Chapter Text
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'The Land of wealth is the unofficial title of the scalding sands. And many could see why from the satin and silk hanging off racks to the gold being wheeled by merchants. it's not everyday you see something so extravagant just out there on the streets. Anyone would give anything to be part of that wealth. But is it really worth it when you're the one being sold? And what do you do if a certain fire sparks?'
It was a day like any other for the lazy prince. Having Ruggie do everything for him while he lays, basking in the morning sun. But he could only enjoy it for so long, when he heard footsteps approach, the slight crunch of sticks and leaves woke him up, brows furrowed.
'it better not be that damn hunter' he thought to himself before cracking an eye open, only to come face to face with a smiling Al-Asim heir
"It's so nice outside!" Kalim grinned, sitting himself down a few feet away from Leona who rolled over facing away.
"Come on Leona-San I have something to talk about with you!" He inched closer the jingling of his jewelry getting louder in his ears, Leona could practically hear the whining in his tone, Sevens, where is Jamil?
"What do you want? Don't you have a snake to bother?" He grumbled as Kalim just shrugged
"Jamil is busy with the dorm, I don't want to bother him since he insists on doing it alone." Typical. Leona huffed. Turning around to face the all smiles brat.
"So? Spit it out."
"Are you open for marriage?" What.
"The hell did you just say?" Leona was fully awake now. His head lifting up slightly from the sheer audacity of that question.
"I said—"
"Wait, shut up."
"..." Kalim's lips formed into a thin line, looking directly at him.
"No."
"But why?"
"What the fuck do you mean why?" The lion was already developing a headache but it was only the beginning. He rubbed his temple but refrained from swatting at the other.
"So ..I have this cousin.."
"I don't give a shit" He hissed.
"His family is trying to find him a wife! And I figured you two have the same personality"
"What the actual fuck does that have to do with anything Kalim? And do I LOOK like a wife to you?" He said irritated. What the fuck is wrong with this guy.
"You two would be good together!" He insisted, smiling, saying it like it was nothing.
"And? What makes you think I'm even interested?" Leona has never expressed his will to marry so what makes Kalim think he's gonna entertain this?
"Aren't your parents trying to find you a husband?" A tilt to his head. Kalim was right, his father , absolute bastard by the way was already trying to marry him off. But he'd be damned if he ever admits that. Especially to this Chatty Catty.
"None of your business, go away" He plopped back down. Making an effort not to listen to Kalim's antics anymore until the heir lets out a sigh. The obnoxious amount of gold he's wearing ringing in the Lion's sensitive ears.
"Minajael is visiting. Come over to Scarabia sometimes!" And with that he's off. He has a feeling that he would've lasted longer in bugging him if not for the faraway voice of a certain ravenette calling out to his master.
Leona's mood was ruined. He was irritated and pushed himself up to rest his back against the tree trunk. Like hell he'd let himself be given away as a bride to some probably spoiled Scalding Sands prince. But—
Minajael.. he's heard of that name before.
'he's quite temperate, don't trouble young minajael' was what he heard while visiting Scalding Sands, the vivid memory of those silk curtains and intricate rugs. As a young child he only caught glimpses of the rebellious prince. Back then, when Leona was a slightly more decent person and actually listened to his parents. He remembered those furrowed eyebrows and those forced smiles the prince would put on for others and the way his face would drop into a scowl when he turns away. He clicked his tongue.
"Temperate my ass. Just say he's an asshole". Safe to say though, that the Crowned prince of The Scalding Sands had an attitude.
It was a horrible next few days as Kalim bothered him constantly about this cousin of his.
During Breakfast, P.E. and even passing each other in the halls. Getting screamed at by crewel in the middle of the hallway because Kalim was passing out fun facts about the other prince was not an ideal way he wanted to go about his day. Great, now what? he needs to avoid Kalim like the plague? Why was he so desperate anyway? That Leona needs to be his cousin's spouse so bad? Will the prince die if Leona didn't marry him or what. Not like he cared anyway.
'he's good at debating :3' he looked at the heart shaped sticky note in his hand. in what world does Leona need this information? He crumbled the little note and stuck it in his locker along with the countless others that Kalim thought it was a good idea to put.
Looks like it's time to make a trip to the school gym, How bothersome.
"Viper." He called out. Descending the stairs from the door to the basketball court. A few students turned, basketball shoes squeaking, abruptly stopping as they looked, stunned as the prince infiltrated their basketball practice
"Ne? Sea Lion~ what're ya doin' here?" Floyd asked but Leona just huffed and ignored him. That turned the teal haired boy's mood sour. As he rubbed at his neck.
