Amnicity did not find the beginnings of her grand diplomatic mission enjoyable. She thought a carriage would be somehow romantic on a long journey.  Instead, the four walls seemed to become smaller as each moment passed.

Lady Toria's incessant questioning concerning the hues of furs transitioned to a discussion about the detailing she wished to add to her accessories. It made the princess wonder if her lady thought of anything else. Then, Lady Elry would the silence, from Lady Toria finally taking a breath, with an impromptu quiz concerning Preenian customs.

To Amnicity's horror, Lady Elry even became proficient upon the new religious ideas of the Preenian royal family. Not that they are new, Lady Elry had quickly corrected the misnomer by relating their understanding of spirits to the land's indigenous people.

The princess's exasperation could not be kept from her face.   They had stopped to stay at some Lord's house the evening before, and Amnicity had been thankful for a moment of silence within the confines of her own room.  Her ladies required society, and the Princess hoped, for her own sanity, they found some form of diversion, other than questioning her, in Preena.

"You need to practice your diplomacy," Lady Elry sighed, placing her book to the side. "All of this knowledge will be of no use if you cannot even last through one conversation that is not to your liking."

Amnicity pressed her lips together before speaking.  "I have survived many conversations that are not to my preference. If you were not aware, it is part of being a princess."

And your student. Amnicity finished within her head with a small smirk.

Lady Elry shook her head as Lady Toria sniffed away her amusement.

"Is excessively beaded gloves part of being a princess as well?" Lady Toria's eyebrow rose almost mockingly.

"Only the most important ones," Lady Elry smirked.

"Oh," Lady Toria nodded. "Then it is good I am here."

"It is the truth. You both are being cruel," Amnicity muttered.  "I mean, how likely is it that there will be a conversation regarding the reasoning behind why the Konra decided to discontinue the bear ceremonies?"

"You miss the point of knowledge, Princess Amnicity.  It is about understanding your audience.  There is a short distance between biting humor and disrespect. Without adequate knowledge, you could easily fall into the area of disrespect."

"There is also little distance between annoyance and anger," Amnicity muttered.

"An even better reason to tether your tongue," Lady Elry noted.

Amnicity decided it best to put the advice into immediate practice by ignoring Lady Elry.  She turned her focus to Lady Toria. At the moment, Lady Toria's fingers worked upon a glove. The tediousness of such an occupation tired Amnicity. Yet, for Ophie Toria, it seemed to provide peace.

The sliding movement of the needle through the fabric provided a way for Ophie to find peace. The fabric had no expectations. There were no extended discussions on matches or how she could extend the family's power. The most fabric would wish of her is to accessorize it properly. 

"Princess, I think a dark fur will accent your dresses better than a lighter fur. It is truly up to Your Highness, but it is always my wish for the accessories to make a statement."

"What does dark fur state?" Lady Elry queried.

"That Princess Amnicity is not afraid to diverge from the guidelines of color hues demanded of her," Lady Toria responded, observing the detailing upon the glove. "If the Princess is to offend someone inadvertently, it should be with proper style."

"The custom is to wear all white over the winter solace," Lady Elry gasped. "She will look uneducated and disrespectful!"

"Every other article of her clothing will be white," Lady Toria sighed. "Princess Amnicity will stand apart as Princess, and future Queen, of Vetus. If the princess wishes to deviate within reason, it is her decision."

"Within reason?"  Elry's eyebrows furrowed together with concerns.

Lady Toria nodded to Lady Elry.  "Within reason."

"Does the Princess have any say?" Amnicity interjected.

The smirk Lady Elry and Toria shared made Amnicity doubt her choice in the matter. Curses to her mother for this fate.

"Fine. Please educate us on how to act diplomatically when detesting the person or situation," Amnicity sighed with a wave of her hand.

"Do not look upon me," Lady Toria laughed. "You were the one that began this subject."

Lady Elry sighed, stretching her arms before they dropped to her lap.

"It has been some time since I have done this." Lady Elry moved closer to the window. "Lord, help me."

