Freedom comes at a price and a young Earthal princess must live the life of somebody else, even if it means facing evil threats and impossible odds.
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As someone who craves freedom, Princess Clarabelle cannot just stand by and let her life be take...
"I'm not leaving without answers!" She yanked her arms from his hold and faced the sage, who flinched at her sudden outburst.
Clara clenched her fist along with the uprising of vibration in her body; she was now desperate. "I know what happened to me the day before the placement exam is not hidden among the academy's staff."
Professor Rhyb took a swift intake of breath, and she could feel Emir's eyes drilling holes in her head.
"Whatever those shadows are, they're targeting me specifically. Not anybody else! I'm the one in danger."
The anger drained out of her as fear took place.
"A-And when I touched that thing—"
"Anneliese," Emir hissed.
"I-It showed me the same image of the shadow. I-I think it's a kind of warning."
"You've seen that shadow?" The sage fixed his round-rimmed glasses and looked behind where the rock was safely stored. "And what else have you seen?"
"Nothing else. J-Just the shadow, professor. I just want to know why this keeps happening to me."
He looked away from Clara guiltily. "Princess, I understand that you're struggling, but I'm afraid I've already told you what I can."
Clara's face suddenly went pink. "But you've barely said anything!"
"And that is why it should be. If you understand your situation, you'd be afraid, not looking for answers. I know you don't understand, but we're just looking out for you." He clasped his hands behind his back. Professor Rhyb gained back the aura of a strict teacher. "Prince Emir, I know that aside from me, the other person in this room who sees things the way I do is you. The princess should leave her hands off things that are not her concern."
"Wha— it is my concern." Clara crossed her arms and turned away from them. She knew she wouldn't win this time, and Emir would remain loyal to his orders no matter how their relationship changed for the better.
"What will you do about it?" Clara heard Emir say, making her sulk even more.
"I shall hand it to Headmistress Celes. It will be up to her to communicate with the four royal courts of Eirinia. I am positive they wouldn't take this lightly."
Silence followed the sage's statement, and Clara never spared a glance at them anymore. Emir sighed and caged her wrist to his hand, pulling her out of the office. "Come on, Anneliese."
As soon as the door opened, a breath of fresh air whipped her face. Clara yanked her arms out of his grip and shuffled towards the redwoods without thinking.
"Anneliese, you are to go back to the Royal Residence!"
With a huff, she veered off course past the berry bushes towards the trickling sound of the lake. Clara crossed the bridge. Students paved her way, fearing the steam billowing from her ears.
Seeing the livid expression of the princess, the guards were quick to grant her an entrance by opening the door for her. They waited as soon as they spotted the prince heading the same way.
But Clara was on the verge of throwing a tantrum. No matter how much she tried, she couldn't reign in this side of her. She faced Prince Emir, who was climbing the steps when she took hold of the door handle and shut it close.
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