Where Dreams Lie...

One morning peaceful morning, Heidi announced, "Today's group lesson will be a discussion about a particular problem. I would like you to answer not as potential successors of the throne but as though you're already the sovereign ruler. Let us begin! I have some beautiful Venice lace here. The sole specialty store in the kingdom that makes this lace needs to be replaced due to the building's old age. However, the proprietor does not have sufficient funds for it. So, they have come to ask the state for a loan to finance the construction. As Queen, how will you answer?"

Licha responded, "Hmm... I'd lend them the money because I doubt it would cost very much."

Brunia corrected, "Wrong, you cannot do that. It's against the law, the state cannot give financial loans to private citizens or their businesses."

Leonora then proposed an idea with a smile, "Then, they should mend together to solve the problem! The townspeople could save up a little money each month, pool it together, and lend it out when someone needs it. For example, I'm allowed to eat only one torte per day, sometimes I like to save them up for ten days so I can eat them up at once. It would be like that, right?"

Brunia looked at Leonora with astonishment for coming up with that particular notion.

Licha teased, "Aww! It's so cute when Leo's imagination runs off with her!"

The Queen then entered the reception hall and commented, "I think it's a splendid idea! In fact, the insurance system has already caught on in our neighboring countries. It might be time for Vermillion to consider an insurance market of our own. Leonora, I'm of the mind to present this opinion to the council. Will you put together a report for me?"

Brunia's eyes widened as the Queen made that request. Professor Heidi stated, "Congratulations, Your Highness, you just earned your mother's praise."

Kaira remarked, "Leonora, you're amazing!"

Brunia added, "Yes, well done."

Leonora screamed with her cheeks flushing pink, "I did it! I just earned mother's, elder sister Kaira's and dearest sister Brunia's praise!!"

Brunia smiled for the moment but was depressed in her heart and thought, "And just like that, all those childhood memories came flying back."

*FLASHBACK*

Eight years ago, at the Queen's study, Viktoria said, "Brunia... do not hide behind the door. Come in."

Brunia came from behind the door and greeted, "Good day, mother! A thousand apologies for spying, please forgive me! I will be on my way."

Viktoria asked, "Brunia, do you want to join me with my work, dear?"

Brunia's eyes gleamed with delight, and she squealed, "What? Are you sure you don't mind, mother?"

Viktoria smiled and said while lifting up her daughter onto her lap, "Of course, I'm sure! Come here! Now, you're good at your studies, aren't you? It will be beneficial if you read this document aloud for me, my dear!"

Brunia willingly obeyed and wondered, "Unbelievable! So this is the kind of work she does! When I grow up, I want to be an excellent Queen, a loving parent, and a respected steward of the crown, just like her!"

When Brunia was walking back to her room with a smile on her face after helping her mother with her work, she heard a few men talking about her eldest sister Princess Eina. One man said, "Princess Eina, brilliant, isn't she? She's a born genius! I hear that at the mere age of ten, she was studying on a 17-year-old level! She's even at the top of her etiquette class in the academy, both academics, and manual training."

The other one added, "Occasionally, she says the most astounding things, but she has a vivid imagination and absolutely charming!"

Tears filled Brunia's eyes as she heard this, and she thought, "I don't believe in geniuses! I have to study more! I want to become the best heir in my mother's eyes! I have to beat Eina! I have to become the most high-grade Queen!"

*BRUNIA'S POV*

Since then, I began studying as if my life depended on it. Others began to take notice and acknowledged my accomplishments. But the assumption that Eina would be a better Queen never changed. Just recently, mother announced that she's resigning her duties as a monarch and that she wants one of her five daughters to replace her as Adam is too young to be a sovereign ruler. People's gossiping about Eina would be the next Queen also was the same. If there are real people who are blessed with a genius mind, I wonder, do hard work, and sincere efforts mean nothing? Even if I did catch up to my genius sister, I'd still never be her! I had never considered the possibility before, but Leonora... perhaps you are just like her! If your studies lead you to a naturally gifted genius mind, then I...

*END OF BRUNIA'S POV AND FLASHBACK*

Professor Heidi called, "Your Highness, Princess Brunia?"

Brunia snapped back and then looked at the Professor with perplexion. Heidi asked with concern, "Are you quite alright, Princess Brunia? I must say I am worried about you."

Brunia replied, "No, I'm fine. Wait... I made you worry about me?!" She continued shouting while banging her head on the desk in front of her, "I BEG YOUR FORGIVENESS! TO THINK THAT I TROUBLED MY MISTRESS!!! I DESPISE MYSELF!! I DON'T DESERVE TO BE IN THE TABLE OF YOUR GENIUS!!!!!!!"

Professor Heidi thought, "I should clarify that her behavior is always atypical."

She consoled Brunia, "It's no matter. Please lift your head, let's discuss your recent thesis that I've read. 'The Modern Monarchy.'"

Brunia politely asked, "How was it, mistress? I have to present it at an academic conference in two weeks at the university."

Professor Heidi acknowledged, "Your Highness, I didn't know you attended university!"

Brunia replied, "Oh, no! Not officially! I paid a visit to Cumsta University after hearing that Doctor Dmitria from Orosz, the scholar whom I respect, was going to give a lecture there. Sadly, due to some last-minute changes in her schedule, it didn't happen. That visit led me to receive guidance from the other professors there in a private capacity."

