After what happened at Reginald's workshop, we retreated once we were sure he was out of danger. We went straight home and crashed, as if sleep could erase the accumulated exhaustion, or at least fool us for a while.
The days passed uneventfully, slipping one into the next until the exam day finally arrived.
"Do you think we'll pass?" Isolde asked, visibly nervous.
"Don't stress so much about the outcome. Focus on knowing you gave it your all," I replied, aware that my words would barely scratch the surface of her anxiety.
To be honest, I wasn't exactly at my best either.
There was an uncomfortable pressure in my throat, as if every swallow dragged away a piece of my confidence.
The idea of attending the academy felt as foreign as it did unsettling.
In my past life, I'd dropped out of university before graduating, bored to death by its monotony… and, well, carrying the guilt of two murders wasn't exactly a motivator to keep going.
It didn't help that people used to stare at me during breaks.
To them, I was always something of an oddity: too strange, too hard to pin down.
I was attractive, sure, but the way I carried myself… let's just say it wasn't exactly easy on the eyes.
Maybe, with this new body, things would be different.
I needed to calm down.
"Ready?" I asked, standing up.
"Yeah. Just got a bit of a stomachache," she replied, trying to sound calm.
It was natural. Nerves are experts at throwing the body off balance.
I had to help her find her footing, so I hugged her.
"Don't worry. I thought you didn't even want to go to the academy, so this should be easier for you," I said, in a clumsy attempt to lighten the mood.
"It's not that… I know this step is necessary to move forward and not get stuck at such a low level," she said, returning the hug with unexpected strength. "Don't worry! The nerves will pass."
I just smiled and took her hand.
We left the room and headed to the kitchen, where we found Mother and Father.
"Good morning, my little ones," Mother greeted, with her usual unwavering warmth.
"Good morning. How'd you sleep?" Father asked, half-hidden behind his newspaper as he sipped his tea.
It struck me as odd to see him there, so relaxed, instead of working.
Suspicion kicked in immediately, like a reflex.
So, I decided to ask.
"Got the day off?" I asked casually, sitting down next to Father.
"Yeah… Things have been a bit complicated lately with the King's personal matters," he replied, letting out a tired sigh. "Because of that, he's been keeping me at a distance, and it looks like this won't be my only day off."
You could tell he loved his job.
I mean, I'd probably feel the same if I were the King's personal guard… and his best friend.
It wasn't hard to imagine the emotional toll of being forced to step back.
"What's going on?"
I had to make some conversation.
My interactions with them were minimal; I spent most of my time holed up in my room, reading or hanging out with Isolde.
Breaking that routine was, in itself, an effort.
"Well, the princess returned from Vanylor a few days ago, so he's been with her to welcome her back," Father explained as Mother approached with two plates of food, setting them in front of Isolde and me.
"That's good news," Mother said, sitting next to him. "At least you get a break, and the King can spend time with his daughter."
"Yeah… It's just that the princess seems a bit… discontent, apparently."
"Discontent," huh?
A word as subtle as it was dangerous in the halls of a palace.
"I see… But don't worry, I'm sure it'll all work out," Mother said, trying to sound more optimistic than she probably felt.
Father smiled.
"And you two?" he asked, switching topics with a hint of nostalgia. "I haven't been around much, but I heard you're taking the academy entrance exam. To think you used to be just tiny little rats this big."
He made an exaggeratedly small gesture with his hands, as if he'd forgotten the actual size of a baby.
"Yeah. Actually, today's the exam day, so we need to hurry," I replied, prioritizing urgency over correcting his questionable memory.
"Got it… Well, don't eat too much, or you'll end up throwing it all up. And be careful—don't get too aggressive when you're fighting."
"Got it."
"And you, Isolde? Not nervous?" Mother asked, noticing my sister was more focused on chewing than answering.
"I'm f-fine," Isolde said, her mouth still full of food.
"Issy, swallow before you talk…" I said, holding back a sigh.
Isolde swallowed with some effort.
"Sorry, Lucy. I'm fine, just a little nervous. But I know it'll be okay."
"Be careful not to seriously hurt anyone, alright? Don't overdo it with your strength," Mother warned, with a seriousness that was probably hard-earned.
"I understand."
Yeah, right.
She left Reginald's arm numb, and he was wearing metal armor.
"Thanks for the food," I said, pushing my plate aside with calculated ease.
"Thanks for the food," Isolde echoed, mimicking me with precision.
I got up from my chair.
"We'll be back after the exams."
Mother stood up too and stepped in front of me.
"Be careful," she said, leaning down to kiss my forehead.
I responded with an automatic smile.
Then she turned to Isolde.
"Don't be too nervous, okay? Everything will be fine," she said, kissing her forehead too.
"Thanks, Mom."
"Alright, we're off," I said.
"Good luck on the exam," Father added, peeking over his newspaper.
"Thanks."
We rushed out, but not before flashing them one last smile.