How To Train Your Princess

Little Talks

We don't sneak out anymore after dinner like we used to. And, it works better that way. I can focus on my studies, my friends aren't worried about me, and I'm not getting in trouble. He still comes to my window when he can and we talk in my room. I see him when we are outside and we smile and wave. It's a good system. But best of all, we are still happy.

***

"Now, today we are not going to be writing," Phlegma says, slapping her long stick on her desk. A few of the younger girls jump at the sound. "Today, we will begin mathematics an commerce." Several girls from the Upper Valley let out a groan at the plan for class.

Ruff pulls on my braid, getting me to turn around. "What's mathematics and commerce?" she asks. I shrug, having no clue.

Turns out, I don't like it. I understand now, why the Lower Valley is so poor. The Upper Valley buys our agricultural products, like wool and meat and vegetables etc. and then resell them for more in their village. It's not fare. They make more, so are able to buy and sell the nice silks and furniture they have. But, we only make a little money from the transaction and there for are not able to buy nice, fancy things. They have markets for selling and trading. They take advantage of us, thinking we are too stupid. And we allow it, just happy to have made a few silver coins. I hate them. They are just lazy, wealthy, snobs that think they are better then the ones who work day and night to grow their food.

By lunch time, I'm too angry to eat. I sit picking at the loaf of bread in front of me, made of wheat and flour grown in my village. "You should eat, Astrid," Ruff prods me. I furrow my brows, lobbing a piece of bread across the table. It bounces off the top and on to the floor.

"Why isn't this driving you completely insane?" I ask, annoyed.

"Because it's not solving anything. Being mad wont change it," Ruff says, patting my hand. The gesture relaxes me some, allowing me to relax my brows.

"You're right. But, I'm still going to do something about it. If we had a school, we would be able to help the village with commerce and bargaining." I see a spark in her eyes suddenly.

"You are the smartest girl I know," she tells me with a wide grin, and I know she's on board with the idea. After lunch, we begin reading.

***

I didn't know my day could go down hill anymore than it had already, but Ingrid decided that this was the perfect time to rub my stupidity in my face. "So the Lower Valleys finally realized what's going on when they sell their goods to us. Took them long enough," she says, elbowing Raven, who snickers.

"Well, things are about to change," I say to her. We are currently standing in the hall of our bedchambers. All twelve girls watching. "You guys wont be able to get away with it anymore."

She lifts an eyebrow at me, smirking. "Look at little Astrid. Thinks she's a genius now. If you can't teach a dog to speak english, you can't teach your people to read and learn commerce," she says, cooly. stepping closer to me, her arms folded proudly over her breasts, her brown hair splayed over them.

I glare at her, my hands in fists. "One of these days, I'm going to wear your ribcage asa vest," I spit at her, smoke billowing from my ears. She just insulted my people and I will tare her apart for it.

"She leans in, speaking barely above a whisper, her upper lip curled into a tight sneer. "You are athletic, Astrid. You have good physical skills, but you don't have the head smarts. You need that for strategy. You can't just fight your way through and expect to make it to the other side. Besides, the prince isn't looking for strength. He's looking for beauty and poise and grace, Not a pet to keep outside in the barn."