The Unforeseen Transpiration Of Events

The Queen repeated the statement again, "Heidi has resigned from her post of the imperial mentor, and tomorrow is officially her last day in the palace. Now, it's late, my daughters, please return to your rooms."

The Princesses shrieked at the top of their voices of the fear and panic seized them.

The Queen turned around and shouted, "QUICK!!!! CALL THE DOCTOR!!!" There was chaos in the middle of the night, even amongst the palace staff; Adam and Shyra also woke up from their sleep. Everyone was shocked to discover that BRUNIA HAD COLLAPSED!! Her condition was so critical that the palace doctor wouldn't suffice the situation alone, and the Princess had to be taken to the Cumsta National Hospital. The doctor retained Brunia in the hospital to stabilize her condition and instructed everyone to leave and return the next morning.

The Queen stated, "Adam and Shyra, you cannot stay here; you must go home! I promise you that Brunia will be fine, and I will take you home now, and we will come and see your big sister first thing in the morning, okay?"

Adam wiped his tears, forfeited and returned back to the palace with her pet and the Queen. The other three Princesses decided to reside there for the rest of the night.

Leonora shrieked, "UGH!! Why are all the bad things happening to us!? I do hope dearest sister Brunia is okay!! I can't take it anymore!! I'm going to see her!"

Kaira stopped her by saying, "No! You can't! Let Brunia get her rest, look, I'm traumatized by this whole Heidi kidnapping my story, but I guess it was just too much for her to handle!"

Licha added, "Guys, it may sound odd, but we don't really know a lot about her! Until Professor Heidi entered our lives, Brunia always shut herself in her chambers and studied all day! Maybe there was a lot more going on in her head than just beating Eina to secure the throne or being a better monarch than her! We just have to accept all these facts!"

Leonora yelled, "SERIOUSLY, YOU'RE ALRIGHT WITH ALL THIS? HEIDI RESIGNED AND WE BEING IN THE HOSPITAL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT!!!!???"

Licha shouted, "No! That is not what I said! Look, I don't like all of this either! It's a terrible situation but can quarrel solve any of our setbacks?"

Kaira responded, "Licha is right, Leo. We know how close you and Brunia are, so that is why you're facing more difficulty in accepting this than the rest of us. Look, we also genuinely care about her, and nothing in this world is going to ever change that. All we can do is hope the best for her if our love and concern get through I can guarantee you that she will be alright."

Leonora calmed down after this, but none of the sisters could get any sleep during the night, nor did they have their dinner. It was a silent night filled with hope from everyone who cared about her.

The next morning, the Queen, Adam, and Shyra arrived at the hospital, and the doctor summoned everyone together to reveal that Brunia's condition has been successfully stabled and it was a severe case of temporary paralysis.

The doctor continued, "The Princess can talk, but she cannot walk for at least several weeks. She has been assigned on a wheelchair. If her anxiety level gets higher, it can cause more damage to the legs where the paralysis has affected her the most. Please give her these medicines that I've prescribed for her. And for safety purposes, please bring her to the hospital every week for a therapy session so that she can make a swift recovery. I will get the Princess, please stay here for a few minutes."

The Queen said, "Daughters, Heidi returned back to the palace late yesterday night, and when she checked into your rooms you weren't there. She asked me where you guys were, I said that you guys went out camping with the guards to complete the assignment she gave them. I didn't know whether you wanted her to know the truth so I--"

Brunia replied as she appeared on the wheelchair, "Thank you for doing that. I didn't want Mistress to worry about nothing."

Leonora yelled, "Nothing!!?? How is you on a wheelchair due to some temporary blah blah blah.... is nothing?! Did you have any idea how much we were..." Leonora trailed off on that sentence and rushed to give her dearest sister an embrace.

Licha screamed, "Hey! What are we; second-hand?!" Brunia beckoned them, and all the sisters had their brief moment of reunion, soon even Adam, Shyra and the Queen joined them.

After the conclusion of their special moment, the Queen reminded, "Now, Heidi is going to see you on a wheelchair, so how do you intend to explain it to her?"

Brunia answered, "Well... Licha could just wrap my led with plain plaster and say that I fractured my leg during the camp."

Leonora responded, "Sounds good to me, let's go!"

Kaira pulled back Brunia aside and asked, "Brunia, I'm sure that Professor Heidi leaving is just one of the several things on your mind that has triggered you to this condition. You can talk to me, you know? There's no denying that you have problems, tell me what's going on?"

Brunia quickly replied, "I'm fine, sister! Truly!"

