Stephon never fancied the girls in his town. They annoyed him with their idle chatter. Sure, a few were nice to look at, but they giggle too much when he walked by. Sometimes, he just stood there waiting for his father to sell the latest harvest, and the silly girls would be giggling while staring at him. The attention unnerved him. His mother said he'd like the attention later on. Stephon always hoped she would be wrong, because he figured there had to be more interesting things to do with his time.

Princess Amnicity and Lady Elry did not annoy him like typical girls. Lady Toria sometimes did, but that's because she complained about wrinkles in her dress, the shade of her shoe, and so on. Sometimes it made sense. He liked the clothes she made. So, he figured Lady Toria had to have a reason to complain. Like when his father did not like the angle the plow made in the dirt.

Unfortunately, this had changed the moment Princess Amnicity became betrothed to Suzerain Zakarus. Since that day, Stephon had learned things no young man should. Like how the pattern of lace dictated the attractiveness of a lady's figure. Lady Toria said the knowledge would increase his attractiveness when it came time for him to make a match. Stephon doubted Lady Toria knew how peasants made a match.

To avoid gaining further useless knowledge, Stephon devoted his time to training. His actions pleasantly escaped Lady Elry's notice. She now spent much of her time lecturing Princess Amnicity upon the customs of Jude on any chance she could get. This left Stephon to spend his time distracted by fabrics, sleeping, or with Jace. Currently, Jace laid on the side of the training room, staring at the reflections of light playing upon the ceiling with wonder. Jace's silence made it easier for Stephon to mimic the form he memorized when watching High General Ettore train the guards that morning.

High General Ettore was a pleasant man. Stephon had been scared when High General Ettore caught him training one evening. He had immediately dropped the sword and prepared himself for whatever verbal, or physical, chiding would follow. The high general did not chastise him. Instead, High General Ettore demanded he pick up his sword and try again. After watching him for a few minutes, the high general offered to let Stephon watch training if he provided the soldier with water or towels. The arrangement benefited Stephon more than High General Ettore, and they shared a secret smile when shaking hands upon it.

"Just make sure that you always keep keen eye upon the detail," High General Ettore winked that morning, accepting his towel.

Stephon did. He remembered the high general's long diatribe about form. So, Stephon now stood before the mirror watching the height of his elbow, while concentrating on providing small movements with his wrist. Stephon moved his feet towards a lunge with a smirk.

"Your feet are too far apart," an unfamiliar voice called from the doorway.

"Pardon?" Stephon quickly bowed, instantly dropping the sword to the ground. "I did not know the space had been booked for training. I will vacate immediately."

"Vacate?" the voice laughed. "Is there a reason you are not supposed to be here?"

Stephon looked up to see the smirking face of Suzerain Zakarus before him.

"My birth makes me unfit to hold a sword."

"Ah, birth," Zakarus commented, leaning back upon his heels. "I hear the place and rank of birth matters much amongst your people."

"It does."

"Well, then it is fortunate you are soon to be amongst my people where everything must be earned. Though, dropping your sword would not be a good place to start. Pick it up. Let me see the move again with your feet adjusted. That is better."

"Thank you," Stephon bowed.

"How have you learned thus far?"

"High General Ettore lets me observe training if I provide the soldiers with water and towels."

"Ah, so the two of you are in cahoots to make you a great soldier one day?" Zakarus smirked, walking towards the boy.

Stephon's face instantly reddened as he dropped his eyes towards the ground.

"No, I mean-I just-"

"Careful with the sword! Let me show you-how do they- You will not train with that monstrosity."

Stephon's eyes widened upon seeing the suzerain place his sword on the wall. The suzerain's footsteps did not stop as he walked towards the far corner of the room.

"Over here is where we have stored the swords from Jude. First lesson, pick your sword."

"This is not my-"

"From me it is. Do you dare question your future king? I need to know those who are to protect my kingdom and neck are not idiots. Pick a sword," Zakarus demanded motioning towards the swords.

Stephon blushed, looking at the swords. He paused for a moment, turning to see Jace observing them.

"New," Jace called.

"Suzerain Zakarus."

"Evil?"

"Jace! Not good words! Please excuse my brother," Stephon hurried. "He does not know his words."

"Sorry," Jace whispered.

