Kady's Journey -Freesia-

Chapter 2: The High Priestess

"Kirov von Alcor, I was just wondering, are you in a relationship, Kady?"

I blinked at the audacity of this good looking imperial boy who is looking at me intently, "None, uhm, sir."

"Ouch! Shot down in less than a minute! A new record for our imperial retainer!" a familiar girl that I recognize as the field reporter who announced my results yesterday, "Mariya, Kady! Tell me, how did you manage to get a perfect score?"

I saw several eyebrows raised and the audible whispers of surprise from the rest of the class as her twin sister smacked her so hard she hit her head on her notebook lying open on her desk, "Good job, Mariya. It was supposed to be classified information, you dolt. Anyways, I am also wondering how you can get a perfect score because when I tried to answer that test, I just got forty."

"I think I just got lucky," I answered truthfully but like most of them, she does not appear to be convinced.

"If it's through sheer luck then I guess you must be lucky enough to evade even death? Olea von Feador by the way."

I just blinked at the girl who spoke bluntly. I know she meant no offense despite her tactless tone but I can't help but feel hurt by her question so I just forced a smile and nodded, "I guess you can say that, my lady. I was lucky enough to cheat death once years ago but it cost me a lot."

"This is a question and answer portion guys and gals, not interrogations procedure," a jolly-looking young man with noticeable grease on his hands, "Daryl von Colte, Kady. Do you want to be transferred to another section now that you know how convoluted our section is?"

"To be honest, yes. I just don't think I am worthy of being here in front of you all."

"Well, that's not up for discussion, for better or for worse, Ms. Groves. The Board of Trustees wants you in this section so you can have a first-hand experience dealing with future foreign leaders," Mr. Andrade said firmly as I glanced at him.

"To me, it sounds like they already know that I will somehow land a government job in the future, sir," I said carefully that made not only him but the class laugh.

"Well, the last scholar was now the President of this country. It's not far-fetched to at least hope that you in the future, will take at the very least, a diplomatic role. You can answer more questions later during your break. Go take the seat next to Ms. de Marillac. We will start our lesson now."

I heaved a sigh as I was finally let go by the teacher and head straight to the waving pop idol who even stood up and pulled the chair for me to sit on.

"Thank you..."

"Oh my! Oh wow! Oh, dear! How dare she keep you all to herself yesterday!" she said angrily that left me confused and bewildered, "Now what will I do with you now that you're in my hands?"

Our other seatmate coughed a little to get Belle's attention, "If you don't want to look more like a madwoman then save your weird gushings for later."

"Fine Marga. I will hold my enthusiasm. For now..."

"Well, now that Ms. de Marillac has calmed down, let's start our lesson shall we?" the teacher asked as he tapped the board behind him with his stick and to my surprise, it lit up and turned out to be a large led screen, "Let's all continue our lesson. Don't worry, Ms. Groves, I just taught them the primer yesterday. A taste, if you will, of what real strategy is. Not from an armchair general, mind you. The real deal."

I nodded as I pulled out my notebook from my bag and opened it before scribbling what I just heard from him.

"Most of you here came from nobilities or connected to them in one way or another. I am sure that several of you, especially the Kalalitans, know at least basic stratagems. But do you know that you can win a war before even firing the first shot? Anybody here can tell me how? Oh, but of course, Ms. de Marillac."

My seatmate stood up quickly and smiled mischievously, "Propaganda!"

"Exactly!" exclaimed Mr. Andrade as the board behind him showed the flags of the four nations, "Most nations use it internally but none so far in our history has any of the four nations use it outside their borders. More about it later, for now, let's call upon Mr. Dahl, Mr. Faulken, Mr. Colte, and Mr. Rodrigo. All of you please stand up and tell us all here what are the military doctrines of your respective countries starting with Maharlika."

"My father told me that our people excel at Guerilla and Anti-Infantry, that's about it," our boyish seatmate answered quickly before sitting down.

