Alice adjusted her crossed arms as she sighed deeply, leaning against the footboard of her bed. There sounded a slight knock. “Come ahead.”
The door opened slowly, a beautiful woman with long green hair peeking her head around the door. Alice straightened as Queen Terra Branford-Figaro entered the room. She was dressed in a simple pair of burgundy leggings and matching top. Her hair was pulled back from her face and braided, secured at the bottom with a simple ivory ribbon.
The Queen smiled, and it made her look even lovelier. “Hello, Alice. I hope I haven't come at a bad time.”
Alice gulped. “N-no, your highness.” Oh my gosh!
Terra entered further into the room, bringing a report out from behind her back as she gestured to Alice's arm. “How's your arm? I know the doctor was worried about it when we spoke.”
Alice smiled. “It's fine. Thank you, your majesty--Oh! Let me get you a chair!” She hurried to her desk to retrieve a chair, which Queen Terra accepted with a smile. Alice sat on the very edge of her bed.
The Queen offered up the report. “It's very good. Edgar and I gleaned a lot of ideas from this.”
Alice flushed and picked at her robe, occasionally peeking up at the Queen's kind face. “Are you serious?”
The Queen nodded. “How long have you been doing research on the Veldt?”
“About a year or two, I guess.”
“What made you start?”
“Don't know exactly,” Alice admitted. “I hadn't had a home for so long that when we moved here, I guess . . . .” She shrugged and looked up. “It wasn't right that the Veldt wasn't as green as it used to be. I just wanted to understand why every place else was getting back to normal.”
Queen Terra regarded Alice a moment before looking down at the paper. “I know you're submitting it as an entry-essay into the Academy, but I wondered if you wouldn't rather stay here and keep doing research on the Veldt.”
Alice's heart fell. “It's not good enough for the Academy, is it?”
Queen Terra reached out and took Alice's hand. “It's not that at all. It's wonderful. You would fit right in . . . academically. It's just that I'm afraid your heart would be left here. The essay is well written and passionate because it's something you believe in. That’s why I think studying at the Academy isn't as important to you as fixing your home.”
“But I can't fix it until I know what the problem is. And I can't do that until I learn more. And I can't do that without going to the Academy.”
The Queen examined her face again with honest and open eyes. “That's true.”
“I appreciate your concern, your majesty, but I need to do this.”
Queen Terra's eyes twinkled with her smile. “I know. That’s why Edgar is enrolling you for the first year with a full scholarship.”
“What? Seriously?” She enveloped the Queen in a hug. “Oh thank you, thank you!”
Queen Terra laughed as she returned her embrace. When she pulled back, her expression showed lovely seriousness. “Be sure to tell your family and friends exactly how you feel about them. The Academy is different than the school here. It's tough. You'll need their support.”
Alice nodded. “Okay, your majesty. I will.”
Then Queen Terra made her way to the door. “It was really nice to meet you, Alice, and you're welcome to visit us any time you like.”
Alice nodded again, leaning against the door with a deep breath once it had clicked shut. I'm going to the Academy! I made it!