After the Lesson

I review my work. The essay was easy enough. I thought it might take me longer, but I would call it good enough for another to review. Mostly short answers or multiple choice. Questions I should've been able to answer years ago. Are they unaware of everything I know now? Shrugging, I hand in my test. "Can I go?"

"Please sit a moment." Hydrangea has me return to my chair. She'll double check if I finished everything. Who will grade it? A noble knight. That's all that's needed.

A smile this me thinking it may be my mother who offers the grade. She wouldn't aim to make me fail. She never did. If anyone, I could trust her to help me. She may not have truly believed in my actions at times, but she was always willing to help. No one else would give the same support. Not even Odin. If anything getting Odin involved meant my desires wouldn't happen. It was always important he wasn't involved.

Before I am given allowance to leave, Jessica and Ryan hand in their tests. Hydrangea offers the same wording. Are we waiting for the grades? No. She's just glancing over everything. "You may leave now. Thank you. I'll let you know if these tests are a pass."

"Thanks." Jessica hops up. She stretches once out of the room. I move to the side thinking of the possible options. "Food first. Then swords practice."

"Did you guys get a Sworenyx question?" Ryan asks as we begin our path to the cafeteria.

"No." Jessica eyes him. "Didn't you only study it since showing up?"

"Yeah. Were any of your questions truly new?"

Jessica weighs things.

I offer, "Nope. Nothing from the past few years actually. Although... I've been acting in my family's name for several years. Can't expect them willing to do that unless I could pass these tests."

Ryan thinks that over. "A point well received. Did you cheat your way into the tests because you're first born? First borns are never allowed entrance."

"Minus the crown prince." Jessica eyes me. She knows.

"I've seen the portraits of the crown, he looks nothing like him." Ryan waves that off.

The artists took their own view. It's expected. I'll make sure in the future they don't. But was only a kid to them before.

"I don't think I ever saw a portrait of him." Jessica reviews me. "But I can guess why they wouldn't look accurate."

"Huh?" Ryan stops our movement. "What are you trying to say?"

Jessica motions to me. "Even Hydrangea dropped an obvious comment. All the weapons?" I wince. "Who is expected to learn all the weapons?"

Ryan grabs my wrist. "Is this true?"

I look at Jessica then at Ryan. "I was hoping to hide the information as long as possible."

"Why?" Ryan releases me to throw his hands up. "Crown prince in our group. We were the ones the king was looking for."

"Not us. Him. Just Thomas." Jessica smirks at me. "Be thankful you didn't receive a letter explaining everything."

"You did? You knew?"

Jessica nods not looking at me. "My family wants me to make a relationship with him." She hacks over the idea.

"I'm glad that's not my place." Ryan steps away from me. "Not that you won't have a great..."

"Are you..." I hold up my hands. "Stop. I'm not looking for any relationships. With anyone. Marriage is a long distant thought. I have a lot to figure out first. I came here because I knew knighthood could give me breathing room when the castle refused it completely."

"Pretty sure that's normal." Ryan points out. "Not like I was allowed to wander my lands freely. It was heavy guard or safe confinement." Jessica agrees.

I scoff. They just accepted the treatment? Or were they not given the same limitations he was. "The eagle pendant is to counter the tracer spell on me." I tap the thing. "So as long as a knight is in sight of me, I won't flash red." The teleportation shouldn't happen without Odin around. I think.

"Good to know." Jessica motions us forward. "Now that the truth is out, we can eat."

"What was on your test?" Ryan asks her. Jessica explains her questions were heavily into the knight history she grew up with.

Do they not really mind? I denied them knowledge of who I am. "Let me know if you get a tingle."

Ryan stops before getting food. "Did. Now I know what it was. Don't worry. Had nothing to do with you."

I shiver. True love spells don't work on my family line. We can only help others.

"I won't tell you." Jessica smirks at me. "I'm picking never getting married remember. I don't want to have anyone suggest 'the perfect match'." She makes the oddest face before focusing on the food options.

With our meals, we focus on random chatter. There's a lot of new information here. We plan to hit up swords practice before stopping at the library again. Having a notebook would probably be helpful. I won't deny such a thing.

I don't pull off the same number after our evening meal as before lunch. My muscles won't be so against all these strikes eventually. Jessica may be the only one who ever did the full practice before. My skills can cross over well. It definitely won't be more than a week like this. I look forward to learning how to sharpen a blade. Seeing it and doing it are two separate things.

The library is a pleasant stop for us to finish out our days. Jessica questions about where a bath can be had. Which is good knowledge to have, but for now, I think I'll pick rest. It's not like the bedrooms don't have running water. It's just not the full bathroom like we're used to. Communal baths suit the situation. I'll stop by tomorrow.

Dropping into my bed, I close my eyes. This is what I decided on.

An item appearing on my chest has me sit up confused. Then it connects: Odin's letter! I hiss thinking he probably knows I'm a knight now. "I don't want to read it." He'll act the trainer. I've had enough of that today. Hiding that away, I settle into nighttime routine. Sleep will make my muscles ache a little less. I hope.