69 Jessica of the Travelling Squires

"Eleftherion, don't tell me you've forgotten all about me?"

I stared at her as she suddenly grabbed at both of my hands and giggled so girlishly that I started to wonder if this was really the friend I knew. Not even baring to look at the girl's face, I glanced away, only to find my two male friends gaping at me with wide and hurt eyes. Joren's stare was especially drilling through me, his gaze screaming out wordlessly, "You traitor! You actually knew a girl?!"

I grinned back at them, although I knew that I should act appropriately. After all, even if I had no idea what Zepherin was planning to do, I still had enough calmness to understand that she had a plan.

I smiled down at her. "Sorry, uh... ?"

Zepherin giggled yet again, her foolish face definitely not making her seem like herself. She told me with an obvious pretend-hurt expression, "So you really have forgotten about me?"

I was glad she didn't give me more time to speak, because I sincerely didn't know how to reply. She continued on without missing a beat. "I'm Jessica, the High Dame's daughter from the travelling squires. I recall your family taking us in when we passed through your lands."

"And who," Prince Clement called down as he stood up from his seat. His eyes bore down on me, although his question was directed to my female companion. "... might this boy be to come to know a lady of your stature, Lady Jessica?"

Zepherin looked up at my brother with a small smile. She bowed down her head, as is appropriate in our continental customs, and said, "Your Highness, this boy here is Sir Eleftherion of your fair Kingdom of Saule. I believe his noble family took residence in the Town of Lapkurt, far west of the royal capital."

A cog turned in my head. I immediately knew what the girl was going on about. In my first few months of training in the Order, Zepherin and I would talk a lot. Since I didn't have much to talk about, though, I would tell her about my days travelling with Farseer and Janmira. And as such, our topics usually edged more on the mysterious, ghost-like girl. We once debated about our suspicions about her. We once opined that the girl could have hailed from the dreary lands of Lapkurt, the Saulian town just at the edge of the Mythical Forest, and around the civil woods.

Not many even knew about the Saulian people who lived in that dreary town, only that it simply existed due to the rich mineral source hidden inside the forest. Yet, even I, a princess of the kingdom, know very little of the politics apparent in those forest lands.

Frankly, it was a very good disguise, and I wouldn't put it past Zepherin to come up with a house name and fake documents in a fortnight, but I knew it would be troubling to act as a noble. Also, this would mean that I lied when I told my new friends and the school about my class status.

However, I caught her lavender eyes, filled with mirth. Then, she glanced very briefly at my red-haired friend, who was gaping at us openmouthedly.

'Of course!' I realized. 'I've told her about Joren's stupid misunderstanding about me!'

I smiled at her naturally, and then faced the prince. I bowed down to him just as a gentleman would. "Your Highness, if I may speak? The lady speaks truly, and upon her kind words, I am reminded of her beautiful countenance. T'was, however, during the days when my family was still part of the lines of nobility. Now, however, we are... of commoner ranks, and my house only serves as a family of merchants."

I dared to look up briefly at Zepherin, to find her smiling at me with silent relief. I immediately knew I had spoken the right thing. She then said, "I apologize, Eleftherion. It seems time has stolen me away from you for too long, and I am behind on the news. But, I do hope your family is well?"

I bowed a little at the lady. "They are all doing very well by your good prayers."

She laughed a bit. "That's good to know. Ah! I apologize, Prince Clement. I speak far too freely when it comes to my friends."

My brother smiled at her. "It is of no worries, Lady Jessica. I find it rather a more refreshing sight to see the fairer sex speak their minds, rather than keep them all inside. Don't you agree... Eleftherion?"

My brother and I stared at each other before we broke out into polite smiles. Warmth, however, filled both of our gazes. I knew, 'He has recognized me.'

"I agree with your words, whatever they may be, Your Grace, for you hold more wisdom than I," I said to him with a bow.

For a while, we only smiled at each other, and then Zepherin, or Jessica, stepped forward to interrupt us. "Well, all of us first years must be here by now. Come with us up on the benches, Eleftherion. You'll see a much better view of the ceremonies."

She grabbed at my hand and started to guide me up the benches, but I knew I shouldn't follow her. I placed my right hand on top of hers, making her look back at me. I smiled graciously. "Thank you, Lady Jessica, for your merciful offer. But I'm afraid I would have to decline. I might have been nobility once, but I am only a commoner now. I could not even dream of sitting beside your gallant figures."

Unexpectedly, though, it was my brother who had replied, "On the contrary, dear Eleftherion, I would say that nobility is more than just a title, and must rather be earned rather than born into. It won't be long, I believe, when I would see your family rise up again in our noble ranks, if I am as much of a judge in character as my attendants claim I am."

I wanted to flinch in mere shock, but I knew better than to let my emotions get out of me. His words may be simple and would only seem to be gratifying and flattering ones, but I knew better. He had clearly spoken his political views right in front of a room full of scholars and mages and royalty.

