19 The Last Day as Princess

Three days may seem a lot, but it's really not.

Immediately after my conversation with Miss Hestia, I stood watch from the infirmary window as I stared at my nanny being escorted out from the palace by multiple guards, as though she was some sort of criminal. Afterwards, though, I had to grit my teeth and put my anger into good use.

Like the royalty I was, I ordered my numerous maids to procure the materials I would need in the next couple of days, and I had to be mindful not to cause too many weird looks by my sudden shopping spree. I had them buy me a large amount of random things, from toys to clothes to sweet things. I hoped that they would think that my strange behavior was because I was just depressed after losing my nanny.

Now, on the morning of the third day, and finally back in my bedroom, I stared at the things spread around my bed.

A full bag of a young boy's clothes.

A big pouch filled with gold pieces, enough to comfortably feed a commoner family for 10 years.

Two sharp daggers fit to be carried by small hands.

A letter.

And a pair of scissors.

I wanted to bring more, but I knew I couldn't carry too much with me. Buying the daggers already brought on curious looks from the maids, but I knew I had to have weapons to defend myself. The rest I could just buy with the money I bring. It wasn't much, but it could at least keep me going until I reach 12 and be able to look for jobs.

"A princess looking for work," I mumbled as I looked around the royal bedroom, larger than the entire homes of most common folk.

Of course I knew that once I had left, I would no longer be living in luxury nor comfort, but I also knew that I had to do this. Not only so I could escape from the wrath of House Genta and whichever parties have vendettas against me, but also so I could live freely, and hopefully... change the system as a man. It makes me shudder to think that a common man would have more power than an imperial princess, but in some cases, it is the harsh truth. With that, my conviction to leave my life behind was now more concrete.

My only regret is in failing to leave my mark as a princess, and of course, because I had to leave behind my second brother all alone. I could only pray that he could hold off against Prince Ara, and live peacefully. But I knew better than anyone that peace isn't always the right thing.

I sighed. 'At least I have this letter.'

Inside the long parchment lies all the information on political and economical events that I could remember; spanning out for the next 12 years. There, I had even explained about how I had come from the past... or future... or whatever! It's all so confusing...

Anyway, I plan to give this directly to Prince Clement, and hopefully he would put it to good use. If lucky, he might even gain a better chance to get the crown. It would be bad for my eldest brother, but I know I would rest better knowing the future of the Kingdom would be in Prince Clement's hands.

I silently tucked in the letter snugly into my sleeves.

A knock came from the door, and I quickly covered the items with my bed sheet. They'll be safe there. I had specifically ordered the maids to not enter my room unless I had told them to. However, just to be sure, I placed a tiny bottle of ink on the edge of the bed, where I knew it would be disturbed if the sheets would be overturned. If I came back to see a small stain on my bed, I'd know someone had gone through my things.

"Lady Eleftheria, this one is sorry to intrude, but," I heard a maid call out though the door. "Madame Crooch is already waiting on the palace fields."

I hastily fixed myself up, finding it hard to to do most anything without the help of Miss Hestia. I was filled with sudden melancholy. I psyched myself up, while staring at my mirror.

"This is the last day, Elle. In a few hours, you'll be free and be with Miss Hestia again."

With that, I made myself leave the room and headed out towards the palace fields. It was a large expanse of grassy land behind the castle, and stretched out widely before sloping downwards into the Saule Kingdom's Hollow Forest. When I had arrived, I found Madame Crooch surrounded by wooden targets and even a pretty long obstacle course, much like the ones used in the military training camps.

"Today's lesson seems to be quite practical," I said after I greeted the magic teacher.

"Of course, Princess Elle," she replied, smiling at me with crescent eyes. "I had an inkling that you were always hiding your real strength."

I blushed in shock. "... Whatever do you mean by that, Madame Crooch?"

She only laughed as though she knew I was bluffing. "It's alright, Lady Elle. But I do hope you would do your best today."

"Why? What's the occasion?" I asked, mildly worried if this sudden event would be a nuisance to my plans of escape.

"Do you know my other profession aside from being a noble tutor?" she asked me, with a hint of pride in her tone.

I wondered about that. She did seem like a unique person. She didn't act like a commoner, and she also spoke with a certain accent. She had darker skin than most people in the Kingdom, as well.

Alas, I could only shake my head in defeat. "I do not know, Madame Crooch."

"Well, I am also a departmental head in a certain school for mages," she announced, and then she gestured widely at the equipment placed around us. "These are to test your abilities as a mage. If you are qualified, which I know you would be, I would gladly write a recommendation letter to have you enrolled in the spring."

That took me by surprise. It was rare for royals to be admitted into actual schools, much less into schools for magic. Gone are the times where magic power was the only basis for the hierarchy. Just like the rise of the merchant class, the fall of the traditional magical powerhouses also came into effect. That is not to say that magic isn't a valid component of power, because it still very much is. After all, both royal houses of the Mond Empire and the Saule Kingdom have continuously produced a long line of the strongest mages in history.

However, to have a princess go to a magic school...

It wasn't even a choice for me in the past. I knew that both my brothers were unique students enrolled in the Lunar Academy for Special Mages. They only had to go to the Mond Empire on certain occasions, like sporting events and examinations. They sort of act more like guests than actual students really.

