Amnicity sat in the chair beside her day desk, refusing to cry. It would be a foolish thing to shed tears over silly words. She had done enough of that recently when left on her own.

She had done well to use the piano to ease her mind, but it had caused thoughts to surface faster than she could find paper to seal them away. So, today, she decided to find the journal her paternal grandmother had sent for her birthday. Unfortunately, Marie had taken it upon herself to secure the letter within the cover. Amnicity did not blame Marie for keeping the letter close to the journal. She did not know what it contained. And, did not know that Amnicity would sit here reading the letter to herself repeatedly.

My beautiful granddaughter,

It has not escaped me that we do not have an intimate understanding of one another. Your father does provide us some information regarding you and your character within each of his letters. It has provided us some image of who you are. He has told us how you have grown into an educated lady with an active imagination that will allow you to accomplish great things. I hope you fill this journal with your vision and all of the great things you accomplish.

The journey that begins tonight will bring plenty of joy and heartbreak on the way, but, child, do not lose faith. You are always within my prayers and have brought pride to your family. Thus, let the strength inherited from your kin inspire you to persevere in the moments of darkness. Let your heart never harden, securing an ability to put others before yourself. Finally, I hope you find a way to show mercy as an example for those who look to you.

Perhaps—

A knock halted Amnicity's third reading. Her tears caused some of the words to smudge. Fortunately, her memory provided the letter readily.

"Come in."

Amnicity folded the letter within the folds of her journal.

"Nici!" Jace yelled, breaking Lady Elry's hold of his hand to run to her as Amnicity secured the journal within a drawer. "Sad?"

Amnicity shook her head. "It is nothing, Jace. How has your day been?"

"Scary man," Jace whispered.

"Scary—you went to see Henry?" Amnicity turned to Lady Elry.

"Your father wishes to see you," Lady Elry stated as she eyed her warily.

Amnicity stood quickly. "My father? Did you see him? How is he?"

"We never saw His Majesty. Sir Henry gave me some news from Jude," Lady Elry whispered.

Amnicity gasped and looked to her right before returning her gaze to Lady Elry. "Why have I not heard of it?"

"The messenger just left the King's study when we were walking towards them," Lady Elry soothed, pressing her lips together for a moment before continuing. "Suzerain Abran is dead."

Are we finally going to war? Amnicity thought. Her mouth went dry under the watchful gaze of her former tutor.

"Well, I—I," Amnicity trialed, swallowing. "I must see my father."

"Leaving?" Jace asked, his face displaying more of his anxiety than his words could.

"Play later," Amnicity soothed Jace.

"Let's walk, Jace." Lady Elry held out her hand.

"Walk?" Jace asked cautiously.

"Walk." Lady Elry nodded.

Jace ran to her with an open hand.

Amnicity did not let the smile fall from her lips until the door closed. They were gone. Her hands threaded one another, squeezing the tension away. She would face her father without anger or reproach, and there would be no bitterness on her face. Most importantly, she would not cry. Amnicity would show the strength and perseverance her paternal grandmother thought she could possess.

"Graces of the Lord, be with me."

Words passed through her consciousness in preparation for leaving her mouth. She hoped they possessed enough in the armory for their soldiers when it came time for them to march into battle.

War was inevitable. Suzerain Zakarus did enough preluding for Amnicity. A soft blush tinted her lips at the thought of the young suzerain.

He also showed interest in you. A treacherous voice said in Amnicity's head. Perhaps, there won't be a war.

Perhaps. Amnicity thought with a soft smile. Maybe our little flirtations were enough for him not to want to see my head on a pike, and instead in his—

Amnicity shook her head. No, she could not think like that. Jude and Vetus would go to war. People would die. Fathers and sons would lay beside one another for eternal rest, or perhaps by strangers.

"Please forgive us," Amnicity whispered.

She focused her attention on anything but Suzerain Zakarus in bed. They were enemies, not lovers separated by the unfortunate circumstances of their births. In reality, it is his fault such thoughts come to her.

Zak—the Suzerain of Jude should have never entered my garden.

A small smile formed on the corners of Amnicity's lips. Yes, it is all his fault. He probably intentionally tried to manipulate me. Bring my guard down so that at any moment—

Amnicity did not scream when the door opened in front of her because princesses do not do such things. They let out a sound of a higher octave and louder than what is considered usual or appropriate.

