewel arranged for me?"
"That's us!" Grim said as Christine reached down to scratch his wars.
"Oh, aren't you just adorable !" Christine cooed.
"I am not adorable!" Grim protested, but he let Christine scratch him anyway.
Sakomi hid a giggle behind her hand. "It's nice to meet you, Lady Rickman. Grim and I aren't from around here, but we don't get to explore much of the world outside."
"Oh, please, no need to be so formal. Christine will do." Christine then tilted her head. "I was surprised though. Night Raven College has always been a boys-only school. I didn't know they were accepting girls."
"It's... rather complicated," Sakomi's cheeks were tinged pink. "And a long story. I looked you up on the internet. You went to the sister school?"
"Yes, the Academy of the Black Crown," Christine replied. "I always wanted to attend this school, but alas..."
"There's never a dull moment that's for sure. Come, I'll show you to the alchemy workshop before your lecture."
As Sakomi escorted Christine, they struck up an easy conversation. Sakomi was in Diasomnia, had once had no magic, only for it to suddenly appear, and was trying to catch up. She was very polite and charming, such a sharp contrast to other people Christine had met recently.
"Oh, I, uh, I read your book. The one about the cursed princess?"
Christine was surprised. "You did?"
Sakomi lit up. "Oh, I loved it, I just couldn't put it down, not for one moment! I loved all the little details, like the castle stuck in winter and the rose garden, and how wonderfully you wrote the prince! Are you going to write more stories like that?"
"Well, maybe not exactly like that... but I am planning a story about an opera ghost.." Christine couldn't help the little swell of pride.
"You have a real talent for love stories. I hope I'll be able to read more from you, someday."
"You're very kind, Sakomi. Thank you."
"Here we are!" Grim had run off ahead and plopped himself down in front of the doorway of the lab Christine would be using to prepare. "All nice and clean for ya!"
Christine peered into the lab room. Her supplies had been delivered for her and were waiting, a set of labwear was hanging on a nearby coat rack and plenty of ingredients had been made ready. "Yes, this will do. I hope you'll be willing to assist me, Sakomi."
"About that..."
"Lady Rickman!" A handsome blonde teenager with violet eyes suddenly appeared. "An absolute HONOR to finally see you in person!" He was wearing his own lab gear although he took his gloves off to shake Christine's hand.
It took Christine a moment but then she recognized the young man. "Ah, Vil Schoenheit, yes?"
"Vil volunteered to be your lab assistant for your lecture," Sakomi explained. "Apparently he's read your dissertation. Multiple times."
"Yes, I remember his letters. A pleasure to finally meet you Vil. I was wondering why you'd suddenly stopped acting." Christine smiled. "Is there any particular reason why you volunteered?"
"I'm the Dorm Leader of Pomefiore, of course! And I am the best alchemist in the school. Why wouldn't I want to assist an esteemed colleague and former head of my sister Dormitory? I deeply respect your work. It's only right that I will be your assistant." Vil's eyes lit up at the very thought. "And perhaps I too can benefit from your knowledge."
Christine laughs. "It seems I have no end of admirers here."
"Grim and I will be back to collect you and Vil once it's time for you to set up in the lecture hall," Sakomi says, before reaching into her bag and pulling out a hardcover book. "Oh and...would you sign my book, Christine?"
Christine smiled a warm smile as she looked at the clearly loved copy of Old As Time in the younger girl's hands. "I'd be happy to." She took the offered pen and signed her name on the inside cover before handing it back. "I'll see you shortly, hm?"
Sakomi squealed. "Thank you, Christine!" She clutched the book to her chest before walking off with Grim.
🦁🦁🦁🦁
The guest lecture went extremely well. Christine had talked about the process behind her successful replication of the famous Sleeping Death, demonstrated its use to the amazement of the watching boys (and at least a few admiring sighs from the Pomefiore students), and then talked about the finer points of advanced alchemy. She answered a bunch of questions and even signed a few copies of her book. It had been such a good experience that she'd almost forgotten why she'd arranged for the lecture in the first place.
That was, right until after lunch, when Sakomi had asked if she'd like a tour.
Christine thought this over for a moment and then smiled. "I would like a tour of a specific Dormitory..."
"Oh, which one?"
"Savanaclaw, if it's not too much trouble."
Sakomi raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything. "We'll need a second guide then..."
The second guide was the tallest sixteen-year-old boy, or more specifically, wolf boy, that Christine had ever seen. His name was Jack, and he was more than happy to escort Sakomi and Christine to his dorm.
