Page 3 of Arrows and Gems
Helena slouched in her seat, staring out the window at the overcast sky as her tutor droned on. If it had been history, she might have paid more attention; she had always enjoyed the stories of past adventurers and great deeds accomplished, the battles won. Especially the ones north of the Rio Azul where magic increased the danger.
Before her curse, she’d had to sneak those books from the Reineggburg library since her tutor thought the subject inappropriate for a cursed princess. After all, it was the reason she was stuck in the country instead of living with her family in the capital. But they were her favorites.
Not that books were her favorite pastime, but she had to do something when it rained.
Unfortunately, the current topic was politics. If she had been learning it to one day rule Daraigh at Michael’s side, she would have paid more attention. But ruling Ralnor would be her brother Axel’s job, and after him, little Amadeus.
She had no use for politics.
“Princess? Are you paying attention?” Svenja snapped her fingers in front of Helena’s face. “I asked you for the first rule of law in our kingdom.”
Smirking, Helena settled farther into her seat. “The queen is always right.”
Her tutor squeezed her eyes shut and covered her face withone hand. “Have you learned nothing in the past ten months? The first rule of law is—”
“‘A well-ordered kingdom is essential to the peace and well-being of its people. As a strong central ruler is critical to such order, a monarchy shall be established. However, the monarchy shall be the servant of the people, devoted to their prosperity, with the fruits of their service and devotion as a logical remuneration,’” Helena quoted, rolling her eyes. “I learned that onebeforemy curse.”
“I should be pleased that you knowsomething,” Svenja sniffed. “Please pay attention; it is not the end of the world for you to appreciate your lessons.”
“Wann mag ich das Politik, ist wirklich die Ende der Welt,” Helena grumbled in Old Ralnoran.When I like politics, it really will be the end of the world.
“What was that?”
Helena smiled sweetly. Her childhood plans for a secret code with the Reineggburg servant children had failed, but she still enjoyed the ancient languages. Especially at times like this. “Just saying how much I love this subject.”
Her tutor gave her a disapproving glower, but Svenja couldn’t really do anything about it.
Helena’s attention drifted back to the world outside the window. Ten months since Michael rejected her. She hadn’t been back to Daraigh in that time, and he hadn’t visited Ralnor, even sending his younger brother to Axel’s birthday celebration back in the spring. He hadn’t barred her from his kingdom, but so far, the effect was the same.
She sighed. If she couldn’t study history or the ancient languages of the kingdoms, she would rather be at the archery field. It was the one place she still belonged.
Despite her parents’ attempts to mold her into a proper princess.
The cadence of Svenja’s voice slowed. Mildly curious, Helena turned back to her tutor. The woman was scowling at the doorway for a change. “Princess, I must ask that your suitors remain outside the classroom. You have enough distractions as it is.”
“Tobias? A distraction?” She snorted, casting her eyes over the young man leaning against the doorframe. His heavy-lidded eyes glanced at her before drifting away again. “That will be the day.”
Rather than taking offense at her comment, he simply swirled the amber liquid in his glass. His short black hair was neatly combed, and his clothing looked neatly pressed instead of rumpled as it had been the last few weeks. He even had a rose pinned to his waistcoat. From the greenhouse, she assumed, since it was late September.
“Finished yet?” he drawled, studying the open door.
“No, we still have—”
“Perfect timing, Tobias.” Helena shoved out of her seat and tossed her pen onto the desk. It rolled off and clattered to the floor. “I’m ready for a break.”
Her tutor stepped forward. “We need to finish our discussion of—”
Blowing a strand of chestnut hair out of her eyes, Helena turned to Svenja with a huff. “We will. Later.”
“The king specifically requested that you complete this material today.”
“Then the king can be disappointed.” It wouldn’t be the first time. “Feel free to blame me for the failure.”
Tobias leaned back to let Helena pass before he lazily shoved off the doorframe and followed her. His eyes settled on a painting across the hall, but he matched his slouching pace to hers.
“As Axel and Katy aren’t back from Daraigh yet, neither isLiesl,” Helena mentioned lightly. Her brother and his wife had gone to visit Michael, and they’d taken Katy’s youngest sister with them. “I’m not sure what benefit you see to following me around.”
“Liesl?” Tobias echoed, sounding bored. “Hadn’t noticed her absence. Your hair is radiant today,” he added without looking at her.