Kaira pushed her wheelchair towards the carriage and said, "Okay! I will not force you to tell me, I just wanted you to know that I'm always there whenever you need me." Brunia remained silent with thoughts wandering in her mind throughout the carriage ride back home.

Before entering the reception hall, Licha plastered Brunia's leg, and Kaira handed her an inhaler in case her anxiety level rushed up. As the door creaked open to find Professor Heidi looking out the window, Heidi noticed Brunia's leg and inquired, "What happened, Princess? Are you alright?"

Brunia answered, "Yeah... actually I rolled down a hill during the camping trip and fractured my leg. Don't worry about it, Mistress. I'm fine."

Professor Heidi proceeded, "May you make a swift recovery. Now, let us begin your final lesson!"

Licha asked, "Mother said that you returned late last night and were asking about us! Where were you?"

Professor Heidi replied, "I was in town, tending to my affairs and preparing to depart."

Brunia stammered, "S-S-So it's true, y-y-you're really l-l-leaving?"

Professor Heidi answered with sternness present in her eyes, "Yes. Your Highnesses, please take a seat; the time has come for your final lesson!"

The Princesses obeyed her command, and the Professor continued, "It seems that your Highnesses have completed your assignment of determining the truth behind the article. I certainly did not expect you to track down the author, nor did I anticipate to threaten him the way you did.

Licha inquired, "Wait a minute... how did you know about that?!"

Professor Heidi neglected the question and stated, "What an abhorrent behavior for royal Princesses!"

Brunia asked, "Mistress, what was your purpose of having us have to look into this matter?"

Professor Heidi revealed, "The imperial mentor who is now standing before you was a criminal, and that is a fact."

Leonora screamed, "NO! You're not a criminal, Heidi!"

Licha countered, "She's right! It was all just a big misunderstanding! Mother knew that you and Kaira spent time together! How can you say such things!?" She covered her mouth immediately after revealing the fact that all the Princesses now know the truth behind the incident.

Professor Heidi asked with surprise, "You know?"

Licha gave in and answered, "Yes, mother told us."

Kaira rose up with tears in her eyes and whimpered, "How could you do this?! Why wouldn't you confess to me that I already knew you? I always thought that I have seen you before and that fact was driving me crazy!!"

Professor Heidi replied, "Princess Kaira, I know that you're hurt, but the circumstances gave me no other choice. I only wanted your safety! And Viktoria... she promised me that she wouldn't tell a soul.

Brunia countered, "Mistress, you were arrested, but you're not a criminal!"

Professor Heidi affirmed, "Is that your answer? I believe I told you to make your judgments as candidates for the throne. A criminal who was jailed has now slipped into the palace. Don't think of it as me. Consider the facts and answers. If a woman with a criminal record had moved into the palace grounds under the disguise of being the imperial mentor, what would you think of her?"

Brunia responded, "I would investigate the matter and get to the bottom of the truth."

Licha remarked, "If the facts don't support the person's innocence, then I would dismiss her."

Professor Heidi acknowledged, "That is wise; well done, Princesses. Don't forget to get to the bottom of the truth instead of being blinded by emotion."

Leonora yelled, "NO! Professor, are you seriously okay with this?!"

Professor Heidi reassured them, 'Your Highnesses, don't worry. I have not slipped into the palace as they say. I'm here under the explicit request of the Queen, and my goal is no secret. I'm here to groom Your Highnesses into worthy candidates for the throne to replace your mother until Prince Adam is of age."

Leonora screeched, "I'm a dunce! Help me! I don't understand this! Why are you leaving us?!"

Professor Heidi replied, "Yes, Princess Leonora, you are a dunce; or rather you were."

Leonora responded, "What do you mean, Heidi?"

Professor Heidi continued, "Only a clever woman, never her own limitations and admits them with courage. When I first met you, Princess Leonora, you were a different lady; when faced with things that you dislike you chose to run away. If you recall, I chased after you on horseback as you fled from one of my lessons. You have changed and thus have gained the strength to overcome your weaknesses. And your qualities don't stop there. You have a vivid and compelling imagination; if the kingdom were in grave danger, the people would be in excellent hands with a woman like you sitting on the throne." Leonora cried and trailed off with tears in her eyes.

Nevertheless, Professor Heidi looked over to see Licha and continued, "Princess Licha, on the surface, you appear to be a playgirl, but you're quite earnest at heart, aren't you?"

Licha asked, "Why do you always say that about me?"

