Master of Minds, Master of Me

It’s Friday, and this week has been rather peaceful in the end. Monday didn’t turn out so well when I saw Felix again. I felt so awkward around him after my dream, so I tried to just get rid of him fast. I think avoiding him is still the best option. But of course, my escape attempt didn’t go so smoothly. I can still feel his hands holding mine. My whole body felt so strange, like tiny sparks of electricity running through it.

And me? Prettiest of them all? I really don’t understand him at all. If he seeks the company of pretty girls, why doesn’t he just talk to the other candidates more? I’m sure he talks to other girls too, so why can’t he just focus on them and leave me alone?

But his sudden compliment stirred something in me. I really haven’t been used to getting compliments like that. And once again, I had no idea what to say to him. So I just left. Or escaped. Being around him just feels too dangerous sometimes, like some basic instinct warns me not to get close.

I have quite successfully occupied my mind during this week. I’ve visited Hans every day and, of course, the church every morning. I’m pretty glad that I have two people here to talk to. And Father Owen has been a great help, his presence soothes my mind. At first, it felt very uncomfortable to talk to him about my problems. But I know priests are people you can talk to about anything, no matter the subject. And I’m glad I did. Confiding in someone really helps.

I decided to try to get closer to the other candidates too, only to keep my mind more occupied. I’ve just left the greenhouse, and I’m headed to have some tea with the others. I’ve spent time with them a couple of times this week. They usually talk about subjects that are pretty foreign to me, like fashion and stuff. But I sit there and listen. That’s better than being alone in my room, alone with my thoughts.

I open the door to the drawing room, where the other ladies are already sitting around the table. I go sit on the empty chair and greet everyone politely. Most of the candidates join in during tea time. Well, actually almost everyone except Florentia. I’m not sure if she doesn’t want to come or if she’s even allowed to. I’ve noticed she’s always accompanied by guards when she comes in for lessons. So I guess her time in the palace isn’t much more enjoyable than mine.

‘’I just can’t wait until next week. The history lessons were so boring. But next week we finally get to learn something useful!’’

I glance at one of the candidates who speaks so eagerly. I can understand that someone dislikes history lessons, but I would still think they’re pretty useful. Especially if you want to become the Queen.

‘’I know! I really can’t understand why we need to know all about history. The King is the one leading the country anyway. The Queen doesn’t need to bother with anything like that.’’

Technically, she’s right. The King makes all the decisions. But I would still think it’s pretty crucial for the Queen to know the basics too. Her job is to support her husband after all. And if the King is absent, the Queen is in charge. So if these girls have no desire to lead or help the country, why would they want to be Queen in the first place?

‘’Exactly what I was thinking.’’ Someone agrees.

Almost all of them agree in unison. Only a couple stay quiet. My curiosity takes over, and I just can’t help but ask them what I don’t understand.

‘’May I ask why you want to be Queen in the first place, if you’re not so interested in serving the country?’’

They turn their heads to look at me with confused expressions.

‘’Why? Isn’t it quite obvious?’’

Obvious? Well, not to me. I just gaze at them with an unknowing look.

‘’Did you see the Crown Prince on the first day? He is to die for!’’

‘’I could just stare at those blue eyes forever.’’

‘’And I bet his body is to die for too! I know he practices with the Royal Guards regularly, and he even takes part in monster campaigns. So he must be very fit.’’

‘’He’s just so handsome, like a prince from a fairytale.’’

The room fills with their chatter about Felix. I mean, I get that girls would like him, but I didn’t realize he had this big of an effect on everyone. But he really is a pretty talkative and social person, so maybe it makes sense that during these two weeks all the girls have fallen for him. Especially if he's taken all of them to his secret garden.

For some reason, I feel a slight sting in my chest after that thought. I shake my head, not wanting to think about Felix anymore. It was a mistake to even ask why they want to be Queen.

‘’I just hope we could see him again already. I can’t wait until the official meetings start at the end of the Selection.’’

What?

‘’I agree. I actually tried to sneak into the training grounds many times to see if I could spot him there. But I haven’t seen him, not even once.’’

‘’I wonder what he’s like? I’ve only seen him during balls, but he’s usually so stiff and proper.’’

Felix? Stiff and proper? Are we really talking about the same Crown Prince?

‘’My father said that he’s usually very rational and calm during parliament meetings or any official business. But he’s seen the Crown Prince a couple of times talking to Master Loneflare and said that he acted very differently then.’’

‘’Different how?’’

‘’More relaxed somehow.’’

‘’Oh, I so want to see how he acts when he’s relaxed. I hope we see that when the meetings start.’’

‘’Excuse me, haven’t any of you seen the Crown Prince during our stay here? Apart from the first day?’’ I just had to ask because I’m too confused right now.

They all just shake their heads and then continue talking about Felix with excitement.

Why hasn’t Felix met the other candidates? Why has he only been pestering me like that? I thought he was doing it because he wanted to get to know all the candidates. I’m not sure how I feel knowing that he’s only seen me during these two weeks. I’m just so confused. I think I need some fresh air.

