Isolation did not bother Princess Amnicity. The break from staff entering and leaving provided her time to read without distraction. On important days, like today, these moments calmed her nerves and mind.

She had tried to convince herself not to be nervous about her debut to society this evening. The feeling stemmed from her father, King Valander's, constant paranoia seeping into her veins. He did delay her entrance by two years because of it. Apparently, a few hate letters and death threats had him concerned about her safety. Usurpers are really the worst.

Amnicity's hand unconsciously clenched on the sides of her book.

What if the people reject me? Father said Grandfather worked hard to show our line's legitimacy. But what if they revolt? The letters prove that some people are like Grandmother after a few glasses of wine. But then again, she did say I was light enough. She just did not always tether tongue about Father.

The words on the page became unfocused, and Amnicity felt her teether clinch together. After a moment, she shut her eyes.

Do not venture there today, Nici. You do not need to dwell on those types of matters.

Sighing, Amnicity turned the page of her novella.

Just be at peace knowing your romance can begin tonight. All you have to do is make an acceptable match. Then, there will be no fear of having to detach someone's head from their body. Or worse, no, not today, Nici. Not today.

She knew of politics. As an heir to Merce, her father has been a wise and forgiving ruler. He even stopped her grandfather from putting some men to death for their less than admirable thoughts of him. Adamant that the people simply needed time. Then, of course, they reminded everyone of the large army waiting to sail across to punish them if anything happened to father.

Politics. A little bit of forgiveness and a little bit of a slap. But, can I do it?

Amnicity's eyes ventured from her novella to the notes her tutor provided, laying on her day desk. Her tutor believed Amnicity could be more than the women before her. Queen Christaline had stepped to the side for her father to rule the land. A ball of unease and bitterness filled her heart. Amnicity turned back to her novella.

I will be able to talk to them about frivolous matters easily. It is not like we will be making trade deals while waltzing. I am not Father. There is no need to be foolish.

Soft murmurs in the hall provided the only indication of such an audience at the moment. Soon her handmaid Marie would return, expecting Amnicity to be reviewing her notes.

Amnicity pulled the notes closer and shut her book with a sigh. "There is no need for any of Marie's chiding today."

"Princess," Marie's voice called from the doorway, accompanied by a soft knock.

Amnicity swiftly shut the novella within her day desk before picking up the notes.

"Yes, Marie?" Amnicity could feel a blush staining her cheeks, trying to discern the written words before her.

Marie's brown eyes were warm as she held a small parcel in her hands. "A present has arrived from the Queen Mother and King of Merce."

Amnicity only had fuzzy memories of her paternal grandmother and uncle. They did not enjoy their time in Vetus on earlier visits, so most communication came through letters.

Amnicity smirked. I am sure there were words over what 'queen' meant for a foreign power.

Ancient teachings allowed for Vetus to be the only king and queen. The rest could rule lands but would always be subservient. Amnicity almost scoffed aloud at the notion, but this is her inheritance.

This land has me, prisoner, to my own circumstance. Her hands clenched onto the pages of her notes as she eyes the gift Marie held warily. I am forever of two lands.

After a moment, Amnicity placed the notes on her desk softly and walked to Marie.

"Not even a pink ribbon." Amnicity scoffed, disregarding the letter and packaging to the floor. "A journal? How quaint."

Marie swiftly collected the packaging and letter as Amnicity disregarded the journal onto the day desk.

"Princess, you should not be so disrespectful of your gifts or relations. This note feels extensive," she chided.

"Yes, I am sure she spent hours reflecting upon the wisdom she could provide for a granddaughter she hardly knows." Amnicity waved her away, pulling aside the blinds filling the room with light, and providing her access to the balcony doors.

She softly turned the brass knobs engraved with birds and roses, pushing the doors open. The air seemed less polluted once Amnicity escaped her room. Her bare feet welcomed the warm marble of the balcony that overlooked the garden she inherited from her late grandmother.

