Helix

Chapter 7 - Ruby

It was the next day. After that unhappy scrimmage with Toph, I spent my other two classes jabbing at a mental voodoo doll of Toph. Hady and the other girls in my dorm tried to comfort me at dinner, but I couldn't shake off the gloom.

As the First Princess of Idyrith, of course I had to peruse all Idyrithian history books I could find. I hoped my first class today, Advanced Idyrithian History, would at least give me a boost of confidence.

"–And here we are now, sixty-three years after the Morel War fought between Proviei and Idyrith." Professor Mortle lectured on the chalkboard, scribbling a diagram of the relationship between Proviei and Idyrith.

"After the Morel War, Proviei and Idyrith signed a peace treaty that called for ceasefire. Today, Proviei and Idyrith are close trade partners." Wrong. That was what the history books tried to sell, but I always paid attention to Father's wrinkles in his forehead whenever he walked out of a meeting with Proviei representatives. Even though he wouldn't tell me anything, I could tell that there was tension brewing under the surface.

"Alright, class, for your first assignment, you will work in groups of two. Tomorrow, each group will give a five-minute speech about a section of Idyrith history."

Professor Mortle grouped students together. I was delighted when he pointed at me and Hady.

"Psst." Hady poked my shoulder. "Do you, um, get what he's saying? I'm really confused."

"Yep," I smiled. "I've done this a lot before, so feel free to come to me for any questions!"

Hady let out a sigh of relief. "Thanks, Elaena, you're the best!"

We spent the remainder of class discussing our speech.

"Do you want to eat lunch with me?" I asked Hady when the bell rang.

Hady widened her eyes. "Really? Of course!" Happily, we looped arms and walked to the cafeteria.

"So, how are your classes going?" I asked, hoping to start a conversation.

"Nice. I don't think I'm cut out to be a Hunter though," Hady said, looking down. She twirled her brown braids between her fingers.

I halted in front of her and turned around. "Hey, listen." I gripped both of Hady's shoulders, staring right into her eyes. "You may think you're not capable, but you are." I thought back on how Toph had advised me against becoming a swordsman. "Even I've been told that I wasn't good enough, but guess what? I'm going to persevere, and I'll prove to that jerk that I can do it! You can too, Hady."

Hady looked up and smiled wistfully. "Thanks, Elaena. I really appreciate your pep-talk. But, you know, sometimes you have to look at your strengths instead of forcing your weaknesses." I stepped back, stunned.

How was she almost reciting what Toph had said?

"Elaena, my dear!" a highly-distinctive voice called from behind.

Way to break the mood, Maverick. Groaning, I pulled Hady behind me. "What now, Maverick?"

Today, Maverick slicked back his hair to reveal the sharpest widow's peak I'd ever seen. And, of course, he greeted me with his signature cocky smirk. "Here to save you, of course." He wrinkled his sharp nose as he cast a glance at Hady. "Wouldn't it degrade yourself by hanging around – what, a viscountess?" Maverick enunciated his last word smugly and condescendingly.

I pressed my arms to my hips, my lips pressed together to calm myself down. The poise and elegance of a princess, I reminded myself.

"Then again," Maverick continued, "wouldn't it just be better to hang out with me?" He reached into the bulge of his shirt pocket and fished out a crumpled rose. "Elaena, my dear, I have come to save you." Perturbingly, he shifted closer to me, filling my nose with a stench of rose and new metal.