"We need to talk"
"No" He replied as he started to shut the door.
"What? Why?"
"Because it's too late. We can talk about it tomorrow. I'm tired and I want to sleep. Good night"
"Please. Just hear me out. Just once. I promise I'll not bring this up ever again. Please"
"Fine"
He let me in and asked me to sit. I started explaining.
"I know why you said it. I know the real reason you don't want me to go to the Academy. Do you really think I won't be able to protect myself?"
"What reason are you talking about?" He asked.
"The....thing...the creature. The starseed gone rogue." His eyes widened with shock.
"Verina told you?" He sounded furious.
"Verina showed us." I replied.
"Us?" He asked.
"Eva and Rio know" I replied.
He said nothing but was visibly enraged. He was trying to stay calm. I felt like I just betrayed my aunt in a way but I had to. I hoped she would understand. We sat there in silence for a few minutes.
"You didn't answer my question" I broke the awkward silence.
"Yes Val. I don't think that you will be able to protect yourself from an insane element conjurer. You'll be safer here. With all the guards and security. There will be a dozen of Royal starseeds and other students there. Rio and Eva won't be able to do much except protect themselves. I didn't want to send any of you but Rio is the crown-prince and Eva already is a year behind."
"Hmm. Honestly this makes me sort of happy. I feel like the favourite child right now" This made him smile.
"I'm sorry for how I behaved this morning but can you tell me why do you think that I can't protect myself? Yes I don't have any element but neither did the villagers who survived"
"Out of a village of hundreds only 7 people survived. That's hardly a strong case Val."
"True. But don't you think that if I don't have an element it becomes even more crucial for me to go to the Academy? I need to learn how to fight and be independent" I said.
"Errago could teach you that" he said.
"Yes he could. And Cilaiya could continue teaching me lessons of history and art and other things. But there isn't going to be someone my age who I could fight, compete or learn from. I'll always be protected and that wouldn't make me strong. What if one day I had nobody to protect me? What if....hypothetically I have to protect myself? Or even prove myself. The Academy has been my dream. I have always wanted to study in its huge library and combat in it's grounds and make bonds that I cherish for a lifetime. I don't want to be a Princess without a purpose or even the Princess who missed out on her education just because she didn't have an element. Please! This Palace makes me sick. The court makes me feel sick. People judging me everytime just because I'm not normal. I just want to prove myself. That magic doesn't define me. That I'm a starseed and will always be. Please!" I hadn't realized but I had started crying at some point in my speech.
"Fine. I'll think about it" he said.
I screamed and hugged him out of joy.
"I said I'll think about it" he said as he tried to act strict.
"Oh common. You went from a complete 'no' to a 'maybe' in 14 hours. I'm sure I can take you to a 'yes'" I said.
I wished him good night and left.
The next morning he called all of us to his study and said that I could go. I, Eva and Rio were elated. We would finally go to the Academy.
"But there is a condition. Verina will be going with you and I won't hear any 'buts'. It's all decided and Verina is fine with it"
"I'm actually not but I don't have a choice. This is my punishment for trusting the three of you. I thought you were my blood Val! And now look. I'm your babysitter! Not that I mind it but you could have given me any kind of warning!"
"Sorry aunt Verina". I tried to act cute but it never worked on her. It's as if she could read my mind.
"Not working Val. Get ready. We leave tomorrow. "
Yes! Finally!
"But there is a small problem" Uncle Vas spoke " Val you are a Princess so technically they should assign you to Tier I. But I'm afraid that because you don't have an element they might assign you to Tier II. Also it's not just because of the element. It's also your curriculum. If you have a combat based curriculum they'll assign you into Tier II. So why don't you choose non-combat based subjects? That way we can negotiate with the Headmaster."
I had forgotten about this. The Tier system. Each student upon their arrival in the Academy was assigned a specific Tier.
Tier I were elites and Royal starseeds. Even legitimate starseeds. Their training was basically divided into element conjuring and mastery and other subjects like advanced Diplomacy and national relations.
Tier II were the children of nobles and Generals. They were taught Advanced Combats and weapons, war strategy and other common subjects like history, art, mathematics.
Tier III students comprised of general public who were smart or skilled in a particular field of academics. However Tier III also comprised of a few filthseeds. They too could weild elements but were frowned upon if they did.
Filthseeds were the illegitimate children of starseeds. Born out of wedlock with the humans who did not weild elements. And as almost all of the starseeds were rich and wealthy, their legitimate children didn't want to share their wealth with their illegitimate half siblings. And so after generations of monopoly they finally banned them from using or learning magic.
"I'm not giving up Combat. That's the one thing I want to learn the most"
"But -" uncle Vas started to protest.
"That is something the Headmaster gets to decide. But anyway I'll have a word with him. I'm a king after all." He said and dismissed us.
The three of us hurried back to our rooms and started ordering our staff to assemble our belongings.
I was happy. I was so happy. I rushed to Max's room to tell him and he too look relieved and happy. We would finally go to the Academy. All of us.
I didn't sleep that night. I couldn't. As soon as the first rays of the sun peaked through the window I got up and started getting ready.
I went to the gates of the Palace where we were asked to assemble and saw that everyone was already there. Eva, Max, Rio, aunt Verina, uncle Vas and Father along with few other members of staff and court.
I went and hugged dad and uncle. I was going to miss them.
"Take care of each other" I said to both of them.
"That was supposed to be what I was going to say" dad said.
"Yeah you should know this by now that I don't just steal desserts from your plate. I steal you're lines too" I said as I tried to hold back my tears.
Dad laughed and kissed my forehead. His eyes spoke what his words couldn't. They spoke about his concerns, his fears.
"Don't worry. We'll make you proud. I promise " I said.
"Oh darling. You three already have" he looked at all three of his children as he spoke"Take care of each other. Look after each other. And don't let Val finish the entire pantry" he said and everyone chuckled.
"Dad!"
"I love you three so very much" he said as he hugged the three of us.
"Now go. You'll be late" he said.
"Ready?" Asked Eva as she looked at me and Rio and we nodded.
I, Eva and Rio got on our horses and waved at everyone as we left.