by Aya Ling
"I didn't think I'd want to pass so much" she confessed. "But...but when I started preparing and saw how much I didn't know, and when I read the exam papers and there was so much I could have done but failed, I wish I had studied harder."
"I know," Valeria said softly. "Do you still want to go to the University?"
"It doesn't matter now. I failed."
"But the professors want to see you, dear. If you don't go and learn which questions you did wrong, then you will never learn."
Elaine sat up reluctantly. Her stomach was starting to growl, and though she never had a huge appetite, going without breakfast made her resolve weaken.
"Try the lobster soup." Valeria uncovered the pot, and a warm, savory smell permeated the room. "I had them add melted cheese and parsley on top. It's another recipe that an Amarantan cook sent me, and believe me, the entire kitchen was fighting for the last drop."
Elaine couldn't repress a small grin. She had plenty of experience witnessing the kitchen staff captivated by the food Valeria instructed them to make.
"I need to check on Charles, so I'll leave you to finish your meal." Valeria dropped a kiss on her head. "It will be all right, dear."
Elaine went slowly down the corridor, her head bowed. She didn't want to see the king, she didn't want to face the professors, she didn't want to see anyone. The first time in her life, she truly wanted something and it was denied to her.
A few courtiers stared at her when she went by.
"Look, it's the princess," one lady whispered behind her fan. "Isn't she a little beauty? Just like her mother. Goodness, I'd give anything to have eyes like hers. I wonder why Lady Wesley stopped tutoring her?"
"Didn't you hear? She wanted to study at the University. Apparently she wants to be a...a scholar."
"Heavens! The University? Fancy her going around in that awful black cloak and wearing spectacles!"
"Shhh...she's looking this way now."
Were she not so down in spirits, Elaine would have made a rude face at them. But currently, she had no energy to respond. She pretended they were invisible and marched by, devoid of expression.
It seemed like an eternity till she reached the throne room. Inside, the king and his herd of advisers were waiting. Ralph was also among them, his expression compassionate. At least, as compassionate as he could look. He had long ago learned to repress his feelings and rarely showed emotion. Being rigorously trained to be the future king had a huge impact on him. Were it not for Valeria, he would have smiled much less.
"I...I'm here."
"Elaine." The king gestured towards several men dressed in black University cloaks. "These are the professors who graded your exam. Professor Samuel, professor of literature; Professor Ingles, who teaches history, and Professor Albert, who teaches mathematics."
Elaine twisted her fingers and cast a glance at the professors. All of them seemed extremely tall and menacing and intimidating.
Samuel, who had wild unruly hair that surpassed James in untidiness, brandished her paper in the air and slammed it on the table .
"Princess Elaine," he said, staring at her with eyes as round as saucers. "Do you realize what you wrote for your exam?"
Elaine repressed the urge to stick out her tongue. "Yes."
"This is unacceptable. Not only is your handwriting barely legible, but your content is worthless! Besides, you only wrote two paragraphs!" He huffed and sighed and shook his head. "Honestly, children younger than you can write better."
"There wasn't enough time," Elaine said indignantly, stung by his attitude.
"Hmph." Ingles picked up her paper. "Half of the dates are wrong, and you failed to describe the final battle in detail. The Great Wars were ended by Lady Matilda, not Lord Darwar. I must say that this paper is insufficient. I cannot give it a passing grade."
Elaine didn't even need to look up to know that the math professor, Albert, was displeased as well.
"Seven problems completed." Albert folded his arms and looked down at her; Elaine could feel his contempt radiating towards her in waves. "Out of twenty problems. Your Majesty, Headmaster, I believe this leaves no room for doubt of the princess's capabilities."
"Elaine," her father spoke. He paused, as though weighing his words carefully. "I understand that you have a strong desire to go to the University. But this is not child's play. The professors have made it clear that your exam results are much lower than average. Even if we let you enroll, it is unfair towards other students who have failed and were barred from entry."
