The light filtered through the windows too early for Amnicity's liking. She deserved a few extra hours, or days, of rest, and, of course, less of a headache, for how brilliantly she acted last evening.  Amnicity had continued to perform amicably with all the guests after the grand reveal.  

I had too much wine.

"Marie shut the curtains." Amnicity moaned into a pillow lightly saturated with her drool.

Marie tutted somewhere to her right.  "It is time to awaken Princess. Most of the guests have already departed."

Amnicity instantly flung her covers above her head, hoping to dull her pain.  "If they are gone, there is no need for me. I demand you to let me sleep. My head hurts."

"Your aching head is simply a result of overindulgence in wine. While," Marie removed the covers from the princess's head, resulting in a string of curse words. "Do not speak like that!  Your mother requested your presence for midday dinner. There are still guests that require Vetusian cordialness.  Your bath will be here in five minutes. It is your choice if you wish to enter yourself, or if the guards are required to dunk you."

"This is mutiny!" Amnicity screamed, sitting up and pounding her fists into her mattress.

"It seems you have neglected your lessons for too long, my dear. Perhaps you should review the definition of mutiny." Marie smirked, gathering discarded items from the floor.

Marie winced at the contact of a pillow hitting her head, followed by the Princess's muffled laughter.  A handmaid entered the room with towels and placed them on the vanity.

Marie turned to look at the princess over her shoulder.  "Dunking it is."

Amnicity screeched, providing a rushed apology. "I am sorry, Marie. It was an accident.  As you said, the wine has affected me today.  I would never do anything to hurt you!"

The handmaid exited the Princess's room with a concealed smirk. She had only gone to refresh the towels. Instead, she found out something fascinating: Princess Amnicity had let wine incapacitate her. The girl felt the information so pertinent that she discontinued her usual slothful nature, repeatedly despised by her peers, hastening to tidy the dishes.

"You will not guess the antics within the Princess's room this morning." The young handmaid hissed to another girl while sorting through golden forks under watchful eyes.

The young girl shrugged her shoulders. "She wished to burn all of her lace because it is from last season."

"Not today, but she did throw a pillow at Mrs. Marie then blamed the action on still trying to overcome the wine from last evening."

Two other handmaids near her looked up and gasped. A small clang of silverware caused the small group of handmaids to be admonished and silenced. Nevertheless, the words now lived. They quickly traveled to the footmen assisting the ladies with the heavier lifting. Then, the youths, now budding with new knowledge, were sent on to new tasks. There were windows to attend to, rooms to tidy, table settings for midday dinner, and, of course, whatever Queen Christaline's artistic nature wished to do that day.

***

Today, Christaline required assistance in developing her elaborate centerpieces. Her Majesty's wish for midday dinner to be exquisite only made the pieces of even greater importance. Unfortunately, for the handmaids involved, sheering flowers for Her Majesty left little room for chinwagging.

Queen Christaline stood in the center of the room, diligently working on a new centerpiece. "No, after last evening, it would be best not to see another rose for a fortnight."  She waved her hand in dismissal.

The footman carrying the roses bowed before leaving the room.

"Maybe the peonies would do? No, it still needs something more. Perhaps plums or pears? Alexander, do you believe it possible to kill a hummingbird without too much blood? It would look splendid on a stick smelling the hyssop. Oh, do not answer; we do not have enough time for your craft. It would be wise for you to start a small collection. We will be continuing to host these large parties now that Amnicity has entered society."

"Of course, my Queen." Alexander bowed, a small blush tented his cheeks.

"You did mention an interest in such arts, did you not?" Christaline moved a peony slightly to the right.

He nodded his head.  "Yes, Your Majesty."

"Good. I need a good taxidermist to strike fear into the hearts of our foes." She made a slashing motion with a peony.  

He smiled at her antics.  "I would have to start small, my Queen."

"As most do. However, I have it on good authority that many high ranked individuals fear the vicious duck." The handmaids and footmen laughed as Christaline continued. "This needs half an inch more removed, Yana."

"Yes, Your Majesty." A young blonde woman murmured, moving forward to snip the stem.

"Be sure to bring this vase to my art room. It will be a splendid specimen to paint once our guests leave." Queen Christaline smiled at Yana while placing the peony.

