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The Princess and The Thorne, Chapter Fourteen: The Princess and The Thorne.

A week had passed since the Gallatin graduation, and in all the chaos Ras barely had any time to speak with anybody properly, even her closest friends.

She was whisked away to the Thorne Family estate, riding in a carriage alone through the districts of Fenburg. Despite her protestations, she didn’t really have anywhere else to go, and Inspector Burgin was insistent that Ras remain in Westerlind until things came to a close.

The air was full of pollen and was unpleasantly muggy compared to the clean air of the mountains. Ras despised how heavy it felt.

She hauled her luggage up the drive and let herself in. Matilda wasn’t here; she had business to deal with on the coast, and after a fortnight or so she’d travel to a summer home in the Hanwells, awaiting Ras if she wished to go. The only person on estate grounds was Ras, with a note to lock up if she decided to spend the summer holidays elsewhere.

The manor was clean and neat, and in the dining room a vase of flowers on the table. Bellflowers, tucked neatly into the vase and in various shades of blue and purple.

Beside the vase, letters were stacked neatly. One was in an official, embossed envelope from the Inspection Board. Ras grabbed it and tore it open, peeking at the contents inside.

Inside was a beautifully-handwritten letter from Inspector Burgin;

‘Master Thorne, First off, I would like to personally thank you for your part in bringing Lady Renaldt’s misdeeds to light. Her passing remains an unfortunate byproduct of her sins, and criminal though she was, she will be missed by a few. The criminal known as Schroeder has been apprehended and jailed, to serve a sentence for many years. In addition, you will be pleased to know that Blaise Marechal and Cezara Dalca are safe as well, thanks to your timely intervention. I would like to formally apologize to you on Gallatin’s behalf for the trouble you have been caused. As you already have plans to teach at Gallatin, I would like to invite you to speak with me personally at your earliest convenience in regards to your input on what happens to Gallatin next. Should you accept, do not hesitate to find me at the Westerlind Educational Inspection Board headquarters, address below. Beyond that, rest assured that the investigation is nearing it’s conclusion, and barring any hiccups, you are free to leave Westerlind for the Summer Holidays. Respectfully, Inspector Kathrili Burgin, Westerlind Educational Inspection Board. PS. Give my regards to Mistress Thorne, would you?’

Ras looked at the clock. It was only mid-afternoon. Perhaps a talk with Inspector Burgin wouldn’t be a bad idea before she let loose for the festival.

She tucked the letter into her pocket, and made her way outside. She hailed a taxi, and as she got in she gave the address to the driver. With a nod in response, the cab lurched forward and Ras was on her way.

In a matter of minutes, she reached her destination. Exiting the cab with a thank you, she made her way inside. When the secretary stopped her, she showed the letter from Inspector Burgin, and she was directed where to go.

Inspector Burgin’s office wasn’t nearly as lavish as Lady Renaldt’s, somehow a surprise to Ras in the moment, but after a bit of thinking she realized it fit the rather simple woman.

A few chairs, some bookshelves, and a desk stacked with paperwork and a large book opened with both pages facing upwards. Inspector Burgin was in her chair, and when she saw Ras, she stood up, offering a hand to her.

“Master Thorne. I wasn’t expecting you so soon.”

Ras took Inspector Burgin’s hand, shaking it before she sat down. “I had some time to kill, figured I might as well get this out of the way, you know? And, please, you can call me Ras.”

Inspector Burgin nodded, sitting back down in her chair. “Of course, of course. Regardless, thank you for accepting the invitation, Ras. As you know, I wanted to talk to you about Gallatin’s future.”

A pause, as if she waited for Ras to respond.

“Me, personally, I wouldn’t want anything more to do with the place, teaching job or otherwise. But seeing as you haven’t put in a resignation before even beginning, I can tell you’re still interested in working there, no?”

“That’s right. It wasn’t Gallatin that wronged me, it was Lady Renaldt. Now that she’s gone, I have no doubts the college will retain it’s repute with more savory means available to them.”