I looked at the first row and saw the Crown Prince of the empire answers next, "Surgical Strikes and Air Supremacy."

"Swarming and Saturation attack for the kingdom," Trevor answered confidently before sitting down like the ones before him after saying his piece.

"I seriously don't know why I was called but I heard from the old man that the dukedom prioritizes Absolute Defense and Bombardment," one of the two Riksentian nobilities here answered.

"You may sit down, Mr. Colte. I called you because according to diplomatic channels, you are the one being pushed to become the Grand Duke amongst the other candidate who is also with us in this classroom. Right, Ms. Tross?" the elderly teacher asked the vibrant girl in front of me who waved her hand as if a pageant candidate.

"Right, Mr. Andrade. However, Daryl and I are both woefully not fit for the position. Thankfully, between the two of us, he is the better one so yay!"

The greasy count groaned agonizingly while the rest of the class laughed at the banter between the two Riksentians.

"It is funny, yes. But you should refrain from divulging too much information, Ms. Tross. Especially when future heads of states are here with you. They might use that knowledge against your nation," warned the teacher as he tapped the board again and the flags are replaced by the huge words "Propaganda and its Effects to Strategy Warfare, "And that brings us to our main topic for today. Military doctrines have been recorded to fall apart against propaganda. Please write down the notes on how to counter and retaliate against this clandestine but highly effective strategy."

I began writing on my notebook as fast as I could while I noticed that the rest of my classmates are typing their notes on their laptops.

I decided to get my own netbook but I noticed that they are using an application that specifically assists automatic writing and voice recognition. I heaved a sigh and forget about typing on my computer and just do it the old fashioned way. 

Maybe I can ask our adviser on how to install that admittedly useful program that makes taking notes half the stress it usually is.

-0-

"What am I doing wrong?" I angrily asked my netbook when it refuses for the nth time to install the program that will help my note-taking advance to the present-day technology.

It keeps on stopping at 99.9 percent before stopping to respond at all. I was supposed to take a rest during our first break and eat but here I am all alone in our classroom doing nothing but staring at the blasted screen.

"Marga wants you to eat with us in the pantry."

I looked up and to my surprise, I saw Kyrus already standing beside me and looking down, "Uhm, I'm really sorry, uhm, your highness. As you can see I am rather busy installing the program."

"Move it."

He then pushed me out of my seat slowly and I stood up to let him face my computer. With a few seconds, he was able to root out the cause of my problem. Apparently the virus protection software is flagging the program as a threat so it is stopping its installation.

After a speedy loading, the program was finally working in my laptop and Kyrus quickly turned it off before standing up and nodded at me, "I'd rather not make Marga wait if I were you because that Maharlikan celebrity wants you there as well. Pack up now."

"Ye-yes, your highness.."

I swiftly shoved the laptop unceremoniously inside my bag and slung it in my shoulder. I ran after him as he got out of the room and into the corridor where several students are hanging around.

They are all pointing at us and whispering loudly.

"So that's the scholar?"

"Yes, girl! I heard from a friend of a friend that she scored higher than the current president of this country."

"No wonder she got catapulted to A-0!"

"Belle is all over her."

"Maybe she reminds her of her mother?"

"Rags to riches huh?"

"And she even got the Crown Prince of the empire as her escort! How lucky!"

"I'm jealous!"

"Well, our country is known for  producing exceptionally intelligent women once or twice every generation."

"President Lizzo and Ms. Madeline are on top of their careers right now. I wonder what will she be after her time here?"

"Who knows? But a friend from the kingdom said that their Crown Prince is awfully interested in her."

"Oh really?"

Kyrus slowed down so that we can walk side by side, "Oh, and another thing. I will just say this once. Drop the formalities, Kady. We are all students here and there's no need for titles. Got it?"

"Yes, your-- I mean, Kyrus."

"Hmph, you're quick on the uptake. Are you sure you're not a Scanian?" he asked without smiling as he looked at me as if sizing me up.

