She was pissed, the steady stream of angry words shocking even me. Gone was her polite smile, her true power showing through.  She was struggling to stand, blood dripping from her nose.  Sitting her down in the chair at the head of the table, a soft blush rose to my cheeks as hot vomit flew into the trash can next to her.    

“I will work with you.” Emperor Volentia announced cheerfully, clapping his hands. “I want prosperity and peace for once.  How could you fools not want that?  We each grow different things, and if I am being honest my kingdom could use the money.”  One by one they all agreed, her polite smile brightening her face.  My old man shot me a thumbs up, her fingers snapping.  Erant walked in with several large black bags. 

“These weapons will turn your demon problems into black ash, so their bodies won’t poison your water and fields.” She chirped cheerfully, resting her head on her hands. “Also on top is a spell that your mages can use to get your crops growing again.  How about a ten percent import tax on all of our products?  It is a good start, and you can all still make money for now.  That is another problem, we will need a common currency.  I was thinking about how we put each of your faces on the money.  If you choose to entertain me, I will stroke your precious little egos.  What do you say?”  Sliding a crisp piece of parchment paper with the terms of the trade treaty, each emperor signed.  

“Can I treat you guys to some tea?” She offered sweetly, the kitchen staff coming in with a black forest cake and a steaming tea pot. “The cake I made myself a couple of days ago so it could set properly, and this is a special tea from the Garden of Light.  It will heal all of your health issues.  Enjoy.”  Everyone chatted for a couple of hours, sadness tinting her eyes.  Sighing deeply, she stood up to leave.  Surprise widened her eyes, every emperor standing up and bowing in her direction.  

“We all wish you well, and good luck with the dragon heir.” Scarvos babbled happily, taking another bite of cake. “I am sorry for misjudging you, it is just that your father has been tormenting my kingdom.”  Smiling warmly, tears streamed down her cheeks.  

“Thank you so much, your majesty.” She wept jovially, wiping away her tears. “You don’t know how much this means to me, and remember not to judge a book by its cover.  Enjoy your meal, I am feeling under the weather.”  Closing the door behind her, she collapsed into my arms.  A feverish sweat soaked her face, her body shivering.  

“I feel horrible.” She stammered sickly, a black skin throbbing on her palm. “I feel so broken.  I think some of my father’s venom touched me.”  Scooping her up, my fists banged on the doctor’s door.  A snarl curled on his lips, his eyes falling on Alice.  Desperation burned in his eyes, her body twitching on the bed.  

“Did she touch his sword?” He asked urgently, searching through his medicine cabinets. “That looks like a rejection wound, and what is this?”  Moving her shirt back, a black wound throbbed.  Black veins creeping out from the wound, the urge to throw up wracking me.  Was she going to die?  A small cry of triumphant burst from his lips, a golden liquid swirled in a vial.  Slapping her face, he opened her lips.  Swallowing the liquid, the wounds sealed shut.  Relief washed over me, hot vomit crashing into the nearby trash can.  Hovering his hand over her womb, a single heartbeat echoed around the room.  Her trembling hands reached for mine, clammy sweat dripping to the floor.

“Fuck!” She cried out, golden electricity crackling around her wounds. “Something is wrong.”  Horror widened my eyes, her wound ripping open.  Tears of pain streamed down her cheeks, golden flames devouring my hands.  Not saying a word, the doctor snatched my hand.  Hovering it over her shoulder, the electricity faded away as her wound sealed to a nasty scar.  Snatching my hand, he made us hold hands.  One final cry rang out, her eyes shutting.  

“Your flame was the key to saving her.” The doctor explained quietly, her chest rising up and down. “She should never touch his sword, the magic poisoning could kill her next time.  Stay here with her while I go get more supplies.”  Sitting there felt like an eternity, her energy going up and down.  Her eyes fluttered open, a small smile brightening her face.  She tried to sit up, my hand holding her down.  

“You just barely survived.” I uttered in disbelief, my old man walking in with the doctor.  Solemn looks darkened their faces, their hands crossing.  A black folder sat in my old man’s hands, a snarl curling on his lips.  A lump formed in my throat, already knowing the next words.  

“I think that we should take you two out of school.” He announced sadly, tears welling up in his eyes. “It isn’t safe anymore.”  Alice sat up, a look of defiance on her face.  A snarl curled on her lips, her fingers gripped the cheap wool blanket.  

“I love it here!” She barked hotly with tears in her voice, a lump forming in her throat. “I have friends for the first time, and I want to stay.”  Shaking his head, the headmaster strolled in with a huge grin on his face.  Throwing the black folder on her lap, she flipped it open.  White flames devoured the paper, her friends and her knights rushed in.  