Sakomi had put two and two together. "I almost forgot that you were trending on MagiCam because of your engagement. So you came here for a lecture and then a secret rendezvous?"
"You're very perceptive."
"Well, if my fiance was one of the most handsome guys in the school, I'd do anything to come see him. Are you trying to avoid his brother?"
"Well, more like trying to avoid a fancy stuffy affair where there will be awful pictures. I like Leona and I wanted to meet him more casually. This presented an opportunity."
"Clever. I see why the king picked you."
🦁🦁🦁🦁
"'My goodness, what a rustic dorm," Christine commented as Jack took her Sakomi and Grim through the mirror. She shielded her eyes from the sun. "Hot, too."
"Yeah," Jack was a little gruff. "It's too hot for me, too. I prefer the cold. Come this way, I'll show you around."
Savanaclaw reminded Christine of the various lodges she'd seen in the Sunset Savannah on vacation. It was wide open, very natural, and down to earth. It certainly suited what the King of Beasts considered good taste.
Unfortunately, it was also full of boys who behaved like they'd never seen girls before. Most of them spotted Jack and kept their distance, but one particularly audacious tiger boy decided to approach.
"Well, what do we have here?"
Jack got between Sakomi, Christine, and the older boy. "Get out of the way, Shere Khan, this doesn't concern you," Jack growled, a deep rumbling noise coming from his throat.
"Oh, is the puppy trying to be tough? I was just admiring some pretty girls." Shere Khan gave a predatory smile that made Christine shudder.
"I've seen how you admire Sakomi, and I don't like it. And you should behave better in front of esteemed guests who asked for a tour of our Dormitory." Jack stood up to his full height. "Now don't make me repeat myself. Leave. Us. Alone."
"Leona's not here to protect you, pup. In fact, if it were up to me, I'd have tossed you out on your ass after the MagiShift tournament. He was much too nice after you turned your back on us."
"You mean stood up for my principles," Jack growled. "Savanaclaw doesn't mean dirty play."
Shere Khan snorted. "Brave little puppy...I should put you in your-"
A very loud roar stopped him cold. "What in the name of the King of Beasts are you doing?!"
Christine peeked around Jack to see who the new voice was and she had to stop her smile.
Leona, dressed in his dorm uniform, was standing in the doorway behind Shere Khan, green eyes blazing in fury.
Shere Khan turned pale. "Leona!"
"I have warned you, MORE THAN ONCE, about harassing Sakomi and I don't like repeating myself. Now scram before I decide to make an example out of you!"
Shere Khan gave Jack a death glare before making himself scarce.
"Oh, Leona!" Jack relaxed a little bit. "I didn't want to involve you. It's just that Sakomi asked me to help her out since Lady Rickman asked to see our dorm."
Leona had noticed Christine by then but kept his poker face on. "You did good, Jack. Don't listen to what that idiot says. You belong here. Now, why don't you take Sakomi and Grim out of here? I'll be more than happy to give Lady Rickman the full tour."
"Are you sure?" Jack asked.
"Trust me, Jack, I'll be safe with him," Christine stood on her tiptoes to give Jack a pat on his head. "Thank you for protecting us."
Jack smiled, "it was my pleasure. Come on, Sakomi, Grim."
"Goodbye, Christine!" Sakomi scooped up Grim and waved, "I hope we'll see each other again. Thanks for the autograph and the good company."
Once Jack and Sakomi were gone, Christine turned back to take Leona in for the first time. He was leaning against the doorway, gazing at her with those gorgeous green eyes.
Christine had only seen pictures of Leona before, but Up close, he was even more handsome, his aura suggested something wild and rugged and it was utterly captivating. He was tall, with brown skin and long dark hair that almost hid the lion ears on top of his head. He studied Christine with bright green feline eyes, his tail swishing in interest. The black and yellow of his uniform made him look like he led a biker gang, and suited him well.
"Hello," Christine said, suddenly shy.
"Hi there," his voice was like silk. "I see you decided to drop by for a visit."
"I...um...I didn't want to wait to meet you, so I...decided to come on my own."
"Clever little rose," he chuckled. "Why don't I give you the grand tour, then, hm? Since you came all this way and asked to see my dorm." Without even waiting for an answer, his gloved hand took Christine's and he escorted her off.
🦁🦁🦁🦁
"Watch your head," Leona murmured as he helped Christine up to the roof of his dorm. "Come on, not much further..."
