Do I even know you?

As Professor Heidi was walking home from the public library, she encountered Countess Rosenthal waiting for her in an alley. She greeted the Professor and vice-versa, then the Countess got straight to the point.

She spoke, "Pardon me, Professor, I just wanted to ask you about your past. I think you and I should have a little chat, don't you agree?" Professor Heidi couldn't help but glare at her.

She composed herself and answered, "I must decline. I am very busy today."

The Countess reassured by saying, "Now, now. There's no need to be so guarded. I'll even give you a ride to the palace."

Heidi reluctantly agreed, and as the carriage rattled down the dusty roads of Cumsta, The Countess spoke, "I must admit, I've wanted to talk to you for quite some time now. You see, I've heard a lot about you from my cousin Maximilia, the palace guard. She says that she's envious of how you and the Princesses have been getting along as of late. It seems that all of them have changed since you first entered the palace gates; in a good way, I mean."

Professor Heidi countered, "Perhaps, but I too have been hoping to have a long talk with you. What exactly do you intend to do with the Princesses?"

The Countess quickly answered with her eyes, widened, "Whoa, what do you mean by that?"

Professor Heidi spoke, "There's no need to fake ignorance on the matter. You attempted to aggravate Princess Licha and the Queen by blabbering about the Princess's job in town. You also tried to dissuade Princess Brunia from her goals by using Doctor Dmitria."

The Countess gave out a fake laugh and responded, "What are you suggesting? If you think that I am trying to sabotage the young Princesses, you suffer a grave misconception. Princess Eina is the eldest and is also the most qualified candidate for the throne, so I have no reason to interfere in the other Princesses' lives." She then proceeded, "But enough about that. Have you seen this new story that has been making the rounds? A criminal has slipped into the palace walls; I do wonder if Professor Witzenberg knows who this criminal is. Oh, dear! We're already at the palace. Time flies when you're having fun, don't you agree?"

The carriage halted in front of the palace gardens. Not even a moment later, Leonora arrived at the scene and screamed, "Heidi!" Professor Heidi descended the vehicle without a word.

The Countess said, "Oh Professor Heidi, the thing that I forgot to mention is, I found out the truth. I know who you really are. It seems that before you came to the palace, you were a mentor at The Vegin Chruch. I tried to go further back into your history; it was tough to find anything of substance, but what I came across was very interesting. You didn't come from our side, did you?"

Professor Heidi glared at her with silence, whereas Leonora stood there clueless and was wondering, "Our side? What on earth does this mean?"

The Countess spoke, "I would love to hear about it the next time we meet. Good day to both of you."

Professor Heidi said while walking away, "Come, Princess Leonora, quickly." She then asked after looking at the paper in Leonora's hand, "My, is that your homework? I could evaluate it now if you'd like!"

Leonora squeezed her paper and replied angrily, "No! I'm not showing you my homework, nor am I letting you teach me any longer! What's this about you teaching at a church!? How come I didn't know about it!?"

Professor Heidi countered, "Well, because you never asked me anything about this before."

Leonora yelled, "I'm asking you now!!! Tell me!! Tell me!!"

Professor Heidi answered, "Very well, then. Years ago, I was a volunteer mentor at the Vegin Church. Though I wasn't getting compensated, I did get a free meal from the church for the work I perform for them."

She then asked, "Princess Leonora, I assume that you didn't understand the question on the assignment, so you came to ask your doubt? Or worse, did you not comprehend the questionnaire, so you gave up completely without commencing it?"

Leonora responded, "NO! It's the opposite! See it for yourself!"

She handed over the paper, and Professor Heidi remarked, "Wow! This isn't just tomorrow's homework! It covers today's lesson, as well! I will grade this in time for your session, you have my word."

Leonora spoke with arrogance and overconfidence, "That's right; imperial mentor; you work for me!"

Professor Heidi thought, "Someone's haughty..."

