A Rude Awakening

I awoke slowly, my mind groggy from a long and restful slumber, sunlight beamed through the open curtains of my windows lighting the inside of my still closed eyelids. I let out a disgruntled barely audible groan and pulled my covers over my head shielding myself from both the sun, and having to awake at such an unreasonably early hour.

"My Lady, it is already well past midday so do not go back to sleep." The voice repeated again only this time it was much more hurried and the demand was accompanied by my blankets being unceremoniously ripped off of me once again exposing me to the cruel and unforgiving sun. With the sun's return and the cold air of the room reaching my body I slowly opened my eyes and was met with the same sight I saw every morning. My personal maid Olivia stood there with her arms crossed and an annoyed look etched into her features. I already knew a lecture was incoming but it started before I had a chance to even try and stop it.

"I see my Princess has finally decided to deign the world with her illustrious presence only a mere six hours after the rest of her family." She said.

"Viiiiaaaa." I groaned while sitting up looking at her with the best puppy dog eyes I could muster. "Can't I sleep for just a liiiitle bit longer? My alarm clock hasn't even gone off yet" I complained, barely paying attention to the maid's words. Wait, alarm clock?

"My Lady I haven't the faintest idea what an Alarm Clock is but, what I do know is you have a very busy itinerary for the day and have already wasted all of your free time today sleeping. Now let's get you up and ready or I will triple your etiquette lessons for the next two weeks."

"Fine." I pouted. "You don't have to be mean about it." Swinging my legs over the side of the bed I had to do a small jump onto the floor as I wasn't yet tall enough for my young legs to reach the ground. I was immediately met by the freezing floor shooting what felt like daggers of ice into my bare feet. With a hiss at the sudden sensation I hopped back onto the bed and Olivia let out an exasperated sigh.

"Truly My Lady I do not understand why everything must be a chore with you." She said as she walked to my side and placed a pair of fuzzy white slippers on the floor beneath me. "Now, hurry up." The tone of her voice allowed no room for argument.

"Y-yes Ma'am." I stuttered as I slid my feet into the slippers and followed Olivia towards the standing mirror directly outside the door to my personal wardrobe. Olivia gestured for me to stand in front of the mirror as she entered my wardrobe and remarked.

"My Lady it will take but a moment to collect your outfit for the day. Please do not wander off." I just scoffed at her words and her lack of faith in my ability to follow even simple orders. I passed the time by glancing around my room and taking in the familiar surroundings. My bed dominated most of the space far larger than a child's bed had any right to be and was adorned with intricate designs of silver metal and purple gemstones throughout the frame. across from the foot of the bed and in front of the room's ornate fireplace lay a pair of plush couches flanking either side of a small rectangular table officially for receiving guests. I spent far more time lazing around on those couches than actually receiving guests though. The far opposite corner from where I stood was a bookcase gifted to me by my Elder Brother Casius. The rest of the room was mostly barren save for a dresser here and there, The dressers and walls were home to various knick-knacks and art pieces I had been gifted and expected not only to keep, but also display for potential visitors. The only item that stood out of place in the room was the small wooden practice sword leaning against one of the bed posts. Just as my eyes finished their survey of the room and landed on the sword Olivia returned and squashed any hope I had of doing something I actually wanted to do. Olivia was holding a dress that was far fancier than what I usually wore during my day to day routine. I was surprised and more than a little upset as these types of dresses were way too heavy to be comfortable, not to mention how awkward they made me feel.

"Woah Via I thought I just had lessons today, not anything important?" I asked.

"While you do have lessons today His Majesty has an important announcement to make tonight and you are expected to attend." She answered. "Normally you would have had time to change after your lessons, but since you slept half the day away you'll just have to bear with it. Now, let's get you dressed." She said as she began to remove my pajamas. I gazed into the mirror and watched her reflection as she got to work. Olivia was tall even for a member of the Beast-kin, She had long tan hair that flowed down her back nearly reaching her waist, her facial features were soft and kind almost motherly with emerald green eyes, vertical pupils it was a face that filled my memories for as far back as they stretched. Her Panther ears were pressed tightly to the top of her head and her tail swished back and forth in concentration as she prepared me for the day. I looked at my own reflection and saw my own face, the same one I had seen everyday and yet, it felt strange like I was looking at someone else. My shoulder length pitch black hair was the same, the same sharp features that even at four years old looked androgenous, the same vibrant violet eyes, and the same fluffy wolf ears and tail that belonged to the royal family. It was all so familiar yet strange at the same time. Shouldn't I be blonde? I thought no, that's not right my hair was never blonde no one in my family even has blonde hair where did that come from?

"My lady, you are dressed and your breakf-lunch is on the table, please eat quickly." Olivia said, pulling me out of my own confused thoughts and redirecting my attention elsewhere. Lunch was a simple but, as always delicious affair, a hearty meat and vegetable stew with freshly baked bread it was just what I needed to get my head on straight and prepare for the day, and yet as I finished my meal one thought echoed throughout my head Don't I usually have fast food for lunch?