Lady Toria and Amnicity met each other's eyes, quickly smothering their giggles as Lady Elry moved the curtain away and opened the window. Lady Elry sent them a pointed glance, letting a hand fall slightly outside. Amnicity bit the bottom of her lip in agitation on hearing the guards outside the carriage in discussion for a moment. The sound of horse hooves upon dirt prompted Amnicity to regain her composure.

"You beckoned my lady," a guard acknowledged.

"Yes," Lady Elry smiled, composing her nerves. "We were becoming bored during this long journey. Would you be so kind as to provide us with a riddle?"

"Journeys can become tedious. Especially for women who are not accustomed to such trials and difficulties." The guard agreed, turning to the sky in thought.

Amnicity gazed at Lady Elry in wonder as her smile remained unscathed. Her eyes continued to gaze upon the gentleman who had disparagingly spoken to her.  Lady Elry had been seething at James when he said something similar to her.  How did she maintain her composure now?

He turned to her with a smile.  "I'm as precious as a stone and clear as a diamond, but do not last long in the warmth of your hand."

"Oh, that is a difficult riddle." Lady Elry brought a finger to her lip thoughtfully.

Amnicity's lips pressed together in agitation. She had solved the same riddle at the age of eight when Marie told it to her. Yet, Lady Elry seemed impartial to the insult of her intellect as the guard sat slightly taller with a smirk, watching Lady Elry press her lips together in thought. She motioned to speak but quickly closed her mouth, causing the guard to let out a chuckle.

"I can come back later if you need," he teased.

"No, no," she waved away with her hand. "I do believe I have the answer."

"Oh, do you?" He leaned forward on his horse.

Amnicity noticed Lady Elry's feet adjusted slightly underneath her skirts as her hand released and tensed on her skirt.

"I believe so," she repeated with measured words. "Is it ice?"

"It is! You have a good mind, my lady."

"One of my many burdens." Lady Elry agreed. "Thank you for the riddle."

"My pleasure." The guard tilted his head amiably. "Does the lady require another?"

"I believe the one already provided plenty of opportunity for reflection. Thank you, kind sir."

"My pleasure."  The guard bowed his head once again, assessing Lady Elry with a slight gleam in his eye.

The ladies remained in silence as Lady Elry secured the window closed and drew the curtain.

"You hate riddles." Amnicity smirked.

"Especially ones for children," Lady Elry sighed.

"So, keep smiling and only provide the smallest tell within my fingers or feet?"

"That is the easy part," Lady Toria joined into the conversation.

"What is the difficult part?"  Amnicity asked, looking between her two ladies.

"Finding a topic that will make the gentleman believe he is smarter than you, and you can tolerate or feign toleration," Lady Elry sighed. "The reason society functions are not favorable for my disposition."

Amnicity gasped and leaned forward in shock and joy.  "Lady Elry, you do know things about society!"

"Yes, Princess, I once partook in society regularly. However, those times have long passed, and quickly at that. The games became tiring. Thankfully, it provided me some rehearsal for the days to come."

"Be careful, Lady Elry. An eavesdropper may believe you to be bitter. We are about to have a splendid time with-What is that smell?" Amnicity stopped to sniff again and look around them as if the air would suddenly materialize.

Lady Elry shook her head as Amnicity's thoughts faltered. Her amusement only increased, watching Amnicity pull aside the shade to look at the scenery in wonder. Brown bark shot from the ground with such width and height, it would make the largest man feel stunted. In between the substantial trunks, rock infiltrated white dusted soil.

"Lady Toria, I believe you are correct about a dark-furred muff to accessorize the white," Amnicity whispered in a breath that made Lady Toria believe the princess had seen fairies flying by instead of simple trees.

Lady Toria nodded.  "Thank you for your confidence, Princess."

"What are those?" Amnicity asked, leaning her head out of the carriage for a better view.

"Trees," Lady Toria laughed.

"I know that! I meant, what type of tree are they?"

"Pine," Lady Elry smiled. "We are close to the mountain ranges. It should not be long until we are at the border of Preena."

Lady Daphne Elry wished she could partake in the excited squeal of her charge, but those days had passed. She no longer contained those adolescent dreams of a gentleman's hand meeting hers. The choice for this life had been made. No gentleman would prefer a learned lady that tutored royalty. Daphne's father made sure she understood such realities. True, she could add to the conversation when hosting dinners, but knowledge is a gentleman's tool to display supremacy, not his wife's.

