Chapter 88: Chapter 74

Marie

 

The princess didn’t show up for class. Wasn't she back yet? Had something happened to her? Marie barely listened to her teacher. Mrs. Drüse went through the tournament with them and gave everyone tips on how to improve. Two students from her class had done so well that they had already been accepted for fencing lessons in the second and third years. She congratulated them proudly. The two seemed satisfied.

And if someone doesn't want to? Even though they were exapted? Does the student have to? Like Julia? Where is she?

"Marie?" Mrs. Drüse now stood before her. She hadn't seen her coming towards her. Marie blinked.

"Yes?"

"Are you listening?"

"I'm sorry... I'm worried about the princess."  Marie grimaced. "I'm going to try to listen now."

"Good!" Mrs. Drüse nodded. "Well, I just told you that you need to take more care of your feet. Ok?"

"Yes. Thank you."

"Good. Let the whereabouts of the princess be the concern of the adults. She is probably out and about in the city and will be back soon. No need to worry."

"I'm trying."

"That's good." Mrs. Drüse smiled. "You're friends, of course, you're worried. But now we are in class. Do you understand that?"

Marie nodded.

The teacher returned to her lessons. Marie sighed. Was Julia only in the town? She couldn't imagine it. So far, the princess had adhered to the school rules. Why should she break them all at once? Just because her brother was here? And her servants were gone too. Something was wrong. She was sure of it!"

"Marie?", called Mrs. Drüse. "Listen!"

"I’m sorry!"

 

Leopold

 

Leopold sat in the eldest's living room. He had written a letter to the Royal Family, with all their demands. The immediate freeing of all slaves and a law prohibiting slavery. In return, the royal family would get their daughter and son back. If she resisted the demands, she would never see her daughter again. The coachman Jürgen had agreed to bring the letter to Castle Town and send it from there. Anonymous.

"Leopold?" The older elf looked at him sternly. "Now we only need a strand of the princess's hair to show that we mean it. Please bring one to me! Not all is done yet. It's just the beginning. I count on you too. We are committed to our people. We must not betray them. Do you understand that?"

"Of course." He stood up. I must not disappoint them... But...

"Oh! And take Inga with you. She is eager to take on this task!" The elf laughed.

Inga, who had heard her name, hurried into the living room. "I would love to cut off all her hair! For all that we have to suffer!"

Her father shrugged his shoulders. "If you want to. But a strand of hair is enough."

Leopold didn't like that. The princess had done nothing. She was innocent. A friendly girl.

"And Leopold's mother wanted to treat her like a guest!" Inga shook her head. "The princess! She must be a spoiled beast! After all, she has bound servants! And grew up in luxury! Nothing can good comes of that!"

"No", Leopold objected. " That’s not true. She was always kind to me and the others. And she doesn't want to be a witch."

Inga pouted. "She lied! The nobility wants only one thing, power! And the witches are the worst! She probably fooled you."

"Will you bring me the strand of hair now, please? I want to send Jürgen away with it today!" The eldest looked at her impatiently. "You can discuss that on the go. Inga? Please remember that it is your niece Claudia's birthday today. We are invited to her birthday in two hours! Leo? I know you won't disappoint me. Inga? The birthday party."

Inga groaned. "Yes. Of course." Unlike her sister, who was a single parent, Inga still lived in her parents' house. And unlike her father, she wasn't particularly fond of her niece. Claudia did not accept any rules and was a very loud, stormy child. The last time she visited Leopold's parents a few years ago, she had almost completely destroyed his parents' herbs. He had to carry the kicking girl home because she did not want to let go of her misdeed. Her mother had apologized profusely, and the next day restored the herb bed with her daughter. Or rather, she tried to restore it. Most of the time she was busy stopping four-year-old Claudia from destroying the rest of the beds. Leopold liked the little whirlwind. She was like a little sister to him. A strenuous little sister. He used to take care of her from time to time until she was no longer allowed to visit. Because of the herb beds.

Leopold grinned. "How old is Claudia now?"

"Seven!" The eldest smiled proudly. "Time flies so fast!"

Inga pushed Leopold right to the door. "We'll go then. Before I miss my niece's glorious birthday!"

"Was that sarcasm?", he murmured to her.

"Definitely!"

They set off. So early in the morning, there was not much going on in the village. The elves usually did their work or bought what they needed. A few children played in the gardens or practiced flying. Or better, the tumbling, since the small wings could not carry them properly. A three-year-old boy had made it to the roof of his parent's house. His older sister tried to bring him down, but he didn't want to.

