The professor still wouldn’t look at her, opting to stare out of his window instead. “Angels can forgive anyone, Gran. Even undeserving demons.”

There was so much pain and self-loathing in that one statement that, despite knowing nothing of what they were talking about, it tore at Lilianna’s heart. She was already speaking before she realized it.

“I’ve learned more from our professor in a few months than I ever did with my family’s tutors. I would still be woefully ignorant of so many things if I had never come to the academy. Not to mention, he’s saved our lives twice now, while expecting nothing in return from either myself or my family. If anyone were to call him a demon, I would call them a fool or a liar.”

“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.

~~~