The nights in Evergloam were just as I remembered. Quiet, dark, peaceful... Childhood memories came gushing into my dreams like floodwater that has broken from its dam. Except this time my friends were with me. They were all in a tent on the floor, a flashlight dimly illuminating the room. Giggles and whispers came from inside. I joined them in their first hour, but the news of Mehrunes Dagon didn't make me as carefree as I usually was. I went to my bed and tried to fall asleep, but the thoughts of Dagon's treachery and my friend's snickering kept me awake. I just laid in bed, eyes closed. I think I fell into a dreamless spark-filled doze, but I jerked awake once I heard michevious laughter. I rose up to a sitting position, rubbing bits of sleep from my eyes, and saw a maid standing in the doorway. Dark rings were around her eyes, indicating that she was exhausted.
"Chocolate.. Milk?" she said drowsily.
"And ice cream," Nexus piped up. Even at... **pausing to check the time** ...1:37 in the morning, he still wore his glasses.
The maid looked aghast. "B- But your majesties, that's the sixth thing you have asked for tonight! I'm s- sorry, but we have no electric blankets, no movies, no Wi-Fi, and what in the name of the Void is chocolate and ice cream?" At that last phrase, Nexus and Hoopa's jaw both fell in dismay, but before they could show her the wonders of food from their dimension, the maid snapped, "And no, I can't massage your feet!"
Sans looked disappointed.
I yawned, and the maid looked up to me. I recognized her now that I could see her better in the candlelight.
"Amelia, you deserve a rest," I said sleepily. "Take the day off. I'm sure my mom would understand." At least, I hoped she did. She just met all my friends that day, but if poor Amelia had to go through my friends bossing her around, she must be stressed. She nodded, glared daggers at Sans, then walked out grouchily. I gave him a hard glance and he shrugged his shoulders innocently.
"You know my mom won't be happy if she finds out," I said after a pause.
"What else are the maids for?" Toby pointed out. "And we're basically kings and queens here! We have rights!"
My hair sparked a bit, but I didn't say a word. I noticed that Zap and Zephyros hadn't said anything. Maybe they didn't want to join in on the others' 'jokes'.
"Just get some sleep." I yawned, and turned over. "I'm tired, and so are the maids."

*~Time Skip~*

My group woke up sooner than I did. Wonder how that happened? They stayed up longer than me. Maybe I was just so stressed that my body decided to shut down to give me a break from life. I stood up, wearing a pale cream-colored nightgown, and walked out of my room. I slouched as I took one step after the other. The guards who passed me gave me a respectful nod, and I forced a smile and waved.
My friends were wolfing down biscuits when I reached the feasting hall. Some looked indifferent(they probably wanted to have something sweeter), but others seemed satisfied with their meal. It wasn't what they were used to, but it mustn't have been terrible. I sat by Zephyros. Zap giggled, covering her mouth with a delicate hand. "Ha! So that's how your hair looks in the morning!" I glanced around, wondering who she could be bantering with, but I realized everyone was looking at me with laughter gleaming in their eyes. I suddenly remembered that I rarely ever walk out of my room without fixing my hair, but I guess there was so much on my mind that I forgot.
Oops...?
"Yep," I said. "A mess, huh?"
"Glory, I'm glad you're finally awake." I looked up to see my mother, Nocturnal, standing before us. Her face was grim. "Now we can discuss the complaints I got from the maids last night."
I glanced at them, mainly Toby and Hoopa, but they acted like they didn't know what Mom was talking about. They looked down at their empty plates, indifferent.
"You should have stopped them," Mom said sternly.
I sighed. I realized that Amelia was staring daggers at me from across the hall. What was she so mad about?! I was the one who helped her!
"I did!" I protested, my hair beginning to glow gold in frustration. "I was asleep, but then I stopped it!"
"A queen should be awake at all times," Nocturnal said airily. "It ought to be easy for you. You're Daedra, after all."
Half Daedra, I hissed in my head.
I bowed my head in defeat. Nocturnal has a long reign for her rule, but of course she would think that her son and daughters would act at least a little bit royal. Keith, I knew, was far from formal like a Prince.
Oblivion walked in. She opened her mouth to call a cheerful greeting, but stopped in her tracks as soon as she saw our mother with stern emerald eyes. She gave me a sympathetic glance before turning tail and walking out.
"You'll learn, Firecracker," Nocturnal said, her voice softening a bit. "You'll lea--"
Then the ground began to shake.
The world was suddenly in flames.