Allegra what is happening. However, for now you are just as normal as any of the other boys, at least, I think so. Lucian, is Adrian green? I’m afraid having fairy eyes can be a disadvantage.”
“No, he isn’t,” he replied. “He’s just shorter than he used to be and has a habit of ribbeting at inopportune moments.”
“Well then, she won’t notice that you’re any different. I’ll have Gelasia make you some shoes that will put you back to the height you were. When you reach the point that it is obvious something is happening, we’ll meet again to discuss how to proceed,” Calista said. “For now, I would suggest you continue in your coursework and personal life as though nothing has changed.”
“Calista, I have a question for you,” Lucian said. “Can we tell our closest friends about this? Having the support of our friends will make this easier on Adrian and help determine when we need to talk to Allegra.”
She replied, “I’m not sure that’s a very good idea, Lucian. While I understand the need for support, word travels far too quickly and it would be difficult to keep it from reaching the princesses.”
“I’m going to tell them with or without your permission,” Adrian said. “I’ll need their help. They won’t repeat what’s been told to them if they have given their word. No one outside our circle will know.”
Calista eyed Adrian and Lucian for a moment. She smiled, “Very well, Adrian. It will be as you wish. You may tell Kaelen, George and Jacobi However, you must not tell anyone else.”
“I won’t,” Adrian promised.
“Well, it is late now and you both need to be getting to bed. Have a good night boys,” she finished, holding the door of her office open. As Adrian walked through the door, she said, “Don’t worry, Adrian. Everything will work out just fine. You’ll see.”
Adrian knew that despite the multitude of questions he still had, the meeting was over and there would be no continuing it tonight. “Good night, Calista,” he said quietly. Feeling as though he’d been defeated by thirty dragons in a row, he walked away from the office with Lucian following close behind.
The end of the semester came and finals went by quickly. Adrian had told the other boys about the slow transformation into a frog. They had put their heads together and were doing what they could to try to help. Kaelen was probably the most helpful having actually been transformed himself. But his situation wasn’t very comforting. His princess had left him to remain a beast for all eternity. Adrian could only hope that Allegra would have a better reaction.
He tried to keep those thoughts from his mind as the princesses arrived for breakfast. He smiled at Allegra who was wearing a light green gown with little golden flowers. “You look lovely."
“Thanks,” she blushed. “Moira helped me with the embroidery. She’s very talented.”
Moira said hello to Adrian before turning to Lucian. “Is something different about Adrian?”
Lucian tried not to look guilty as he lied, “No, what makes you think so?”
“I don’t know.” She was looking at Adrian as though he were a puzzle missing a piece. “He just seems different somehow, not himself. Oh well,” she continued, returning her attention to Lucian with a smile, “I suppose it’s because I don’t see him very often.”
“That must be it,” Lucian said with a smile. “You look very nice today. Did you make the dress?”
“Yes I did.” Moira smiled, looking down at the delicate, lavender gown.
Lucian smiled back as Moira took his arm and allowed him to lead her into the dining hall. He held her seat for her and soon they were surrounded by all their closest friends. Chatter flowed about the table lightly and easily as they caught up from the last time of seeing each other.
“Oh, Kaelen, I have something for you,” Clarissa said, reaching into the pocket of her dress. “It’s from your sister. I’m sorry I didn’t send it in a letter like I normally have, but she just gave it to me last night. I thought you would prefer getting it now rather than waiting for next semester.”
Kaelen took the folded piece of paper from her and placed it in his jacket pocket. For the past several weeks each of his friends had made similar deliveries of notes that their princesses had sent to them. “Thanks, Clarissa. I appreciate it. Really, I appreciate all of you for helping me stay in touch with her.”
“That’s what friends are for,” Eleanor said. “I just wish there were an easier way.”
“Me too,” Kaelen admitted.
They were interrupted by Calista, “Kaelen, may I have a moment please?”
“Sure. Excuse me,” he said to the group and followed Calista out into the hall. Melantha and Gelasia were waiting there as well.
“Kaelen,” Calista began, “I have a strange request for you. But I would like Melantha to explain the situation before I make that request.”
