Miya sat on the tree trunk near her window. It was not a very comfortable place but it had been her favorite place since she was a child. She was almost absent-minded when she saw a horse-drawn carriage with a long entourage entering the north gate of the academy. The girl rose up fully from her dream and paid close attention to who was the creature that came with such a large group of marching army to an academy.
Digu and Cyclops saw the same thing through the thicket. They watched in silence while occasionally glanced back at Miya who was sitting on the tree trunk.
"I know the family who owns that carriage," said Cyclops. Digu stared at him, frowning. "You don't even want to leave the mansion, how can you know a family just by looking their horse carriage?"
Cyclops looked at Digu then shrugged his shoulders, "my people are well respected in their kingdom."
Miya squinted when she saw her mother in her green dress come out of the large door of the academy building. The woman walked with a big smile to the front porch. She seemed to be waiting for the group to arrive.
"The Sadyr's are finally here, huh." Miya held back her scream when suddenly she heard Aden's voice next to her. She turned to find the man already seated, smiling at her.
"What do you mean?" Miya asked.
"The Sadyr family. The ruling family of the eastern kingdom. They're well known with their parties and joyful upbringing. They give their children the best private education in the land and never have I heard a single generations of them lacks any attitude. Looks like my uncle and aunt ultimately want their children to go to academy huh." Aden said.
"I only know the Sadyr family from the books I read in the library. And have only ever seen the face of Royal Highness Ryunard in the Corridor of Kings and Queens of All Territories." Miya said as she turned her head and found a little girl in a dark blue dress getting off the horse carriage. She saw a strange thing that she had never seen before. "Wait, why is that girl veiled?"
Alucard narrowed his eyes at the little girl who was bowing respectfully to Madam Evangeline. "The Sadyr family really dressed her like that, huh?"
"What do you mean?"
"That girl is keeping her identity before her debutante night. Her face, name and voice can only be known by her family before she turns fifteen."
"That's crazy."
"I know. But they really keep that ancient tradition until now, it's ridiculous."
"So we can't tell her face at all? Her name and voice? Then how can she make friends?"
"That girl doesn't need friends. She just needs to study until she graduates from here."
"Well, I think she needs a friend."
"The Sadyr family likes to control all aspects of the lives of each of their younger generations. Especially the people they make friends with. Maybe you and I will easily fit into their circle. But other kids who don't come from famous aristocrats won't get the attention of their families."
"Sooner or later, the Sadyr family's perception will disappear too. Their daughter is studying at the only academy that accepts students from all over the region. And has a scholarship program for the unlucky talents," Miya said as she jumped down and walked towards the meeting place of the Sadyr family and her mother. Aden also fly down and landed perfectly and rushed to balance his steps so that he was next to Miya.
Madam Evangeline bowed respectfully to Her Majesty King Ryunard and embraced her best friend, Her Majesty Queen Odeta. "I believe you two came a little late, didn't you?" Said Madam Evangeline as she gaze upon the little veiled girl who looks a little bit too old to start her studies at the academy. "You should've brought her after her seventh birthday."
"Oh, no, no. We believe our daughter can catch up with everything easily." Said Ryunard with a proud smile at his daughter.
"We have already given her a private class at the palace. Our daughter can continue to study privately like tradition says. But she chose Nayra Academy as her next level of education." Odeta said.
Madam Evangeline looked at the little girl who seemed curious about her new surroundings. It felt as if the woman wanted to take off the dark blue veil that the girl was wearing and told her to play with the kids her age in the academy garden. But she quickly undo it. She had to respect the Sadyr family's tradition of being a little extreme for a child as young as that girl.
"I know, your academy has very strict rules of uniform and manners." Said Ryunard, "but can you give our children a little relief. This is for the sake of continuing our tradition." He said again.
Madam Evangeline smiled, "I have great respect for every tradition and custom of every family. We will make sure that the princess will feel right at home."
Ryunard and Odeta smiled happily as they clapped their hands in gracious laughter. Madam Evangeline saw Miya and Aden walking over quickly. "I'm sure you know Young Master Aden." Madam Evangeline said as she reached out her hand to the two teenagers who were present in their midst.
"My dear Aden!" King Ryunard exclaim while bowing respectfully along with his wife on Aden. "It's an honor to meet you here." He said.
"Please, uncle. I told you that you don't have to bow like that to me outside my castle. My mother will definitely be very upset." Ryunard laughs at Aden's outrageous modesty. Even if that man came from the Sadyr family who known to be a family that likes outrageous traits.
"And who is this?" Odeta asked when she found a girl next to Madam Evangeline. "She's my daughter. Miya."
