Kai VS. Kaira

Prince Kai and Princess Kaira were both lazing around the palace gardens and enjoying the fresh air; lying on the soft green grass and gazing at the moving clouds above. The soft white, furry palace dog whom everyone adores, Shadow, came running into the backyard and placed himself between Kai and Kaira. Kaira immediately took his paws and starting rubbing it without saying a word.

Kai noticed her and thought, "Good God! The pets are faster than usual. I do that only when something's troubling me, I must ask her what's wrong."

He spoke, "Princess Kaira, is everything alright?" Kaira neglected him and was lost in her own world of softness. Kai came up with a notion and twirled Shadow around so that she would actually listen to him and address her concern.

Kaira screamed with tears in her eyes, "NOOOOOO!!!!!! What did you do that for?"

Kai responded, "Now will you tell me what's happened to you? Your pets are faster than usual, which means that something is really bugging you or you've been remarkably enthusiastic about something."

Kaira gave in and said, "Nothing happened, really. But I have done some thinking, and I wish to go back to etiquette academy."

Kai inquired, "Etiquette academy? What's that?"

Kaira elucidated, "It is a tradition in the Vermillion kingdom that all Princesses must start attending this academy at the age of 15. However, due to a student named Ralphina trying to attack Brunia and for the poor way I resorted to a violent episode against her, I was suspended, the student was expelled, and Brunia took an extended leave of absence. Also, there was a scandal about me in the local newspaper, in which Ralphina was involved and when I approached her residence to confront her, she held us as hostages and tried to kill us, but fortunately, Professor Heidi managed to use a unique handcuff technique and saved me and our palace guard Maximilia from further disaster. After a short while, my name cleared up in no time, and the people know the truth now."

Kai related and asked, "Well... there's no one better than to advise you about what you should do better than me as I had faced the exact same confrontation when I wanted to go back to military school. Did you address this desire of yours to Professor Heidi?"

Kaira nodded with approval and added, "Yes. She said that I should persuade my mother on my own instead of relying on her assistance. Yesterday I even approached my mother and Brunia about this, and then..."

*FLASHBACK*

When Kaira addressed her desire to return to the same etiquette academy, the Queen exclaimed with surprise, "WHAT!? You wish to return to the same school?!"

Brunia spoke, "The suspension has lifted ages ago, however, considering what has already transpired, I cannot bring myself to return. Yet, if you wish to go, you have my unwavering support."

The Queen rose up from her chair with her hands clattering the stationery and books on the table. She rushed and pulled Kaira into a tight embrace and screamed with tears in her eyes, "KAIRA!!!!!!" Brunia gaped at them with shock and surprise whereas Kaira merely stood still who was equally stunned by the Queen's response.

Brunia yelled, "What on earth has come over you, mother?!"

The Queen stammered with pain and tears in her eyes, "I-I... hic... I remembered how K-Kaira c-came home all b-b-beaten up that day... You remember, Brunia?! For 3 days and 3 nights, not once did you leave her side, even as you wept uu...uunh...!!"

Brunia shouted, "W-WE NEEDN'T SPEAK ABOUT THAT NOW!!!" Kaira consoled her mother as she was crying in her arms, "Mother, please don't cry. There there..."

The Queen wiped her tears and responded, "In any case... we have no reason to expect a repeat of the past. Still, as your mother, I cannot neglect the possibility of sending you back to that place. Are you worried that you cannot become a worthy monarch without finishing etiquette academy? You need not. Part of the reason I have you taking regular lessons from a live-in mentor is so that you need not go to the academy. If you still wish to go, how would you feel about attending the etiquette academy here in Granzreich? Surely you would be able to apply yourself and concentrate on your studies at a new school. You see? You needn't force yourself to return to a place with horrifying memories."

*END OF FLASHBACK*

Kaira concluded, "...And that's what they said."

Kai advised, "Since the Queen's concerns still stand, you will have to persuade her."

Kaira thought, "Persuade her? How do I do that?" She started flapping her hands up and down and begged expressionlessly, "I want to go... I want to go... please...please." Kaira stared at Kai with the hope of valid response and asked, "How was that?"

