Page 19 of Pretense

Farrendel suppressed a groan. Right. Neither Captain Merrick nor Iyrinder were married. Why was Farrendel asking them? Of the three of them, he was the one who should be the expert on this marriage thing.

Captain Merrick gave a slight cough. “I have heard jewelry is always appreciated.”

Farrendel opened his mouth to say that Essie was a princess. She had plenty of jewelry already.

But it was Iyrinder who spoke up first. “Is that what Escarlish women appreciate?”

Captain Merrick shot Iyrinder a look that was somehow both knowing and searching all at once. “They do. Something small and tasteful, I should think.”

Was Captain Merrick talking to Farrendel or Iyrinder at this point?

Farrendel would have to ask Essie later because there was something he was missing here, and Essie would know what it was.

“Very well. We will start with the jewelers.” Farrendel glanced around the street. He could manage a few stores, at least. If he did not find anything, he would simply get something in Estyra when they returned there.

* * *

Essie rested her hand on Farrendel’s arm, the familiar brick and stone buildings of Hanford University spreading around them. Brick walkways wound between the buildings with fountains set in the squares and benches set beneath trees. At the far side of the rows of buildings, the Fyne River rippled and gurgled. Students sat in clusters on the grassy bank that extended down to the muddy river.

A few of the students stopped and gaped, though Essie wasn’t sure whether the gaping was due to their princess in their midst or the elf prince walking at her side.

Farrendel shifted closer to her, and she could sense his unease. He wasn’t wearing his swords—weapons were banned for students, though Captain Merrick and Iyrinder had gotten exemptions as guards and still wore theirs.

At least the interview the night before had gone as well as could have been expected. It had been tense, but Trent Bourdon had been polite and professional.

Professor Harrington bustled up to them, bowing first to Farrendel, then to her almost as an afterthought. His brown, gray-flecked hair was a little longer than was fashionable in Escarland while he stood shorter than either Farrendel or Essie. “Prince Farrendel, Princess Elspeth. It’s a pleasure to have you here today.”

Farrendel managed a stiff nod, but Essie smiled. “It is our pleasure to be here. Where would you like to start this tour?”

Professor Harrington gestured at the campus. “I will give you a proper tour. Not that you need it, Princess Elspeth, but there have been a few changes since you took classes here. We will wrap up the tour by sitting in on the advanced magical theory class that you have been taking by correspondence, Prince Farrendel.”

Farrendel nodded again, and Essie stepped as close as she dared in a public setting like this. Through the heart bond, she could feel just how stomach-churningly nervous he was. He was going to make her nauseous if he kept this up.

Professor Harrington led the way, waving at each building in turn and expounding on its history and which classes were held in each. Though, he looked a little flummoxed when he spoke about an ancient building that had been built seven hundred years ago and then Farrendel mentioned that Leyleira had already been over a hundred years old at that point and courting Farrendel’s grandfather.

Essie understood the feeling. It boggled her mind at times when she realized how much history even Farrendel had seen in his mere one hundred and six years, much less Weylind or Leyleira.

When the tour was over, the professor led them inside one of the buildings, halting in the hallway outside of an oak door. From inside, the voice of another professor echoed, even if it was too faint to understand through the oak.

Professor Harrington faced Captain Merrick and Iyrinder. “I will have to ask the guards to wait outside. It is university policy that any personal guards must wait outside the room to avoid any disruption of class or distraction to the other students.”

Farrendel’s face whitened a bit, glancing between Captain Merrick and Iyrinder as if he didn’t dare walk into the room without them watching his back.

Essie winced. She had forgotten about this rule. “I’m afraid he is correct. The Escarlish royalty has always complied, and there has never been an incident.”

“What if I were a prospective student thinking about enrolling?” Iyrinder shifted as everyone swung to look at him. “Would I be able to sit in the class today?”

The professor shrugged. “You would have to leave your weapons behind, as is required of all students, but it is allowed for prospective students to sit in on classes with approval.”

Iyrinder still wasn’t looking at any of them. “And if I wished to attend the classes with the amir in the fall?”

“There is no rule against guards taking classes, but you would have to be officially enrolled yourself, going for the same degree.” The professor almost looked giddy at the thought. “We would welcome you, of course. Any elves who wish to attend are very welcome to do so.”

“Iyrinder?” Beneath Essie’s hand, Farrendel’s muscles had gone even more stiff. “Is this what you wish?”

“It would be better if one of us were in the room with you to watch your back.” Iyrinder shared a glance with Captain Merrick.

“I will appear less conspicuous standing outside the door since I am Escarlish.” Captain Merrick grimaced, though it had a touch of humor to it. “And I certainly don’t want to get a degree in magical engineering. I became a guard because I didn’t want to spend my days sitting in a classroom. But if Iyrinder wants to do it, I’m not going to stand in his way.”

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