C12 A lesson with Ace

"Will you stop doing that?" Ace asked me, pretty annoyed if I do say so myself.

We're currently at the library for my first lesson: History and the important people of each kingdom.

He kept on talking and explaining things - continuously, if I might add. I was sleepy and uninterested. Who can blame me? And why do I even have to learn their history? Whenever I tried to sleep this off, he would snap his fingers in front of my face. So I ended up doodling on a piece of paper to entertain myself. Oftentimes I would blankly stare at the ceiling and unconsciously make faces that cause him to get distracted. Steams would have appeared from his ears because of how pissed off he was. I think he prevented himself from punching me so much that his knuckles had gone white.

I am trying to listen to what he's saying, but all the terms he uses make it hard for me to understand!

"It's obvious that you hate me, and it is no secret that I also dislike you, so why can't we just agree to drop this lesson?" I said as I batted my eyes at him innocently.

"Not gonna happen." He said as he opened a book. "This is a part of your lesson. So you'll have to learn it."

"Nothing you even say makes any sense to me." I slumped on my seat. He didn't bother to look up this time as he read something from a leather-bound book. His jaw clenched in annoyance, his black hair falling as he bent his head slightly forward to read in silence.

"Then I guess you need to try harder."

I pouted. "Easy for you to say. You were born here. I was born waaaay over there." Feeling disappointed, I started whistling.

"You are an annoying Princess!"

"Why, thank you."

His head perked up and gave me an annoyed look. "That wasn't a compliment."

"For me, it is," I said and began to get comfy on the couch. I hadn’t gotten much sleep since yesterday when my eyes started to close on their own. Not even a minute later and he was shaking me awake.

"No sleeping during class hours." He said and continued to shake me. I tried to ignore him, but I was getting dizzy from his shaking - my head bobbing back and forth.

Can't this guy leave me alone?

I reached out and slapped his hand away. "Go away," I said as I buried my face on the couch. A minute later and I heard a sound. I took a peek, and I saw Ace holding a bag of cookies. He smirked when he saw that I was staring at it. "Now you're awake?"

"No, I'm not." I blushed and looked away.

He started shaking the bag of cookies, drawing my eyes at them again. "These are cookies baked by a well-known baker in Thalia. His bakery is so famous that countless dukes and even royals come to Thalia just to buy these."

I stared at him. "You're bluffing, aren't you? The 'baker' is actually the chef of this castle."

There was a long pause.

Ace suddenly cleared his throat. "Of course not. Why would you even think of that?"

I raised an eyebrow at him. "Are you taking me for a fool? You said that he is famous. Naturally, he would be hired by a nearby royal, which would be the king and queen."

He stared at me. "What?" I asked.

"You actually got the name of this kingdom right. That's a first."

"I did!?" I gasped. "Wow, I am smarter than I thought. I could become a scholar."

"Now, what is the name of the kingdom that was destroyed in the year 455? Specifically ten years ago."

"You guys are in the year 465!?" See? I know my addition. I am smart!

Ace frowned. "I asked you a question."

"In case you haven't noticed, I was already surprised by the current year, and now you are asking me for the name of a ruined kingdom? I don't know! Hogwarts!?"

"You're hopeless! You didn't even get that right."

"I'm trying here!"

"I said try harder!" He was yelling now.

"Well, maybe if you can speak in a language I can understand, then it might not be difficult! Back in my world, we have presidents and vice presidents. Only a few countries have royalty these days."

"Then what are you? A plebian?"

"I'm a student who doesn't even bother to do my homework, and you expect me to learn this world's history? Sir, I bid you good luck."

He sighed and turned back. He didn't even bother to look at me as he said that. He just went back to the couch opposite of mine and sat down. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair - a sign of his frustration. He then grabbed a book and started to read. "Self-study from now on."

I frowned. "Hey, Ace." He didn't look at me as I called for his name. I wanted to ask him something.

Maybe he didn't hear me?

"Excuse me, Ace? Yoohoo!!" I waved my hands for him to notice me.

He continued to flip through a book, pretending not to hear when it was pretty evident that I was calling him. I know he heard me. My voice was already loud enough. Why is he not answering?

Oh I see

"PRINCE Ace?" This time he looked up and gave me a questionable glance. "Yes?" He asked.

Stupid-Arrogant-Royal-Pain-in-the-Butt!!!

I clenched my fist at my sides because of my annoyance towards the prince in front of me. I forced myself to smile despite his attitude. "Can I ask you a question?"

"No." He went back to reading.

I'm going to kill this Prince.

"Why are you so grumpy?" I asked. Patience slowly faded. He didn't even answer my question and proceeded to read. I might go wolf on him now and tear him limb from limb! Hopefully.

"There are things that you must learn in this kingdom. You must first learn the ranks and positions in each kingdom so you can know your place. As you might know, the king ranks the highest. Followed by the Queen, then the Prince and Princess." His lips moved as he talked. His eyes were glued to what he was reading.

This guy is really serious about this.

My gaze darted to the bag of cookies on the table. I silently made my way towards it.

"Are you listening, Princess?" He looked up from the book that he was reading. He raised a questioning eyebrow at me. Face a mask of seriousness as he looked at me. I don't need to be a mind reader to know that he didn't appreciate my lack of interest.

"I...uhhh....yes." I said and hid the cookies behind me.

"Oh really?" He asked. He was not buying my answer to his question. He folded his fingers in front of him and placed his chin on top. "What did I just say just now?" He raised an eyebrow at me.

"Easy.....'What did I just say just now?'." I said. I know that wasn't what he meant, but that was the only thing I could think of.

"Your sarcasm always shows up in times like these. Let's be serious now and answer my question properly." His tone was dead serious. If I answer with another sarcasm, it might be my last. A small smile found its way to his lips when he saw my speechless form. He straightened up.

"You were really not listening."

"You know what? I should go upstairs and look for more books to read. Probably a dictionary so I can understand some of the words you are saying and not purely historical. Be right back!" I lied. I only ran upstairs to eat the cookies I stole.

It took me a while to get back as I made sure to finish all the cookies and leave no traces of crumbs on my face. I took a random book with me that if Ace ever asks, I'll have proof. And if the book is now the right one then I'll just pretend to be ignorant.

At least that was the plan, but when I came down, he was nowhere to be found. I looked around the library to find him. He must have left somewhere. I sat on the couch once again and closed my eyes to take a little break.