Chapter 8

"It would not be good for the school's reputation if we expelled our best student," added the principal. "It does appear, however, that you have learned everything that we are able to teach. So, what you see here is a somewhat irregular graduation ceremony." He stood up and bowed to her, then, one after another, each member of the Board stood and bowed as well, except for the oldest woman who simply hugged her. Fear couldn't make Alexandra cry, and neither could anger, but joy brought tears to her eyes that she couldn't blink away. The fire and the candles wavered through her tears, and she couldn't see well enough to see the tears in other eyes.

All the way back to her room she walked in a daze. Not only had she not been expelled, she had been honored as no other student in the long history of the school. But more than that the white haired old woman's words rang in her ears.

"Though it grieves us that we could not be present at your christening, you have won for yourself greater gifts than any we could have given you. You hold more than you know in your hands. Have courage, my dear."

When Alexandra arrived in her room she found that all her stuff had been packed already. Mr. Smith was waiting for her. She began to ask what was going to happen next, but he shook his head and motioned for silence. He picked up one bag and gave Alexandra another. It seemed impossible that everything had fit in two bags, yet she could see nothing left in the room which was hers to take.

Still in silence they went back down to the doors of the student building. Herbert waited in the shadows of the hall.

"I saw the servants packing your room. I've been waiting here to say goodbye." He glared at Mr. Smith. "You were going to just make her disappear, weren't you? Tomorrow we would have heard how she had been sent home for disgracing the school. It isn't right. Alexandra is the closest to being royalty of anyone here..."

"Herbert," Alexandra put her hand on his arm. "They didn't expel me, they graduated me! They, they said..." she found herself choking with the enormity of the honor she had been given.

"We said that the Princess Alexandra was without a doubt the best student this school has ever had the honor of instructing." Smith's voice was quiet, and he was smiling at Alexandra. Herbert gasped, and barely refrained from cheering loud enough to wake the entire school. He hugged Alexandra fiercely instead. The two students embraced for a few seconds then Herbert stepped back. He opened his mouth but nothing came out, and he turned so red that he seemed to glow in the dim hall.

"Herbert, of everyone here, you have been my truest friend," Alexandra grinned suddenly and catching his face in both hands gave Herbert a kiss on his lips. Yet when she stepped back, Herbert's face wasn't red. Instead he looked in the dim light like a true prince. He stood straight, and actually looked her in the eyes.

"My princess, I will always be your true friend," he caught one of her hands and kissed it. "Until we meet next."

Mr. Smith took Alexandra's arm and guided her out the door. As the door swung closed he glimpsed the future Prince of Poond turning cartwheels in the dim hall and he chuckled. The Princess Alexandra once again seemed to be in a daze as he helped her into the carriage which awaited her. Once the carriage started moving, Alexandra turned and looked out the back window at the school fading into the night. Was that a face looking out of the hall window? Soon all she could see was the dark night. She sighed and made herself comfortable for the long ride home. The princess looked at her hand and suddenly felt absolutely content. With a smile on her face she fell asleep.