Zakarus barked laughter echoed off the walls.

"Do you think he is really sorry?" Zakarus asked.

"Probably not," Stephon muttered, picking up a sword.

"Ah, good choice. The handle may cause you a little bit of difficulty at the moment, but the blade size is right. Try this one here. What happened to your brother?"

"He was always different, but was able to handle himself. Then he fell when we were younger, playing on the cliffs near Tillen." Stephon grasped onto the sword Zakarus told him to. "Since then, well, he gets a lot of things, but is still needing help sometimes with understanding and talking."

"Injuries change people," Zakarus nodded. "How does it feel?"

Stephon tried a few movements with the sword.

"It feels okay."

"Sitting?" Jace asked.

"Yes." Stephon turned to Jace. "Just watch."

"Then let us give him something to watch," Zakarus nodded, grabbing a sword of his own.

The maid shook her head slightly, willing the smile to abate while walking with the basket of dirty towels. Suzerain Zakarus's words of building one's own future caused a tightness within her heart she did not expect. Her boy would be growing older soon. She hoped more for him than working in a shop, or around the palace. He seemed smarter than that. Smarter than her, reading books and discussing how things are made. Truthfully it bored her, but there had to be some value to it. A sudden bump caused the maid to drop the towels upon the floor.

"I'm so sorry," the maid muttered, gathering the towels as quickly as possible.

"It is no worry," Amnicity stated, eyeing the maid for a moment.

"Princess." The maid dropped her head instantly. "I will be more careful. You should not be harmed."

"Do not fret. No harm has been done."

Amnicity let the smile remain on her face for a moment while journeying down the hall. She could not blame the maid for the sudden impact. Amnicity had not noticed her surroundings either. Her thoughts continued to analyze the wedding. Thankfully Lady Toria handled most of the arrangements, leaving Amnicity to discover some mental place where she could express happiness for the event. Well, after she approved the design of her dress and the fabrics to be used.

But, Amnicity needed to be more cautious outside of the confines of her chambers or piano room. The interlopers were now accustomed to the palace after a few days, leaving her bent to their mercy. Suzera Irina had the audacity to initiate conversations every meal. She left Amnicity no choice but to remind her that this union would be for political gratification, not a social and cultural experiment. Her mother would not have been pleased with the action, but there were only so many emotions Amnicity could have within her at a time. Guilt could wait.

The late Queen Christaline would also not condone her daughter's constant avoidance of responsibility. On hearing voices coming from a spare study, Amnicity slipped off her slippers. Lady Elry's lectures were tiring. Things had become exhausting when Sir Henry had decided to join the conversation. She already knew their words, the marriage would secure her people, her people will rejoice, and at this point she would begin to play chords in her head to mute their lies.

"You are being ridiculous," a male voice sighed.

Amnicity's eyebrows rose, not Henry, and far more interesting.

"It is ridiculous to ask why you have been avoiding me?" a female voice hissed.

"Yes," the man returned. "We are not in a place to discuss this. There is the matter of the wedding and securing Z's position in the palace."

Amnicity rolled her eyes, piecing the identities together.

"When will the opportune time be, Shaed?"

"Iri, what would you like me to say? The past is finished. You wished to be a lady. Now you are. Accept your duties, move forward, and let me attend to mine. There is no more use for this discussion when you still have your own duty to perform."

"I am not asking you to court me," Irina responded with a tone of frustration, and hurt, in her voice.

"Then why should it matter if I do or do not avoid you?" Koman Sutter asked, with a tone of hurt in his own.

Amnicity dropped her slippers to the ground, causing a gasp within the room. She did not know why she suddenly wanted to hurt Koman Sutter. Amnicity had made it clear she did not want friendship with Suzera Irina. It must be because Koman Sutter's attitude simply could not be tolerated.

Taking a deep breath, Amnicity sent a roll of her eyes towards the painting of her mother across the hall. This must be punishment for her rude behaviors earlier.

Irina transitioned her attention to a vase in order to cover her shock of seeing Princess Amnicity enter the room. Amnicity took the opportunity to send a small glare towards Koman Sutter's bowing form.

"Pardon my interruption," Amnicity stated.

"There is no need to apologize Princess. You did not interrupt anything." Koman Sutter did not flinch when meeting Amnicity's stern gaze.

