Elphaba's POV

I took a deep breath and slowly stepped out of the carriage my parents had insisted upon sending me to Shiz in—I had ridden separately from Frex and Nessarose. I glanced at the maids that my mother had sent with me to care for me—I always got whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted, especially in Paris. I had wanted to bring my dog, but I decided to have Mom and Dad look after her for me. Nessa had also gotten a maid to care for her—I didn't have to, thanks to Mom and Dad.

My maid, Olivia, asked, "Your Highness, would you like me to take your bag to your room?"

"I don't know my room assignment, yet, Olivia," I replied.

Nessa wheeled over, followed by Amanda.

I grimaced, Amanda had been my private maid since I was six, and said, "Olivia, perhaps you would like to assist Miss Nessarose instead of me?"

"Are you sure, your Highness?" Olivia asked.

I nodded and Amanda asked, "Princess Elphaba, perhaps would you like my assistance?"

I nodded and said, "Yes, I would, Amanda."

Amanda smiled and she set down Nessa's bag as Olivia set down my bag. Then they switched which sister they'd care for—Amanda was going to care for me—she was my favorite of all the maids—and Olivia was going to care for Nessarose—she was better at dealing with crippled children—her two brothers supposedly were paralyzed or something like that, or at least, that's what I heard.

We all went into the entry hall and I smiled at Nessa.

Then the students began staring at me and I rolled my eyes.

"What? What is it? What are all of you staring at? Is there something in my teeth? Is my underskirt showing?" I groaned, realizing why they were staring at me. "Oh, I know what's going on here. *sigh* Let's get this over with. No, I'm not seasick, yes, I've always been green, no, I did not chew grass as a child! Oh, and this is my younger sister, Nessarose, who, as you can see, is a perfectly normal color!"

Amanda walked over and whispered, "Your Highness, calm down."

I looked at her and walked slowly back over to where Nessa and Olivia were waiting.

Father gave Nessa a pair of jeweled shoes, and she squealed with delight. "Oh, Father, jeweled shoes. They're beautiful."

"Nothing less than the best for the future governor of Munchkinland," he said, smiling at her.

I scowled and Father came over and said, "Elphaba, help your servants care for Nessarose."

I looked at Amanda, who mouthed, "Princess, you don't have to do anything. Olivia can handle it alone."

Then she said, "Miss Elphaba, I almost forgot. Your mother asked me to give this to you."

She handed me a small jewelry box and I carefully opened it. "Ohmigosh," I gasped. "My mother's necklace," I whispered, removing it carefully from the box.

Amanda nodded and I ordered, "Help me put it on, Amanda."

She slipped behind me and helped me get the necklace on.

"Elphaba, that's a beautiful necklace," Nessa said.

"Thank you," I said, smiling, thinking of my parents.

"Is there something written on it?" Father demanded.

I flipped the pendant around and carefully read the inscription aloud, "Together in Paris."

Father rolled his eyes and said, "Do you honestly believe that after Shiz you'll ever return to Paris?"

"I'll have to," I said. "Mom, Dad, and Grandma—well, technically, Grandma is actually my great-grandmother—are planning to reveal me as the next in line to the Romanov throne immediately after graduation."

Father scowled and I said, "That's why I was able to get Amanda and Olivia—Olivia is better trained to care for Nessa and Amanda's been caring for me since I was six—to come to Shiz with us."

Father glared and said, "Amanda is the better maid—she must care for Nessarose."

Olivia began to whisper something to Nessa, who called, "Father?"

"Yes, my little angel," he asked.

"Can't Olivia care for me instead—I prefer her to Amanda," Nessa asked.

Father nodded and said, "I hope all goes well for you, Nessarose. Behave, Elphaba."

I scowled, moving closer to Amanda, who quickly grabbed my bag and her bag as well. Amanda whispered, "Everything will be fine, my princess."