A gentleman's wife wore the correct fabrics in the most genteel manner so that every other gentleman would feel jealousy, and every lady, inferiority. Daphne's mother played the part to perfection and beamed when her daughter displayed the same aptitude.

Yet, the initial shine began to dull when Daphne found her bookish nature did not equate to social excellence outside of the ballroom. None of the other ladies wished to debate history or discuss the evolution of etiquette. Though, seeing some of the ladies' faces when she discussed equality amongst peoples entertained her at times. A few even ruined their dresses with red wine when she spoke of Judians and Vetusians being, in essence, the same.  After all, every nation descended from one family tree.

"What are you smirking about, Lady Elry?" Amnicity asked.

"Just some fond memories, Princess."

It would be wonderful to see those ladies now. Not many ladies get the privilege of becoming a personal friend to the monarchy. Well, Lady Toria could share in her new status. Lady Elry even heard that her comrade received the same censure for her divergence from normalcy.

Lady Toria did not have the same fall from grace as Lady Elry had, but every person has reasons for indiscretions. Unfortunately, Lady Elry's boredom with society resulted in displaying herself at functions. It initially caused a laugh and sometimes regret. Fortunately, Queen Christaline and King Valander did not care for such malicious gossip.

"Are you sure they are all fond?" Amnicity questioned, observing Lady Elry's change.

"Just memories, Princess." Lady Elry acknowledged with forced gayety. "Returning to the ballroom has brought about some reflection and excitement."

"It is shocking to think there were moments you were not within grave contemplation upon lessons." Amnicity smiled, leaning back in her seat while drawing the shade closed.

"Oh, cease your jesting, look at how you make her blush! Forgive the Princess, Lady Elry. She does not understand what it is to be ladies within our position."  Lady Toria shook her head.

"You dare speak to the Princess in such a manner?" Amnicity scoffed in mock offense.

Lady Toria shrugged.  "It seems within my reason to do so."

"How so?"

"Well, there are times the Princess's judgment on lace or a shade of white lacked refinement. As for now, it seems Her Highness's boredom has caused her to act a wretch. This, of course, annoys me, which could, in turn, harm the detailing of the Princess's garment. There are important things to consider here, Princess Amnicity: politeness, etiquette... my beading." Lady Toria tutted, shaking her head.

"Practicing not using biting remarks when jokingly censured. Now, what has the Princess learned that could be used when conversing with Konrik Loren?" Lady Elry added.

Amnicity sighed, looking between the two ladies. After a moment, Amnicity turned her gaze to the books beside Lady Elry.

"Did you find any mention of how to define auras?" Amnicity picked up a book.

Lady Elry started before picking up a book with a weathered navy cover.

"No, not in that one. There were some extensive, slightly ridiculous, passages upon the need to be at one with a person's self and bare," Lady Elry rambled, flickering through the pages of another book.

Amnicity nodded.  "Do you think these--"

"Pine trees, Princess Amnicity," Lady Elry supplied with a smile.

"Thank you. Do you think these pine trees have an aura?"

Lady Elry stopped on a page and moved her finger down to find a specific kind.  "That is an interesting question. I know that in here--" 

"Oh goodness," Amnicity expelled, dropping the book beside her. "This technique is quite fatiguing."

Lady Elry's fingers halted as Lady Toria snorted in laughter.

"Then maybe you should partake in your usual mode of learning: daydreaming," Lady Elry quipped, snapping her book shut.

"True, it would be best to envision how beautiful Konrik Loren will find me. A blinding aura is far better than an educated, witty discourse. Especially with a gentleman who smells. Unless, perhaps, the smell does not emote in colder weather." Amnicity tilted her head in thought.

"I would provide a lecture, but I fear the words may cause me to be executed for slander against the crown," Lady Elry muttered.

Amnicity perked up on her seat.  "I can do that?"

Lady Elry sighed, rolling her eyes, returning to her book. She knew this trip would not be to her liking.

The rest of the journey passed in mostly amiable silence.  Amnicity occasionally interrupted the solitude with observations of their environment and excitement of crossing the border into Preena. The ladies acknowledge her observations. Unfortunately, few words of worth could be added about trees, mountains, and the prospect of displaying oneself in society. After all, neither lady considered herself a romantic.

