Heine VS. Heidi

The next morning, Professor Heine and Professor Heidi were at the palace gardens relishing their tea after their lessons with the Princes and Princesses.

Professor Heidi asked, "Heine, what happened when you were in-charge of Prince Bruno and Princess Brunia's combined lesson?"

Professor Heine answered, "It was typical, they were enthusiastic and kept calling me 'master.' Those two are a handful like the rest of the Princes and Princesses."

Professor Heidi asked, "Right, of course. However, I understand that the King and Queen want their children to get along, but I feel that other than maintaining the royal relationship, there is more to that fact." Professor Heine nodded with approval.

A few moments later, they heard Prince Eins and Princess Eina walking into the palace gardens. Both the Professors suspected them and concluded that they had evil plans to sabotage the Princes' and Princesses' prospects to their respective claims to the throne. They hid behind a tree and listened to their conversations.

Prince Eins remarked, "You're quite charming, Princess Eina. I'm sure that with you on the throne in your kingdom, the citizens will be in good hands."

Princess Eina replied, "Thank you so much for the kind words, Prince Eins. However, no matter how many people say that, it won't be enough. I'm aware that my mother believes that even I'm unfit for this immense responsibility."

Both the Professors perceived that, and Professor Heidi screamed, "WHAT!?"

But before they could hear it, Professor Heine covered her mouth and whispered, "Be quiet! They'll catch us!"

Prince Eins admitted, "The same is with me, that's why my highest steward, Count Rosenberg and I have been trying to sabotage my younger brothers' prospects to the throne. Although I don't consider them, except Bruno as my rival, I still cannot take the chance. My youngest brother Licht has left the palace to persuade his own goals and has abandoned his claim."

Princess Eina responded, "That is entirely understandable, however, are you aware of the real reason of why we're here in Granzreich?"

Prince Eins gave an evil grin and replied, "Yes. I'm aware that you know as well. The King and the Queen have disclosed the primary reason only to us eldest siblings, as I see."

Princess Eina nodded with approval and added, "Indeed. Also, other than us, only Count Rosenberg and Countess Rosenthal are aware of the principal goal. Even the Professors don't know about it." They both shared a laugh and moved their conversation into the palace.

Professor Heidi asked, "Heine, they say that even we aren't aware of this? What does this mean?"

Professor Heine answered, "I don't know, this is all a mystery." Suddenly, Princess Brunia appeared into view, and both the Professors took their place behind the tree again. Princess Brunia sat down on the marble palace stairs overlooking the greenery of the palace gardens. She had the same scarlet heart-shaped container in her hands!

Professor Heidi whispered, "Heine, Princess Brunia has a similar box in her hands that she tried to conceal from his sisters and me before we arrived at the Granzreich palace."

Professor Heine asked, "Did she have some distant memory with someone? And that there is a specific item in that container that reminds her of that person?"

Professor Heidi responded, "I don't know, why do you say that?"

Professor Heine replied, "Heidi, look at the Princess, she's crying!"

Professor Heidi glanced at the Princess and remembered the last time she saw her in that state. She said, "Heine, I think that she's thinking of that guy again."

Professor Heine asked, "Which guy?"

Professor Heidi answered, "Ah, yes. I didn't tell you about this. Alright, listen. One day, Princess Kaira's fiancee Prince Beau arrived at the palace and invited us all for sailing. There, he requested an acquaintance of his to join us. I had already seen that man before when the Princesses and I had paid a visit to the Animalways. While the Princesses and the young Prince were feeding the animals, and Princess Brunia and I were sitting in the cart watching them. She saw that guy coming after her. Without thinking twice, she pressed on the accelerator and fled from the area, leaving her sisters behind. When I inquired about that man from the Princess, she told me to mind my own business and was flushed with tears in her red flashing eyes. They both were screaming at each other in Hindi, but I comprehended their conversation. He said that he wanted to talk to the Princess about something personal. That was my first encounter with that man."

Heidi then continued, "Then when the same man joined us for sailing. Prince Beau confessed that his friend was a Prince of a Rathanlandia kingdom and was a runaway. He also added that he came to Cumsta for personal reasons."

Professor Heine speculated, "Then maybe it has to do something with the Princess." As he said that, Princess Brunia departed from the area with her box, and as she left a piece of paper fell out from it.

