the meal was over, the students went to the gym. Like the year before the plain space had been transformed into a mystical, winter wonderland. Also like the previous year, Lucian allowed Moira to pick the games. “I have an idea,” Lucian said when they sat to yet another board game.
Moira looked at him suspiciously. “What’s that?”
“If you win, you get to ask me any question you want about me, where I’m from, or anything else. If I win, I get to ask you a question. The person answering has to give an honest answer,” he said. “That way we won’t be engulfed in silence like we were last year.”
She considered this. “Alright, winner asks a question. Loser has to answer. But you seem to forget, Lucian. I won every game last year,” she finished with a competitive edge to her voice.
“I’ll just have to play better then,” he retorted.
Smiling impishly she said, “You’ve got a deal.” They set up the pieces and Lucian paid closer attention than ever before. While they were wrapped in silence, Lucian didn’t feel uncomfortable at all. He matched Moira’s every move and as the game wound down, it would have been impossible to guess who the winner would be. “No!” Moira cried.
Lucian smiled. “Fair’s fair. Alright, I’ll go with an easy question first. Who’s older, you or Adrian?”
“Adrian is older than me by fifteen minutes. He used to call me his baby sister,” she added.
“Why did he stop?”
Moira shook her head. “You’re only allowed one question. Come on, let’s play again.”
Not willing to argue, Lucian reset the board. By the time the second and first year students were sent to lunch, Lucian had learned very little about Moira. He knew that Moira was the younger of the twins and that she often designed her own dresses. On the other hand, Moira had found out quite a bit about Lucian. He was left-handed, enjoyed fencing, often went to the beach with his father, and other tidbits. “She is ruthless,” Lucian told George as they were waiting for their turn in Calista’s office. “I’m telling you, I almost think she let me win those two games. All the rest of them were hers.”
“Hey, at least she’s starting to talk to you,” George replied.
“True. But I think she hesitates to get to know me. It’s like she’s scared of me,” Lucian said.
“Maybe she’s just not boy-crazy yet. Marissa didn’t start talking to her prince until last year. Now that’s all she talks about.” George imitated a high, girly voice. “Xavier is so handsome. Xavier sent me a letter about school. Isn’t Xavier wonderful?” Returning to his voice, “You have no idea how irritating it is. They’ve all hit that stage. I wonder how my parents have survived it!”
They laughed until Adrian came out of the office and said, “Your turn Lucian.”
After meeting with Calista, Lucian walked downstairs to wait for Moira. She still hadn’t had her meeting. While waiting, Lucian tried to engage her in conversation, but she seemed to have crawled back in her shell. As he looked around, he saw Esmé smirking at her. “Are you okay?” he asked.
“I’m fine,” she snapped.
Taken aback, he spied Allegra a little ways away. “Well, I’m going to go talk to my sister. If you need anything…”
“I won’t.”
Lucian walked over to Allegra, fuming. “It isn’t her fault,” Allegra whispered urgently.
“What?”
“Come on,” she said. She grabbed Lucian’s arm and pulled him farther down the hall where they wouldn’t be overheard. “Moira’s not talking to you, it’s not her fault.”
“What do you mean it’s not her fault?” he asked.
“Would you just be quiet and listen?” she demanded. “Look, Moira’s really sensitive about boys. I talk to her a lot at school because she’s friends with the twins and I’m friends with the twins so we all hang out together. I mean, I think Adrian’s really sweet and Eleanor absolutely loves George. We commiserate with Leticia because she’s got that oaf for a prince. Clarissa talks about Jacobi all the time. But Moira never talks about you. At least, not often. When she does, she acts like she’s said too much.”
“So, why has she stopped talking to me since she was fine this morning?”
“Before you came up, Esmé was teasing her dreadfully about liking you. She got really embarrassed.”
“Well, she’s supposed to like me. I’m her prince,” he said.
“Not necessarily. You don’t think Leticia actually likes Nathan do you?” she asked. “And I’ve heard some of the things Esmé has said about your friend Kaelen. Just because you’re destined to be together doesn’t mean you like each other.” She paused and Lucian considered what she was saying. “Look, I know it’s got to be frustrating, but just give her some space. Your job is to make her comfortable, not make things worse for her.”
