"Victor, have you the information I need?" I asked in a small voice.
He looked at me and proceeded, "Not yet. It is taking much more time than I expected it would."
"How much more, it's been weeks! I've told you I need them as soon as possible and all you've been doing is giving me excuses."
"I am trying my best, Your Highness. It isn't a breeze to extract classified information from the Royal Archives. Especially, right behind the King's back." He explained.
"I do not give a simple ounce of how difficult it is for you, you are the Army General. It should be your moral right to access the Royal Archives as per your wish." I rasped.
"I've told you multiple times before this as well Amber," he started, agitated himself. "Whatever you are doing is very wrong and I still encourage you to think otherwise. If someone gets note of this, both of us would fall into deep trouble."
"Whenever that time comes, I am sure that both of us would be smart enough to save our necks. If you are too timid for this, just say the word and I'll get it done by myself."
"As per the rules of Asnovitch, one can only access the Royal Arhcives on the order of the King. If we are to go against that, that would be considered treason-"
"Just say the word, Victor. I am done with this type of interaction that I have with you always." I interrupted.
"Amber, I am concerned for you. You should not be doing this." Victor urged.
"Word, Victor." I croaked.
He looked at me with truthful concern in his eyes. There were times when his gaze would discomfort me but perhaps he was too emotional of a person.
"Ambe-" he started but I had had enough. "Forget it." I had just started to walk away from him and his way of manipulating ideas when he took hold of my arm softly.
"Please, Princess. Don't do it. I'm begging you." He said.
"You don't get to make that decison for me, Your Grace." And that was the last straw. I knew he would no longer help me. I would have to figure what I require on my own.
My steps found myself back towards where Clara was standing with a head as hot as a coal. She looked at me, expecting me to say something except there was nothing to be said.
"Whatever did he say, Your Highness?" She asked. "Until when should we expect to get the information from the Archives?" She withered on and about with question. "Did he tell you the pla-"
"Shut it Clara!" I rasped at her.
I had to think something. Something that could get me into the Royal Archives and hands on the sheets of paper. The Royal Archives can only be accessed on the demand of the King. Demand of the King. The King.
"Clara." I said to her who had fell very silent. "Arrange for my lunch to be with the King today. It seems as if it is him who needs convincing."
___
The long dining table was laid with dishes known to the Nth level of mankind. Roasted chicken with assorted vegetables. Meat braised in curry and bread ready to be indulged with butter that would melt in a second. Finely chosen and picked sea animals also made an appearnce with its delicious sweet meat waiting to be consumed. Desserts too many to count and too luscious to handle. All of it was done in favor of one liberty. Or perhaps a request. A request that needed convincing.
On one end of the table was a chair for me and the other for His Majesty. The wait for his arrival was undeniably long and tiring; for it had been quite long since I was already here. "Are you sure the King agreed to this request?" I asked the Head Server.
"I believe so, Your Highness. His Majesty should be on his way here." He replied.
I need not wait too long after that. For the doors to the dining hall opened with a low groan as the King stepped inside. His cloak hung loosely over his shoulders, and a trace of weariness clung to his face. The room, usually lively with chatter and clinking sliverware, which was adorned by his many acquaintances was quiet.
I had myself sit straight, hands folded neatly in my lap. I glanced up at him, expression unreadable, as he walked in. His steps were steady but unhurried, the heels of his boots tapping softly against the stone floor.
He offered a brief nod in my directon before taking his seat across from me. I got up from my seat and paid my respects. "Your Majesty. I thank you for joining me for today's meal."
"I'm always glad to join you any time you wish to." He said with a small smile and some warmth in his voice. "However, where is the Queen and your siblings?" He questioned.
"I wondered if we could have this meal with just the two of us. Why should we intrude upon there activities. Additionally, I have a request. A bequest. Rather." I started.
"Intrude? That's nonsense, Amber. Whatever do they do the entire day, anyway? I'll have them called hastily." His words hit like thorns on my skin.
And soon enough, my siblings had joined in with us, much to my displeasure. My youngest sister, Ruby was the only one amongst them whose presence I didn't have to tolerate. Because unlike the 'Male favorites', we shared a bond with one another. I dotted on her greatly. But in this case, even she wasn't welcome.
The other products of my parents apart took their seats after greeting the King. The Queen failed to grace us with her company. Maybe not failed, purposely missed after the disastrous of a arguement that we had had.
After we all had been served and started on with our meal, I tried to find a perfect moment in which I could give in my proposition.
"Your Majesty, I was wondering the other day.....you are forever so engaged with the duties of the kingdom and since..." I lingered on. "I sit around all day, idle in this big of a palace... I could be of great use."
"What use? Like counting the rooms in here? I assure you, the servants have them already, you need not worry." Willius, the second eldest spoke up with his voice that I constantly found similiar to that of a pig.
'What I mean by, Your Majesty," I overlooked his ridiculous comment. "I can help around with managing the paper sheets, keep them organised and decorated, perhaps? Perhaps the sheets of the Royal Archives?"
"Decorated paper sheets? What use will that be?" He repeated.
"Whatever use His Majesty wants to be done. Just some tension off his shoulders." I said, my resolution a bit faltered by Willius's involvement.
"Your help will be as similar to that of being assisted by a ginger cat. Too senseless to be of some USE. Do you know the alphabets that lie in our language?"
"I might not." I tried to keep myself calm even if I was tempted too much otherwise. "But-"
"Willius is correct." The King said which hit me with a pause. "The Royal Archives are very confidential. Even if you cannot understand them, it can pose a risk of exploitation."
"Father, I think what Sister says is quite practical. I can read quite well and I will be the most responsible for the information." Ruby interrupted. She was denied as well.
"Your Majesty, this would be a bequest. I must find something to fill my time with. This would be a great fav-"
"ENOUGH!" The King shouted. "I will not have you talk about these things again! You are too fulfill the duty to your kingdom by securing a good match and getting rid of yourself away from my eyes!" He said. "IS THAT UNDERSTOOD?" His anger physically shook me.
"Yes, Your Majesty. That is understood." Was all I said and continued eating my meal in silence to avoid any further conflict.
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