2 The Aleshkovskys

They all gathered in the library for the first lesson in the afternoon.

The hall was voluminous and baronial—the walls occupied with endless stacks of shelves filled with row after row of neatly lined up books. Allyria and her siblings sat in crescent-shaped tables with Nikolai on her left, followed by Markolin and Vysela on her right.

Their professor, Nadriel, stood in front with a chalk in hand teaching the Vervalian royalties about the history of their country and its origin.

Vervali had always been a harmonious country ever since the Astrenmir dynasty.

Its first ruler, King Aleksandr Astrenmir, ruled for over fifty years after he led his people through a series of successful military campaigns and conquered the country during the Siege of Xohahr from its corrupt leader. He established a kingdom with his name, with the support of the people.

It has been said that King Aleksandr took many wives over the course of his life. Some also presumed that he only had one mistress after Queen Lydia died in bearing their son, Adrelius, but no one had lived to confirm the allegations.

After he died, Adrelius, his only son, was forced into ruling at a young age of 15 and married Doroteya Senya after his coronation as king. The people easily loved King Adrelius. He was known to be a warrior king and at the same time, a compassionate leader to its people.

King Adrelius lived a brief life after he died at the age of 30, so Dmitri, his first and only son, took the responsibility.

However, the Astrenmir dynasty after its long years of ruling finally ended when Dmitri's mother died of a heart disease. In the same year, the country lost many of its land to the rebels that had drowned the country in debt.

Historians said King Dmitri went mad that led him to order the slaughtering of the rebels and those who sided with them, slaughtering innocents in the process.

Faramond, who used to be a stable boy in the palace, organized a successful rebellion against the mad ruler and reigned until then. This became the birth of another dynasty, the Aleshkovskys.

Allyria tried her hardest not to yawn in front of the professor as he recited its history for more times than she can count.

She shook her head and observed her siblings who could barely keep their eyes open but it was different for Nikolai who was already snoring heavily. Talk about being prim and proper.

'Brave soul.'

Vysela nudged her elbows, "Nikolai just can't pretend to enjoy and even had to sleep in class."

The two of them giggled. But she understood and felt the same sentiment. Who wouldn't? History class is just as boring as watching a bad documentary, she thought.

Allyria waved a hand at Markolin and pointed to Nikolai who was wrapped in profound sleep, mouthing the words "wake him up".

As if he got the message, Markolin tapped his back but Nikolai wouldn't budge so he cupped his hands over his ears, whispering something she could hardly hear.

Nikolai immediately sat upright, rubbing his eyes.

He glared. "I will kill you."

Allyria suppressed a laugh. At least, that lightened the mood.

She almost jumped on the edge of her seat when Professor Nadriel knocked on the wooden chalkboard to get their attention, "Eyes on here, people."

They stiffened and straightened their seats. Certainly, Professor Nadriel will inform the King and Queen about their behavior again, but it wasn't anything new to them. After all, the four of them have always been like this—bantering and mocking at each other, but they have always been close and inseparable.

Nikolai, the eldest, and Markolin, the next, despite their differences in likes and hobbies, have always had a common ground. After their parents sent them to the monastery to focus on organizing the insurgence, they had to stick together as they waited for them.

After they declared Faramond king, they came back and brought a new member of the family – Allyria.

Vysela was then born three years later, who added to the three little troublemakers.

"Allyria."

"Allyria."

Professor Nadriel's voice brought her back to her senses. "Yes?" she asked.

"Pay attention," he said and went back to his usual chore, writing.

When he was finally on his back, Allyria raised a brow to Vysela to note her confusion.

"You were in a daze. Dreamt of your prince charming?" she grinned.

Rolling her eyes, she said, "As if."

She straightened her seat and brought her eyes back to the center.

Professor Nadriel started to speak and talk about the history of Vervalian language but she couldn't pay attention as the sound of the soldiers training outside and the warm sunshine streaming through the window did nothing to help her concentration.

Allyria have always wanted to be a part of the army. It wasn't common with princesses but she always loved the thought of it despite the King and Queen telling her otherwise.

They said it was her responsibility to reign and not to be a princess in some soldier's uniform.

She sighed when sleep tried to lull her back again so she just looked at the enormous anchor clock placed on the topmost wall.

Hands slowly move towards the hour. One second feels like a minute. A minute feels like 30 as she observed its longer hand move towards the number 12.

Tick

Tock

Tick

Tock

When the clock finally struck 3, Allyria's face lit up and flushed with excitement when Professor Nadriel already bid his good bye.

As if the four of them have read each other's thoughts, instead of waiting for him to stand and make his grand exit, they immediately bolted out of the hall, running as fast as they could and pushing each other through the door like little children too eager to go the playground.

She heard Professor Nadriel murmur something but she just shook her mind off of it, lucky that she could finally leave from that boring session.

When they were out, Nikolai raised his hands in the air, "Finally!"

"Now that's the Nikolai I know," Vysela burst laughing and gave Nikolai a high five.

Different servants in the castle bowed their heads when they passed by the Vervalian royals as a sign of respect and they all did the same in return.

Markolin stepped in the scene, "Brother, I suppose you wanted to kill me earlier, if I heard that right. I wouldn't mind having a duel, you know." He said and flaunted his biceps like a herculean warrior.

But he indeed looked like one. Markolin was slender though he was still brawny and well-built.

"Pfft," Nikolai dismissed him with a wave in the face, "If I were a bird, you'd be the first person I'd shit on."

Markolin just scowled and rolled his eyes at Nikolai.