Ill miss you.
Ill miss you, too.
Dont overwork yourself. Ilyana stepped back and Tori smiled helplessly as they stood beside one of the many carriages that lined the driveway in front of Lyce. It was the last day to move out of the dorms for the sumr and most students, especially the local ones, had already left.
Their rankings were posted two days earlier, at the start of the week, and imdiately afterwards, students began to leave. Ilyana and Tori began to pack, but neither would leave until the last day. The majority of Toris things, including her trunk, had already been sent to Auntie Lucias. The last two nights, she had been living out of a bag of spare clothes.
Tori was remaining at the dorm to keep Ilyana company until she left. Now, that day had co, and Ilyana had tears in her eyes and looked hesitant to leave.
Why are you crying? Youll be ho soon and can see your family, Tori said as she raised her hands and wiped away Ilyanas tears from her cheeks. And Ill see you in a few months. Well be roommates until we graduate.
Perhaps Tori wasnt as affected, having gone through a similar situation many tis before, in her original world.
Ilyana sniffled and nodded. I know....
Okay, okay, dont cry, Tori said, drawing Ilyana into her arms for another hug. Well talk all the ti, just like during winter break. You have to keep up to date on where you are, so I know youre safe. Ilyana nodded obediently.
Ill call. She pulled away and wiped her eyes. I need to remind you to rest. Youll just keep working if I dont.
Tori chuckled. Thats fair.
We ca to see you off, too. Henriks deadpan voice said to her right. Ilyana choked back a laugh and turned to the others.
Ill miss you all, too! Ilyana opened her arms to hug Sonia while the boys gathered around them and wished her a safe trip.
Do you have all the snacks for your trip? Ewan asked. Ilyana nodded.
And your carriage has blankets and pillows to keep you comfortable? Sonia peered inside to confirm and nodded, satisfied when she saw a small pile of pillows and a blanket folded on one of the seat benches.
We cant keep fussing over her like this, JP said with a small laugh. She has to get going or she wont make it out of the city by nightfall. Sonia rolled her eyes.
Its not even noon, she said with a snort.
Ilyana, keep practicing with your dagger, all right? Nanny Rey said as she embraced Ilyana. I will test you when you get back.
Ilyana nodded. Yes, Nanny Rey. Ill be diligent.
Tori looked over at the six bodyguards, who were the sa six that Tori hired in the winter. Two of the won were standing by the doors to the carriage and would be staying with Ilyana inside while the others would ride along on horseback.
Tori smiled at them and lowered her head. Please take care of Ilyana for us, she said. I trust her in your hands.
Of course, Lady Guevera.
It is our duty. We will protect Miss Agafonova well. Several voices spoke at once to reassure her. Tori looked back at Ilyana and motioned her head towards the carriage.
Ill see you in the fall.
Ilyana embraced her once more, barely holding back a muffled cry before she climbed into the carriage. One of the bodyguards closed the door as Tori stepped back and stood on the curb. The four bodyguards outside mounted their horses and Ilyana opened her window to wave at them.
Bye!
Have a safe trip! Tori and the others said as the carriage jerked forward and headed off to the northeast.
Why does this feel like were seeing our child off? Albert asked as he squinted into the distance.
Because she is our sweet Ilyana and shell be on a near month-long journey ho, Tori said. So, we worry and want her to be safe.
The bodyguards you hired in the winter are very good, Sonia told her as she put a hand on Toris shoulder. They were always with her and were thorough. Dont worry.
Tori let out a low breath and nodded. Nanny Rey gave her a warm smile. Ill go to the plaza to get a carriage to bring you to Lady Lucias house. Do you want to wait here with your friends? Tori nodded. The others were all locals and left earlier in the week. They only ca to see Ilyana off and it felt like a waste to part with them so soon. Nanny Rey told the others to wait for her and that if they needed a ride, the carriage could take them, too. The twins, who had ridden their horses, were fine, but Henrik, Ewan, and Albert would need to rent a carriage.
Thank you, Nanny Rey! Well wait for you! Ewan bead as the old woman turned and headed towards the plaza.
Tori looked over at her friends and grinned. So, are you all here to see off, too?
Well see you off when you leave for the delta, Henrik said. How long are you staying at your aunts?
Tori patted the overnight bag slung over her body. A few days. Im not going to the delta until next week. I have those lunches and that dinner to go to. Henrik, are you going to go with your dad to the Imperial Comrce Commission lunch?
Henrik let out a groan and tilted his head back. I dont want to, but I should.