"Princess," the young boy bowed, kneeling to pick up the papers he dropped. "Please accept my humblest apologies for startling you."

"She seemed to have startled you more," Valander's voice called from within the room, followed by Henry's chuckle.

"Truly, it is my fault for dawdling," Amnicity responded, sweeping down to hand him the last letter.

Her eyes narrowed slightly on seeing High General Lessure's name scrawled across it. Amnicity would steady her nerves to accept the dictation of war. Proper breeding prepared her for this.

"Thank you, Princess Amnicity," the young boy nodded, accepting the letter before hurrying away.

Amnicity rose from the floor, focused on taking her seat. She would sit in a chair. Then her father would provide the verbal declaration of war before she carried on with her day. There were still letters to compose and inquiries to be made concerning the armory. The latter may soon become very important.

"Your timing is always impeccable." Valander handed a sealed letter to Henry. "Though, your entrances have changed slightly."

"While your position has never wavered during my metamorphosis," Amnicity responded.

Valander let his pen fall into the inkwell, snorting in amusement.

"Is there a reason you called me here, Father?" Amnicity asked, pressing her folded hands on her dress in preparation.

"There have been some changes in Jude." Valander picked up his pen before writing. He chose to focus on the page instead of meeting his daughter's gaze. "Suzerain Zakarus decided that his father no longer suited the position of Judian ruler. So, he has disposed of him."

"He killed his father," Amnicity whispered, pressing her hands tighter together.

Valander met her gaze for a moment.

"He did. By doing so, he also stopped his father's plans of invading our borders," Valander explained, making Amnicity release her hands slightly.

"Should I write a note expressing our gratitude along with our condolences? I could also send him a bottle of wine," she quipped.

Amnicity earned a snort from Henry for her dryness.

"No, you will marry him. It is unfortunate for Suzerain Zakarus that his father did not agree to our plan.  I do not think he wished to kill him," Valander stated while studying his daughter's reaction.

Amnicity bit her lip while thoughts flew through her mind. Finally, the voice from earlier broke through.

It seems he does like you.

She did not know why anger boiled from within her at the thought.

"Well," Amnicity started with an even tone. "It makes matters slightly better knowing that I am so preferred. Unfortunately, my tutors never educated me on how to thank a man for decapitating his father so that I could marry him. It might have been easier if I had been informed of my engagement before someone died."

Amnicity averted her eyes to the curtains behind his chair with slightly blurred vision.

"Suzerain Zakarus has been adamant about sustaining peace between our peoples. He will be a wise King and a good husband. You should be proud that you were able to secure such a match," Valander finished, turning away before the glassy eyes could release the rivers.

He refused to meet his daughter's tears.

"Yes," Amnicity nodded. "My duty has been fulfilled. Now may I go attend to other matters of state?"

"What other matters do you have to attend to?" Valander inquired, turning to his daughter.

"There was the inquiry upon the armory, and—"

"I am still acting King and will handle those matters. Your time will be better spent becoming accustomed to the idea of marriage and preparing yourself for the ceremony," her father interrupted. "Was there anything else?"

Amnicity stared at her father in shock. Vetus is my kingdom; I will be Queen. He will not take away my right to rule. Well, unless he kills me like he did his father.

Valander watched the different emotions pass over his daughter's face as a few hundred or so ticks sounded on the clock. Amnicity's nails dug slightly into her hands. She willed herself not to scream. Swallowing, she prepared her voice and words.

"I must have forgotten my place. When shall the blessed day be?" Amnicity asked.

"In a fortnight. The Suzerain will arrive the day after tomorrow so that we can make all the necessary preparations."

"How joyous," Amnicity forced through her clenched teeth, rising from her chair.

"Yes," Valander nodded. "Henry and I foresaw you seeing the occasion as such. There is no need to stay any longer. You may leave to prepare."

It took all of Amnicity's breeding soaked within her veins not to run forward and throw her father's inkwell into his face while screaming. Instead, she found comfort in the knowledge of her piano. Her paternal grandmother said there would be times like this. Amnicity would find a way to make it through without dying. The door only accidentally slammed when she left her father's study. It is a heavy door, after all.