“You see, you are no longer welcome here.” The headmaster bragged gleefully, everyone gasping in shock. “By sundown you must leave.”  Cocking her brow, her lips parted in protest.  

“Rot in hell!” She growled through gritted teeth, claws growing from her fingers. “You are just a pig in a suit.  I don’t want to go here anyways.  The whole time you were a dick to me, no matter how well I performed.  Shove it up your ass!”  Swinging her legs over the edge of the bed, her feet landing securely on the floor.  All of her friends stood up behind the headmaster, the knights stiffening.

“We quit too.” Scarlet announced, her fists clenched tightly. “I think that we are all going with her.”  Slipping on her boots, she brushed past the headmaster. Their footfalls echoed behind us, the headmaster dropping to the floor.  Placing his hands together, he pleaded on the floor.  

“Please stay.” He begged pathetically, her spinning on her heels.  Towering over him, she crossed her arms across her chest.  Placing her heel on the top of his head, she lifted his face to face her.  

“No.” She uttered simply, dropping his head. “I want no part of your pathetic academy.  I have learned all I needed to know.”  Walking away, she sauntered to our room.  Tossing her stuff into her suitcase, her friends went to their rooms.  Gathering everything, a couple of butlers gathered everything.  Taking one last look around, she closed the door behind us.  Everyone who supported her waved at her from the entrance, a wide smile brightening her face.  

“Let’s go take over the world guys.” She chirped cheerfully, the headmaster hanging back. “See you later.”  Climbing into our carriage, her friends followed behind her on their own dragon creatures.  Sitting next to me, her strong facade faded.  Tears of rage flooded from her eyes, her finger gripping my suit.  Her body trembled, her body still weak from the attack. 

“You don’t always have to be so strong.” I urged her cautiously, kissing the top of her head. “You can seem human if you wish too.”  Shaking her head, panic widened her eyes.  My old man was silent across from me, rage fuming silently underneath his concerned look.  

“I just don’t understand why the world’s first reaction is to hate me because I look scary.” She blurted out, her voice cracking. “I just want everyone to have peace and be happy.  It pisses me off that no one listens to me except for you guys.  Am I a monster?”  My old man was flipping through a black folder, his foot tapping incessantly.  Running his hand through his hair, the silence was oppressive.  The carriage squealed to a stop, the door not opening fast enough.  Leaping out of the door, her foot caught on the cobblestone.  Catching her, my body crashed to the ground.  Her long hair cascaded around her face, teardrops crashing onto my face. Jumping to her feet, she sprinted into the castle.  Chasing after her, her still form stood in the garden.  Hiding in the rose bushes, she held her knees to her chest.   

“Can I sit with you?” I asked politely, hoping she would say yes. “I want to hold you.”  Biting her lip, a small stream of blood dripped down her lip.  Her eyes fell on the spot where her father spun her around, claws growing from her fingernails.  The dirt gave way, panic widening her eyes as she fell down the hole.  Looking down the hole, she landed on her feet.  Dust blew up around her, her slender hand holding her arm.  A sharp rock stuck out of it, her eyes scanning the area.  Leaping down, childlike wonder brightened my eyes.  A portrait of her mother loomed in front of her, her long dark brown hair cascading down her back.  The hidden chapel lit up, a soft female voice echoing around us.  

“Alice, why must you cry so?” The voice cooed, Alice stiffening. “I thought you were happy.”  A clear form of her mother flew from the painting, her ghostly apparition making me go pale.  Alice collapsed to her knees, her claws retracting.  Burying her face into her palms, sadness dimmed her face. 

“Why should I be!” She yelled bitterly, waving her hands around. “I just got kicked out of school, and almost lost a trade treaty because of how I look.  On top of that I have to kill my father who pretended to love me.  The worst part is that I fell for it, and I-”  Her mother wrapped her arms around her, her lips kissing the top of her head.  Sobs wracked her body, her head snuggling into her chest. 

“Silly rabbit.” Her mother mused happily, wiping away her tears. “You have so much.  You have a husband, a child on the way, and you are well on your way to peace.  You can’t stay here either.  You have to fight the demon army heading to the capital.”  A scowl darkened Alice’s face, her hands shoving her mother off. 

“Where the hell do you get off suggesting that!” She snapped icily, hurt flashing in her mother’s eyes. “Why should I save a world if they all hate me?”  The crack of her mother’s hand slapping her face twisted her face in confusion.  

“I did not raise you to not care.” Her mother growled irritably, her face softening. “You need to do this to have some form of peace.  I have to go now.  I love you.”  She faded away, a burst of white energy shaking the ground.  Wrapping her up in my arms, she cried the night away.