Anna's Dream

"Alright, now, I know it's been quite a while, but why don't you say hello?" Dr. Ashley asked.

Rose took a breath and nodded.

"Hello," she replied.

She looked surprised to hear the sound of her own voice and became excited.

"I can talk!" she said.

"You can!" Anna squealed.

The two of them hugged each other and broke down into excited giggling, unable to contain themselves. After a few moments, they calmed down and let go. Rose turned to the doctor with a big grin on her face.

"Thank you so much! I never thought…" she said.

Tears began to roll down her cheeks, and she started to sob. Dr. Ashley pulled her into a hug and squeezed her tightly.

"It's alright. Everything is alright now," she said.

Anna watched nervously as the two of them embraced, unsure why her friend was crying. After a few moments, they let each other go and the doctor stepped away.

"I need to get back to work, but if you start to feel any numbness or tingling, please come back and see me straight away!" she said.

"Yes, ma'am!" Rose replied.

"Alright then, off with you both," Dr. Ashley said.

The two of them scurried out of the doctor's office, closing the door behind them. Anna took Rose by the hand and started to pull her out of the hospital.

"Where are we going now?" Rose asked.

"I'm going to take you to meet my new friend, Rupert!" Anna replied.

"Who's that?" she asked.

"He's the Dark One's youngest son," She replied.

"He, he has children?" Rose asked.

"Yep, ten of them. Nine of them are with his wife, but Rupert is the third general's baby, they had an affair, and the queen is still pissed about it, so don't bring it up," Anna replied.

"I won't!" Rose said.

"Good, now come on!" Anna replied.

She took Rose by the hand again and pulled her back into the palace, dragging the poor woman along behind her as she rushed to the training hall.

She burst through the door and glanced around the room, spotting the prince near the rear of the room having a private sword lesson with a rather ominous-looking fellow wearing black plate armor similar to the suit Rupert had worn in his failed attempt to intimidate her.

They walked over and watched the mock duel the boy was currently participating in. Rupert seemed to have a knack for swordplay play though it was clear he had a long way to go before he was ready for a real fight. They traded blows for a few minutes until the sword master stopped the match.

"Well done, your highness," he said.

"Thank you, sir," Rupert replied.

"Now then, I want you to practice your footwork. You're going to need a lot more polish before you can compete in the academy tournament," the sword master added.

"There's a tournament?" Anna asked.

Rupert and the sword master turned to face them, seemingly surprised by their presence.

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"Yes, they have one every year," he replied.

"Oh, that sounds fun!" Anna said.

"Please don't join. I want to have a chance at winning," he said.

"Wait, I can be in the tournament?" she asked.

"Of course you can, but I would rather you didn't," he replied.

"Why?" she asked.

"Because I want a chance at winning," he replied.

"Oh, right," she said.

"So, what brings you two ladies to the training hall?" the sword master asked.

"Rupert is going to get us sweets when he's done here," she replied.

"Only if you spar with me," Rupert said.

"No way, you whine to much when I beat you," she replied.

"I do not!" he said.

"You threw the game board last time we played Fraxel," she replied.

"I said I was sorry!" he said.

"And I said I wouldn't play games with you anymore!" she replied.

"This isn't a game!" he said.

"It is to me!" she replied.

"Fine! Then I guess you don't want sweets!" he said.

"That's not fair!" she replied.

"Yes, it is!" he said.

She glared at him for a moment before turning and storming over to the weapon's rack where she looked over the practice weapons. She picked up the biggest sword in the rack. It was a massive seven-foot-long monstrosity that weighed around twenty pounds. She swung it a few times one handed before turning and stalking back over to the prince.

"You can't use that!" he said.

"Why not?" she asked.

"It's huge!" he replied.

"So?" she asked.

"So, it's too unwieldy to spar with. You won't be able to keep up with me!" he replied.

She laughed.

"You really don't get it, do you?" she asked.

"Get what?" he asked.

"What I really am," she replied.

Her voice went cold, and her expression changed to a stern one. Rupert took a step back, and the sword master tensed.

"I, I know what you are," he said.

"Do you though?" she asked.

He nodded.

"Then put up your guard because this is the only time I'm going to spar with you," she said.

He lifted his practice sword, his hand trembling under her gaze. She lifted the great sword, holding it out with one hand as if she were pointing a twig at him and waited for the sword master to start the match.

"Go!" the sword master shouted.

Before the prince took another breath, the tip of her practice sword was a hair's breadth from his left eye. She pulled it back slightly and then started to swing it towards him in large arcs, stopping the massive blade just before it touched his body. She did this over and over, attacking him from every angle and stopping just before actually striking him. After about twenty pulled strikes, she stopped and looked him in the eyes.

"Never ask me again," she said.

The sword slipped from his grip and clattered to the floor, and he sank to the ground. She turned around, walked over to the rack, and put the sword away before turning back around to find the sword master helping Rupert back up.

The boy looked up at her. She could see the fear in his eyes along with something else. He smirked at her suddenly and then shook his head.

"I shouldn't have pushed you. I apologize for that," he said.

"It's alright," she replied.

"Still friends?" he asked.

"Still friends," Anna replied.

"I guess I owe you a tray of sweets now," he said.

"Yep," she replied.

"Alright, well, I'll see you around Master Xavior," he said.

"Of course, my prince," the sword master replied.

Rupert picked up his sword and walked out of the training room. They followed after, heading for the prince's room.

"Where's Sebastian?" she asked.

"He's preparing for my move to the academy," he replied.

"Oh, so is he going, too?" she asked.

"Of course. He's my butler. He goes everywhere I do," he replied.

"Oh, right," she said.

"You know, you could bring a maid along, too, if you liked," he said.

"I don't need a maid. I can take care of myself," she replied.

"It's not about taking care of yourself. It's about status. Only students from high-ranking families can bring personal attendants, so if you have one, everyone else will know how important you are," he said.

She started to argue but closed her mouth, thinking it over for a moment.

"I don't have a maid to bring," she replied.

"That's not a problem. Father can provide you with one," he said.

"I guess I'll ask him then," she replied.

"Wait, can I do it?" Rose asked.

"But you're not a maid," Anna replied.

"I was taught how to be a servant before I was sold to… that man, and it's not like you need help anyway, and I don't have anything to do here, so please can I come?" Rose asked.

Anna looked over at Rupert who shrugged.

"It's your choice," he said.

"Alright then, Rose will be my maid!" Anna replied.

Rose hugged her. It was the most excited she'd seen the woman in a long time. They let each other go and turned to Rupert who was standing there looking awkward.

"So, I know I have to wear a uniform and stuff while I'm there, but does she need anything special?" Anna asked.

"I don't think there are any rules about it, but maids usually wear simple dresses. I'll ask Sebastian to have a few made for her before we leave," he replied.

"Thanks," she said.

"You're welcome," he replied.

They went to his room, walking into the massive space where he gestured for them to sit at his table before he rang the bell, summoning a servant.

"So, what would you ladies like to eat today?" he asked.

"Cupcakes," Anna replied.

"Again?" he asked.

"Yes, I missed a whole year's worth of cupcakes, and I need to catch up," she replied.

"Cupcakes it is then," he said.

"You know, I've always wanted to taste one," Rose added.

"You're going to love them!" Anna replied.

"I'm sure I will!" Rose said.