Amnicity stared at the ceiling. The frigid air prevented any notion from leaving the bed. She had tried to be brave earlier. Her hand reached beyond the layers of furs to ring her bell but quickly retracted back into the warm shell she created. So, she laid there, staring at the ceiling, contemplating upon the previous evening with the Preenian monarchs.

***

The previous evening, Konri Mezio received them jovially into the room while Konra Lelena flittered between conversations. Konra Lelena settled upon them after a few moments.

"You look well, Princess Amnicity." Konra Lelena smiled. "How are the King and Queen?"

"They are well." Amnicity smiled. "But, my mother is greatly disappointed that she was unable to attend. She sends her most sincere apologies."

"Things do happen," Lelena sighed. "Konrik Loren has told me that you both have been discussing auras in your letters. Have you been practicing meditation for long?"

Amnicity had taken a long sip of her wine before engaging the Konra in discussing meditations and auras. That is until Suzerain Zakarus joined the conversation with his cousin, Suzera Irina.

"Are the two of you discussing auras?" Suzerain Zakarus started. "My cousin, Suzera Irina, is fascinated by them."

"Oh, yes!" Konra Lelena almost gushed. "I was hoping to discuss auras with the suzera as well this evening. How splendid for our paths to cross!"

"Have you practiced a lot of meditation?" Amnicity asked the suzera, trying to ignore James's gaze.

"Not for long." Suzera Irina sighed. She held her wine glass delicately. "I started about a month ago following his suggestion. It was not until we arrived here a few days ago that I really began to understand the practice."

"I hear the masters speaking your praise." Lelena smiled.

"She has always been quick to learn new skills." Suzerain Zakarus nodded. "Did Konrik Loren not mention wanting to speak with you about one of his latest reflections, Irina?"

Suzera Irina met her cousin's gaze for a moment before quickly nodding. "Yes, he did. Konra Lelena, would you mind helping me to find him? I am afraid of being considered rude if I interrupt one of his conversations."

Konra Lelena turned to where her son stood, talking with a man in a uniform. Amnicity took a sip of her wine to keep her comments regarding their rudeness for interrupting their conversation to herself.

"Oh yes," Lelena sighed. "That is one of our older generals. I should accompany you."

Amnicity turned to exchange a small glance with Lady Toria as Suzerain Zakarus remained standing there. Any support they would have offered became halted by two young men engaging her ladies in conversation.

"You look well, Princess," Zakarus finally stated.

"Thank you, Suzerain Zakarus." Amnicity smiled. "It is good to know that the journey has not made me look too tired."

"Or perhaps I always think you look well." He shrugged, taking a step towards her. "Have your feet recovered for tomorrow evening?"

Amnicity did not know if it was James's gaze or Zakarus's comment that made her heart clench. Perhaps it was simply the wine or Zakarus's scent filling her senses. His shoulder brushed hers, sending an electric current through her arm.

"You are very kind, Suzerain. Yes, I do believe my feet have recovered nicely since we last met. Is this your way of procuring a dance with me tomorrow?" She met his eyes with a smile and did not bother to take a step away from him. For some odd reason, it felt right to be so close to him.

***

A groan escaped the Princess's lips as she threw the covers over her head. They had flirted. Under James's intense gaze, Amnicity had flirted with Suzerain Zakarus. How inept is she at political relations that she already complicated matters? All he needed to do was brush his fingers against hers for people to really begin to wonder about their relationship.

Amnicity did not need to think of Suzerain Zakarus or the dancing that would take place this evening. She had forgotten all about his witty repartee and impropriety when dancing. All of which would most likely be unavoidable tonight and would only become more compromising under the gaze of High General Lessure.

But, Suzerain Zakarus's eyes when I amuse him. And the soft laugh, and his smell. No! Nici, stop this!

Amnicity did not need a Suzerain Zakarus complication in her life right now. It was almost fortunate the Korak Fallyn decided to join their conversation. The Korak provided an opportunity to change thoughts towards dresses, muffs, and auras. Basically, all the reasons that Amnicity was here.

