Royal Academy Diaries II

Of Heart & Duty ⚜ Ch. 3

Sabrina fretted over what to wear to tea. Should she change into a dress? Something nice? Casual? Would he think she wasn't trying if she showed up in her uniform? About ten minutes till, she finally decided to put on a scarlet blouse under her uniform jacket. It was a compromise, at least.

She hurried up the many flights of stairs to the rooftop conservatory. It was a spectacular place with a domed glass ceiling, filled with a subtle enchanted mist to water the plants. There were flowers of every kind and colour along the walls, and in the centre was a small table and chairs, meant for just such meetings as this.

As she walked in, she saw that he was already there. "Professor Cervantes."

He stood and walked over to pull out her chair. "You don't have to call me that when it's just us. Unless you want to, of course."

She smiled somewhat shyly as she sat down. "Raphael it is then. So, how was your first day?"

He sat across from her and poured the tea. "Exciting, really. It was interesting to see where all the students are from." Grinning, he asked, "Do they still hang flags in the dorms?"

Sabrina smiled and nodded, taking her teacup. "Thank you. Yes. All my roommates have done it. Although I must say, it's fun having two flags."

Raphael nodded and took a sip. "Spain and Morrocco. I wonder how many of the students are multinational."

"More of the royals are because of their parents' alliances. Although some of the nobles have multi citizenships too."

"Ah yes, I seem to recall that now from my time here." He chuckled. "It was rather nice this morning to know exactly where I was going."

Sabrina smiled and sipped her tea. "So how are things in Spain? Your cousin isn't still bull fighting, is he?"

He rolled his eyes. "Not without a mask. But I think I've figured out three of his matador names."

"He was always the wild one in your family."

He shrugged. "Almost as wild as my grandfather who took up a Zorro like persona when he was young."

"I remember you telling me those stories," she smiled.

His smile widened. "You do?"

She nodded. "Yes. I always liked to listen because of your voice." Glancing away, she immediately blushed.

Trying to not seem fazed by the confession, he asked, "Have you heard about the recent discovery in Morrocco? Some ancient architecture was discovered by an explorer there."

Glad for the diversion, she took another sip. "Oh, yes. I remember the chancellor talking about it. César Luis de Montalbán was the man, I think."

Seeing the lingering blush in her cheeks, he leaned back, considering her. "Fascinating things. Tell me, Princess, is there anyone who's caught your eye? What about that Prince Arinsal? He seems like an agreeable young man."

She was surprised by his question, although she supposed it was inevitable. "Marc? No, we're hardly more than acquaintances. But... I have developed a rather close relationship with a nobleman named Zahir," she confessed somewhat quietly. "He's from Dubai."

Raphael tried to keep his expression neutral. "Ah. How long have you known him?"

She felt a pang of guilt when she met his eye. "Since second year."

He nodded, putting on a smile. "And he makes you happy?"

"Yes," she nodded.

"Then that's all that matters." He took a sip of his tea, and Sabrina suddenly felt conflicted. He clearly hoped that she might consider him, and that fact made her question whether she wanted to be free of their betrothal or not.