Ill be there. You can co talk to .
Henrik gave her a knowing look. Arent you escorting His Highness?
She rolled her eyes as her friends smirked. I can escort Piers and still talk to you. Besides, the lunch is hosted by his uncle and Im sure Prince Emil will want to introduce more people to him.
Ill be there, too, Albert told Henrik. If you dont want to intrude, co find . Ill just be sitting at the table the entire ti, bored. Henrik gave him a confirming nod and Tori narrowed her eyes.
Wait, what do you an intrude? Tori frowned. How many tis do I have to make it clear that Im trying to help Piers et more people, and Im escorting him as a friend since Axton left for sumr training?
Several pairs of eyes looked at her with varying degrees of pity and exasperation. Tori, have you really not noticed? JP asked.
Toris narrowed eyes bore into them. I noticed Im still fourteen and dont have ti for what youre implying.
Does His Highness know? Sonia asked, tentatively. Her gaze moved towards the street.
Piers is very comfortable with our current friendship and respects my boundaries, Tori said as she lifted her head. We are just friends.
I know.
The hell! Tori jumped back as the familiar voice spoke. She whirled around and finally noticed the carriage that stopped beside them. With various carriages coming and going around the oval driveway, she hadnt paid attention to the most recent one that parked next to them. When did you get here?
Piers was looking out the window of an imperial carriage. Just now. He looked towards her friends and gave them a nod. Hello.
Good afternoon, Your Highness! Tori turned towards her friends with a tired look. Why did they always sound so awkward when greeting Piers? They were perfectly fine around Axton and they all pointedly ignored Gideon. Not to ntion that theyd gotten drunk in Piers presence.
Did you already see off Miss Agafonova? Piers asked as his eyes moved back to Tori.
She nodded. She just left.
I can take you to your aunts.
Tori shook her head. Nanny Rey already went to get a carriage. Were also dropping off Ewan, Henrik, and Albert.
They will fit! This carriage is very large. Nanny Rey pushed aside the curtain on the other side and bead.
Tori looked at her with disbelief. Nanny, what are you doing in an imperial carriage?
His Highness saw before I could get to the plaza and told hed take us. Co, my angel. This carriage is much more comfortable.
Piers tapped the side of the carriage and the footman jumped down to open the door. Toris lips tightened into a line and she looked at her friends.
Sonia raised her hands. Im not stopping you from riding with your friend. JP and Albert held back muffled snorts and Tori rolled her eyes.
All right, fine. Nanny Rey. Tori looked into the carriage. Sit on this side. Ill sit between you and Piers. She then turned to the three boys. You three. Get inside. And are you two going to follow us? She looked at JP and Sonia, who nodded.
Well be right behind you. They headed over to where they had tied their horses as Henrik, Ewan, and Albert climbed into the carriage and sat across from Piers. Tori prepared to pull herself up, only to have Piers grasp her hand and pull her inside. Tori pretended she didnt see the looks her friends gave each other as she took a seat next to Piers.
The door closed and they began to move, only to stop a few blocks from Lyce to let out Nanny Rey.
Since His Highness is with you, I know you will be safe. Nanny Rey looked towards Piers with a glint of warning in her sharp eyes. Please take good care of her, Your Highness.
Of course, Training Commander Reystrom, Piers replied.
Tori narrowed her eyes. Her beloved nanny abandoned her. She could only sit there, with an empty smile as the door closed and then the carriage continued towards the fifth district, where Alberts family lived.
What was your final ranking? Piers asked suddenly. Tori jumped. She didnt expect hed try to start a conversation. Before she could answer, another person did.
In terms of niche students, Im well above average this ti. Ilyanas review sessions really helped, Ewan said. Henrik elbowed him and gave him a look, as if asking what he was doing. Ewan looked confused to have been elbowed.
Thats good, Piers said. Everyone in the carriage, aside from Ewan, looked at him with surprise. Piers had a calm expression and sat back against the carriage with his legs crossed. Then youve improved. If you keep at it, you could be in the upper percentile amongst the niche students by this ti next year.
Ewan lifted his hand and rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. I can only hope. My parents are watching my scores closely.
Do you plan to go to La Garda after your second year? Piers asked. Ewan sat up straight and then looked down.
I dont think Im good enough to get into La Garda. His voice was sowhat quiet, as if both embarrassed and accepting of his fate.
You still have another year, Piers said. When Axton returns, you should take ti to train with him.
Ewans eyes went wide. Train with Sir Nassaun? I cant...hes so busy.