Heidi spoke, "Honestly, you were quite a handful at the beginning, and yet I have grown extremely fond of you because you work at your best when you are given something that you're incredible at and always want to improve yourself in that field. You never boast about being a royal, and you treat everyone as your equal; listening comes effortlessly to you. Princess, it is a rare gift. If you become Queen, you would create a compassionate kingdom that would reach out to everyone without discrimination."

Licha rose up from her seat and burst into tears and said, "Oh God! You darling!"

Professor Heidi glanced at Brunia, who was on the wheelchair, "Princess Brunia, you're wise; you toil harder at your studies more than anyone I've ever known. You never neglect to put forth the effort to learn, in any circumstance. You have the knowledge, but now you're able to impart it to other people. You can determine what is right and wrong, so making challenging decisions comes effortlessly to you; and you have also proved that no one can dissuade you from your goals. Your past agony and pain will be one of your greatest assets. Princess Brunia, you have grown beyond my wildest expectations. If you become Queen, I believe that you will lead this kingdom with accuracy and make it into an even more prosperous nation."

Brunia sobbed, "Mistress..."

Professor Heidi looked over at Kaira and said, "When I first arrived, everyone, including the palace staff, feared you. It was challenging to find someone who wasn't terrified of you. However, today, there is not a soul in the palace who doesn't feel the exact opposite way about you now. But, your deep love of soft things can be a problem. You have the strength to keep pressing on, even in the phrase of difficulty. And not to mention, a genuinely compassionate heart. Your heart is the greatest weapon you have. If you become Queen, I have no doubt that you would use that weapon for the betterment of this kingdom and give your subjects peace of mind. I even had the privilege to see you as a kid, and I must say that I'm fortunate to get the fantastic opportunity to watch you grow from that adorable little girl into this magnificent young lady."

Kaira wept, "Professor..."

Professor Heidi then concluded, "I became the imperial mentor to turn each of you into a suitable Queen. And I think that it is fair to say that this kingdom has a bright future ahead of them. This is your final lesson. I shall be off now."

Brunia beckoned Professor Heidi while breathing in her inhaler, "Wait a minute... I have something to confess. Licha; the plaster."

Licha inquired, "Are you sure, Brunie?"

Brunia nodded with approval and confidence. Licha unwrapped the plaster around her leg, thereby revealing no fracture.

Professor Heidi asked, "If you aren't injured, then why are you on a wheelchair?"

Licha responded, "Professor, our mother lied to you, the truth is, the four of us were in the hospital last night."

Professor Heidi asked in curiosity, "What were you doing there?"

Kaira answered with grief in her eyes, "Because Brunia was admitted last night."

Leonora yelled, "Yeah! Because she had some temporary papa something!"

Realization struck Heidi, and she inquired, "Don't tell me that it's temporary paralysis?!"

Brunia replied, "Yes, and the cause is the accumulation of unresolved traumatic experiences."

Kaira elucidated, "When mother told us that you were resigning from the post, Brunia suddenly collapsed. And so, the three of us were in the hospital, waiting for Brunia to recover from her state."

Professor Heidi asked in concern, "What did the doctor say?"

Licha responded, "The doctor said that the most affected area is her legs so she won't be able to walk for quite some time." Professor Heidi was shocked, pain and panic seized inside her, she couldn't bear to see her pupil like that.

But she never allowed it to show on her face, she merely wished, "Good luck to you your Highnesses for a bright future, and for the time being, Princess Brunia, I hope you make a swift recovery." She left the reception hall without turning around and without uttering another word.

Brunia thought, "She didn't look back; not even once. I could tell that she was hiding her tears and grief. One thing we taught her and many things we learned from her. She learned how to conceal her feelings in the face of difficulty. And we all learned how to develop our unique talents to be qualified candidates for the throne."

When Professor Heidi departed from the palace grounds for good, Countess Rosenthal was spying from nearby, and she murmured to herself, "You were far too good at your job, Professor. With you around, the Princesses would indeed become qualified candidates for the throne. Well, now the one who will be crowned Queen is Princess Eina. Farewell, Professor Heidi." At night, the Princesses were glooming in the reception hall. No one was speaking to one another. There was dead silence, nobody had anything to say about the matter. Suddenly, the Queen entered the room with a diplomatic smile.

Brunia asked, "What's wrong, mother?"

The Queen answered, "Well... I just came to check on your health and on your sisters, dear. And I hope that it's not a crime to see my daughter's bright shining faces. Although you don't look very cheerful. Soon, the new imperial mentor will be coming."

Leonora yelled, "Wait a minute! A new imperial mentor!?"

The Queen responded, "Yes, the council will be choosing the suitable woman for the job after three months. I made an appointment with them on short notice, so I couldn't really do anything to make the process quicker."