Before I can even answer, another boy walked to my side and I recognized that he is one of my classmates.

Small pointed nose, brown eyes, thin lips, and a matt of curly light brown hair. Yep, it's the Crown Prince of Kalalit smiling happily at me while at the same time, giving the stink eye to Kyrus who scowled at him in return.

"As if your pathetic excuse for an empire has the monopoly on intelligent people," he then offered his hand to me and I accept is and he shook it enthusiastically, "Trevor von Dahl, Kady. You caught my eye yesterday when you arrived here. An honor to finally meet you formally."

I smiled a little as we finished shaking hands but he won't let go of my hand, "The honor is mine, Trevor. Can I have my hand back now?"

"Can I have your hand instead?"

Before I can even react at his direct proposal, Kyrus faked a cough and shook his head disdainfully at Trevor, "I know that kingdom dogs are like in heat when they like someone. However, this is a bit too much, don't you think? Out in public, really?"

"Shut up, imperial swine. You might look like a cultured brat but we all know you are nothing but a boar in disguise. Leave the two of us be. Hop to it!"

Something changed in Kyrus' green eyes when he heard those words from the Kalalitan Crown Prince. I think I saw a glint of fury and menace underneath the calm exterior. 

He then grabbed my arm and tried to yank me away from Trevor, "It's best if you don't associate yourself with such vulgar and crude kingdom dog. It will hurt your future endeavors if you let yourself be tarnished by him and his people."

"Take that back, imperial swine," the one holding my hand said as he tightened his grip, "I swear I have more kill counts than you got teeth, Kyrus. Which won't be saying much after I knocked them all out when I'm through with you."

To my surprise, Kyrus laughed sarcastically as if to taunt him, "You're more than welcome to try, Trevor. That's if you can land even one hit."

"Can we just go to the pantry?" I quietly asked that made them both look at me slowly as I carefully pushed the two away from me, "Who knew that being technologically challenged can make someone so hungry. I swear I lost more energy trying to install that blasted application than in Sir Andrade's class."

I blinked meaningfully as I nodded at them before glancing discreetly around us where there are several students from other sections and years staring at our direction and waiting for the imminent smackdown to happen.

Thankfully they took my cue and nodded quickly at my suggestion.

I turned my back on them and started walking again. Kyrus caught up and walked silently at my left while Trevor is talking again animatedly at me once more.

"You know, I just noticed this morning that you are staying literally next door," the Kalalitan Prince said to me as he grinned at me happily, "How about I go to your room after class and bring some foods? It is really boring on our floor and before you came, I was sure I have to spend the entire two years stuck with the swine here."

Kyrus was about to get riled up again so I raised my voice in a high pitch and laughed forcefully, "You don't say. Tell you what? I will accept your offer if Kyrus will be there as well. I still need him to help me fix my laptop. Rather than wasting my break time cursing in front of the screen, I will humbly ask his assistance regarding that matter. The Scanians are really tech-savvy so it will be dumb of me not to take advantage of us three being neighbors, with all due respect, of course, Kyrus."

I know he wants to say no but he glanced at Trevor's smug face and he changed his mind, "Very well. Although I won't eat anything the dog will bring."

"Great! Now, where is Belle sitting? Oh, there! Hi Belle!" I quickly ran towards the very shocked celebrity who didn't expect my energetic greetings as I shook her hand before mouthing the words, "Save me!"

Thankfully, she immediately got what I'm trying to say and smiled meaningfully as she looked at Kirov who nodded quietly at his seatmate from the kingdom, "Kady! Thank goodness you are here! I really wanted to talk to you in great detail! I'm sure you already know Silva here..."

"Silva von Trent, Lady Kady. Retainer of Crown Prince Trevor. I am absolutely honored to formally introduce myself to you," the imperial said in a serious tone as he kissed my right hand, "I trust that His Highness is respectful to you?"

"It is an honor to meet you, Silva. Please, I am just a commoner so no need for titles."