Kai blushed at the sight of that and giggled while saying, "Was that an attempt of persuasion or interpretive dance? While it was incredibly charming, it still would not work."

He then proceeded, "Since I'm well aware that you're terrible with words, I will tell you what I did when I had to persuade father to send me to military school. How would you feel about writing your feelings across the paper? Using this method, even Leonhard becomes embarrassingly honest. I'd say that you must deliver the letter to her Majesty tomorrow morning."

Kaira responded, "Okay, I will do it, but I need someone to accompany me tomorrow, and I don't want to disturb Professor Heidi since now her workload has increased. Would you please come along with me?"

Kai nodded his head with approval and answered, "If that's what you desire, then I will do my utmost to help you. But with that said, I will only support you, I won't help you to persuade him as that is a requisite skill for the throne, alright?"

Kaira thanked him, and they both parted ways. After dinner, Kaira skitched her response on paper and thought, "Writing my thoughts helps me organize them, like Kai said, even if I'm terrible at communicating, I can find words for a letter. Now that I think about it, this is the first time that I've disagreed with my mother. Will she cry till her eyes bleed, or will she be mad at me? What do I do?! What do I do!? I want to go! I want to go!"

The next morning, Kaira was pacing up and down outside her mother's room when Kai arrived to support her. Kai proposed, "Well... I see that you have completed the letter. Then let us deliver it without further delay." Kaira replied, "Never mind. If I don't agree with my mother, then she would get upset, and I would hate to see that transpire." Kai placed a hand on her shoulder and spoke, "Kaira, expressing one's objections is not rebelling if that's what you think. You are merely debating what's best for your future. Despite that, if you harbored your genuine feelings and simply nodded with Her Majesty's opinions, could you truly call that a relationship with mutual trust?"

As a result, Kaira got motivated and said, "I want her to accept me for who am and respect my feelings. Alright, I'm going in!"

She knocked on the door and both them entered at the Queen's command. The Queen asked, "Good morning, Kaira and to you too, Prince Kai. What brings you two to my chambers today?"

Kaira glanced at Kai, and he nodded as approval and encouragement. Kaira took a deep breath and spoke, "Mother, I still want to go to etiquette academy! Going back to the same school means more than that of a place with terrible memories. Thanks to my sisters, Kai and both the Professors, I have been getting along with the palace staff in Cumsta and in Granzreich. They are obligated to be polite with me, but the students at school do not, as you said. But the strength to speak with such people in peace is the quality I think that I lack the most right now! If I want to become a worthy candidate for the throne, I must have the ability to talk, even to those you oppose me."

She then continued, "I also loved the lessons are the academy; dancing, academics, manners; I want to master all of them. So.. I... wrote about it in this letter..." She then shoved the letter at the Queen's face and sighed, "Phew! Mission accomplished!"

The Queen stared at Kai, who was also silent as a response. Kai reminded, "Kaira, you do realize that you just delivered the message aloud, right?"

Kaira snapped into realization and panicked, "God! I made the case in the wrong way as I'm terrible with words!" She grabbed Kai's shoulders and shook him back and forth!

The Queen laughed and stated, "Goodness... I love my children so much that I end up being a worrywart. It is an old habit of mine. I hadn't realized that you grew up since then, Kaira."

Kaira stopped shaking Kai and stammered, "W-W-Wait, what?!"

The Queen pulled Kaira into a warm embrace and said, "If you can express yourself so so much confidence and determination, I'm sure you will be fine. Besides, Cumsta is only a few hours away from here, so if you need anything, we're nearby. Hope you're ready for a taxing journey as you ride in the carriage will be 10-12 hours every day."

Kaira replied, "Don't worry, I can handle that." She glanced at Kai and affirmed, "Thank you, Kai! I couldn't have done it without you."

Kai answered, "You're very welcome."

The Queen responded, "Well... I see that the two of you have become good friends, yes?" They both nodded and excused themselves out of the room. A few days later, Kaira departed to Cumsta for her first day of return to etiquette academy. She left the palace with a new resolve to do better in the future.