Respectfully yours, your subjects

Thanks to the young Muggle-born wizards, who had faithfully carried out Allen's orders, he enjoyed a very pleasant next two days.

He ignored the scrutiny of the young snakes, spending his time either in class or at the library and occasionally helping Draco with his essays. His days were peaceful and uneventful.

Though he had spoken warmly, saying he was acting in the interests of Muggle-borns and had come to make friends with them...

He had never actually intended to seek any help from these young Muggle-born wizards.

That simple "press conference" had only been meant to spare him a few worries down the line.

Yet it was precisely these overlooked young Muggle-born wizards who gave Allen an enormous surprise.

On Wednesday morning, Allen endured his way through Herbology.

-even though he liked Professor Sprout's gentle manner, he could not stand the unruly young wizards, the filthy mandrakes, or the absurd "gardening lessons."

Yes, in Allen's eyes, this was nothing more than a gardening class.

As Crown Prince, he did indeed need to know about countless flowers and plants around the world, and he did need to learn their growing habits and theoretical uses,

But that was so he could hold his own in conversations with leading figures from all walks of life and properly display royal poise.

If he wished, he could also build a luxurious conservatory, take afternoon tea amid exotic flowers and plants, and chat merrily with political dignitaries.

But he had never imagined that he would have to tend them himself and get his clothes dirty with the soil clinging to their roots.

-even with gloves and protective clothing, even knowing this was simply an ordinary part of life for some of his people.

He still studied diligently, if only to present his royal father with an impressive report card and preserve his reputation as a "genius" in the eyes of the world.

-God knew what looks these young Muggle-born wizards would give him if he failed Herbology!

Well, that was getting off track.

After Herbology ended, Allen and Draco carried their bags to the Great Hall and enjoyed a hearty lunch.

Just then, an unfamiliar owl flew straight toward Allen, bringing an elegant envelope.

Allen watched it curiously. Only when the owl extended its leg toward him did he take the letter, then casually pull a Silver Sickle from his pocket and place it in the owl's leather pouch.

The envelope was misty blue, with words written across it in ornate script-"To His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, Prince of Cornwall. Personal."

The back was simply sealed with an ordinary rose stamp.

Strange...

This was neither the Royal Family's seal nor the coat of arms of any of those illustrious families. The deliberately proper formatting looked more like a letter of admiration from an ordinary person.

Draco glanced at it, saw the neatly written titles, and assumed it had come from Allen's Muggle parents. He paid it no further attention.

Allen looked up and saw several older Muggle-born wizards at the other three long tables watching him with nervous anticipation. When they caught his gaze, they tried desperately to signal him with their eyes.

Mystery solved...

Allen chuckled. He nodded gently to them, his gaze passing over a composed, elegant young Ravenclaw lady, then lowered his head and opened the letter.

The edges of the paper were the same misty blue as the envelope, thoroughly Victorian in style, with elegant calligraphy flowing across the white space in the center.

Allen briefly admired the fluid handwriting before turning to the contents-

"Your Highness,

Good afternoon!

We are your loyal people. First, we wish to apologize for the trouble our excessive attention previously caused you, and hope you will not hold it against us!

Since you do not wish us to intervene to help, we hope that all goes pleasantly for you at Hogwarts!

Please forgive the intrusion of this letter, and kindly read on..."

Allen was very patient, but lunch had already been cleared from the table, and dessert was now being served!

He discreetly took a deep breath, thanked Draco for reminding him about dessert, and continued reading under the distant, expectant gazes of the Muggle-borns.

"...At the suggestion of Miss Diana Sharp of Ravenclaw, we held a gathering on Monday evening, bringing together all the Muggle-born wizards from the four houses to discuss how we should interact with you.

(A list of the young Muggle-born wizards is enclosed.)"

Now Allen was surprised. He sat a little straighter, pushed aside the mango pudding Draco had slid toward him, and read on carefully.

"We have adopted part of the design from the Royal Family Seal-the Blooming Rose-as our correspondence seal, and have selected representatives from three houses. They are-

Ravenclaw: Diana Sharp (sixth year, Prefect)

Gryffindor: Alger Philip (sixth year)

Hufflepuff: Valentin Lister (sixth year)

-Questions and feedback from each house will be collected by these three and sent to you every Friday. (Naturally, urgent matters will warrant an additional letter.)

We hope this will ease your burden.

Respectfully yours, your subjects."

Allen gently set down the letter. Looking at the young Muggle-born wizards with shining eyes at the other three long tables, he unwittingly broke into a genuine smile.

How could they possibly be a burden? he thought.

They were his unwaveringly loyal subjects, and he would lead them through every obstacle in this unfamiliar Wizarding World!

-Until they achieved their final victory!

They would create a new future for the Wizarding World!