Straw and Apple tried their best to freak Peachtree out, even with her guards on standby, but for some reason Pine seemed to ruin their plans. Every step they took felt rehearsed. Every glance between Straw and Apple carried an unspoken countdown. All Apple wanted to do was throw cow poop on the queen as revenge for pushing him into the mud and laughing, but Pine saved her in every single plan of theirs. Every attempt, Pine appeared. Every time Straw shifted her weight, ready to cause chaos, Pine cleared his throat or stepped in the way like a walking curse.
While Apple and Peachtree were at the front with her short, loyal advisor Fang, along with their guards, the march stayed neat and controlled. The Lords did not accompany them today, they were having a meeting at the mansion with Berryanna. That was the plan all along. Straw was at the back with Pine.
The distance between the front and the back felt intentional. Enough space for trouble to brew. Enough space for Straw to stew.
