The third prince

Madeline started to stay in her dorm room more often after being thrown out of the Order of the Rose. She would go to her classes, the training ground, and the library as needed and the rest of the time she would find an excuse to stay in her room. When she was out of her room, the other students often found excuses to bump into her in the hallways or would whisper hateful things as they passed by her throughout the day. A couple of times she saw Guy de Montfort from a distance or Claude de Rouvroy, but the two of them didn't see her so they didn't approach.

Things stayed like this for almost two weeks before Duchess d'Aumont arrived at the school in grand fashion with her servants in order to make a ball gown for Madeline. Madeline was hiding in her dorm room when the Duchess arrived at the Academy. The school's Chairman, the student council president and the head of the Order of the Rose all came out to greet the Duchess when she arrived at the school. The Duchess smiled and asked, "Why have the three of you come to greet me without my daughter?"

The school's Chairman led the Duchess to her daughter's room. The Chairman knocked on her door only to be greeted with, "Who is it?"

"It's your mother." The Duchess answered in an irritated voice. The sound of things hastily being tossed around sounded from behind the door. The Duchess motioned to a servant who forced open the door only to find a disheveled Madeline hastily trying to clean a room that was cluttered with trash, dirty clothing and school books. Madeline looked at her mother in horror. The Duchess turned to the school's Chairman and said, "I'd like a moment alone with my daughter, and then I would like to see those other two you greeted me with this morning."

For the next half hour, the Duchess heard the entire story of what had been happening to her daughter thanks to the rumors, the lies and that had been spread by the girl from House Foix. The Duchess gave her daughter a big hug and then brushed out her hair, she ordered the servants to clean her daughter's room and to help her make herself presentable while she met with the Chairman.

*****

The Chairman sat in his office with the school council president and the head of the Order of the Rose, "So tell me, what has been happening with Lady d'Aumont? She should be a member of the Order of the Rose, I assume?"

The head of the Order turned slightly red and then stammered, "Well, you see, about that... His Highness the second prince sent word that House Aumont was not to be considered a Noble house and that House Foix would soon be taking their place."

The Chairman then turned and looked at the student council president who looked away and said, "His Highness the second prince sent word that he would appreciate if the girl from House Aumont could be taught a lesson about getting in the way of Lady Foix."

The Chairman set back in his leather chair looking miserable. "So you two are telling me, that the Duchess of a great house, is going to come here and hear from the two of you, that on the word of the second prince, you put a rural Count's daughter above a great house Duke's daughter?" He looked them both in the eye and then asked, "Are either of you aware that the second prince has no authority over this Academy? Are either of you aware that the Duke, whose daughter you have offended, does hold authority over this Academy?"

The two student leaders looked at each other in horror, "Well, you see... We have to keep in mind our future prospects, not just the school!" The head of the Order of the Rose stammered.

The student council president added, "You can't expect us to go against the royalty!"

The Chairman shook his head, "You two idiots still don't get it. When the Duchess comes in this room with the two of you and asks me to have you expelled. You will be expelled. The second prince can do nothing to have you reinstated. The second prince could ask his Majesty to have you reinstated, and it's possible that could or might happen, but ask yourself this, is the second prince so much of a supporter for the two of you that he will do this for you?"

*****

Olivier looked at his friend Guy who was depressed. "You know, there is a very simple solution here. You can either frame House Foix or have the older sister killed." He smiled at Guy.

Guy turned and glared at him, "Olivier, I need a solution that doesn't kill my House if there is a problem."

Olivier laughed and then said, "The other solution is to have one of the other princes marry the girl."

Guy seemed to really consider this option seriously. Olivier decided it would be fun to tease him, "Guy, did you know there was a rumor that the third prince was secretly attending the Academy this year?"

Guy looked shocked for a moment and then remembered one of the times his sister talked about the game, the prince really was attending the Academy! Guy looked at Olivier and asked, "Olivier, how much power do the princes really hold, honestly?"

Olivier gave his friend a smile and shrugged, "About as much as I do. It is his Majesty, the King, who holds the power, the princes merely borrow his name and the threat that he might agree to one of their favors." He smiled and then added, "In some cases, the princes can get favors from the great houses as well, in those cases, it's based on the idea that should they become king in the future, a favor would be returned with interest."

Guy looked at Olivier and asked with a serious expression, "With the backing of House Aumont and House Montfort, would you have more power than your older brothers?"

Olivier grinned and nodded, "Indeed, with two of the four great houses at my back, I'll be made the crown prince. How did you know?"

Guy said simply, "I'm smart."

As the Duchess was headed over to see the Chairman, Guy de Montfort and third Prince, Olivier saw her walking with her entourage. They decided it would be a good time to have a chat. Guy de Montfort stepped in front of the Duchess and asked, "Your grace, might we have a moment of your time? It's about Lady d'Aumont."

Olivier stepped forward and smiled, "Duchess d'Aumont, it's a pleasure to see you again, you're looking stunning as always. If you don't mind, we are in a hurry so skip all the usual formalities and come with us a moment, it really is an important matter."

The Duchess looked shocked, but nodded and had her people spread out to give them privacy.

*****

The Duchess arrived in the Chairman's office a while later, she sat down in front of his desk without being asked. She turned her head and saw the pale complexions of the two student leaders and then looked at the Chairman, "His Highness the third prince now has the backing of House Aumont and House Montfort. I assume you understand what this means?"

The Chairman gave a slow nod.

"My daughter chose to attend the Academy because she wants to win back the honor that was stolen from her by the second prince with her own hand." The Duchess paused and then stated factually, "The Duke and I supported her in this because we believed that this Academy was a place with honor and integrity." She turned and looked at the two student leaders and then stated, "I would hope that wrongs against my daughter will be made right and that the ring leaders of her systematic harassment will be found and punished."

After the Duchess left his office, the Chairman interwove his fingers and then slowly looked over at the two student leaders. He let out a deep breath and then asked, "Did you understand what the Duchess just said here?"

The two student leaders looked at each other hoping the other had picked up what was implied.

The Chairman shook his head and calmly explained, "She said that the third prince now has the backing of two great houses. It means she knows who was ultimately behind the harassment of her daughter." The Chairman looked at the two of them and said, "Your backer no longer has a shot at the throne. I would hope you understand what this means. You have insulted a member of a great house who is backing the next king of Pays Des Abrutis, I would expect this issue to be solved by the end of the day, am I clear enough?"

The two student leaders nodded and left in a hurry.