Page 11 of Royal Academy

CHAPTER 6

Lia sat at her desk as the class watched an antiquated film on proper dining etiquette. She vaguely remembered watching the same film when she was a first-year. So far this teaching assignment hadn’t been horrendous. The curriculum was already laid out and all Lia had to do was follow the teacher plans.

What was disappointing to Lia was how boring it all was. She hadn’t cared for the class as a student and certainly wasn’t enjoying it as an adult. Who cared which fork you could pick up your watercress with? She hated the vegetable in any form—especially in soup.

Lia shuddered at the thought. Absentmindedly she scratched at the scab which had formed on her elbow. More than a week had passed since the accident in the woods. Lia had taken to running in the morning to avoid Nick.

Neither one had reached out to the other, and when they passed in the hallway there was a distinct electric charge. Whispered rumor among the students was that Princess Lia had been throwing herself at the handsome professor.

After all, why would someone as suave and charming as he, possibly want with their scattered redheaded teacher? It was unfathomable that the feelings could be reciprocated.

Lia continued to dress in her own eclectic style. Stripes with florals, glaring patterns, and odd color combinations were something of a knack for Lia. It wasn’t that she wanted to stand out like a sore thumb, only that she always had.

As the film progressed Lia tried to ignore the whispers from the students. They were supposed to be paying attention, but as time had gone on, Lia had lost more and more of the student's respect. She wasn’t sure why they didn’t like her.

It seemed that the harder she tried the worse things became. Especially with those fourth-years, Victoria, Simone, and Franklin. Bitting her thumbnail, Lia contemplated on the upcoming meeting with the Dean.

She had been asked to report to his office immediately following classes that afternoon. Closing her eyes she wished for the umpteenth time that her father would just let her live her life. This challenge thus far had only gone to prove that he was right. And damn, that hurt more than she was willing to admit.

The credits rolled just as the bell system altered students that classes were over for the day. With a wave of relief, the students stood and began to exit the classroom. Lia noticed that one of her first-years was still sitting at her desk.

“Rachel, is everything alright?” Lia asked kindly.

Rachel was a quiet girl, a countesses daughter or some such thing, and just barely fifteen. Dark skinned with a body that Lia was secretly jealous of, Rachel was everything that Lia had never been.

“Princess Amelia,” Rachel looked her square in the eye, “Can I ask you something?”

Lia sat at the desk in from of Rachel, “Certainly, what can I do for you?”

Rachel’s brow furrowed, “I think it is more what I can do for you.”

Intrigued, Lia leaned back on her elbows in a decidedly unprincesslike manner.

“By all means, shoot,” Lia smiled at the girl.

“I don’t mean to be disrespectful, Princess Amelia,” Rachel began, “But your clothes, they are awful.”

Lia choked a little and sat up, “Excuse me?”

Rachel nodded sadly, “They don’t fit you very well either. My mother was a fashion model before she married my father. I could help you if you would like.”

Lia looked at the beautiful, quiet, fifteen-year-old wondering how she could turn her down gently.

Rachel raised a hand, “I don’t want to take away your sense of style. Some of the things you wear are fun and edgy, it’s just the pairing that is atrocious. I’ve seen how the students treat you and I know what they are saying behind your back.”

Lia drew in a breath, “Is it that bad?”

Rachel made a face, “It’s pretty bad. I like you, Princess Amelia, and I know what it is like to be on the outside of things. Because my mother wasn’t born into royalty, there are some people that can be quite cruel. I am not ashamed of my mother’s heritage. She comes from a working-class family in the states.”

“Where is she from?” Lia hadn’t considered that there might be others who felt the same way she did.

Rachel smiled, “South Carolina, she was a tall black woman that began modeling at the age of sixteen. By the time she was nineteen she had reached international fame and had caught my father’s eye. They married two years later. My parents are very happy, do not get me wrong. However, there have been numerous occasions through the years when my family has been scrutinized and treated as less than—Common blood and all of that nonsense.”

Lia’s eyes were wide, “I’m so very sorry.”

Rachel shrugged, “Don’t be, you learn to grow a thick skin. But growing up with a fashion model as a parent I know what looks right and what doesn’t. Princess Amelia, my mother always says that you have to dress the part of who you want to be.”

Lia shook her head with a wry smile, “Aren’t I supposed to be teaching you?”

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