Vetus led the movement to transition from archaic castle designs to palaces. An indication of the stability and lack of strife within the Vetusian borders. Amnicity knew enough of Vetusian politics to understand that a lack of bloody battles did not mean they were without conflict.

Tonight could be the start of another if the people did not like what they see.

Her hands tensed on the balcony when her grandmother's voice filtered into her mind saying, "fair enough" with that tone. Amnicity's lightly tanned complexion, light brown hair, and amber eyes did seem to please people. She had never been called ugly.

At least I am not ugly. I may be able to marry well and keep the peace.

Amnicity's thanksgiving for her personal aesthetics in a world of bigots became interrupted by the observation of a gentleman wearing an ostentatious forest green jacket within her garden.

The gentleman should have been more attentive to his fashion if wishing to trespass. His dark hair and tanned complexion complimented the shade but provided little camouflage when amongst pink and red hues. Such careless disrespect from a guest caused a wave of indignation.

"You are trespassing upon the princess's garden! Leave at once!"

Amnicity's scream quickly turned into a gasp on seeing the dark-haired gentleman's head turn towards her position. She swiftly sat down to hide behind the railing of the balcony. Society demanded that she did not show her face until this evening, and she remained too much of a romantic to break this rule.

Perhaps she would have done better to call for the guards to handle the matter instead of being so brazen. She vaguely recalled a lecture regarding the importance of thinking about actions before completing them.

"Pardon the intrusion, my lady," the gentleman's humored, resonant voice called in an accent Amnicity's flaming ears were not accustomed to.

Letting curiosity overpower sense, Amnicity peeked through the etchings of the marble balcony.

"Please forgive my trespassing. The garden seemed a good place to hide from the dullness of the welcoming ceremony. I did not know these gardens belonged to the princess. By chance, do you know if this is an offense punishable by death? If not, murdering a dragonfly in the princess's garden must be."

The sound of crunching gravel sped Amnicity's heart as her nails turned white against the balcony floor.

A small chuckle left him before he continued. "Though, in defense of my life, the dragonfly flew too close to my face. It required swift reprimanding. Instinct simply made it harsher than expected."

Amnicity's lip went between her teeth, stifling her laughter.

"Princess, what are you doing? You will surely soil your dress!" Marie yelled through the open doors.

Amnicity looked up in shock at her maid standing in the doorway. "Marie! Shh! There is a gentleman in my garden," she hissed.

Marie rolled her eyes before placing a cautious step on the balcony. "Oh, you foolish girl! You wish to kill my heart by making me go out on this terrifying-no gentleman is there!"

"What? Are you sure?" Amnicity turned to peek her head over the railing.

"Am I sure? As you can see, princess, he is not there. Now hurry. We must place your lace. King Valander wishes to speak with you." Marie tutted while moving back into the princess's chambers.

Amnicity slowly relaxed her furrowed eyebrow as she scanned below her.

"Princess!" Marie called from within her room.

"Yes, Marie." Amnicity nodded, rising and walking into her room.

Little fuss followed as Marie placed the white lace upon Amnicity's head.

"Only one more day," Amnicity whispered with a smile, fingering the material of her dress.

"Only a few more hours." Marie corrected, taking Amnicity's hands to squeeze them lightly. "Then, you will be revealed to society. Now hurry to His Majesty's study. We must begin your preparations soon."

Amnicity let a steady breath out through her nose as she began her measured steps through the hall towards her father's study. She willed her mind not to think of the reasons why he would want to see her. Amnicity could not recall doing anything wrong this week.

She stopped outside two large wooden doors flanked by two guards.

"Princess," the guard on the left bowed, opening the door for her.

"Thank you, Guard Praven."

The door opening caused her father's advisor, Sir Henry, to close the blinds behind her father's desk. Amnicity hurriedly discarded the lace to the ground without the proper ceremony when the final rays of sunlight were removed.

She let out a sigh as she moved to sit down in a chair. "For all your talk of tradition, dictating no gentleman should see me before my debut, you never spoke of how warm the lace would be."