Inga shook her head. "What do the parents think? To let toddlers play unsupervised! Something like this has to happen!"

Toddlers used their wings instinctively. Especially when they fell. A fall from a roof could not harm even a newborn. Leopold shook his head. "Nothing will happen to him."

"That’s not the point! It was the same with Claudia! She was constantly flying on rooftops! Or in treetops! And my sister let her. And what happened? Claudia is a child who doesn't accept a 'no'!"

In the meantime, they arrived at the house. Leopold unlocked the door and let Inga in.

His parents were working, but no one else could be heard. It was silent. Were their 'guests' still asleep?

"So... I go in and get the strand. Do you think they will attack me?" Inga looked in the direction of the guest room. The thought of Marko came to Leo’s mind...

"Maybe? I don't know."

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"Good. Then wait at the door, please. I don't want to get bitten by a wolf."

"I can imagine that!"

"Very funny, little one."

"Or, you give the scissors to me..." He pointed to the scissors that Inga was clutching.

"Certainly not."

When they arrived at the door, there was still nothing to be heard. Leopold closed the door cautiously. He was almost expecting an attack, but the four of them were all fast asleep. His mother had put a hearty breakfast and a few games and books on the dresser and fresh clothes lay next to the bed.

"How nice." Inga looked at all this kindness disapprovingly. "But at least they're asleep. It's going to be easy!" She took the scissors and crept to the bed. The princess lay on the edge next to her brother.

"Just a strand!", whispered Leopold, creeping after her. He had a bad feeling... "Let me..."

But he wasn't fast enough. Inga snorted and cut off more than one strand. Then she sneaked out again with her trophy. "Done. You can lock the door."

NO! Leopold hurried after her. "Inga! Why!"

"The Queen deserves it."

He shook his head. Leopold felt even more guilty. Then he locked the door. She will never forgive me for that.

 

Julia

 

A strange sound woke her up. Confused, she sat down and shook Peter awake, who was lying next to her.

"Peter! I think someone was here!", she murmured.

Her brother stretched and woke up Finn and Marko. "There's no one here", he muttered, yawning.

"What time is it?", asked Finn. "Oh! Breakfast!" His gaze fell on the dresser.  Finn pointed with a smile to the tray, which was filled with juice, fruit, scrambled eggs, sweet buns, and cheese.

They all wore simple pajamas that Leopold's mother had brought them. Changing clothes together had been uncomfortable.

"Breakfast!" Marko was visibly pleased and awake for a change. "Breakfast sounds good! I'm hungry!"

Julia straightened her hair, but something felt strange. "What?" She looked at her brother irritated.

Peter stared at her open-mouthed. "Julia? Someone cut off your hair!"

She jumped up and hurried to the mirror. Some of her hair was shorter than the other. They barely reached her ears. "What!" She touched the short strands. "Why? My hair!" Tears rolled down her cheeks. She didn't like what she saw. Who had done that? "I look like a plucked chicken!"

Peter stood up to hug her. "A pretty plucked chicken. They will grow again. Just like my hair!"

"You can certainly fix that." Marko was already eating some of the fruit. "But I bite the person who just cuts off other people's hair!

Finn poured a glass of juice and handed it to her. "Let's eat something first, yes?"

She nodded. Her stomach growled slightly, and the breakfast looked wonderful.

"There are even games here!", exulted Marko. "And there are clothes next to the bed."

"Leopold's mother must have been here", Peter concluded.

"Do you think it was her with Juli's hair?", asked Marko.

Julia shook her head. "I don't think so, no. She seems nice. But I don't know."

 

 

Marie

 

August went to see her during the break before Pia could persuade her to look for him. Her friends giggled softly as August hurried towards her. He looked good in the uniform of the academy. Marie stared at him blushing.

"Hi, Marie. Do you want to eat lunch together?", he asked, visibly amused.

"Now? Yes. Gladly!" The words burst out of her. "I'd like to have lunch with you!"

"I'm happy about that. I would love to have lunch with you too!" August winked at her. "So?" He held out his arm to her and Marie hooked herself under. "Your friends are welcome to join us."

Pia shook her head. She stood next to Marie and winked at her. "Oh. No, no. I’m good! Enjoy the break!" She pulled Helga and Philip with her into the dining room. Marie and August were alone.

"So? Shall we go?" He pointed to the dining room.

"With pleasure!"

For a moment, Marie forgot her grief and worries. She was happy. And she couldn't wait to tell Theo about it.

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