A/N this is chapter five! Pipers POV's are always so long and I have to end up cutting scenes. But I'm really proud of this chapter! Playlist is our on the second page of this book, make sure to listen to the music while reading this book! Thanks for making it this far!

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CHAPTER FIVE: E is for "Everything's NOT okay."

If you had asked me, one month ago, if I ever would have the chance to visit the Imperium, go into the castle, or have the chance to become an empress, I would have called you insane. Now, after all that has happened the past few weeks, I'm questioning everything I thought was impossible.

There was no escape plan, the guards were sitting with us in the carriage, making sure we wouldn't leave. They took us to a lavish hotel where Marigold and I stayed for a few days. It was a lovely experience, the guards bought us some new clothes from the castle for us to wear in the hotel, along with some sandstone brown cloaks.

Marigold kept gushing about how expensive and elaborate everything looked, while I just sat there thinking about why we were here.

Soon we left the hotel and went into the castle, a very grand castle. It was white with flowers and vines covering the balconies and walls. The gardens were kept fresh and they had lovely topiaries as centerpieces, with fountains and statues.

We met the rest of the selected Astutes, who were as clueless as us on why they were being summoned here. It was after we settled in, that we understood why we were here in the first place. Tutor Ann, our tutor, explained about the selection, how we were selected, the rules and how we were going to be tested.

Astutes were meant to share a bedchamber with another Astute, I was dorming with Marigold, and we had one maid to serve us. It was really frustrating to know that the selected Imperials had their own bed chambers with three maids at their service. Our social status in Tribus Trine is really downcasting.

"Ready to go? Classes start in an hour, and we haven't had our breakfast yet!" Marigold's scolding voice echoes from our shared closet.

"Yes, yes. I'm ready." I quickly sat up and dumped a few books in my bag, while slinging it over my shoulder. My gown was a simple shade of cream, which went well with my sandstone cloak.

Marigold walked out of the closet while adjusting her cloak. "God, how to tese Imperials manage to put on these things when they're late?"

I shrugged. "I guess they're never late, then." classes had begun three weeks ago, our first test was on the laws and civics of Tribus Trine. Marigold and I have been spending most of our time at the library after classes, researching and taking down notes. The big test, which will bring the end of the first stage, is commencing in just a week's time. "Let's go to the breakfast Patio."

"Did Justine leave already?" Justine, our maid, was a friendly woman, she was an Astute as well, which made it easier for us to be comfortable around her. I nodded as a reply to Marigold's question.

"She left twenty minutes ago, she was on Breakfast duty."

"Then we better hurry before Breakfast ends!" Quickly grabbing her bag, and adjusting her cloak, she left the room and into one of the breakfast patios.

The castle was just like the fairytale's. Lots of rooms and hallways, flower vases on each corner, lavish carpets and curtains, and a lot of maids waiting to be of assistance. I held onto the strap of my book bag as Marigold led the way to our breakfast patio.

The castle had three of everything. Three floors, three dining halls, three breakfast patios, three gardens, just so that no girl from different castes could meet each other. I had no idea why they're taking so many precautions, all I know is I want to get out of here as soon as I can and back home to Astutus.

"Do you think they'd let Astutes become empresses?" Marigold asked out of the blue.

I shrugged. "I mean, Ever since the first selection, its always an Imperial who gets chosen. Empress Kiara was an Imperial, Empress Georgia was an Imperial and even Empress Beatrice is an Imperial too."

"But then why do they ask Astutes and Intrepids to participate then?"

"Probably because that's tradition. It was to show that the selection isn't biased to just Imperials, even though it is."

We made it through the gates to our Breakfast Patio. Everyone was already seated and waiting to be served, we quickly sneaked into two empty seats and acted as if we'd been here the entire time.

"Hello Bethany." Marigold greeted. She was always the social butterfly, she could start conversations and make friends, I on the other hand have too many walls to allow people in. Marigold and Aspen were the only two people I trusted, the only two people I allowed in, and already one has made me regret it.

"Piper, right?" Bethany asked me, she was a petite Astute, her parents worked in the town council in Astutus. She was a short brunette with Hazel eyes.

I nodded, not bringing myself to speak, in case I say something wrong.

"I like the color of your hair." she complimented, I could see she was trying to start a conversation and get me to talk.

"Thanks." I mumbled, my eyes were glued to my lap, letting my hair fall to my face to hide the embarrassed blush creeping onto my cheeks. I was really not social. "Its my natural color."

Bethany nodded. "So Marigold, how's prepping going on? I heard Tutor Ann say that the final test for this stage is next week."

Marigold sighed. "Its not that hard, but not that easy at the same time. The Imperium has a lot of traditional laws, while Astutus has a lot of case studies to learn."

"I know, why do empresses need to study all this anyway?"

I found myself answering Bethany's question. "Well as an Empress you need to know the base your Empire stands on, its crucial if you're making decisions that may affect the Empire's stability." Bethany looked a bit taken back at my abrupt response, Marigold gave me a soft smile.

"If there's anyone here capable of passing all the five stages, it's Piper." Marigold boldly stated, while beaming at me. Once again, I looked at my lap to hide the blush forming.