As she graded the paper, it turned out that Leonora scored 95% in her assignment. Professor Heidi thought, "Hmm... it seems that she has started to like studying. Yes, Princess Leonora, you have grown so much since the moment I first met you."

The next morning, all the Princesses gathered at the reception hall as Leonora called an emergency meeting after Heidi's lessons. She announced, "Yes. Apparently, Heidi used to be a volunteer mentor at a church."

Licha responded, "A church!? That's news to me."

Kaira added, "Yeah... to me too!"

Brunia asked, "Who told you this, Leonora?"

Leonora stammered, "Umm... okay, let's see. Ro-- en-- tha-- something."

Brunia squealed, "Wait! Are you talking about Countess Rosenthal!?"

Licha screamed, "That woman is a horror!!!"

Kaira asked, "We barely talked to her. How exactly can you judge her so quickly?"

Licha stammered, "Umm... yeah... well... I-I-It shows on her dumb face... you know!"

Leonora added, "Yeah, and she also told about Heidi not being from our side... whatever that means."

Brunia asked, "Our side? What on earth does this mean?"

Kaira replied, "This may be weird, but we don't know the Professor very well. She's a mystery."

Licha appended, "Well... that's very true! I have tried to get her open about her past, but it came to no avail. We could try asking her, but I doubt whether she would answer us. Oh! Wait! I know! We should try snooping around her chambers! She's gone to the bookstore, so this is our chance!"

Brunia yelled, "NO! That's an invasion of privacy!"

Licha screamed, "Fine, Brunie!! You don't have to come!"

Leonora squealed with delight and wonderment, "I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT HEIDI'S ROOM LOOKS LIKE!" After Kaira spending half an hour trying to convince Brunia, she finally gave in and decided to go along with her sisters.

The four Princesses were standing outside Heidi's room. Licha knocked to make sure if anybody was inside. When there was no response, she took out her stack of keys and said, "Well... it appears that she's not there. So... shall we?"

Leonora replied, "YES!"

Suddenly, a voice called out from behind, "Did you need me, Your Highness?" The four of them whirled around to see who was there; it was none other than Professor Heidi!! The Princesses flinched with fear and had no idea what to say at the occasion of them getting caught.

After a long moment of awkward silence, Leonora finally spoke, "Heidi! I need help with my homework!"

Brunia added, "Yes! She's so dumb! Even I have no idea how to explain it, so I figured that maybe I could learn from you! Hehe!"

Professor Heidi responded, "Well... in that case, please come in."

As the door creaked open, the four Princesses were stunned to see the Professor's room.

Leonora yelled, "Heidi... your room... IS A HUGE SMELLY MESS!!!!!"

Licha covered her mouth and said, "Leo, no matter how it looks, you mustn't be rude!!"

Brunia added, "Yes! Lying is better in cases such as these!"

Professor Heidi pouted, "That hurts!" She then continued, "Your Highnesses, I have been swamped lately; as such, I haven't been able to take out the time to do my room."

The Princesses thought, "Oh my god! She's been busy, and it is our fault!!!!" They then suggested the idea that they should tidy up her room to show their gratitude.

Professor Heidi thought, "Oh, dear! Princesses cleaning out a commoners room!!??"

Brunia declared, "Mistress! I have created a draft plan! It's the very definition of efficiency!"

Leonora raised her hand and affirmed with pride, "Question! I have no idea what you're talking about right now! But when I listen to it, you look terrific saying it, dearest sister Brunia!"

Professor Heidi thought, "Did she really need to raise her hand? This isn't an army base."

Brunia replied with confidence, "HA! Fair enough, sister mine! All you need to do is follow my key directions!"

Professor Heidi thought, "Huh! Never lacking in self-confidence." Brunia continued, "Firstly, we organize the items on the floor. Leo and I will do the books, whereas Kaira and Licha take care of the rest."

All of them squealed in unison, "YES! LET US CLEAN TILL WE DROP!!!"

