I sat still, something I almost never did. I was quiet as a mouse, and didn't dare move an inch. I am a statue in the corridor, listening so hard it hurt. Every little noise was loud. I am not supposed to be here. Leave!

I do not leave. I want to know. I need to know.

"I understand you are interested in my daughter's talents, but I refuse for her to fully pursue a career in it. She is too young."

"Exactly. We must nurture her gift so it may reach its full potential. I'd hate to see such talent to go to waste."

"Your Imperial Majesty, I am understanding of your impatience, but I would like you to wait a little longer please. I need time."

The Emperor groans, and rolls his eyes like a student in class. "Fine." He looks like he's just sat through a lecture on maths. I run like a little squirrel up a tree. I was not supposed to be here.

I was not supposed to listen. I was not supposed to know. But if I don't tell anyone, then it never happened. Papa told me to never lie, but I am afraid the truth will hurt him. I say nothing at all.

The Civil War is ongoing. Why are we fighting? Why can't we stop? The answer is simple, but too complex for the thoughts of an 8 year old girl to understand. I suppose that is fair. I do not even understand how my own talent works.

I understand language, I always have. I do not remember when the Gibberish talk of elven girls became a beautiful song. Perhaps it is my keen observation skills or strong working memory. It's hard to describe a process when you don't know the steps.

Even though I'm too grades ahead, there are many things I do not understand. People.

I understand language, not people. They do some of the strangest things, like say the opposite of what they mean. They spend hours walking around and shopping and then not buy anything. Some people decide to be as vague as possible, so I can't grasp what is happening.

I have this problem with school. Teachers tell the most important thing last. They ask me to help the other students. These kids are giants, and I am short for my age in the first place! I sit for hours in boring classes just to be told things I already know and will never use. Papa is my real teacher. He teaches things I will need. How to swim, how to fight, how to tell if someone is lying. Never talk to strangers. Do not go with any grown ups without asking Papa. How to survive in different environments. Who to ask when I don't know something, and where to go if I am lost.

If I were to list everything he didn't teach me, it would quite litterally be missing everything. He couldn't have known.