"That is good Koman Sutter, as you are needed to confirm the guards for the wedding with High General Ettore. We will require the list by this evening."

"As you wish Princess Amnicity."

"Due to my feminine eyes and duties as a lady, please be sure to provide the list with plenty of space and upon one document. My mind wanders, due to the types of flowers flittering through it vapidly, it would be tragic to be responsible for two sheets of paper. Do you not agree Suzera Irina?" Amnicity asked, making Irina turn to her.

"Yes Princess Amnicity, Koman Sutter should attend to his duties at once. We all must do what is best for this union," she agreed.

Koman Shaed's posture faltered slightly at Suzera Irina's cold tone and refusal to look towards him.

"As the ladies wish," Shaed bowed, turning to exit the room.

Amnicity smiled, following Shaed to the door. Her hand easily closed the door upon him. She took a moment to let her hand rest upon the door before she turned back to Irina.

"Princess Amnicity, you were not required to intervene," Irina whispered.

"My requirements have bored me, and thus meddling seemed more entertaining. Further, it is the first step of making this union more than simple politics," Amnicity sighed, begrudgingly feeling her mother smile upon her.

Irina smiled at the princess before placing a hand to her cheek.

"Were we loud?" Irina whispered.

"Do not fret, it is not the most scandalous conversation to occur. Though, it may cause whispers to begin about your feelings concerning Konrik Loren," Amnicity shrugged.

"Like yours concerning High General Lessure?" Irina quickly covering her mouth. "Pardon, I should not have-"

"It is fine. You are right. Those rumors do exist. Just so you are aware, I requested High General Lessure be removed from the palace."

Irina stared in shock.

"It does not matter now," Amnicity shrugged. "Life will be as it will be, and it seems mine is now set. So please do not be careless with yours by leaving doors open when in conversation."

"Thank you for the advice," Irina smiled.

"Have a good day," Amnicity nodded.

Amnicity moved to the leave the room.

"You as well Princess," Irina returned, curtsying slightly. "Wait."

Amnicity turned back.

"You have not been careless. You have been wise with your possibilities. Forced or not, this match is the best you could have hoped for, and what is best for the people," Irina stated.

"Are you going to apologize for such a speech?" Amnicity asked.

"Why? The door is closed," Irina smirked. "Closed doors equate to propriety being damned in this society. Is this not correct?"

A small laugh escaped Amnicity's throat as she shook her head, exiting the room. Amnicity could grow to enjoy Irina's company if she was not careful.

Amnicity removed her her slippers in the hall while observing her surroundings. A small smile lit her face as she moved for the stairs leading to her piano room. Any possible negative opinions of her eccentric behavior had been quelled by the palace staff's empathy for her current situation.

Upon closing the door to her piano room, Amnicity leaned against the cold wood, letting her laughter escape. It is possible she should not have run down the hall, but she had just needed to feel free. Her laughter faltered upon recalling Irina's eyes when Koman Sutter left the room. They contained a mixture of desperation and hurt.

Amnicity pressed her eyes closed, sighing. High General Lessure must have seen the same within her own eyes at some moment. The result of an easy dismissal based upon his perception of her sex and emotions. Fortunately, Amnicity perceived some form of battle within Koman Sutter. Not to say his actions provided hope, but they contained a less patronizing tone than James used with her when he felt powerful. Koman Sutter almost seemed hurt by Suzera Irina.

"Oh stop Nici. You know nothing of their situation, and that is done now," she sighed.

Amnicity now had the joy of marrying a man who's view of her remained ambiguous. She found some comfort in knowing that she felt some form of attraction to him at moments. It would make the wedding night a little bit more pleasant. She just did not know if the attraction would be enough as she had more reasons to hate him than admire him. Then there was still the concern about him eventually killing her. Dead wasn't a state she really wanted to be. That one day at the cliff-

"These thoughts are useless."

Amnicity moved to her piano.

Music would drown her thoughts. Just like the seasons move seamlessly to the next, so would her emotions regarding life. These moments that seemed dark, and laced with frigid weather, always fade when one sees that the light begins to last longer, and ice becomes dew.