He then heaved a sigh and nodded as he pulled a chair for Trevor beside him, "You avoided my question gracefully. Tut-tut, Trevor. It looks like you still need to polish your public relations skills. I will include that to my weekly report."

"Please, don't. I already have enough headaches dealing with the imperial swine here. I don't need you to add more to it, Trent," Trevor dismissed Silva as he looked at his retainer judgingly, "And you are getting awfully close with the Scanians. Making friends, are we?"

Silva just laughed as he grinned at his kingdom counterpart, Kirov, who is teasing Kyrus, "But Trevor, you should know very well. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer, right? That and we are classmates here. We shouldn't be at each others' throats every single moment. Just look at the Maharlikans and Riksentians. They are getting along magnificently. I must admit, I am rather jealous."

"Unlike the kingdom and empire, we don't give a damn about who you are or where you came from, Kady," my seatmate, Aerith told me as she continues eating, "However, you survived being trapped between Kyrus and Trevor. Are you a Riksentian or what?"

I shook my head and looked at Belle who is checking my scarf meticulously, "I am a proud Maharlikan, Aerith. My first memories of childhood include being chased by stray dogs while walking blissfully at the sidewalks and screaming my heart out during a particularly strong typhoon that hit my province. You can't get more Luzvimindan like that."

"I am still livid that mother was the one who dressed you up yesterday, Kady!" Belle snarled angrily at me before stuffing her mouth with greens, "Ok that's it! I will be the one who will shop for you next month and that's final!"

I blinked my eyes as realization dawned on me as I look at the celebrity near me who is eating her heart out because of frustration, "So the feisty woman who helped me shop yesterday was..."

"Our country's beloved philanthropist and beauty queen, Ms. Madeline de Marillac," answered one of my Maharlikan classmates who just arrived with another girl from our class clutching his arm, "Rodrigo Marquez, Kady. This winking girl beside me is Margarita Velasquez, my girl."

"Greetings, Kady! I am so happy that we have another Maharlikan with us in A-0! Are you free later after class? I have this particularly good Nordian cocoa that we can try," the beautiful and tall girl offered as I shook her hand after Rodrigo.

"Thank you for your generous offer but I already asked Kyrus to come over my room and help me update my laptop up to speed since Trevor wanted to visit later," I said casually that made everyone around the table staring at me quietly.

Kirov looked at Kyrus who just avoided his gaze as he glanced at me, "You agreed, Kyrus?"

"You heard her," the Crown Prince answered quietly as Silva prodded his Prince that heaved a sigh problematically.

"I was the one who offered to visit her room. Unfortunately, she got the swine to join our little date. Well, it's that or no date at all. You know me, I take anything over nothing, Silva."

His retainer coughed a little as he glanced at Kyrus who raised his eyebrow in return, "I do know your proclivity of willingness to do anything just to get what you want but isn't this a bit too extreme, Your Highness?"

"What? If you can get close to your counterpart then why shouldn't I do the same? Besides, I really like to talk to Kady personally. She really caught my eye as I repeatedly told you since yesterday before she took the exams," Trevor said he smiled at me sweetly.

Kyrus, however, seemed less pleased and grunted in annoyance, "Well, it is to be expected when you're from a commoner background. It takes one to like one, huh? We all know you people glorify low class better than anyone from your kingdom, Trevor."

"At least I know full well where my mother came from and proud of it. How about you? Have your mother told you who your father is, Kyrus? Oh, I forgot, it's a matter of "national security". Why? Afraid of your precious bloodline being tainted by pheasant dirt like mine?" the Kalalitan royalty hit back to the Scanian Crown Prince so clean, Silva was trying his hard not to look impressed by his comeback.

Kyrus looked like the kind of person who can dish out but can't take it because he clearly looked ready to get down and dirty. However, I loudly put down my spoon and fork on my plate before he can even speak.

