The happiness blooming from my heart has only one reason: today Maki’s weekly letter arrives. Knowing something about his life gives me the extra motivation I need to face each week. Classes don’t make it easy—every teacher is extremely demanding.

  Keeping my grades high, my scores as perfect as possible, takes a lot of my time. I need to set an example for the other students, especially now that my territory is being considered for a promotion to a Viscounty. My family will become part of the high-ranking nobility! I must be an exemplary student for many reasons.

  As soon as class ends, I go straight to the correspondence area, tuck the letter in with my books, and head home. It has become tradition to read the letter in the afternoon with Arisa and Marga—we all sit together in the living room for dinner and discover the content of the letters.

  I can already hear noises from the door; Arisa is singing at the top of her lungs while trying to cook something. Bad memories flash in my mind—she nearly burned this little house down a couple of times when she was learning to cook. The risk is lower now, but the probability is never zero.

  “Welcome back.” When I walk in, I turn toward the source of the voice. Marga is sitting with a towel over her head, legs folded beneath her.

  “How was your day? Is she cooking the same thing?” I glance at Arisa, who is still yelling at full volume. We have a tradition of eating fried chicken and fries for dinner.

  “It wasn’t too bad. I felt a slight improvement in my Imra control. How was yours?” Marga’s bright smile dims a little when she looks at our roommate. “Yes… and I’m keeping watch to prevent a fire. I took a quick shower just so I wouldn’t die in there.”

  That happened the first time—Marga ran out of the shower terrified because of the smoke, and Arisa got scolded for days.

  “Same here. Being the class representative for two classes is taking more time than I expected.” I sigh as I place my small bag to the side, not without first taking out the letter and placing it on the little table in the center, where the other two are already waiting.

  After showering and changing, I leave my room. Arisa somehow finished cooking without problems—that’s a big achievement for my friend. It’s her turn to shower, so we chat for a bit before reading the letters.

  “The Imra-control teacher is unbearable. My control is the best in the class and he keeps giving me harder and harder exercises.” Arisa complains while strangling a pillow. Her control has been excellent since her awakening, and she’s improved enormously over the years. “I’m going to complain to my dad or uncle.”

  “That order most likely came from them. I can already imagine your dad saying: Don’t go easy on my daughter, push her to her limits.”

  Marga replies instantly. Arisa’s expression shifts through several stages before she accepts her reality with a pout.

  “My mana classes are the same. My control and precision surpass most of the class, yet I’m still pushed to the limit.” The professor is great at teaching—he only wants the best for us. “Sometimes I wish for a tiny break. Even on weekends we have to spend time improving.” At least we’re better off than the students who have to work.

  “No more class complaints.” Marga finally has had enough after listening to us for almost an hour. “Did you hear about the cancelled wedding between the children of Counts Weri and Housen? I couldn’t believe it when I heard.” Marga is the biggest gossip lover among us; if she’s at a 100, we’re maybe slightly below… maybe a 95.

  “Yes! It’s all over the place. According to rumors they had a huge argument, and the wedding was cancelled a few days later.” Arisa shouts while explaining.

  “They never loved each other. They were only together for the convenience of their territories. One serious fight was more than enough to end it.” We all nod at the same time.

  Noble gossip—heartbreaks, betrayals, atrocious acts, rejected proposals—always circulates like leaves in the wind, floating from ear to ear across the empire and kingdoms.

  “I heard something recently about the princess of the Juka Kingdom. Apparently she’s been linked to some boy because of the inauguration party.” Marga reminds us of something that spread a few weeks ago.

  “Yes, I heard that too! Apparently she was seen very close to a handsome young man new at the school. It’s weird to see a princess falling for someone, especially Brendu. I heard she always avoids relationships.” Arisa has met her a couple of times—her uncle often takes her to high-noble gatherings.

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  “The few times we spoke, she was pleasant and direct. I’m really happy she found someone at the academy. She’s nearing her second decade, it’s good to find someone by now.” Marga looks genuinely happy. As a duke’s daughter, meeting her must not have been hard.

  “That guy must be extraordinary; not only handsome, but smart and strong.” I add a comment, and Marga’s expression shifts. She frowns slightly.

  “You’re right. She isn’t foolish. Whoever caught her attention must be someone above the rest. She met him at the inauguration party…” Her frown deepens. “Someone capable of catching a princess’s attention.” Marga looks at the table. I follow her gaze toward the letters.

  We both raise our heads at the same time. Arisa follows, but she seems clueless.

  “Did I miss something? Why are you two making those faces?” My expression must have changed—I’m frowning just like Marga.

