. : Sebastian of Havfrue : .

Sebastian's first class of the day was Grooming and Chivalry. He could recall his father talking about this class. It was one of his favourites. From the way Professor Lukas opened, he found himself beginning to question his father's judgment.

"While grooming is all about appearance, chivalry is all about behaviour. This class will centre on both."

Although his father claimed to have been top of his class, Sebastian had overheard his mom when he was younger saying that he had just barely scraped into the leader class. That had been because his grandparents had threatened to remove him from his inheritance. Sebastian's fear had spiked at the thought. He had to do well in this school. He had a duty to fulfill, both to his family and his people. He wasn't the spare anymore and needed to succeed.

Sebastian focused back on Professor Lukas, who was still speaking about the difference between chivalry and grooming. Most of the differences he was speaking about were topics Sebastian had covered as a kid with his tutor. This class would be easy.

"Chivalry is a quality held by both the greatest kings and knights, to poor villagers and animals on a farm. In this class, we are going to start easy, by kissing a maiden on her hand. We will explore more advanced concepts later on."

Professor Lukas was a tall handsome man. It was the same way his father was handsome now. Salt and pepper hair with a chiselled jaw and a figure that still looked like it could sail a large ship on his own. He didn't have Sebastian's father's loose spirit and genuine charm. His professor's character reminded him of King Adam of Villeneuve-- the same kingdom and man known for Beauty and the Beast.

Sebastian could remember early childhood trips to Villeneuve, all for diplomacy. King Adam and Queen Belle were both in their late sixties now; their dead children had been around the same age as Sebastian's father. Sebastian's father had said it was because they had lost their children, but Sebastian had always been frightened of King Adam, who was all no-nonsense and frowns, and Queen Belle-- although less terrifying than her husband-- was an intimidating lady.

"Alright, future heroes. Stand up and across from your desk mate. Proper technique will involve a gentle kiss on the hand, not too sloppy so you should scare away a fair maiden. Hold her hand carefully, and do not squeeze, just enough to make her feel cherished." Professor Lukas waved his hands. "Everyone up, and get practicing."

The room filled with the quick screeching of chairs, and snickers as everboys rose to their feet and prepared to kiss each other's hands.

Tedros smirked at Sebastian and thrust his hand out, dramatically flicking it.

"You are such a twat," Sebastian rolled his eyes, standing across from the golden-haired boy.

Tedros didn't say a word. He only wiggled his fingers at him, displaying neat nails and golden skin.

Sebastian inhaled in a light snort. He dramatically bowed, swooping one hand underneath his chest. He had done this motion every time he saw his parents-- had been trained to do it since he could balance on two legs.

He gently took Tedros' hand, suppressing a snort. "Prince Tedros," Sebastian lowered his head and pressed his lips to the back of Tedros' hand.

"Excellent form, Prince Sebastian. With a little practice, you'll have girls swooning for you!"

Sebastian inhaled to avoid laughing at Professor Lukas and wiggled his eyebrows at Tedros to distract from the amusement.

"I would almost take Beautification over this," Tedros snorted. "I bet they are learning how to smile or brush their hair properly."

Sebastian snickered, picturing that hag from the woods beyond and the Igni practicing smiles.

Tedros went through the same motions as Sebastian, bowing and kissing the back of his hand. "You look positively lovely today, your highness."

Sebastian laughed once. "Maybe if one of these evergirls doesn't work out for you, we can marry and run the kingdoms together."

Tedros let out a barking laugh. "Same goes to you if it doesn't work out with the Igni."

Sebastian's smile dropped, and he could feel overwhelming disgust. "Don't ever mention her, I'd rather die ripped apart by horses than even consider her."