Elaine wanted to say that it was also unfair that she never had a proper academic education in the beginning, but she stared at the ground instead. Whatever protest she made, she wasn't going to be admitted into the University.
Thane cleared his throat. "Many University pupils drop out after a few months; either they find the coursework too demanding, or their grades are simply too low for them to be allowed to continue further. Therefore, I suggest that the princess return to her lessons with Lady Wesley. Trust me, her life will be much easier that way."
No! She did not want to be tutored by Lady Wesley.
"She can try again next year," Ralph said.
"And what makes you believe that she will pass next year?" Samuel said. "Do you honestly expect that the princess, who has caused nine governesses to leave, will have the tenacity to study for the exam?"
Ralph glared at him briefly, but did not reply. With a pang, Elaine recalled the numerous lessons she skipped when Ralph still had time to oversee her education.
The door creaked open.
"Pardon me, Your Majesty," a royal guard said. "Lord Simon requests entrance."
Simon had been a University student, but now worked as a research assistant. He had once courted Ari briefly.
"Let him in."
A tall young man entered the throne room. Unlike most University people, Simon took care with his appearance. He was well dressed in a suit of high quality velvet, his face was shaved and his hair neatly combed.
"I have a message from Professor Hugo," Simon said. "It concerns the princess."
Albert's eyebrows shot up until they disappeared behind his bangs.
"Hugo? What could he want with the princess?"
The king unfolded the note and read it. His eyebrows also shot up, though not indignantly.
"'Princess Elaine has demonstrated an amazing mathematical talent,'" he read out loud. "'Despite lacking formal training, she has displayed a remarkable creativity in the process of solving math problems. Even though she only had time to complete several problems, I can see that she has serious potential. A shame it would be if she was not given a chance to study at the University."
Elaine's eyes grew bigger and bigger. Was she dreaming? Was the eminent professor, whose plaque hung in the University hall, saying that she had serious potential?
The corner of Ralph's mouth curved. The others looked thunderstruck.
"But..." Albert spluttered. "But..."
"You question Professor Hugo's judgment?" Ralph said. Elaine could have jumped up and hugged him.
"So what if the princess has some aptitude for math?" Samuel said scornfully. "Even a genius will only become mediocre if he fails to put in the hours. Do we trust that the princess will be industrious enough to work hard?"
"Yes," Elaine said. She felt like sticking out her tongue, but resisted. This was no time to be cheeky.
"Well?" Ingles said impatiently. "Are we going to admit the princess, or not?"
The king cleared his throat. "Let the headmaster decide. After all, he is the one in charge of the University."
All the professors looked towards Thane, who seemed rather unwilling to make a decision. After a few moments, when he could no longer avoid replying, he pulled on his beard and spoke.
"Since Professor Hugo, one of our most distinguished professors, has expressed his opinion that the princess has shown potential, I believe that she should be given a chance," Thane said slowly. "But I do not w
ant to dismiss other professors' opinions either. If the princess fails the final exams in the end of the school year, she must leave then. No other excuses will be allowed."
Elaine's heart leaped. "You mean...I can go? I can go to the University?"
Thane frowned. "You're welcome to change your mind."
"No!" Elaine jumped up and grasped his hand. "Thank you, thank you! I'm sorry I used to call you a doddering old fool..."
"What did you just say?" Thane narrowed his eyes.
"That you are the most wonderful educator in the world and that Papa should award you a medal," Elaine quickly said. If she wanted to stay at the University, she had better remain in Thane's good graces.
"Elaine." King Ronald gave her a half-exasperated, half-resigned look.
"Well." Samuel stood up. He still wore a displeased scowl. "I still think you are making a mistake, Thane, but it is your decision. I leave the matter in your hands."
Albert also got up. "Prepare yourself, princess. There will be no concessions this time."
Elaine barely heard him. She wanted to jump, she wanted to shout, she wanted to climb to the top of the tower room with a bullhorn and announce that she was now a University student.
