We all sat in an awkward silence as the Emperor finally took his first bite. His royal entourage filled suit and began to eat as well. Considering how hungry I was moments ago, it’s a wonder how satiated I felt at the moment. Maybe I’m full from all the stares they’re giving me. I sighed quietly and nibbled on some of the salad. As I was taking a sip of orange juice, one of the rugrats slammed his fork on the table with a loud bang, making me choke on the juice in surprise.

“Father, why is she here?! She’s never joined us before for meals!” said Alphonse, the ginger haired one.

“I much preferred it that way, she’s giving me indigestion.” Kalei adds in, the green eyed and black haired brother.

“Send her away Father, brother needs to eat well.” said Ciel nonchalantly, the youngest brother with his blonde hair and blue eyes.

“Hmhm.” chimes in Ezra, Alphonse’s twin with a paler shade of ginger hair and green eyes.

Subtlety sure isn’t something these guys have, maybe I should give some to them on their next birthdays. I tried to keep my calm in front of the insolent brats and continued to nibble on my salad.

“I heard some interesting information going around in the palace, that's why I invited you all today.” Armand spoke amusedly, smirking slightly. “It seems the princess has taken a sudden interest in her education, often frequenting the library, I thought it’d be appropriate for us to ask about her progress so far.”

“What do you mean? She’s reading fairy tales instead of nursery rhymes now? Heh!” Alphonse snides, smirking at my direction.

“You would think so but it seems she’s become rather fond of books about politics, alchemy, and other sophisticated subjects.” The boys glance at me dubiously, at their father’s response. They’re talking as if I’m not here!

“Is that so Father?” Kalei says, tilting his head. “Then let’s hear it, princess, exactly what have you learned so far, even I’m curious.”

“What you are asking is quite broad in its interpretation, prince, would you mind simplifying it for this humble simpleton?” There is no way in hell I’ll make it easy for you to make a mockery out of me, so bring it on brat! Let’s see if you’ll be able to catch up with me!

“Then if that’s the case, how about the basics? During the imminent War of Bruschett, there were major issues that came about for the leaders of the opposing parties, the North Alliance and the Kingdom of Kenus, what were the most prominent issues from both nations being on the verge of war?”

The War of Bruschett was a devastating outcome to the rivalry of the North Alliance and the Kingdom of Kenus, both immensely powerful in their own right. The situation was similar to that of the Cold War between the Soviet Union and the US back in my world. “The War of Bruschett was a result of the rivalry between the nations supplying magical ore as their primary trade product. The rivalry led to unfair trade practices taking place, slavery and human trafficking took place and labour laws diminished as a result. The rivalry accelerated towards military power, and race for the advancement of technology and military weapons led to the development of massive deadly weapons such as the explosive poisonous ore. Tensions increased as both nations tried to outwit the other, eventually the tensions increased enough to lead to the war, but one has to imagine what the current situation would be like if both nations decided to continue racing to overpower the other in their destructive power, it could’ve led to the world being divided into two sides with both threatening to be able to destroy the other. Mutually assured destruction could have led both nations becoming powerful enough not only to destroy each other, but also the nations’ allies, the entire world could’ve become a casualty in war.”

The room went silent as they contemplated the idea and although the surprise and disbelief could be visible on the faces of my father and other brothers, Alphonse was the only one who managed to remain completely out of the loop. Ezra, although Alphonse’s twin brother, is the complete opposite of his brother in his disposition and intellect, so there was a faint twinkle in his eye as he stared at me. He is a child prodigy renowned even amongst the most wisest of the Empire for his intelligence and wit, and is well known for speaking only when interested in something.

“Alchemy… Everyone looks at Ezra in surprise. This must have been the most he’s spoken in a year. “Copper crystals.”