Headmistress Devona Domingo stood in front of the entrance of the Royal Charm Academy. 

She pushed back her auburn side-swept bang back behind her ear to blend in with her neat bun. Her light brown eyes looked around, waiting for her cue to walk up and begin to speak beside her husband. She pushed up rectangular black glasses that had slid down her nose.

Alexander stood proudly beside her wearing the biggest smile on his face, creating dimples on his cheeks. He laced his fingers in her hand and smiled softly before letting it go after she had squeezed it back 

Duchess Katherine Messing stood off to the side, her brown eyes sweeping the crowd. Her hand pushed some brown hair from her face as the gentle breeze blew. She glanced over to Alexander and Devona, inwardly rolling her eyes at how lovey-dovey they were.

Devona looked at her watch, she turned to her husband, giving him a nod and they both stepped up to the podium. They both waved at the crowd and to those watching on the TV like they did every year on this day for the past long years. 

Devona pushed up the microphone before she even said a word. "Hello Senoia and to the whole world watching - I'm Devona Domingo, headmistress here at the Royal Charm Academy." She introduced herself to new watchers who would know who she is.

Alexander stood beside his wife, smiling brightly as he introduced himself after she had finished. "And I'm Alexander Domingo, her husband, and headmaster of this wonderful academy for royals and nobles everywhere!" He greeted everyone with another wave.

Devona continued after her husband had finished. "At this elite academy, everyone who comes can blossom into their true selves and unlock their full potential to be who they meant to be as rulers, protectors, helpers to their respective kingdom."

Alexander nodded with a smile, glancing over at his wife. "Since this is the five-hundredth year anniversary of the academy, we will be having six scholarship winners: three girls and three boys. This is a special milestone for all of us here, so it would have been appropriate for us to do something special." 

Devona's eyes swept the crowd, everyone seemingly listening attentively despite this being common knowledge. "The scholarship winners will get to come for free while their families get compensation while they're away to take care of basic needs." 

Alexander pushed up his silver glasses and sneakily laced his fingers in with his wife's, smiling even brighter. "All royals and nobles that have turned seventeen, come from all over to put what they've learned back home to the test, own new skills, and create new alliances."

Devona nodded her head as she listened to his words. "It's a lot to undertake in a year, but we have no doubt that this year will not be any different from the past years. Once they have graduated, they never stop learning, practicing in the world is one of the best forms of teaching."

Alexander turned his gaze away from his wife and glanced around the courtyard. "Not everyone will pass, however, we will do our best to help those who are struggling. Everyone deserves to graduate at the end of the year to go back home and feel proud they accomplished something."

"We will set good examples for those around us. As royalty and nobility it is out duty to be role models." Devona smiled softly as she side-eyed Katherine discreetly.

Alexander glanced over at the duchess and then looked at his wife who had given him a nod. "Now without further ado, a word from our very own Duchess Katherine Messing." He introduced her, stepping off to the side with his wife, letting her be able to get up to the podium.

Katherine walked up to the podium a fake smile plastered on her face, playing her role in this whole thing. "Hello everyone, I am Duchess Katherine Messing, acting Regent of Senoia. I am proud to stand here before you. This year will be yet another year of learning for every royal and noble around." 

She then continued after pausing for a moment, moving some hair from her face. "It is an honor to have six common boys and girls come here at an opportunity for a better life and to aid their kingdoms. They may have not grown-up like the royals and nobles, yet I am sure they will graduate as a few have before." 

She fixed her smile which was slightly starting to slide into a sneer. "We will show them the hospitality and respect they deserve. Hopefully, they will learn a great deal and be able to aid their respective kingdoms once they graduate. Becoming a lord or lady-in-waiting isn't a simple task."

"For those who are new to this whole thing, Royal Lords or Royal Ladies are advisors and assistants to their royals for personal affairs. Whereas lords-in-waiting and ladies-in-waiting handle public affairs for their kingdoms. Although most kingdoms don't need both, we have wanted to allow common folk to have a chance to help their kingdom. Sadly, it doesn't always work out, but for the times it has, it is a huge honor for everyone."

Alexander leaned over to his wife, keeping a smile on his face while he looked around. "She's a good actress. It's impressive how she can tell such lies with a straight face. Should I give her an award for that extremely fantastic performance?" He whispered in her ear.

Devona smiled and yet her eyes glared at him at his words about the duchess. "Alex, that's no way to talk about the mother of the future crown princess and my friend, is it?" She asked him like a mere child. 

Alexander nodded, keeping a smile, he hated when she was right. "You are right, I apologize my dear. But you must admit, everyone knows Katherine is a sour grape ever since she got divorced from Marshall." He whispered.