I get up, excuse myself, and head outside. Maybe just a little stroll in the garden will help.

Felix said that he’ll see me on the weekend, and tomorrow is Saturday already. So is he really just going to see me again? Only me? Maybe I should ask him directly about it. And since clearly the other candidates are so eager to see him, wouldn’t it be better for him to see them instead? I’d rather spend my time with Hans or Father Owen. Unfortunately, Hans is going to be off duty this weekend, so I can’t escape my thoughts by talking to him.

Then I hear a sudden scream from the garden. It sounds more like a child. I take quicker steps toward where the sound came from. I hope nothing bad happened.

After a while, I see a child up in a tree, clear panic on his face.

‘’Is everything alright? Do you need help getting down?’’ I ask gently.

‘’Down?! Are you crazy? I need to get higher or I’m going to die!’’

What? I walk closer to the tree.

‘’Die? Why?’’

‘’Watch out! The snake is just there!’’

A snake? I glance around and spot a snake climbing up the tree trunk. So he’s afraid of the snake? I reach my hand toward it and let it slide onto my arm.

‘’It’s okay. I took the snake.’’

‘’Are you crazy?! You’re going to die!’’

I can’t help but smile a little.

‘’Don’t worry, it’s a sweetscale. They’re harmless to humans.’’

‘’Sweetscale?’’ the boy asks with a shaky voice.

‘’Yes. They’re quite useful. They eat rodents that damage the flowerbeds. So they’re like a gardener’s best friend, actually.’’

‘’Oh… Well, if it doesn’t harm humans, why did it start climbing up here? It was clearly going to kill me!’’

‘’Hmm… Do you perhaps have some candy in your pockets?’’

He looks at me suspiciously. He’s a rather cute little boy.

‘’Maybe… How did you know?’’

‘’Just like its name implies, sweetscales love everything sweet. So it probably smelled the candy in your pocket and came after it.’’

‘’Oh…’’

I sit on the ground while the snake still curls around my arm.

‘’Do you want to come look at it?’’

‘’Are you sure it won’t hurt me?’’

‘’I promise.’’

The boy slowly climbs down from the tree and sits in front of me. He eyes the snake with suspicion, and the snake clearly gets excited about the sweets coming closer and tries to move toward his pocket.

The boy takes one candy out of his pocket, unwraps it, and reaches his hand out. In a second, the snake has devoured the candy and is already looming over his pocket.

‘’Hey! I already gave you one! Leave the rest of the candy alone!’’

I watch him trying to lecture the snake, but eventually, he gives it another one. Judging from his clothes, he’s a noble. His hair is brown and his eyes are blue, actually almost similar to Felix’s eyes. Maybe a little darker, but I can see the similarity.

In the end, the boy gives all his candy to the snake, and I can’t help but laugh a little at their small dispute. After that, the snake curls up in the boy’s lap, clearly satisfied.

‘’I didn’t know snakes were so greedy,’’ he says, trying to look annoyed, but I can see the smile behind it.

‘’Well, all animals usually are. It’s in their nature.’’

‘’Hm… I guess so.’’

‘’So what were you doing up in the tree in the first place?’’ I ask, a little curious.

‘’Hiding.’’ A little red colors his cheeks, clearly embarrassed.

‘’Hiding from who?’’

‘’My mom.’’

‘’Oh? What did your mom do?’’

When you want to get some information from children, it’s usually easier to start on their side first.

‘’She said I have to go on a playdate tomorrow.’’

A playdate? I try my best to suppress a smile.

‘’Oh, that sounds troubling indeed. Is it with a boy or a girl?’’

‘’A girl.’’ He spits it out like it’s venom. ‘’My mom wants me to get to know some girls that I could marry someday.’’

I know it’s customary for nobles to make marriage deals when their children are very young, but it’s strange that such a small child is forced to think about something that will happen years later.

‘’Can I ask how old you are?’’

‘’Nine.’’

‘’Have you met this girl before?’’

‘’No.’’

‘’You know, I have a little sister who’s seven years old, and it feels so weird to think she would have playdates with marriage in mind. So I understand that the idea doesn’t feel right. Marriage is something for adults, not for children.’’

He stays silent, petting the snake in his lap, so I continue.

‘’But playdates don’t have to mean anything. It’s a great way to just find friends. And the girl probably doesn’t want to think about marriage yet either. She’s probably just as scared as you.’’

‘’She is?’’

‘’It’s your parents who are deciding this, not her. So don’t be too mean to her when you meet her. She might be just as anxious about it as you are.’’

He falls silent again, so I keep talking.

‘’And maybe you can even show her the sweetscale. It clearly likes you.’’

‘’Girls are afraid of snakes.’’

Says a boy who was just a couple of minutes ago convinced that a snake was going to kill him?