Brunia asked, "I don't understand! Wasn't the decision yours alone?"

The Queen put on a sly smile and replied, "I can't think of anyone who would be a good fit for you girls, other than Heidi, of course. Well... she won't be coming back as promised and let's just hope that you guys do something productive during these three months of break from studying." As she said that, she left the room without another word.

Licha stated, "I don't know about you guys, but I don't want a new imperial mentor! Plus, why should the counts choose? They're just going to pick a jerk like the ones who came before Heidi!!"

Leonora added, "Yeah! As far as I'm concerned, if anyone should choose the imperial mentor, it should be the four of us! Though it's evident that there's no one fit for the post other than Heidi!"

An idea popped up in Brunia's mind, and she said with delight, "That's it! Mother said that the counts would make their decision in three months! That means that they haven't selected their man yet!"

Licha asked, "What are you suggesting, Brunie? That we have the right to choose?"

Brunia countered, "Of course not! Although I do believe that we should have a right to speak to the council. If we nominate a person fit for the post..."

Licha squealed, "OH! I get it!"

Leonora stammered, "Umm...wait...what the what?" She then noticed that everyone was giggling as she didn't comprehend what was going on. She yelled, "Am I the only one who doesn't understand?! That's not fair!"

Licha scoffed, "Come on! Basically, we just have to present the case in such a way, we prove that Professor Heidi is perfect for the post, and the council won't be able to turn it down."

Therefore, the Princesses spent three months preparing the case to present it to the council and also taking Brunia to the hospital every once a week for therapy sessions. Her health was slowly but effectively coming back together. But eventually, when the day came for the hearing, Brunia was still handicapped. The Queen observed whatever the Princesses were doing for three months and grinned whenever she saw them. At the church, where Heidi resumed her duties of being a mentor to the orphan children, while she was dismissing a group, Viktoria entered and asked Heidi if she could talk to her.

Heidi asked, "How may I help you?"

Viktoria answered, "This afternoon, there will be a council meeting to decide on the imperial mentor."

Heidi inquired, "Why the assemblage? I thought it was your decision."

Viktoria smiled and replied, "To be honest, I can't think of anyone who would be a perfect fit for the girls, rather than you, of course."

Heidi responded, "Viktoria, I'm not fit for the post at all! Even if they have changed into great women with immense character, the fact remains that I have a criminal record and I cannot tarnish their future with my dark past."

Viktoria neglected Heidi's counter and said, "I must leave, the council meeting is about to commence. Oh! That reminds me, it seems that my daughters are scheming to do something special for today."

Professor Heidi asked in anger and surprise, "Scheming!? What are they planning to do? Will Princess Brunia be there as well, given her condition?"

Viktoria merely responded, "Come to the council meeting and see for yourself."

Heidi yelled, "I will not go, and please stop them from doing anything foolish! Did you come here just to tell me that? I'm afraid you've come in vain!"

Before Viktoria left the premises, she salutated, "It was nice conversing with you!" In the meanwhile, Heidi was left alone with her thoughts.

At the council meeting, Countess Rosenthal was speaking to the judge, proposing a candidate she thought who was fit, "He graduated at the top of his class from Cumsta Univerisity's politics department and went on to obtain a doctorate in the political economics courses there. He's also tutored the daughters of dukes in our neighboring nations. I nominate Dr. Erwin Von Welsbach for the post of the imperial mentor."

The judge inquired, "Isn't Dr. Erwin, the son of Count Gerhard Von Welsbach."

The Countess grinned and asked, "Yes, sir. Are you two acquainted?"

The judge declared, "An excellent nomination. Is everyone in here in favor of Dr. Erwin Von Welsbach?" Everyone in the council nodded their head with approval.

The Countess thought, "If this rigid moron agrees, it may as well be set on stone. If the new imperial mentor is someone whom I can control accordingly, I can restrain the Princesses too."

The judge then affirmed, "Then let's bring it to a vote. All in favor of this candidate--"

He was interrupted in the middle of his statement by someone yelling, "Stop the proceeding!"

Everyone in the room gasped to reveal the four Princesses at the doorstep of the hall. Brunia spoke, "With respect to the council, we have someone who we would like to nominate!"

The Queen, who was present in the meeting as well, stated, "You girls don't have a say in this."

Leonora screamed, "Mother! We only want to introduce someone fit for the post!"

Licha added, "Just hear us out, mother!"

The Queen reminded with sternness on her eyes, "I'm not your mother here. I'm your sovereign ruler, and you will obey me!"

