The Story of Hanna/Memoirs of Princess Hanna - Page Seven
It has been two weeks since your eleventh birthday, and it's a very special occasion. You are about to graduate from school, and you are about to do it earlier than any student in ten years. Every late spring, just before summer holidays start, there is a special ceremony for all the graduates of the noble's school. You are dressed in a brand new - readymade for occasion - golden dress with silky white lace. Your dress is sleeveless doesn't cover your shoulders or back very well, but otherwise is typical for a royal dress in a way that it's tight around your waist and your chest. The lower half of the dress is absolutely gorgeous and, in your eyes, the best part about it. Your layered skirt is rather frilly, large in size and long enough to reach all the way to your ankles. Overall the dress, while ornate, is surprisingly simple for a royal dress. Underneath you have a little secret as well as since your white silky panties are slightly naughtier and more revealing than usual, not that anyone can see that, yet. You're also wearing white knee socks, and your white party shoes are covered in pearls. You also have your elbow gloves on, as you usually do when wearing a sleeveless dress, and to company your usual royal signet you have an additional golden ring with a large white diamond, as well as a golden tiara. As for your hair, you're rocking a simple ponytail.
Since it's a celebration for students in general, not for royalty, the only time you take a center stage in the party is when you receive your graduation papers on stage from the principal. Your papers come together with two special honors, one for graduating at remarkably young age, and one for your high grades and independent research in alchemy. During your short thirty second speech, which all graduates are allowed to take, you tell everyone how happy you were to be warmly received even by the older students and thank everyone who has taught you along the way. While most of your teachers do clap for you, you're sure that most of them are secretly happy to have you away from their classrooms. There is, however, one teacher who is eager to speak with you and congratulate you personally.
Your alchemy teacher, Matthew Clark requests to talk to you one on one, and you're happy to share a moment with him.
"I'm so proud of you Hanna", he says and offers to shake your hand.
"A handshake? Really?" you ask, as you laugh, but offer him your hand anyway. "Offer Hanna a hug next time. She might even give you kiss on a cheek."
Matthew laughs, and takes your hand, gently. He kisses you on your ring as an ultimate sign of politeness. "This is what I meant when I gave you my hand", he says. He's an eccentric old man with some very strange habits and manners, but he's probably the kindest man you know. He's always talking to everyone he passes by, and nobody seems to mind him either. He's an experienced alchemist, probably one of the greatest in the history of Nova Albion. While you may exceed him given few more decades, as things stand now, he's head and shoulders above you. There is still much you can learn from him.
"Please continue to take good care of Hanna. She will be happy to remain your student."
"That is actually what I wanted to talk to you about. You see, I am getting old. I don't know how many years I have left for me. There are many alchemists who are qualified to be my successors, and while you may not be one of them, in few years' time… Maybe in five years, you would be realistically able to take the reins from me."
"Do you truly think Hanna would be able to take such a position?" you ask, surprised.
"I truly believe you're capable. You could even become the youngest state representative of any school of magic in the history of Nova Albion."
It's not something you've ever even thought about, mostly because of how self-centered you are. You are happy to do independent research and just represent yourself. To take such a powerful position would be a huge step, and probably even completely different to what you've been doing up until now. "It might be difficult…" you finally say.
"Yes, I know that it won't be easy."
It's not just that it could be hard. It's also your status, and your body, the circumstances you're born with, things you can't help. Nobles tend to follow traditions like they the religious praise divine. Royal protocol for them is like gospel. There are clear rules for everything and roles for everyone, and there is a traditional role for a princess too. You know you're getting to the age where your family will start to pester you about your future, and your duty to provide for the royal bloodline as a princess. It has already happened to Henrietta, who a prince from Chesterfield has set his eyes on. They've known each other since they were little kids and they've always been friends. It's just a matter of time before a marriage is arranged between them. You know there are boys like that in your life as well, princes and royals you're spent time with as a child, even from as far as Gallia. You didn't know it back then, but you knew it was a ploy by papa, the king of Nova Albion to get you used to boys, and maybe even befriend them. If a marriage was to be arranged between you and some foreign prince, it would turn any plan of becoming a state representative into shambles, as you would be forced to perform your royal duty to give birth to next generation of royals. Oh, how much you dread that possibility. You dread the day you have to marry and become a mother. It's one of the reasons you don't want to grow up. Then again, would even your petite appearance save you from an arranged marriage? You have always hoped it would. It's a pain, but then again, it's not the worst thing that could happen. "Hanna will be glad to be your apprentice, but she can't commit to becoming your successor."
"I knew you would say that", he says, but seems to be happy anyway. "I just wanted to let you know what my intentions and honest wishes are. Because, and I must say I mean this with all due respect, you have much more value to the world as an alchemist and an inventor than as a wife for some prince."
You smile very happily and even blush: "Those words mean the world to Hanna… Thank you so much…"
"I do not mean to impose on your personal life, but… Are there any plans for engagement yet?"
You shake your head. "There are suitors, but Hanna is still too young to marry."
"Oh, right, I suppose so. But on that note, there is another question I've been meaning to ask you for a very long time." You're ready to answer anything. "I have noticed, just like we all have, that you are a little bit… On a smaller scale, despite being already eleven. I think this goes beyond just being a late bloomer. It's almost as if you haven't grown up at all during the past few years."
He's right. People have noticed, from your family to your friends. You just don't grow up, but you've never told anyone why. You're sure there are some educated folks who are suspicious of you, but nobody has ever confronted you about it directly. Only your family has asked you about your growth. This is the first time anyone who isn't related to you asks you about it, and you know why. Matthew is an alchemist like you, and as an alchemist he must know everything about the search for immortality. Maybe he even dreams of it himself. You cross your arms and stare him dead in the eye. "You know Hanna is more upset about not growing up than anyone." You lie a little bit, hoping he would not notice.
"Oh, really? I should've known better not to ask you such an insensitive question."
"It's alright. Hanna knows you're worried for her."
"Do you think there's any reason for it?"
'There's no way he would know my secret, right?' You find it hard to hide your worry. "Well, there's a reason for everything. Don't you think?"
"Could you perhaps know the reason?"
"No", you say with straight face. You have to lie once again. There is just no way you could tell him the truth. No way you could tell anyone the truth. Not even your family.
"Is that so? That's a real shame. Well, enjoy the party, your highness."
"Thank you. Hanna will come to see you in your office tomorrow morning as usual."
"Yes, let's discuss plans then."
He leaves you behind, but you're not left alone for more than few seconds. There are many who want to talk to you and spend time with you.