"Thank you for the food," I said sarcastically as they glanced at my half-finished pudding as I prepare to stand up, "I apologize for the abrupt change but I'm afraid I won't be needing your help anymore, Lord Kyrus. I just remember that I still have to sort out the clothes that Ms. de Marillac kindly bought for me yesterday. My apologies as well, Trevor. It seems that I won't be able to entertain you later. You can't expect me to be a good hostess for today. Maybe next time. Please excuse me."

I smiled kindly at Fleur, Margarita, and Rodrigo as I stood up and grabbed my bag quickly before heading towards the doors as fast as I can.

With a heavy heart, I decided to head for the garden that I saw earlier when we were walking on our way to the pantry.

It looks deserted enough except for a few students who are studying or reading books at the benches scattered around.

Thankfully there's an empty bench for me as I heaved a sigh when I reclined and rested my back. 

I probably shouldn't leave abruptly like that but Kyrus' words really hit it where it hurts. Belle's mother was right. They just fixed what's on the outside but deep inside, I am nothing but a filthy pheasant commoner no matter what I look in the exterior.

"Catch!"

I instinctively opened my hands when I heard that word and from nowhere a pack of biscuits landed on my lap as I look around for the person who gave me this.

It didn't take long to find the one who sent me the relief good. 

Grease-covered and rugged looking, he really looked different compared to his two other counterparts.

The scion of the Colte Aristocratic Family, Daryl who looks more of a mechanic than a student right now as he stuffed his battered wrench in his back pocket as he sits beside me without a care in the world.

"Eat. I know for a fact that you haven't got a chance to eat properly earlier."

I raised my eyebrow as I opened his pack of cheap biscuits and ravenously took a bite from it before speaking, "And how did you know that?"

"Aerith always keeps me updated with the happenings since I usually hang around on my own here," he answered smoothly before grinning at me, "I deduced that you have very long patience but it seems to me that they have no problem reaching your limit, huh?"

I nodded and heaved a sigh as I look above the blue skies above us, "In the past years, I've had worked in the service sector quite exclusively and I thought I met virtually all kinds of people. I thought I know how to deal with them. How to interact and not lose my patience because the consequence of losing control is losing the job."

"Well, I guess the biggest difference here Kady is that you are here to "live" with us, or rather, with us. Not to "serve" us. I don't doubt your capabilities to handle all sorts of people. I've met tons of people like you back in my country working in service-oriented jobs and you know what they told me? It's different when their customer looks down upon them or treated them as equals. I know this sounds weird but Kyrus and Trevor act and says like that because they see you as one of them. They can speak freely and believe me, they are expecting you to do the same so don't hold back your tongue."

I blinked and looked at the boy who stood up and prepares to leave, "How can you say that?"

"Why Kady, it's because as much as I don't want to be put on the same level as those two, I am their Riksent's counterpart. I can tell you all these things because I see you as my equal. If I look down on you then I wouldn't have wasted my breath," Daryl said while smiling at me kindly, "The sooner you see us as your classmates and not some kind of customers that you need to please the better."

He then left without another word and I just realized that he might be right. 

-0-

"Ms. Groves, can you tell us, in your opinion, how possible it is in governmental aspect to convince someone that something is possible, even if it's not?"

I looked up and blinked at our Political History professor and nodded before standing up and clearing my throat, "I have to make a comparison here, Mrs. Banawa but it is my firm belief that given their nature, what the politicians are doing is not that different from business people."

"How so?"

"Well, for starters, you have to sell your people a dream. You have to sell them a belief, a hope, a vision, if you must, about a future. It is not that different from businessmen and women who pitch in ideas of their products to their investors," I said confidently as my answer drew in the attention of my classmates, "The only difference is that the politicians are asking you to pay with your trust or vote while in the business world, they expect money and confidence. In that regard, as long as you show them and give them something to believe in and gain something from it then they will believe every word you will say regardless if they are mere hallucinations in your head or reality."

"So you are saying, Kady, is that it doesn't matter who the messenger is as long as the message is enticing then everything is possible?"