Allegra walked away before Lucian could respond. Feeling like nothing he did was right, he kicked at the carpet. When that didn’t relieve his frustration, he walked downstairs and meandered the halls. Parents had been filtering in for a while and he wished his own parents were there. As though hearing his silent request, Lucian heard a voice call his name. “Mom!” he called and went to hug her.
“Hello, dear,” Alexandra said, kissing the top of Lucian’s head. “Looks like you’ve grown a little bit. We’ll have to get your hems lowered.”
Lucian beamed and then looked around for his father. “Where’s Dad?”
“Oh, milling about the hallways. So, I got your letter about the medals. Let me see them,” she said. As Lucian puffed out his chest so she could see the gleaming medals, she smiled. “I knew you’d do well. You’re so like your father.”
“Not always,” he admitted. “Dad always seems to know how to fix things and I’m afraid I just blunder them worse.”
“What makes you say that?” she asked, concern in her eyes.
“I’m just struggling a little with my princess, that’s all.”
“You’ll have to tell me more about it later. This isn’t quite the place for such a conversation. Where’s Allegra?”
Lucian led his mother upstairs and they arrived at the landing just as Melantha and Allegra walked out of Airlia Willowlimb’s office. “Mom!” Allegra cried, rushing to her mother’s outstretched arms.
“Oh, I’ve missed you so much,” Alexandra said. “How have you enjoyed school?”
“Better than I ever thought I would,” she replied.
Soon it was suppertime and Lucian went to find Moira. She refused his offered arm as they walked into the dining hall. Lucian tried not to feel frustrated, but it was difficult. It seemed that for every step he took forward, she pushed him back three. He was glad his parents were there and he spoke with them as they sat to eat. “You must be Lucian’s princess, Moira,” Alexandra said, taking Moira’s hand. “He tells us so much about you.”
She flushed, “I’m sure he exaggerates.”
“I doubt it,” Lysander replied. “Lucian is a terrible liar.”
Queen Lavinia seemed to have heard them talking and quickly engaged Alexandra in a conversation about Moira and her many gifts.
When supper was over, the friends parted, promising to write at least once during the month long break. Allegra and Lucian climbed into their parents’ carriage with them and began the long ride home to Maltisten.
Year 2 Chapter 3
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During winter break, Lucian spent his time doing things with Allegra, working with Rusty and Zephyr on days it wasn’t too cold and practicing his fencing with his father in the large room his father had converted into a fencing hall. The walls were filled with shelves of swords and safety equipment as well as mirrors to allow those working in the room to watch their progress. As the month progressed, Lucian asked to work with the rapiers as well as his usual epée. “I don’t really have one built for your hands, son,” Lysander had pointed out.
Lucian wasn’t interested in whether the swords were built for him, though he knew that would make h
andling it easier. He just wanted to try them out. He borrowed one of his father’s rapiers and soon wished that his hands were not as small as they were. He looked at his father’s broad, strong hands and hoped that one day he would grow into the swords his father cherished. “How did you learn to fight with both hands?” he asked one day as they were putting their swords away. “I know you’re not left-handed.”
“Your grandfather insisted that I learn with both hands. He said, ‘You never know which hand your foe will fight with. If you can fight equally well with both hands, you’ll never lose.’ Someday I’ll start working with you right-handed.”
“Well, I hope I won’t disappoint you. I know how left-dominant I am.”
Lysander laughed, “Don’t worry son. You’ll catch on well enough. I suspect you’ll always be more comfortable left-handed. I’ve always favored fighting right-handed. It’s easier for me.”
“Wouldn’t it be easier to just learn the one and not worry about the other?”
“It would, but being able to fight with both hands is a valuable asset, especially for a Prince Charming.”
Thinking of this, Lucian asked, “Dad, do you think I’m doing something wrong?” He explained the problems he’d had with Moira. “She’s really pretty and I kind of like her. I just don’t know how to get to know her better. Every time I think I’m close, she backs away from me.”
“I don’t know what to tell you son,” Lysander replied. “I didn’t really have to woo your mother.