"Rude. Sea snake! Sea lion wants to see ya!" He switched up now laughing. Inching closer and closer to the lion who was not having it.
"Floyd-Senpai, please" Ace said, holding slightly onto the eels arm, successfully leading him away before all the teasing escalates. See— Ace was a renowned rage bait king but please not now...they really couldn't risk Floyd being benched and not like Leona would be nice enough not to fight with him.
"Ah, Leona-san. What brings you here? Jamil asked wiping his head with a towel. After being excused as Leona just scowled.
"What the hell is up with your little spoiled brat?" He said as Jamil's brow raised, certainly not expecting that.
"Pardon?"
"He's been bugging me for days about this stupid cousin of his." He crossed his arms, as Jamil went deep in thought rubbing his chin.
"Minajael?" Viper questioned.
"Yes. That one, he wants me to meet him so badly"
"I see. Well it's been some time since Kalim has seen him I suppose he's just excited." The snake concluded.
"Yeah. Whatever just stop this shit"
"Apologies Leona-san I'll make sure to talk to Kalim about this later, don't want to make enemies with a predator." he assured but he slightly slipped a tiny smirk.
"I saw that. And you better." Growling, before walking away.
Watching as Leona walked away, he frowned.
'why must you make my life harder' Jamil thought exasperatedly to himself, already thinking of scolding Kalim later on in the day. But the thought of Kalim bothering Leona enough that he complains to Jamil is honestly kind of amusing. But when he returned, unimpressed seeing Floyd trying to cozy up with Ace. Who looks terrified and not into it. Deuce certainly is lucky he isn't witnessing his boyfriend getting harassed. He rolled his eyes.
"Long day ahead."
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"I don't care, throw your laundry in and leave me alone" he waved ruggie off with a flick of his wrist.
"Shehehehe! Thanks boss, you're the best." He chuckled and sped off with his laundry basket.
He stares at the mess of his room, haphazardly.
"If I close my eyes it's not my problem." He was dozing off. Hearing the soft ticking of the clock beside his bed. Almost time for history. Should he go? Nah.
Okay. You know what, maybe this time. He ploddingly got ready. Not even taking his blazer with him as he walked past students. he made no rush getting to Trein's class, the man would surely scold him but at least he's gonna attend.
Entering the classroom 10 minutes late like he owned it. Trein gave him a dirty look but made no comment as he sat down by the back. Face resting on his palm as he blocked out the noise. Another boring lesson about some king with ice powers turning everything to ice and running away. Dream life I guess.
"Roi des lion" A horrible voice spoke. Leona ignored it, unmoving and not taking his eyes off the board. he was not gonna entertain that.
"Mon Cherie, you look gloomier than usual?~" the hunter laughed, he could feel the warm breath against his neck, sevens. Leona could feel those piercing eyes on him. Rook was the only person who'd make his skin crawl...Maybe. other than that damned lizard but whatever. He shivered slightly as the hunter laughed in such a gleeful manner. Leona wanted to punch him. He was not scared of this guy he was just caught off guard because who the hell gets that close to someone.
"Roi—"
"Shut the fuck up" He snapped. Seriously? What was this guy's deal, Other than making your life ten times harder? And living in fear because some fuck with a bob has stalking abilities and kinky murderous intent or whatever sickness he has.
"Ah, Très bien" His lips curled. Hand to his chest in a stupid motion that he always does. His attention diverting to a passing Leech brother.
"Look at jade, so élégante~ the way he smiles just elicits something in me" He went on, hands flying around and acting like he was talking about one of the great sevens. Talk about simp. That was radish sprouts job last time he remembers.
Creep. He sneers. Hope Floyd kills this guy. Cause as irritating as that big ass eel is. He doesn't play about his twin no matter how much it looks like they dislike each other.
"Praying for a lucky strike. And a drowned blonde" he muttered as Rook snapped his head towards Leona. Like he fucking heard him. What the absolute hell.
"Yes? Petit Lèon? Something the matter?"
"Nothing." he laid his head down. Dozing off the moment his head hit his arms.
"Non? Aha!" He laughed, Leona continued to ignore him.
"Sweet dreams~" The hunter's eyes twinkled. As he eyed the sleeping lion, the twitch in his ears, every flick of that tail and the slight jittering of his fingers. Something was going on and Rook would die to know. But for now he relished in sitting idly and listening to the tale being taught to them.
"Oh how wonderful! the sweet sweet itch of mystery" he exclaimed to himself. Getting a warning glance from Trein and Lucifer as he settled down still smiling.
Class ended. And Leona was gone before Rook could even turn to him. Even Malleus gave him a curious glance in the hallway, since everyone knew Leona was not usually this hasty with doing anything.