I glanced at the only commoner from the Kalalit whom I heard was a distant relative of one of the chieftains of the kingdom. His smile is not condescending like other nobles in our class but rather, real and honest.

A bit blunt too but I take that as a good thing. 

Aside from his future position, he is just like me who grew up in regular life.

I nodded at him and returned his smile, "Indeed, Ren. If I offered you the world, will you care who in the heck I am as long as I make my words believable?"

The future chieftain just shook his head and gave me a thumbs-up as my elderly teacher fixed her glasses and peered at me curiously, "A good answer, Ms. Groves but definitely not the answer I would expect from a commoner without any links to nobility or political family. Where did you get such perspectives?"

"I just read a lot of books and watched tons of political news and documentaries when I was young," I answered truthfully as she raised her eyebrows, "Normal fathers will allow their daughter to grow up with fairytales and myths but mine engaged me on such discourse before I even went to grade school. He treated me like a grown person and he just loves talking about politics, governance, and such so I guess it was drilled into my brain early."

I heard a small cough behind me and I looked over my shoulders and saw Lenneth, one of the Riksentian classmates of mine smiling at me in awe, "Wow, I must say I am honestly impressed, Kady. Also a bit jealous. I wish I have parents like yours. I grew up in an orphanage so I guess I lucked out."

"I won't pretend that I understand what you've been through completely but I can definitely relate to what you experienced, though to a lesser extent. I wish I wasn't orphaned when I am just beginning to realize that there is so much more I can learn for my father, Lenneth."

She nodded and looked at me meaningfully, "It really takes one to know one, huh?"

"Indeed..."

"How about you, Alumina? Any thoughts you want to add on our discussion, dear?" our kind professor asked our Kalalit classmate who is sitting quietly beside Ren as if on deep thought.

The bespectacled girl just shook her head and gave me an approving nod, "All that there is to be said has already been spoken, Mrs. Banawa. I would just like to add on top of her excellent answer that it is highly plausible that the person doing the selling of a dream is a dreamer themselves. After all, if you don't believe in your product in the first place, how can you make it appear legitimate to others at all?"

I gave a bow to the heiress of the Bairal Dynasty which is known even in Maharlika for their wit and logical approach. To get her approval is a compliment in my book.

"Perfect! Honestly speaking, I can't believe that we managed to have a fruitful discussion this early in our class. This is truly a promising year. Now then, I want you four to socialize and get to know each other since your adviser told me that you all didn't have the opportunity to get to know each other in his class," the elderly professor said as she took her seat in front of her desk, "You four can sit together in a circle and talk about things related to the political background of your respective nations. We tackled a lot for today so take this as your free time. You may proceed."

Lenneth and I stood up and went to our classmates to present ourselves. 

Technically speaking, we are commoners and they are nobles so there is a proper curtsey that we must follow so as not to breach any protocols. 

It is a well-known fact that nobilities are rather sensitive when it comes to receiving proper respect from the pheasants, so to speak.

"If we may, your graces?" Lenneth asked kindly while we bow before the two.

"Please, Lenneth, Kady, drop the formalities. You must. We are classmates and we are in school. I want us all to have a logical discourse and I am sure that Ren agrees as well, right?"

The only boy in our class quickly nodded in agreement, "Indeed. Especially in my case, I am still not used to the nobility nonsense. I am raised until last year as a commoner and my great-granduncle is not the best tutor when it comes to noble obligations so please be at ease. I am as much as a pheasant as you two are."

"Well, the Ogawas as a whole is the odd-duck in the kingdom's dynastic bunch when it comes to formalities but I guess they do have their uses especially in this kind of situation," Alumina said cordially as she offered her hand to me and Lenneth which we accepted quickly, "Alumina von Bairal, a pleasure to meet you two. I hope the four of us can be fast friends because this subject is a favorite of mine and I can sense that you two will add greatly to my knowledge for the duration of our stay here..."