Marie

  The princess didn’t show up for css. Wasn't she back yet? Had something happeo her? Marie barely listeo her teacher. Mrs. Drüse went through the tour with them and gave everyoips on how to improve. Two students from her css had done so well that they had already been accepted for feng lessons in the sed and third years. She gratuted them proudly. The two seemed satisfied.

  And if someone doesn't want to? Even though they were exapted? Does the student have to? Like Julia? Where is she?

  "Marie?" Mrs. Drüse now stood before her. She hadn't seen her ing towards her. Marie blinked.

  "Yes?"

  "Are you listening?"

  "I'm sorry... I'm worried about the princess." Marie grimaced. "I'm going to try to listen now."

  "Good!" Mrs. Drüse nodded. "Well, I just told you that you o take more care of your feet. Ok?"

  "Yes. Thank you."

  "Good. Let the whereabouts of the princess be the of the adults. She is probably out and about iy and will be back soon. o worry."

  "I'm trying."

  "That's good." Mrs. Drüse smiled. "You're friends, of course, you're worried. But now we are in css. Do you uand that?"

  Marie nodded.

  The teacher returo her lessons. Marie sighed. Was Julia only iown? She couldn't imagi. So far, the princess had adhered to the school rules. Why should she break them all at once? Just because her brother was here? And her servants were gooo. Something was wrong. She was sure of it!"

  "Marie?", called Mrs. Drüse. "Listen!"

  "I’m sorry!"

  Leopold

  Leopold sat in the eldest's living room. He had written a letter to the Royal Family, with all their demands. The immediate freeing of all sves and a w prohibiting svery. Iurn, the royal family would get their daughter and son back. If she resisted the demands, she would never see her daughter again. The an Jürgen had agreed t the letter to Castle Town and send it from there. Anonymous.

  "Leopold?" The older elf looked at him sternly. "Now we only need a strand of the princess's hair to show that we mean it. Please bring oo me! Not all is do. It's just the beginning. I t on you too. We are itted to our people. We must not betray them. Do you uand that?"

  "Of course." He stood up. I must not disappoint them... But...

  "Oh! And take Inga with you. She is eager to take on this task!" The elf ughed.

  Inga, who had heard her name, hurried into the living room. "I would love to cut off all her hair! For all that we have to suffer!"

  Her father shrugged his shoulders. "If you want to. But a strand of hair is enough."

  Leopold didn't like that. The princess had dohing. She was i. A friendly girl.

  "And Leopold's mother wao treat her like a guest!" Inga shook her head. "The princess! She must be a spoiled beast! After all, she has bound servants! And grew up in luxury! Nothing good es of that!"

  "No", Leopold objected. " That’s not true. She was always kind to me and the others. And she doesn't want to be a witch."

  Inga pouted. "She lied! The nobility wants only ohing, power! And the witches are the worst! She probably fooled you."

  "Will y me the strand of hair now, please? I want to send Jürgen away with it today!" The eldest looked at her impatiently. "You discuss that on the go. Inga? Please remember that it is your niece Cudia's birthday today. We are io her birthday in two hours! Leo? I know you won't disappoint me. Inga? The birthday party."

  Inga groaned. "Yes. Of course." Unlike her sister, who was a single parent, Inga still lived in her parents' house. And unlike her father, she wasn't particurly fond of her niece. Cudia did not accept any rules and was a very loud, stormy child. The st time she visited Leopold's parents a few years ago, she had almost pletely destroyed his parents' herbs. He had to carry the kig girl home because she did not want to let go of her misdeed. Her mother had apologized profusely, and the day restored the herb bed with her daughter. Or rather, she tried to restore it. Most of the time she was busy stopping four-year-old Cudia from destroying the rest of the beds. Leopold liked the little whirlwind. She was like a little sister to him. A strenuous little sister. He used to take care of her from time to time until she was no longer allowed to visit. Because of the herb beds.

  Leopold grinned. "How old is Cudia now?"

  "Seven!" The eldest smiled proudly. "Time flies so fast!"

  Inga pushed Leopht to the door. "We'll go then. Before I miss my niece's glorious birthday!"

  "Was that sarcasm?", he murmured to her.

  "Definitely!"

  They set off. So early in the m, there was not much going on in the vilge. The elves usually did their work or bought what they needed. A few children pyed in the gardens or practiced flying. Or better, the tumbling, sihe small wings could not carry them properly. A three-year-old boy had made it to the roof of his parent's house. His older sister tried t him down, but he didn't want to.

