#fenixtj

"I just can't do it."

"But you already did" She says

"May I show you?" She asks

Frown.

Dame ash takes the paper, and then shows her "See? this ... problem.. here? it's in numbers. You got it quickly.. and correctly I might add. Shows you are quite the smart little lady if i may say?"

"Well, I could do that one."

A breath "THen, this... it's the same problem.. but with words instead of numbers. The numbers are spelled out.... oh like ' e-l-e-v-e-n' instead of just two ones put next to each other" she points and shows

A little frown.

"It's true" She says "Don't get too alarmed. We're just getting a feel for things. Am I right in assuming you prefer listening to stories to reading them?"

"I do like listening to stories. They're better out loud."

A nod "Also, Salma's pretty entertaining. I particularly liked her addition of the brick maze used to trap the wolf when he went after the pigs."

"Salma's the best!"

"I like her too" A nod "But I want you to be able to read and enjoy books without being frustrated and feeling bad about yourself. I think you want that too"

"I like picture books..."

A hesitation. "But Salma and Ariel are reading chapter books..."

"They are." Coax, nod

"I can read!" Defensive.

"I'm a big girl, I can read."

"Yes. You can" nod

"Would you like to read chapter books easier?"

"...yes."

Ruffled pride.

"We're going to get another tutor, another one who is better than I am. One knows more ways to learn. NOw I am still your warder and it is a happy duty, House Sister" A whisper "Do you know how proud I am of you? A Beaumayn like me, and such a kind hearted and responsible young girl at that? My heart swelled when Countess Jessica took you as an heir. It was all I could do not to cheer"

"I'm sorry I'm not a good reader..." Squirm.

"I like you a lot as a teacher."

"I saw Ariel and Salma as grown-ups..."

"It's not about good reading, it's... sometimes challenges are not something we choose. We need to learn moer about the nature of your challenge, but that does not make you responsible" A pause "Think of it this way. Salma can't read well without her glasses. "

"No, she can't. Her eyes are blurry."

"is that HER Fault?"

"No!"

"Well, I think your challenge , like her vision, isn't your fault either."

"Does this mean extra lessons?"

"I'm not sure if it means extra lessons, or just different lessons. That's why I need another tutor who is a professional. If anything, I should apologize to you. I wish I were more qualified"

"But you're wonderful!"

"I am, aren't I?" A smile, "But even wonderful people regret when they feel like they've let someone down. But I suppose I should put my big girl breaches on and move onto moving on."

An impulsive hug. "You didn't let me down!"

She returns the hug "Thank you. And you haven't let anyone else down either. When you rule, you're going to find sometimes you don't know everything, can't do everything, and may even have weak points. That's why a good ruler gets good advisors, good people that she knows are competent and that she can trust. The hard choices will still be yours, and weigh on you, but there is no shame in asking others to share their wisdom. "

"Like Salma and Ariel."

"Oh, and I think it was Jessica as the Duchess..."

"AH, you mentioned you saw your friends all grown up" She remembers "Good vision I hope?"

She nods.

"Ariel was like Artemis, with her bow and arrow, and Salma had these robes and a big book..."

"They were still my friends!" Joyous.

That gets another hug

"And I know I can't tell them that. But it makes me so happy."

"It should. " A smile "I have had visions of YOU grown up too." She says "I can't tell you everything, but I can tell you ONE thing" She smooths the girl's hair

"Yes?"

"You were reading a book and enjoying it. And .. it had no pictures" firm nod

A little laugh.

A smile "it's true." She says "But I thought it might cheer you up"