"I don't understand why any of this is important. I know my letters, isn't that good enough?" Amalone griped as I handed her the writing tool again.

    As patient as a teacher as I was, or at least tried to be, Amalone always had a way of evading the task at hand, even if she herself asked for it. It was actually her mother who asked me to teach her more about the maths. Amalone, herself, was eager at first to study under my tutelage until she discovered how hard some concepts would be to grasp.

    At first, I blamed her slow learning curve on her flighting attention and constant complaining, but as time went on and some days she did test herself, it left me wondering if I was the one lacking as a proper instructor. There wasn't a day that passed where I didn't compare myself to my late teacher. Minryn would know exactly what was needed in these situations, but she wasn't here, it was up to me so I tried my best.

    "It's not as difficult as you might think it to be." I encouraged her.

    "It's easy for the master to say." She muttered, setting her mind to it.

    While she worked, I returned to the desk where I had previously begun to write a copious amount of notes. I only had a few seconds to concentrate before Amalone sighed out in frustration and turned to face me from her desk.

    "My mind is distracted. I need some time to recoup before finishing."

    Her hopeful eyes watched me for my response. Eventually, like usual, I gave in with a weary sigh and allowed her to roam wherever she wished for ten minutes before returning to her work. She smiled, getting up to hurry out the door, promising to be punctual. I already knew where to find her if she tarried too long.

    As the heavy doors to the study closed, I refocused my attention back on my papers. So focused was I that I was oblivious to the sound of the door groaning open again and someone entering the room until being startled by their voice a few minutes later.

    "It seems every time I come to visit it's only you here."

     I broke into a smile upon seeing Odel; he always involuntarily brought a smile to my face. He wore a familiar, bright smile that calmed me.

   "Where is your pupil?" He asked, approaching my desk.

   "She went to rest her mind."

   He inspected her desk, frowning at the paper. "There doesn't seem to be much to rest her mind from."

    I gave a light chortle at that. "She does try- most days."

   He helped me up out of my seat and led me over a couch to sit down on instead, his hands never letting go of mine.

    The feelings between us had grown over the year, though we hardly ever mentioned our affection for each other. Others could spot it straightaway, but we seemed stuck in an unwavering place of unspoken truths. To me, the feelings inside grew every day, but I never told them aloud.

    "How are you feeling?"

    "I'm fine," I answered. "How are you feeling? You sought me out here, anything troubling you?"

    "No, no, I simply wanted to watch you in the act of teaching?"

    "Watch me in the act? Why?"

    "You're a wonderful teacher, you know. I can sense you don't believe it, but it's a fact. A few days ago, Amalone wouldn't even begin to know her numbers, now she knows nearly all the sets. It's due to you. Don't be afraid taking credit where you deserve it, darling."

    I suppressed the urge to correct him, to tell him I wasn't half the teacher Minryn was to me, but I'd knew it would be futile so I merely nodded.

    He rubbed my hands in a caressing manner, smiling down at them.

    "Actually, there has been something on my mind I wanted to come to you about."

    "Oh? What is it?"

    He ceased rubbing my hands to stare out the window into the distance. His brow was furrowed slightly, which made him resemble his father a good deal. He wouldn't say anything for a few moments, making me worry a bit until at last, he looked at me.

    "I just wanted to say how thankful I am for you. You bring me so much joy knowing you're here. You're beautiful not only on the outside but your nature is genuine."

    His words warmed me to the point where I felt the tips of my ears burn. My eyes watching him must have made him nervous, for he began to choke on the next part.

    "I know- or rather I would wish to know if- if you- Aelita, I feel powerful in your presence, you strengthen me and...and I would like you to know- no, I want you to know-"

    Finally, I cut him off before he could say anymore with a gentle, prolonged kiss on the lips. It had been too long since we had kissed like this. The first and only time had been out under the tree in the middle of the meadow. This time, though, I was more at ease about the action, fully allowing passion to lead the way.

    I pulled back but kept our lips only inches apart, our heads resting against each others.

    "I love you," I whispered, my eyes closed in the pleasure of the moment. "I love you with all I am."

