"Anything." Even though I know he's listening to me intently, he turns back to Firefly and begins to groom him.
I take my cue from him and start to help. That's what I said I'd do, after all. Luna continues to play, oblivious to the important conversation we're having.
I take a deep breath. "I told you I have a prophecy on my head, right?"
"Yes." He doesn't say anything else, and just focuses on the grooming.
"Can I tell you about it?"
"Only if you want to."
I close my eyes and start to speak, telling him all the details I can remember from the prophecy that ruled my life.
And that's a lot. It's been told to me so many times that I can recite the whole thing from memory. The mirror, me allegedly being the fairest of them all, a too tight corset, a poisoned comb, an apple, the glass coffin. My throat constricts as I speak the last part aloud. I think it's the first time I've ever told anyone the story in full.
"Why are you telling me?" he asks.
"I trust you. Is that wrong?"
He shakes his head. "I hope you can trust me."
"And I think it's started to come true," I admit, the words coming out so quietly they're almost non-existent.
"What makes you say that?"
"I fainted in the dressmakers because the dress was too tight." I hate having to admit that happened. I don't know how many of the prophecies come true, or how far they get, but it's too far into the story for my comfort.
"I'm sorry that's hanging over your head," he says after he's sure I'm finished. "And about the dress shop. Are you feeling alright now?"
"I think so. I have you. And Luna, that makes it easier. Oh, and the dressmaker gave me some tea that I think is helping. It has mint in it, but I'm not sure if there isn't additional magic."
He nods. "We have that tea in our kingdom. People take it to settle their stomachs."
"Oh." So a conversation with Edward may have also brought about knowledge of the tea. It reassures me to know that the dressmaker has told me the truth about what she gave me. I don't want to keep taking it if she's trying to hurt me instead of help.
"If you want a better price..."
"No, it's alright. The dressmaker is going to keep me supplied. She seemed to understand some of my other requests too."
He frowns. "Like what?"
"Oh, looser bodices." I gesture to my torso and see understanding dawn.
"I thought it looked different to the way the other girls wear dresses, I just thought it was because I liked you."
I chuckle. "No, it's more than that."
We lapse into silence, the conversation having run its course and both of us now at a loss for what to talk about. We continue to groom Firefly, comfortable in the quiet. I hope I never take it for granted. I don't want to miss any moments like this.
I'm cursed. The subject of a prophecy. But right now, it doesn't matter. Because I'm something else too.
I'm cherished, and cared for. I don't want to trade this feeling for the world.
Chapter Eleven
"I think I found something," Edward whispers to me, tearing my attention away from the teacher lecturing us about a war three hundred years ago.
Theoretically, I know it's important to learn about the past so we don't repeat mistakes made there, but surely they can find a more interesting way of doing it.
"What?" I ask. I'm about to add more to my question when the teacher looks over in our direction, almost as if he's heard us. But that would involve him paying attention to anything more than the droning of his own voice.
"A way to ward off any poisons."
My eyes widen. "I've never heard of anything like that." And I've looked into it in just about every library I've ever visited.
"It's in the unicorn book." He pulls it out of his bag and slides it towards me.
I open it to the page marked with his bookmark. Edward taps a paragraph without even looking properly, and I begin to read.
Bonding with a unicorn can have a lot of desirable side effects, including the bonded person getting sick less often as a result of exposure. Legends also suggest that ingesting a part of the bonded unicorn can be an antidote to most poisons, and can create an antitoxin to render most poisons useless even before they're ingested.
Horror and hope war within me, each wanting more attention. I want to be safe from the poison, but I also need Luna to stay safe. If she's harmed just to save me...
"This doesn't help," I whisper, pushing the book back towards him.
"Prince Edward, please inform us of the role Sir Richard the Brave had in the war," the teacher asks. I can tell from his expression that he doesn't care what Edward says, just that he does and proves he's not ignoring his talk.
Guilt fills me. I'm part of the reason he's been so distracted.
Edward clears his throat. "Sir Richard is often credited as being one of the first commanders on the field during the Battle of the Brook. They believe that's one of the reasons that they won the war, and without his influence, it would never have happened."
"Very good," the teacher claps his hand, oblivious to the inflections in Edward's voice that indicate he doesn't believe everything he's saying.
"What happened to Sir Richard after the war, Princess Snow?" he asks.
My eyes widen. I have no idea. I've never been interested in the intricacies of war, and my Mother instructed that none of my tutors should cover it in their curriculum. She thought it would cause problems in my character.
"I don't know, sir," I answer honestly.
"How can you not know?" The shock on his face is impossible to fake. He's truly horrified that I have no idea about this.
"War was my brother's area of study, not mine." I straighten my spine and harden my eyes as I respond, reminding him that I am a princess and he shouldn't forget that.
"And yet you're in my class."
I don't have an answer for that. He's right, I am sat in his class, which means I should know, and if I don't, then I should study more.
"Everyone is in your class," Edward points out, no doubt realising I'm not going to answer. "We're not given a choice in what lessons to take." He takes my hand under the table and gives it a squeeze.