Slowly, the layers on their bodies rose, and Amnicity learned the wonder of abundant ice and snow.

"I see lights," Amnicity whispered.

Amnicity leaned a little further out the window to glance at the approaching city. A tall concrete wall towered above the trees with flickering lights casting shadows of the soldiers on duty. Below she could see the faintest sign of snow and here water slowly moving. Lady Elry had mentioned the Barthus River ran through the city of Fimbriae.

"We are approaching the walls," Lady Elry observed. "Best to put your head back in and close the curtain."

Amnicity nodded, moving her head inside as Lady Elry adjusted the curtain. She almost mourned the loss of not being able to see the city's bridges. Lady Elry showed her their likeness in drawings, and it would have been beautiful to see them in this light. Perhaps they would be able to tour the city at some point.

It could be a good opportunity to get closer to Konrik Loren. Amnicity smirked.

"Princess, here is the correct muff for that dress." Lady Toria helped the Princess into a light brown furred muff before adjusting the princess's gloves. "Good, the beading still shows on the edges."

"Remember to curtsy until Konri Mezio and Konra Lelena address you. Do not forget to apologize for your mother and deliver her letter directly to the Konra."

"Where did the gift go?" Amnicity questioned, analyzing the blankets of fur with her gaze as her ladies searched with their hands.

"Here," Lady Toria responded, holding up a box.

"Splendid," Amnicity sighed. "No, you hold it. We must play our parts."

Lady Elry and Lady Toria watched Amnicity's face become serious as their princess began to rehearse her words. Luckily, they could not see how Amnicity's fingers worked out her nerves on the muff's inner fabrics. The Princess began to feel herself overheat under the layers of clothing.

Dear goodness, she wished her mother had come. The diplomatic side of this mission terrified Amnicity. She only wished to dance and be considered the most elegant lady present. Amnicity had not wanted to be judged upon her political aptitude.

Amnicity rehearsed her training more fervently when they stopped at the castle walls.

"Who do you accompany?" a guard from the wall called down.

"Vetus," James's voice sounded, sending Amnicity's heart into palpations. "Konri Mezio and Konra Lelena graciously invited us to the festivities."

A moment of silence followed, letting the ladies exchange agitated glances. Lady Elry opened her mouth to speak, but before a sound could extend from her voice, the creak of metal could be heard.

Amnicity's fingers became steady within her muff. Her eyes fastened upon the space between Lady Elry and Lady Toria before her. Only Lady Toria displayed the slightest shock at the sound of heavy wood shutting behind them. They were within the Preenian city of Fimbriae and could not falter.

Outside the carriage, Amnicity heard the whispers of persons on the street.

"Stand back." James's voice sounded. "I said move!"

"Put your head down, darlin'," a mother's voice whispered. "That carriage has the Vetus crest. King Valander, Queen Christaline, or Princess Amnicity could be inside."

"A princess, mama?" a young voice questioned in wonder.

Amnicity shifted slightly to release a gloved hand from the muff, but Lady Elry's voice stopped her.

"Do not look," Lady Elry whispered with a reassuring smile. "Let the Konri and Konra reveal you to their people."

Amnicity nodded, pushing her gloved hand back securely into her muff.

"Move!" James dictated once again.

"He sounds very harsh," Lady Toria whispered.

"He would probably prefer the term, important," Lady Elry covered her mouth as the other two ladies observed her in shock.

"La--" The sudden halt of the carriage stopped Amnicity's words.

"I'm Dux Wayden." a male voice sounded. "I was sent by Konri Mezio and Konra Lelena to escort you through the inner walls to Castle Fimbriae."

"Thank you, Dux Wayden." James's voice carried to the carriage. "We would be most appreciative."

The wheels' first turn lurched them forward. The ladies attended to the Princess to make her presentable.  The ladies then swiftly returned to their seats to pay the same attention to themselves.

Princess Amnicity of Vetus felt a new sense of purpose when the carriage made its final stop.

Let it begin.

***

I hope you enjoyed this chapter!  Let me know what you think :)