"M-my lady!? Why would you waste your time on this plebian? Wouldn't you rather talk with someone with class?" Says one of the other boys in class.
"My, I was before you came over. Besides, if I cared about one's finances why would I talk to anyone here? You are all here under the aid of my parents and are below me in status." She looks at him with an annoyed smile as his eyes grow wide in embarrassment. "You are?" She smirks.
"Nevermind that, my lady. I m-must excuse myself now."
"Finally," she says turning to me, "I hate hearing about that stuff all the time. Be proper, have class, have wealth, status, power. I don't care about any of it, it seems so small minded!"
"I mean... it's not like it's inaccurate?" I say, a hint of a smile on my face.
"Alright. So is that I'm the only royal lineage, yet I must be wed to rule- our country doesn't do female leaders. If I get a husband who is easy to 'control', however, only then can I technically rule. Even if I don't want that power, I find that discrimination infuriating. Is that something else I should enjoy discussing? Political topics relating to power exhaust me. Discrimination exhausts me," She pauses her rant and looks around. This is probably not the place she actually wants to do this. I can't leave with her either, should I want to give her privacy to rant. Technically, I am still in class.
"But you... you don't exhaust me." She quietly states, so just I can hear.
"My lady," I start, "you will make an excellent ruler and Queen... and that you see all your subjects as human, shall that bring you wisdom and generosity." I give her a sympathetic look. She nods, a sad smile.
"Did something happen?" I whisper.
She nods, but doesn't explain.
Before long, the class is over. The others in my class all stare at me as she leaves, and a few who notice I saw look away. Whether they realize that in this fight we are all equals to the princess, or if they think I may be ahead; it doesn't matter. In the end, the princess isn't the one choosing. Her parents are. We need to excel, or give up.
I don't want to give up. It may be hard, it may be trying, but so is life. Not to mention, I like the princess. Not only does she give me hope for this country's future, of course, but as a person... as a person she shines. Her golden hair and crystal eyes don't begin to compare to the radiance of her smile, her charisma. I like her. I like her, but to have the audacity to think I could ever win... it's foolish, it's selfish. Honestly? I'm not even sure if I deserve to. If I didn't try though, that would be almost an insult to her, and that I can't do either. I'll continue to give it my all.