The Test of Superior Taste

Having unwrapped all the first gift, there was a knot in my throat. The first box contained a hardbound, special edition, pattern-making guide for clothes, a set of colored pencils, and a sketchbook.

I thought this was the life I wanted. Maybe it won’t be so bad. I can make friends and go wherever I want.

The second box contained a rose gold phone in a box and a small canvas with a handwritten note.

I flipped it over and found a painting of Cassius with a purple background, in a black doublet and velvet cape.

Seriously? A portrait of himself? I didn’t think he’d be such a narcissist.

“Dear Janessa,

I had wished to have a portrait of the both of us, but it is not possible, given our circumstances. Do you like it? I thought it would remind you of me every now and then, while it can sit on your dorm room desk. I genuinely feel that if I was with you in your past life, maybe then we could be together.

I may have to exile myself soon, but please do message me, and feel free to choose another as your lover.

With Love and Regret,

Prince Cassius”

I clutched on to the letter and I began to howl and cry. Images of our memories together flashed in my mind. I remembered the first time I met him, followed by our awkward meetings, and the first time I had heard of the Prince’s lost soul.

I’m not the one running away. Cass is the one driving me off.

After minutes of crying, I heard a knock at the door. I couldn’t get to the door as my eyesight was blurry with tears.

“Janessa!” said a familiar voice.

“Cass?” I asked.

I opened the door at once. Cassius looked at me with moving eyes that gleamed under the light.

“Janessa, I will wait, for your sake.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I had a long conversation with the King, and he thinks that we should still proceed with the relationship, but spend some time apart.”

“Really?! My goodness, I can’t believe this!” I said.

I hugged Cassius tightly.

“Anything that makes you happy. I will figure out a way around my soul issue soon.”

I hugged him tighter.

“Janessa, I cannot breathe!” he said.

I giggled as I let go. I looked at him in his eyes as he lowered his and we held hands. He swept my hair off of the side of my face and brought his lips near mine. Soon, I closed my eyes and touched my lips against his. His breath was overwhelmingly hot.

We let go of each other and I said, “Ah, I keep wanting more.”

“Of course, that’s just you.”

“What does that even mean?” I asked.

My eyebrows knitted together as I stared at him.

“Nothing, my love. Goodbye! We will meet in the morning before you are taken to the institute!” he said.

I smiled and exhaled softly.

“Goodbye, my love,” I said.

I’m starting to sound like Cassius?! What the heck?

He waved, turned, and was about to leave when I asked him for a special request.

“What is it?” he asked, blinking.

“Could I please take Comet with me to the institute? She’s like my friend,” I said.

“Who?”

“The pixie in my screen!”

His eyes lit up and he said, “Of course! She can keep an eye out for any trouble too. Splendid. I will send some supplies for you to pack.”

We bid each other goodbye, and summoned a bag, packed it, and I slept soundly for the whole night.

The warm pillows and soft sheets wrapped around me and I couldn’t wake up until Comet screamed.

“Ah! What?! What’s wrong?!” I yelled.

“Really, Janessa that took you forever.”

I stood up, narrowed my eyes, and saw Comet fluttering about, sprinkling pixie dust around me. In her hand, she held a large suitcase, about the same size as herself.

“Oh, the costume design school! I’d better hurry up.”

As soon as I got ready, I changed my outfit into a pink tweed set, with brown pumps, and a matching plaid headband.

“Heehee, this is perfect!” I said, aloud.

I pointed my wand at Comet, and her outfit matched mine, with a plaid blazer and skirt set with a black tank underneath; it all had a window at the back to accommodate the wings.

“Come on, Janessa, we must hurry!” said Comet.

I unlocked the door and handed over the key to the maid.

At the end of the hallway, Cassius stood with a large envelope.

“Janessa!”

“Cassius.”

He rushed forward and handed it to me.

“Here, Janessa. It is your reward for saving me. A scholarship, inclusive of limited living costs, at the most prestigious Snowstar Institute of Design.”

“Wait a minute, isn’t this where Edith wanted to send me?!”

“Well, that was a trap. She mistakenly referred to it as a fashion institute instead of a design one,” he said.

“Oh?”

“Yes. It is in another land, so I’ve prepared a special passport for you, and a pass for the pixie.”

“Thank you!”

“All the details are in this envelope. Keep it safe!” said Cassius.

I took it and stuffed into my bag.

This is it! I will prove myself as an expert costume designer.

“Thank you so much, my dear Prince! I’ll miss you, darling!” I said.

“Not as much as I will miss you! Goodbye.”

I hugged him tightly and didn’t want to let go. Prince Cassius kissed me on the cheek, wrapped his arm behind my back, and took me away through the main entrance.

Comet and I looked at the scenery melting away as the carriage trotted through. It took the two of us all the way to the train station.

I guess this is goodbye. Not for long, though! When will I see you again?

The carriage stopped and Comet bumped onto the roof and landed on my lap.

“Oww…” she said.

“You okay, Comet?” I asked.

“Yes. Yes, I am.”

She sat on my shoulder and I climbed out of the carriage.

“Good day, Lady Janessa,” said the coachman.

He left us behind as I checked the train tickets. After asking around, we found the international train and sat down on the first class seat in relief.

Comet said, “I cannot believe it! We are free, finally! Let us go on an adventure.”

She began circling around me.

“Comet. Comet! I’m getting dizzy,” I complained.

“So am I,” she said, settling on my lap once again.

Once the conductor checked my ticket, his eyes widened, as he called someone to bring the complimentary tea.

Taking a sip of it, I sighed, remembering the whole fiasco with the statue.

Please wait for me! Don’t let any other woman in your life.

The train ride lasted more than eleven hours, and I checked my phone after a few hours.

There were already quite a few contacts saved, and I saw that the Prince had sent me some texts already.

Prince Cassius: Please inform me once you board the train!

Me: I already did, around ten hours ago.

Prince Cassius: Janessa, you had me worried! Why did you reply so late?

Me: Sorry.

Prince Cassius: Be more careful next time, my sweet.

Me: I will.

The train stopped at Snowstar, and fortunately, there was no snow yet. We soon left the station, and I managed to locate the campus on a map on my phone.

This is it! The true test of patience, skill, and superior taste!