"Ah, Girls." Our supervisor, Lady Eloise, greeted us at the breakfast pavilion. "Ready for breakfast?" she motioned one of the maids to start serving us.

The castle staff showed us great hospitality, mostly because they were all Astutes. They were very welcoming, the food was delicious, and the rooms were always being cleaned every hour or so. It was like living a royal life, oh wait, we really are living a royal's life.

A maid placed a plate of stacked waffles, dripping with syrup and berries in front of me, along with a glass of almond milk.

"No, thanks. Would you mind replacing the milk with Orange juice? I'm lactose intolerant." Marigold politely requested. It was what she always said at every breakfast since we moved to the castle. It would be easier for her if someone could keep a mental note that she's lactose intolerant.

Bethany asked for Orange juice too, everyone else began to eat, including Lady Eloise. She was a rather plump lady, but on the leaner side, with evident freckles and a dark tan skin.

Marigold nudged me on my ribs. "Stop obsessing over Lady Eloise and eat." she instructed. I blushed and quietly ate my food. This was the third time I blushed today, and the day didn't even start. I cherished the times it was just Marigold and I, I was free to be myself without being judged. Here, I am deduced on every decision I make, and every word I say.

"Beautiful day it is." Lady Eloise commented, looking at the castle garden. "I think we should have a stroll in the evening. Put that in the Schedule, Marie." Marie was Lady Eloise's Assistant. She was a petite but authoritative lady, always wearing a suit and a neatly ironed skirt.

"Yes, Ma'am." She replied. Her black hair tied neatly into a bun. "It'll be before their evening Tuitions." Lady Eloise nodded in acknowledgment.

Breakfast was calmly quiet. Bethany and Marigold had a few small talks while I spent my time thinking about life as an empress. Just because it doesn't seem like an Astute can become an empress, a girl can still dream right?

"Marigold, dear." Lady Eloise called. Breakfast was over and all the girls were waiting for Lady Eloise to give permission to leave. "Make sure the girls get to their morning classes and evening tuitions. We have a staff meeting all day, Marie will supervise you all, but just make sure it isn't too hard for her." Naturally Lady Eloise would trust Marigold. She was the oldest and the most mature. Marigold nodded her head to Lady Eloise's request, while the girls dispersed to our morning classes.

Bethany tagged along with Marigold and I, in the front, leading the rest of the girls. "If our assignment is group-work, I think we three could be a team." Marigold nodded her head while I contemplated on the possibilities of having a group-project, I wasn't keen on the idea of more socializing.

"Oh, shoot. We're late." Marigold cursed under her breath as we caught sight of Tutar ann impatiently tapping her foot outside our classroom, glancing at the time every few seconds, waiting for us to show up. She seemed a bit pissed.

She finally caught sight of us and her facial expression changed from impatient to furious. "Ah. There you girls are. Tardiness does not look well on an empress." I internally snorted at how she could think we would ever get the real chance of becoming an empress.

"Form a line and quietly walk to class!"

We did as Tutor Ann asked us to. I shifted my weight from foot to foot. I was feeling a bit nervous, Tutor Ann was angry, and I couldn't help but feel like it was my fault. Marigold and I were the late one after all.

I felt a rubbing sensation on the front side of my hands, my palms were becoming sweaty. That nauseous feeling doubled and suddenly I was seeing two of everything.

Marigold nudged me with her elbow and instantly my head didn't feel lighter anymore.

"Piper!" she spoke through gritted teeth as she glanced towards the bottom edges of the wall. A neat line of lilacs were sprouting up, one by one. "Stop it!"

Tutor Ann was in the middle of her lecture on tardiness. I used the time to close my eyes and think happy thoughts. Becoming a Princess. Having a nice maid. Living in a castle.

I peeked through my eyelids and realized that the flowers stopped growing, no-one unnoticed them either, all were busy listening to Tutor Ann's lecture.

I released my breath, which I didn't realize I was holding in. Marigold rubbed my hand soothingly and gave me a soft smile. I couldn't help the smile forming on the lips of my own. Marigold had that effect.

"Girls, I don't expect this from you next time. Ten minutes to class is gone, I want everybody in their seats, NOW!"

I took my seat at the front of the middle row, next to marigold as she took out her textbooks from her book bag. My powers have been getting out of control the past few weeks, ever since I landed in the castle.

The first time was when I was told that I had a chance to become an empress. I grew a whole flower bed of poppies, soon after I was so fragile, that even when Marigold abruptly came out of the closet and spooked me, I grew a tiny oak tree outside my balcony in the royal gardens.

Marigold hasnt had the time to help me control them, and in all honesty, I don't even think I have the time to control them.

"Girls, open your law books to page forty-five. I hope you all attempted the exercises from the previous chapter. Now we'll be moving on to the process of creating a law and how it comes to be." Tutor Ann then explained the six stages of creating and implementing a law, and like that, our morning class started.

Marigold eagerly hung onto every word Tutor Ann said, even though she and I had revised the entire chapter last week. I started jotting down notes while listening to the instructions Tutor Ann was giving us.