    Every word that came from my mouth was truer than anything in the universe. In that moment, all I wanted was him, all I craved was his touch, his love in return. My love was enough for the both of us if need be.

    But I didn't worry about loving for the both of us, for he murmured back, his lips grazing mine, "And I you."

    My heart swelled, pregnant with the weight of that new love that dwelled inside me, inside us. Something in my soul awoke, something I didn't know was dead. The room was brighter, my mind sharper, the universe the most balanced I'd ever felt it be.

    We clung to each other, showering each other with kisses for a few more minutes before finally putting space between each other again. We had pulled apart just in time as the door groaned open and Amalone bounded back in, oblivious to the shift in the world.

   "I'm ready to finish." She sang, getting to her work, paying us no mind. "Aelita, could you assist me with this problem?"

   "Of course," I answered, though my affectionate gaze was upon Odel who began to stand up to leave.

   Disappointment ran through me, but only for a second.

   "Meet me in the usual room." He whispered in my ear.

    I grinned, holding onto his hand as long as I could before letting him go. Bidding us both farewell, he disappeared out of sight, leaving me to wait eagerly for tonight and finish assisting Amalone.

My lessons with Amalone were done for the day and I had released her to whatever activities she wished. I remained in the library for a few more minutes, but eventually, I decided to return to the servants' quarters.

   It was becoming harder to remain in the quarters with the rest of the servants when I didn't truly belong there- I never did from the start. The queen's offer of a room of my own was starting to become a tempting deal, but a few things kept me from readily accepting. First and foremost was Swethyna. She was the only one who I talked to on a daily basis and I didn't want to seemingly abandon her, though she would understand it, being her nature. Still, I enjoyed the close proximity we shared, it made communicating easier. The second reason, though with all honesty should have been first but never quite reached as much importance, was my sister. Though we hardly ever crossed paths, we were still sisters by blood and knowing she was near brought me some form of comfort. She hardly knew about Odel or Swethyna or the sovereign family- she didn't know a thing.

    It seemed as though my thoughts had summoned her, for just around the corner, I ran into a rare sight: my sister walking out of a room with her cleaning tools in hand. She didn't notice me at first since her attention was drawn to the floor, but the moment she glanced up, her face lit up and she immediately dropped her tools to rush over to me. She greeted me as though we had been separated by miles of land for months.

   "I'm ever so glad to see you." She exclaimed in my ear.

   Pulling back from the embrace, she held me at a distance to study my face. Her smile widened even more.

   "What are you doing on this side of the palace?"

   "Organizing." I lied so flawlessly I barely caught myself.

   Her eyes darted to the books at my side. "What do you have there?"

   "I'm borrowing them from the library. My reward for organizing the room."

   A part of me was surprised at how calm I felt lying to her, but the other part of me thought nothing of it.

   She believed my lies, nodding in acknowledgment then beaming with excitement again.

   "How have you been? It seems we're practically strangers in the same house."

   "True, very true." I glanced to the side for a moment. "I've been faring well. What about you?"

   "Well? That's it?" She said with disappointment.

    Turning my attention back to her, I looked at her slightly surprised.

   "What did you want me to say?"

   "How have you been? What has occurred in the time we last spoke? Details, Aelita."

   I looked at her for a second then gave an apathetic face.

   "Nothing of the sort. Now how have you been?"

   "Decent, I suppose."

   I shifted the weight of the books to the other side, nodding at her response.

   "You know, it has been odd waking up at such strange intervals of time." She mused. "Some days I awake before the sun has risen, some days I just catch the last burning rays as they disappear below the horizon. It's all so different still to me. Have you written to maman and papa in some time?"

   "I have."

   Since arriving at the palace, I had kept in constant contact, writing to papa and maman back at home. There were challenges, such as the fact that neither of them could read or write therefore they relied on the messager to read for them and he would return and tell me they'd received my message. Before, Feria and I used to spend time writing to them together, with her fueling the ideas and me recording every word. But our schedules didn't allow for that anymore so I wrote to them alone, mentioning what I knew about Feria's daily affairs, though not elaborating on them. With Feria not by my side anymore while I wrote, I revealed to them the closeness between the royal family and myself, especially Odel. For some reason, I felt more at ease writing to my parents miles away than talking to my sister only a few feet away.

