Mia was still angry a week later when Noriko came to visit. She, like my cousin, started wondering what I did to make her angry. Do all people think that I am always at fault? We were eating some sweet figs she brought from the neighbouring country, Odesos, which she visited with her family this past week. Her father was also in the royal council and had to pay a friendly visit and to attend some trade negotiations. I didn't know much about our neighbours. The south, west and north-west of Tracia are surrounded by the Ocean and the nearest to us is Foshenra, an archipelago, some hours by boat if you navigate south-west. Odesos, the country Noriko had visited is in the north, while Myrina, another country is in the east. We were at peace with them at the moment, but in my dream it was Myrina, with the help of another country, that declared war when I was in the senior section of high school. I haven't heard any rumours of conflicts between these countries, but I suppose that these aren't topics my father would talk about at home.
Noriko was telling me about the mountains she visited in the north and how you could see Tracia from one place, a high coast which was very popular with travelers. She also met one of the three princes of that country which, it seems, was mesmerizing. Sorry Arild, you will have to work hard. She heard that he will be studying at Spiritus when he will be 16, as an exchange student, to deepen the bonds between our countries. She hoped he would be in the same class as us, but my opinion was that any royalty should be avoided. They only created conflict, so, please, please, don't be in the same class as me.
"Prince Michael of Odesos is the youngest one of his siblings. He has two older brothers and one older sister, but I couldn't meet them. His oldest brother is already married and has a little boy. There are rumours that he will inherit the throne soon, after the king retires." Noriko informed me. "It's a pity that we won't be able to see the prince for some years, but maybe he will visit Spiritus soon. He really was dreamy. His eyes were a deep green while his hair was dark brown. And his smile was so warm and charming."
"It seems you quite fancy the prince of Odesos. What will our royal princes think about that?" I teased her. She blushed, but recovered quickly.
"It's ok to like them all as they all are as good looking." she informed me.
"They really do have a lot of fans. I guess it comes together with the prince title." I said.
"It's not necessarily the title, that they are royal. I think it's more their perfect facade that people like. The fact that they are true gentlemen, serious and untouchable." she explained and added. "But it doesn't look like you are a fan at all. More like you don't want to have any connections with them."
"And it's absolutely true." I laughed while Noriko was just judging my mind state. But I tried to explain. "First, I do not have any connection at all with any royals or nobles from other countries. And secondly, I just want to have the minimum number of encounters with the royals in this country. Just think about all the hate I would receive from their fans if I were to try to attach myself to one of the princes. It would be so tiring."
"But if it's you, Fredrika, I think that most of the fans would like it that way better than having someone inferior come and interact with them. You are the best choice for any of them. I'm surprised that there are no marriage discussions yet." She stated what she thought was obvious, but I did not agree.
"My father doesn't want to discuss his precious daughter marrying yet. My parents married out of love and I think that they wish for me to find someone myself too, although, secretly, they hope that I will end up with one of the princes. And about the best choice, I don't know. This is only in regard to status, but I think there are other important things than that. If not love, at least mutual respect should exist in a relationship. And it would be a tragedy for both the future royal couple and the country if the match is no good." I contemplated.
"You really do seem to have mature answers sometimes. Although most times you behave like a five years old." She added suspiciously. "Just don't marry a commoner!"
"What's wrong with marrying a commoner?" I asked, knowing exactly what was wrong. Noriko just rolled her eyes. It would be simpler to be a commoner, but on the other hand it would be more dangerous too and most of them didn't have enough power to change their destiny, or to make things better for this country. In the end, I didn't want to be a commoner. I wanted to try to keep the people here at least as happy and safe as my parents had over the years. I wanted to keep seeing the smiles that I saw at the festival and the atmosphere there which was contagious. In the end, it didn't matter whom I marry, I would still be Fredrika of house Braathen and I would live up to the name. I had to.
"You won't marry a commoner." Noriko predicted. "But I really wonder what the person who will sweep you off of your feet look like. Oooo , I'm dying with anticipation. He has to be gorgeous, of course, but also a gentleman. Maybe a little mysterious."
"Are you describing my type of person or yours?" I laughed.
"Hm… maybe both." she also started laughing. After talking and laughing about our imaginary future boyfriends, Noriko changed the topic to something more real. "Have you prepared some new dress for the next party at Spiritus? I would love to see it." She asked expectantly.
"Well, the party is in two days, so I expect mother has already prepared something, but I haven't seen it yet. That reminds me of something. There is someone I'm looking forward to seeing." I remembered that Damon promised he would come.
"Ooooh, someone that finally peaks Fredrika's interest." said Noriko, mocking me. "Who is it?"
After making sure she won't tell a soul, I told her about the festival and about Damon who could use magic and how he was too shy to come to any parties. I diluted the whole bully story so I won't worry her, but Noriko became pale when she heard my story.
"But it's all right now! My cousin made sure I learned my lessons and Mia won't go to town with me. The saddest part is that I won't be able to see Damon until school, besides these parties." She was still shocked and kind of angry at me. But I didn't expect her to say what came next.
"I suppose I'm not that surprised by your adventures. I mean, you always seem to want to see outside what people show you. And I'm not going to scold you or something like that, I actually know it won't make that much of a difference." she smiled softly and continued "but promise me you'll take me too next time."
"Out of the question!" I said immediately. Unlike Mia, and myself, Noriko was defenseless. She wasn't that interested in magic or fighting.
"Well, you will. Whether you like it or not. I'll stick to you like glue to be sure nothing actually happens to you." She looked at me fiercely.
"Not that I want to be rude, but if a situation like that at the festival will happen again, what will you do?" I asked her, actually being rude.
"If a worse situation had happened at the festival, what would you have done?" she turned it at me. "I know I can't use magic like you do, but at least, two minds are better than one, right?" she looked sincerely in my eyes and I could see that, in this short period, we became closer friends than I hoped.
"I guess I lost…" I replied to her and she nodded shortly and smiled at me.