"Ms. Miller. Would you kindly brief the class on the six phases of creating a law?"

I looked up at Tutor Ann's blue eyes and stood up to answer.

"The first phase is evaluating its effectiveness, the second phase is introducing the idea to the kingdom's council, who will check for its first approval. The third phase is finding a representative to introduce the idea to the secondary council of the kingdom, and if they find it effective for the kingdom's needs, they will approve it.

The fourth phase is getting the votes of the people and further improvising the idea according to the people's suggestions. The fifth phase is submitting the draft to the official council of the empire or country who will then revise the idea and present it to the rest of the kingdoms in the empire.

And the six and final phase is getting the final approval from the emperor or empress before officially becoming a law."

Tutor Ann nodded her head in approval while the rest of the girls started clapping.

"She may be quiet, but she's definitely smart." I heard a girl whisper. While others agreed with her statement.

"Yeah."

"Definitely."

"True."

I pretended to ignore their comments and look outside the window to hide the blush forming on my cheeks. I hated being in the spotlight, but what I hated the most was being judged.

"Now, Girls. As you already know, we are assessing you based on a written quiz and an assignment, as this is the first stage, you will be getting a written assignment. I want you all to spend the next few days revising all the chapters, especially what we learned today. That is all, I'll see you tomorrow for a revision of the chapters."

All the girls stood up, one by one, as they left the classrooms.

"Piper." A voice called. I looked around to find Tutor Ann staring at me expectantly. I quietly walked towards her desk, I caught a glimpse of Marigold waiting outside for me, probably eavesdropping.

"Yes, Tutor Ann." I replied politely.

"Our royal gardners have reported about an oak tree sapling, grown outside your balcony. One day, there is no sign of any sports, the next day a full sapling has grown." She paused and raised an eyebrow at me, expecting a response. When she realized I wasnt going to admit myself, she went on. "The guards outside your door have reportedly heard sounds of vines growing every time you were up late. From what the guards had mentioned, they said you were reading a... Thriller Novel?" Its true, I was fragile, even the suspense inside of the pages of a mystery book had me growing grape wines and sprouting cherry trees.

Tutor Ann continued further. "Justine was heard talking about smelling different types of flower fragrances in yours and Marigold's chamber... saying that each day she smelled something different, presuming it was a perfume, she brushed the situation off." Tutor Ann saw right through me, her eyes shone of nothing but concern, and it was then I decided, that I really needed extra, and possibly, professional, help.

"Its... complicated." I was searching for a suitable response. "I got the powers last year." Tutor Ann nodded in understanding. "How are you managing?"

"Well, before my foster sister, Marigold, used to help me, but now, since we're both short of time from studies, tutoring and the royal activities, we just hadnt the time we used to."

"I see. Well, may I suggest a counselor? I know a woman, Jane Cedrics, she has helped many children like you, I'm sure she can be of assistance throughout the selection process."

I nodded my head eagerly. "I'd really like that, Tutor Ann."

"It's settled then, during the weekends, after your designated Royal activities, you shall visit her office and stay for an hour's worth of counselling, I'll check up on your progress after a couple of weeks."

I nodded again. "Tutor Ann, may I ask you something?" I hesitantly waited for a reply. She nodded her head.

"Are there others... others like me?"

"I'm afraid not, you are the only student here who possesses powers like your own, but if it eases you, we do have plenty of staff who have supernatural abilities as yourself." Tutor Ann packed the last of her things, before leaving the classroom, she stopped to say something.

"Piper dear, do stop underestimating yourself, you are capable of far greater things, things you may not understand now, but surely in the future."

I stood there, contemplating on the final words she left me with. What far greater things was I capable of? I knew right then, she wasn't talking about my powers.

"I heard everything." was the first thing Marigold said as we made our way to our bed chambers from our morning classes. "And, I'm sorry I can't help."

I shook my head. "It isn't your fault, the selection is taking too much of our time." Marigold simply nodded.

We climbed up the last of the stairs to the first floor. Bethany was standing in the middle of the hallway, holding a bunch of paired socks in her arms and waving towards us. "Hi!" she giggled. "It's post day! My mom sent me some extra socks..." she smiled sheepishly. "Do you know anyone in need of extra socks?"

Marigold chuckled. "I'm pretty sure if we needed extra socks, our maids would sew us some, but since you asked..." she took a pair of socks from Bethany's arms, I rolled my eyes and did the same. "Bye." Bethany skipped off to the other bed chambers, looking for girls who needed extra socks.

"For a fifteen year-old, she sure is a ball of energy." I commented. And chuckled to myself. Marigold joined too.

"As silly as it sounds, I wish I had parents who'd send me socks on post day." she smiled sadly. I patted her back.

"You're not the only one."

Post day was the day where all our letters and packages of the week were delivered in our rooms. Marigold got a few letters, probably from Julianna and the other foster children, like I said, she's very social. I, on the other hand, never received any letters, and that's why I definitely wasn't expecting to see a letter on my bed when I entered our chambers.

"You have a letter!" Marigold pointed out. "I didn't know you were talking to people?" She lifted up the letter to see who it was from.