Little did she know that she would come to regret her decision. Soon.
Part Two
CHAPTER SEVEN
Elaine cracked an eye open; sunlight was streaming in the window. The bell tower was chiming–eight counts in total, signaling it was now eight o'clock. She should have been up long ago! Classes started at eight o'clock sharp!
Why didn't anyone wake her? She normally got up at least past nine, sometimes even ten, so no wonder she overslept. Besides, being super nervous and excited the night before didn't help. She had lain awake in bed, watching the stars in the sky and wondering what her first class would be like. It would be challenging, no doubt, since it was already two weeks into the new semester, but she'd manage. She had to.
Elaine sprang out of bed and got dressed. She slipped into a simple blue frock and brushed her hair. Over the frock, she threw on the black University cloak. It was too long, swathing her completely, even though it was the smallest size available.
The princess leapt out of the window. Using her blanket-rope, she hit the tree and shimmied down the trunk. The end of her cloak caught on a branch and ripped, but she barely noticed. She couldn't waste time going through the corridors–which would certainly be crowded with servants hurrying to and fro. It was much easier to slide down the tree to the ground.
She had to take a shortcut–she was already late!
Elaine raced across a courtyard and made an abrupt turn into a narrow alley between the keep and the stables. So intent she was that she didn't even see someone coming in her direction, and bang! She ran head first into a solid human wall.
"Ow!"
Cold water splashed over her head and shoulders. Her cloak was drained completely. Due to the impact, she was thrown backwards and landed on the ground in a hard bump.
Her hair still dripping with water, Elaine pushed the wet locks out of her face and looked up.
"I'm sorry! Are you all right?"
A young man who seemed around fifteen or sixteen towered over her. Elaine blinked. Twice. He was not exactly good-looking, or rather, his features were distinctly un-Rivieran. Almond-shaped eyes the color of violet-blue, giving him an ethereal look. Midnight black hair curling on his neck in a feminine style. Yet considering his frame, broad-shouldered and lean and wiry, he did not look feminine at all.
"Who're you?" Elaine gazed at him, her mind running through all the servants in the palace. Even if she tried to slip away in required events and functions, she was sure she couldn't forget such eyes like his.
"I have just arrived from Tintagel."
"But...you don't look..." Tintagel people were normally blond and blue-eyed.
A dark look flickered in his eyes briefly. "Let me fetch you a towel."
"Andre!"
Maurice, the steward, stalked over to them, his arms folded over his chest. A large bulky man with a broad face and beady eyes, his booming voice echoed over the courtyard. Courtiers and servants who were passing by stopped and stared at them curiously.
"Boy! What did you do?" Maurice yelled, spittle flying from his mouth. "Your first day here and you dumped your buckets over the princess?"
"I'm sorry, Master Maurice." Andre made a low bow. "My deepest apologies, Your Highness."
"You had better be sorry," Maurice snarled. "Go and refill the buckets this instant! Let's see...you have one hundred buckets to carry today? Well, you're not stopping until you carry two hundred. And no dinner for you tonight!"
"Wait," Elaine said, alarmed. "It was my fault, Maurice. I ran into him."
"Princess!" Maurice's expression changed in a flash when he turned to her. Now he was all sunshine and roses; his smile was so wide that it seemed to reach his ears. "Don't you worry, you're the one drenched. Henrietta! Fetch the princess a towel."
A maid, who was scurrying past with a basket of laundry, quickly nodded. "I'll be back soon."
"Why don't you return to your room, Princess?" Maurice said, pointing to the tower. "I'll make sure that Henrietta catches up to you."
Elaine would have liked to refuse, but she couldn't. Much as she liked to disregard rules, she couldn't go to class in her bedraggled state. A small puddle had formed around her feet, and not a stitch on her was dry. A gust of wind came up and she sneezed.
"Your Highness!" Maurice waved his arms up and down like a windmill. "Please go inside immediately! The king'll have my head if you catch a cold!"