Her mother, Queen Christaline, sat on the armrest of her father's chair, reading over his shoulder. Christaline's green eyes turned to her daughter, and Amnicity almost envied the style her mother's dark blonde hair had been put in today.

"You are lucky we have only made you wear it today. Your grandmother made me wear the torture chamber for the full year before my sixteenth birthday." Christaline's eyes twinkled on seeing Henry's chiding glance towards her daughter while picking up the lace. "Thank you for caring for the lace, Henry."

"Oh, yes, thank you, Henry." Amnicity smiled insincerely. "You called?"

"Yes, we did. I believe that is the fastest you have ever answered a summons," Valander's brown eyes laughed, glancing up from the letter in his hands.

"It is proper for a princess to answer promptly when summoned." Amnicity recited from the lessons of her finishing tutor.

"Yes, well, it is nice to see Lady Faye's lessons from three years ago are finally being put into action." Valander quipped, making his daughter blush. "Ouch, woman, do not pinch me!"

Christaline removed the offending hand from her husband's arm. "It is not right to tease your daughter today!"

Amnicity nodded with a smirk. "Mother is right, Father. I take my studies seriously."

Valander scoffed. "Yes, that is exactly the report I have received."

"The damage is slightly less than before," Christaline whispered while scanning the paper in front of her.

"Damage?" Amnicity furrowed her eyebrows.

"Another raid took place along the southern border," Valander sighed.

Amnicity gasped. "By who?"

He shrugged with a frown. "We are unsure."

"Are we readying ourselves for war?" Her excited voice hitched slightly.

War romantics always spoke of heroes wooing a lady's heart during the battles, and, as the Princess of Vetus, her heart would be the most prized of all.

Her mother's gasp brought Amnicity back to reality.

"Do not look so eager for your people to die," Christaline chided.

Amnicity had the grace to blush. "Sorry, Mother."

The room fell into silence apart from King Valander's writing.

"Did the welcoming ceremony go well?" Amnicity asked, hoping to ease the tension

"It did," Christaline nodded.

The princess shifted slightly in her chair while looking at her parents. "Were there many suitable gentlemen there?"

Valander sighed. He opened a drawer of his desk before passing a small bag of coins to his wife. "You know your daughter far too well. It went well, and there are many proper gentlemen to dance with this evening. Your mother planned the affair with all the required extravagance."

Valander sealed the letter by placing his seal upon it. "Henry, be sure the High General's Council receives these orders in a somewhat sober state. The orders need to be executed before next week."

"Of course, Your Majesty." Henry nodded, walking over to receive the parchment.

"Do you think that is possible?" Amnicity let the last part leave with a slight giggle.

Valander scoffed with a raised eyebrow as his wife instinctively rubbed his back softly. He shook his head. "Do not concern yourself with those politics. There are things we must discuss before the festivities this evening." Valander organized the papers upon his desk. "Darling, please explain."

"Of course, my dear." Christaline kissed him softly on his head before walking to sit beside Amnicity.

"What more is there to discuss? I have been practicing and reviewing my notes." Amnicity defended, rising slightly in her chair.

"You have been doing remarkably well, my dear. However, these scuffles on the border make your debut less of a celebration and more of a diplomatic mission," Christaline stated with a wave of her hand, causing Amnicity to be distracted momentarily by her mother's bracelet.

"That is so pretty, Mother. Where did you get it?"

"Oh, this? The piece is from my dowry, bestowed by—Amnicity focus!" Christaline scolded with clenched fists.

Amnicity curled back slightly in her chair. "Mother, I do not know how I can stop raids on the border at a ball. Did I miss a lesson in my training?"

Valander snorted, making Amnicity smirk. "Her reasoning is sound, Christa."

"Shush, no, it is not. Amnicity, this evening may be slightly tense due to our relations with Jude as of late. So, you must use your lessons to charm the person they sent and make them believe we do not suspect their involvement."

"You have invited Jude, the heathens of the south?" Amnicity's volume increased unconsciously before pausing to add. "Do we?"

"Do not say such things! They are our neighbors and a legitimate government. We are in no place to avoid them," Christaline sighed.

