Breakfast First

The light of morning intruded on my pleasant dreams.

“Tanjir! TANJIR!” I yelled while still keeping my eyes shut.

An attentive voice spoke up from my bedside, “Yes, milady?”

“Please shut my curtains. It’s much too early for the sun to be out. Its disdain for me is evident, and I feel the need to swat it from the sky.”

“I don’t believe even the demon lords of old could manage such a feat.” Tanjir skirted past my bed and closed the curtains as requested.

“I’ve beaten Demon Lords. I’m a resplendent being beyond their machinations.”

“Yes, milady. Would you require anything further?”

“Hahh.” I curled up further into my warm, blanket-y heaven, exhaling with a yawn. “Any further disruptions to my sleep will cause someone’s head to slip.”

“Very well, milady.” Tanjir turned and left the room, shutting the door behind her. I drifted back into my comfortable bed and comfortable dreams.

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The sun had been in the sky for some time when I finally wrested myself from the tempting grasp of my comforter.

Tanjir reentered. “I’ve fetched your clothing for today and warmed up a bath for you, milady.”

“Thank you, Tanjir.”

I took my bath and changed clothes.

“Would you brush my hair?”

“Certainly, milady.” She then began sweeping the comb through my hair. I found this to be a relaxing part of my morning routine, though today Tanjir had a tenser grip than usual.

“Is something the matter, Tanjir?” I inquired.

“It’s not something I would categorize as an issue, but if I may inquire about your declaration last night and your plans for today?”

“Yes, yes, I will explain all to you in good time. It is not something to be concerned about.” I had a feeling that might be it. I did intend to keep her in the loop, but now was not the proper time.

“Your safety is my priority.” She spoke flatly, but her brushing was much more intense than normal.

“And your devotion is noted and appreciated. All I can say is I am still collecting my thoughts and formulating my plans. Once I have a clearer vision, I will inform you.”

“As you will it. I will continue doing my best, milady.”

“Very good. Now, breakfast!” I hopped off my chair and began a mad dash out of my room and through the vast hallways of the palace. Every piece of this building was ornately decorated and finely detailed. It had a storied history going back over 450 years. The Morgana-Armas family began construction on the royal villa soon after they seized the throne from the founding Armasette family.

I turned a corner and could hear Tanjir’s shoes clacking across the tiled floors. I trotted down the grand staircase as gracefully as a prize horse. Once at the foot of the stairs, I waited for my lollygagging maid to appear.

“That was some chase,” I jested.

Tanjir stared at me as we entered the dining hall. She was not even breathing heavily, but her eyes were narrowed, and her nose was flared.

“What, may I ask, was your hurry, milady?”

“Just a bit of early morning playfulness. Youth is meant to be enjoyed. And flights of whimsy are my womanly right, I should think.”

“Are we feeling good this morning, my princess?” A deep yet feminine voice echoed across the room.

“As good as one can be, given how early the sun intends to wake me.”

“Someone should do something about that.”

A tall woman with glowing white hair stood at the opposing end of the table from me. She wore an extravagant, sparkling aquamarine dress and a golden crown.

I walked over and excitedly gave her a hug. I was not tall, nor was I short. I’d been taller, and I’d been shorter. I’d say I was of perfectly above-average height; however, my head only came up to just past her waist.

“It’s so good to see you, Mother. Queen… Mother…”

“It is indeed rare for us to meet so informally. Please, no need for nervousness. Your father has enough neuroticism for the both of us. Be at ease.” She took a seat, and yet she was still only slightly shorter than me when sitting.

Queen Adrianna Sephora-Armas was a striking presence that could only rarely be seen around the palace. She spent much of her time in the royal quarter and government buildings, attending meetings and other official parties and engagements. This meant she was hardly ever home, awakening before the sun had even begun to rise and returning well past dark.

Leonardo, my father, attended to diplomatic and political matters from his throne when such an occasion arose; otherwise, he was frequently spotted lounging around the palace in his bathrobe. He attended duels and similar official events, but for all intents and purposes, he was a shut-in, and as such, had become known as the Shut-In King, though no one would call him that to his face.

“What, pray tell, brings you to the dining room so late? You usually leave well before I’ve even left my bed.”

Mother looked at me with a half-smile. “I heard you and Prince Mathias were unable to consummate your marriage last night.”

“As much as I like the prince, I did not feel ready to go any farther with him. I’m sorry if this reflects badly on our family.”

“You’re not thinking of annulling the marriage, are you?”

“No, it had not even crossed my mind.”

“Good. Good. I’m not worried then. You’ve not disgraced me or anyone, my princess.” She sat back in her chair. “Though, I would like to inquire about what exactly your thoughts on the marriage are.”

I thought for a second. Mother had been the one to arrange the marriage. He wasn’t of any Armas lineage. Mathias was the son of the 7th State, Mescal, which had been making moves to increase its militia, gain capital, and gather support among the senate and legacy branches of the royal family. Mother had arranged this marriage to “keep our enemies closer,” so to speak.

“He is an entertaining toy to keep around. I have no use for him yet, but he may come in handy.”

“A toy. Hmm.”

“Yes, My Qu— Mother.”

“Ha! Well, unimpressive as he is, it would be best for you to get things out of the way sooner rather than later. I’ll leave him to you and your judgment for now. Shall we eat!”

“Yes, I’m starving.”

Food was brought out promptly. It was a simple meal of eggs, bacon, and toast. I ate it happily. Mother and I chit-chatted about this and that as we ate. Tanjir stood off to the side. No matter how friendly one was with their servants, they were not allowed to eat at the same table at the same time. She had eaten before waking me earlier this morning.

“I have a few meetings this afternoon and preparations for a ball to be held here Friday after next. I would normally have left far sooner, but I wished to be able to see you this morning. Yesterday there was so little time before or after the ceremony.”

“Despite the anticipation around the ceremony, today feels like every other morning. I feel much the same.”

“It is like that.”

“I’m glad. This is enough for me, I think. This much happiness is more than enough for the rest of my life. I wish for everything to stay like this.”

“If that wish could be accommodated, we would never move from this table. Alas, I have duties to attend. And you, my princess?”

“I’m going to the outskirts of the capital, perhaps beyond.”

“Is that so?” She smirked. She obviously didn’t believe what I’d just said, nor would I have expected her to, but that was the plan for today, as unbelievable as it sounded.

The queen stood up once again, towering above me and everyone else in the room. “I’ll leave you to it then. Have a safe journey.” She snickered in amusement as she left.

I wasn’t a super active person. I can’t say I’m too dissimilar from the king, in that I lounged around all day doing not much. The me before yesterday was thinking of taking up sewing or joining a social club of some kind, but the me of today had an entirely different goal.

“Are we really going outside the royal quarter?”

“Yes. And beyond.”

“Are you going to tell me why, milady?”

“Yes, of course, in due time. But first, we go to the blacksmith!”