Road of the Heavenly Light

11-1: A Lady-in-waiting

"Honestly, I really don't get this school sometimes. They keep insisting that everyone is equal while we're here, but then they make me curtsy in front of Drake, since he's technically a king and outranks me!" Amaya complained loudly when she was far enough from the etiquette classroom. Isabella had to resist a chuckle at her frivolous complaint, and was glad to see Eleanor and Audrey looked much the same.
"You only have to curtsy for Drake and Elizabeth, what's there to complain about?" Eleanor asked, "poor Isabella had to curtsy to everyone."
"Really, I don't mind. I live at court in Brightwald, I'm used to it," Isabella reassured before Amaya could get defensive.
As usual, any damage control Isabella tried to do was immediately ended by Audrey.
"That's the first time you've acknowledged Drake as king. Have you gone soft on your prickly cousin?" she asked, eyeing Amaya closely.
"It's impressive how you always find an opportunity to look for a scandal," Amaya responded, glaring at Audrey.
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"Must have said it wrong."
Isabella and Eleanor glanced at each other and snickered as the other two girls argued.

With their classes finished for the day, the four of them quickly made their way to their dorm and sat down in their shared living room to do their homework together. Isabella had found that working together made it a lot easier, not to mention more enjoyable, even if Audrey and Amaya had a habit of clashing on every subject, with Audrey always keeping her cool and Amaya... well, not so much.
"I just had a wonderful idea!" Eleanor exclaimed when they were nearly done, "how about we visit the tea house in Earth after we finish? We haven't had a moment to spend time together since coming back from our winter vacation."
"Oh, not me, I'm afraid. I have after-school activities today," Isabella said, "but don't let that stop you three. I don't mind." She really didn't, and she was glad she had sports instead, as she never liked those refined and proper tea houses. She just felt so out of place and uncomfortable there, especially with her friends. Audrey and Amaya were the heirs to two kingdoms, and Eleanor was the heir to a highly respected Marquess, while she was just 'the commoner'. Her friends didn't care about their difference in station, but it was so hard to ignore at those places. She only avoided it at the court in Caltara because she and Audrey were inseparable, and Audrey was far from the ideal princess when it came to her behavior, while Isabella was the only one with any chance of reigning it in.

"Are you sure? We can always just go some other time..." Amaya suggested.
"Let's not pressure Isabella when she insists it's alright," Audrey cut in before Isabella could answer. Isabella raised an eyebrow in response. That wasn't like Audrey at all, she always wanted her along with whatever they did. She was clearly trying to hide something from her, which usually meant she had once again underestimated the consequences of her gossiping habits. Isabella knew there was no stopping it, and she quietly braced herself for the storm that would no doubt follow in the next few days. Eleanor and Amaya seemed to accept Audrey's words, and the four of them quickly finished their homework before all heading into their respective rooms to change, Isabella for sports and the other girls for the tea house. Isabella looked like she came from a different planet when the four of them came out of their rooms. The three girls were wearing elegant dresses, complimented by gloves, hats, and parasols, while Isabella was wearing a loose shirt and baggy pants. The others didn't seem to mind, however, and they quickly parted ways.

Participating in sports activities after school always made Isabella feel at peace. It really allowed her to forget the troubles being a commoner at a school for people from high society brought with it, and especially the stress Audrey's gossiping habits brought with them. Even if it was a lot of work, she still cared about Audrey. They were still best friends, even if she drove her mad sometimes. Perhaps because she drove her mad sometimes.

When she made her way back to her dorm after taking a bath to wash the sweat away, Isabella noticed a paper from the student council for the students to apply for extra tuition for the final exams. It dawned on her just how fast the school year was going and that in a few months, they would be doing their final exams. The thought made her realize she would have to start thinking about her future beyond Royale High. As a child, she had wanted to join the military, and hoped to one day become one of the famed Three Generals of Brightwald, but now that seemed unrealistic. For better or worse, her life had become so intertwined with Audrey's that anything that would separate them seemed unthinkable. She would likely have to aspire for some sort of position at court beyond just being a friend to the Crown Princess and future queen—something with actual substance. What that was supposed to be, she had no idea. In truth, she could hardly name any positions at court that weren't those of servants.

When she entered the dorm, she noticed that the others had already returned, as they were chatting and laughing in their living room. For a second, Isabella wished she had gone along, but then she remembered she had no clothes that came close to matching those of the girls. She knew Eleanor would gladly make them for her without any cost, but Audrey would not be able to keep that to herself, and Isabella didn't want the whole school to know she had to rely on charity.

"How was the tea party?" Isabella asked as she closed the door behind her.
"It was a lot of fun, but it didn't feel complete without you," Eleanor responded, the kindhearted soul that she was.
"Well, it certainly made me realize I better enjoy every moment I have left before I turn 18..." Amaya cryptically added, confusing Isabella. Was she referring to Audrey's upcoming 18th birthday? What did that have to do with tea houses?
"Amaya, I need your help with a dress I'm making. Could you come with me to my room?"
"I don't know anything about fashion, Eleanor."
Eleanor shot Amaya a knowing glare, and Isabella felt utterly lost.
"Oh," Amaya said, "of course." The two girls stood up and left for Eleanor's room, and Isabella began to suspect it was a deliberate attempt to have her alone with Audrey, which could only mean one thing. Isabella braced herself for the scandal that would no doubt follow.

"Audrey, is there something I need to know?"
Audrey's eyes widened, "oh, no, this isn't what you think! Unless you think me suspecting that Amaya is warming up to Drake is a huge scandal. I haven't told anyone, I swear!"
Yet, Isabella added in her head.
"Then what is this about?"
"Well, you know how I'll be turning 18 soon, right?"
"Of course I know! Do you think I would forget my best friend's birthday?"
"Oh, I wasn't suspecting you'd forget," Audrey reassured her, "but since I'll become an adult, it's a bigger birthday than usual. As is custom when a member of the royal family turns 18, daddy will be moving the annual debutante ball to my birthday to allow me to debut into society on the day."
Isabella knew all about this, as Audrey had talked of nothing else since her 17th birthday. The debutante ball had been a dream of hers since she'd attended as a child with her father.
"After the debutante ball, I'll also get my own household as I begin my royal duties. I've already chosen a lady's maid and most of my ladies-in-waiting, but I... well, I was hoping that, as my best friend, you'd want to become one of my ladies too."
Isabella nearly fainted. This was absolutely not what she had expected to happen.