  “A newly arrived boy, capable of catching a princess’s attention because of his abilities. Does anyone come to mind?” Marga asks Arisa. Arisa touches her chin, rubs it for a few seconds, then realizes it. “Shit, this is not good.” The three of us look at the letters. In one smooth motion, we grab our own.

  Opening the envelope, I notice an extra sheet of paper. A bad feeling crawls through my body—something doesn’t feel right. We lift our eyes at the same time. I’m not the only one feeling this.

  We lower our heads again on silent agreement. At first, everything looks normal—Maki talks about his days, his classes, how his students are improving, and casual day-to-day things.

  Was that bad feeling a mistake? As I keep reading, nothing seems wrong… until the next paragraph freezes me in place:

  “I have something I don’t know how to explain properly… it’s difficult for me, and it will be even harder for you.” My short-lived hope was shattered instantly. Something bad is coming.

  I don’t know how to react. So far, nothing has happened—he and the princess are only friends, slowly getting to know each other. That’s his perspective. He’s smart, but at the end of the day he’s a man, and men are naturally stupid about these things.

  “This isn’t good, definitely not good.” Arisa is losing her mind, rolling on the floor like a worm while repeating herself.

  “Yes… this is not good. Any thoughts?” Marga looks at me with a face impossible to read. She must be feeling as conflicted as Arisa and I.

  “For now, Maki made it clear it’s nothing serious. Honestly… it’s already a lost case. He hasn’t realized it because he probably didn’t pay much attention to the signs—he must think it’s just a passing whim.” I try to explain as clearly as possible, but my mind is confused.

  “His mind flows like water and is firm like steel when he’s fighting, but he’s an idiot when it comes to this.” Arisa has calmed down a little and is now hugging Marga’s legs in despair.

  “I think the same. This is completely a lost case.” Marga sighs. “I’m not friends with Brendu, but the few times we talked she was always decisive. If she wants something, she’ll get it. And Maki is Maki… we can’t expect much from him.” She exhales in frustration.

  I pick up the letter again and read aloud: “No matter what happens in the future, the three of you are in my heart. No one will ever remove or diminish what I feel for you.”

  Those were Maki’s final words in my letter. They received something similar in theirs.

  “All we can do is trust him like we always have. I’m sure Maki won’t forget us or push us aside if someone else appears.” I trust him fully. The pain won’t disappear quickly—I’ll accept it day by day.

  “We always knew something like this could happen in another city. It just happened earlier than expected, and with someone we didn’t anticipate.” Marga lowers her head.

  “I want to accept reality but… it hurts. It still hurts more than I’d like.” She’s very sad, gently stroking Arisa’s head, who doesn’t seem able to talk.

  “We’ll wait for the next weeks. There’s nothing we can do right now.” None of us want to accept reality. Only time will decide the future and heal the wounds.

  “Can we sleep together tonight?” Arisa, still playing with our feet, makes the suggestion.

  “Yes, I want to sleep with you too.” Marga tries to smile.

  “Let’s go to my room, it’s the most organized one.” My tiny joke makes them smile a little. We hug each other. I don’t feel sad or attacked, just something strange and hard to describe.

  The weeks passed, and each week we received letters about how his days were going. His relationship with the princess kept improving, and he kept running into multiple problems—that hasn’t changed. He’s still a magnet for trouble and strange events.

  Arisa, Marga, and I slowly accepted the situation. We are four now. Something in this week’s letter surprises me, and I sprint home at full speed.

  “Drop whatever you’re doing and come here!” I yell as soon as I enter the house. Their startled faces say everything.

  “Look who sent this letter.” Marga snatches it from my hands before I can react.

  “It’s from Brendu Qolud.” Arisa’s eyes widen at the sender’s name.

  The content took us completely by surprise—a well-written apology, multiple reasons why she chose Maki, why everything can continue as it is, and why she is also a good option.

  She told us about her days in more detail. Brendu has been keeping many opportunistic girls away from Maki—girls who wanted to take advantage of him in various ways. She assured us she is a wall between Maki and other women. She won’t let anyone else join the circle while she’s close.

  “I didn’t hate her, nor did I wish her harm, but the strange feeling inside me has almost completely vanished after reading this.” Marga’s words mirror my own mood.

  During all these weeks we’ve grown even closer than before, something that already seemed impossible.

  “We’ll probably meet her during the end-of-year holidays. They plan to go to Maki’s family territory, and Grandma Rita will have plenty of reasons to tease him. I’ll throw as much fuel on the fire as I can.” Arisa must be planning revenge in her own way.

  In the end, all three of us accepted Brendu after some time. We finally understood it’s better to have her on our side. She’s a princess—and a wall nearly impossible for any other woman to break through if they want to use Maki.

  I can’t wait to meet her!