"Father, I learned of what Suzerain Abran did to gain power." Amnicity turned to her father in hopes he would see some form of reason.

"His actions are not mine to judge. We must perform our duties," Valander responded in a tone that left no room for a rebuttal.

His daughter sighed, studying the carpet for a few moments. "What is it you wish me to do?" Amnicity asked cautiously, lifting her head to assess her mother's face.

Christaline smiled, soothingly rubbing her daughter's arm. "To simply not be perturbed by any whispers or ill-feelings this evening. Spirits do have a way to carry ladies' and gentlemen's wits away from them. If you remain calm throughout the festivities, the rest of the party will as well. We must show ourselves to be a family of class and honor."

The snort elicited from her husband countered the passion of her speech. "He did not show much honor," Valander muttered.

Amnicity looked between her parents. "Who?"

"That is nothing for you to worry about, Nici. Simply enjoy the evening as it is your right to do." Christaline smiled, gathering her daughter's hands into her own. "Do not reject a single gentleman's wish to dance until he asks for a third."

The princess nodded. "Yes, Mother."

"Henry," Valander called.

Amnicity did well to contain her amazement on finding that Henry had already silently returned into the room. His stealth perturbed her sometimes.

"Yes, Your Highness?" Henry bowed.

"Be certain Amnicity's cardholder does not let her stand more than three times with the same gentleman. Where did the—oh yes. Here is the beginning of her evening." Valander stated, holding a dance card out for Henry's collection. "The first dance is vital, my dear."

Amnicity laughed. "The first dance is to be with you."

"Yes, my dear, it is your most important one. I have spent far too long behind this desk. So, you have to make me look proficient," he winked.

"Oh, Father." Amnicity sighed, rising to cross behind the desk to her father. She kissed him softly on his head. "All eyes will be upon me, so it will hardly matter what your feet do. Just do not step on my slippers because they are beautiful and could become my favorite pair. Henry, please help me with my lace."

"She is your daughter." Christaline laughed, watching the reddened hue abate on her husband's cheeks.

"Are you not going to ask about the next two dances?" Valander asked as his daughter stood motionless for Henry to don the lace on her head.

"Politics do not intrigue me, Father." Amnicity sighed, nodding for Henry to open the door as Christaline and Valander shared a guarded glance.

Amnicity did not want to know if she danced with a Judian next. The idea of dancing with a man who gained power by beheading his brother perturbed her. It is best not to know.

But, what if it is simply the man's son? A soft voice asked in her head.

Best not to know. Amnicity assured herself and the voice.

"Oh, stop your daydreams!" Marie hissed.

Amnicity's eyes and mind reoriented to her quarters as Marie removed the lace from her head.

"Quickly, we need to get you washed. There is not much time," Marie fussed, starting to undress the princess.

Amnicity nodded, catching sight of a pearl gown lying across her bed. Only a few more hours remained to hide behind adolescent inconspicuousness.

The preparation for her debut quickly became torturous. Marie's scrubbing turned her skin red. Then, the maid confined her to a chair to style her hair with flowers and pearls.

"I told you not to move." Marie hissed, using Amnicity's hair to righten the princess's head.

Amnicity winced. "The sun is almost gone."

"Do not worry. We will be done soon. Oh, do not make that face. That could hardly be termed a tug," Marie scoffed. "Just two more pearls to put in."

Amnicity's feet tapped on the floor. "The dress looked pretty."

Marie made an odd noise in response. "Yes, your mother worked on it with a young seamstress from the city."

Amnicity nodded, watching Marie in the mirror as she stepped back to evaluate her creation. She paused for a moment to meet Amnicity's eyes in the mirror.

Marie's hands grasped tightly onto Amnicity's shoulders, smiling. "Let us put on your dress."

Amnicity delight reverberated off the walls as she rose from her chair. Each piece of her garment increased her confidence. The pearl-colored gown had genuine pearls sewn into the bodice of silk and lace, matching her slippers perfectly.

