"Chin up, no slouching your shoulders. Head must be leveled". Ezra followed her mentors directions, she had been practicing since the early morning and she wanted nothing more than to enjoy outside.

"Ms. Grinverdale are you listening"?! The older women snapped at her. She held by an eye roll as she faced her.

"Apologies Mrs. Grumble but I think I've learned enough for today" she said with a fake smile. Before she could be dismissed she ran down the hall as the older women screamed for her to come back.

She made her way to the gardens. Her mother had not been feeling well for the past few days. So the garden was empty but a bit of solitude was what she craved and needed.

She took off her shoes letting her feet greet the grassy ground. She breathed in the sweet aroma of the roses. She knew she would hear a lecture from her father later but she didn't care. Being outside what was she needed especially with all her training going on.

Her father was trying to reshape her image. He thought that if she were a good wife people would excuse the fact that she wasn't a Pyrokinesis. The thought did worry her a bit.

Why was it that she hadn't gained her power? And it wasn't like she hadn't been observed by dozens of doctors. They were just as confused as she was.

But did this mean she was a human?

No that couldn't be it. Maybe her powers were coming but she was just a late bloomer. Yeah that must be it she told herself. The thought reassured her and put her mind at ease. With a deep sigh she collapsed onto the soft grass. Letting her body relax she stretched her arms out wide when her arm touched something hard. 

Confused she rolled over to see a head full of dark hair. She screamed in shock quickly getting on her feet. When she looked closely at who it was she saw a man with his hands behind his head. His eyes were still closed even though she had screamed at the top of her lungs.

She grabbed a random stick from the ground. She poked at his face to see if he was still alive. "Ya know I think it would be better if you did mouth to mouth" he said with a grin.

She gasped moving back. "W-who a-are y-you" she stuttered looking at the relaxed man. Suddenly his eyes snapped open and his golden eyes met hers.

"The name is Shogan. Sorry if I gave you a fright. I came along with my brother but he's been in a meeting all day" he said rubbing his neck. He stands up from the ground. Something about him seemed familiar but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

He was quite handsome with his head filled with dark hair. His skin was as pale as hers but his golden eyes captivated her. She could he was well built as she could make out the muscles underneath his dress shirt.

"I... guess you probably know who I am" she said with a shrug. He feigned looking clueless pretending to scratch his head.

"No I actually don't know who you are. Please introduce yourself" he said with a fake accent. She giggled as he made hideous face expressions. He circled around her with a hand placed in his chin.

"The name is Ezra, Ezra Mae Grinverdale" she tried mimicking his posh accent. He stopped circling and they looked each other in the eye. Not a second later they were laughing like a bunch of idiots.

When Ezra had calmed down she realized just how comfortable she was with him. "Sooo you said your brother is in a meeting" she said as they were sitting on the grassy ground.

"Yup he's actually in a meeting with your father. I don't know why I was dragged along but I'm here now" he said with a shrug. Shaking her head she watched as the beautiful roses ruffled as the wind came by.

They made small talk until they heard footsteps coming their way. Turning her head she immediately stood up from the ground as her father approached them. "Why is it that I hear from Mrs. Grumble that you ran out in the middle of your training"?

"I... didn't... I mean I did but Papa I already know half of the stuff she's taught me. I don't understand why I must pretend as if everything is normal" Ezra grumbled.

"It is time for you to grow up. You should not be out here dilly dallying with some boy". Her father looked furious at his eyes turned to the strange boy standing next to his daughter.

"My apologies sir. I was waiting for my brother and I came out here for a bit of fresh air". Shogan ran a hand through his hair trying to appear confident. After all he was standing in front of the nations leader. Just then he saw his brother walking towards them now.

"Is everything alright? I hope my brother is causing too much trouble" Jerome said as he looked at his younger brother who was standing next to his fiancee.

"Ahh perfect timing. Starting tomorrow you and Jerome will begin getting to know each other" Ezra's father said. She clenched her hands into fist wanting nothing more than to get away from all this stress.

Just as she was about to stomp off she stopped by her "fiancee". "Just so you know I am only going through with this to save myself. This arrangement means nothing to me" she sneered before plastering a smile at Shogan.

"It was nice meeting you Shogan". And with that she left the three men out in the garden. What she had said had been true even if it did come off as mean. She knew in her heart she would never love him. What mattered most was that she became queen and her people would support her.

Jerome and his brother Shogan left the Grinverdale mansion. "That girl really is something" Shogan joked as they rode in a carriage heading for home. Jerome couldn't stop thinking about Ezra's words. Though they did not effect him or anything he was hoping they could form some sort of relationship. They would be wed soon and the last thing he wanted was a toxic relationship with his soon to be wife.

"I agree. But Shogan you must stay away from her. She is your future sister in law. You needn't get on her father's bad side. Remember we are doing this to save there reputation" Jerome spoke as he gave his younger brother a serious look.

It was a win win situation in his book.