"Oh, you talked with Aspen?" she asked. "He sent me a few letters after we reached the castle, I wonder why he hasn't sent any to you...?"

A wave of jealousy hit me. Aspen was talking to Marigold all this time? Without even asking how I was at all? I was regretting helping him out and getting his crime erased from the criminal records.

"He did?" I didn't mean to sound mean, but somehow, it came out that way.

"Err.. he did... He said he wasn't sure if you were still mad at him, after your argument before the guards took you away. Is everything okay?"

No, Everything's NOT okay

I scowled. He had the nerve to discuss that with Marigold instead of directly talking things out with me. "Whatever." I responded. Snatching the letter from Marigold's hand and dropping it on a pile of papers. I wasn't in the mood to read what he had to write.

"Lets just study." I concluded. Marigold simply nodded and we spent the next few hours writing notes and making flashcards. In the evening Marie took us on our scheduled evening walk, thankfully Marigold hadn't brought Aspen up, so I was my usual quiet self.

"I'm exhausted." Marigold announced as she flopped herself on the bed. "Where's justine? She hasnt put out our nightgowns." And right on que, Justine burst into the room.

"I am so sorry, darlings. Its just that, there was a staff meeting today and most of the maids had gone to assist with the meeting, and I was stuck with breakfast duty and serving the Intripids, since there had seemed to be some sort of accident, and after that I was pushed into serving a few inspectors who had come to check the progress of the selection and then I-" I cut Justine's rambling short.

"Its fine, Justine. We weren't mad, just concerned." she gave me an apologetic smile. "We understand how hard it must be to work in a castle, especially during the selection process, even we hardly have time to spend with each other."

Marigold nodded. "You can sleep in early, we can handle ourselves."

'Oh no, darling! I'm paid to assist you!"

"No Justine, you've been working since morning, and we're not Imperials who need to much attention, you can take your rest, now shoo!" Marigold ushered Justine out of the chambers. "Piper and I will see you tomorrow morning."

Jusine was in shock, but her face morphed into an expression of gratitude. "I don't know what I've done to be assisting girls like you.'' She gave us one last smile before departing.

"I never thought sending a thirty-year old to bed would be as hard as getting a five-year-old to take a bath!"

I giggled. "I think it's time we get some sleep too." I slipped in my nightgown, and heard the sound of metal clunking in front of our door, signalling the guards at their posts outside our door.

I got up from my bed, panting. The moon shone brightly through the window and Marigold was fast asleep. A trickle of sweat rolled down my face.

It was just a bad dream, piper. I kept telling myself. Why are you being a baby?

Oddly enough, I don't remember the dream I was having. One second I woke up scared and the next second I had no idea what I was dreaming about... This was the second time tonight. Me sweating and panting and not remembering why.

I glanced at Marigold, her hair was a tangled mess, as she drooled onto her pillow. I wanted to sleep peacefully like her, and no nightmare was stopping me from getting my beauty sleep.

The next few days were spent going to our usual morning classes and spending the evenings resting. Tutor Ann acted normally around me, as if she never knew I had supernatural powers, and Bethany was being her usual jumpy self. I still didn't have the nerve to read Aspen's letter, he must be thinking I'm still mad at him so I haven't replied yet. I felt bad, maybe the letter was an apology? Maybe after talking with marigold he had the guts to finally talk to me? Why was I feeling so bad about it?

I made a mental note to just read the letter during the weekend and stop feeling guilty about it.

It was Saturday Morning. My first Class with my counselor, Jane. Marigold peped me up about the session, saying that if more people knew, more help I could get. But I really wasn't keen on the idea of discussing one of my insecurities.

"Good Morning, Piper." Jane's professional voice greeted me as I opened the door to her office. It was a comfy room with a corner sofa and a large desk with two chairs in front. "How was your scheduled royal activity?"

"It was.. Nice." We had a trip to the royal museum, not too far away. It was exciting to see all the historic heirlooms, and ancient artefacts up close. It was much more interesting than last week's royal activity, where we went gown shopping.

Jane was an old lady, she had salt and pepper hair, cut short till her ears, and wore tiny spectacles that barely covered her eyes. She wore a black suit and a matching color skirt. She held up a file with my Name on it.

"Piper Gracelynn Miller." She read out loud. "Fostered throughout childhood, ranaway after thirteen, stole books from libraries, Killed a bandit, befriended a fugitive, grew a barrier made of tree roots.." she listed.

I was stunned. How did she know all this? Did she hire people to stalk me? How much does she even know?

"Oh, don't be so nervous, These are confidential files, no-one but authorized users are allowed to read them."

"How did you get all that information?" I asked curiously.

"We keep tabs on every person in Tribus trine." she said dismissively. "Now coming to the problem at hand, Lady Annalise has mentioned how you're one of the supernatural?"

Supernatural? That sounded cool. "Um.. yea. I do."

"Great. What type? Geokinesis? Most Astute's have earthy manipulation abilities."

"Geokinesis." I nodded in confirmation.

"Ok, let's begin, shall we? What are the problems you're facing? Insecurities? Nightmares?"

