Penelope sits in her regal chair. It’s one of the few things she brought with her to Sylvian University. Some other things that she brought were her bed, clothes, obviously, and a portrait of the First Chosen One.

  Today, Penelope had spent her day off ‘volunteering’ down at the local food bank with Hopper. She may be a Princess, but Penelope was no stranger to hard work. Even then, she was drained and was hoping Alfira would hurry back with those baked goods.

  As if answering her prayers, the door to her room suddenly opened to reveal Alfira.

  “Apologies for my tardiness, Princess Penelope. I was caught in conversation with a classmate of yours,” Alfira says in the same delicate manner that she always has.

  “No worries, Alfira,” Penelope says as she gingerly rummages through the bag of bread.

  Penelope had grabbed a cookie from the top of the stack and was happily munching down on it in such a manner befitting a lady of her status.

  “Hmm. They’ve outdone themselves today. This cookie is the best one I’ve had yet. Ah, which one of my classmates did you run into?” Penelope asks as she is distracted by the deliciousness of the cookie.

  Before Alfira can answer, a knock on the door resounds throughout the room.

  “Princess Penelope. It is Head Butler Sebastian. The Emperor has sent me to deliver a message,” Sebastian said with an eloquence that only he could have.

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  Alfira opens the door, allowing Sebastian to enter. Penelope yet again thinks about how eloquent he looks. Even in his old age. She even thinks that she has never seen him be uneloquent.

  “It is nice to see you, Sebastian. What message do you bring?” Penelope asks, genuinely curious about what her Father could possibly want.

  “It is of a delicate nature. The Emperor is worried that the stress of the University may be overwhelming you,” Sebastian says in an eloquent manner.

  Penelope holds in her shock as she gently places down her teacup. “And pray tell, why would he think that I am overwhelmed with stress?”

  Sebastian clears his throat eloquently. “The Emperor has been notified of a vast increase in your food spending. Almost triple what was allocated.”

  “Triple? That’s imp-” Penelope stops mid-sentence as the thought of a certain someone crosses through her mind.

  “If you are overindulging, that is a perfectly normal stress response is what the Emperor said,” Sebastian conveys.

  Penelope settles the fury within her and gives a sweet smile. “I will take that to heart. Tell the Emperor I will deal with it posthaste.”

  “So be it,” Sebastian says as he eloquently leaves the room.

  “Would you like me to inform the University of any changes?” Alfira asks delicately.

  Penelope lets out a sigh. “Let them know that any purchases in my name should be charged to my personal account, not the Imperial one.”

  With a nod, Alfira leaves to inform the University.

  As soon as Alfira leaves, Penelope shatters the teacup in her hand. “A deal's a deal, Charlatan.”