But here I was, actually having a chance to go to an honest-to-God school... I was tempted to stay as a princess, to say the least. But, I knew I could never have this and also have freedom. I might appear powerful as a princess, but I knew I would only be used as a pawn.

Regardless, my mood didn't dampen as I stared around the elaborate obstacle course. As my room was facing the front of the castle, I hadn't even noticed anyone preparing all of this. It looked like it was made for at least two nights.

"Well? Are you ready?" Madame Crooch asked me, catching on to my excitement.

"This really is a true opportunity, right?" I asked her back, staring at her tall and thin form. "You really have consulted this with my father, and he had actually agreed for me to go to a magic school?"

She laughed. "You still haven't passed any test yet, so don't get ahead of yourself. But, yes, it was actually His Majesty, King Thrace, that proposed this to me."

My mood grew staler at that. It had me thinking again to what my second brother had said right before the bandits had attacked...

It almost seems as though the King really did notice me, but I also knew the cold truth. He had let me die when it really mattered. This was only a monarch's strategic reply to having known that I was a five-star mage. It held no special meaning.

I sighed. "Alright, Madame Crooch. What do I have to do?"

Excitedly, she went on to explain what I had to do in each obstacle. They were all simple ones; enough to easily be executed by a six year old. The real test lied in the time element. There was a clockwork timer in her hand, and she would record the time it will take for me to finish all the tests.

"I already taught you on how to strengthen your body with notes," Madame Crooch said. "You are also capable of conjuring elementary blasts of fire and water. I think this test would be quite easy for you."

I nodded my head, quietly stretching out my body.

"Umm... Princess," she called out to me. "Won't you need to change first?"

I looked down at my clothes, realizing that I was wearing a fluffy yellow dress that went up to my knees. My frilled collar and wrist bands also made me look as though I was more fit to be having a tea party than to have a practical magic test.

Finding it bothersome to change into pants and a shirt though, I declined. Anyway, this may be the last day I could wear a girl's clothes ever again. I chose this particular girly look especially because I would say goodbye to it by midnight.

'Ah...' I realized. 'Just like the Princess Cendrillon.'

I let out a small chuckle. "I'm ready, Madame Crooch."

She had me bend down on one knee at the starting line, much like in a race. She counted down from 10. I breathed in deeply and gathered as much notes as I could into my body and more into my legs. I needed to move fast.

The first obstacle was to blast through five wooden targets with a conjuring spell, so I prepared the swirling notes into both of my palms, ready to conjure fire and water magic in no time.

"3... 2... 1... GO!" screamed my teacher, and off I went.

I have never used my actual power in such a wide space before, and I whooped in joy as I felt the wind going through my curly hair and whisking up my layered skirts. I felt free.

In no time, I was already on the first obstacle, and I aimed at the five targets rapidly, but carefully making sure I had hit them at the dead center and with the highest possible force I could conjure, all while steadily keeping myself at a run.

I succeeded with no problem, and with a jump aided by notes, I had gracefully landed on the mounted bar, the starting point of the next test. This time, I had to hop a distance towards spaced out magically suspended rocks. I could never have jumped the distance normally, but thankfully, I have been practicing my magical control, and before long, I had reached the other side without stopping.

The last obstacle was more difficult. I had to cross through an open field while making sure none of the flying objects would hit me. Although I knew the objects were just small water balloons, I had to make sure not one of them would strike me. Anyway, I would hate to ruin my last dress.

The trajectories of the balloons came from the metal contraptions scattered randomly around me. I couldn't really predict their movements, though, because they changed directions every five seconds. But, five seconds was more than enough.

I was laughing as I jumped, spun, and twirled around the field, even jumping onto the very contraptions once or twice. By the time I was back in my place next to Madame Crooch, I was slightly sweaty but otherwise untouched.

Finding my teacher looking at me with wide eyes, I had to remind her that her timer hadn't been clicked to stop.

"Oh- Oh!" she muttered, flustered as she pressed on the device. "I'm sorry, Princess Elle. I found myself simply astounded by your speed and precision..."

I smiled at her as I pat at my hair, desperately trying to bring the escaped curls back into a bun.

"... Have I really been your only teacher in magic, Princess Elle?" she asked me dumbfoundedly.

"Yes, Madame Crooch," I replied. "Although I do practice a lot on my own."

"I see..." she muttered, looking at me with an appraising look like I was a particularly high quality lean meat.

"So, did I pass, teacher?" I asked when the silence stretched on. "Will I get a recommendation?"

"Oh! Yes, you definitely will. In fact, I'll make sure that the Lunar Academy for Special Mages receive a recommendation letter with the utmost and highest importance!"

Shocked by the mention of the school she was working at, I could only smile.

I grew awkward by the string of praises she showered me afterwards. Inwardly, I thought about how nice it could have been to attend the best magic school in the continent.

Once I had gone back into the palace and waved her goodbye, I felt a sense of loss and regret. After all, the recommendation won't mean anything if there was no one to accept the good news. I sighed, but I had to keep my back straight and my conviction strong. The day still wasn't over.

After all, I had my own letter to deliver.