"Nightmares." I blurted. "I got one yesterday."

She paused. "Only one?"

"Actually two in the same night, but I forgot what the dream was about almost as soon as it happened."

"How long ago did you get your powers?"

"A few months." she hummed and typed away on her black laptop.

"Hmm...Has anything triggered you lately? Something that has made you upset over Miss Scott?"

I racked my brain, I had the nightmare, the same day I found out Aspen sent me a letter and he had been sending letters to Marigold before me. "A letter." I blurted.

"A letter?" I nodded. "Well what has made you so upset over a letter?"

"Well it's for a boy I knew, we left on sort-of bad terms, and I helped him get his criminal record erased yet he neer sent me a letter or attempted to stay connected, while he went ahead and wrote to Marigold without even bothering about me. Just a few days ago he finally sent me a letter, but when Marigold told me he and she were talking before, I just got mad and never opened the letter." I rambled, and Jane made no attempt to stop me.

"So all this over a boy?" she asked, grinning like a cheshire cat, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Ahhh, yung love! I remember how me and my husband first met, we were fourteen and he burned my diary. And from then on, our feud started, but then it turned to something else... affection-"

"No!" I almost yelled. "Nothing about Love! He's my foster brother!" The heat crawled up my neck as a faint blush formed on my cheeks.

Jane frowned. "But you both aren't related by blood."

"We're getting out of the topic." I muttered. Jane caught on what I said and ignored the short conversation.

"Darling, your powers isn't just something you possess." she began talking, while still pressing keys on her keyboard. "It's a part of you, a living being inside of you. It has control over a small part of your consciousness, and the only way you can handle having powers like yours is by controlling it, you're in control of your powers, not the other way around."

"I try..." I trailed off. "It's just that I can't anymore."

She nodded in understanding. "If you can't control your powers you're letting it influence your thoughts and actions. It's a part of our conscience, and the time your conscience is not fully active, is when you're sleeping, which is one of the times your powers start acting, through nightmares, flashbacks and memories.

The first step to controlling your powers is by showing who's in charge. If you can try simple exercises to keep your powers intact, like growing plants on command, or try going outside your comfort zone by trying something new at least one a week."

Once a week! The selection is the only new thing that has happened to me in 17 years, and it wasn't even by choice!

"I can try." Jane nodded her head.

"Well that's all for today. I know it was a rather short meeting, but I have a lot on my schedule."

"But, I thought Tutor Ann said I was the only girl here with powers?" I was confused.

"Oh, I am a general counsellor, though I do have a lot of experience with the supernatural, like you, I also help other children with their feuds and anger management."

"Oh. How many supernatural kids do you know?"

"A few, but I'm afraid they've grown up now, but if it makes any difference, I'm a supernatural too.

I nodded. It made sense, being a supernatural would make it easy to counsel supernaturals. It was kind of evident. I wanted to know more about what her powers were, but I guess thats for my next counselling. I carefully lifted my cape, and headed out the door.

"Remember Piper, everyone plays a big role in their lives, and you get to pay your part sooner than you think."

What is it with people giving me cryptic messages as I leave?

"So how was your first counselling session?" Marigold asked as we headed off to the common room for a big announcement. "Was Jane nice?"

I nodded. "Yea. It was great." I told Marigold all about it, about how she has files of people's information and about how she had powers too.

Marigold nodded excitedly, but soon her grin morphed into a frown. "You know Piper, I'm always here for you, right? If you need to talk, all you have to do is ask." I could guess where this was coming from, she was feeling a bit jealous for Jane taking care of me when that was her job as an older sister. When you live as a runaway for four years, you tend to learn to read people easily.

I sighed. "I know, it's just that, a lot has been going on... and I dont want to bother you, I dont really feel to well with all these sudden changes."

She nodded. "None of us feel well either. The assignment could be announced anytime now. We're all stressed."

I was glad Marigold didn't take it the wrong way. She's understanding, one of my favorite qualities about her.

Marigold chirped about our trip to the royal museum while I quietly walked to the common room with the rest of the girls.

"Attention Girls!" Lady Eloise clapped her hands to get our attention. "Tutor Ann has a very important announcement to make!"

Tutor Ann then entered the common room, all the girls sat on the chairs arranged in order, I sat on one end of the third row, while Marigold sat on the other end.

"Good Evening Girls." We sang a 'good evening, tutor Ann' in response. "Now, as you know the past few weeks, we've been preparing for your first stage in the selection..." Could this be it? When will we finally get our assignment for the first stage?

"... and since this is your first time here, the council has decided to create an easy assignment for you all to begin with. Your assignment will be to create an Essay, with a thesis statement, on a law you want to create for the Empire. Marks will be counted for the specific law you choose to create, along with the reasons, pros and cons, how it benefits the empire, and all the other details you need to create a law."

Hushed whispers echoed in the room, all the Astute girls were discussing amongst themselves.

"Now, Now! Let Tutor Ann speak!" Lady Eloise arttled.

"The best essays will be evaluated as a suggestion, and may or may not come to practice within the empire."

More hushed whispers erupted. It would be cool to create a law and then have it created, if it's worth it.