Leona had taken Christine on a whirlwind tour of Night Raven College. He'd shown her everything she needed to see (including his favorite napping spots) before taking her back to his dorm for a little private time. He'd promised to show her a secret place nobody else knew about.
"You've been such a gentleman, Leona," Christine said.
"Well, you came all this way. Why be rude?" He gripped her hand tighter. "Besides, I enjoyed your company."
Christine smiled.
Leona reached up and moved something aside, opening a latch, and then he was pulling her through the opening to the roof of the Savanaclaw Dorm. "We're here."
"We're where?"
"My secret favorite napping spot. Not even Ruggie thinks to look for me up here."
The roof gave off the impression of a treehouse, with vibes and greenery everywhere. The savannah landscape around the dorm spread out around them, seeming to go on for miles. Above then, the moon hung low in the dark sky, the stars shining brightly. It was utterly breathtaking.
"I come here when I want some private time," Leona explains as Christine takes it all in. "Just me, the stars, and my thoughts up here."
"It's beautiful ," she breathes.
"You really think so?"
"Yes!"
Leona didn't let her see his smile, instead taking her to a well-worn spot he favored and plunking himself down. As they lay on their backs, looking up at the stars, they got to talking once more.
"...so you went through all this trouble just to avoid Falena?"
"Well, Professor Crewel had been one of the many teachers who asked me to guest lecture after I graduated because of the nature of my dissertation, so there was some work involved but...yes, I really did just want an excuse to come see you."
"Why?"
"Because I like you, Leona. Like..." Christine paused and seemed to trace a pattern into the sky. "...when your brother announced our engagement, I was shocked, but my best friend encouraged me to give you a chance. She said you'd be just what I was looking for."
"And what were you looking for?"
"I want a man who challenges me, who lights a fire in my blood, educated, cultured...someone... different . I wanted more than the men my father tried to offer me."
"That's funny..."Leona mused. "I mean you could have anyone you wanted. As opposed to..." Leona turned over and pulled a vine off the roof. " I am the one who hungers...I am the one who thirsts...I am the one to steal your tomorrow...kneel before me... KING'S ROAR "
And just like that, the vegetation turned to sand in his hand, blowing away when a breeze came.
It was the first time Christine had ever seen him use his Unique Magic before and she gasped softly.
"When I was younger, I couldn't control it very well...so I always feared turning something I liked into sand," there's a strange vulnerable note in his voice. "And yet...you're not afraid?"
"If it helps…” Christine scooted closer and brushed the last grains of sand out of his hands "...my unique magic is a mirror to yours."
A raised eyebrow.
"It's called Rose's Gift ," she explains. "Watch."
Christine stood up and inhaled, closing her eyes. " From where there was once destruction, let there be creation, let nature heal and bloom once more... Rose's Gift ! "
The air around them seemed to change as the vines and plants covering the roof began to glow.
"🎶 I want adventure in the great wide somewhere...I want it more than I can tell...
And for once, it might be grand, to have someone understand... I want so much more than they've got planned...🎶 "
As Christine's voice carried into the night sky, the plants around them began to glow and bloom, bursting forth with life. The flowers bloomed with vibrant colors and scents, bathing the rooftop in an experience that flooded his every sense.
" Unbelievable ," Leona murmured, fingering one vibrant lily.
"You see? A mirror...perhaps your brother was right."
Leona didn't want to give Falena that much credit.
He tried to put his grumpy demeanor back on, but by this point, it wasn't very convincing. Christine had slipped past all his walls and high defenses and nestled herself rather comfortably in a heart that didn't think it was capable of loving. And, although he wouldn't admit it out loud, he didn't want her to leave.
Was this what love was supposed to feel like?
Suddenly, something caught his attention among the blooming plants.
A single rose, glowing red, beckoned him. Leona reached over and plucked it from the vines before carefully placing it in Christine's dark hair.
Christine looked back at him with wide eyes. In the glow of her magic, her eyes sparkled and Leona felt something in his chest flutter.
"You're awfully pretty for a herbivore," he says, without really thinking.
"Well, I'm no radiant beauty of the Sunset Savannah, but I would hope I was pretty enough to catch a prince's eye."
Unbeknownst to both of them. Ruggie had, in fact, figured out where Leona had been hiding and upon spying the little scene, decided to push them along a little further. He pulled out a speaker and a borrowed phone and began to play some music as encouragement.