Inspector Burgin nodded again, steepling her fingers. “It’s that sort of attitude that interests me, Ras. You seem particularly invested in the place, despite everything.”

“Gallatin is where I got my second chance, Inspector Burgin. If it weren’t for the college taking me in…well, I try not to think too much about it.”

“Right, well, that brings me to my offer, then. As the one who ousted Lady Renaldt, and one invested heavily in it’s future, I feel you’d be a perfect fit. That said, I’m only going to make this offer once, so if you refuse now, you cannot go back on it.”

“Well, I can hardly refuse or accept with such cryptic statements, now can I? Care to tell me exactly what you’re offering?”

Inspector Burgin’s eyes gleamed, and she offered a smile. “Of course. Ras Thorne, I would like you to take over as Headmistress of Gallatin College, provided you remain interested in the affairs and well-being of the college after two years of teaching.”

There was no hesitation for Ras. “Absolutely.”

Inspector Burgin nodded, as if she’d expected this answer. “Good. After two years of teaching, you shall be reviewed by the Inspection Board. Provided you pass that, I shall reach out to you to confirm whether or not you still hold interest in the position.”

A pause.

“Until then, Mr. Griffith shall take over as Headmaster, and he shall oversee your progress both as a teacher and as a potential successor. A written agreement and contract will be drafted after the Summer Holidays, to be signed by all parties.”

“Sounds good to me. I look forward to it.”

Inspector Burgin nodded again, this time putting on another smile. “Well! With that out of the way, is there anything else you’d like to discuss?”

Ras took a moment to think. “...As it happens, yes. I would like Gallatin to make official reparations to the families of Blaise Marechal, Cezara Dalca, Emily Karson, and Gaspard Breiner.”

“Certainly. The Inspection Board, as well as the Renaldt Estate, will offer monetary recompense to the families of those who suffered. I’m sure they appreciate your concern.”

Ras nodded at that, standing up with a sigh. “Right, well, that’s everything. I shall see you again later.”

“Enjoy your Summer Holidays, Master Thorne.”

With that, Ras exited the building and made her way back home. Back in her dining room, she decided to write to Rosario, requesting to spend the holidays together, as well as the prospect of moving in.

After receiving a return letter that evening, with Rosario declaring that she’d love to see Ras again, she made plans to go to Zaledo by train this time.

On the train that next morning, Ras had gathered the letters left by the vase and began to sift through them, reading one-by-one.

The first was a letter from her Uncle Gerald. He spent the first paragraph delighting about Ras’ romantic connection to Princess Rosario, expressing a desire to attend her wedding if she would have him. As if she’d exclude him.

He went on to congratulate her for her teaching post at Gallatin, as well as her role in exposing Lady Renaldt. He mourned her death, recalling one summer he and Irwin had spent with her before suddenly she cut contact with them.

In addition to all that, he excitedly told of how Matilda was seeking help to improve herself, and how wonderful it was to see glimpses of the lovely woman she once was yet again. He was far more forgiving than Ras was.

Ras smiled, tucking the letter into her bag. At least he was happy. With that, she turned her attention to the next letter. It was from Gonzalez.

She sounded cheerful enough, if a little bored about summer. She requested Ras write back soon, as she needed to know everything about what happened at Graduation.

Her next letter was from Hartmann and Freddie both. They were having a wonderful time spending the summer with Freddie’s family, with Hartmann declaring that she’s cut her family off until they accepted that she was capable of her own decisions and could learn to be happy for her. They ended it with a desire to meet up again, and demanded Ras tell the whole story to them.

Next, a letter from Max and Delacroix. They were enjoying themselves at the beach, with Max declaring that Ras make Gallatin a fun place in case any of her children ever attended. Like the others, they asked Ras to write back.

A letter from Karson. She didn’t mention the events of graduation, but she did offer many thanks to Ras, the situation clearly on her mind.

