The Skyhome Academy

Mei pushed the wheeled bucket and mop into a bedroom off the infirmary’s main room. Various magical equipment for monitoring and treating patients surrounded two beds. Also inside was Emma, who was wiping down various surfaces with a damp cloth.

The former princess began cleaning the floor as the other serf spoke to her. “Hey. Is your shift going any better?”

“I haven’t had that officious wench yell at me again, if that’s what you mean.”

“You should be careful what you say. Letia is a head servant—she can have you kicked out of the academy.”

“I can’t see how someone with such a tiny amount of power would think that anyone could be impressed by her abuse of it.”

“It’s best not to worry about that.” Emma tossed her cloth in a nearby laundry bin, and drew a fresh one from a box before continuing her cleaning.

“How you can stand this work? As my academic rival, it’s beneath you.”

“I’ll admit that I’d rather have more shifts working with the patients. But most of those are reserved for third years. And cleanliness is important to patient safety, so it’s not as if what we’re doing is irrelevant.”

“You shouldn’t be so meek. My father taught me that I must impress my greatness upon my inferiors at every opportunity—or else they might not stay in their place.”

“Please forgive me for saying so…but now that you’re no longer a princess, that might not be the best approach.”

Mei tried to keep her pain from showing. But any reminder that she had lost her family threatened to drag her back into despair. Still, she had to consider the other girl’s advice. “…⁠I suppose that my current situation calls for more restraint.”

“It’s for the best—serfs can’t afford to offend the wrong people. But just remember that this is a temporary hardship. You’ll be working toward a better life day-by-day.”

It was surprising to Mei that Emma was being so supportive. And what might have happened if not for her… The telepath thought back to standing at the edge of the castle, and looking into the swirling sleet and darkness. “Emma…” Displaying vulnerability to anyone outside her immediate family was alien to her, but Mei felt compelled to continue. “I wouldn’t have a life to look forward to, if it weren’t for you. …⁠Thank you.”

The healer smiled. “I was glad⁠—”

“Quit your yapping!” Letia shouted from directly behind Mei. The cadets were both startled by her sudden arrival, with the former princess accidentally kicking over her bucket. Water spread across the floor. “Damn it, look what you’ve done!”

Mei turned toward the older peasant and glared. “You…” But she stopped herself, remembering what Emma had said. She did not dare insult this woman who could have her expelled from the academy. Meanwhile, the healer hurried to right the bucket and begin mopping up the spill.

“Do you have something to say to me, you foreign bitch?” the head servant sneered.

“…⁠No.” Despite her sudden instinct to do so, Mei refrained from attacking with her telepathy. Even if she limited herself to humiliating the disrespectful woman, the consequences of such a crime would be severe.

“I’ve had enough of your attitude—you’re not royalty any more. Maybe I should throw you right out of this castle! Then we’ll see⁠—”

“What’s all this noise?”

Mei looked to the new arrival in surprise. “Baron Tessel!”

Letia turned to face him. “My Lord,” she said with a deferential nod. Emma copied her reaction.

“Cadet Caster, I came to speak with you. This way, please.” The baron glanced skeptically at the floor. “You two, carry on.”

“Yes, My Lord,” Emma and Letia said together.

Mei followed the high noble toward the infirmary’s exit, wondering what his visit might be about. “You have my condolences on your recent misfortunes,” the baron told her.

“Thank you, Sir—My Lord,” she then corrected. That was the proper form of address while wearing a castle servant’s dress.

“To go from royalty to serfdom…it’s truly a tragedy. The adversity I’ve faced has not been so great as yours, but I’ve also been wronged by usurpers.”

Mei nodded. “The loss of your ancestral home. It’s terrible that both our nations must experience such injustices.”

They left the infirmary and began wandering the hallways of the spire. “I wish that I could have prevented your servitude, but my hands were tied. The king has decided that the high nobility shouldn’t aid you—he’s afraid that doing so might upset the new regime in the Middle Kingdom.”

“I understand,” Mei said miserably.

“That said, I thought of an indirect way to help. I’ve given Mage William a bonus for his fine work as commander of the guard—and at my request, he’s used part of that money to pay for your release from academy chores. But please don’t tell anyone about this…you could say I’m bending the rules slightly.”

“Thank you so much, My Lord. But why are you willing to risk trouble on my behalf?”

“Even if you’re no longer a princess, I can tell how exceptional you are. And I’m certain that someday, you’ll be in a position to return the favor.”

“When that day comes, I’ll do all I can,” Mei promised. Then an idea came to her. “My Lord, I know this is a lot to ask, but would you be willing to help Emma Smallport as well? …⁠She saved my life.”

“I’m afraid that the expense of releasing both of you from academy chores would be prohibitive.”

“Wouldn’t having her gratitude also be useful?”

“Cadet Smallport is a clever young woman, and I’m sure that she’ll become an excellent healer. But she’s not quite like you—you have an iron will and a desire for greatness. Those things separate you from your peers.”

Mei smiled. “Thank you again. I was beginning to worry that there was no one left who could see those qualities in me.”

“Believe in yourself, Cadet. We both have better days ahead.”

He continued after they stopped before the spire’s elevator. “…⁠Now you’ll have to excuse me, but I have some paperwork that I should stop putting off. Please enjoy your free time.”

The former princess nodded. “Have a good day, My Lord.” She watched him enter the elevator and drift upward from her sight. To think that she had such a powerful ally!

For the first time since she had received the horrible news from home, Mei felt genuine hope for the future.