The Magic of Aurelian

Eleonor - Age 70 Years

"Aunt Jacinta, I've finished up the last cake order, and I've boxed it up for pickup already."

"Wonderful, you do such a great job with the cake decorating. You've been such a help with that." I had been working with Aunt Jacinta for a long while now. We had expanded the bakery from mostly pastries and bread to now include customized cakes as I had learned how to decorate over the years. It was fun, and I had fully thrown myself into the business with Aunt Jacinta.

Solara and her brothers had all remained committed to their chosen paths. Solara was well on her way to becoming one of our top healers, and Orion had become a regular warrior of the Light Kingdom. Aether and Gabriel, on the other hand, were both Guardians for the Kingdom, which kept them away from home most of the time.

A few years ago, Solara and I had decided to get our own cottage away from our parents, and it had been nice having a place for just the two of us as neither one of us had plans to marry soon.

"Have you thought more about that course in Aurelian City?" Aunt Jacinta looked over at me curiously. "Solara said you have only a few more days to decide. I would miss you, but I wouldn't blame you if you went back to school. I can always hire someone else if you want to go. We all think you'd do wonderfully by studying diplomacy. You have an eye for bringing people together."

The Luminara Magic Academy had recently opened up a course in diplomacy and politics. Queen Fernanda and Queen Himari had worked hard to come up with a course where all fairy and dragon types could send their rulers and future politicians to study. The program was highly competitive as it was the first year it was open, and I somehow managed to be accepted into one of the available spots.

I had never lived anywhere but Fairmist and I was apprehensive about leaving. My entire family, however, couldn't have been happier for me to get into the program. I'd had to stop Solara from packing my bags as soon as the acceptance letter arrived.

"I haven't decided, but I need to send in my response by this evening. You'll be the first to know Aunt Jacinta…but if Solara asks, don't tell her you found out before her."

Aunt Jacinta shook her head and made a locking motion on her lips to indicate she'd keep my confidence. "I'm so excited for you!" She squealed and took off towards the back.

"But I haven't made a decision yet!" I shouted at her.

She peeked her head back out of the door, "Yes, you have." She winked and snuck off again.

Aunt Jacinta was right, I had already made my decision, I just wasn't ready to voice it out loud at the time. Now, the whole family knew of my decision as I had arrived at Luminara Academy just last night. I was quick to settle into my dorm room, but I had yet to meet my two roommates as I had gone right to bed, and they both left before me this morning.

I hadn't been in school in so long that my nerves kicked up as soon as I got to my classroom. Solara had been my constant companion my last few years of school, so I felt strange not having her here. Would I make any friends here? And who would I even sit by?

I stood by the door looking at the seats, trying to pick the perfect one. I felt someone crash into my back, but I was stopped by a large hand on my waist before I toppled over. "I'm so sorry, I wasn't paying attention. I nearly knocked you over." He let go, and I turned around to find none other than Prince Kiran behind me. "Miss Eleonor," He smiled pleasantly at me. "I didn't know you were taking this course. I thought I wouldn't know anyone here. I'm sorry for running into you. Would you care to sit next to me so that I can at least sit by someone I know?"

I hadn't expected that from him, to ask me to sit next to him but also to admit that he was nervous about knowing someone in the class. I wouldn't have expected a Prince to have the same fears as me.

"Yes, I would actually like that, where would you like to sit?"

"Here is good," He pointed to a table at the back of the room. "I don't like sitting in the front."

The room was divided by rows of tables with two seats each, so Prince Kiran and I would be the only ones at our table. The rest of the students trickled in, and our professor showed up. He was a dragon shifter who looked well advanced in years as was evidenced by his graying hair. We went over the first chapter in our book, and then we were told about a group project we were expected to complete for the class.

"There are 16 of you in the class, and you will partner with your seat neighbor. Please take the rest of the class time to get to know your partner."

Prince Kiran turned towards me and was about to say something when we were interrupted by a shrill voice from the table beside ours.

"We need to switch seats." She looked directly at me. "My father is a Duke of the Air Kingdom, making me the next highest noble in this class. Prince Kiran deserves to have me as his partner. Not you, the daughter of…" She gave me a once over, "I'm sorry, who are you the daughter of?" She tilted her head while looking at me in disgust.

"She is the daughter of one of the great Light Warriors in Fairmist…and she will not be switching places with you. I asked her to sit with me, and she will be my partner, not you." Prince Kiran surprised me by calmly coming to my defense.

The brunette, whose name I didn't yet know, gasped at his words and narrowed her eyes at me. "Fine, if you plan on failing this course, then be my guest." I was quite shocked that she'd speak to Prince Kiran that way, but he said nothing, and we finished the rest of the class without another word from the Duke's daughter.

"Are you heading to your room?"

"Yes, I'd like to put my things away before looking for the dining hall."

"I can show you where it is." Prince Kiran said a little too eagerly. "I mean, I can walk with you to your room and then show you to the dining hall if you'd like. I need to eat as well."

"That would be lovely, thank you." We walked in awkward silence for the rest of the way. I didn't know what to talk to him about. It was one thing talking to him for class, but out here felt different.

"Who do they have you rooming with?"

"I haven't met them yet, I arrived too late yesterday to meet them, but their names are Aria and Sylvie."

He nodded, and we continued to my room. As we reached the door, I saw the girl from class up ahead. My nerves crept up again as my fears were confirmed and she stopped at the same door I was heading toward.

"You have got to be kidding me." She crossed her arms in front of her. "I refuse to share a suite with you. I asked for a single, but they refused to accommodate me. I might have to share, but it certainly won't be with you." She stomped off, most likely to talk to someone about a new room.

The door opened to reveal another girl with blonde hair. "Oh, I thought I heard Aria out here, but you must be our other roommate. I'm Sylvie."

"Yes, I'm Eleonor, and this is–" I extended my hand to introduce Prince Kiran, but was quickly cut off.

"Prince Kiran, how wonderful to meet you!" She curtsied, "I was just heading out for lunch, would you care to join me?" She fluffed up her curls as she looked at him expectantly.

"I'm sorry, but I must decline. I have already asked Miss Eleonor to join me." Sylvie narrowed her eyes at me before smiling fakely when she realized Prince Kiran was looking at her.

"Another time then." She pushed past us, knocking her shoulder into me while brushing up against Prince Kiran a little too intimately.

"Your roommates are…" He searched for the right word.

"Lovely?" I supplied sarcastically.

"Well, I was going to go with the word interesting as I was trying to not be rude, but…" He tilted his head in question. "They're certainly something. I will say this diplomacy course will do them some good if they choose to follow through with the information."

I giggled at his comment. I know he was serious, but it came off as humorous as well. He smiled and chuckled along with me. "Let's get something to eat then. I have Dragon History afterward, what about you?"

"The same."

"Well, that's perfect then. We can be seat partners again."

"Yes, Your Highness, I'd like that."

"We're friends now, how about you just call me Kiran while we're at school? We'll leave the formalities for actual formal events."

"Alright, then just call me Eleonor, no Miss." He nodded and with that we headed off to lunch together. I think I was going to be just fine here at Luminaria with my new friend. I just had to avoid my roommates and all would be well.