"I will be a proper princess. I will be brave," she whispered to herself.

Amnicity shot her hand out from underneath the warm cocoon of reflection to ring her bell for assistance with a groan. The day would begin, and the games would begin.

It did not take long for three maids to enter the room with Lady Toria and Lady Elry. Lady Toria, of course, carried new accessories, including a shaw and a pair of gloves. After Korak Fallyn questioned the need for both gloves and a muff, Lady Toria became determined to make Her Highness beyond fashionable.

***

"A simple Korak will not belittle us," Lady Toria muttered to Princess Amnicity after Korak Fallyn walked away the evening before.

"We agree, Lady Toria." Amnicity raised her glass slightly to Lady Toria while sharing a smirk.

Her gaze unconsciously narrowed when she saw Korak Fallyn place a hand on Suzerain Zakarus's arm.  This lady really irritated her nerves.

***

Lady Elry brought Amnicity back to the present as she spoke.

"Today, there is a tour of the garden." Lady Elry observed the dresses Lady Toria pulled from Princess Amnicity's wardrobe. "So we are not limited to white."

"What flowers are in bloom?" Lady Toria queried, tilting her head at the gowns before her.

"The blue one. The pink one looks too juvenile. Next time, the shade should be more of a dusty pink. Excuse me, what is your name?" Amnicity smiled towards a maid, shivering a little less as the once small fire grew enough to warm her room.

"Jeana, Princess Amnicity." Jeana smiled, curtsying slightly while helping Amnicity remove her sleeping gown.

Amnicity provided a polite nod. "Ms. Jeana, where is breakfast to be served?"

"There is no set place, Princess," Jeana responded, helping Amnicity into her gown. "The Konri's family is still receiving guests and so are unavailable until the garden tours."

"Ah," Amnicity nodded. "Ms. Jeana, would you be so kind as to send for our breakfast?"

"Of course. Princess." Jeana curtsied.

"Pardon, Princess." Lady Elry interrupted, eyeing the blue dresses.

"Yes, Lady Elry?" Amnicity sighed, already feeling annoyance.

"We are not limited to white. However, it is assumed every lady will wear some shade of it. Did you not bring five white dresses for the occasion?" Lady Elry ventured, her tone teetering between concern and lecture.

Amnicity pressed her lips together while turning to look at her reflection within the mirror.

"That is true. It is sad, really. I had been determined to make this my favorite dress." Amnicity waved the blue dress away with a sigh. "These festivities will drive me to hate white."

"If the Princess wore this dress, we could accessorize it with blue ribbon." A brunette maid smiled, holding up the ribbon.

"She would look juvenile," Lady Toria scoffed, throwing the ribbon behind her. "Though the dress could do nicely, and we could lace the ribbon through the Princess's hair."

"So we need the ribbon?" the brunette maid whispered, her eyes conveying her fear of Lady Toria.

"Yes. Did you not just hear me?" Lady Toria's curt tone made Amnicity's eyes widen.

The princess would be sure not to speak to Lady Toria at this moment. Instead, she followed the directions provided so she could be dressed. Then, with only a slight hesitation, did the Princess sit in a chair to have her hair attended to by Lady Toria. Every so often, Amnicity's eyes would drift to Lady Elry, who sat on a chair, writing in a journal before scrutinizing her words.

"What is it that makes you so taciturn?" Amnicity asked.

"Do not move your head," Lady Toria hissed, moving Amnicity's head back to where she wished. "We are almost done."

Amnicity heard some soft muttering about making juvenile lace fashionable.

Lady Elry paused to look up at her.  "Just some notes on what I wish to discuss following last evening's festivities. It would not be good to discuss such things while Lady Toria is working."

"Take your time," Amnicity whispered to Lady Toria.

Lady Elry could only send a glare to silence the giggling maids. Well, before they were scared into submission by Lady Toria demanding pearls.

"No, not the white pearls. The black ones," Toria hissed.

