~Florence

I decide to do some last-minute shopping before starting at the Academy, just to make sure I have everything I need. There is a dress code for the Academy, but no uniform. Thankfully, most of my new wardrobe already falls within the requirements, but the other reason I want to take a look at the Capital Square shops is to make sure I am on track with the latest trends.

Miles’ words still linger in my ears, as do father’s, and Madam Rosanna’s—the LaVelle reputation depends on my performance at the Academy, as well as my appearance and how I conduct my behavior.

Yet, even if I hadn’t heard a dozen warnings about how dire our family situation was, I would still want to look and do my best. Pride? Ambition? Tenacity?

Did the reason matter?

I have to succeed, to fulfill the king’s command, but I also desperately want to.

For me.

Capital Square is the best place in the city, and probably all of Dorandia, to see the latest fashions and trends. Therefore, it’s always busy. I remember that from shopping as a child with Elain and our mother.

But the business then had seemed a happy, bustling sort of chaos, the kind a child would go home from and immediately go to bed, exhausted and content.

As soon as we step out of the carriage, however, the sheer number of people overwhelm me. The swarm of ladies and their servants down the promenade, delicate parasols in hand, soon takes the form of a breathing, writhing beast, similar to the one I’d imagined at my debut. The heat from the sun beats down on me—my own lacy parasol doing its best to combat the relentless rays—and my heart races as my vision narrows and darkens. The pale, smoky beast grows larger while my vision dims.

If I let go of myself, I think, gripping the parasol tightly enough to feel pain, if I let myself succumb to this encroaching blackness, will I sink into the hellscape once more?

I know I will. I know it in my bones.

“Let’s start with the Academy instead,” I tell Mary, forcing my voice to sound cheerful.

She’s not fooled, immediately looking at me with alarm.

“You’re quite pale, my lady,” she says. “Let’s get you out of the heat.”

We make it back into the carriage, where a cool cloth awaits.

My mind quiets and the remnants of the imagined hellscape crumble away like ash, until all is quiet. I breathe deeply in relief. I had imagined it...right?

“It was quite crowded today, wasn’t it, my lady?” Mary offers, handing me a small glass of water from the basket in the carriage.

Ah. Perhaps that’s all it had been—at the debut, too. Perhaps I’m simply not used to being around so many people.

I can tell that to myself, but I know it isn’t completely true.

♥♥♥⸸

~Florence

I had studied a map of the Royal Academy campus ahead of time, making sure to memorize the locations and instructional purposes of all the buildings surrounding the campus commons, which is located in the center. This is where I was instructed to go on my first day, which is to be the first day of summer.

It had felt so far away…and now it’s right around the corner.

Not many students stay over the summer—mostly students who need to repeat classes, or those who are working on special projects. Therefore the admissions office is nearly empty, but there is one person to greet me since they were told someone was coming today.

“Florence La…Velle,” the secretary reads from my admissions paperwork, stunned to see my name. I sigh—they’ve heard about me, then.

“Yes.”

“Ah. Yes. Er, yes.” She adjusts her glasses. “We received some special orders regarding you. From the, er…” she lowers her voice, “king.”

“That’s…right,” I say, not sure what else I should.

“Here is your schedule,” she hands me a piece of paper with the times, classes, and locations laid out. “The introductory mage course is only offered during the fall semester, so a special instructor has been assigned to you for an independent study. You’re incredibly lucky to have this opportunity, especially as a first-year.”

The rest of my classes include writing, mathematics, history, and, “Ladies’ Studies?” I read aloud.

I wrinkle my nose involuntarily. Oops. I shouldn't sneer.

“Of course!” chimes the secretary, beaming. “All young ladies are expected to attend, and pass, their Ladies’ Studies courses, if they are nobility. There are four courses in total.”

Four?! What on earth could they have to talk about, to spread out over that many semesters?

