My grandmother liked to put on a show the first day, but this was the best I’d seen yet. My first year at the academy I wanted to take her up on that offer to learn her ways, but my mother forbade it. Not only because I wasn’t ready at such a young age but she didn’t like my grandmother’s underlying cruelty. She didn’t want me to become like her but without people like Madison, we wouldn’t have fared so well in the war.
Since I was no longer under my mother’s watchful eye, perhaps I could learn something from my grandmother other than the sword. Though Bindy would no doubt report on my every move. She sat with her eyes closed under a nearby tree, her back leaned up against the trunk. Anyone watching her would think she was asleep but I knew better.
Madison stood beside me. “We fought well today as I expected. I’m interested to see how you do against the princes but I will be choosing the matches tomorrow and you won’t be against either of them. You’re going to teach that Hesstian boy a lesson for cheating. He’s good but not on your level.”
I smiled. “Would love to.”
Madison started off and I touched her arm before she could go. “Could I train with you after classes?”
Her lavender eyes grew softer than usual. “Your mother won’t allow it and even if I am her mother, she is the queen and what she says goes.”
I sighed and said goodbye. My stomach growled and I was grateful lunch was being served next.
Chapter 10
During lunch break Taz and Legacy told me all about their classes and when they asked about the bandages on my arms, I had the best story to tell of the day so far. Their classes had been uneventful.
The rest of the day went by slowly. Each class had introductions and the professors told what to expect from them this year. Thankfully Professor Deg chose to ignore me rather than put me on the spot. Taz thought it was unusual. Maybe Deg didn’t want to start off at this academy as the most hated professor.
When classes ended for the day, I went to the Delhoon girls’ dormitories. Legacy was already in the common area lounging on a gray sofa, talking with someone I didn’t know. Across the room with another girl was Lora from Advanced Swords. I hadn’t had the chance to tell her how impressed I was with her match earlier so I made my way over.
Her friend gave me an awed, wary look I knew all too well. Princess. That’s what they saw when I approached. “Hi,” I said. Before I could get out another word, both of them stood and bowed. I didn’t get this treatment as much during class time but after, it was like someone changed the rules. I went from being their equal to their “royal highness”.
“That’s not necessary,” I said quickly. “Anyways I was impressed with how you took down that boy in class today. And that line, ‘welcome to the academy’ was great.”
She beamed and her friend looked at her like, what did I miss?
“Thank you, Princess Visteal. I wanted to impress everyone since I was first up,” she said, still smiling and I wondered if it was because of what she did or that her princess was giving the compliment. The students at the academy in Delhoon, where I’d gone since I started, lost their sense of awe unless they were new, though they were still respectful. Here it was starting all over. Most of the students didn’t know me personally, even from my own kingdom.
“You’re Warlord Asger’s niece?” I asked. I was surprised I hadn’t met her already if this was true.
“Yes, one of her many nieces. Aunt Athena has four brothers and two sisters. My father is the youngest sibling.” She slowly sat back in her armchair. “I always wanted to go to the capital Delmar for a festival or party but Aunt Athena always took a cousin of mine. I’m one of the youngest.”
“Maybe this year we can go. I plan on going home for the Fall Festival which usually coincides with my birthday.”
“That would be fun,” she said, her big brown eyes seemed to light up. “This is my friend Freya, by the way. From Arohem as well.”
“Nice to meet you, your highness,” she said. She was short like Lora, really thin unlike either one of us, and had shoulder-length golden brown hair.
Legacy came up beside me and tugged on my braid. “What ya doin’?”
After that the small group of us talked for an hour about anything and everything. I had a feeling we’d all be close this year. The conversation ended when cats roamed in to fetch us for dinner.
∞∞∞
I sat on the opposite side of the table this time so I didn’t have to turn to see the other two kingdoms. With my glass of water in hand, I found myself searching for Zyacus again. I couldn’t help myself. And there he was talking with that same girl he had been flirting with last time. She kept touching his arm and I’d seen that look in her eyes before. Were they a couple? From an outsider’s perspective it certainly seemed like it. I tore my gaze away wondering why I even cared… I didn’t care, I decided.
When I turned my attention to Taz across the table, I froze in surprise. That boy from the infirmary who helped me, sat beside him. I’d removed my bandages earlier and had since healed but I noticed his eyes roaming over my arms.
“You two know each other?” I asked, trying to keep the disdain from my voice but failing.
“I met Vyce in class today,” Taz
