AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“So, Harris, what are your intentions with my best friend?” I asked him as he sat down, after regaining my composure. He was casual with how he kissed her cheek, like he had always greeted her so intimately. I’d have been forgiven if I hadn’t even noticed it.
“Eh, uh, I mean, right, yeah.” He rubbed the back of his neck and laughed a little. “I guess we’re seeing each other, have been for a little while now,” he answered.
“Only officially since yesterday,” Ana added, smiling brightly.
“I’m happy for you both. I suspected something was going on,” I said.
“Yeah, Harris, can’t play it cool,” Ana laughed, smiling endearingly at Harris, who blushed deeply.
“Why would I want to?” he asked her. They were adorable and a good match; Ana was somewhat loud and excitable, and Harris’ quiet and calm was a comfortable balance.
“Right class, take your seats,” Mr Jenson said as he entered the class. Edward ran into the room closely behind him and sat next to me.
“Just on time,” I teased as he breathed loudly beside me.
“I slept in,” he told me.
“Last class, we discussed the relationship between Houses. Today we will look at how the House system operates.” Mr Jenson began his lesson by writing ‘BOREALIS’ in the middle of the board, circling the word, and drawing a series of lines from Borealis to the other major Houses.
“Borealis is our Royal House. They are ultimately responsible for the wellbeing of our land. While the major Houses play an important role in the political structure, holding authority to collect taxes how they see fit, for example, Borealis decides the tax rates for the Kingdom every five years. The Houses can choose how to structure themselves and who holds power within each House. But it is ultimately our King who chooses the representatives for the annual Royal conference from each House,” Mr Jenson spoke fast, writing nonsense notes messily on the board as he did.
“Who can tell me what the Royal conference is and its purpose?” he asked the class. “Edward,” he called on the boy next to me though he had not raised his hand.
“Every year, three representatives from each House are chosen to attend the Royal conference. It is an event where each House has an opportunity to raise issues that matter to them either locally within their own House or on a Kingdom-wide basis. It is where new laws, regulations and solutions to issues can be brought forward and voted on. If a majority votes for something, it is brought into law unless the King uses his veto power,” Edward answered confidently.
“Yes, that is correct,” Mr Jenson responded, and I thought that he sounded disappointed that Edward had answered correctly.
I had never heard of the Royal conference. It seemed like an important event for the Houses. I noted that I could now answer the Princess’s question, I knew how new laws were brought forward and approved, and I was excited to tell her later.
The rest of the class consisted of discussing what Borealis had power over and what they did not within individual Houses. I did my best to follow along despite finding it all a bit confusing. I learned that Borealis had the power to conscript the Houses in the case of war, part of the alliance and treaty agreements of the Borealis and Auster civil war. Mr Jenson touched on farming and manufacturing and the complex structure in which Borealis determined and governed which Houses had rights to produce and how much should or could be produced. Borealis even made decisions on pricing, which I couldn’t understand. If a farmer grows a crop, shouldn’t they decide the price? If a fisher catches a fish, shouldn’t they decide the price? Why should a King in a castle far removed from farming or fishing have any say?
“That was an interesting lesson, but I worry I’ll forget half of everything,” I told Edward as we left.
“Don’t worry, we can study together before the term-end exam if you like?” he offered.
“Oh, that sounds like a great idea!” Ana said excitedly, taking my arm. “We can form a study group.”
“I’ll bring the snacks,” Harris announced.
“I thought this was an easy class for you all?” I asked them.
“That means we’re the best people to have in your study group,” Harris replied.
“Yes, Harris makes a good point. Between us, we will ensure you pass with top marks,” Edward said. “Enough to impress our Royal Highness,” he added.
“You want to impress the Princess, Percy?” We were confronted with Heidi waiting as we left class. “I could teach you new ways to impress her, far more entertaining than test scores,” she said saucily.
“What do you want?” Ana hissed beside me, her hold on my arm increasing.
“Percy and I are going on a date,” Heidi replied.
“What?” I sputtered.
“I thought you would know; Selene did insist I accompany the two of you. I do so enjoy joining a couple. It’s always fun,” she answered. I realised what she was talking about, and her innuendo made me blush.
“A lady or not, you do not speak of our Princess in such crude style,” Edward spat angrily, taking a step beside me.
“You have amassed a group of rather odd guards, Percy. Tell them to stand down,” she commanded me, and I didn’t know what she was capable of. She could enter minds and told me how she could project images. Did that mean she could create a false reality? What else could she do? Would she hurt my friends?