Amnicity's humor at contemplating the possibility of a puddle of piss forming upon the carpet transformed into pain when Lady Toria pulled at her hair again. Thankfully Ms. Jeana arrived with breakfast to transition her thoughts to something more appealing. Amnicity watched Ms. Jeana place it upon the breakfast table before moving three chairs to enclose it.

Lady Elry closed her journal and moved to settle herself at the table.

"Food will come with patience," Lady Toria hissed.

Amnicity glared in the direction of Lady Elry.

The Princess loved the hairs upon her head too much to let her tongue cost her anymore. Fortunately, it only took three more winces and Lady Toria to hiss directions five more times before she finished the masterpiece.

"There," Lady Toria smiled. "Let the odious Korak venture to malign this."

"Lady Toria," Amnicity jovially admonished while admiring Lady Toria's work in the mirror.

Lady Toria had woven the blue lace into her hair with a series of braids. A row of dark pearls crossed the top of her head like a tiara. It looked elegant but not overdone.

"Do not worry," Jeana smirked. "Many of the servants are of a similar opinion."

"Oh dear," Amnicity laughed, meeting the maid's eyes in the mirror.

"High General Lessure is waiting outside, Princess," Jeana stated. "He wished for me to ask if it is an appropriate time for him to enter."

"Yes," Amnicity nodded. "High General Lessure has my consent to enter, and you all may continue with your day."

"As you wish, Princess." Jeana curtsied, motioning for the other maids to follow.

Amnicity moved to the breakfast table where Lady Elry and Lady Toria already sat. She looked at the last chair warily.

"You are the one who sent the maids away." Lady Toria shrugged, pouring herself a cup of coffee.

"Allow me, Princess Amnicity," High General Lessure's voice sounded.

It took a moment for Amnicity's cheeks to recover to a more refined color.  James, for his part, enjoyed knowing he still affected the princess.  Lady Elry observed Her Highness while placing her notebook beside her plate.

"Shall we begin discussing last evening?" Lady Elry began.

"What is there to discuss?" High General Lessure queried from behind Amnicity, unnerving her.

"Oh, do not ask!" Amnicity gushed. "Lady Elry took notes for this discussion. Her studious mind only feigned taking pleasure in social occasions last night."

"I did not dislike the evening," Lady Elry defended. "The conversation and people were lovely. However, our mission is to secure an attachment with Preena. Last evening did not help us on such a mission."

"What do you mean?" Lady Toria asked, taking advantage of Princess Amnicity's full mouth.

"Well," Lady Elry started, ignoring High General Lessure's snort. "To begin, it appears Suzera Irina has her sights upon the same attachment. She spent much of her evening conversing with either Konra Lelena or with Konrik Loren. For our part, it could be assumed the Princess had a stronger attachment to her own people or Suzerain Zakarus."

"Suzerain Zakarus," Amnicity scoffed. "We only spoke for a few moments before Korak Fallyn interrupted us."

"Yes," Lady Elry nodded. "However—"

"There is no. however, I have spoken. There is not, nor will there ever be, an attachment to Suzerain Zakarus. That would be unpatriotic!" Amnicity interrupted.

Lady Elry could have sworn she saw some sort of desperation in the princess's gaze.  It almost made her wonder what the princess truly felt.

"Well stated, Princess Amnicity." High General Lessure agreed.

"Tell me what must be done. There must be some form of a plan in your journal," Amnicity muttered, willing herself not to be annoyed with James's tone or ready agreement.

Lady Elry sighed, opening her journal. She examined the contents for a moment under the gaze of the three others in the room.

"Oh, you make this far too arduous," High General Lessure expelled. "It is simple. In the gardens today, Princess Amnicity secures Konrik Loren's attention while observing a statue. She complements him profusely while making sure to highlight her figure."

Lady Toria straightened slightly in her chair, sharing a look with Lady Elry. Princess Amnicity, for her part, weighed the words of High General Lessure before turning to Lady Elry.