  Inga shook her head. "What do the parents think? To let toddlers py unsupervised! Something like this has to happen!"

  Toddlers used their wings instinctively. Especially when they fell. A fall from a roof could not harm even a newborn. Leopold shook his head. "Nothing will happen to him."

  "That’s not the point! It was the same with Cudia! She was stantly flying on rooftops! Or iops! And my sister let her. And what happened? Cudia is a child who doesn't accept a 'no'!"

  In the meahey arrived at the house. Leopold unlocked the door a Inga in.

  His parents were w, but no one else could be heard. It was silent. Were their 'guests' still asleep?

  "So... I go in ahe strand. Do you think they will attack me?" Inga looked in the dire of the guest room. The thought of Marko came to Leo’s mind...

  "Maybe? I don't know."

  "Good. Then wait at the door, please. I don't want to get bitten by a wolf."

  "I imagihat!"

  "Very funny, little one."

  "Or, you give the scissors to me..." He poio the scissors that Inga was clutg.

  "Certainly not."

  When they arrived at the door, there was still nothing to be heard. Leopold closed the door cautiously. He was almost expeg an attack, but the four of them were all fast asleep. His mother had put a hearty breakfast and a few games and books on the dresser and fresh clothes y o the bed.

  "How nice." Inga looked at all this kindness disapprovingly. "But at least they're asleep. It's going to be easy!" She took the scissors and crept to the bed. The princess y on the edge o her brother.

  "Just a strand!", whispered Leopold, creeping after her. He had a bad feeling... "Let me..."

  But he wasn't fast enough. Inga snorted and ore tharand. Then she sneaked out again with her trophy. "Done. You lock the door."

  NO! Leopold hurried after her. "Inga! Why!"

  "The Queen deserves it."

  He shook his head. Leopold felt even muilty. Then he locked the door. She will never five me for that.

  Julia

  A strange sound woke her up. fused, she sat down and shook Peter awake, who was lyio her.

  "Peter! I think someone was here!", she murmured.

  Her brother stretched and woke up Finn and Marko. "There's no one here", he muttered, yawning.

  "What time is it?", asked Finn. "Oh! Breakfast!" His gaze fell on the dresser. Finn pointed with a smile to the tray, which was filled with juice, fruit, scrambled eggs, sweet buns, and cheese.

  They all wore simple pajamas that Leopold's mother had brought them. ging clothes together had been unfortable.

  "Breakfast!" Marko was visibly pleased and awake for a ge. "Breakfast sounds good! I'm hungry!"

  Julia straightened her hair, but somethi strange. "What?" She looked at her brother irritated.

  Peter stared at her open-mouthed. "Julia? Someo off your hair!"

  She jumped up and hurried to the mirror. Some of her hair was shorter thaher. They barely reached her ears. "What!" She touched the short strands. "Why? My hair!" Tears rolled down her cheeks. She didn't like what she saw. Who had dohat? "I look like a plucked chi!"

  Peter stood up to hug her. "A pretty plucked chi. They will grow again. Just like my hair!"

  "You certainly fix that." Marko was already eating some of the fruit. "But I bite the person who just cuts off other people's hair!

  Finn poured a gss of juid ha to her. "Let's eat something first, yes?"

  She nodded. Her stomach growled slightly, and the breakfast looked wonderful.

  "There are even games here!", exulted Marko. "And there are clothes o the bed."

  "Leopold's mother must have been here", Peter cluded.

  "Do you think it was her with Juli's hair?", asked Marko.

  Julia shook her head. "I don't think so, no. She seems nice. But I don't know."

  Marie

  August went to see her during the break before Pia could persuade her to look for him. Her friends giggled softly as August hurried towards her. He looked good in the uniform of the academy. Marie stared at him blushing.

  "Hi, Marie. Do you want to eat lunch together?", he asked, visibly amused.

  "Now? Yes. Gdly!" The words burst out of her. "I'd like to have lunch with you!"

  "I'm happy about that. I would love to have lunch with you too!" August wi her. "So?" He held out his arm to her and Marie hooked herself under. "Your friends are wele to join us."

  Pia shook her head. She stood o Marie and wi her. "Oh. No, no. I’m good! Enjoy the break!" She pulled Helga and Philip with her into the dining room. Marie and August were alone.

  "So? Shall we go?" He poio the dining room.

  "With pleasure!"

  For a moment, Marie fot her grief and worries. She was happy. And she couldn't wait to tell Theo about it.