No, hes not.
Dont offer to lend him out without asking him first, Tori said with a roll of her eyes. She looked at Ewan with a gentler expression. Im sure Axton wouldnt mind occasionally taking ti to train with you, but first, well ask.
Ewan nodded blankly, as if unable to believe hed have a chance to train with Axton.
Piers looked over at the other two boys. What about you?
Your Highness, Ive co in at twenty-three and Henrik has co in at twenty-seven, Albert said. Ive jumped ten ranks and Henrik has jumped almost fifteen.
Ilyanas review sessions are very popular because she is so effective, Tori said, sitting up straighter as she bragged. The last review had a line waiting to enter the study room. It was the largest one in the dorms and it was full.
We had the door and windows open so people outside could listen. Albert seed just as impressed. If we werent in there reviewing with her before it started, we never wouldve gotten seats.
Our Ilyana ranked number one. Tori was in full boasting mode and didnt bother stopping herself. Everyone says that ranks slip in the last sester, but shes held on to it since our first set of review exams. Who knows, she may be like you and Kasey and enter Universit at number one, too.
Piers seed to smile softly as he listened to her brag about her roommate. And what about you?
Fourth. I shouldnt have gone whale watching....
Thats not bad. Master never reached the top five, to my understanding, Piers said.
Tori sighed. But Sebby entered and stayed in the top ten the entire ti. They continued the conversation with surprising fluidity. Piers was calm and collected; asking questions and giving his approval every now and then. Tori noticed the nervous air around her friends slowly relaxed.
She couldnt help but be a bit proud of Piers.
They dropped off Albert first. Ill see you at the comrce lunch!
Bye, Albert! Tori waved out the window as her friend walked to a large gate. Behind it was a rather large house that took quite a bit of land.
The Martins are an old aristocracy, Piers said, noticing her curious expression. This is their ancestral property. Tori nodded, distracted.
They dropped off Ewan and Henrik at the guild, and waved good-bye to the twins, then headed to the third district. Tori took the chance to get up and move to the now empty bench across from Piers. She caught his quizzical look as she sat down.
Why did you move?
More space. Tori looked out the window, pretending to be distracted.
You dont want to sit next to ? She didnt answer. Is it because you grabbed a few days ago?
I didnt grab you; the carriage hit a rock and I fell forward! Toris face heated up and she silently cursed him for reminding her of such a ridiculous, clichd mont.
A few days earlier, when she was suffering from a hangover headache, Piers had offered her two hematite stones to ease her pain. She had reached forward to take them from him when, like a scene out of a cheesy romance story, the carriage hit a rock or a divot in the road, or sothing, but whatever it was, it made Tori, who was already leaning forward, fall.
In an attempt to stop herself, she had extended her arms.
And had grabbed on to Piers. He had caught her in his arms and her face hit his chest. The impact was a bit hard and her first instinct was to rub her nose and make sure it wasnt bleeding. For a split second, she had forgotten that she landed on Piers and was essentially brushing up against him as the carriage continued along.
His strained voice asking her if she was hurt drew her attention and she had looked up, realizing how awkward their position was. She was draped across his body, with his legs on either side of her. He was frozen in place, wide-eyed, and a bit pale.
She had been horrified.
Tori had flung herself back across to her side of the carriage, stamred an apology and told him she was going to close her eyes for a bit before promptly pretending to fall asleep to ignore the situation. She had spent the rest of that day pretending she didnt almost accidentally molest the first prince of the empire.
It didnt hurt, he said, as if to reassure her. Youre very light.
She ground her teeth together. I still hit you pretty hard. Im sorry about that.
Its all right. I dont mind.
Yes, you did! You could barely talk; you were so tense! She silently scread. And just as importantly, she minded. Piers, she said in a firm voice. I am fourteen years old. Technically.
He gave her a nod. I know. Your birthday is on the first of the sixth month.
Is he counting down? Tori narrowed her eyes. I am only escorting you as your friend.
He nodded once more. I know. Youre not interested.
Thats right, Im not.... She tilted her head to the side and looked at him curiously. You know Im not interested? He smiled softly and nodded again.
I am happy to be your friend. You are dependable and listen to , he said. Axton gets annoying.
Tori bit her lips to keep from letting out a laugh. Axton is just looking out for you, she said, relaxing. I am, too.
I know, but you arent annoying.
Does Axton know you talk about him like this?
I tell him when hes in front of .
Tori pursed her lips. Axton has it rough. Well, Im glad we understand each other.
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