Professor Heine yelled, "Heidi! Grab the paper!" Heidi sprinted and caught it before it could fly with the wind, and Professor Heine advanced behind her.

He asked, "What does it say?" Professor Heidi read the following words:

*NOTE*

Please remember to send a box of chocolates and a basket of fruits to my four friends residing in 66 Mainland Avenue, Cumsta, Vermillion on 12th July.

*END OF NOTE*

Professor Heine asked, "12th July? That's tomorrow, isn't it? Shouldn't we complete this task so that we can get some information about the Princess?"

Professor Heidi reminded, "No, that's not going to work. If we do that, the Princess will figure out that we were spying on her and read the note. I'd say, we must check them out ourselves." Professor Heine nodded with approval and arranged a carriage for Cumsta.

As they arrived at the address written in the note, they rang the doorbell, to find a young man who answered the door. He asked, "How may I help you-- Wait... Professor Heidi!?"

Professor Heidi's eyes widened with surprise, and she asked, "Michael!? Is that you?!"

Professor Heine inquired, "Are the two of you acquainted?"

Michael replied, "Yes, Professor Heidi was a mentor for us orphan kids at the church."

Professor Heine nodded with comprehension. Michael gestured, "Come in, Professors. Welcome to our home."

Heidi inquired, "Home? How can you afford this?"

Michael answered, "Well... I have a job at the Animalways; I rent out carts for touring. And plus, I'm not the only one who lives here."

Heine asked, "Who else resides here?"

Michael called out, "Aubrey, Andrew, Chantel; come here. Professor Heidi and her companion are here!"

Chantel shrieked in surprise from her bedroom, "WHAT!? Professor Heidi is married!??!!! Oh my god, I have to see this!"

All three of them assembled at the hall at Michael's announcement, and they burst out laughing, "HAHAHAHA!!! Oh my god! This is perfect, Heidi found a tiny man such as herself!!"

Heidi yelled, "Excuse me! I am not married to him! Please settle down as we both have a few questions concerning Princess Brunia." As she said that, another man appeared at the scene with a concern expression on his face. His eyes widened at the sight of Professor Heidi, and so did hers!

Professor Heidi asked in surprise, "Sir Kabir!? Do you live here now?" Kabir nodded without saying a word, hiding his embarrassment.

Andrew introduced everyone in the room, "I'm Andrew, and Professor Heidi has been an excellent mentor to all of us, except for Kabir who has recently moved and is currently looking for a job. Actually, we are all able to afford this because all four of us have jobs. Chantel, my girlfriend works at the library--"

Professor Heidi interrupted him by saying, "Sorry for cutting you out, Andrew, but I have seen you at the book store, am I correct, Chantel?"

Chantel nodded with approval and reminded, "Yes, I was surprised that you didn't greet me that day."

Professor Heidi answered, "That is because I had to protect my cover in front of the Princess. Now, everyone knows the truth, and my name has been cleared up."

Aubrey responded, 'Yes, we've heard. It feels excellent to get that off your chest, yes?"

Professor Heidi replied, "Absolutely, my dear. So where do the rest of you work?"

Aubrey answered, "Andrew is a waiter at the cafe across the street, Michael rents out carts at the Animalways, and I work at the Vermillion Unlimited store."

Professor Heidi inquired, "Vermillion Unlimited store? Do you know a girl named Rachel there?"

Aubrey screamed, "Rachel!? That pervert?! Despite that, she's amazing at her work!"

Professor Heidi responded, "Good to know, you say that Prince Kabir doesn't have a job?" Everyone in the room nodded with agreement.

Professor Heine proposed, "Sir Kabir. How would you feel about working as a palace guard in the Grazreich palace?"

Andrew yelled, "Palace guard!? Why will the Prince---Mmruph!!!!" Kabir placed a hand on his mouth, thus cutting him out.

Professor Heidi admitted, "Prince Kabir Von Rathanlandia, you have nothing to hide from me. I'm aware of your identity since Sir Beau organized that sailing outing. And with that said, I know that you're aware of my knowledge of your purpose in Cumsta."

Kabir stammered, "Y-Y-You d-d-do?"

She answered, "That is one of the main reasons I'm here, Prince."

