06:00 AM.
The alarm rings. Underneath a mess of blankets, Rio fumbles for the table without opening his eyes.
"So noisy..."
The alarm stops. Silence takes over again. But that peace only lasts a few seconds before his phone screen lights up, spitting out a stream of news notifications.
[TRENDING]
Minakaya: Global Conference & Symbol of National Stability.
The World's Eyes on the Princess.
Lylya's face is everywhere.
Rio opens one eye, glares at the bright screen, and lets out a soft snort. He sits up on the edge of the bed. His hair is messy, typical for someone whose soul hasn't fully loaded yet. In the corner, his school uniform hangs stiffly, waiting for someone much more energetic than him.
In his head, there's only one thought:
"Hirigaya is equal to Minakaya?... I wish I could just live a normal life."
He stands up, grabs the uniform, and starts the day without any spark.
The Commute – Rio & Ellen
Rio's pace is slow, matching the rhythm of the busy city. Even though the streets are alive, for Rio, it all feels hollow.
"Morning, Mr. Prince-to-be."
The voice pops up from his side. Ellen.
Rio gives a lazy, sleepy look. "Stop it. I'm just a sleep-deprived second-year."
They walk together on the sidewalk.
"You're engaged to a national icon," Ellen teases. "You should be proud, not complaining."
"That's exactly the problem," Rio says flatly. "My life is already like a power-struggle light novel..."
He tilts his head toward a giant billboard. There, Lylya looks perfect—elegant, sharp, surrounded by grand national symbols.
"Just going to a food stall feels like I'm walking past the face of the country."
Ellen giggles. Rio continues, his voice empty of emotion:
"My family is just as old, just as powerful. Sadly... we aren't exactly a 'simple' family."
"You should be proud," Ellen says again. "I'm actually jealous. Having a beautiful fiancée... the school idol."
Rio just breathes a long sigh into the morning air. "Exhausting..."
School – Cold Contrast
The crowded school gate suddenly changes when Lylya appears.
Things get tidier. More organized. And much quieter.
Students bow automatically. Some stand too stiffly because they're nervous. Rio looks at the center of attention and mutters to Ellen:
"There. That's her."
Lylya approaches. Her steps are measured, her attitude formal and calm. The distance between them feels real, even though she is standing right in front of Rio.
"You're late," Lylya says.
"The road was long."
"That's not an excuse."
Rio looks into her eyes for a moment. "For my life? Almost nothing is an excuse."
No drama. No fighting. Just the usual coldness. Around them, whispers spread like mist: Minakaya... Princess... Heir...
Some mention the name Hirigaya. But for him, he is just "Rio." No titles. No weight.
The Lore
Inside the class, history starts.
"Minakaya and Hirigaya are the two pillars of this nation," the teacher says. "One leads. One stabilizes."
The class buzzes with whispers. Rio twirls his pencil boredly. Crack. The pencil tip breaks.
"Feels like," Rio mutters, "one does the work, the other gets the blame."
Ellen tries her best not to laugh.
"Because two crowns only create war," the teacher continues, "the Hirigaya decided to refuse the throne hundreds of years ago."
Lylya listens calmly. Rio, on the other hand, leans his chin on his hand, staring out the window.
"Sometimes I think... your life is like having two skies. Must be nice," Ellen whispers.
"Having just one is already suffocating," Rio replies.
Then... the wall clock flickers.
Just once. The noise of the class vanishes. The pencil falls. For a split second, the world feels empty. Rio stops moving.
"What's wrong?" Ellen asks, seeing his face change.
"...Nothing."
Rio raises his hand. "Teacher, restroom."
"Go ahead. Don't be long."
The Restroom
Inside a locked stall, Rio overhears students talking.
"She's so cool, man," says the first one.
"Right? She's the center of the world right now!"
"Man, if I were her fiancé... she's so damn hot!"
Rio sighs. He stares at the dull wall, ignoring the noise outside.
"Beauty is expensive, idiots," he thinks.
"And I'm already out of coins to pay for her fate."
T/L: This is my first time writing something like this. :)
[CHAPTER 1 – END]