"And what is your advice, Lady Elry?" Amnicity took a sip of her coffee with a raised eyebrow.

Lady Toria snorted, shaking her head.

"Use what you have learned in the carriage. Just do not enter into a contest for the Konrik's affections. Remember that being the Princess of Vetus is something the Suzera will never be able to offer him. She may play her games, but she will never be a Queen." Lady Elry responded, placing her hands softly on her closed journal.

"A crown is not the only form of power," High General Lessure whispered.

His tone sounds almost defensive. Amnicity mused.

"It is the only one that can move freely," Lady Toria muttered.  "She has more choice than any of us in this room."

"Says the pawn," High General Lessure countered.

"I actually prefer to be considered a rook." Lady Toria smirked while buttering a piece of toast.

"Lady Toria, you become more amusing each day." Amnicity laughed. "Oh, do not look so sour, High General that can not be the first time a lady outwitted you."

Lady Elry pressed her lips together and snorted slightly.  She softly excused herself for the outburst while covering her lips with a napkin.

"Let me know when the Princess and her ladies are ready to tour the gardens." High General Lessure bowed, exiting the room.

The ladies sat in silence for a moment until Amnicity's placed her cup down without the prescribed grace.

Amnicity pressed her lips together while refolding the napkin in her lap.  "Did we truly look that engrossed in each other's company last evening?"

"Her Highness has forbidden me to comment." Lady Elry smirked.

"Lady Toria?" Amnicity turned to her gaze to the auburn-haired lady.

"It is not my goal to be ordered into silence this early in the adventure," Lady Toria responded, sipping her coffee.

A peal of soft laughter fell from Lady Elry's lips. Amnicity sighed, leaning back into her chair. They ate the rest of their breakfast in moments of silence. Lady Elry always had the propensity to fill the other moments with knowledge the Princess did not wish to retain.

"Where is my winter clothing?" Amnicity asked, turning to Lady Toria.

"Just a moment," Lady Toria smiled, rising from the table. "Let me help you with this shaw, and be careful of the beading upon these gloves. If we are not gentle, they may scratch your skin. Blood and white do not go well together."

"Remember not to display too much of an overt preference for any one artist until the Konri states his ruling opinion in the contest," Lady Elry advised. "We would not wish to dishonor the affair."

Amnicity nodded, walking to the door.

"Are you both going to be properly bundled for warmth?" Amnicity stopped to observe her ladies.

Lady Toria nodded, putting on a cloak from the stack of accessories she brought in earlier.

"Here is one for you as well, Lady Elry." Lady Toria held out a long white cloak. "Your cloak this evening is going to be lined with white fur, Your Highness. Unless you wish for something lighter?"

Amnicity shook her head.  "We will discuss it later. For now, let us concentrate on conquering the garden with elegance. Speaking of, do not forget the muffs."

"Yes, Princess," Lady Toria smirked, handing Amnicity her muff before doing the same for Lady Elry.

The ladies readied themselves before turning to their princess for her consenting nod to exit. Lady Elry opened the door allowing the Princess and Lady Toria to exit ahead of her.

It took all of Lady Toria's strength not to smirk at High General Lessure when Princess Amnicity did not acknowledge him on their departure from the room. Instead, she swallowed her distaste at the flamboyant toss of his cape, highlighting the hilt of his sword. Men could be so silly about their weapons. Lady Toria preferred the armory of ladies: fashion and conversation. Sure, the weapons did not seem as dangerous as men's, but they still cut superficially. Princess Amnicity continued to be a novice, but her abilities to arm herself with attire and wit were developing nicely.

Lady Toria worried about the battle with Korak Fallyn. The Korak did not appear to want a political friendship with Princess Amnicity. The fact greatly perturbed Lady Toria. The feeling became exacerbated by the continuous conceit displayed by the Korak. Lady Toria detested conceit. Especially one that relied upon slighting others venomously.

***

I hope y'all enjoyed part 1... any preference on the fashion statement?  

Last Edit: 4/13/21