Amnicity paid little mind to High General Lessure in the following days. She became preoccupied with deciding upon dresses and nodding at the appropriate interval during Lady Elry's lessons.  Any thought concerning James dissipated amongst the trying preparations for her journey north.

The princess did not realize how stressful it would be to pick an acceptable attire and retain enough knowledge to be deemed witty but not threateningly knowledgable. There were too many choices and possibilities that left her uncertain of herself.  How long should she remain conversing with someone without venturing on insult or unintended favor?  What topics should she avoid?  What would her answer be regarding political matters such as trade or skirmishes?  Amnicity could feel her eyebrows wrinkling together in tension just reflecting upon the matters.

The excitement and trepidation increased when Amnicity learned her mother would no longer be accompanying her. Instead, Ladies Toria and Lady Elry would be her escorts, and High General Lessure her protector.

Only at that moment did Amnicity realize her annoyance with James had passed. She felt excited at the prospect of him seeing her figure in the dresses Lady Toria perfected.  Amnicity would be able to show all angles of her worth on this trip.  

"Be certain that those dresses are packed properly, Marie," Amnicity ordered, standing in front of the mirror, adjusting her cap.

"Do not doubt me now, Princess."

Amnicity sighed in response, turning to her maid.  "You should know better than to think that I would ever doubt you."

Marie snorted slightly.

"Your disrespect is noted." Amnicity huffed in a teasing tone

"How shall I survive?" Marie swooned.

"By not wrinkling my dresses," her young charge muttered.

A swift knock upon Amnicity's door held Marie's tongue.

"You may enter," Amnicity called.

"Princess." The messenger bowed. "King Valander wishes to see you in his study before you depart."

"Very well." Amnicity nodded. "Marie, my gloves."

Amnicity left before she made eye contact with Marie. It would betray more emotion than she wished to process on a day of such monumental glory.  But, Marie could shed a few tears... as long as they did not fall on her gowns.  That would be a travesty. Marie could cry on her slippers, though.  The folds of her dress would cover them, and so they were of less concern.

"Do you wish to be announced, Princess Amnicity?" the guard outside King Valander's study queried.

Amnicity started on being pulled from her wardrobe revelry.

"No, that will not be necessary," she muttered.  She did not have time for such formality today.  

Amnicity entered the room filled with glory only to have the breath deflate quickly.  Her mother stood beside her father's chair, leaning over him to review papers on his desk.  Both of their foreheads were creased, and their wine glasses remained forgotten near the anterior edge.

"Are you sure that is all we can send?" Christaline questioned, reviewing a paper when Amnicity entered.

"According to the High Generals Council, it is," Valander responded, writing upon another paper. "Henry, did we confirm Guard Praven would accompany Christa?"

"Yes, Queen Chritlaine will be accompanied by Guard Praven and nineteen other guards he has chosen," Henry confirmed.

"Twenty guards," Christaline smirked. "Oh, you do care for me."  The tone in her voice contained tenderness and something else Amnicity could not place.

Amnicity quickly coughed before her mother and father truly began to display their affection.

"Amnicity." Christaline smiled, rising to meet her daughter. "Has Marie finished packing?"

Her daughter nodded.  "She is finishing now."

"Are the ladies ready to depart?" Christaline turned to Henry.

He nodded.  "Their trunks are being loaded. We only wait for Princess Amnicity's trunks."

"What of High General Lessure?" Valander interjected with a slight edge to his tone.

Christaline sent her husband a small glare while returning to stand beside his chair.

Henry turned to his king.  "He is waiting at the carriages."

The monarchs nodded, settling with an almost unison exhale of breath.

"Is there a reason that you sent for me, Father?" Amnicity asked, sitting in her chair.

"Yes, when you are questioned as to why Queen Christaline is unable to attend, you are to say that she needed to attend to our people." Valander crisply ordered, glancing at her before returning to his papers.

"That is it?" Amnicity gasped.

"Yes," Valander confirmed, briefly studying her before making a mark where his wife pointed on a paper.

Amnicity clenched her hands in her lap.  She should have known her father would not trust her.  Do they think I cannot handle this? I am not just a silly girl!

She expressed her frustration in her tone and verbiage.  "Did you not think me able to handle such diplomacy without your dictation?"

"Oh, Nici," Christaline sighed, turning her eyes to her daughter.

"Your lack of diligence when studying history and judiciousness in politics does make me wary at times." Valander shrugged.

Christaline gasped and slapped her husband's shoulder.  He winced slightly and shrugged, obviously non-pulsed.  

"Then why send me at all?" Amnicity almost screamed.  "Send Henry!  You trust him more with diplomatic matters than me."

Valander looked up at Henry, and Christaline once again hit her husband before he could speak.

"This is not the time. Nici, your idiotic father, is merely stressed about Tillen and not considering his words appropriately. You will do wonderfully in Preena and will make us both monumentally proud." Christlaine soothed, providing a subtle pinch to her husband's arm.

"Ouch!" Valander muttered, sending a small glare towards his wife as she moved towards their daughter.  "Do not abuse me for being honest!"

"You are being rude to our daughter," Christaline hissed, moving to her daughter's side while continuing to berate her husband.  "If you do not trust her abilities, then you should insult her tutors, not her."

Amnicity felt her temper cool underneath the soft touch of her mother's hand upon her cheek.

"I trust in you," Christlaine whispered before kissing her daughter's forehead.

"Thank you," she whispered.

"My pleasure." Christaline smiled, making her daughter stand to hug her, and then kissed her cheek. "Now, hurry. It would not do if you were late to the festivities. Safe travels, my darling."

"You as well, Mother," Amnicity smiled, returning her mother's kiss upon the opposite cheek. "Farewell, Father."

"Be safe, Nici," Valander called from his desk.

"I will." Amnicity nodded, turning to exit the study.

Henry walked her to the door.  As he opened it for her, he whispered, "You will make us all proud."

Amnicity smiled at him as her heart warmed.  I can do this.

Nici made sure her gloves and cap were secure while walking to her carriage. She would prove herself capable upon this diplomatic mission. No person would distract Amnicity from proving her political abilities to her father. Princess Amnicity had many talents, and this would be her first opportunity to display them.  

I can be more than a pretty wife.  She thought with surprisingly fierce indignation.  

"Princess Amnicity," High General Lessure bowed on receiving her beside the carriage.

She provided him a small inclination of her head.  "High General Lessure."

"Where is Queen Christaline?" He looked beyond her with an almost concerned expression.

"Father did not," Amnicity paused, sighing. "Queen Christaline has to attend to the people."

"She is to accompany the carriage to Tillen?" High General Lessure asked in a mixture of shock and fear.

"Yes, High General Lessure she is. Now, help me into this carriage so that we are punctual," Amnicity sighed, holding out her hand.

High General Lessure swiftly complied, replacing his anxiety with determination. A journey awaited them and nothing could be done about the change in plans now.

***

Oh my, what has High General Lessure concerned?  Any guesses?  And, what will happen when Zakarus and Amnicity meet again?