The morning drifted by in a blur, each class blending seamlessly into the next, my thoughts continuously circling back to Mara and Elira and the unsettling questions from last night. I tapped my quill lightly against my notebook, barely hearing the lecture our instructor droned on about regarding the historical significance of enchanted flora. Around , students scribbled diligently, unaware of my internal turmoil.
Beside , Riven squinted at the board, scribbling furious notes, the tip of his tongue sticking slightly from his mouth in concentration. I stifled a smile. At least soone was paying attention.
[You're obsessing again,] the system sighed inside my head, sounding bored. [If you're not careful, soone might mistake you for a real, caring human.]
"Shut up," I muttered under my breath, just quiet enough that no one heard. Except Riven, who glanced at curiously.
"You say sothing, Elyzara?" he whispered, eyes wide with earnest curiosity.
"Just cursing the gods for this boring lecture," I lied smoothly, and his lips twitched in amusent before he turned back to his notes.
The system snickered. [Excellent deflection. He suspects nothing.]
"Don't you have anything useful to say?" I hissed ntally, feeling my irritation flare.
[Define useful. Because from where I'm floating, all I see is a girl stressing over a couple of bloodstains. You realize your entire family bathes in blood regularly, right?]
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. "That's different. It's family."
[Family makes everything better, including homicide? Interesting standards.]
"Can you at least pretend to care?"
[I'm a cosmic entity trapped inside your head. My empathy levels are directly proportional to your entertainnt value, which right now is plumting dramatically. But, if you must know, your little maid duo aren't exactly ordinary servants.]
I straightened in my seat, suddenly more alert. "You actually know sothing?"
The system scoffed. [I know everything, princess. Rember? Omniscient being?]
"Then spill it already," I urged impatiently.
[Elira and Mara weren't just random recruits. Your dear mothers specifically selected them for their talents—particularly their skills in infiltration, assassination, and stealth operations.]
I froze, my eyes widening. "You're telling my two personal attendants are assassins?"
[Forr assassins,] the system clarified smugly. [Well, mostly forr. Apparently, retirent hasn't quite stuck.]
I glanced around nervously, making sure nobody noticed the sudden tension in my shoulders. Thankfully, everyone else was still engrossed in class. "Why didn't anyone tell ?"
[Your family probably assud you already knew. It's not exactly a secret—except, apparently, to you.]
"So that explains the blood," I murmured, thinking back to the shadowy splatters on their clothing. "But who did they kill?"
[Would you like the full list, alphabetically, or just last night's casualties?]
My jaw tightened. "Last night's, obviously."
[Just so idiots plotting against you. Nothing too interesting—low-level minions who fancied themselves revolutionaries. Elira and Mara handled them with brutal efficiency. Quite impressive, really. Ten out of ten would watch again.]
"You're sick."
[Pot, et kettle.]
I ignored its jab, turning my gaze thoughtfully back toward the instructor, whose voice had now beco white noise in the background of my thoughts. My mind was a chaotic swirl of emotions—gratitude, confusion, and a strange sort of relief.
"Why did they agree to serve , then? If they're so skilled, why be my attendants?" I wondered quietly.
[Because your parents are terrifyingly persuasive. And by persuasive, I an ruthless tyrants who probably gave them the choice between serving you or decorating the gallows. Plus, rumor has it, both Mara and Elira actually like you. Strange, I know.]
"That's oddly comforting," I muttered sarcastically.
[Or deeply concerning. Take your pick.]
I sighed heavily, slumping slightly in my seat. As much as their hidden pasts unsettled , it also reassured sowhat. Mara and Elira were far more capable than I'd ever imagined. With them around, the threats lurking in the shadows seed suddenly less intimidating.
Not that I'd ever admit it to them, of course.
The bell chid, shattering my thoughtful daze and sending a wave of relief washing through the classroom. Chairs scraped against polished wooden floors as students eagerly leaped up, grabbing their belongings. The excited murmurs and bursts of laughter filled the hallway almost imdiately, drowning out my lingering unease.
Riven stretched exaggeratedly beside , stifling a yawn. "I thought that class would never end," he groaned dramatically, shooting a sidelong glance. "You alright, Elyzara? You've been suspiciously quiet."
"Just pondering the complexities of existence," I replied airily, ignoring his skeptical expression. "You wouldn't understand."
Riven rolled his eyes. "Sure, whatever you say, Your Royal Mysteriousness."
"Hey! Wait up, you two!"
A blur of fiery curls and vibrant energy bounded toward us, practically vibrating with enthusiasm. Aria slid to a stop directly in front of , clutching a stack of ssy notes in her hands, her erald eyes bright with excitent.
"Did you see Professor Larkin's face when I asked about the magical compatibility between dragons and phoenixes?" she said, giggling. "I thought his head would explode!"
I chuckled softly despite my lingering worries. Aria had joined our small circle only days ago, but her boundless energy had quickly beco impossible to resist. Riven shook his head with feigned despair.
"Aria, I think your purpose in life is just to tornt that poor man," he said. "Do you even care about magical compatibility?"
"Not one bit," she said cheerfully, falling into step beside us. "But his reactions are priceless! Elyzara gets it, right?"
I smiled faintly. "Chaos can be amusing in moderation."
Aria grinned, nudging Riven playfully. "See? Told you she'd side with ."
Riven sighed dramatically. "Great, now I'm outnumbered."
We walked leisurely toward the dining hall, its grand doors already flung wide open, inviting the swarm of hungry students inside. The savory aroma of roast ats and fresh-baked bread wafted enticingly into the corridor, instantly lifting my mood.
