Chapter 17: “A Ruff Morning (3)”

Anna led Celestia away from her room and through the dormitory’s corridors. As Celestia followed, with her fan held aloft to conceal the lower half of her face, Anna stutteringly gave her a tour to the dormitory.

The first place they visited was the shared shower area, to which the young heiress observed with a detached expression. The next area was a large kitchen, which would be used by both students and the dormitory staff alike.

They moved on to the dorm’s common area next, where a handful of students relaxed in chairs and sofas. On one wall hung a tapestry depicting the founder’s summoned guardian beast, faded from years of sun. A large round table in the center was already littered with playing cards.

Beyond the common area was a small plot of garden. There, Anna enthusiastically waved her hand towards the neat rows of vegetables and flowers, almost proudly so. The sunlight shone on Anna’s eager face as she introduced each flora. Celestia patiently listened to her.

Finally, they visited the small library that belonged to the dorm. From inside came the hushed whispers of turning pages. Celestia paused at the entrance, but only long enough to see a few students entering.

Back in the lobby of the dormitory, Celestia and Anna arrived just as an elderly woman hurried through the doorway. The matronly figure was hunched small with age, though her eyes were kind and bright. Bowing slightly, she introduced herself as the dormitory supervisor to everyone in the lobby. “I’ll have to say sorry to everyone for my tardiness; I have only just returned from the academy and I have heard some distressing news. The dorm staff who were assigned to help students today—”

The old woman continued, “—I learned too late that they recently perished on the tower. It is an unfortunate incident, and I am very sorry you had to wait. Now that I am here, I can help with whatever you’ll need when you return from the tour.” She gave a smile. “As for the academy tour, it will begin in thirty minutes. You can follow the path and gather at the Founder’s statue in front of the main building.”

Celestia inclined her head once, acknowledging the old woman’s words. Inwardly, though, she felt mild irritation at any perceived waste of her time, but she concealed it well behind the protection of her fan. Anna, meanwhile, offered the supervisor a polite nod of understanding.

The supervisor chuckled when students started giving their condolences. “Oh, posh! There’s no need to worry, we’ll have new dorm staff soon. I’ll be here in the lobby should you need anything.” She then turned to sit down on a rocking chair in the lobby.

Once the dorm supervisor had finished, Celestia turned towards Anna. “I believe my room has been prepared by now,” she said, glancing past the latter’s small, nervous figure toward the flight of stairs.

Anna, true to form, managed only a brief, hesitant smile and quick successive nods.

Celestia walked up the stairs ahead of Anna’s scurrying footsteps. Celestia remembered her room when she had first opened the door; tiny with a single window, just as plain as the door outside.

Where before had stood a small, unremarkable bed, now there was a plush silk canopy, the bed’s frame was now changed to an intricately carved wood frame. The single wooden chair and table had been replaced by a slender chaise lounge upholstered in a rich fabric. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves held neat rows of leather-bound volumes Celestia herself had selected, and on the walls hung delicate curtains. In the corner, a polished walnut drawer-dresser, while beside it a tall mirror that let Celestia admire herself from head to toe. The suffocating room was now a residence filled with elegance.

Anna stopped shyly by the door, watching the room and mentally comparing it to hers.

Celestia folded her fan closed with a crisp snap. Behind her, Anna flinched.

“This is more like it,” Celestia turned to her maid, Martha, who was standing inside.

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“I trust your room has been decorated to your satisfaction?” Martha’s eyes sparkled with pride.

Celestia had a satisfied look. “I expect no less of you,” she said. Her tone held neither gratitude nor flattery, it was a simple acknowledgment that Martha had done well, as any competent servant should have.

Martha bowed her head, beaming with pride, apparently content in Celestia’s approval.

Anna fidgeted outside the doorway, her fingers squeezing her thumbs. She was no longer needed since her tour duties were done. “C-can I…?” she managed, voice trembling. “P-please be e-excused?”