‘’Well, some people are afraid of them, not all. But I bet if you show how kind this snake is, she’ll get over the fear. And not every girl fears them, like me. I didn’t. And I’m a girl.’’

He raises his eyes to meet mine, and I smile back at him.

‘’Do you think we can find the snake tomorrow?’’ He asks in shy voice.

‘’Well, I bet if you just take lots of candies with you, the snake will definitely find you guys. You can even do a little hunting trip in the garden, it could be fun. Try to find as many snakes as you can.’’

He smiles. ‘’Hunting snakes? Sounds more fun than playdates usually are. What about you?’’

''What about me?''

''Do you already have a husband in mind?''

''No I don't.''

''But you are an adult already, shouldn't you think about marriage?''

''Marriage is not in my mind at all. And luckily my parents aren't pushing me into one.''

‘’Max!’’

I hear yelling in the distance. The voice sounds vaguely familiar. The boy’s face clearly reacts to it, and he looks guilty.

‘’Are you perhaps Max?’’ I ask.

He nods slightly.

‘’Nice to meet you, Max. I’m Lorelia.’’

‘’That’s a pretty name,’’ he says with a smile.

‘’Max! You little rascal, you need to stop—’’

I freeze when I see Felix coming from behind the tree, and he freezes too upon seeing me.

‘’Lorelia? What are you doing here?’’

I don’t get the chance to answer when Max does it for me.

‘’She’s spending time with me, you idiot. So leave us alone.’’

Idiot? Are they relatives or something?

‘’Oh? When did you start being such a ladies’ man? Are you the same Max who just freaked out at the pure thought of having a playdate with a girl?’’

‘’Well, I didn’t want the playdate only because I knew I didn’t want to marry that girl, whoever she is.’’

‘’Max, meeting her doesn’t mean you have to marry her. It’s just a playdate.’’

‘’I know that now. And yes, I can see her tomorrow. But I will not marry her.’’

‘’That’s pretty confident of you. What if she sweeps you off your feet with just one glance? It can happen, you know, speaking from experience here.’’

Felix glances at me while saying that and winks at me. I feel a little thud inside my chest.

Max gets up, and the snake slides off his lap. ‘’That’s not going to happen, since I’m going to marry Lorelia.’’

My eyes widen in shock.

‘’What?’’ I say along with Felix.

‘’I want to marry Lorelia.’’

I’m just about to say something, but it’s clearly impossible to speak when these two are in full brawl.

‘’Are you trying to steal my woman? How bold of you.’’ Felix says.

His woman? I’m definitely not his. Or anyone’s, for that matter.

‘’She’s not yours,’’ Max says, turning to look at me. ‘’Right?’’

I’m about to agree with him, but once again Felix speaks first.

‘’Yes, she is. She’s one of the candidates, so she’s mine.’’

‘’That doesn’t make her yours, you idiot!’’

‘’For the millionth time, Max. I’m Felix, not an idiot.’’

‘’Idiot,’’ Max says, sticking his tongue out.

I really can’t understand what’s happening here. I kind of want to just shout for them to shut up.

‘’Your mother is worried about you, Max. So just come back inside. We can fight later.’’

‘’I’ll come, but just so I can tell my mother that I’ll marry Lorelia.’’

‘’You will not marry Lorelia! She’s like ten years older than you!’’

‘’It doesn’t matter. Mother is over ten years younger than Father.’’

‘’Okay, that’s it. We go now. I think it’s best we let Lorelia rest now.’’

‘’What? I’m not that exhausting to talk to!’’ Max yells.

‘’Probably not. But she has been running whole day in my mind, it must have been tiresome.’’ He winks at me again while saying it.

Felix grabs Max to his shoulder, and Max goes nuts, thrashing and cursing. Felix totally ignores him and walks in front of me.

‘’I’m sorry for my cousin. Don’t mind him. I hope he didn’t cause too much trouble.’’

So they are related. That explains the similarity in their eyes.

‘’No, he didn’t. I rather enjoyed talking with him. So don’t be too harsh on him.’’

‘’Enjoyed?’’ he asks with a raised brow and leans closer. ‘’So do I really have to be jealous? Is he going to snatch you away from me?’’

‘’What? No.’’

He looks pleased, too pleased. He smirks at me. ‘’So does that mean you admit that you’re mine?’’

‘’No! What’s wrong with you?’’

He just chuckles and straightens himself. ‘’Well, lucky for me, there’s still time for me to win you over. I can be very persuasive, you know.’’

‘’You idiot! Stop flirting with my girl!’’ Max yells in the background.

I just stare at Felix, too stunned to speak. Felix steps closer to me and brushes a loose strand of hair behind my ear. His touch feels once again too electrifying.

‘’See you tomorrow, pretty flower.’’

Then he turns around and leaves. And I just stand frozen, watching his retreating back, Max still thrashing on his shoulder. When they’re about to disappear around the tree, Felix turns to look at me and winks.

I just keep staring, having no idea what to think or do.

What the hell just happened?