Melantha smiled sadly at Kaelen. “I’m very sorry, my dear. I received a letter from your mother stating that Anna is to have no contact with you and that you were to be expelled. If she finds that there has been contact, she will pull Anna from Fair Damsels. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you how heartbreaking that would be for your sister. She is one of my best students and a true lady. I would hate to lose her to someone as bitter as your mother. Now, I happen to know that you have both been sneaking messages to each other. I will not ask you stop that communication; I think Anna needs to hear from you. But I would urge you to use caution.”
“I don’t understand,” he said, turning to Calista. “If you’re going to allow me to keep writing, which I appreciate, I don’t see what the request is.”
There was sadness in her tone and in her eyes as she said, “I need to have you stay away from the activities today. Most especially, I need you to be in your room while parents are here. I hate allowing others to dictate what happens at my school. However, Melantha and I agree that it would be best to appear to be following Queen Angelique’s wishes. I am so sorry, Kaelen. I know this is already a difficult.”
“It’s fine, Calista,” Kaelen interrupted, wishing he could remove the sorrow from the fairy’s eyes. “I understand. If you feel that this is best, then I will comply. Gelasia, I assume that you were going to offer to stay with me?”
She smiled. “That was indeed my intention if my company would be of comfort to you.”
“Gelasia, you are always a comfort.” He turned again to Calista, “Can I finish breakfast with my friends? They’ll miss me if I just disappear.”
“Of course you may,” she replied. As Kaelen walked away, she couldn’t help but feel a surge of pride in her student. She cleared her throat and dashed a tear from her eye. “Well, Gelasia, he has certainly grown since coming here, hasn’t he?”
“Indeed he has, dear,” Gelasia replied, patting her arm. “Calista, while he finishes breakfast, I’m going to speak to Maeve.”
“Whatever for?”
“I think there’s more to Kaelen’s story than perhaps we know. Many do not see much hope for him at all. His family has disowned him and his princess has abandoned him to a cruel fate. I think it’s time we revisited the stars and see what is truly in Kaelen’s future. I can’t believe that there is no hope for him. He has matured beyond what any of us would have imagined. So, I’m going to ask Maeve if she can get us more details on this situation. Then, after his parents have left with Anna, I suggest we have a meeting with him to discuss our findings.”
“As always Gelasia, you are a fount of wisdom,” Calista replied with a smile. “Go speak with Maeve. Perhaps there is some hope after all.”
Once Kaelen had returned to the dining hall, he told his friends about the meeting, mentioning only that he would be upstairs for the remainder of the day.
“How awful!” Clarissa said. “That’s so horribly unfair.”
Kaelen just shrugged. “Don’t let it ruin your day.” When breakfast was finished, he excused himself and led Gelasia up the stairs and towards his room.
“Dear, may I recommend that we convene in my clas
sroom?” Gelasia requested.
“Your wish is my command,” he said.
She giggled. “I always knew there was a gentleman in you.”
Kaelen couldn’t help but laugh as well. “I’m sure for a while you were the only one. I’m afraid I really botched things in the beginning.”
“Well, my dear, no one is perfect. Now, I insist that you close your eyes. I have a surprise for you.”
“For me?”
“Unless you know a Kaelen I don’t,” she teased. “Go on, close your eyes.” Kaelen did as he was told and allowed Gelasia to lead him into the room. “And now you may open them.”
Kaelen blinked a couple times. In front of him was a spinning wheel and carefully bound bundles of straw. Sitting on the seat of the wheel was a sewing kit with oversized needles, thimbles, scissors and spools of thread. “Gelasia, this is, wow! Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome, my dear,” she replied with a smile. “I know as much as you may not want to admit it to your peers that you enjoy the more delicate tasks. And I thought that during those times when you can’t be with your friends, this will give you something to do that will be enjoyable and bring you happiness.”
Hugging Gelasia, he said, “This is the best present anyone has ever given me! Can I start on something right now?”
“Of course you may, dear.”
“I wish I could do a dress for Anna. I know she’d like it.”
Smiling sadly, she said, “I know,