I want to relax, but instead, I keep my shoulders tense and my attention on the front of the classroom. This isn't the time to show any weakness.
The teacher makes a squeaking noise that I can't put a name on, then coughs, no doubt to cover his nerves.
"After the war, Sir Richard was offered the hand of Princess Delilah of the North. They had many children and brought peace to their lands," he says loud enough for the rest of the class to hear.
Some of the class begin to whisper at that. Alliances and war, the currency most of our parents use. It's no surprise Grimm Academy became a popular place to send the children of royalty and nobility. It will increase the chance of the former via marriage and friendship, and decrease the risk of the latter when people don't want to kill their friends. The founders were ingenious to think of this solution, even I can accept that.
"That isn't what happened," Edward mutters.
"What did then?" Curiosity wells up inside me. Of course I know the stories of conquest are only ever told by the victors, but that doesn't mean that they're always right.
"Richard was a cruel man. He killed their oldest son and then covered it up as nothing more than a hunting accident."
"How do you know that?" There's no doubt in my mind that it's true. These things happen, and everyone in this room knows it. Well, maybe not everyone. There are some scholarship students around that may not be aware of the whole truth about the elite. But I'm sure they're finding out here at the academy. It's impossible not to.
"My father is descended from the youngest daughter. Her diary is in our palace."
"Oh." That's definitely a reason for knowing the truth of the matter. I don't know what else to say, and go back to listening to the lecture on the rest of what happened
during the war.
It really is dull. But I have to listen. As Edward pointed out, we don't get a choice in our subjects. But that means we don't get a choice in our exams either. And I need to pass them or risk Mother pulling me out of the academy and back home, where I'm sure the rest of my prophecy will come true. Father may want me here to keep me safe, but she doesn't believe this measure is necessary. One day, we'll get through to her, but I know it's going to take time.
After five minutes of listening to the teacher drone on, I'm starting to get bored again. Never a good sign. My eyes drift back to the unicorn book and the passage there.
I lean forward and place my finger under the words, moving them along as I read.
There's got to be something more to this. The book is about the care and well-being of unicorns, it isn't going to advocate harming them in any way. At least, I certainly hope not.
Edward taps on the word part. His eyebrows have knit together in concentration as he re-reads with me.
"What are you thinking?" I ask.
The bell rings before he can answer. I'll just remind him once we're out of the room.
Around us, students are getting to their feet and beginning to chatter among themselves.
"Attention, attention!" the teacher calls frantically, sounding the most passionate I think I've ever heard him. "Don't forget your essays on the event you most think shaped the kingdoms is due next week."
A groan slips from me. I forgot about the essay with everything going on, which isn't like me. I need to do it tonight, or else it's going to start playing on my mind.
"We can go to the library to do it later, if you want?" Edward suggests.
I nod. "That'd be good. Do you have a free lesson now?"
"Yes. Want to head to the stables?"
I almost clap my hands together in excitement. The more time I get to spend with Edward, the better. And if that also involves Luna, then that's even better.
"I'd like that," I answer evenly instead.
His hand comes to rest on my lower back as we leave the room.
"What are you thinking about the unicorn part?" I remind him.
"Ah, yes. Did Holly mention anything about harvesting things from Luna?"
"Harvesting sounds so cold," I murmur.
"Alright, collecting then."
My eyes widen, understanding what he's getting at. "Yes, she did. There's tears, and she said I'd need to file down the horn sometimes..."
"I'm guessing her tail and hooves will also need tending to," he muses.
"I think so, I haven't read the whole guide yet."
"Then I think we may still have a chance of this working. If one of the parts that doesn't hurt her can be used, then we don't have to harm her at all."
Relief floods through me at the thought. I don't want Luna to hurt over anything, much less because it'll benefit me. "I guess we need to do some more reading of that book."
"I think so. But let's keep that for later, we should go see Luna and Firefly first."
Chapter Twelve
All anyone has been able to talk about today has been the ball tonight. The one subject I'm choosing to try and avoid. Nerves and excitement are both trying to gain control of me, and I don't know which of the two I want to win.
I arrive back at my room to find the old dressmaker waiting for me outside, just like her letter promised yesterday.
"Hello, dear."
"Hello, Hazel." It was only when I read her letter than I discovered her name, something which I still feel guilty about. She helped me so much that it's shameful I didn't think to ask her for it. "Would you like some tea? I can ring for one of the maids to bring it to us?" I ask.
She nods. "That would be lovely, my dear."
I slip my key into the door and step through. The cord to call one of the maids hangs down from left as I enter, and I pull it. A maid will be here in a moment or two. It would be so much easier if I could tell them exactly what I want in advance, then they don't have to come to me, find out, then go off and get it, but I imagine a system like that is too complex to put in place in a castle this size.
Hazel drapes the garment bag over a chair and glances around the room, taking in her surroundings. I hope she likes my room. It's roomy, but doesn't have much in the way of personal effects.
"I see you've covered the mirror," she observes.
