Great, Margot Ruins Everything

“Really? It’ll be ready tomorrow!?” I wanted to jump up and down. I could almost forget how star-crossed I felt when I looked at him.

Finley nodded. “Moira went ahead and made it her top priority.” He facepalmed. “She always does that when I ask for something. Should have known. I hope it doesn’t cause any issues.”

Issues? Who cares, Finley, I’m gonna get to cast magic!

We ended our secret courtyard lesson early that day, Finley explaining that he had another private meeting with the Emperor to discuss some critical matters. What could be so dire as to warrant all these meetings?

On the way back down from the rooftop, however, something was off. I saw a figure waiting at the bottom. As we descended, their face crystallized in my vision.

Margot.

“Well, well, well. Your Highness, care to explain?” She tapped her foot.

Incredulous, I shot back, “What, I can’t spend time with Finley? What’s wrong with hanging ou- I mean, talking to one another?”

“Oh, talking isn’t what concerns me. But you’ve been doing more than just talking, isn’t that right?” she huffed.

My face went white. “W- What do you mean?”

“Don’t play coy with me. I heard everything. I’d been worried about where you had been disappearing off to, so I took the liberty of ‘exploring the palace’ myself.”

Finley stepped forward. “She hasn’t done anything wrong, Margot.”

Margot sneered. “Maybe not here, Master Finley. But she is an heir to the Kingdom of Lumineuse, and things function with a little more order back home.” She leveled a pointed finger my way. “Your Highness, you know very well the laws surrounding the use of magic in our country.”

Oh, shit.

I mean, I literally don’t, but also: oh, shit.

“I think our time in Andraste has dragged on long enough. I’ll be sending word back to His Majesty to bring you home at once.” She spun around with a hmph. “After all, you don’t want to become a freak like this charlatan here. Enjoy what little time you have left, I suppose.”

The sound of my breath, heavy and furious, filled my ears. I wanted to punch her right in her stupid face. That word was nowhere near applicable to Finley.

Finley put an arm in front of me, sensing my rage. Margot smugly strode off, and I felt my hands shaking, my fists balled.

“Deep breath, Elisabeth.” He calmed me down as Margot’s footsteps faded from earshot.

Tears welled in my eyes. “I can’t forgive her. Say whatever you want about me using magic, I don’t care. But you are not a freak. You’re incredible.”

He smiled, that characteristically gentle, tender smile shooting right through my heart. “I’m glad you think so. But let’s temper our furious steel, alright? Overreacting in situations such as these never bodes well. I’m sure things will work out.”

I trusted him. Things would work out.

~~~~~~

As it happens, things would not work out.

In the middle of dinner that night, another meal on the twins’ private terrace, a loud crash halted all conversation. A palace servant had opened the door outside and quietly bowed as Margot, with Sir Robert in tow, barged through.

“Excuse me? What could be so pressing as to interrupt a private dinner by the quarters of the Crown Prince and Princess of the Empire of Andraste?” Diana stood up, throwing her weight around as befitted her title.

Margot sneered, “Important communications from His Majesty of the Kingdom of Lumineuse.”

Sir Robert looked slightly embarrassed but resigned to his duty.

My arrogant maid straightened, reading out from a piece of parchment, “‘It is hereby decreed, by my royal authority as King Gaspard Charles Lumineuse, that with no delay, my daughter, Princess Elisabeth Iris Lumineuse, and her retainers currently residing within the Bridd Palace, shall return home at once.’”

I stood up, my chair clattering to the ground behind me. “What!?”

Margot continued, “‘I have dispatched three of the kingdom’s strongest Scourge regiments to clear the Cernnos Woods, making travel back home possible by tomorrow at noon.’”

Marie gasped.

“‘Furthermore, the marriage between Princess Lumineuse and Friedbert Wischer Deighsel, heir to the duchy of Deighsel, has been expedited, and shall take place in four days’ time, in Lumineuse Palace.’”

This time, it was Finley who stood up, though wordlessly.

“‘I expect the Lumineusian party to depart from Bridd posthaste, no later than eleven o’clock tomorrow morning. Thus ends my decree.’” Margot rolled the parchment up with a smirk. “That is all. Please enjoy the rest of your dinner.”

I stood in shock as Sir Robert led Margot back the way they came. The palace servant closed the door, leaving the twins’ terrace in pure silence.

“...H-How did… How did she… It should be impossible to send a message that fast, right? I don’t understand.” I slumped to the ground, sprawling on my knees.

Marie and Finley both rushed to help. Marie reset my chair while Finley pulled me up. Marie, utterly confused, asked, “What is the meaning of this? Miss Elisabeth, what’s going on? You seem to be familiar with… something.”

I sat back down. “She found out. Earlier today. About the magic lessons. Which are illegal for a princess to be doing.” Burying my face in my hands, I began to cry. “It’s over. I’m going to be wed to a pervert for the rest of my life.”

Finley put his hand on my back. My nerves slowed. The spot where our skin touched, the backless portion of my gown, tingled. “Elisabeth, like I said, it’ll be fine. I promise. We’ll find a way through this.”

In a moment I’d regret for eternity, I lashed out. “What do you mean we!? I’m the one getting locked into a dungeon with that bastard! What could you do to help?!” I stood up and ran off — running from the problems, from the questions on the edges of my mind, once more.

~~~~~~

After I had shed more than several tears, my mind calmed down.

There’s no internet here. Nothing even close. She shouldn’t have been able to communicate with the King that fast. I found myself retreating not back to the guest wing, but to Finley’s rooftop courtyard.

I stopped where the magical column would emerge. I chuckled to myself softly. “Hah. Can’t get up there by myself.”

“Then maybe I could help.”

I whipped around. Finley had followed me.

“Finley…” My lips trembled.

“Elisabeth, deep breath. Shall we chat up there?” He pointed to the sky. I nodded, wiping the tears from my eyes.

In the secret courtyard, we talked.

“As reticent as I am to admit, being a royal myself… you could just ignore him.”

“What? Are you crazy, Finley?”

“What’s the King going to do? Come drag the princess out from Bridd with his bare hands?”

This world may not have been where I began, but now it’s all I know. “I’d be forfeiting all right to inheritance! My place in Lumineuse! My home!” I sputtered.

“And you could find a new home here, in Andraste.”

I gasped. “You mean, stay here… forever?”

He looked down. “Would that be such a bad thing?”

I… I don’t know.

“I’m not sure I can rebel like that, Finley.”

“I thought Andraste had taught you some valuable things about independence.”

“This is different. This isn’t some festival. It’s my entire life.”

“Which you’d rather spend chained to a fraudulent, conniving Duke?”

I stomped my foot. “You know damn well that’s the last thing my heart desires!”

He pressed on. “And what is it that you desire?”

“...I don’t know.”

Finley took a step towards me. “Could you find yourself desiring, say, a life with a magic scholar?”

My eyes widened in disbelief. “Finley… You don’t mean….”

“In a grand palace made of stone? Reveling in the joy of life year by year at a festival celebrating the very things we hold dear?”

I sat down. He’s… He’s suggesting…

With absolute confidence, Finley planted his flag in the ground.

“Stay with me, Elisabeth.”