Page 59 of Beacon

Owen struggled within himself, as if trying to summon the courage to retort…but in the end, he simply pushed the book aside with a heavy sigh. Princess Seren stepped fully into the room carrying several books beneath her arm. She settled at the table, and after taking a moment to find a comfortable position despite her bulging belly, promptly frowned at Owen’s book.

“That book is much too advanced for a beginner.”

“So I’ve heard.” He slouched in his seat as his bad temper overcame him and scowled at the book in question. “It has interesting stories written for children, most of which include mermaids. I…wanted to share them with Marisa.” The crimson staining his cheeks only deepened at his words.

Princess Seren smiled in understanding. “You can certainly read the book to her, but it’s unlikely to help her learn to read on her own. I’ve been studying efficient teaching methods so that I better know what qualities to look for in my baby’s future tutors.”

“What’s the rush?” Owen muttered sarcastically.

Princess Seren ignored him. “My research has allowed me to gain a basic grasp of the fundamentals of teaching, and while I am far from being an expert, unfortunately, it may be the best option for our current situation until I further my studies.”

Owen sighed. “Let’s be honest: the real reason you’re here is because you’ve run out of documents with which to occupy your time.”

The princess’s cheeks pinked. “That aside, I’m truly happy to help teach her. Not only will it be an interesting project but will provide an opportunity to get to know the woman who is soon to become my sister-in-law.”

“Yoursister-in-law? But you know that we’re only—” Owen’s brow furrowed, as if puzzled by his own words. He shifted nervously in his seat, his gaze flickering back and forth between me and the princess. “I want to be the one to—” His shoulders slumped once more as his courage to speak up in his own defense faltered. “It will take a while to teach Marisa to read. I still want to spend time with her, learn the techniques I need so that I can take over her lessons…”

“While I’m sure you have helped her a great deal, it might be best if I take over at this point.”

Owen fidgeted uncomfortably. “But I still want…to spend time with her…”

He said nothing more, simply folded his arms with a determined look, his defiance in leaving no matter how much she might order him. Princess Seren studied him.

“If you want to stay,” she said after a moment, “then you will not interrupt our lesson.”

Owen obediently quieted and didn’t speak for the remainder of the princess’s first tutoring session, which he watched unfold with a mixture of being begrudgingly impressed and a bit disgruntled.

Her approach was drastically different from how the prince’s had been. We didn’t even approach new words at all but only focused on the letters and some of the more intricate rules of reading, focusing on how letters sounded different depending on where they were in the word. It all seemed very complex, but despite the initial difficulty, my growing desires to communicate helped me push forward.

By the time the lesson concluded, Owen seemed to have gathered whatever courage had faltered earlier. He straightened in his seat. “Seren?” She paused in straightening the books and glanced over. He took a steadying breath. “I appreciate your help with today’s lesson, but…I want to be the one to teach Marisa to read.”

She studied him a moment before nodding. “I understand.” Without further argument, she left. Prince Damon was no longer in the room, which left Owen and I alone. He stared after her with wide eyes. I titled my head curiously, a gesture I’d done too often to be misunderstood now.

“That was easier than I thought. She didn’t even argue with me.” He lowered his gaze with a sigh. “I should have asked you who you preferred to teach you. She’s a much better teacher. I’m sorry, I didn’t know what I was doing.”

Though I couldn’t offer any new words even of the written variety, considering today’s lesson had been limited to learning the letters’ sounds, I could still offer my usual form of communication. I rested a hand on his arm in hopes my touch could encourage him.

He looked up with a timid smile. “I so wanted to help you.” He rested his hand over mine, and with his touch, one of our wordless conversations passed between us. “I’m happy you can learn to read and write. Then you can tell me everything; I’ve only become more curious about what goes on inside your head.”

A warm blush enfolded my cheeks at his words. If only he knew how desperately I wanted to communicate with him in return.

And so the reading lessons continued. The pace was slower than I would have liked, and the lessons were often difficult and exhausting, but as usual, Owen was kind and seemed to genuinely enjoy teaching me. The princess often sat in on our lessons in order to offer advice whenever Owen requested it; even when he didn’t require her help, she appeared to take pleasure in watching me learn.

All my efforts became worth it the day my developing skills finally allowed me to have my first written conversation with Owen. After Owen ended the lesson, Princess Seren looked up from her embroidery. “Marisa has made excellent progress.”

Owen swelled proudly. “She has. I do believe she finally has a solid enough foundation for the next step: using her words to write full sentences.”

Princess Seren nodded towards the slate I’d been using to practice my letters and growing vocabulary of words. “I agree.” She offered me a soft smile. “Using your knowledge for its intended purpose is the most effective way to practice. Carry your slate with you and use what you’ve learned as often as possible. If you don’t know the word you wish to use, find a proper substitute.” She glanced towards Owen with a mischievous smile. “Owen will surely volunteer himself, considering he seems to be becoming more impatient by the day to speak with you. I hope you enjoy your first proper conversation.”

With that, she left us alone.

Owen wasted no time swiveling to face me…but despite his anticipation, now that the long-awaited moment had come, he didn’t seem to know what to ask. I waited, curious what he most wanted to know…as well as a bit concerned on whether I knew enough words for whatever he wanted to talk about.

He seemed to be thinking hard, carefully considering the best topic, all while my heart hammered wildly for the moment I’d been eagerly anticipating ever since meeting Owen: a chance to express myself beyond what simple gestures could convey.

“There are so many things I want to ask you,” he said. “But at this point I will hear anything. What do you most wish to tell me?” He leaned forward with almost boyish anticipation.

I considered. There were truly so many things I wished to express, but only one was of the utmost importance.

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