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Trials

"So, you need to keep training daily."

"But you won't be here?"

"Nope. Gotta get back to work. I have my own training to attend to, at least until I've got this whole Deputy Spymaster thing down. Gods, Lafayette just gave me training schedule today—I'm not going to have time to train you for at least a month or so. But—just keep up the exercises I gave you. Mercury's taking off to work with you, and Jupiter promised to check in occasionally if time allows."

"You mean when she's not looking after the Princess?"

"Well, that. Or if Jupiter just can't keep the Princess out of everyone's hair."

"What about you? Isn't it your job to watch her, too? Don't you three have a rotation system set up?"

"Yes. But I need to get used to my extra duties, now. Gods. I really need to leave somebody else in charge of the Army, but nobody is really… suited to it. Nobody I trust, anyway."

"Why's that?"

"Intuition. I just… don't think anybody else is… well, capable."

"Right." Mars rolled her eyes. "Intuition."

"Hey, coming from someone with a sixth-sense, I'd think you'd trust intuition a little more."

"Not when it's yours," Mars said, smiling. Venus glared at her before grinning and pushing her shoulder lightly.

"Whatever," Venus laughed. "So, yeah, can't watch Serenity cuz of my new duties, and I still have to deal with being Commander of the Royal forces, too. Had to leave Mercury and Jupiter in charge of themselves, which they're perfectly capable of doing. But things are a little frazzled on my end of things, so you're on your own for a bit."

Mars patted Venus' shoulder. "You'll do fine," she said.

Venus sighed. "I hope so."

A/N: Well, as far as updates go, this is probably one of the shortest/most disappointing ones. Huh. I'll update this again later today/tomorrow, to make up for the brevity of this chapter. Anyway, life's pretty good, now. My roomates and friends just helped me set up the Christmas decorations in our dorm. 'But it's November', you protest, to which I reply, 'it's never too early for Christmas.' I'm one of those people lol. Anyway, hope you're enjoying the story. We still haven't quite reached the halfway point yet, but we're almost there!