When Licha was about to remove a box, Professor Heidi spoke, "Ah, Princess Licha, please do not touch that. It's a personal item, I will keep this aside for you."

The Princesses gathered together and whispered amongst themselves. Licha whispered, "A private item? Maybe if we look into it, we can find out who she really is."

Brunia reminded, "But we certainly cannot do it in front of her!"

Leonora said, "Don't worry, I got this!"

She started throwing a tantrum, "HEIDI!!! Please scratch my back!! It itches so badly! Help me!"

Professor Heidi responded, "Err, as you wish."

While she was facilitating Leonora, she observed that Licha was trying to touch the box, she asked, "Princess Licha? What are you doing?"

Licha neglected the fact that she almost got caught and squealed in delight, "Huh? What was I about to do? Oh yeah... I'm thirsty. Heidi darling, please get me something to drink!?"

Professor Heidi reminded, "I have a tea set right here." Licha scoffed and whispered to herself, "How do we get this hard-headed Prof out of the room?"

Leonora said, "Okay! Then fetch me some torte!"

Brunia yelled, "Mistress is not your errand girl! I will go and get it!"

Licha whispered, "But doesn't that defeat the point that we want her out of here?!" Brunia fell silent as she was reminded of the primary motive of being there.

Professor Heidi affirmed, "I'm terribly sorry, but I insist that we put off tea until later. Now would you please excuse me, there's something that I have to finish working on." As she turned back to do her work, Leonora saw her chance and quickly opened up the box, and at the same time, she was immediately caught. But there was no point in hiding it anymore, so Professor Heidi let them look into it.

Leonora asked, "What is all this?" Professor Heidi replied, "A collection of letters from my former students when we parted ways."

Leonora read, "Dearest Professor Heidi, I want you to know I love you, because of you, I enjoy studying more than anything else in the world.

Licha examined another one, "Professor Heidi, I want to be an effective and a great teacher, just like you."

Brunia concluded, "Reading these letters prove that Mistress is a woman of immense character."

Kaira added, "They all loved your lessons, and you too, Professor."

They then dug in more to find out that Heidi has also preserved presents that they gave her at the welcome party.

Professor Heidi affirmed, "Of course! I love to teach. Every student that I've taught is precious in my eyes. Like all the four of you, for example, I appreciate your individuality and cherished every moment that we've shared together. I am grateful that I've had the chance to meet you. But your Highnesses have invaded my privacy; therefore, I have to add 45 articles of homework to the stack of each of your lessons."

Licha shrieked, "AHHH! WE HAVE TO DO SO MUCH!!!!"

Brunia commanded, "Alright, girls! Break's over, let's get back to work and continue cleaning with gratitude in our hearts!"

And the four Princesses commenced with the cleaning until the room was immaculate once again! And they concluded their work by dawn.

Brunia asked, "Mistress, is the job to your satisfaction?"

Professor Heidi replied, "Yes, in fact, I believe it's perfect. I thank you for your incredible hard work, and I appreciate the tidy room as well. I am going to put on a pot of tea. Would you care to join me?"

All of the Princesses answered in unison, "Yes!"

Leonora said while eating, "Ah! I love sachertorte after a hard day's work!"

Licha noticed a newspaper under Heidi's bed and spoke, "Professor, why do you read these things! It's utter nonsense, you know! A criminal has slipped into the palace?!"

Brunia replied, "That's outrageous! That newspaper spreads nothing but lies."

Leonora screamed, "If there's nothing I hate other than carrots and bell peppers, it's liars! How can a criminal slip in any way? How would they get past the guards?!"

Kaira added, "The people here are friendly, they're not criminals!"

Professor Heidi took out her pointer and stated firmly, "IT'S TIME FOR A LESSON! Do not assume until you get to the bottom of the truth! Consider this, please. What if the criminal is seemingly kind to you; such as, someone, like me!"