Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ ８ ​𝓤𝓷𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓖𝓾𝓮𝓼𝓽

“Ugh….”

​Flora woke up feeling pressure on her face. When she breathes, she swears she smells something weird. Slowly opening her eyes, she could see a furry p***s and balls. Mochi was sleeping on top of her face.

​“ AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!”

​

​Autumn swore she heard a cry. She was humming as she hung clothes outside. Chickens walk around eating the corn, she lies on the ground, and the cows eat their hay. Her father yawned while reading the newspaper.

​And then the doors opened, and out came a frustrated Flora with Mochi on her left arm.

​“Did you place Mochi on my face?!” She huffs, feeling embarrassed. Autumn turned to her direction, pausing what she was doing.

​Autumn: “Eh? Oh, did Mochi cause any trouble? I actually placed Mochi when he was asleep by your side so he can get used to you.”

​She saw her sister's face turning red.

​“Ah… I guess he found comfort in your face, huh? Haha…” Her sister looks sheepishly.

​Her father looked at Flora.

​“Ah, well, at least you're more awake in the morning. In fact, you have an hour before you need to head to school. That's pretty impressive. We didn't need to use our roosters this time.”

​Flora pouts

​“That's not the point, Dad…”

​He looks back at the newspaper.

​Father: “Oh, here's some interesting news. The princess rejected the marriage proposal again. She says she wants to pursue her dreams.”

​Autumn: “Oh? Again? Well, I think it's great that she was able to express her opinion. It must be frustrating being pushed to marry who you don't love.”

​Their father had a thoughtful look.

​Father: Perhaps, but most political marriages usually help the nation. Such as gaining an ally or avoiding war. I just don't want to be drafted.

​Autumn nods.

​“I do not want that either, Father. I'm sure whatever the princess chooses is a reasonable choice.”

​

Flora turns back with Mochi.

​Flora: “Since I have extra time, I'll study in my room. “

​She heard her father call back.

​“Good luck,” before the door was shut.

​Except she could barely study with Mochi, demanding attention once in a while. She notices Mochi's hand would go on top of hers. She learns this means he wanted scratches.

​Usually, she would use one hand to turn the page and the other hand to practice with a wand. Mochi practically took her hand for pats and scratches.

​“I swear… I have become the familiar…not the other way around.”

​

​She walks to school with Mochi on a leash. This time, the leash was connected to his collar instead of his harness. She recalled what Autumn told her.

​“Something like a harness is made for pulling. You don't want that. You, as a master, want to lead the dance. Allow Mochi to get familiar with this way to get rid of the bad habit. In time, he will be in sync with you.”

​Flora walks a bit slowly, watching Mochi, who figures out he shouldn't pull. And walks beside her.

​“Huh…it's working.”

​The two of them walk together, and at times, Mochi would stop to pee on a random spot, like a tree. According to Autumn, it was something some creatures do to mark their territories.

​It was a simple walk, yet this alone made her calmer. There's something nice about walking Mochi.

​As they arrive at the gate, Flora stares at the clock on the top of the building. She notes they were 15 minutes early. She then noticed a carriage with horses.

​“Eh…who? Most people just walk to school.“

​She wonders if they have a new student. It does happen, but it's rather strange to be in the middle of the semester. She saw the carriage open, and a young girl her age with blond hair stepped out. She looks petite yet elegant. She wears a pink dress with a purple jacket with a red moon mark.

​“Pretty,” Flora notes. What she didn't expect was the girl to lock eyes with her and get closer. Flora feels herself panicking inside.

​What should she say? She didn't expect to see a stranger today

​“You there!” The girl spoke. Immediately, Flora looked around to see if there was anyone nearby. “You! Silly girl. You're the only one here.”

​Flora: “Me?”

​???: “Yes, you. We are at the Red Moon Academy, right?”

​Flora bit her lips, not wanting to embarrass herself in a first meeting, so she just nodded.

​The girl gives her an unreadable expression before she lets out a “Tch.” But then she looks down at Mochi.

​“Well… at least your familiar is cute, I guess,” she mumbles under her breath.

​Flora: “Eh?”

​???: “Thank you.”

​Without waiting for Flora to respond back, the stranger walks toward the academy.

​‘What a strange girl,’ Flora thought.

​

​As Flora was waiting for class to start, she noticed eyes on her. She tries to ignore them. She doesn't know what she did this time. She sniffs at her sleeve, wondering if she smells.

​“Um… could I pet your familiar?”

​Flora turns into a timid girl with glasses. She recognizes her. It is Erica Knotts. She notices Erica studies a lot and always gets good grades. Her magic isn't bad, either.

​Flora looks at Mochi and then Erica.

​Flora: “Um…sure if he is okay with it.”

​Mochi didn't seem to mind as he stuck his tongue out, breathing that way. Erica slowly put her hand in front of his face. He slowly sniffed at it and gave a few licks. Her face looked shocked and then happy seeing this. She then gave him a pat

​Erica: “I um…never said this before, but your familiar is cute… especially with this lion costume.”

​Flora chuckles. She knew no one could take Mochi seriously right now, but it certainly gave him a certain charm. She then remembers she brought some snacks with her, too.

​She then made a spinning motion before she said the command. As expected, Mochi spun around before he was awarded treats.

​Erica looks in awe.

​Erica: Did you teach him that?

​Flora: “Sorta… it was mainly my sister. But um… here, you try it.”

​Erica did the same thing and was amazed to see Mochi obey.

​Erica: “This is amazing…”

​Another girl also approached them.

​Flora recognized it was Tara, who seemed to glare at her. Flora gulps.

​‘Is she here to talk about what Mochi did to her familiar?‘

​But looking closer, the girl looks embarrassed, covering her face a bit.

​Tara: “Um… so… Um.”

​Flora blinks.

​‘Is she struggling to speak?’

​Tara: “So um… I'll forgive what you did to my familiar if you let me pet yours…” Her face was red, still frowning.

​Before Flora could answer their teacher, Serif arrived in the room with the mysterious girl from earlier. Serif looks irritated. Flora felt a bit uneasy at this.

​

Serif: “Somebody has been urinating on the trees near the school, and they THOUGHT I wouldn't notice? You fools do realize I'm Treefolk, right?”

​Flora could feel the glare on her.

​‘Oh crap… I didn't think this through’ she sweats

​Serif: ”The next time I catch you, I will make sure you make you write a 1000-word essay on why you shouldn't vandalize school property!”

​The students all have similar expressions. Ones who question, “Since when were the trees school property?”

​As if understanding their faces, Serif snaps.

​Serif: “Of course it is school property! I am here! Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters are also property! They need to be treated with respect!”

​She then looks at the girl next to her.

​“And this here is the new transfer student. And you brats better treat her with respect, too, because she's the princess of our nation.“

​All the students had their jaws open

​“PRINCESS PENNY OSWORTH?”