"Huh," Amnicity paused. "Where is my-perfection. Now, what were the words? These moments-"

Ink smudged against the side of her hand as Amnicity frantically moved to capture the words upon the page, scratching away her distastes before replacing the phrase. Amnicity stared at the words for a few moment. Placing the notebook down, her fingers found the keys upon the piano, trialling a melody. It never ceased to amaze her how any uncertainty or frustration melted away when transferred to the piano keys. Unfortunately, this also meant her piano keys may need to be repaired.

The sound of the door opening halted Amnicity's fingers. Tension had returned.

"You did not need to stop," a familiar male voice stated.

Amnicity turned to Zakarus.

"You did not need to enter," Amnicity responded.

"One of my duties as Princess Amnicity's betrothed is to secure her safety," he shrugged.

Zakarus walked towards the late Queen Christaline's paintings, ignoring Amnicity's glare.

"Ah," Amnicity rose to move towards him. "It is important to make certain possessions are safe, especially when they secure your power."

Zakarus's returning words paused in his throat when Amnicity removed the painting from his hands.

"Please do not touch my mother's paintings," she whispered.

"They are too beautiful to be simply leaning against a wall," he whispered back.

Amnicity closed her eyes. She did not need her heart to soften simply because he provided a compliment.

"What do you need of me Suzerain Zakarus?"

Amnicity needed to transition to a new conversation quickly.

"Our guests are to arrive soon. I thought it be best we discuss what is to be said. We need to provide the image of unified leadership," Zakarus stated, turning to find a chair.

"Unified leadership," Amnicity scoffed. "There will be no avoidance of unification. What people truly wish to know is how much power you are to gain by it, and if I am in support or looking to revolt."

"You have grown more astute. What will your answer be?"

"We are servants to our people, and will let our actions support them to the best of our abilities," Amnicity responded, using her royal tone.

"That is good," he laughed. "What do you think that means?"

"What history has shown to work best. I will wear a pretty dress before others to show the prosperity and historical eminence of Vetus. You will make all the decisions within an office," Amnicity sighed.

"Is that what you want?"

"Does it truly matter?" Amnicity snapped. "Do not try to promise me a position of power, which you know will not be fulfilled, simply to keep me behaved before the wedding. I will not be swayed. You have bought me. I am to be your queen and you will be my king. The throne is yours. Now if you are finished gloating, the door is behind you."

"You are being unreasonably dramatic," Zakarus hissed. "You know little of what I have truly done."

"I have heard how you gained power. Now, my betrothed, I must know. Am I to be killed if I do not obey?"

Zakarus's eyes narrowed, taking a step closer to his implacable princess.

"You should know better. I understand that you are upset your choices have been taken away, but understand I did not wish for things to happen like this. I-You-Never question me concerning your safety again. I will not be so kind next time," his finished in a slightly tortured whisper.

Zakarus unnerved Amnicity with the reduced volume and resilience cocooning each word.

The couple stood unwavering for a few moments within the room until Jace's distant scream could be heard coming from somewhere below in the palace. In a few moments it turned to laughter making Amnicity's eyes travel to the door with a smirk. She moved back to her piano, grabbing her notebook to examine the pages.

"Is this how you prepare for the wedding?" Zakarus asked, sitting down in a chair.

"Yes," Amnicity confirmed, refusing to look up.

"Very well. To continue our unified front, you should be aware that I have consented to Konrik Loren's request for Suzera Irina to visit with his family following the wedding. It will provide an opportunity to further the relationship between out peoples," he stated.

Amnicity's dismissive eyes turned to him. Did he really think removing his jacket would make this seem more like a casual conversation?

"Females are good for such things," Amnicity smiled. "Is Koman Sutter to accompany her?"

"No, he is a vital part of the unification of our guards and cannot be spared," Zakarus responded a little to stiffly for Amnicity to believe he was naive to the situation.

"Well, then at least she is spared some discomfort." Amnicity smirked. "Is that all?"

Zakarus took a moment longer than usual to nod. He seemed unsure if the action was truly what he wished. Zakarus knew Amnicity would accept his confirmation as the end of the conversation, and she did. She quickly began playing new cords, and did not even turn when the chair legs scrapped against the flood.

Zakarus slammed the door behind him, and smirked when her fingers faltered on the keys. The unification of Jude and Vetus was taking off smashingly.