"Well, the Princess did take this far better than she would have a few months ago," Henry commented, receiving another letter from Valander. "Princess Amnicity has handled herself with a grace that foreshadows a just ruler."

Valander shook his head. "Nici will have to learn to control her tongue. When she is the leader of Jude and Vetus, her words will carry a lot of weight."

"She has handled herself well," Henry defended.

"Yes, her mother would be very proud of her. Now, what were her responsibilities today?" Valander asked while composing another letter.

"There is a meeting concerning the armory and some correspondence from the high generals to review. The meeting is at midday," Henry responded.

Valander nodded, briefly organizing his desk while rising from his chair to leave his study. He feared for his daughter. If people did not receive this marriage well, Amnicity could be in grave danger due to her diluted blood. A traditional marriage would save Amnicity from her enemies within their borders. But, following the death of Christa, the protection Suzerain Zakarus provided could not be ignored. Hopefully, they could develop a plan for the coronations in Jude and Vetus to happen quickly. Valander did not want to provide time for the usurpers to organize.

"Ghost man," Jace whispered.

Valander stopped in the hall and turned to observe a young blonde boy grasping onto Lady Elry's arm in slight fear across the hall.

"Your Highness," Lady Elry curtsied. "Bow, Jace."

The boy shook his head, refusing to take his eyes off King Valander.

"Sorry, he is still learning," Lady Elry sighed from her curtsy.

"He is forgiven. Have a good day," King Valander nodded as Sir Henry subtly informed him about the boy.

Lady Elry bowed her head, waiting for King Valander to walk around the corner before providing Jace a lesson of proper etiquette. Jace did not believe it would be safe to take his eyes off a ghost. He did not know where the man would go next. Spirits are evil and haunt thoughts.

Lady Elry could not think of a way to make the boy understand. She hardly understood the depth of pain exhibited by Princess Amnicity. Her Highness had become odd. She made every appearance of being put together when told, and then five minutes after a moment of wit, Amnicity inquired about death. The conversation did not perturb Lady Elry, but the hollowness in Amnicity's gaze did.

A piano chord filtered down the stairwell. Lady Elry inhaled deeply to control her emotions, guiding Jace further down the hall, away from the stairs. Princess Amnicity required peace within the confines of music. The sudden banging of the keys halted Lady Elry's steps. Slowly the music began again. The small step towards the stairs retracted, and Lady Elry continued with her charge.

If Lady Elry had trusted her instincts, she would have found Amnicity paused every few moments on the keys. Her mind raced with words she did not know where to put. There seemed to be too many emotions.

Amnicity thought being betrothed will feel different. Instead of feeling relieved or accomplished, she felt angry. 

I am to marry a murderous suzerain who could turn on me moments after the crown touches our head. But is he much worse than marrying a Vetusion who sees me as a lesser being?

"You are supposed to be here," Amnicity whispered, staring at her mother's paintings.

Amnicity paused on finding her fingers had followed her thoughts on the piano. She hummed for a moment before beginning to sing.

"Of all the things you taught me, surviving with you gone is not one. I confront new breaths without your guiding hand. Instead, I remain unfinished art. The romantic rose you grew with care. Now torn apart—that is cliche," Amnicity finishes with a laugh banging the keys as the feeling left her.

She let her fingers glide on top of the keys as she composed herself. Her mind remained blank, making her scowl.

"I guess it is time to face reality," she sighed.

There would be no romanticism. She would face this as the dignified lady her paternal grandmother thought her to be. Perhaps she should write her grandmother back. Inform her of the wedding.

The Princess's hand rose to wipe a tear from her cheek.  "This is becoming annoying. I am not a victim."

Amnicity would show her worth and power as a suzera and queen. I was bred for this.

It is your destiny. The stupid voice added.

"Well, this could be tragic or tolerable," Amnicity mused softly before a smile began to tug on her cheeks. "Possibly even personally diverting if taken at the right angle.  After all, wallowing in self-pity won't show my worth to my dear-dear future husband."

Amnicity needed Lady Toria. She required the proper attire when presented as a prize. After all, o educated person bids or murders for an ill-groomed mare. And, in Amnicity's experience, her mares always arrived with an exquisite bow.

***

What do you think Nici is going to do? And, how is Zak feeling after everything he had to do to secure his engagement to her?  

Last Edited: 7/25/21