One thing that makes life interesting and challenging is the obstacles that it sends us. Another thing is the way people react to it. Some explore the obstacles and embrace them without any complaints. Some just blatantly ignore the obstacle to avoid drama. I happen to make a big exception in this situation. This was because I manage to correctly predict the obstacle that is supposed to come forth. The greatest one being my very own mother. Nothing stands to compare her with anyone else. Even in a critical situation like I was in at the current moment, I could very confidently tell where my Mother's steps would be leading to.
The sword reflected on my face before me as the soldier I had just attacked fell on the ground. The two at my side were the next targets and they didn't last long to put up enough of a fight. I could very easily ward them off and I had their necks under my blade. The fight wasn't over yet but was brutally interrupted by a voice. A voice I wish I could admit that I detested.
"The Queen requests the Princess's presense in her wing as soon as possible." The voice belonged to the Queen's Man. His royal blue clothing set him apart the soldiers and myself in the fighting arena. The sight of him made me drop the sword from the soldier's neck and I huffed from the exhaustion. I stared into his eyes with anguish as I stepped aside towards the side table to tend to my blade.
"You interrutped my practice session again. Could you not see me preoccupied?" I asked the Man. "Or have you made it the vision of your life to pester each time you see this sword in my hand?"
"I apologise, your Highness. But I have been ordered by the Queen to deliver this message to you."
"Hmm. Well, the Queen finds no better time than the first few hours of dawn to interrupt me, don't you think?"
I looked at him for a response of any sort but none came my way. "Please leave, Robert. I have things to get to." I said then trying to keep as less of poison in my words.
My lady's maid, Clara came up to me and gave me a few refreshments before I could continue my practice again. And heaven forbid a woman just wants to live. For the very next moment, my very own mother graced my arena with her footsteps.
"Language, Amber." And there she stood, in her exquisite ballgown that shouted her designation out loud. The Queen Agasta Asnovitch.
Upon her entrance into my personal arena, all of the soldiers bowed as a greeting and I followed along behind. The Queen made a gesture for all the soldiers to leave and so it was just me, Clara, herself and her man. And it was then when I realised that it was the first time she had ever entered this area.
"Your Majesty, welcome to my humble abode." I faked greatly.
The Queen walked further with the expression of disgust on her face. "Humble is too soft a word, is it not? However, what concerns me is your choice of clothing for...." She lingered as she took a very clear look at me. "Heavens, Amber! Whatever are you wearing?"
"Umm, they call these Breeches, Your Majesty." I took a look at them. "I fancied the colour very much. I would like to know your opinion." I questioned genuinely.
"My opinions are not for women in male clothing! And I would like to encourage you to do the same." She rasped. "We will continue this conversation when you look a bit more... presentable and without the grim and dust." And saying so, she walked away.
When I made my exit from the arena and found myself into my bathtub, I could not keep pace of it. Only the hot water bought me back to conscious senses. It was this moment of the day when my thoughts were for myself only. It was quite predictable for me again to know what conversation me and the Queen would have. Her constant defiance with the choice of my hobbies and activities was very visible from the moment she realised my fondness with them. She always tried to ward me away from them and put my interest into more 'pleasurable' pursuits. Marriage has always been the main topic amongst them. Constant splurge of suitors and gentlemen since the day I came off age.
At times, the solace of my thoughts were shared with those of Clara's, for she had just said something that bought me back from the pool of overthinking waters.
"I overheard a conversation between the Queen and the Duchess of Dunwell the other day."
"What about the Duchess of Dunwell and the Queen?" I asked.
"They were talking about arranging a courtship between you and the Duke.....perhaps that is why the Queen seemed so eager for a conversation with you. Whatever do you think will she say though?"
"It ought to be how I can charm him and have his eyes fixated at my bosom at all times." I said lightly.
"Princess! Do not make such cheap statements about yourself. I'm sure he is quite a gentlemen, for I have heard a lot of praise of him." Clara remarked.
"Every person is a gentleman in your eyes, Clara. The Duke or not, just hope that I am not forced with a man thrice my age like Miss Henses did last season."
