Finding a Friend

The boys all stood in a line looking around with great interest. An envoy from the palace had arrived at their school only an hour before, and had plucked them from their studies. From age seven to fourteen, all of Valiant's children were encouraged to attend classes on history, language, mathematics, art, physical fitness and politics. After this time, it was up to parents how to further their child's education. The poor would generally select a trade to apprentice, while the wealthy had more options. The boys now standing in the hall were well-born and approved by the council for their manners and excellence in different areas. Although the children had no idea what was happening, they could sense something important was occurring.

"What do you think is going on?" a tall muscular boy whispered.

"Sh!" The boy next to him hushed him. "You could get us in trouble."

"We will find out soon enough," a third chimed in.

A boy with grey eyes nodded. From the far end of the line, he had been watching the door closely. "Someone is coming!"

A young girl with dark eyes and hair entered. She looked with interest at the boys but said nothing. Was she lost? Her gaze was confident, but her mouth was kind. As she swept over the grey-eyed boy on the end, he felt his heart skip a beat. This was not a simple servant or lowly noble. This was someone very important.

As the Council filed into the room behind the girl, the young men stood straight, unconsciously checking to make sure their clothing was tidy. When everyone was assembled, Chief Cafer and the girl began at one end and slowly walked the line of boys.

The pair would each ask a series of questions and if either the girl or man did not like an answer, the boy was graciously dismissed to return to school. The original twenty-five dwindled quickly with only one out of three passing the initial test. When asked "What do you do when you disagree with a servant?", the muscular boy had replied easily. "Beat them until they agree with me." The girl's mouth had twisted into a frown at that response, and the boy was sent on his way.

Now the the boy with the grey eyes realized it was his turn. Under the withering gaze of Cafer, he felt sweat begin to form on his brow. "Name?" The Chief demanded.

"They call me Jumper at school, Chief Cafer." When the man raised his eyebrows, Jumper continued. "It's because at the youth trials, I set a record for high jump."

"I see," Cafer responded before deferring to the girl. It was strange to see such a powerful man let a child have the lead.

"How old are you?" She asked.

"Twelve, miss."

Cafer scowled, but the boy was unsure why. Had he used the wrong title? The girl did not seem to mind. She asked a second question. "What do you do when you disagree with a servant?"

"When I disagree with anyone, I should listen before I speak. Perhaps the servant was protecting me, and I was unaware. Or maybe one of us just misunderstood. Beating them is likely only to produce future problems."

"A wise answer!" Cheered one of the councilmen with long black hair. He looked immediately embarrassed, but the girl nodded in agreement.

"Councilor Zan is right. It is a very good answer. Tell me about your family." The girl's dark eyes were steady, and Jumper had to look away.

"My parents are gone. They died of the plague six years ago. I am a ward of the Empire." Jumper peeked a glance at the girl expecting to see disgust and condemnation. Instead he saw a mix of pain, empathy and kindness. He relaxed a little.

Cafer interrupted, "This boy is the son of a distant relative on your father's side. When news of his misfortune reached the palace, your father made sure to set him up with an inheritance so that he would not be cast out into the street."

Her father? Jumper's mind started racing, but he wisely said nothing. The girl smiled. "You can dismiss the others for now. I would like to talk to Jumper further."

"Are you sure?" The Chief asked, unconvinced. This boy was not his first choice, but if he suggested someone else and she refused, he would lose credibility in front of the Council. The best he could do was sow doubt.

"I am sure," the girl confirmed. Cafer nodded and dismissed the other boys with a wave of his hand. When Jumper was the only one left, the girl inclined her head slightly. "I am afraid I have been very rude. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Aurora."

The pieces came together. His benefactor had been the emperor consort and if this was his daughter… "Your Highness!" Jumper said, dropping quickly to his knees. "I did not know."

"I did not intend for you to know until now. Please take a walk with me." She turned and looked at the Council. "I will return to the Council's room shortly with my decision."

"Glory to the Empress!" they responded.

The boy raised his head and hurried to follow Aurora and her bodyguard out of the room. They went to the courtyard of the Spring Garden where flowers bloomed year-round. It was lovely, but Jumper was far more focused on his companion. "Jumper? Do you have another name?"

The boy smiled, "My given name is Devrim, but no one has called me that for a long time."

"May I call you 'Devrim'?" The princess wanted to know.

"I would prefer it, if it pleases you." Devrim bobbed his head respectfully.

"Devrim, do you miss your parents?"

"Every day."

"Does it get any easier?" The girl wanted to know.

"The feelings come and go like waves. I never know when the sadness will come."

"My mother died yesterday." Aurora said bluntly. She liked this boy very much, and she needed to know where they stood before she felt too attached. It was better to get to the point before she was afraid.

"The Empress is dead? I did not know." Devrim was filled with compassion for the girl.

"No one knows except those who were there, the Council, and you. Everyone has been sworn to secrecy until the official announcement."

"How can I help? If you need me to relinquish my inheritance for the good of the empire, I am willing."

"What? No! You are generous, but I'm afraid I need something even more precious from you."

"Anything," Devrim offered sincerely. He had been brought up to be loyal to the Valiant Empire, and having them support him when his parents died only strengthened his patriotism.

"What I need is…" Aurora bit her pink lips nervously, "a husband."

"…"

The princess laid all the facts out before Devrim. She told him that her age is an obstacle to a peaceful rule and how the Council had advised her. It felt good to get everything out in the open. Devrim listened carefully, occasionally nodding. At the end Aurora heaved a great sigh of relief. At her lead, they sat down on a bench in the middle of the garden.

"So you are saying you need a fake husband in order to save the world from revolution and chaos?" He summed up his thoughts in a single question.

The princess agreed, "Yep!"

"I will do it," Devrim declared decisively. Aurora had expected some resistance.

"You do not have to. It won't be easy."

"It is important." He paused. "And I do not have anything else going for me. Perhaps this is my purpose."

It was at this moment Aurora knew she had chosen wisely. Devrim spoke well beyond his years, he was kind, and he wanted to do something good. He was Fate-sent!

"But you have not actually asked me, Your Highness." Devrim raised his eyebrows up and down playfully as he grinned. Aurora laughed. It had been so long since she had laughed. It felt good.

"You are right. Ahem. Devrim, will you be my fake husband, and—more importantly—my friend?" She held out her hand and the grey-eyed boy shook it happily.

"I will!"

"Good. Because there are two people I would like you to meet." Aurora stood, and Devrim found himself chasing after her for the second time that morning. He realized this was likely to be a habit of hers. The boy smiled.

"I am coming!"