Page 12 of The Princess's Pet

“I think that was quite an interesting lecture. I’ve never had Dr. Phears before. I think she’s part of the medical faculty, usually giving lectures on anatomy or something,” Ana rambled.

“Do they teach such subjects here?” I asked. It seemed that all of the Princess’s classes were on history, politics, or war.

“Oh yes, they teach many subjects here. It all depends on what role the Royal or noble is destined for. Classes are chosen to best prepare them for their future duties,” Ana explained.

“Are we going to eat? I’m starving,” I was startled when Dylan interrupted and took my other arm.

“We’re walking like characters from a storybook,” I laughed.

“Only if we start skipping,” Harris added, taking Ana’s free arm.

“Let’s not, yeah, you two embarrass me enough,” Ana deadpanned.

“Speaking of food, I need to make my way to the café on the ground floor, the one with the flower beds. I’m to wait there,” I explained.

“In that case,” Dylan began before swinging us all around in the opposite direction. “We’d best head in this direction.” I laughed as Harris lost his footing in turning and stumbled ahead, letting go of Ana’s arm.

“What’s wrong with you Dylan?” Harris yelled, though I could tell he was teasing. Dylan let go of my arm and pounded his chest.

“Do you want to fight, Harris?” he challenged. And Harris met the challenge by lunging forward and pushing Dylan, who fell to the ground with a surprised smile on his face before bouncing up and chasing after Harris, who had turned and bolted down the hall.

“Are those two always so… loud?” I asked Ana.

“Oh yes, they never shut up, always making a scene. Honestly, I’m surprised Dylan hasn’t upset the wrong person yet; all the worst things someone could say seem to fall from his mouth,” Ana answered.

We made our way to the café and by the time we arrived, Harris and Dylan were at a table waving us over.

“What took you so long?” Harris asked, still catching his breath.

Ana simply looked at him and then turned back to me. “What are you getting Percy?” she asked picking up a menu, and the boys began to bicker again.

I looked over the menu. “Maybe the chicken club sandwich,” I answered after a few moments.

“I love the veggie curry here,” she said.

“Like it spicy,” Dylan yelled, and Harris cracked up beside him.

“I don’t know why we sat down beside you two fools,” Ana replied, her cheeks tinted red.

It wasn’t long before a waiter had taken our orders and we had finished our food and were chatting amongst ourselves.

“So, you guys have been servants, all your lives?” I asked, confused by the thought of such a thing. I had no idea that people were born servants. I grew up in a mixed community and while we had to pay taxes to house Maria, that was where our interaction with the house system ended.

“Yeah, we come from lines that have served the same Royal or noble family for generations,” Dylan explained. “All servants are sent to an Academy for at least two years of classes once we reach our eighteenth year, so we’re prepared for our duties when we return home.”

“How old are you guys?” I asked curiously.

“I’m in my twentieth year and last year here at Sanguis Academy. So is Dylan, but he’s in his twenty-first year—got held back for being stupid,” Harris answered.

“Did not, where do you get off telling pretty girls I’m stupid?” Dylan replied.

“You forgot your own age, Dylan, and missed the enrolment for what should have been your first year of classes,” Harris argued.

“I wasn’t ready to be older.”

“That’s not how aging works!”

“I’m in my nineteenthyear, and this is my first year here.” Ana turned to answer me, ignoring Harris and Dylan, who were getting steadily louder in their argument now on what qualified as aging. “What about you?” she asked.

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