Chapter 24: Bonds and Beginnings
**Thelma Zane’s Perspective**
Their eyes sparkled with excitement as they asked, “Can we be your friends?”
“Of course,” I replied with a warm smile, my heart lifting with unexpected joy.
Never had I thought making friends could be this easy. My past was filled with moments of solitude, marked by my status as the least popular person in the room. The few friendships I did have always carried an uneven dynamic. I was more the one being shielded than an equal participant. While I appreciated the care and protection, I often longed for a deeper, more balanced connection. So, this sudden camaraderie with Mara and Avril was a refreshing change
an exhilarating shift in what I thought was possible.
Their curiosity about me was insatiable, and questions came at me like a storm.
“Who is the Queen to you? You two look alike.”
“Do you live in the Imperial Palace?”
“Do you have a mate?”
Their enthusiasm was overwhelming, leaving me struggling for words. Thankfully, Miss Horace entered the classroom at just the right moment,
the right moment, her commanding presence restoring
order.
“Alright, it’s time for class. I hope you can still focus on the lesson,” she said, giving a pointed look to the lively students.
This session was about warfare, specifically the history and techniques of battle. Miss Horace’s teaching style was captivating, and the subject matter was vital, but the room’s atmosphere was divided.
On one side were students like Mara and her friends, clearly disinterested in the topic. They whispered among themselves and occasionally made faces at me when I glanced their way. On the other side were students like my deskmate and me, who were wholly engrossed in the
lecture.
My deskmate was particularly intriguing. She was quiet to the point of being enigmatic, rarely moving from her seat during breaks. No one interacted with her, yet she seemed unaffected by the isolation, her nose perpetually buried in a book.
While I noted her aloofness, I didn’t let it distract me. My focus remained on the lesson. Warfare was not just an abstract concept to me–it was a crucial responsibility. Someday, I would be Queen, and with that role came the obligation to protect my people. Failure was not an option. Each life lost in battle would shatter countless families, and I could not bear to let that happen.
Chaptér 24 Buds and Bognnings.
Hours passed swiftly as I absorbed every detail Miss Horace shared. By the time the class ended, I felt both enlightened and emotionally drained. As I packed my things, I decided to break the ice with my deskamate.
“Hi, I’m Thelma. What’s your name?” I asked with a friendly smile.
She looked startled, as if unused to being addressed. After a pause, she murmured, “Dorothy.
Before I could say more, she hastily gathered her belongings and left, almost as though fleeing.
“Don’t mind her. She’s just… strange,” Mara said with a dismissive shrug as she approached.
Her nonchalant tone unsettled me. “Has she always been like this?”
“Pretty much. She never shares anything about herself, and she doesn’t talk to anyone,” Mara replied.
I wanted to delve deeper into Dorothy’s story, but Mara quickly steered the conversation in another direction.
“Do you live in the Imperial Palace? Are royal guards coming to pick you up later?” she asked, her curiosity reignited.
I chuckled at the assumption. “Yes, thanks to the Queen, I do live in the palace, but as for royal guards–no, that’s not happening.”
“That’s so cool! What’s it like living in the palace? Do you see the Queen often? Are there a lot
of handsome men around?”
I tried to downplay it. “It’s just like anywhere else, really. Nothing extraordinary.”
But Mara and Avril were no longer paying attention to me. Their focus had shifted, their faces. lighting up with excitement.
“Look! Over there! Did you see that?” Mara exclaimed, pointing animatedly.
I turned to follow her gaze but saw nothing unusual. “What’s going on?”
The air carried a faint scent of bitter lemon, and Timmediately understood. It seemed
someone hadn’t escaped the task of picking me up after class.
“Sir Aldrich is here!” Mara announced, practically squealing. “He’s the most handsome man I’ve ever seen, and he’s so charming!”
Af the end of the corridor stood Aldrich, casually leaning against the wall. He waved at me, his presence commanding attention.
Mara and Avril turned to me with wide eyes. “He’s here for you?!”
I sighed, already anticipating their wild imaginations. “It’s not what you’re thinking. He’s a
Ghery: 24 Bonds and beginnings
friend, and he’s probably just fulfilling a duty. Besides, I’ve heard he already likes someone.”
Their collective groan was theatrical.
“I can’t believe my heart is broken so quickly,” Mara lamented, clutching her chest in mock despair.
Avril, on the other hand, was more resigned. “I didn’t expect him to be single forever. Just seeing his face is enough for me.”
11
Their dramatics made me laugh, though I could see why Aldrich had such an effect. His good looks and calm demeanor were undeniably captivating. Yet, I knew there was more to him than what met the eye–something that went beyond his surface appeal.
“I can’t believe you’re giving up so easily!” Mara said, throwing her hands up in exasperation. “At least think about how to win him over.
“Why bother?” Avril replied with a shrug. “We should focus on finding our mates instead.“.
As their playful argument continued, I waved goodbye and made my way toward Aldrich. He stood patiently, his expression as unreadable as ever.
Aldrich reminded me of the moon–distant and unattainable, admired by all but belonging to none. Yet, despite his admirers, he would only lower his guard for the one he truly loved. Watching him now, I couldn’t help but admire his steadfastness, even if it made him a subject of envy and fascination.
This was the first day I felt the weight of connections, both old and new, shaping my journey. Friendships, mysteries, and responsibilities all intertwined, laying the groundwork for a future I was just beginning to glimpse.
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