The Countess took pity on the Princesses and suggested, "Your Majesty, perhaps we should at least hear them out?"

The Queen stated, "It's the judges' decision."

The judge said, "The floor's yours, Your Highnesses. But know that the council will vote fairly, even with someone the Princesses nominate." The Princesses thanked the chairman for his consideration.

The Countess thought, "They're only children. Let them shame and sabotage themselves."

Brunia spoke, "We would like to nominate Heidi Witzenberg for the post of the imperial mentor."

One man asked, "Isn't she the one who just resigned?"

Leonora responded, "Yes, but we would like to welcome her back."

The Countess inquired, "I understand that Your Highnesses were quite attached, but didn't Heidi Witzenberg resign due to suspicions about her past?"

Everyone in the hall gasped, "Suspicions? What does that mean?"

The Countess continued, "There were rumors of her having a criminal record."

One woman screamed, "A woman with a criminal record is the imperial mentor?! This is preposterous! So she was fired because of that?!"

Licha yelled, "They are just rumors! It was a mistake!" At that moment, Professor Heidi entered the observatory top of the room where another figure was standing and observing the meeting without anybody noticing that area.

The judge posed a question, "Why on earth would you nominate such a woman?!"

Brunia replied, "Heidi Witzenberg is an exceptional mentor."

Another man in the council inquired, "Oh yeah? Then tell us, where did she go to university?" Brunia flinched on her wheelchair and started quivering, as a response. The council had assumed that she didn't go to university, so the Princess had precisely nothing to say.

One woman from the committee said, "If that's so then There's nothing left to discuss."

All the Princesses thought, "Good God! What now? It's hopeless."

The Countess gave out an evil grin and thought, "Well, that's the end of that."

When there were murmurs of disapproval circulating around the room, the Princesses realized something, and they commenced speaking with more confidence generating within them.

Kaira first stated, "We're doing this because we are aware of our position as heirs to the throne. Everyone has a mark or two in their past what man here can say otherwise?"

Brunia quivered and finally gathered the strength to rise up from her wheelchair! She affirmed, "No person is abumed from their past, what matters is the people we are and the people we are aspiring to be!" Everyone in the room, including Heidi gasped as the Princess rose up from her wheelchair and started her point with confidence.

Leonora added, "As a monarch, a single error in judgment could lose you the kingdom. An error here today could lose it for every one of us!"

Licha remarked, "Don't make the wrong decision, the fate of the realm lies in your capable hands!"

Kaira spoke, "Noble Counts and Countesses, please understand that we are thinking about the future of this kingdom as heirs! There will always be individuals who are misunderstood, but still, they should not lose hope!"

Licha stated, "I want everyone to follow their ambitions and enjoy their freedom! I want every citizen to choose their own journey in life!"

Brunia affirmed, "Sometimes they might go down the wrong path! I want to make a kingdom where people have the right to start over! Not punishing them repeatedly for the sins of their past!"

Leonora asserted, "We should act with compassion and should reach out to other people in need. I want to live in a nation where we all help each other and emerge stronger! We have started thinking like this because of Heidi, who is the only one worthy of being called an imperial mentor!"

Kaira spoke, "Now and forever, we want a nation where everyone has a warm place to lay their heads."

Brunia added, "Equal access to education!"

Leonora inserted, "Where no one will want for food!"

Licha injected, "We want to make this a prosperous nation!" At the sound of that, someone from the observatory top began applauding with pride. It was none other than the eldest sibling, Princess Eina!! Following that, everyone on the committee started commending for the Princesses' presentation. While Professor Heidi was crying with happiness!

After the meeting, Princess Eina approached to Countess Rosenthal in private and said, "I know that you're trying to sabotage my sister's prospects for me to become Queen, considering my major setback that no one except my other is aware of. Keep your nose out of this. Don't worry, I will become the Queen of Vermillion , but I will do it through my own power!"

The council made their decision, the big day finally came; who was the new imperial mentor? The Princesses were eager to find out! They were gathered to meet with their new instructor at the reception hall.

When the teacher entered, she bowed and said, "I'm honored to meet you, Your Highnesses. As of today, I will serve as your imperial mentor. I will not fail you."

Suddenly, the window opens with a strong wind and sunlight filling the room. The light was so bright that the woman had to cover her eyes. All the Princesses greeted in unison, "Greetings, Professor! We're so thrilled to have you with us; PROFESSOR HEIDI!"

Professor Heidi smiled and said, "Now, let's begin your lesson!"

PLEASE NOTE: After this chapter, the story will completely change and Chapter 21 will start featuring the King and the Princes of Granzreich.