“Cathe, I was not aware that Lunor and you would be there, I swear! Had I known, I would have run in a different direction to make my run last longer,” Ruelm said something that was probably meant to quell the female high noble`s anger.


    “Remind me, please, why didn`t I beat you black and blue on the spot?”


    “Because you are a person that hates violence?”


    “No..., that does not sound like me."


    "You should be thanking Lunor that your ass won`t hurt for a week.”


    “I`ll look for her, but you know how busy she can be.”


    “Who are the new girls? I don`t remember seeing them before. Did they come with my sister?”


    “This is Ellyn Arte and Selea Frowe. Lunor enjoys spending time with them.”


    “Really?” he asked and the expression on his face changed completely.


    “I was about to ask them to help me with my research, but now I don`t think that I should...”


    “What research?” Selea asked.


    Cathe sighed, her eyes closed for a second.


    Ruelm grinned like a child that managed to successfully manipulate someone.


    “Tell me, Miss Frowe, do you like books?”


    The question amused her.


    “Our house is filled with books and maps. My parents buy, copy and sell them.”


    “Even books about sex?”


    “We don`t have licence for religious texts, no.”


    "I call it "My Precious Book"" Ruelm said the first part dramatically and added ""MPB", in short."


    “More than 500 pages of serious sex research done over generations. I consider myself a researcher and plan to gather enough reliable statistics and findings to advance MPB to a whole new level. Not only by myself, naturally. There are parts of the book men have no role in. Then there is also a part with only men, which is also not for me. I wonder… are the two of you…”


    “No,” Selea replied.


    “A shame. I could use some statistics and findings for those parts of MPB as well. If you get that sort of experience one day or know someone who could help, you`ll know where to find me. Ah, yes, only reliable information, please; I don`t want to tarnish MPB with lies or exaggerations.”


    Ellyn won`t have many stories to share even if she felt compelled to do so. Her nickname at school was “Ellynstone”, because she never dated any of those who showed interest in her. Zero experience and zero idea of what to do, if she wanted to gain some. Ellyn won`t be starting her love life anytime soon anyway. First things first. She has to become a master mage. That alone usually takes decades, if it happens at all.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    This was midday, March 19th 1218


    They`ve already eaten and a daily lecture with their private mentor had ended. The lecture only took around a single hour, during which Cathe and her ladies-in-waiting weren`t present, the same as the day before.


    As far as Ellyn knew, their families should visit in the afternoon. 30 past 16 was supposed to be their time with Lunor again and they should also train physically before that, which meant that there wasn`t a lot of time in between. Where and when will they meet?


    This was the time Ellyn with Selea spent waiting for Cathe to "pick them up" a day ago, which was also what they were doing currently, using their remaining time to go over their notes.


    The door to the guestroom opened after a short knocking.


    "Ellyyyyn!" her sister exclaimed and went in for a hug, Meron, Selea`s mom, Cathe and... a smiling Lunor with Master Niriel right beside her, entering the room right after Marys.


    "Marys,... mom, I love you," she said, hugging them both.


    "We love you too."


    "Lunor, is it alright, if I take a room next to Ellyn`s?" her sister asked, which baffled Ellyn.


    What is happening?


    "That one is currently not used. I`ll ask for a servant that won`t be uncomfortable with nudity."


    Hm?


    "Thank youuu. You are the best, sis!" Marys switched the target of her hugs to the princess.


    Ellyn`s eyes almost popped out.


    This is Princess Lunor. Why is Marys touching her? That is not allowed! She`ll get punished for this, surely. Should Ellyn start begging for forgiveness? No, wait..., Lunor is still smiling and she even caressed her sister`s face very lightly, like one would child`s. What is happening?!


    ...


    "So, you were invited by Lunor to a tea party and accepted her offer?" Ellyn summed up minutes later.


    "Yes," Marys said and begun humming a merry song and dancing her silly dance of joy again, which seemed to fascinate both of the high nobles present.


    In short, while the two were with their mentor, the three invited women entered the royal palace. Lunor offered to take Marys in, to have her mentored as a future diplomat, plus made a business investment.


    Meron has been running a clothing business with aunt Savine for many years and the Frowes had a book business of theirs. Who couldn`t use more money and royal connections, right? You also never refuse a royal favour. Never.


    "I have a meeting to attend soon, girls. The tea tasted great today and I enjoyed your company. Thank you," Lunor said, hugged Marys shortly, smiled at them and left together with Master Niriel in tow.


    Ellyn has been looking at the closed door for a while. How did this make any sense? Why was she actively hugging Marys, someone she only knew for over an hour?


    “Is something wrong?”


    “No, mom. I just… didn`t expect Lunor to hug Marys.”


    “Why not? Aren`t you Lunor`s lover?”


    “What?”


    The moment Ellyn asked her question, showing that she has absolutely no idea of what her mom talks about, Meron, Marys and Selea`s mom all looked at her, confused.


    “You are here because you are Lunor`s lover, right?”


    “No…”


    They were blinking their eyes, not understanding.


    “Then why are you here? Why did we get invited to Lunor`s tea party, Marys got a career she`s always dreamed of and each of our families got invested more than 2000 gold crowns into?”


    “2… 2000 G…G…G…GOLD…” Ellyn started stuttering, her brain not working anymore.


    Selea forgot to close her mouth for a long time after.


    “Are you sure you didn`t battle them?” her mom asked Ellyn.


    “"Them?" What do you mean by "them"?”


    “Lunor and Prince Ulweld.”


    “I haven`t even seen him,” Ellyn replied, her face turning stiff thinking about what this meant.


    What scared her more than anything was the face of someone in deep thought, Meron was making now.


    “But Lunor mentioned him to you at least a little, didn`t she?”


    “Why?”


    “He invited Giliam to a hunt and, well, we thought…”


    “W… what is dad about to do?!”


    “We can`t just tell the royal couple a “no” …, so saying a “yes” and then asking them to take a good care of you seemed like a good choice.”


    OH NO. NO, NO, NO…


    A royal humiliation. Ellyn has to find some rock to crawl under.