    "What do you say?"

    "I tell them about the events in the palace."

    "Oh." I noticed her smile falter, but only for a second before returning to its original state.

    Shifting the books in my arms again, we stand there in silence for several moments before she spoke up again.

    "Is anything the matter?" She questioned with concern.

    "No, why do you ask?"

    "I just feel that...never mind my delusions. Pushing that aside, just the other day I was walking through the halls when, passing the-"

    "Feria." I interrupted her, rubbing my temple. "Forgive me for the intrusion but I seem to have picked up a slight headache, so I apologize but I must go lie down."

   Deflating a bit, she kept up her smile, nodding with understanding.

   "No, don't apologize. Don't let me keep you. Go on."

    I gave her a frank smile then walked passed her, straight down the corridor without so much as a glance back.

    Inside, I was baffled by my distant behavior toward my sister. I treated her no more than a stranger or friendly acquaintance. Then again, she felt no more than that to me at that point. I searched for that connection we used to share as children, but I couldn't find the same throbbing in my soul. Perhaps, the unfortunate, unspoken truth of growing up is leaving behind those you couldn't once live without.

    Well, now I was a woman- we both were.

I wasted no time searching the quarters for Swethyna, my excitement increasing again. My secret burned inside, writhing like a coiling serpent. I enquired from others in her room where she might be and they told me she should be out doing her duty. I realized I should have been as well, but I had long ago abandon my work yet the headmaster said nothing of it- either informed by the prince or he seemingly turned a blind eye to my case- I believed it to be the former.

   Too anxious to wait for her, I hurried out into the corridors to search for her there. I went to her usual areas but was dismayed to find her not there. Eventually, I began combing through the areas she rarely worked in, but my search was fruitless a second time. It wasn't until a chance happening that I turned my head toward a room, noticing the door ajar, that I peered into the room, brightening immediately at the sight of her. My suddenness upon entering the room clearly startled her for her back was to me and her gaze fixated out off the balcony on which she stood.

   "Oh, Aelita, it's just you." Though she appeared relieved, I noticed a slight frown when she turned to stare out into the view again. "Were you searching for me?"

   "Yes, I was. Swethyna, I have such news to tell you. Come sit."

    I pulled her away from the view to sit next to me on the couch. She watched me with her usual attentive demeanor, but her eyes revealed a strange distracted gleam to them. Nevertheless, I told her everything. I revealed to her my kiss and ultimate confession of love to Odel, the thoughts currently running through my head, and most importantly the worries about accepting the queen's offer of a new private bedchamber to myself.

   "That's quite a bit of news there." She smiled. "Firstly, I rejoice in your happiness. If anyone deserves love it is you, sister. Secondly, do not worry yourself about me. If the queen has so generously offered you board in better conditions take it. The royal family has clearly taken a liking to you and it's for the best seeing how close you are to joining their family officially."

    I had thought about that. If I married Odel, I would become the legal princess consort of Edalirwen. Odel was even next in line to become heir, therefore elevating me to become future queen consort. The title ebbed in my mind like a wave upon the shore.

    "I pray you find total happiness in your decisions and don't worry about losing my support."

    Her words encouraged me greatly, but I noticed that she was distracted still- it was quite unlike her, so I questioned her behavior.

    "It is nothing."

    Her eyes kept darting to the door in a hopeful manner while she constantly wrung her hands in skittish excitement.

    "Swethyna," I said, capturing her attention. "What have you to hide from me?"

    She studied my face for a moment before finally relenting with a slip of a smile, one so bright that I had never seen her wear before.

    "It appears Exysus has struck more than once this season."

    I was taken aback but excitement rose next. "Who is he?"

    "A guardsman. His name is Rycas."

    "Rycas." I mused it over in my thoughts.

    Giving her an impish grin, I asked, "How long have you been seeing him?"

     "About five months now."

     I was shocked by how long she kept it a secret.

     "Five months!? Swethyna, why didn't you mention him earlier?"

     She smiled at me sheepishly like a child caught in a lie.