Apparently her family’s house in Fenburg was ridiculously busy at the moment; she was staying with her fathers, her grandfathers, and her sisters. It was a tight squeeze indeed. “But I got a letter saying I’ve come into a substantial amount of money,” her letter stated. “That’s interesting. It means I can move back to Fenburg permanently, though—where I was suddenly offered a job by a Mister Gerald. I guess that means, if you ever go back home, you’ll not be rid of me anytime soon.”

Karson finished her letter off promising to write Ras, as well as offering her more thanks.

A letter from Auguste caught Ras’ eye next, and she raised an eyebrow. Certainly unexpected.

The letter opened with a harried tone and ramblings about how the reports of her mother were surely lies and that this was all slander on Ras’ part, but even her accusations were baseless and filled with uncertainty.

Eventually, she ended it with an apology, and asked Ras to write back with the hope that they could possibly be friends.

Another letter caught her eye, and this one was from Florin of all people. She opened it with a declaration of love for Ras, followed by a ‘just kidding!’ and a heart drawn in the ink.

She detailed about her trip in the Hanwells, and then went on to say that she was being sent away to the military by her Fathers. She was afraid, and told Ras that much, ending the letter off with a request to keep in contact.

Next, a letter from Blaise. The writing was messy and rushed. She explained that she was catching up with her parents. “They were able to buy a place in Fenburg,” she wrote. “Apparently it was an unexpected windfall. You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you? Anyway, I’m going to be doing my final year back at Gallatin. If you end up being my teacher…go easy on me?”

At the end of it, she demanded that Ras keep in touch with her, and Ras had a feeling that she was a bit lonelier than she’d care to admit.

Letters from her teachers, Miss Dalca, Mr. Griffith, and Mr. Blanchard all wrote in to thank Ras for her efforts in exposing Lady Renaldt, as well as her assistance in bringing the three of them together. They expressed joy at Ras’ decision to become a teacher at Gallatin, and looked forward to working with her in the future.

And finally, an official letter from Mr. Griffith on behalf of Gallatin College. He confirmed her placement as a teacher, as well as a reminder that she is to succeed him in taking over the college in two years time, should she still be interested in the position.

He ended the letter with a heartfelt thank you.

The train slowed to a halt, and the whistle blew. “All change for South Hanwell!” a guard bellowed. Doors slammed open, luggage carts were hauled, and Ras made to disembarked.

A cluster of people stood on the wide, spacious platform; in the center was Rosario, her hand up against the glare of the sunshine. She was wearing a pale blue tea dress, and she looked entirely at ease.

One of Rosario’s entourage whisked Ras’ luggage away, and Rosario kissed her girlfriend on both cheeks before leading her away to a private cab. “You arrived just at the right time,” she said. “There was a thunderstorm last night, but it’s lovely now!”

She beamed at Ras the entire ride.

The royals’ summer estate sat a little way inland, amidst woods and farmland. Rosario explained that her immediate family weren’t there yet—they were due in a couple of days—but her cousin was eager to meet Ras. As the cab drew up the long drive, Ras spotted the cousin sitting beneath a parasol on an immaculately-kept lawn. He looked older than Ras, and when Rosario called out to him, he hurried over with a pinprick-frown between his brows.

“The Honorable Leandro del Quiros,” he said, shaking Ras’ hand. He spoke Westerlind with the same faint Zaledoan accent as Rosario, and the same cut-glass pronunciation.

He turned to Rosario straightaway, blocking Ras with his shoulder, speaking to her in Zaledoan too quickly for Ras to grasp. Not that she spoke it anyway. Rosario rolled her eyes, punched Leandro lightly on the shoulder, and said, “Come on, Ras, I’ll show you where you’ll sleep.”

As Ras was led into the towering main house, Rosario let out a ‘tsk’.

“Ignore him,” she said, “He’s just worried about people gossipping.”

“Ah, please,” Ras grinned. “If he’s anything like Ibarra, he’ll warm up to me in time.”

Rosario giggled. “He’s like that with everyone, don’t worry about him.”