“It’s also a great opportunity to meet other young ladies…though, I suppose you’ll be much old—oh, I mean, pardon me. I’m sure you’ll make some lovely acquaintances in your Ladies’ Studies courses.”

I force a smile at her. “Thank you, Miss. If that’s everything, we’ll take our leave now.”

“Uh, yes! Yes. That should be all. Please feel free to stop back at any time if you need assistance with anything. We’re always happy to help.”

I bet they are.

I barely make it outside before a groan escapes me. Why hadn’t Miles mentioned the Ladies’ Course? Does he not know about it? It seems like such a waste of time, especially since I'm short on time to begin with!

“Shall we walk around and find all the locations for your classes, my lady?” Mary asks me.

“Yes,” I reply, drawing a deep breath to steel my nerves. It’s not even the first day of classes and I’m already feeling defeated. “Let’s do that.”

The campus is guarded and secure, since many noble children attend, so there is no need for each student to bring their own attendant or guard every day. Mary is only accompanying me today at Miles’ suggestion, since class is not yet in session.

I am thankful for the company.

Of course, each of my classes is in a different building, so by the time we are done walking around I am wishing for the flat boots that belong to my practice outfit. Perhaps I could have some fancier ones made…though, they would make me even shorter. The benefit of the heeled shoes I wear now is the added inches, however few.

We exit via the north gate and intend to head back to the Duchy, but my thirst becomes unbearable, so we stop for some fruit spritz and biscuits at a nearby cafe.

“You seem to be feeling better now, my lady,” Mary comments.

“Yes,” I agree. “The campus looked much smaller on the map. I’m thankful there is ample time between classes to travel to and from, and take a short rest for some refreshments.”

Each of the buildings had a sign for a "Tea Room," and we also passed a few small cafes on campus, so there would be plenty of places to get some lunch or tea between classes.

“Indeed. It’s a pity I cannot accompany you—how dare they make the ladies fetch their own refreshments and necessities?”

I smile despite myself, though I can feel the fatigue on my face. “It’s alright, Mary. They must have a good reason for it. Perhaps the campus is too crowded with that many extra people?”

“Perhaps,” she grumbles.

Her annoyed face is endearing, making my heart warm. I had forgotten how nice it feels to have someone angry on my behalf.

But someone past Mary, across the street, draws my attention—a group of someones.

I casually stare harder, pretending to look at Mary. It’s a trio of noblewomen, young ladies who have debuted, according to their clothing and hair. They’re blatantly staring at me and whispering behind their fans, then start arguing amongst themselves.

What in the Saint’s name?

Finally, one of them crosses the street towards us and I hastily avert my gaze, raising my glass to take a sip of the sweet and fizzy peach spritz.

“Pardon me,” the lady asks, standing by our table, “but are you Lady Florence LaVelle?”

“I am,” I reply. “And who might you be?”

She titters and holds her fan close to her chest. “You probably don’t remember, but I was at your debut. I’m Lady Charlotte Liptoff, and my friends there are Lady Pearl and Lady Ruby Bloodwell. We’d like to invite you to tea sometime soon. May we call upon you?”

I peer into her face. Her violet eyes show interest in me, but the rest of her expression is a polite mask. Her soft-looking brown hair is perfectly styled away from her face.

“Yes,” I say, deciding it’s better to face society head-on. “I’ll look forward to it.”

“Wonderful!” She beams, displaying a beautiful, brilliant smile. “We’ll call on you soon.”

She curtsies and crosses the street back to her friends, who curtsy to me before continuing down the promenade.

Liptoff and Bloodwell…

“You shouldn’t have agreed, my lady,” Mary gently chides. “Liptoff is only a barony! And the Bloodwells are not much better.”

“I forgot.” I rub my brow. Truly, I had forgotten.

Does it really matter all that much?

Darn it. I know it does.

Liptoff and Bloodwell…Hmm. I'll have to do some research before they call upon me.

Sipping the last of my spritz, I also swallow the feeling of impending regret.