A slow, romantic classical piece began to play, which made Leona's ears twitch. He'd deal with Ruggie later.
Christine lit up. "Oh, I love this song! Would you? Dance with me, that is?"
He couldn't resist a smile like that.
" 🎶Just a little change...small to say the least...
Both a little scared...neither one prepared...🎶 "
Leona took Christine's hand in his own, put an arm around her waist and they began to slowly dance across the roof.
" 🎶 Ever just the same, ever a surprise, ever as before, ever just as sure, as the sun will rise 🎶"
Christine might as well have been levitating off the ground at this point, she was so happy. She'd finally found what she'd been looking for after all this time.
As they danced across the roof, she decided to rest the waters just a bit further, pressing close to him and resting her head against his shoulder. His body was solid, fit from all his MagiShift training.
Leona was surprised and almost pushed her away, but her content little expression stopped him. It was different...strange.
"🎶 Bittersweet and strange, finding you can change, learning you were wrong...🎶 "
Leona was so used to either being overlooked entirely or other people looking at her with respect, fear, loathing, or even indifference, that Christine's genuine happiness caught him completely off guard.
"🎶... certain as the sun...rising in the east... tale as old as time...song as old as rhyme... beauty and the beast...🎶"
As they slowly finished their dance, they were reluctant to let one another go. They stood embracing for a long, quiet moment, happy.
Then, Leona pulled away to guide Christine to sit with him on the edge of the roof. As she rested her head on his shoulder, his arm and tail came to curl around her.
"...I don't want you to leave," he confesses quietly.
"I'm sure Sakomi will be coming back to fetch me at some point," Christine says. "I'm sure there will be some sort of scandal if I just disappeared."
They fell silent again for a moment and then Leona had a thought. "So..this was nice. Far better than any stuffy dinner my brother would have had us attend."
"Well, we could just tell him that we don't want to that many public events and just you know, date. Like normal, non-aristocratic people do."
Leona dreaded the idea of bringing such a thing up to Falena, but he did prefer the idea of having some measure of control over his courtship. "Then...was this...a date?"
"Yes," Christine giggled. "This was a date. And when your school year ends, I will still come to visit you. We'll have lots of dates before the wedding, really get to know each other."
"I'd like that," Leona smiled.
She smiles up at him again and that smile makes him melt. He wants to see that smile every day.
A sudden urge strikes Leona and he wrestles with it for a moment or two, not usually one prone to impulse. And then he decides to just throw caution to the wind. Maneuvering himself carefully, he made Christine look into his eyes, ran a tender hand through her hair, fingertips brushing against the rose, and gently kissed her lips.
Christine could have SWORN that she heard the sound of a very strange rustling laugh, but that lasted all of thirty seconds before she realized that Leona Kingscholar was kissing her.
Christine briefly considered the option of forgoing the entire courtship thing and just eloping because bless the great seven how is this man so perfect how is he everything she wanted thank you Falena for being impulsive...
Leona is tender and gentle, but she can still feel the prick of his claws against her skin, smell the masculine wild scent of his musk, and the twitch of his tail. A brief reminder of his wilder side (she was sure there would be time to explore that later).
And then, too soon, the kiss was over. Leona was slightly breathless but then put on a dashing, roguish smile, and Christine nearly kissed him again.
"As much as I'd like to keep you here all night with me, Lady Rickman, I imagine that they'd come looking for you and it would be quite the scene if you were caught canoodling with a student."
"Even if that student was my fiance and twenty years old?
His ears twitch. "Especially due to that," he kisses her forehead before speaking to someone else that she couldn't see. "So, Ruggie, how long have you been hiding there?"
Christine turned around to see the trap door to the roof open and a younger beastman with big blue eyes and hyena ears poked his head out. He laughed and Christine realized that was the same strange laugh she'd heard earlier. "I was just trying to encourage ya, Boss. You and the Lady are cute together."
"I take it Sakomi is looking for Christine," Leona said as he helped her to her feet.
"More or less, but she also was planning to fib if it came to it. She's a clever girl, that one."
"I...I should go then. My parents won't fret too much, as I did say I would be gone until late..." Christine didn't want to let go of his hand.
"Go on, Christine," he encouraged.
"Good night...my prince..." Christine kissed Leona's cheek before departing through the door, leaving him alone with Ruggie.
Ruggie couldn't help the laugh at the lovestruck expression on his dorm leader's face. "Check the grin, Boss. You're in love."