Professor Heidi answered, "Goodness. You have been busy."

Brunia gasped and squealed, "My studies at the university are merely to broaden my horizons, mistress. Your lessons are far more important to me!! YOU'RE MY ONE AND ONLY MISTRESS!!"

Professor Heidi replied, "Umm... thank you?"

Brunia continued, "My current thesis has an incredibly complex and difficult theme, and I would love to get your frank advice, mistress."

Professor Heidi answered, bluntly, "To be fair, it's quite lacking! Your comments on ethnic issues are simply a rehashing of a previous thesis. Nor do you offer a new opinion on how the society should face the recently growing trend towards nationalism. Moreover, your misspellings are jarred. I marked them for you!"

Brunia examined her thesis and said with melancholy, "God! It's such a shameful display!"

Professor Heidi asked while patting on Brunia's shoulders, "Princess Brunia, has something distracted you from your work?" You've been acting strangely these days, tell me, did something happen?"

Brunia stammered, "Umm... I-I am fine, truly."

Professor Heidi replied, "I will not force you to tell me. Moreover, you must keep pressing on because I have a challenge for you! Before your presentation at the university, you will revaluate this thesis from me. If I am not satisfied with its content, the YOU'RE NO LONGER MY APPRENTICE!"

Brunia gasped as she didn't expect such a response from the Professor.

Heidi thought, "Although, I don't recall taking you on as my apprentice in the first place."

Heidi was anticipating a shocked and dismayed reaction from the Princess, but instead, she found tears in her eyes and a broad smile spread across her face!

She screamed with delight, "Mistress, this is the first time you referred me as your apprentice! I didn't realize that you thought so highly of me! I CAN NOW DIE WITHOUT ANY REGRETS! Not now, I have to complete my thesis first!"

She then shrieked in happiness while running toward her room with pleasure, "I swear that as your apprentice, I will not fail you! Here I go! ONTO THE BREACH!"

Professor Heidi thought, "I wasn't expecting that reaction! But as long as she's motivated, I can tolerate almost anything. Good luck, Princess Brunia, do your very best."

Brunia thought, "Mistress is right. Forget about the royal line of succession for now. I must focus on the task at hand; writing my paper."

After two weeks of an endless amount of hard work and no sleep, Brunia presented her paper in front of Professor Heidi and assured her that she did the very best she could.

Heidi evaluated the thesis and replied, "Most excellent. Frankly, it exceeded my expectations. Your thoughts are more profound than before. And your opinion from diverse points of view taught me a few things as well. Princess, you must present your paper with the utmost confidence. I, for one, am proud to call you my apprentice."

Brunia screamed with happiness, "I WILL NOT FAIL YOU! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE KIND WORDS! I DID IT!! WOOHOO!"

Professor Heidi thought, "I think it is quite safe to say that Princess Brunia has returned to her old self."

*AT THE UNIVERSITY*

Brunia was standing at the backstage waiting for her turn. She thought, "I should be confident, but yet I'm still incredibly nervous. If my sister Eina were in my shoes, I'm sure she would be beaming with confidence. If it were not for my so-called royal blood, I would be just a commoner, born with virtually nothing. That is precisely why I have to push myself ten times harder than the others. I know that it is the only way to be special to move the hearts of the people out there."

She then moved on, gave her presentation, and greeted the audience before descending the stage. There was merely silence amongst them.

Brunia thought, "Perhaps an ordinary person like me isn't enough. Maybe I have to be like Eina to succeed in this world. At that last thought, the audience began to give thunderous applause for the Princess's presentation. Brunia turned around with tears in her eyes, she thought, "THANK GOODNESS! I DID IT!! MY HARDWORK PAID OFF!"

*BACK AT THE PALACE*

Everyone gathered around Princess Brunia as if she were some celebrity. People were begging her to give lectures at their respective universities. Brunia kindly accepted all the offers and considered them an honor. Suddenly a glaring woman appeared behind her, and a familiar woman came behind her.

She said, "Excellent performance out there, Brunia! From up close, you're quite the looker, aren't you?"

Brunia asked, "Wait... are you, Doctor Dmitria?"

The woman smiled in recognition and added, "The very same! And this is my assistant Smerdria, sorry if you thought that she was glaring at you!"

Brunia couldn't believe her eyes! It was like a fairytale dream coming true for her! She eventually got the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet her idol!

Doctor Dmitria politely asked, "Would you like to join us for dinner?"

Brunia replied with pleasure gleaming in her eye, "Yes, I would love to!"

Dmitria answered, "Wonderful! I already made the reservations!

*AT THE RESTAURANT*

Dmitria said, "So, Brunia... I hope it's okay if I don't call you 'Princess.' We're foreigners after all, and we aren't here to discuss politics, so I figured there's no harm in it."

Brunia answered, "I don't mind one bit."

The doctor added, "'Princess Brunia'; it sounds so stiff, how can we be friends like that?"

Smerdria responded, "Okay, doctor, I think you drank too much!"

Brunia thought, "I must be dreaming... I can't believe that I'm sitting here, chatting with Doctor Dmitria... albeit, a very drunk Doctor Dmitria..."

Doctor Dmitria continued, "I've had the chance to read several of your papers, and it's impressive to see such a sharp young mind at work. I have a proposal for you, Brunia. How would you feel about leaving your responsibilities to the palace behind and studying abroad to be a Doctor of your field of interest with me?"