Elaine got herself dried and changed into a new dress. The University cloak being drenched, she simply handed it to Henrietta and asked the maid to hang it up to dry. She didn't want to imagine what the professors might say, but she couldn't very well miss the first day of school. She ran to the University as fast as she could, huffing and puffing, her mind filled with dread.
Wonderful. Her first day of class, she was facing her worst subject, and she was late. Could the day have started off any worse?
By the time she arrived, it was already a quarter to nine. She was out of breath, her hair still damp and clinging to her neck. Lady Wesley would be appalled if she saw her right now.
Elaine pulled out her schedule and read: double Tintagelese, second floor, room B. She raced upstairs, pattered down the empty corridor, and arrived at the classroom.
And found it locked.
Was there a mistake? Elaine checked the wooden plaque hanging over the door. She pressed her ear on the door; someone was speaking Tintagelese in a loud, bossy tone. It couldn't be the wrong classroom.
"'Tis the professor's habit," a voice came behind her.
Elaine jumped. A maid holding a feather duster surveyed her with sympathy.
"He always locks the door when the bell finishes striking. Hates tardiness, that he does. Better wait till the class's over."
She went away, leaving Elaine standing rather foolishly in the corridor.
With a sigh, the princess sank on the floor, knees drawn up to her chin, and buried her face in her knees. She already missed her very first lesson. What a way to start school.
Minutes later, she began to fidget. It was awfully boring, sitting there with nothing to do. Besides, how much of the class she was missing already? She already had too much to catch up on. But she couldn't leave, lest the bell rang. She couldn't miss her second lesson.
Elaine stood up. It wasn't her fault she was late; it was an accident. On an impulse, she withdrew one of her hairpins and inserted it inside the lock.
Seconds later, she opened the door and stepped inside.
A pencil dropped on the floor.
A tall, gangly man with a curly mustache and wearing a monocle was staring at her, his eyes seeming to bulge from the sockets.
"Who...who are you?" the Tintagel accent in his tone was apparent.
Elaine curtsied. "I'm sorry, Monsieur.
I am Elaine Leventhorpe, and I want to say--"
"Mademoiselle!" His voice rose several pitches higher. Instantly, his shocked expression turned to one of fury. "In the thirty years I have taught here, I have yet to encounter a student who has the audacity to arrive so late! Do you realize that class has begun fifty minutes earlier?"
"I can explain," Elaine said quickly, trying to offer what she hoped was a winning smile. "You see, I ran into someone on my way here, and--"
"I do not wish to hear your excuses, Mademoiselle! Since you look in perfectly good health, there is no reason you should have been late, much less OPEN the door when it's locked! How did you get in? Who did you ask to help you?"
Elaine held up her hair pin. "This. I came in by myself."
Intakes of breath from her fellow classmates.
Monsieur still looked murderous. "That will be enough, Mademoiselle. You have showed utmost disregard for rules--not that I am surprised, hearing that you tried to sneak in the school disguised as a boy. Go and stand in the corner," he pointed with a long bony finger, "and you will remain there during recess AND for the next hour as well."
Elaine bit her lip. It was no use arguing further; he might change his mind and refuse her entry. She couldn't afford to make enemies on her first day of school.
Slowly, she trudged to the corner, only to slip and fall. The soles of her shoes were still damp and slippery. Her face and elbows smacked on the floor in a most undignified manner.
A snicker came from a classmate. Followed by another. Red-faced and humiliated, Elaine quickly got up. She would have dearly liked to take off her shoes and throw them at her fellow classmates, one by one.
It was the longest ten minutes she had ever endured. She could feel the gazes of her fellow classmates on her--curious, amused, contemptuous. It would have been easier to bear it if she wasn't standing, facing them all. She didn't like Tintagelese--she was always rubbish at languages, her own native language included. And now, it was ten times worse that she was taking the class while standing in a corner. She could feel tears welling up in her eyes, threatening to spill down her face.
