Marzee

It took Zonna half an hour to recover from the tragic news. Etiene and Berner waited patiently for the younger princess until she calmed down. Fortunately, no one else appeared to check their mana, nor did any of the students show up. Zonna was grateful for the professor's small popularity. When she was ready she began to speak in a still slightly shaky voice.

"I apologize to you, professor, for the unseemly scene and thank you for your patience," she said.

"Nothing is wrong dear child, it is rare to see someone so willing to become a mage. I think you like magic, don't you?" Grun asked warmly.

"Magic is my passion, I love it." Zonna openly admitted.

"Well, you see magic is something that escapes attempts to categorize it. It can often surprise us, and that's the beautiful thing about it, isn't it?" He asked while waiting for her answer. When Zonna nodded to acknowledge his point, he continued. "For Maji who never make an effort to get something, many things are unattainable. Those who try are often rewarded when they least expect it." He paused to collect his thoughts.

"You shouldn't give up completely if you care about something. You just have to be careful, many crooks and charlatans hurt desperate Maji. Remember, we are still just learning about magic and learning it. Maybe someday you or someone else will find a solution to your problem. My advice is for you to live reality without losing hope that your dream will come true."

The professor's words strongly influenced Zonna. After analyzing them, she returned Berner's favor with one of her most beautiful smiles.

"Thank you professor, I will remember those words," she said.

"Alright, let's now move on to the other of you, Etiene, is that correct?"

"Yes."

"Put your hand on the Eye and let's see if you can become a mage." He pointed in the direction of the device. Etiene put her hand on it. After a minute, the number one hundred and seventeen appeared.

"My congratulations, you can become a mage." The professor said with a smile.

However, he was not the point of interest for Princess Sangeria.

"Zonna..." Before she had time to say anything more the younger woman threw herself into her arms. Hugging her tightly.

"Congratulations...thank you." She said to Etiene, the second part was said so quietly that only the older of the princesses heard it. She then quickly let it go.

"What is your decision, should I report that you want to become a mage?" Berner asked.

"I never thought about becoming a mage, but after being in Zonna's company, it seems like an interesting option. I think, I want to become mage."

"Excellent, you will receive information in a few days when the ritual will take place. When you choose the subjects I hope you will choose mine, because I would very much like to impart my knowledge to you. If you have no questions you should go now, otherwise they will be afraid in the administration that I have done something to you" The professor smiled.

Zonna and Etiene said goodbye to Berner and left the academy grounds. The older of the princesses wanted to invite her friend to dinner together, but the younger of the two said she was tired. Eventually they said goodbye and Zonna headed to her residence.

Once there, Zonna headed to her bedroom. She wanted nothing more than to close the door and rest. However, she didn't have time to turn around when Marzee embraced her from behind. They had always been close, but this was the first time she had acted like this. She felt, however, that this was what the princess needed now, the closeness of someone she knew. Zonna was surprised at first then realized that tears were once again pouring down her cheeks. Previously she had been helped by Etiene, and now by Marzee. She didn't know she was so weak. She had to pull herself together otherwise she would not live up to the expectations placed on her. As if reading her mind Marzee said to her:

"Your Highness, no, Zonna you should relax and not think about all these absurd expectations of you. Over the past five years that I've spent with you, I've seen how much work you've put in to please others. Now that one of the few things that was your own desire has slipped through your fingers, now is a time when you should focus on yourself and not think about others," Marzee said, daring to address her princess directly.

"I have to be strong, a lot..." Zonna didn't manage to finish her words when her maid's finger silenced her.

"You need rest now and time to think things over. Please listen to me and stay in the residence don't go anywhere, think about what you want to do, calmly. Only when you get yourself together come back as the perfect and confident Princess Zonna," Marzee said in a somewhat pleading tone.

Zonna thought about Marzee's words for a long time. Not whether they made sense, but whether she is capable of stopping for a moment. Looking at the earnest face of her maid, she made up her mind and nodded in agreement.

"Thank you for listening to my advice, now try to get some sleep. It will do you good." She wanted to leave the room but was stopped.

"At least stay until I fall asleep." She was asked.

"Of course, Your Majesty."

Zonna didn't wake up until the next morning, but she didn't get out of bed as usual, just lay there and thought about her dreams, her own future, and eventually her relationship with Etiene and especially Marzee. After a few hours, she got up, groomed herself and asked her maid to join her.

"I've been thinking a lot today about everything you've told me, and I've come to some conclusions, and they apply to you. First of all, thank you for yesterday, it means a lot to me. I never thought of you only as a servant but I was afraid to say it. I want you to be my friend, equal to me, not my subordinate."

Marzee smiled broadly. "I haven't thought about you for a long time either Your Highness as..."

"When we are alone call me by my name."

"Well, Zonna you have been more than my princess to me for a long time now, and I am happy to become your friend."

"Thank you, it was very important to me. The second thing is about the expectations of me. You are right that there are too many and they are absurdly high. I wanted, therefore, to entrust you with my own expectation and ask you to become a magician for me." With sincerity, she turned to her new friend.

"It will be an honor for me Zonia. I promise you that I will become a mage on your behalf and serve you until death takes us both." She pledged emphatically, happy with the request made to her. In this way they became even closer to each other.