     "I don't know. Perhaps fear of it being untrue, perhaps pride, maybe something else altogether. All I know is that I am happy and in love with him."

     "I'm overjoyed for you, Swethyna. Now we can both have our happy endings."

     "Yes, now it seems we can."

     "Why don't leave my imaginations to roam free, tell me what he looks like. Is he handsome?"

     "Why I wouldn't choose an ugly one now would I? No, he is the gayest, most optimistic man there ever was. He never complains or-"

    Her sentence was interrupted by the creaking of the door, revealing a young man coming in with his back to us, cautious about his entering. By the way her eyes shone like the midday sun, I knew the young man to be Rycas. With his attention distracted elsewhere, it startled him when he finally turned around and noticed me sitting quietly on the couch with Swethyna. She beckoned him over to settle beside her, her expression nearly unable to contain the joy that just his mere presence could conjure in her. I could tell she genuinely loved him, and even with the uneasiness he was displaying around me, I could sense there was a loving bond already established between them.

    "Rycas, this is my dearest friend whom I've discussed with you on numerous occasions. Aelita, this is the young gentleman I was telling you about."

    It was nice to hear Swethyna spoke of me, and so highly it seemed from the youth's wide-eyed admiration he regarded me with.

    After our brief introduction, I suddenly felt my presence was no longer needed there. There was clearly an intimate relationship between them already that was budding, so I took my leave, calling out that I'd be back at the quarters.

    Already, though, as I meandered through the halls I already knew my set plan. I would accept the queen's offers, allowing me to be closer to the royal family. I didn't know if telling Feria or at least leaving her a message would do any good; in the end, I didn't tell her about my move for it played little importance in our scarce interactions anyway. I didn't tell anyone about my move other than Swethyna- she was the only that would truly care.

    As I was packing my belongings to move, I learned a surprising piece of news from hearsay. Merione was departing from the palace staff a day or two from then, returning home to her ailing grandparents who raised her most of her life. Some of the girls in my room were teary eyed at her departure, but they shed not a single tear for my move though I was so kind to them throughout my stay. I will not lie, it made me slightly bitter to discover this, but I took comfort in the fact I was beloved by some in the palace at least.

    It was the set morning for Merione to depart and me to move out. The girls had awoken earlier than usual to say their goodbyes to her by the entry doors of the palace. I awoke due to their activity, though I remained under the comfort of my bedding while they went to breakfast. As I laid there, out of the corner of my eye I spotted a familiar green material hanging out of one of her bags.

    For some bewitching reason, I could not tear my eyes away from the garment. It had brought me so much joy and honor to wear it; I remembered how beautiful I shone in it. I tried to recall a time when Merione had worn it and I could not picture a time here where she had. It seemed a waste to me, such a befitting gown ignored while someone who could enjoy its benefits stared at it from a distance.

    I stared at it until my feet, not commanded by my mind, took me to her bedside where her bags resided. Like a tempting treasure, the dress watched me with a shimmer in its embroidery- it was lovelier than the first time I saw it. Plucking it from the bag, I held it up for inspection. My heart ached for it and the fond memories it brought along with it; if Merione left with it so would those precious memories.

    It was as though my mind wasn't in agreeance with my behavior for I quickly hurried back to my bed where I stashed the thing into my own belongs. No one had seen me commit the act, therefore, I was safe. I figured it a parting gift from her to me, though she wasn't aware of that. Odd thing was, I wasn't nervous about it being discovered missing for I knew they couldn't point the accusing finger at me. Merione wouldn't notice a thing out of place.

    My assumptions were proven correct when minutes later, after finishing breakfast, Merione and the girls ventured to the entry doors of the palace to bid their final farewells. While they did so, I left for my new room in the north wing. The first thing I did was take out the gown and carefully store it away in the bureau for future use and admiration.

    By the end of the day, I felt happier than I ever had in my life. I had everything, the center of my eye, Odel, the affection of his family, the prospect of reigning beside him, the support of a dear friend, and a beautiful gown that could hold memories of fond, cherished times. I had it all, I was truly blessed by the Fates. Favored by them to have eternal fortune.