"Aw, shut up!"
🦁🦁 Four and a half months later 🦁🦁
"Leona, I'm nervous...what if I mess this up?"
"Don't be nervous; I know this is your debut on the court, but I'm right here with you," Leona squeezed Christine's hand reassuringly.
Christine, dressed in the finest clothes the Sunset Savannah had to offer, was waiting with Leona in the sitting room just outside the main banquet hall of the Palace of Pride Rock. Leona's school year was over and it was time for them to make their formal debut as an engaged couple to the court.
Christine was a complete bundle of nerves. She'd never been presented at a royal court before, especially not one full of beastmen. "What if they don't like me? I mean...I'm not..."
"The first tongue raised against you won't keep it," he promised with a low growl. "I adore you and so will they."
Just then, there was a knock at the door. It was Zira, one of Leona's personal guards. "Your Highness? It's time."
Leona pressed a kiss to Christine's cheek as he helped her to stand.
"No matter what the court says or thinks, remember that it doesn't matter my wild rose. It is I who loves you and it is I who is going to marry you."
Christine almost swooned at this, but instead kept her composure. "I love you, too." She murmured.
Leona smiled before leading her out of the sitting room and into the main banquet hall.
"PRESENTING THE SECOND PRINCE OF THE SUNSET SAVANNAH, HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS, LEONA KINGSCHOLAR, AND HIS FUTURE BRIDE, THE LADY CHRISTINE RICKMAN OF RHE DUCHY OF BEAUTE!" A courier announced as Leona and Christine made their way into the hall.
Christine tried very hard not to let her nerves show and remembered her etiquette classes. She kept her eyes on the head table, where Falena and his wife, Kira, sat, along with their children. Falena looked incredibly proud and his smile put Christine at ease. Christine then looked to one of the side tables, where her parents sat. Lord Maurice beamed with pride, while his life, Lady Belle, waved at her daughter and gave her an encouraging smile.
Leona could hear the chatter. "Falena chose a human?"/"Well, Leona was picky and he seems to like her, so what's the big deal?"/"Isn't she a romance novelist?"/"She's very pretty for a human"
This put Leona slightly more at ease. He could handle gossip about himself, but he couldn't stand the idea of anyone insulting Christine.
When they reached the main banquet table, Leona bowed to his brother. "Falena."
"I must commend myself on my excellent taste," Falena remarks. "I told you, didn't I? The Lady Rickman is a perfect match for you, little brother."
"Falena, please!" Kira looked exasperated. "The pool girl looks like she might actually faint from nerves!"
Christine curtsied. "Your majesties," she says, voice shaking slightly. "It is an honor to be presented to you."
Falena laughed, a booming noise that seemed to fill the hall. "And we are just delighted to welcome you into our family. Now, then, Leona? If you please..."
Christine was confused, only for her eyes to widen considerably as Leona dropped to one knee and presented her with a small green box.
"Christine," Leona began. "When our engagement was announced, at first, I wanted to drive you off, but your open heart changed me in ways I can't even begin to describe." He opened the box to reveal a beautiful emerald ring in the shape of a rose.
"Lady Christine Rickman, will you marry me?"
Christine gasped in awe, eyes filling with tears. "Leona..."
"I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Christine...and I want the rest of my life to start right away."
She shakily held out her left hand, tears spilling from her eyes.
Some of the guards were sniffling.
"Yes, Leona...." Christine says. "I will ."
Leona beamed, his eyes sparkling like the emeralds on the ring as he slid it on her finger.
Lord Maurice and Lady Belle, Christine's parents, wiped their eyes and beamed with pride as Leona stood up and kissed Christine before lifting her in his arms and twirling her in the air as the court clapped and cheered. Kira wiped her eyes with a handkerchief.
"Kira?" Falena asked. "What's the matter, dearest?"
"Look at how happy he is, Falena. I don't think I've ever seen Leona that happy before. It's just...so wonderful."
Leona doesn't hear or see anyone else. All he sees is Christine's happy smile and her sparkling hazel eyes. His mind flashed back to the night of their first date, of the glowing rose in her hair. "My wild rose," he murmured as they kissed.
"My lion prince," she whispers back before wrapping her arms around him as they kiss.
🦁🦁 Three years later.... 🦁🦁
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The new memoir from Princess Christine Kingscholar, Ever A Surprise , detailing her love affair with Prince Leona Kingscholar!! Now being made into a drama! Read the sweeping love story today!