He asked in fear, "Are you here to interrogate me?"

Professor Heine responded, "No. We're here to help you achieve your purpose here and address our concern about Princess Brunia to you."

Kabir asked in worry, "Is she okay?"

Professor Heidi replied, "Physically yes, emotionally no."

Andrew inquired, "What does that mean?!!"

Professor Heine answered, "It means that Princess Brunia has been concealing a private heart-shaped scarlet container in which she keeps something confidential."

Kabir inquired in surprise, "WHAT!? She still has that box?! I thought that she threw it away!"

Professor Heidi asked, "Do you know anything about it?"

Kabir replied, "Yes! I'm the one who gave that to her."

Professor Heine handed them the note and said, "This piece of paper fell out from the box this morning. This address was written on it."

Aubrey responded, "Oh my god! Tomorrow is Kabir's birthday! She remembers!"

Kabir asked in astonishment, "Wait a minute... how did Brunia know that I live here?!"

Chantel stammered, "I-I-I might have t-t-told her."

Kabir buried his face in his hands and screamed, "UGH! Now she will think that I'm poor!!"

Professor Heine inquired, "If I may, how do the five of you know the Princess?"

All of them merely looked at one another, and an awkward silence filled the room, until Kabir replied, "I'm sorry. But that is something that Brunia should confess when she's ready to do so. I hope you understand, Professors."

Professor Heidi responded, "We understand. But the Princess has cleared harbored some feelings in her heart that she cannot handle as there is no closure for whatever unresolved circumstances that might have occurred in the past."

Professor Heine remarked, "Prince if you wish to achieve your purpose and resolve your problems with the Princess, we can help you do so. For some personal reasons, Princess Brunia and her sisters are residing in the Granzreich palace. They are currently completing their primary assignment of getting along with the Granzreich Princes. That is why we're here to offer you the position as the palace guard. It would solve your problem of not having a job and will give you a chance to resolve the matter with her."

Professor Heidi added, "Prince Kabir, while in that process, you must remember that the Princess must be calm at all times. She had suffered from temporary paralysis a few months ago. And the doctor said that her condition would only improve if her problems are solved and if her heart feels lighter when her past is behind her. We expect that from you."

Kabir got motivated and replied, "Alright, I will do anything to help her recover. What is the procedure for the position?"

Professor Heine replied, "Well... since tomorrow is your birthday, we need to wait until the Princess sends you the gifts baskets. And then we will give a recommendation letter in your false name that you will choose so that your identity will not be revealed. I'm sure that the Princess knows who you really are, so we need not worry on that front. We will take the explicit permission from the King, persuade him that you're qualified and you will receive a telegram in a few days. The royal carriage will pick you up and will drop you to the palace for your first day. After that, the King will grant you a room in the servant quarters for you to reside."

Andrew acknowledged, "Sounds like a plan, Professor Heine. However, if you want to marry Professor Heidi someday, you must get through us."

Professor Heine pouted and answered, "I assure you, Andrew, that day will never come." All of them burst into laughter and exchanged their goodbyes with the Professors.

After the Professors arrived at Granzreich the next morning, they parted ways and went on to prepare for the Princes' and Princesses' following lessons. Professor Heidi summoned the Princesses at the backyard for the Princesses' fencing lessons.

She thought while carrying the swords, "If people are going to discriminate why females should engage in this sport, I will prove them wrong. It would be an excellent chance to assess the Princesses' athletic prowesses. Also, I know that Princess Leonora will be thrilled to have a lesson about her choice."

She then encountered Princess Eina and Countess Rosenthal. Countess Rosenthal gave a wide grin and said, "Professor! What a pleasant coincidence, we were just about to board the carriage to Cumsta for some official work!" She then continued cheerfully, "By the by, aren't those practice swords too much for you to manage at your height? Shall I carry them for you?"

Professor Heidi yelled, "You're treating me like a child, yet again, ma'am!!!"

Princess Eina asked, "Going for lessons? How are my sisters doing?"

The Professor thought, "Given her conversation with Prince Eins, I'd say that she's probing me for information. I must respond with subtlety."

She took a deep breath and answered, "As of late, the Princesses have one obstacle after another. If you could spare a few moments of your time, I should like to speak with you regarding these events."