“The professor doesn’t judge me on where I’m from,” Nadrina added, apparently feeling the same urge as Lilianna. “Professor Aldric has always treated me fairly. He teases me and acts melodramatic whenever I ask a lot of questions, but he always answers them. A commoner like me would never a get a chance like this anywhere else. I’ve learned so much in this class! I don’t want to go anywhere else, or have any other teacher!”

In only a brief moment, the heavy atmosphere had been replaced with outright astonishment from both adults. Both of them stared at the girls while Lilianna and Nadrina both stared defiantly back.

The empress’ face parted into a broad grin as she looked at Professor Aldric. “Out of the mouth of babes, wouldn’t you say ‘Professor’?”

“I swear, these kids...” he mumbled as he scratched at his neck, refusing to look at any of them. The empress only laughed at him, and the girls couldn’t help but join her.

The carriage coming to a stop saved him from further embarrassment. A knock on the carriage door was followed by the knight captain opening the door. “Your Majesty, the campsite you requested travel to is within sight. I would recommend we let our passengers out here while still maintaining cover.”

“Alas, we must cut our time short.” The empress nodded to each of them with a smile, saving the professor for last. “Do make sure you keep in better contact this time, dear. I’d hate to send someone after you and drag you back.”

“Yes, Gran,” Professor Aldric drawled, sounding like a lectured child. The empress simply ignored him. “It was a pleasure meeting the both of you,” she directed to Lilianna and Nadrina, taking their hands in hers with a grandmotherly fondness in her eyes. “Please keep an eye on him. He’s a handful, but he means well.”

“Gran!” the professor protested, having already evacuated the carriage as fast as he could. She only cackled in response.

~~~

AS THE THREE OF THEM watched the carriage pull away, the professor turned to the two of them. “This goes without saying, but all that needs to stay between just us, alright?” Both girls nodded in agreement, and the professor made his way towards the camp. Then he stopped.

He turned to look at them again, and Lilianna watched as he opened his mouth, closed it, then studied the both of them intently, like he was trying to figure them out. Finally, he shook his head and grinned, patting them both on the heads and ruffling their hair. “You’re good kids. Come on, the others are no doubt freaking out that they haven’t heard from us by now.”

Lilianna was momentarily taken aback as the professor left. She felt oddly happy, even as she fixed her mussed hair. Nadrina looked like a rewarded puppy as she trotted off after him.