The thunk of the carriage door was as satisfying as a good night’s sleep after a dreadfully long day for Sion. It indicated to her that she was finally home. And home was her favourite place in the world for her at the moment.

She trudged her way to the ethereal gates, grunting as she pushed her way in. As soon as she saw the cosy presence of her velvet cushions, she pounced. The pillows sighed under her weight and she breathed the familiar scent of lavender and vanilla as quickly as she could.

Orion emerged from the kitchen soon after, two intricately designed cups carefully balanced in each hand. He passed the biggest-looking one onto Sion, the honey-coloured liquid sloshing around. 

Sion sipped on the steaming drink and let out a satisfied sigh. The sweet taste overfilled her senses. It was the perfect thing for a quick break from society.

“Well?” Orion’s voice was oozing with enough paternal care that Sion could feel physical warmth from his tone. Or maybe it was from the drink.

“Well, what?”

Orion rolled his eyes. 

“How was the orientation? Do you need everything to be spelt out for you?” 

Sion rolled her eyes.

“I do not need everything spelt out and neatly laid out for me. And for your information, it went just fine, I was a little tardy but managed to tidy my appearance up and make an acceptable impression. The Dean made a tremendous speech, and we were served some delicious mini sandwiches. My only complaint would be the tour and the buzzing pest that couldn’t mind its own business”

“Pest? I was unaware that the most prestigious and well-funded school in our country was pest-infected. Would you like me to alert the school’s suitable authority, I’m sure they're interested in hearing my thoughts about the vermin that plague their campus.”

Sion went tight-lipped, annoyance creeping into her. 

“Stop being so satirical. One of the peasants I met in the town square recognized me, and kept yammering on and on about how hard a commoner’s life is when they're put in the greatest school in the world.”

Orion froze. His eyes widened like a child being punished by a usually loving parent. He balled up his fists and his skin went a sickly shade of alabaster.

“He recognized you?”, he whispered.

Sion felt herself flush as she began to understand the reason for her brother’s anxiety. 

"No! Not like that, I was in the town square with my disguise on! He recognized my fake persona, the faerie doesn’t suspect a thing!”

Orion looked like he was being saved from death when Sion clarified the incident. For about a minute, then he went right back into his jittery self.

“Faerie? Are you sure you had him fooled, the faerie kind is supposed to be rather sharp beings. It takes a master to fool them. Oh no, I’m not sure we have enough money to bribe another one! We can’t let the press have this, they’ll think that you're going to Alantin incognito for much more diabolical reasons. Mother’s going to be so disappointed in me. I can’t let this happen, the House of Estrix has been a royal house for centuries! If it falls under my hands I’ll be a public fool. And if I’m a laughing stock I’ll never-”

Sion smacked her hand over Orion’s mouth, forcing him to put a break on his nervous breakdown. 

“Orion, stop. The faerie does not know a thing. I promise you, you are not going to have to bribe anyone. You are most certainly not going to be the cause of Estrix’s downfall. If anything, that would be mother and father. No scratch that, it would completely be our parent's fault. Not you. Not me. Got it?”

Orion looked down at Sion’s hand that was over his mouth. Sion snatched it away and wiped her hand. Her brother took a deep breath, one after the other. A single drop of sweat fell on the rug.

“Got it, and next time maybe don’t cover my mouth with your hands. You were just outside minutes ago, those hands are gross.”

Sion scoffed.

“Gross!? I just gave you free counselling and now I’m being called gross! I’ll show you gross you little brat!”

Sion licked her hand and pointed it at Orion. Orion gasped and sprinted away, Sion on his coattails. The siblings ran their hearts out, each one filled with well-deserved joy.