I nod. "It makes me more comfortable that way."
"We can uncover it once you're dressed, and recover it quickly after that."
I stop myself from instantly denying her suggestion. I do want to see myself in the dress she's made.
A small knock on the door pulls me from my thoughts.
"Come in, please."
The maid steps inside and drops into a curtsy. "You rang, Your Majesty?"
I shoot a quick glance at Hazel to see how she responds to the formal address, to find a knowing smile on her face. I guess it isn't a surprise to her after all.
"Please bring a pot of boiling water for tea, and two cups."
"I'll be back in a moment." She nods her head and turns to leave.
"You don't have to knock when you come back," I tell her. It seems unnecessarily cruel to make her do that while carrying a tray.
"Are you ready to be fitted, my dear, or would you like to wash first?"
"If you don't mind, I'll just freshen up. Please, make yourself at home." I gesture to the bed, which is the only place she can sit while the dress is taking up the chair. Maybe I should have requested one of the dressing rooms for my use, but I imagine all the other girls in the academy had the same idea, and they're probably packed.
It doesn't take me long to strip off the dress I've been wearing and wash down my body. I grab a new shift from the neat pile in my bathroom and pull it over my head, knotting the waist of it so it sits tight enough not to ruffle up under my dress, but not too tight as to cause me to start to panic.
I take a deep breath, steadying myself against the cool tiles of the wall. It's scary to think I'll be putting one of my greatest fears into the hands of a woman I barely know in a moment, but it's the only thing I can do. Especially if I want to look beautiful for the ball tonight.
Feeling as confident as I think I can manage, I push open the bathroom door. Hazel is sat sipping her tea, a selection of hair decorations and other bits and pieces spread over the bed, along with some small pieces of makeup.
"I spent a brief amount of time as a lady's maid, dressmaking isn't my only skill." She must have seen the question on my face.
"Oh."
"We're going to make you into the most beautiful woman at the ball."
"I don't need to be the most beautiful to everyone," I whisper. Just Edward. No one else matters. This feels like the first time in my life that I say this, and mean it. I repeat it in my head.
The only person who matters tonight is Edward.
No one else has a say. A lightness I don't expect fills me.
"I'm ready," I say to Hazel.
"I thought you might be. But just in case, I brought some more tea." She gestures over to the packet on my dressing table.
The sight of it reminds me of what else I meant to ask her. "Can you make outdoor clothes?"
"Riding habits?" she checks.
I shake my head. "Not quite. I just mean dresses that are more durable, and warmer during the winter." It's already cold, and there's still months until mid-winter. It may even snow.
"Of course. Just let me know what you need and I can make it. I'm honoured you wish to continue to use my services, Your Majesty." She dips her head, and her use of the proper address for the first time lets me know how serious she is.
"Please don't call me that. Not when there's no one else is around." It makes me uncomfortable to be reminded of my status.
"As you wish." She rises to her feet and pulls up the bag containing the dress.
She unzips it, and I gasped at the sight of the beautiful gown within. It's such a light blue that it's almost
white, with delicate embroidery snaking up from the bottom of the skirts. All eyes will be there, instead of on the looser bodice that doesn't follow the current fashion trends.
Except the bodice isn't just loose, it's almost flowing.
"There's a light gauze here," Hazel says, touching the bodice under the breast. "It'll make it look as if it's supposed to be separate and cover up the looseness underneath. I got the impression while you were in my shop that you're a little self-conscious about it."
I blink away the threat of tears in my eyes. "Thank you, it's perfect."
"If you wish, I can send you the pattern for it."
"You'd do that?" I frown at her. "Wouldn't that take away from your business?"
She chuckles. "I suspect you're too honest of a woman to take business away from me without good reason. I meant for the pattern to be given to the seamstresses in your own palace."
"I'm touched you think so highly of me." I dip my head, hoping to convey just how much that means to me.
Hazel bows her head in return, but soon turns back to the dress. I only notice then how comfortable I've felt despite only wearing my shift.
She picks up the bodice first. "Please hold out your arms."
The moment I've done it, she slips the top of the dress onto me, tugging and tucking it so that it sits just right on me. She steps back and frowns, before tugging on another part of the bodice.
"Skirts first," she says to herself, grabbing the other part of the dress from the bed. "Please step in."
I do as she wishes, and she pulls the skirts up to my waist, tying them off and tucking the ribbons so they're hidden away. Once she's happy with how they hang, she turns her attention back to the bodice.
I'm not sure what she's doing, I don't know enough about dressmaking to be entirely sure, but I'm soon fastened in and can breathe easily. She's left the bodice looser than I'd have ever dared ask for, something I'm incredibly grateful for. There's no risk of me fainting while wearing this. Maybe other girls will want this style after tonight.
She picks up a sash I hadn't noticed before, and ties it around my waist, hiding the seam between the bodice and the skirt. I like the way it feels around me, securing me in without the need for a corset. It's something I've been looking for my whole life, but never managed to find.
Academy of Magic Collection Page 23