Devona glanced over at him and inwardly sighed. "It was a tough time for her. Her husband cheated on her, she lost her brother and his family, and she had to take on handling the whole kingdom because of lazy council members - I would be too." She wasn't defending her friend but sympathizing with her.

Alexander's eyes swept the crowd, all eyes were on Katherine as she spoke. "Marshall didn't cheat. He has vowed his innocence since it happened. He's my friend and I've known him since we were children. He wasn't lying." He defended his friend.

Katherine glanced over at him, seeing him whisper she knew it was nothing good but kept her smile on her face, never letting it leave. "And now it is the time that we have all been waiting for! The announcement of the scholarship winners!" She exclaimed in a fake happy way. "Which shall be done by my beloved daughter, Theanna."

Seventeen-year-old Theanna "Thea" Messing's smile faltered fifteen times in the past ten minutes, especially since she was freaking out inside. She stepped forward, keeping herself in check as per her mother's reminders that morning.

She pressed the button on a square, blue-tinted clear sphere as it spun around mixing up the names. "I will first be drawing the boys' names and then I will be drawing the girls." She motioned to the pink-tinted one beside the one in front of her.

The pregnant pause was uncomfortable. Everyone and everything was dead quiet, everyone holding their breaths. 

She had forgotten that she wasn't breathing but holding her breath too so she let out a small breath. Once it stopped she placed her hand at the opening and pulled back the window.

The strip of paper dropped into her hand and she opened it up. "Witty Moss of our very own Senoia." She placed her hand under again and another name dropped out. "Nathaniel Hewitt of the Kingdom of Votonyah." She placed her hand under and the last name of the boys dropped out. "And finally Michael Keenan of the Kingdom of Hosaria!" 

She placed the paper in the hands of a bodyguard beside her and gave them a curt nod. "The guards of your kingdom are on their way to you to bring you here, so please get ready, and pack a bag." She explained after turning back to the crowd.

She moved on to the next box, with three more sets of names to go. She took a deep breath and kept her smile plastered on her lips. "This will be the final drawing for the girls." She pressed the button and the machine spun around.

Once it stopped she placed her hand under the opening and a name dropped out. "Amelia Costly of the Kingdom of Ceilidh." She let out another name drop onto her hand and looked at it. "Yasmin Sersanto of the Kingdom of Segovia." She had a bit of a time saying that kingdom, yet it seemed there were no royals from either of those kingdoms attending here. 

She looked at the last name that had been dropped on her hand. "Last but not least - I - Sidney Barnes of our very own Senoia - again!" She said with wide eyes as gasps from the crowd could be heard followed by more cheering. 

'This is the first time two winners have been from the same place. I know I don't believe in omens or superstitions but why do I get the feeling this isn't the last surprise this year will bring?' She thought to herself, her eyes sweeping the crowd. "Scholarship winners, your kingdom will be showing up to bring you here so get ready!"

Devona stepped up to the podium and fixed the microphone again, she was now sure something was loose. "There you have it, the winners of our scholarship! You should be seeing them at the bottom of your screens courtesy of your news channel." She smiled and continued. "We welcome you guys here and hope you have a wonderful time here." 

Alexander stepped beside her and added to what she had said just so he could close. "Now that is all we have on this fine day. Thank you so much for tuning in this year and we shall see you guys on graduation day in the late spring! Have a wonderful day!" He waved as the news channels cut everything off.

Devona let out a sigh and turned to her husband. "That was interesting," She mused and tapped her fingers on her cheek. "Never before have we had scholarship winners come from the same kingdom, of course, it is the first year we've chosen six instead of two."

Alexander pondered on the words his wife said. "It is interesting. I wonder why that happened? It couldn't be a coincidence, could it?" He mused, walking up the steps toward their offices. 

Devona placed her hand on the railing as she walked up the steps. She glanced at her husband beside her. "I'm not sure. I do have a feeling this will be a momentous year full of surprises." She said, a smile gracing her lips.

Alexander chuckled, wrapping an arm around her waist. "You say that every year. Never once have you been wrong, so, I don't doubt you this time. I have the strongest feeling that this year will be historic, or maybe it's just my overactive dreams bubbling up to the surface?" He questioned himself. 

Devona placed her hand on his hand on her waist. "Every year is historic, especially for royals and nobles. The stories of what happens years get told throughout the years." She had experienced firsthand hearing about the past experiences of former students. 

Alexander nodded, but then realized he had forgotten to tell Devona something super important. "Oh, I almost forgot," He exclaimed, gaining his wife's full attention. "Marshall called earlier, I was meaning to tell you,"

Devona inwardly sighed. Whenever he called he always wanted something. "He did, did he? What did he want?" She asked, letting out a heavy sigh. 'I sure hope it won't be too big like last time.' She thought, pursing her lips.