Inside, the mansion was palatial. The ceilings soared, sculptures stood beside every door, and portraits of former Zaledoan monarchs and aristocracy were everywhere. The bright, colorful tiles making up the floor were exquisitely patterned; it almost felt wrong for Ras to walk across them.

Rosario strolled through the luxury without heed, leading Ras upstairs to a suite filled with expensive ornaments and lush plants. The four-poster bed was set above the floor, and was larger than anything Ras had seen. “Here’s your room,” she said. “But we can meet up and talk in the night, if you want. I’m only in the next suite.”

She glanced at the wall beside the window, where a haphazard, but bright, mural of swirling colors had been painted. She laughed ruefully.

“I did that when I was fourteen,” she said. “I said that to my father that he should paint over it, but he said he likes it. Sorry.”

Ras shook her head, smiling. “Naw. I think it’s sweet.”

Rosario ran a hand over her hair. “You’re adorable. Thank you, Ras.”

Rosario went to the window-seat and beckoned Ras to sit beside her. The view out was gorgeous: the garden was in full bloom, and the ocean sparkled in the distance.

“I wanted to say,” she said, “that it was incredibly brave of you to confront Lady Renaldt the way you did…”

Ras shook her head. “Nah, it wasn’t anything like that. I just did what any woman would do in my position.”

Rosario smiled. “You’re just like a fairytale Hero. It’s kind of cute, the way you go on as you do.”

A pause, and then she shifted her seat, looking to change the topic. “...I haven’t walked out with someone long-distance before,” she said. “Do you…think we can stay in touch?”

Ras took a seat next to Rosario, wrapping her arm around her shoulder and smiling. “Course we will, my love. Have no worries, yeah?”

Rosario sighed, leaning against Ras. “It’s going to be so different when I go home,” she said, “More ceremony. More formality. Much less freedom.” She looked embarrassed. “Sorry. I know how lucky I am.”

“It does sound difficult. But don’t worry, yeah? We’ll figure something out.”

Rosario nodded. “Thank you, Ras,” she said. “Some would say I should shut up ‘cause of what I have. Many of the Archambault people would have, anyway…”

Ras rolled her eyes. “Yeah and those people are losers. You know what you are?”

Rosario raised an eyebrow as Ras turned her head to look down at her. “What am I?”

“You’re a Thorne now,” she whispered, tilting Rosario’s head upwards so that she could kiss her. Rosario made a pleased noise against Ras’ mouth, her fingers pulling through Ras’ hair and sending tingles down the back of her neck.

Leandro’s voice called up from the garden. “Rosario! Master Thorne! We’re serving afternoon tea.”

Rosario drew back, giving Ras a smile. “We could…wait a bit longer,” she murmured.

After a moment, Leandro called down, as if he’d heard her. “Rosario! Come down!”

Rosario groaned, nudging the window open with a comical roll of her eyes. “Coming!” She shouted.

Ras chuckled at the display, taking a moment to think as Rosario gathered herself. It was dizzying to think how much had happened. Could it have gone differently? If she’d known everything from the start, would she have made the same choices she did?

She liked to think she would.

For now, however, she had to disregard the past. She had Rosario’s company, and a packed calendar. Talking to do, and a wedding to plan; formal dinners, royal parties, and dancing until dawn. So much to look forward to, so much to do.

Rosario rose, taking Ras’ hand, and the pair walked downstairs for tea.

Outside, the birds trilled in the trees, and the summer flowers made the warm air heavy with scent. A faint smell of salt drifted in on the breeze.

Ras pulled something from her pocket, presenting it to Rosario with a smile.

She held out a flower. It was a dark blue color with curved petals to form the shape of a small bell. Inside, a pistil long and slender, with a nub at the end, mimicking the clapper of the bell.

She tucked it into Rosario’s hair, still smiling. “...my favorite flower.”

With that little show of affection out of the way, Ras and Rosario sat down for tea, and their summer holiday had officially begun.

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