Disappearing into the background is a useful skill to have. Once they're no longer in the public eye, Alia allows the proper Dynast facade to drop a little.

She smiles at Fajah. "Thus far, I don't think any of the other girls in our year will give us too much trouble. No telling with the boys, of course," she adds with a sniff.

Alia checks the small pots of flowers and herbs arranged on the bookshelves in her half of the room, testing the dryness of the soil with a finger. Good, they don't need water right now.

A brief summons of one of the house servants results in a pot of tea and two cups. "We should have time to relax and plan a bit before dinner."