Love's Curse

One

Lessons were just wrapping up for the day. Saira had a lot of lessons. Magic lessons, defence lessons, strategy lessons, etiquette lessons and then some. She had to keep up her education if she hoped to succeed. But she didn’t mind too much. She loved learning. In her palace she had a huge library that stretched from floor to ceiling and was wall to wall with books as far as the eye can see and she would happily spend her free time trying to read them all. In fact, she was planning on heading there after class. She probably would have spent her hours buried in all the ancient pages had it not been for Axis intersecting her on the way there.

Axis was Saira’s best friend. He had been forever. In fact, they were so close they were practically siblings. Axis was training to be a warrior. Once he’d finished training, he would join the royal guard and be her personal protector. Not that Saira couldn’t look after herself. She always joked that she could easily take Axis is she wanted to. I think secretly deep down he probably agreed with her as they had yet to test that theory.

“Have you asked your parents about human school yet?” Axis had dragged her out to the castle grounds which they were currently strolling through.

Saira was distracted watching the firefly’s dancing. They were out early tonight weaving through the dusky sky. But after a poke to gain her attention, she had refocused. “Not yet. I’m pretty sure they will agree though. It’s tradition. Really I’m surprised it’s taken this long.”

“My parents are happy for me to go with you.”

Saira glanced sideways at him. “You’ve already asked them.”

“Well, I thought we agreed we were going to ask last week.”

“Fine, fine.” She sighed. “I’ll ask tonight at dinner. Are you going to be joining us?”

A smile lit Axis’s face. “Of course.”

They continued their pleasant conversation and stroll until it was time for dinner.

The meal was reaching its midpoint when Axis gently elbowed Saira in the ribs given her the nod to ask her question. Conversation had died off making it the perfect opportunity for Saira’s proposal.

“Mother. Father. I have something I wish to ask.” Her family were very formal. After all they were royals.

Acknowledging her daughters request her mother nodded. “Go ahead Saira.”

She smiled. “Thanks. I was hoping to ask if I may be able to attend school in the human realm from this fall.”

Her father seemed to engage at the mere mention of humans. There was no bad blood between the court and humans but more because they did not know of our true existence. A thought that everyone believed was for the best “And for what purpose do you wish to study in the human realm.”

Saira had been expecting this. “Well father, it is tradition after all. Mother and yourself both studied there as do many among our ranks. I feel it is important that I understand all encompassed in the lands that we care for and that extends to the human as well. It is far easier to do my duties after understanding as much as I can about its inhabitants.” She tried not to look down at the end of her speech, she had to appear confident, sure of herself although she was secretly fearful of her parents’ reaction.

But she need not worry. After a shared glance her father spoke. “I think that can be arranged. Of course, Axis will have to accompany you.”

“Of course, father. And he already has permission to attend.”

Her fathered chucked lightly. “I’d expect nothing less.” King Zephyr held huge respect for Axis after he had helped her out as a young child. It was part of the reason they were such close friends. Axis’s father although a guard was not highly ranked so had it not been for a 4-year-old Axis’s sweeping in to defend her scared 2-year-old self their friendship would never have had its opportunity to blossom.

Her mother interrupted Saira’s musings. “You must not forget our rules Saira. You may be travelling away from home but we still have expectation from you. You still have to keep up your royal education. This is not a time to throw away everything we have worked on.”

“I understand that mother.” Saira bowed her head in submission.

Queen Lantana nodded approvingly. “Saira, you are still destined to assume the thrown in 5 years. I understand this is important but regardless of what happens you will still be coming home to take up the thrown when you are 21. So please don’t let up your studies and responsibilities.”

Saira glanced up from the table meeting her parents’ eyes in turn. “I promise I will do my best.”

Her father smiled. “We know you will.”