"Are you warning them that they shall transition from handing you flowers to handing you paints?" Valander entered the room, causing the staff to fall into hurried bows and curtsies.

Christaline snorted while moving some of the leaves.  "There is no need for it to be a warning, darling. I am sure they find the activity to be their greatest duty. They are just as zealous to answer your snaps to pour more wine."

"It is an honor," Valander murmured, kissing his wife softly on her offered cheek. "Unfortunately, there is no reason to spend so long on these arrangements; Jude vacated our premises early this morning."

"These arrangements were not for Jude." Christaline huffed, fluffing her flowers slightly. "Did they give any reason for such a stealth departure?"

"Suzerain Zakarus left his apologies, but his father required his presence." Valander held a letter out for Christaline to see.

Christaline paused, eyeing the folded paper with eyes there were neither wide in fear nor slit in anger. She sighed after a moment.  "Leave the flowers on the table there. You are all dismissed. Close the doors when you leave."

They dutifully followed their orders as the two monarchs stood in silence, waiting for the final door to close.

She placed one hand on the table, and the other she held out to her husband.  "Let me read it, Val."

Valander gave the letter to his wife.  "He made no inclination of making an offer for her, Christa."

Christaline held up a hand, silencing any further conversation as she read the letter.   After many years of marriage, Valander anticipated such actions.

It had taken Valander nearly an hour after reading the note to venture to find his wife. He knew her hands would be busy, as such practices led to a less reflective mind. Both monarchs of Vetus needed a distraction after watching Suzerain Zakarus of Jude take liberties with their daughter in court.

If it were any other gentleman, the two would have happily moved forward to secure the match. Unfortunately, the people of Vetus were not ready to accept a union with Jude. There were too many years of ill-will.  They considered Merce to be heathen when Valander married Christlaine, but they benefited from years of peace between the two countries.  

Christaline let out an annoyed sigh.  "It would have been better if he stayed."

"How so?"

Christaline rolled her eyes while holding out the note. He readily accepted it back. "If he stayed, then there could have been an opportunity for our society to see that there is no attachment between the two. Intrigue concerning the two will continue to grow until they are together again. We must secure another match for Nici if we wish to avoid any further gossip."

Pleased with her plan, Christaline walked to retrieve a pear for her piece.

Valander laughed.  "You believe it possible to secure another match within hours?"

Christaline gave him a small glare from the corner of her eye.  "Do not think me dull. I simply believe it possible to provide the appearance of another match. Did the cousin, Suzera Irina, stay?" She placed the pear in a place that matched her vision.

"You are an artful woman. Suzerain Zakarus implied the whole party left." Valander muttered as he tried to move the pear, but his wife quickly slapped his hand away. "What does your crafty mind think about an attachment with Preena?"

"It would not provide all the protection we need. Preena's current leaders are considered more whimsical than fierce.  However, it would do for now. Did you hear the rumor about a High General retiring? That could become advantageous for us if—"

Valander silenced his wife with a kiss on her cheek."We will save such talks for another time." 

"Do not think I lack opinions," she called behind him.

He waved in his response.  "We would more likely think you sprouted dragon wings."

His wife's laughter accompanied him from the room. Once the door closed, Valander's eyes met Henry's. Henry frowned slightly before nodding. The two gentlemen moved through the hall towards Valander's study.

Along the way, visitors stopped King Valander to provide compliments with subtle inquiries upon Amnicity's health. Valander looked to Henry after the fifth inquiry, prompting his advisor to pause in the hall to have a guard request Amnicity's presence. She required an examination. The princess would not make a good impression with Preena if she appeared sick at midday dinner.

The two continued on their way until safely behind Valander's study door.

"Queen Christaline believes it best we begin to pursue Preena as an ally. Did you see any form of attachment between Amnicity and Konrik Loren to pursue with Konri Mezio and Konra Lelena?" Valander inquired, walking behind his desk.

Valander removed a key from his pocket. He unlocked a top drawer before depositing Suzerain Zakarus's correspondence inside. The letter lightly bounced when it hit the other papers inside. Valander sighed, snapping the drawer closed and locking it again.

"Nothing of substance that would disguise our intentions." Henry moved to pour a glass of wine. "His sister, Korak Fallyn, did not seem eager to form relations with us either. She passed much of the evening with Suzera Irina, providing less than becoming descriptions of the celebration. One of my footmen reported he observed the princess trying to pursue them into the garden at one point."