"He wants to know if there is a chance he could teach this year, or at least help out, preferably help me out. You have Katherine, I don't have anyone, it's nice." Alexander explained with puppy eyes, acting like a child trying to charm their way to get candy.

Devona could resist those eyes, they were too charming for her to deny. It was probably why he always used them when he desperately wanted something. "I have no qualms with him helping out. The more the merrier." 

Alexander perked up but then scratched the side of his face. "But we can't tell Katherine. Knowing how she reacts, she would do all in her power to not allow that to happen." He shuddered at the thought. 

Devona didn't want that to happen either. "You are right. It wouldn't be right to have her stop Marshall from seeing his daughter whilst helping out this year. She'll learn when he comes and will get over it like the big girl she is."

Alexander didn't want to be in the middle of it, let alone be the one to tell Marshall like she'd make him do it if she happened to find out beforehand. "Let's hope she doesn't catch wind of it from someone else. I don't feel up to dealing with an angry Katherine, because angry Katherine is a scary Katherine."

"She does have a temper, yes, however, I doubt she'll make a scene with this the year Thea becomes Crown Princess." Devona replied, she couldn't see Katherine jeopardizing her daughter's future over something as minuscule as Marshall's teaching at the academy.

Alexander knew her image and that of her daughter's were her top priority in a dog-eat-dog world. "I will say, Katherine has done a pretty good job as regent since the passing of her brother. She has handled the court quite well, including keeping the chancellor at bay." He was impressed, to say the least.

Devona crossed her arm over her chest and rested her elbow on top of it, resting her fingers against her cheek. "She's had much practice, and she watched her brother handle everything growing up. She managed to learn all she could, even though it may not have seemed like it."

Alexander sighed, letting his arms fall to his sides. "I admire her. I may not always agree with how she handles situations, but she does deserve credit for how she handles court officials." He mused, recalling a few times when she had done exactly what he said.

Devona stopped when she stood at the steps towards their offices. "I should go get ready to welcome the scholarship winners." She pressed her finger into his chest. "You call Marshall and tell him what I told you."

Alexander nodded, thinking that was a good idea. "All right, I will go and call him right now." He walked into his office (a conjoined office with Devona, which his side was on the left) and redialled the last phone number that had called. He placed the phone against his ear and sat down in his chair.

Marshall picked up his phone after having turned the TV on mute. "Alex, I saw you on TV, you and Devona look just as lovely as you always have." He complimented, his voice seemingly happy.

Alexander was flatter, he cleared his throat and tried to hide the red growing on his cheeks. "Heh, yes, I suppose we do." He fixed his tie and straighten up. "Well, I called because Devona said it was fine you come to help out. She will let you know when you can come, there are a few things she has to work out first."

Marshall knew Devona was more than willing for extra help unless they weren't qualified for it. "That's fantastic. I'll be looking forward to getting ready for the call. Oh, about sleeping arrangements?" He asked, wondering where he would stay.

"I didn't think of that," Alexander scratched behind his ear as he sheepishly added. "You can stay at our house since it's on the grounds we have a spare bedroom you can stay in. That way you'll be close to the academy and not be in town."

Marshall was impressed with what Alexander was offering. "Is Devona all right with that?" He asked, not wanting to step on anyone's toes or do something against Devona.

Alexander realized he couldn't say she was for sure. "I'll talk with her later tonight and tomorrow morning I'll text you what she says. I'm pretty sure she won't have an issue since she stays late here most days."

Marshall grinned. "Looking forward to what she'll say." He said, pleased with how things were going but didn't want to jinx anything either. "Oh, I better get off. Thea will probably be calling me back. Saw her on TV and wanted to compliment her, I know she loves that."

Alexander nodded his head along with what Marshall had spoken. "I have no doubt she'll be looking forward to speaking with you. Take care, Marshall." He said, hearing his friend echo the same thing before the line went dead. 

He placed the phone back on its base and stood up. He had to get ready to welcome the scholarship winners, just as Devona was. 

It was going to be a long day.

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A/N:
I wanted to show more of the dynamics Devona and Alexander have along with more of Marshall and Alexander's friendship. Although they aren't the main focus, Thea and Sidney are, I like giving the side characters their time to shine.

Also, this chapter is under 4k words, I've learned not to drag things out and write only what is necessary. Trying to get over 4k words each chapter is tiresome, so, I'm setting for around the 3k mark words at the bare minimum. That can save up a whole lot of extra words for more chapters.

Chapter Talk:
I had a lot of fun going back and forth between the headmistress and headmaster, and I personally love writing about the headmaster. He's such a child most days, and it's kinda hard to understand why Devona, a level headed, dutiful, straight-laced woman like herself would marry Alexander. Well, the bottom line is he balances her out and helps her have a little fun now and again.

Thanks for reading!