Marie allowed Amnicity to briefly glimpse her reflection before placing the white lace on the princess's head. Hands then ushered the princess from her room towards the entrance hall. Her veiled eyes watched the splashes of color paint a beautiful sunset in the sky.

As she neared the great hall, the clicks of her heels became drowned by the sounds of the stringed musicians. The music soon became accompanied by voices. Amnicity's hands instinctively gripped the sides of her dress to feel the cool silk on her heated skin. As a Princess of Vetus, she could do this.

You were born for this. A voice reassured the princess.

"Wait here, Princess." Henry touched her shoulder.

His propriety hindered him from accompanying his words with comfort. Instead, Henry's golden brown eyes moved beyond her, watching the sun continue its journey.

"Is the hall beautiful?" Amnicity whispered.

He nodded. "Yes, Princess, it is."

"Grandmother said, at my grandfather's ceremony, they opened the grand doors that led into the royal gardens. Would it not be lovely to dance under the stars, Sir Henry?" Amnicity's quick words gave away her nerves as she watched the sun.

"Yes, it would, Princess," he responded as a solider in golden regimentals snorted beside him.

Amnicity's head snapped towards the man, glaring at him through the lace.

"If you are sick, I could relieve you of your duties," Amnicity hissed.

The soldier instantly returned to attention under the smirking gaze of Henry.

"It is only a few minutes longer, Princess," Henry whispered. "Retract your claws until you are in a real battle."

The princess adjusted her shoulders. "My debut will not be a campaign."

Henry leaned towards the princess to whisper. "Do you remember King Valander's instructions?"

Amnicity pressed her lips together before speaking. "Yes, Sir Henry."

"Good, it is time." Henry nodded for the soldiers to open the doors.

Henry motioned for Amnicity to pause her journey towards the door. Instead, the soldiers moved through them without glancing in their direction.

Henry whispered, "Remember to breathe, Princess." Then he motioned for her to walk through the doors.

Henry would never know the small smile his comfort caused. He only heard a slow hiss being expelled as he watched the princess walk away.

Amnicity started slightly at the thundering sound of heavy doors closing. The chatter ceased around her, and she could feel their stares on her. She refused to let nerves overwhelm her. Amnicity focused on the Vetus emblem, a golden crescent moon surrounded by four stars with a red background, hung behind her parents' head. Between them would be an empty chair where she would sit. For one evening, she would be the center of attention. Well, once this damn walk finished.

When Amnicity reached the edge of her parents' small rectangular table, she fell into a low curtsey with her head bent to look at the white lace shrouding the floor. Wood creaked, followed by footsteps. Amnicity willed her heart to steady as the seconds passed at an agonizingly slow pace.

Amnicity exhaled as the lace disappeared from her vision. A moment later, she heard the sound of a wooden chest being opened. It seemed a new breath found her when she felt the weight of gold and jewels on her head.

Your birthright and destiny. The voice whispered in Amnicity's mind. May they be kind to you.

The odd words left a lightness and confidence in her heart. This is mine.

"Rise, Princess Amnicity of Vetus." King Valander ordered, offering his hand.

Amnicity's smiling eyes rose to meet his, taking his hand to stand. King Valander passed Amnicity's left hand to Queen Christaline, who softly kissed Amnicity's cheek before turning her to meet the masked faces of their guests.

"We present our daughter, Princess Amnicity of Vetus," Valander's announcement became drowned by applause.

Amnicity never thought such a rush would accompany her acceptance as the violin's first strum began. Her eyes roamed the room and accidentally settled upon a dark-haired gentleman. His tanned skin attested to hours spent in the sun, and the fit of his forest green jacket suggested many of those hours involved some form of physical exertion. An uneasy feeling formed inside her stomach as he sipped his wine without breaking eye contact.

The gentleman from the gardens.

Amnicity provided him a polite smile. Mother did demand diplomacy and composure.

***

What are your first impressions of Amnicity?  And, what is going on with this guy in the garden?  It can't be too bad to have a hot guy just hanging around... well, hopefully.  

Thank you for reading! :)

Last Edited: 7/11/21