"Korak Fallyn sounds as lovely as her grandmother." Valander's pen scraped across parchment to form his thought. "It would not be wise to sit her too close to Nici at this dinner."

"Princess Amnicity would disagree." Henry smiled as Valander's laughter echoed off the walls.

"What of the Konrik?" Valander proofread his work.

Henry leaned backward on his heels while finding his words.  "He seemed to enjoy the company of the Princess enough to compliment her. However, he also paid the same compliments to Suzera Irina."

Henry watched his king's hand swoop according to his signature before folding the paper appropriately.

"Then it is vital Amnicity pay him plenty of attention during the midday dinner." Valander applied a crest to his correspondence. "This is to be delivered to Jude. Have the candidates from High General Fenallia been received?"

Henry accepted the letter with a bow.  "Not yet, Your Majesty." 

Valander pressed his lips together, rising from his chair to look outside the floor-length mirrors behind him. The matter of appointing the High General to the region of Henta would require as much finesse as guiding his daughter to the appropriate suitor. There were too many enemies in Henta; damage became more significant with closer proximity.

Henta shared a southern border with Jude.  The recent raids in the area required political fitness since Jude claimed pillagers without a banner raided the villages. Valander had difficulty believing the degradations done were random acts brought about by persons without allegiance. He had read no reports of Judian lands being affected, and the locations were too fortuitous. If the words come from the reigning or the successor, a lying Suzerain remained a lying Suzerain.  

Valander needed the next High General from Henta to be someone he could trust.

"Father." Amnicity's voice halted Valander's thoughts as the door shut behind her. Her measured steps stopped not far behind him. "You sent for me."

Valander acknowledged the unjust nature of his actions towards his daughter. She had just come of age yesterday and already became a potent piece for the game he played. 

Amnicity would learn the relation between necessity and survival. They raised their daughter to be just, intelligent, and desirable. Unfortunately, she only needed to be the latter for his plans to work. The rest would simply help her understand his actions later when he asked for forgiveness.

"Father?"

"Yes, Nici." Valander coughed to clear his throat of emotion. "Pardon me."

Valander returned to his seat, motioning for his daughter to join him.

She moved to sit down.  "Of course, Father. Did you need anything from me? Information from last night?"

Valander took in his daughter's slightly cocked chin, which accompanied her smirking eyes. She appeared well enough for society to stop questioning her state.

"You have grown wiser after just one evening in society. What shall become of you over the next year?"

"Father, do not tease," Amnicity sighed, waving a hand before her face as if it would remove his words from the air.

Valander sighed histrionically.  "Very well, I will speak plainly. Your mother has spent the whole of the morning on flower arrangements for this midday dinner. She wanted me to inform you that she did not want any misconduct to pollute her art."

"I do not recall having any misconduct as of late." Valander held Amnicity's gaze, causing her to turn away. "Well, not too much," she whispered.

"There is to be none over this meal. You are to be the gregarious Princess Amnicity of Vetus that people love. I believe one of your tutors reported her lessons to entail such things."

Amnicity groaned, remembering the torture. Valander's eyes returned to his papers to keep his emotions from being read.

"Fine," Amnicity finally expressed some form of antagonized consent. "However, I want two new guards for my gardens.  Suzerain Zakarus was able to sneak into them and the back garden." Valander's eyes snapped up to meet hers. "I would also like a new gardener. Flinning is getting old and requires assistance. An apprentice of some sort should be in the budget."

"If he consents, then it should be of no inconvenience." Valander consented. "How do you know it was the suzerain?"

His daughter shrugged, looking past him to gaze out the window.  "I could initially tell by the accent and clothing, but then he admitted to it later.  Suzerain Zakarus seemed very enamored by our gardens."

Valander nodded. He did not want to know how often Suzerain Zakarus interacted with his daughter. It just made returning to his papers regarding the state of the military more critical.

It seemed they would need to gain more recruits. There have been too many deserters in recent months. Their inexperience would put them at a significant disadvantage, as the recruits would be inadequate for war with Jude. They would be lined up for slaughter if last night's gift was of any indication.

***

Thanks for reading! :)