Tedros laughed and nudged him. "No hard feelings."

~~~

Sebastian and Tedros had Swordplay and Weapons Training directly after their first class, and then both decided to go to the Groom Room with the rest of the everboys for physical education.

Sebastian was halfway up a wall when the smell of smoke and high-pitched screams reached him.

Almost instantly, Sebastian scrambled down the wall, landing on one knee. "What was that?"

Tedros had already begun to move, scooping up his sword. "I don't know, but come on! The girls need our help."

Sebastian snatched his sword from the pile where he had left his uniform and books, and raced after Tedros, dressed only in his gym clothes.

The scent of smoke was stronger in the hallway, and Sebastian dashed after Tedros' figure, down the glass stairs and into the main hall. He skidded to a halt and stared wide-eyed at the stampede of animals that were headed up the staircase.

"I've got the stampede," Tedros spun Excaliber once, before racing after the animals.

Sebastian turned to the deck and stared at the smoke and fire stretching beyond on the garden deck. It must've been Laura's fault.

"Then the Igni is mine." He twisted the sword once, before breaking into a jog and sprinting onto the balcony.

He jogged through the large doorway and into the garden. It was blazing orange and hot, the heat intensely dry. The flames were several metres high and surrounded the garden, licking up the dark emerald green foliage.

Sebastian hesitated at the door. He has fought the Igni's fire many times, and this was different. Her fire was practical and controlled. Every fight he had fought with her, she had a tight leash on it, never letting it go, no matter how big. It was like fighting with a skilled dancer.

The fire in the garden was rogue, vicious, and consumed everything it could get its greedy little tongue on. It had no mercy and no method of attack.

Sebastian tightened his grip, and narrowed his eyes against the heat, scanning through the fire, looking for the Igni.

There she was.

She stood in the centre of the garden, her arms outstretched towards the flames. The fire was inches away from her hands, darting at them and then pulling away. The Igni's eyes were shut, and her brows furrowed tight. She was murmuring under her breath and seemed to be pulling at the flames, tugging them into her.

Sebastian coughed once, his eyes dripping from the smoke. The Igni's magic never made this much smoke. He walked forward, heading for her. He twisted his sword, brandishing it toward her.

"What the hell do you think you are doing?" Sebastian snapped. "This isn't Neverland, you can't just kill everyone with fire."

Laura's eyes popped open, and her face dropped into a snarl. "Could you choose a worse time?"

"Stop the fire, right now." He brandished the sword at her.

"What do you think I'm trying to do, you asshat?" Laura let out a deep breath and seemed to wrap her hand around one of the flames, pulling it closer. "You need to get out of here. It isn't safe."

"Like hell I'm leaving you here alone." He took another step closer to Laura. "How do I know you aren't trying to kill everyone?"

Laura snarled and squeezed her eyes shut. "I do not have the energy or the focus to deal with you here right now. Would you prefer I spend my energy killing you? Or stopping the damn school from burning down?"

Sebastian twisted his sword and threw the sword at her. Laura twisted, and with one heel, kicked the sword out of her range. It went skidding into the flames.

Sebastian halted, staring at her. "What are you doing?"

"You are so dense. You are going to choke on the smoke. I need you to leave, so I can focus on putting out this fire."

"I'm not leaving you here unsupervised."

"For fucks sake. Just shut up!"

Sebastian snapped his jaw shut, staring at the girl. In heels, she was the same height as him, and he frowned. How hard would it be to push her over the balcony? It could be an accident.

Laura was murmuring, her hair surprisingly still despite the heat. The flames consumed her hands, turning them white-hot, and Sebastian grimaced. There was no way that felt good.

Part of him-- most likely the good part-- took another step forward. Sebastian clenched his jaw. She was going to get hurt and it was his duty as a prince to save the princess.

The other part of him held him back. Had he not spent the past year at war with this woman? He knew she was dangerous. He had the burnt hands and the healing gash on his thigh to show for it.

Laura's voice gained volume, and Sebastian frowned. She wasn't speaking any language he knew, yet the fire seemed to respond to it. It moved past her hands and began to swallow her arms, swimming around her body in an orange, yellow, red and gold tornado.

Her face broke out into a grim smile and Sebastian took a few steps back as the fire began to shrink. The smoke seemed to be swallowed up by the flames.

The fire shrunk down, the acrid smell remaining despite it vanishing. Finally, it was the size of a small plant, and Laura held it over her hand, staring at the flame as though it were a baby bird.

Sebastian let out a cough, and her gaze snapped to him. He stumbled back as she twisted, and threw the tiny flame at him.

Sebastian snapped a hand up to cover his face, only to have the flame vanish before it could reach him.

Laura let out a snort, and Sebastian looked at her, just in time to watch her eyes roll back in her head, and her body to hit the ground.

Sebastian stared at her for a split second, before reacting, and running over to her. He hovered for a second, unsure of what to do. He glanced once between the doorway and the collapsed girl in front of him.

He reached out and nudged her with his shoe, and when she didn't respond, he knelt down, pressing his fingers into her neck. Sebastian nearly flinched away at how cold her skin was. He thought that after what she did, that her skin would be overheating.

He managed to find her pulse, and crouched back on his heels, letting out a breath. He went to pull his hand away but stopped as he noticed a necklace. Upon closer inspection, it appeared to be a vial, strung on a metal chain. Inside the vial was a glittery powder.

Sebastian's eyes widened. Pixie dust.

Incredibly rare, and even harder to convince the pixies to give it to you. This could be the key to destroying magic.

Sebastian took another look around, to ensure nobody had arrived on the deck recently. With deft fingers, he reached around her neck and undid the clasp, shoving the necklace into his pocket.

He took swift steps away from her body, and towards the balcony. He grabbed his sword from where Laura had kicked it.

He glanced at her body as he passed. Maybe he should take her to the infirmary.

No. He banished the thought. She was alive, and he didn't want to give anyone any reason to suspect him.

He rounded the door and entered the hallway.

Sebastian hesitated, looking back once at the crumpled body. Guilt began to well up, but he shook the thought away, running down the hallway.

He was no better than his father.