Tutor Ann continued. "Of course, it all depends on the way you present it through your writing. You will be given a week's time, no classes will be conducted, and all royal activities for the week are canceled. The results will come in a few days after the essays are received. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to inform the other girls about this too." she curtly nodded to Lady Eloise and left.

A week. A week is all we get to create a law that could possibly have the chance of being enforced? Even the royal council takes at least a few months just to come up with a draft.

"I don't think Tutor Ann is looking for specifics.''Marigold whispered beside me. How did she get all the way to myend? I have no clue. "They must be looking for the main idea of the law."

I nodded. "Good thing it isnt a group project." I blurted. Referring back to when Bethany said that if it were a group project, we three would be a group.

Marigold giggled, obviously remembering the same. All of a sudden the tension around us eased, it felt like how it was before. "Even if it isn't, we can still help eachother out."

"I prefer if it was you and me, without bethany."

"Ok girls." Lady Eloise was standing in front of us, with Marie next to her. "You may go back to your dorms and get an early start on your assignment. For some of you, this may be a chance to move on to the next stage, and hopefully till the final one. For others, don't be disappointed if you don't get into the next stage, it isn't the end of the world, you will still have the title as princess and will be welcomed at the castle during the announcement and coronation of the empress!"

Marie nodded. "If you need any help you may come to Lady Eloise or me for clarification or resources, we'll be more than happy to assist."

The girls then started leaving the common room, one row after another. Marigold Was deep in thought, probably about our assignment.

"I think you should read his letter." she suddenly blurted. Who's letter? Oh. Aspen's.

"Why." I drawled. "What's so important."

She fidgeted with the end of her cape. "He sent in a letter today saying how he wanted you to read his letter, and that if you were still mad at him, he wont send you anymore."

I raised my eyebrow, contemplating. "Fine." I sighed. "I'll read it after we reach our dorms."

"I dont get why you're always mad at him... its like you want to find every reason to."

"I'm not always mad at him!" I defended myself. "It's just..." I trailed off. I really had no idea why I was always mad as Aspen.

"It's because he's the easiest target." Marigold spoke as if she knew what she was saying. "He left us for the military and since then you've despised him, just because he was forced to leave. It wasn't his choice, but you were too stubborn to accept that. And just because of that silly reason, you've been finding every reason to hate him, even after we reached the castle."

It was true. I did despise him after he left. But it wasn't because I was stubborn, it was because he didn't fight back. He didn't protest against the decision, he just left. It's like we never mattered.

"And when you fought over the book, he wasn't angry at you for blaming him, he was angry at the fact you risked your life bringing the book to the library and yet you wanted to go back and get it again. He acres for you, Piper. He wanted to protect you, which was hard since he's a wanted fugitive."

I couldn't look into Marigold's eyes. It made sense. He wasn't angry at my irrational decisions, he was angry I almost risked my life for a silly old book.

"I'm sorry." I apologized while climbing the last of the stairs to our chambers.

"Don't apologize to me, apologize to Aspen, and write back to him saying that he and you are on good terms. He's been attacking me with his letters assuming the most ridiculous reasons because you weren't answering him."

I could use a good joke right now. "Tell me one of those ridiculous reasons."

She huffed. "He thought you broke your arm while jumping out the window to flee the kingdom."

I cracked a smile. Typical Aspen. "And why would I want to flee the kingdom?"

"God knows what's going on in that messy head of his."

We both started giggling like five-year-olds.

"I'll read the letter and write back." I promised. "I'll also send him a package." I was planning on sending him some sweaters Justine made for me, that were two sizes too big. It would look very snuggly on him for sure.

"Two sizes too big? But you said it fitted!" Justine's voice was the first to greet me as I entered our chambers. I must have said it out loud. "And who is this 'he' who would look snugly in it?"

I blushed a deep shade of crimson. While marigold laughed, a knowing smirk playing on her lips. "Oh its no-one, Justine. Just her secret Boyfriend."

"What!" I exploded. "He isnt my boyfriend, he is my FOSTER BROTHER. There is nothing between us. We share a brother-sister bond, why does everyone keep assuming we're together. Clearly he's interested in someone else, and I am interested in someone else too. Amd that someone else is definitely not him-"

Loud laughter cut my rambling short. "Oh Piper, you don't need to deny it. Our answer is quite obvious from your rambling." Justine's eyes glinted mischievously like Jane's.

"You know, my husband used to ramble around me. Turns out when he's nervous he likes ranting, and I was, by far, the only person to make him so nervous." She chuckled lightly. "He rambled a whole speech about lily's while saying our vows on the day we were getting MARRIED! Its nice to know I can still make him so nervous."

My face turned bright and Marigold was trying not to gag. "We didn't need to know your whole love story, Justine!" Marigold whisper-yelled. "Piper's is just enough."

I don't know if it is possible for my face to be any redder, it must look like overripe strawberries.

"Now, Justine. Piper needs to attend to her love-life problems, by reading the letter from her lover. I suggest we try not to kill her in embarrassment before she can read it." Marigold said in her most posh British voice, and the two started laughing like wild hyena's.