Elira and Mara awaited us near our usual table, perfectly composed, their posture impeccable as ever. They greeted us with identical polite nods, though Mara's eyes sparkled with genuine warmth as they rested on .
"Good afternoon, Your Highness," Elira murmured, inclining her head slightly. "We trust your morning has been pleasant."
I hesitated, searching their carefully neutral expressions for any lingering sign of last night's violence. Finding none, I nodded slowly, my curiosity burning stronger than ever, though I kept my tone even.
"It's been interesting, certainly."
Mara offered a gentle, reassuring smile. "Interesting can be good."
Riven and Aria quickly piled their plates high with every delicacy available, chattering enthusiastically about nothing in particular. Riven cast frequent glances in our direction, his brows occasionally furrowing with mild suspicion as he observed our hushed interactions.
I ignored his silent questions, instead watching Aria animatedly wave her fork as she recounted another of Professor Larkin's priceless expressions.
"Honestly, Elyzara, you need to join us next ti," she insisted, eyes sparkling mischievously. "You'd absolutely love watching him sputter helplessly!"
"Maybe I will," I replied with a faint smirk. "Though I wouldn't want him to actually explode."
"Only emotionally," she agreed with mock seriousness. "Emotional explosions are the best kind."
Riven snorted, almost choking on his drink. "Remind never to get on your bad side."
"Oh, I wouldn't dream of emotionally detonating you, Riven," she laughed cheerfully. "You're too easy a target."
"Thanks," he muttered, scowling playfully.
I couldn't help but smile, grateful for the distraction Aria effortlessly provided. Yet even amid her whirlwind presence, my mind wandered, tugging insistently at the unanswered questions still swirling inside .
"You seem distracted," Mara observed softly, leaning closer. "Is there sothing else bothering you, Your Highness?"
"Just...trying to piece so things together," I admitted quietly, glancing aningfully at her.
Elira's keen gaze flickered toward . "If you require clarification, Your Highness, we're always at your disposal."
I hesitated, debating how much I wanted to confront right now, before finally exhaling softly. "Maybe later. For now, I'm just grateful to have you both."
Mara's smile softened even further. "The feeling is mutual."
I turned back to Aria and Riven, who were now engaged in an enthusiastic debate about which magical creature Professor Larkin feared most. Amusent blossod once again within , easing my previous tension.
Lunch passed in a pleasant blur of laughter and friendly banter, and by the end, I felt far more at ease. Riven and Aria headed off toward our next lesson, while I lingered slightly behind, walking beside Mara and Elira toward the gardens, allowing myself a quiet mont to reflect.
[You seem calr,] the system noted dryly, intruding upon my peaceful silence. [Less angst, more royal dignity. How disappointing.]
"Don't ruin it," I muttered under my breath, earning curious glances from my attendants.
Elira raised an elegant eyebrow. "Did you say sothing, Your Highness?"
"Just arguing with myself again," I sighed, shaking my head ruefully. "Don't worry about it."
"Very well," she said calmly, clearly unconvinced but choosing not to press further.
We entered the gardens, their lush greenery and blooming flowers instantly calming my nerves. The afternoon sunlight filtered through the leaves, creating intricate patterns of light and shadow across the pathway. Birds chirped happily, oblivious to the complexities of royal intrigue and hidden secrets.
"Your Highness," Mara spoke softly, breaking my contemplation gently. "About earlier... If there's sothing troubling you, please don't hesitate to speak openly. Elira and I serve you not only as your attendants but as those who genuinely care."
I hesitated, glancing between the two won who had so skillfully hidden their lethal capabilities behind gentle smiles and graceful gestures. "Do you ever regret the things you've done?" I finally asked quietly.
Mara paused thoughtfully. "Regret is complicated. Sotis necessary actions weigh heavily, but in the end, our loyalty to you makes any burden bearable."
Elira nodded silently in agreent, her expression softening. "Serving you has brought aning beyond duty. We chose this path willingly."
Their sincerity eased my lingering uncertainty, quieting the restless thoughts that had plagued since last night. "Thank you," I murmured sincerely. "It ans more than you know."
Their smiles deepened warmly, genuine affection shining through their usually composed expressions.
Our peaceful stroll ended abruptly as Aria's familiar, exuberant voice echoed loudly behind us. "There you are! Riven's convinced himself you were kidnapped or sothing equally dramatic. Honestly, Elyzara, you need to stop disappearing like that!"
"I didn't disappear," I sighed, turning to see her bounding toward us with limitless energy, Riven trailing sheepishly behind. "I was just taking a walk."
Aria linked arms with imdiately, undeterred by my weak protest. "Next ti, at least give us a warning! We can't have the crown princess getting lost."
"Or kidnapped," Riven muttered, still eyeing suspiciously.
I rolled my eyes. "I'm perfectly safe, I assure you."
Aria giggled delightedly, tugging along toward our next class. "Good! Because I'd hate to have to storm so villainous lair to rescue you."
"I don't doubt you'd succeed," I replied dryly, unable to suppress a smile at her enthusiastic determination.
Riven sighed in mock defeat. "Aria, I worry about you more than Elyzara sotis."
"Oh, don't pretend you don't love it!" she laughed happily.
Together, the four of us walked forward, leaving behind shadows of uncertainty and tension for at least a little longer. My questions remained unanswered, yet strangely, I felt content to wait. For now, surrounded by friends and loyal attendants, the complexities of hidden truths could wait for another day.
[Sentintal much?] the system teased lightly, amusent evident.
"Be quiet," I murmured, unable to hide my smile.
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