Aurora rushed down the Palace's hall and toward the throneroom. Her parents had called upon her to give her an assignment, something she had rarely been asked for. It was an honor beyond honors.
She took a deep breath as she passed the two guards who instantly recognized her, despite her best attempts to disguise herself as a maid; it did not make her striking red eyes any less recognizable.
The red eyes were a genetic trait from Soleah's side, and rarely appeared in any other family. If an elf had red eyes, it meant they had Soleah's blood coursing through their veins.
In a way, she was rather proud of it; red was a beautiful color.
"Please open the door, I must meet the king."
After a swift salute, the guards turned to the throneroom's door and pushed it open. The princess stepped in with a grace befitting her status before the doors slammed shut behind her.
Her parents sat in their respective thrones, and in front of them was Sheira, who seemed rather chipper. "So I can finally attend the academy?!" Sheira's voice was so high that it was on the verge of cracking.
"Yes, you were supposed to start even earlier, however…" Soleah glared at her husband, "Red Dawn fiasco happened."
"Don't need to remind me." Sheira sighed.
"Greetings, your majesties… and sister." She scoffed at Sheira, the girl always had a tendency to annoy and tease her, but despite her being rather harsh with her, it did not mean she did not love her.
The young princess leaned her head slightly as she stared at Aurora, "Ah, here comes the 'I want to be maid and dominated by a strong man' Aurora~."
"Sheira…" Aurora grumbled, "You know that I do this for a good reason!"
"Sure you do~" Sheira smirked wryly.
Aurora raised her hand above Sheira and, with a light smack, returned to proper royal posture.
With a sigh, Aurora and Sheira turned to their parents, who ignored their childish bickering.
"If you two are done, we can proceed." Soleah raised her hand.
The King Somah leaned forward, "First, I have made a decision about the ser—" He coughed, " I suppose it's wrong to call her that."
The silence settled in the room before the king continued. "Queen Soleah and I have made a decision to grant her the title of Countess."
The dual princesses were left speechless. Why had their parents decided to grant such a high title to Aqua, who was rather clear that she did not wish for responsibility?
However, unlike Sheira, Aurora was merely plunged into an ocean of befuddlement. She had never had a chance to meet the woman who was the talk of the palace for more than a week.
"It is because Aqua will join you at the Academy, Sheira."
The princess blinked slowly.
"So, you want to make sure she is fully accepted in case she gets angry at some lowlife calling her a nobody?"
"Precisely, my daughter." Somah nodded, "Soleah had told me in great detail of what could happen, thus this shall be so."
"But Dad, what's the point? If you give her responsibility, she might just leave our kingdom, and that's the last thing I want!"
Soleah raised her hand, "Precisely a reason we will not give her any land, this is merely a precaution. We will even provide official documents for her to become a relative of the royal family in the eyes of anyone who questions her."
"I suppose there is nothing wrong with that." She let out a relaxed sigh. "I am very happy about this. What about Azure?"
"I was about to get to it." Somah grinned, "For one semester, she is allowed to continue attending; however, she will not be a full student. As a Champion, she will attend only classes she wishes; it will be up to her completely unless we must issue a Call to Arms."
"Ah… got it." Sheira nodded as she turned to Aurora, whose eyes were wide, and her worried expression seemed as if it was about to turn into tears.
"Now, Aurora."
The king's words forced her to straighten her back. "Y…yes!"
"You will be sent there as a teacher. We have received notice that they were missing manpower, and since your sister will be attending, you will do your best to teach a class. Is that understood?"
"Yes, sir…" Aurora sighed. It was an honor to become a teacher at Onost Academy, yet she truly did not like the fact that she needed to teach her own sister.
This will be so awkward.
They were elder and younger sisters; they bickered and made fun of each other. It was something most siblings would do, yet if she had the teacher's authority over Sheira, it would have made it rather strange.
Meanwhile, Sheira stared at her with a wide grin.
Please, Sheira. Behave.
While Aurora was a princess, it did not mean it would be easy to become a teacher; thus, her parents had thrust upon her multiple nights of studying.
If she were to guess, she was supposed to teach governance and intrigue, as those were her strong suits.
She rubbed her chin as she nodded. She could do this.
"I will not fail you!"
"I am aware." Her father's lips widened into a thin line. "Now, Aurora. Come forward." With an order from the king, the princess slowly approached.
He produced a small parchment with their kingdom's seal. The seal was that of a dragon eating its own tail embedded in the thick red wax, which kept the parchment from unfurling.
"Hand this to the headmaster, once you arrive." Aurora gracefully took the document and brought it to her eyes. "I understand, father."
Soleah clasped her hands together. "Excellent, Aurora, you are now dismissed. Take care of your sister, and make sure not to get on Aqua's bad side."
The stare that the queen gave her revealed everything she needed to know. She had to be at her best and not antagonize Sheira's tutor.
She did manage to unlock her magic even when everyone else failed. She nodded. That woman was a miracle worker, and Aurora was not stupid enough to make an enemy out of her.
With a simple curtsey, she turned toward the throneroom's exit and made her way to her chambers, leaving Sheira and the royal couple in the throneroom.
"Mom, Dad…" Sheira forced a shaky smile.
"What's wrong, Shei?"
"Why did you tell Aurora to become a teacher?!"
"Because she is the best when it comes to her specialization, my dear Shei, you must learn the arts of intrigue and governance."
"But…"
"The decision is final," Somah interjected. Despite Sheira being his daughter, he would not tolerate disobedience.
"Sure, I will not complain because you are sending Azu with me. So thank you for that." Her cheeks puffed out slightly.
"Good, now approach."
Her ears twitched as she slowly stepped forward and stretched her hands with palms up.
The King retrieved three documents that held the same seal as the Aurora's orders. He then gently placed them on her hands.
"These letters of recommendation are for you, Azure and Aqua. Do not let anyone but the headmaster read them. Is that understood? If someone else does open them, you are authorized to arrest them."
"I understand, Dad."
"Good, dismissed." Somah waved her off before he turned toward Soleah.
Going to the academy with Azure and Aqua. She gripped the letters and smiled before turning toward the exit and making her way out.
The throneroom's doors slammed behind her as she stared at the documents given to her by her parents. She placed the parchments on her chest and pressed them with her hand. "I can't wait!" she squealed.
It was such a fun prospect. While she was looking forward to attending the academy before the expedition to Red Dawn, it was something she would have had to do alone, yet now she would be able to go together with her best friends.
"Hah, we will be like a trio of schoolgirls!" Her lips widened into a smile as she headed toward Azure's bedroom to deliver happy news.
Even though she was incredibly happy, it worried her how Azure would be treated; she was a hero of elves and someone who was to be treated with utmost reverence. She was not someone anyone would expect to find in an Academy.
"She will most certainly beat up some snotty brat noble." Sheira had fully expected a scenario where some noble would hit on Aqua, where the champion would put her fist through their skull.
Sheira grinned as she slowly approached Azure's bedroom. She slowly pushed it open and made her way into a rather spartan room. Only a bed, a simple table, and a single chandelier to act as light were present.
"How can you live like this, Azu…" Sheira slumped down as she looked around, yet all that greeted her was silence.
I guess she is with Aqua. A smug expression formed on her face. "Time to tease her again!"
She turned quickly and made her way to the neighboring room where Aqua was supposed to reside. She slowly approached and leaned her ear against the door. No moans means they still haven't progressed.
With a confirmation that she wouldn't be intruding on their fun, she pushed the door open and found another empty room, yet unlike Azure's, this one was as decorated as her own chambers.
"Where did those two go now…" Sheira blinked slowly before groaning.