"My Non-existent love-life, thank you very much." I muttered under my breath as I harshly grabbed the letter from my drawer and sat on my bed.

The envelope was a royal shade of scarlet. Indicating it was to be sent to the Imperium. It was sealed with a stamp of a phoenix on the wax, the national animal of the Imperium. My fingers fumbled as I undid the seal and slid the envelope off. A folded piece of paper dropped to my lap.

Slowly I unfolded the paper and on it were a lot of words scribbled neatly yet untidy at the same time.

Dear Piper.

I know I may be the last person you want to hear from right now. With everything going on, both at the Imperium and in Astutus, I Couldn't find the time to put my apology into words. I sincerely am sorry. No, its not because of blaming you for stealing the book, or because of the quarrel we had before, I apologize for being a bad friend.

I should have been there for you, I should have kept in touch after I left the Military, but I just let myself get carried away with my responsibilities to the Intrpids, that I completely disregarded both you and Marigold. I understood why you were mad at me in the cave, and I never should have blamed you for wanting to keep a promise and return the book.

I really am sorry. I mean it. I've been talking to Marigold. (Yet another reason you should be mad at me. For talking to Marigold when you should be the first person I should be ending thousands of apology letters to) and she told me how downcasted you were everytime you never got any letters or packages on post day. I wanted to be the first person you received a letter from, even though you weren't the first person I wrote a letter to.

What I'm saying is, I'm trying. I'm trying really hard to be there for both you and Marigold, and possibly, make up for lost time.

I also wanted to thank you, for asking the guards to erase my criminal records. I'm a free man now, and I'll have you know that I don't wear hoodies to cover myself anymore.

On another note, (that is if you're not mad at me and you're still reading this far without crumpling this and burning it to ashes.) The townsfolk are acting very strangely. Ever since the announcement of the selection, there are meetings every weekend, people are being subjected to secrecy and almost everyone in town is hiding something from the Imperial government, something really big, by the looks of it. The townsfolk are planning something big, I don't know what yet, but I think we all will soon.

I know I owe you a lot of favors. I know that you may not forgive me. But a simple request for the sake of Astutus, could you find out what's going on in the castle? Anything about secret meetings or things that are seemingly out of place. If you do, I promise to add that to the list of favors I owe you.

Your truly sorry friend.

Aspen Meyers.

"Well..." Marigold prompted.

There was a lot of information on that letter. Aspen was sincerely sorry, something was happening in Astutus and it must be related to why the castes are being separated during the selection.

"I forgive him." I blurted out. "He seems genuinely sorry."

Marigold squealed. "Yes! Ok, getting on good terms is always the first step."

"First step to what?"

"Love, duh!" Justine chuckled quietly to herself.

"You should write back," Justine suggested. She took a large piece of cloth and headed out the door, probably to stitch new dresses.

So I did.I wrote back. I said I forgave him and wrote absolutely everything that happened so far, the selection, our first assignment, my counselling. And I made sure to tell him if anything suspicious is going on in the castle.

Marigold took a short nap while I placed the letter in an envelope and tucked it in my drawer to send off on post day tomorrow.

It felt like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders when I sealed the envelope. I guess the only thing that stressed me out was Aspen letter.

Marigold groggily woke up, trying to tame her brown hair, which currently looked like a bird's nest. "Send it to your lover?" she yawned.

I rolled my eyes. I needed to change the topic. "What about our essay? Shouldn't we be preparing for that?"

The color drained off marigold's face. "We better head to the library!" she quickly grabbed a hair tie, and made her hair, while I grabbed our cloakes and waited by the door.

"To the library!" she announced.

The library was like a second home to me, it always was, but the castle library was huge, filled with around five-thousand books, which made it more homey.

I was stumped on what law I should create for the essay. I mean, it's not everyday you get the chance of creating a law that could be enforced. There were

We took the long route to the castle's Atute library, so Marigold could use the walk to freshen up and not look like she had just woken up. There weren't many guards here, except a few who were just passing by. I looked around at all the expensive paintings, there seemed to be many in every hallway.

"What's that?" Marigold's voice pops up, pointing towards a store room with a painted window.

"Its a store room?" it came out more of a question. We usually never took the long route to the library, and so we never noticed the room. It wasn't any ordinary room either. Sure it looked like a closet, but if you looked carefully, there were shelves of files inside.

"It's a criminal record office." Marigold jumped up and down. "If we can get a few files we could easily create a law for better and fairer justice for Astutes!"

Great. Marigold found out what type of law she was going to create. Now what about me?

I shrugged. "Sure, we could take a look at the criminal records. If it isn't illegal."

Marigold snorted. "Was that a pun? Plus, we've done plenty of illegal things, what's the harm in doing one more?" I sighed. If I argued, Marigold would just get more persuasive.

"Ok fine. But if this is going in our criminal records, I'll give them all the details of the crimes you've committed." I threatened, knowing full well that I would never.

She chuckled at my threat. "Then come on!" As we inched nearer and nearer to the door, I felt a lot of weight on my shoulders, like something disastrous was just waiting behind those doors. Was it a gut feeling? But before Icould further question myself, my hands stretched out towards the handles with an eager Marigold behind me.