"Well, Miss Henses is now the Viscountess and she looked very happy the last time I saw her. But she is least of our concerns, atleast the Duke is handsome, is he not?"
"Let's hope I find it so?" And saying so, I splashed some water over her to lighten the mood.
We suspended any conversation that we had to do for the rest of the bathtime and I was soon assisted into wearing the chosen gown and jewelry for the day. Chosen? Yes, it was the Queen who handled my wardrobe from top to bottom at all times. This happen to be the reason why she was so shocked to see me in something she had not approved at all. Even now, when I was not attending any event or ball I was supposed to wander around the palace with glamour that sustained the entire country. At the moment, it was a faint pink ballgown with small delicate earrings and bracelet. I had to agree that the Queen's wardrobe sense was unmatachable so I just went with it.
I grazed my face into the looking glass before proceeding further. I had always thought of myself as a ordinary looking person. My figure was toned, mercy to the combat practising I had been involving ever since I was ten and seven. My countenance was striking rather than delicate and was marked by the clean lines of a resolute jaw. My eyes were deep black and I wondered at times if they were different but I didn't pay much attention to it. My lips neither full nor thin but commented my feline shaped eyes. I was called beautiful by many suitors in the past; but considering everyone in the Ton play pretends, I went with my consiousness thought for it's carrier.
The doors to the tea room were opened and I was greeted with the ever smiling face of the Queen. "Amber! How delightful it is to see you in your full potential away from the disgust." And I could really see the delight on her face. "Um... Thank you, Victor. We would continue this later. I am to break my fast with the Princess today."
Victor was the Army's general and the Duke of Ashforden, a small estate. Him being in the Queen's tea room was utterly bizzare at best. And then I remembered that the Queen and the general shared a close bond, similar to that of mother and son. The Queen shared motherly bond with everyone apart from her own daughter.
The General left shortly as I sat down forth the queen. I was always used to having a very small appetite but I couldn't deny a sitting with the Queen herself. One can only imagine the barricade of taunts. But what interested me currently was the person who had just walked out of the room towards the stairs. Even the most favorite of fruit could not divert my attention from him.
"So, to continue our conversation from the arena. I would like to suggest changes in your daily routine. Where we could replace your 'practice' with something more meaningful. You are welcome to choose from any of these that are presented to you." She ordered one of the many servers, who gave me a piece of paper. "I'd suggest flower arranging as a very nice pursuit for you. What do you think?"
"You wish for me to abandon my combat practice?" I asked.
"Yes, I do. Be grateful that I'm not ordering you. I can force other activities that are suited for you. Combat practicing and fighting is not at all acceptable for a young lady, nonetheless the princess of a kingdom as grand as ours. Do you understand the trouble that may befall us if the King gets any note of your engagements?"
"This activity of mine..." I started, clearly defensive. "Hardly takes up a few hours of early morning. Whatever I do for rest of the day is planned by you as always." I interrupted her words. "Could you just let me be, for a few hours. Be myself!"
"I do not appreciate your tone with me, Amber. Whatever I am doing is for your own good, for you to make a secure choice and therefore securing your future." The Queen urged angrily.
"I am twenty and five, your majesty. I am old enough to make a choice for myself." I said and dropped the napkin on my plate of food. "If you only knew, that I never have breakfast. The first meal for me is lunch." And saying so, I left the room abruptly, Clara behind me, at my heels.
The figure of the General was just disappearing from the last staircase from where after that, I would lose at a chance of conversation with him.
"Wait here." I said to Clara.
"Your Grace!" I half-shouted. "I need a minute with you." That made him stop.
I reached with him and gave a smile as a greeting. "Are you having a good morning?"
His eyes met mine and he replied, "Yes. How about you?"
"Pretty good. It's been wonderful." I faked. I looked at all sides of our position in stading just so to confirm no one was eavesdropping. The topic that I wanted to talk about needed whispers and secrecy beacuse it would be scandalous if someone had any knowledge of this.
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