Without a doubt, the prince stood by with the merchant class.

I allowed myself a grin. "Thank you, Prince Clement."

"But, traditions will be respected," he continued, a twinkle in his blue eyes. "I'm afraid you will have to remain where you are, and I have to apologize for that, Lady Jessica. However, I would dare say that Eleftherion here is already in good company... I see that your two, valiant friends awaits you. For now, let us respect these traditions while your house remains without title."

'He's basically saying that although he disagrees with the way things are being done now, he will still be compliant for now.'

I bowed yet again and then kissed the back of Zepherin's gloved hand. Then, after saying more farewells, I made to leave from the spotlight. All the little and not so little pairs of eyes around my surroundings were directed towards me, and I knew we had made a small scene, but even so, I didn't feel so distraught by the attention. After all, there were more important things to think about than keeping a low profile. Now, the future was changing slowly, but gradually.

I reached my companions' sides, and grinned at them, "Wasn't that interesting?"

"I'd rather say... heart wrenching!" Joren scream-whispered at my ears. "I already guessed that ya'd come from a broken kingpin family, but I s'pose I'm still a bit shocked."

"I, too, wasn't aware of your noble lineage, Eleftherion," Albert added, and then fixed up his glasses. "Although, I suppose it makes more sense now when I have to look at your abnormal magical capabilities. A commoner would be very lucky indeed to have been born with such talents."

I laughed shortly. "Yeah, but that doesn't matter. I like being a commoner. Being part of ro- nobility sucks, to be honest. Too many chains dragging you down."

"Ah, I would rather look at it as carrying more weight than usual? But I would say it is more an honor than anything else, although the heavy expectations can do bring one down," Albert reasoned, but I only smiled back.

I wanted to tell him that "I would probably think the same if I was born a boy like you were," but I only kept silent. There were things better off left unsaid, no matter how much it desperately wanted to be let out. Staring at the two boys beside me, I vowed that I would tell them the truth, but that moment was still a long way away, and I very much like the way they treat me now. I would only despair when their gazes would change once they know who I really was, and what I really was.

But, now wasn't the time to despair yet. I had time. So much time. I mean, I'm barely seven.

I smiled at them both. "Sorry for keeping this a secret."

"No problem, Therion," Joren replied immediately, and then added with gusto, "Although I already figured it out the first day."

I chuckled at his prideful tone, and then turned towards the other boy. He was now staring at me with a troubled look. He said, "Should I refer to you as 'Sir'?"

I cringed a bit. "No way. Besides, my noble roots have long rotted off. I barely remember those times of being pampered anyway. I'd sooner vomit if you call me Sir Eleftherion, and if you do, I'll call you Prince Albert in turn."

That certainly made the prince show an interesting face. "Ah, it does seem I much prefer calling you by your simple name, then, Eleftherion."

"Good. I much prefer calling you simply as well, Albert."

"Well, while both of ya're chattin' away, ya might wanna look over there," Joren interrupted us both, and pushed at our shoulders so we faced the center of our side of the hall. "The welcome speech is probably gonna start any moment now."

I realized the rest of the normal students had gathered into a ring around our corner. At the center, just at the spot where the mages were teleporting into earlier, there was now a tall figure, one that was familiar to my eyes.

The tattooed woman was standing there, weirdly not wearing the mages' robes. Her bare arms and lower calves showed off her light-toned, swirling tattoos. Her bronze skin shone in the warm atmosphere. She looked around at us for a moment longer, and then said loudly, "Welcome, new arrivals! I believe you have all already been given a slight overview of what had happened, right? You're probably still shocked after being thrown into a dangerous forest, and left alone. Rest assured, there won't be any of those silly surprises... for now.

"Tonight, I urge you to go around and meet your batchmates and earn some acquaintances. Goddess Luna knows how much you'll need help to go through this Academy. So, are there any more questions? As usual, the head professor will be late again, so I'll say you'll get to hear his welcome speech in an hour or two... or three. Well! Talk around, stop moping and shaking in fear, and have some fun!"

The woman backed away from the center, and then another mage hastily ran over to her and whispered at her ear. She jumped up after hearing the other mage's words and came back to the center. She shouted out, "Right! Also, WELCOME TO THE LUNAR ACADEMY FOR SPECIAL MAGES! You've all passed wonderfully, and so, and so."

Then, she trudged on back after patting at the other mage's shoulder while he sported a pale and troubled face. Seeing the woman act so willfully, I started to laugh. She definitely was no ordinary woman. I mean, are there any other woman who could pat at a man's shoulder and leave him utterly speechless in her wake?

I patted at Joren's shoulder. "She's definitely some good wife material, don't you agree?"

He sputtered out wordlessly, his face as red as his hair. I don't think he could reply in that state...