answers. Lucian found this incredibly unfair since she would speak to the other princesses and even some of the other princes. He felt very left out as he looked about. George and Eleanor were speaking excitedly with one another as were Jacobi and Clarissa. Even Allegra was avidly telling Adrian about her glassblowing while Adrian attempted to look interested. “If it isn’t just so, I throw it in our family’s old well.”
“How interesting,” Adrian replied in a noncommittal tone.
Lucian sighed after his latest attempt to engage Moira in any kind of conversation failed. He hoped she would open up as they went to the gymnasium for the games and activities. He looked around and noticed that Nathan’s princess, Leticia, was trying desperately to show interest in his garbled discussion. He felt badly for her, especially since her twin sister, Eleanor, had a prince like George. He felt that Leticia had gotten the very short end of the stick.
The gym had been transformed into a winter wonderland with icicles and snow gracing pine trees. Decorations of silver, blue and violet added to the illusion of a snowy night. Lucian let Moira choose the games she wanted to play. He noted with dismay that not a single one was a get-to-know-you activity. Instead, they played several board games in awful silence. This was worsened by the fact that no matter how well he played, she always won. Lucian tried to compliment her skill, but she always shrugged it off. He had never been so happy to hear lunch announced. He escorted Moira, or rather attempted to since she refused his arm, to the dining hall. Lunch went much the same way breakfast had. On their way up the stairs to wait for their interviews, Lucian pulled George and Adrian aside. “Alright, George, you have older sisters. What am I doing wrong?”
“What do you mean?” George asked.
“I have done everything I could think of to start a conversation, but she just won’t talk to me.”
“Did you compliment her?” he asked.
“George, I gave her every compliment I could except, ‘My Moira, you’re looking exceptionally tall today. Did you grow again?’”
Adrian laughed, “If you said that she’d squish you like a bug.”
“Yeah, Eleanor told me Moira’s very self-conscious about her height. She’s taller than all the girls her age and most of the girls just older too. Not to mention she’s gaining on the oldest girls,” George added. “Adrian, what are Moira’s interests?”
“Interests?” he repeated. “How should I know?”
“You’re her twin brother. Who would know better?” George asked.
“In case you haven’t noticed, Moira and I don’t exactly have a stellar relationship. The only person she said less to today at meals was me.”
“You are useless,” George said, emphasizing each word in frustration.
“Hey, it’s not my fault. When Da…” he hesitated a moment. “Our relationship got so bad, Mom separated the living quarters. I don’t know what she does; she’s in the tower all day.”
George and Lucian stared at him. Lucian sensed this wasn’t the whole story, but didn’t have a chance to press the matter as George asked, “Well, what about at meals? Surely she talks then.”
“No. When she comes out of her room she looks puffy-eyed like she’s been crying. Look, I don’t want to talk about this okay?” Adrian pushed past the other boys as Calista called him into her office.
George patted Lucian’s arm. “Sorry Lucian. Looks like you’ve got a depressed mute with no hobbies for a princess.”
Lucian didn’t reply. His thoughts had turned from his unresponsive princess to his best friend. Adrian had never gotten upset like that before. He didn’t have long to dwell on this because Adrian soon returned. “Your turn, Lucian.” He walked down the hallway to Calista’s office.
Calista ushered him into the room. She smiled as she sat down. “This has been a busy semester for you. All of the teachers tell me that you are a hard worker and doing well. Phillipa has said that while the semester started off rocky for you and Zephyr, she has seen great improvement and wanted me to say that she admires your patience. Diana likewise has mentioned that you have taken what could easily have been a disadvantage and made the best of it. She assures me that Rusty will be up to speed with the other hounds before you know it. Even Amadeus, who between you and I has never shown much optimism towards any of his students, has said you are quite talented. A few things to consider over break; Raphael wants you to slowly work your arm back to use so when classes resume in January you will be able to rejoin your classmates. Phillipa and Diana have requested that you continue to build teamwork with your animals. On a more personal note, I want you to know I admire the forgiveness you have shown. Not many people would have befriended Kaelen put in your shoes. The mark of a true gentleman is that willingness to extend an arm of brotherhood.”