"Miya." Odeta repeated with a smile and nodded at Miya's respectful bow to her. "I heard a lot about the Sadyr Family. It is an honor to meet you in person."
"I hope what you hear is about our liking for parties." Said Ryunard who laughed at his own joke.
"Why don't we go in and have tea first, you guys must be tired." Madam Evangeline said to the two king and queen, who actually didn't look that tired.
"Oh, of course." Ryunard said as he waved his hand at the group that had come with them tothe academy and followed Madam Evangeline. "I hope you don't mind. We want to stay and see the coronation of the Soldiers of the Light."
"Of course, of course. I will immediately ask the maid to prepare rooms for you and your entourage."
Odeta turned to her daughter and smiled, "Honey, do you want to come with mom and dad or with senior Miya and senior Aden?"
The girl was stunned for a moment as she looked at both sides. For a moment after she paused thinking about it, she immediately pointed at Miya and Aden. Odeta smiled and let her daughter walk towards Miya. The woman waved her hand. A lady came to her side and bowed respectfully. "Can I help you, madame?"
"Take care of the princess for a while, okay?"
"My humble apologies, Her Majesty the Queen," interrupted Aden, "but it seems unnecessary." Aden said again. Odeta raised her eyebrows and said, "Why is that?"
"We will not leave the academy grounds and will probably just sit in the canteen or at Madam Evangeline's house. I am sure, Little Lady Sadyr will not be in any danger with us." Aden said firmly. Miya looked at Aden a little worried. Because it seemed that the boy had a plan he hadn't told Miya yet.
Odeta was silent for a moment, looking a little objected. But she immediately smiled and nodded, "If Young Master Aden has said that, what can I say?" She said in a friendly voice. She bowed respectfully then turned around and followed Madam Evangeline and her husband inside.
Miya turned to the little girl who was veiled beside her then asked for the girl's hand. The girl grabbed Miya's open hand and walked following her. "Where are we going?" Asked the girl. Miya was a little surprised because it turned out that the girl could speak well. She turned to Aden, making sure the man heard the little veiled girl cute voice too. Aden looked at her and nodded, indicating she was also aware of their situation.
"Where do you want to go?" Miya asked back.
"I want to eat canteen food." He said. Miya nodded and smiled then turned their way into the main academy building.
***
Madam Evangeline brought her two distinguished guests to her office in the Tower of Light, to the east of the building. She had asked the waiter to provide two plates of various cakes, a pot of tea and three cups.
The servants pulled out chairs for King Ryunard and Odeta then bowed respectfully and left. Madam Evangeline poured tea into Ryunard's cup then Odeta's and finally into her own. She sat on her chair and sipped the warm tea from her cup. Odeta did the same. The woman smiled when she knew the fragrance she recognized. "Of all the teas we've sent here, you still like this ancient one, huh."
Madam Evangeline smiled. "My tongue is not the tongue of the rich, Odeta." She said.
"I'm sure you liked at least one of the teas we recently delivered?" Ryunard raised his eyebrows, waiting for a compliment from Madam Evangeline's mouth.
"All the tea you sent are very good, indeed, Ryunard. But this one tea reminds me of home." Madam Evangeline smiled at the memory of her lovely childhood in her parents' old little house. With his two older sisters and the family's dog.
"I see. Didn't you visit them? I'm sure they want to see you."
"I have a lot to do here. The coronation of the Soldier of Light is approaching and Miya's clothes aren't finished. I plan to make the best dress for her."
"Miya has become your priority, I see." Odeta said with a smile, "when our daughter was born, we also made her our highest priority. I understand how you feel."
Madam Evangeline smiled and took a sip of her tea. "The letter from Beau's Palace came to me the other day." She said placing her cup back to the table. Ryunard and Odeta raised their eyebrows slightly in surprise.
"Beau wouldn't have sent a letter like that if it weren't such an important thing."
"Yes, the content is very important. It's about Miya and Aden."
Odeta blinked a few times, digesting Madam Evangeline's words. "Why does it feel like I know what the letter says?" She says, looking confused on Evangeline's calm appearance. Madam Evangeline chuckled as she placed her tea on the table and turned towards the table.
"Do you agree with it?" Asked Ryunard with a shocked face. "I mean the Beau family usually picks the fiancé from another aristocrat to strengthen their political power." But Ryunard sit back, reminded himself of the recent condition, "But seeing politics have collapsed since the festival, I guess King Beau will just listen to Aden wishes for now, isn't he?"
"This is good news, Evangeline. Why don't you look happy?"
Madam Evangeline turned to her two best friends, "because I'm not sure this is the right decision for Miya."
***