In My Possession

Chapter 24-My Exquisite Embarassment

I rolled over., surprised to find I was in my bedroom tucked into my bed. But I was headed to the library, wasn't I? I tried to lift my hand to my head, but I felt strangley weak.

"Hello? Cambrea?" A foreign male voice said.

"She goes by Cammie." Another said, this one more familiar.

"Cammie?" I opened my eyes to find a middle aged man leaned over me. I immidiantely scooted away in alarm and I heard someone chuckle in response.

"Don't be scared I"m Dr. Rolling, I work here at the palace. You fainted." He explained, standing up to give me some space. I distantly remebered feeling light headed, It was strange I'd never fainted before, never really gotten sick before. I sat up and saw Howard, Caleb, Ethan and Walker standing in my room, staring at me in concern, except Caleb who was grinning in amusement.

"Oh Gosh, this is embarrassing." I mumbled, burrying my face in a pillow.

"Nonsense Cammie-" Ethan started but Caleb cut him off with a laugh.

"You fainted. That's so...girly." He said, laughing again.

"I hadn't eaten since eight." I said angrily, defending myself. Actually I did feel really girly and weak. Only wimps faint!

"That could very well have been a contributing factor." The doctor agreed. "You seem fine, your blood pressure's normal. Have you fainted before?" He asked. 

"No, I don't think I've ever gotten a cold." I explained glaring at Caleb who was laughing again. "Can they leave?" I siad, waving at my audience.

"Yes, yes of course. You need to rest and I'm sure this is overwhelming."

"No I'm not overwhelmed." I protestes, getting embarrased again, the boys left after the doctor, Caleb commenting to Walker that I was a regualr damsel in distress. Howard remained in the room, looking at me in genuine concern.

"You can go to, I'm fine." I insisted. His brow furrowed, his mouth pulling down at the corners.

"People of magic don't get sick, as you noticed, and any injuries they recieve heal very quickly. And since you've been training you should be full of magic right now.It should be impossible for you to faint, no matter how long it's been since you ate." 

"YOu mean we're like superhuman?" I asked, I realized I did never really get hurt, the occasional bruise but those disapperead ina day.

"In a way." He allowed. "Perhaps I've been training you too hard." He mused, scratching his head.

"No, no we only train about four times a week and I've been catching on fast, haven't I?"

"You have. But....the Queen progressed much faster. I thought maybe you were lazy because she never really needed training. Perhaps you don't possess as much magic has her."  

A feeling of shame swept through me. The queen never had training but was still more powerful? Was I weak? Not as talented as I was supposed to be? Maybe I just hadn't been working hard enough.....

"Have you been doing drugs?" He asked, his voice thick with disgust. 

"No!" 

"Alcohol?" 

"I've had a glass of wine once in my life."

"And you're not pregnant?" He gave me an accusing glance.

"I hope you're kidding." I glowered, this was not what I needed to hear right now. 

"Maybe you're just a bad teacher." I retorted and he smiled in cocky amusement.

"I don't think so."

"Oh yeah? You said the Queens powerful, more than you. Maybe she should be training me." My hands were curled up in my comforter, my teeth grinding in annoyance. I reached up, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. 

"That is not the way, not how it's done." He said firmly, crossing his arms.

"All these pointless traditions are stupid!" I roller over onto m side, turning my back to him. I knew it was childish and immature but I was tired of my life being constricted by rules that were created before I was born.

"When you're done acting like a child I will be in the training room."  He finally siad and I heard the door open and close, signaling his exit. I sat up, throwing off the comforter. I wasn't tired, all I wanted was food. I slipped off the bed and went to kneel down next to my mini-fridge. I grabbed a soda and pre made sandwhich and settled into my desk. I might as well be productive as I avoided everyone. I knew I had a lot of studying to do for government. Mr. Leonard loved giving me quizes and everytime I failed he assigned me more work.

Flipping open the book I took a bite of my sandwhich, grabbing my notebook with my other hand. I always took the most detailed notes, writing down the most boring facts in case Mr. Leonard asked me about them later.

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"Wrong......wrong.....wrong.......How on earth did you get this wrong?!" I waited in silence while Mr. Leonard graded my quiz.

"You can't run a country when you don't even know the responsibilities of the Prime Minister." He threw the paper off the table, massaging his temples with his hands. Again, I said nothing. I had already figured out the my political teacher had a flair for the dramatic. He especially enjoyeed giving me impassioned monolgues about the importance of teachers to the royal family.

"Wait!" He raised his head towards the ceiling as if he was communing with angels. "Perhaps my supreme intelligence is too much for you. Yes, that's it. We'll get Caleb to tutor you! He's always been the most dedicated student." He said fondly, resting his chin in his palm.

"Caleb?" My tone incredulous. he had always come off to me as the jock type, ignorant to the finer workings of the world.

"Yes, he has been my best pupil among the boys." His tone turned more coy. "If you don't mind me saying, Caleb would make a fine King."

I grimaced, almost all my teachers or instructors had hinted at who would make the best Husband, Father and King. Most of the reasons were irrelevant. Nathan was a prodigy on the piano, Ethan always remembered the history teachers favorite candies, or Caleb could make the most excelletn souffle. It almost bothered me to hear a quality in one of the boys that would actually make him a better King. From our time together I did find Caleb to be the most determined. Ethan was really too sweet and shy to command the people and Nathan was too anti-social and uncaring to well, care.

I tugged at a strand of hair as my teacher droned on about how his proper student studied. I could feel the panic rising in me as it always did when I thought about who I would choose. If I was going by knowledge and skill, Caleb should be King. While he was annoyingly persistant and flirty I knew he was only trying to create a relationship with me out of duty. Though from my observations outside of our dates he did enjoy flirting with the maids.

"Ah, Mary!" Mr. Leonard called out to a passing maid. "Fetch Caleb, would you? Tell him Cambrea needs some assistance in understanding the great and wonderful mechanisms that keep our glorious government functioning." Mary threw me a pitying look but nodded obediantly.

No doubt Caleb would rush down here if he knew I needed his help. And I had to admit I did need a tutor, Mr. Leonards dramatics aside. But what else did I need Caleb's help for? Did I need him to help me rule the country as my partner? Should I do the queenly thing and be selfless, picking a companion based on what was best ofr the country?

Could I marry Caleb?