“It wasn’t easy,” he said, blushing at the praise.
Smiling again, she replied, “I’m sure it wasn’t. That’s why I was impressed. I look forward to next semester and continuing to watch you grow and learn. Do you have any questions?”
“No, I don’t think so.”
“Then would you please send Jacobi to my office?”
“Sure,” he said.
“Thank you.” Calista watched as Lucian walked out the door.
After getting Jacobi, Lucian began wandering the halls looking for his princess. He was searching for quite some time before he found her. She was looking sadly up at a portrait in the hall. He walked towards her as she traced the bottom edge with a finger. Suddenly she cleared her throat and turned towards him. “It’s about time you showed up. Everyone else is already on their way in,” she said sharply.
Lucian bit his tongue before saying gently, “I apologize.” He then offered his arm which she once again refused, tilting her chin at a stubborn angle. He sighed inwardly. This was going to be much harder than he thought.
The feast was magnificent and filled to the brim with people. Not only were there fairies and the boys and girls, but all the parents were there as well. Allegra was sitting next to King Lysander talking non-stop. Lucian marveled at his patience. If he had to listen to Allegra talk his ear off, he would have found a good rag to stuff in her mouth. However, he also knew that somehow his father always was the perfect gentleman. Lucian sat next to Moira who was sitting next to her mother speaking avidly about how wonderful school was and how she had made so many friends.
“Is that your prince?” her mother asked.
Moira turned to look at Lucian, “Oh, yes, Mother, this is Prince Lucian. Lucian, this is my mother, Queen Lavinia.”
“It’s good to meet you,” he said taking her hand and kissing it the way he’d been taught.
“You and Moira get along?” she asked.
“Oh yes, we get along quite well,” Moira said before Lucian could reply with all honesty that he didn’t know since Moira didn’t speak. He listened, dumbfounded, as Moira gushed on and on about him, leading her mother to believe that they were perfectly suited.
Knowing better than to make it obvious that he was confused, Lucian pasted a smile on his face and lied, “We have a great relationship.”
This seemed to satisfy Queen Lavinia and Lucian ate the remainder of his meal completely perplexed.
When the feast was over, the princes said goodbye to their princesses and then Lucian and Allegra followed King Lysander out to his carriage to start the long journey back to Maltisten.
Year 1 Chapter 6
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Winter break passed quickly. Lucian spent most of his time with his father in the fencing hall. He also spent time with Rusty, continuing to train the growing puppy. Early in the morning on the last day of vacation, the group woke up and began the long ride to Biberseth; Lucian’s horse following behind the carriage. There was laughter and talking the entire way. Upon arriving at Charming Academy, Calista greeted him warmly. “It is so wonderful to see you back safely. I trust you had a pleasant vacation?”
“Yes, Calista,” Lucian replied.
r /> Time seemed to fly from January to March. Slowly spring warmed the frozen grounds of winter. Buds showed on trees and flower bushes. Sunshine streamed through the castle windows, warming the rooms with its glow. But as much as the boys wanted to be outside, they also needed time for their studies. The fairies didn’t allow the spring fever interrupt their schoolwork. If anything, the boys were sure the fairies had purposely added to their workload. One warm afternoon after getting out of fencing, Lucian said, “Let’s do our homework outside today. It’s so nice out and I’m sick to death of my room!”
“I second the motion,” Adrian replied with mock seriousness. “Anyone who objects is overruled. Let’s go!”
Kaelen grabbed Adrian’s sleeve before he started for the door. “Don’t you think you should get your books and stuff?”
“Yeah, Adrian,” George teased, “it’s hard to do your homework if it’s still inside.”
Adrian smiled mischievously, “I was hoping you guys wouldn’t notice until we got out there so that we could really enjoy the spring weather.”
“Nice try,” Jacobi smiled as they walked up the stairs together. Each boy gathered his bag and books and then met in the hall before heading out into the sunshine. There was still a cool nip to the breeze whispering through the budding branches, but the sun felt so good and warm, the boys hardly noticed. They settled down near a large maple tree and got