The room looked a lot spacious and organized on the inside. Shelves were filled with files, papers and boxes. I rouf=ghly counted 26 shelves and each shelf had an Alphabet on it.

"They stored the records alphabetically." I realized. Marigold jumped away on Shelf M, clearly searching for her file, while I decided to go to shelf P.

"Pablo, Padget, Paige, Patrick, Paula...Penny, Pepper, Phoebe... Ahh! Piper!" I murmured to myself. While hastily picking up the file and dropping its contents in the process. I kneeled on the floor and looked at all the papers I dropped, they were pictures.

Pictures of me with the books I stole, Pictures of me hiding in the forests with Marigold, Pictures of me in our hideout, and the most recent picture of me with Aspen, and under ot was a caption.

Piper Gracelynn Miller, seen with criminal fugitive, Aspen Meyers, on Wednesday, 26th May, 10:37am.

Suddenl;uy the Castle didn't seem as welcoming.

On the other sheets were tables filled with my details and all the crimes I've committed, stealing books, food, clothes, hiding in unauthorized areas, running away from Foster care.

But If they knew we ran away and where we were kidding, why didn't they ask the government to come find us?

"Psst, Piper!" I let out a soft gasp, then realized it was just Marigold. Sometimes she's just so quiet you can't even realize she's there.

I tip- toed to her shelf, M, which was not necessary since the entire room was carpeted.

"What? I asked breathlessly. So much new information, that must be related to what Aspen was talking about in the letter, suspicious behavior.

"Did you see our crimes?" I nodded. "They're tracking us, such a breach of privacy!" she whisper-yelled, I covered her mouth with my hand so that she wouldn't start ranting.

"I know!" I whispered. I didn't know why, maybe because the room was so quiet, we just felt like whispering and not disturbing the files. "This was exactly what Jane was talking about."

Marigold sighed. "I know, but I read a few other files and got some information on how there are children working for the government, and their criminal records were completely clean! The government is bribing and blackmailing Astutes to work for them!"

I knew where she was going with this.

"This is unjust, there must be at least one law stating the unfairness towards Astutes. Bribed into working against their own kingdom! Can you believe it?"

So it's official, Marigold got a law to create and me, I'm still fantasising over that letter Aspen wrote to me.

"What about you?" Marigold suddenly asked. "Find anything new?"

I shook my head. "Well then read some files to get more information!" she instructed.

"You said it yourself, it's a breach of privacy!" I defended myself. I wasn't going to go and snoop around into others' lives. It just wasn't me.

She sighed. "We're not going to use the information against them! Promise! Plus its strictly for research."

Marigold had a point. "Fine. I'll just read a few and see if there's anything more in the library."

Marigold clapped her hands. "Great, then let's get researching!"

I started with Shelf F, not knowing why. There were a few files which caught my attention. Florence Gazebo, was a half Astute- Half Imperial, she was living in the Imkperium for almost her whole life until the Imperials found out that she was half Astute and exiled her to Astutus. Apparently, only Astutes who were working in the Imperium were allowed to stay. No Astute was allowed to experience the pleasures of the Imperium if they were not working for them.

Francis Knight, was an Intrepid who was forced to leave his family and work as a guard for the Selection. His family was arrested, because his mother was an Astute and Father an Intrepid.

And on the next shelf, H, Harry Joshua, an Astute was sent to the Imperium when he was 23, working as a Seamster and was then exiled from there for starting an argument with a Duchesses because she insulted his work publicly.

Astutes were born as lower class men. It wasn't fair, we were supposed to prove our standards and not let someone else label us. If there is anyone more successful in the Empire, its us Astutes, for following all orders from thos Imperials and Intrepids and not being able freedom of opinions or freedom of love. It's like we were born with a set of rules to follow and people to serve.

The only reason Imperials and Intrepids regard themselves higher than us is because they are afraid, we are smart and capable, we can easily overthrow them and become the Imperium of the empire, and so they destroy us, separating families, making children work, taking away our freedom, because they know we're stronger, and they want us to feel weak.

We deserve more than what we get. We deserve our freedom and our independence. And I could list a hundred reasons why. We deserve our rights and we deserve justice over the Imperials and Intrepids.

And suddenly I knew exactly what Law I wanted to be created.

I smiled to myself as I stood by the door to the records room. Marigold insisted on me waiting a few minutes for her to finish up on her research. So I absentmindedly began brushing through the files of shelf A, the shelf closest to the door.

A certain file caught my attention. Aspen Meyers

I discreetly picked up the file, not wanting to give Marigold any wrong ideas and flipped to his criminal records.

Stole imported goods, stole food from roadside shops, Back answering to officials. Typical Aspen.

"Ok, I'm done!" Marigold announced. "Let's go see if we can get anything from the library."

I was about to shut his file when I noticed the last point in his criminal record.

Murder.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* 　♛　 *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

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What did you think? Paige's chapter is next, and you know what that means! Sarcasm! I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter and I'll update as soon as I can! 🤍

- Leigh ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*