2: Preparations

The days leading up to Amaris' birthday passed by slowly. Kalilah visited her daily leading up to her birthday. Always teaching her about one thing or another in regards to the Speirs Kingdom. It's people, culture, history, and so much more. Some of it kept her interest while other parts not so much. There were times Amaris simply wished to tell her mother to bugger off. To go pay attention to her other children. That she wished for no one's company but she knew better. She didn't want her mother to become angry or punish her. Kalilah on the other hand, noticed a great deal of things while teaching her daughter. What things fascinated her and what didn't. So she did the one thing that would at least tempt her to take a greater interest in regards to the Speirs Kingdom.

"Amaris, let me tell you something about your future husband..." Kalilah began. Amaris interest slowly peeking at her mother's words but she kept her face indifferent as her mother continued to speak. "He's a man who enjoys conversation. Especially on an intellectual level. We both know that you are not some dull witted person so please... for both of our sakes just listen. He'd be impressed that you cared enough to learn about his kingdom."

'Mother speaks as if she personally knows King Rhys. That they've conversed on some type of level or someone near him at least,' Amaris thought in pure puzzlement because that couldn't be. King Rhys was father's enemy since King Rhys ascended to the throne after his father's passing. Father hated how fast King Rhys was expanding his Kingdom. Her father feared that one day he would take his Kingdom from him.

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Many days passed like this. Amaris learning more and more things. Kalilah giving Amaris bits and pieces about her future husband to at least keep Amaris interested and focused enough on the lessons until it was the night before her eighteenth birthday. Kalilah had left Amaris chambers for one last time. Leaving a small painting of King Rhys on the table Amaris was sitting at. Kalilah wanted her to know what he looked like at least. "Think of it as a small gift." Was the last thing Amaris remembered Kalilah saying before her thoughts became consumed with the gentleman in the painting.

'The rumors about his appearance doesn't do him justice,' Amaris thought as she stared at the portrait. His eyes were as deep and expressive, where you could get lost if you stared long enough. His face had that faraway look in it, which cannot be described in words. His smile, which reached up to his eyes and wrinkled them, flaunted his modesty and humility. You could see a hint of pain in his sparkling eyes, which would disappear as suddenly as it emerged. Or so it appeared in the painting that the artist had captured. The longer she looked at it. The more questions she had that most likely would never be answered for tonight at least.

She placed the portrait down before laying down in bed. Her gaze fixated upon the ceiling. She wondered what tomorrow would bring. How everything would turn out. If she would meet the man she was to wed tomorrow. As her consciousness ebbed, her mind went into free fall, swirling with the beautiful chaos of a new dream. A dream of a Kingdom her mother had spoken of recently and the man who ruled it...

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Amaris was woken up by drapes being opened and sunlight flooding her chambers. She tossed to her side and covered her head with her covers. Groaning softly, still not prepared to get out of bed just yet. Soon she felt her covers yanked away from her causing her to feel frustration. She sat upright and glared at the smiling servant.

"I apologize Princess but it's time to get up and prepare you for this evening's festivities," the servant before her said politely. Rolling her eyes, Amaris got out of bed and sat down near the fireplace as they served her breakfast. She took her time consuming it. Knowing it would be some time before they brought in the tub so she may bath in and begin the real preparations.

As time passed, her mother finally made an appearance. Kalilah was dressed up in a long cyan colored gown with gold trimmings that complimented her cerulean eyes and umber hair. She wore jewelry to match as well leaving Amaris in awe at her mother's beauty.

Looking back at the mirror before her. Amaris couldn't help but wonder if she'd be as beautiful as her mother or even compare to her. With a heavy sigh, she let the servants finish preparing her before following Kalilah out of her chambers. Making their way to the ballroom banquet.

Kalilah went in first, being announced as King Cyrus' favorite, descended the stairs where the rest of the guest were. Taking her place besides her lover, companion, her King. Next was Amaris, announced as the Princess of Timpeall and her coming of age. An outburst of applause sounded throughout the ballroom as Amaris made her way to her family. So far, this whole banquet was dull. It consisted mainly of greeting many other royal families from different kingdoms: unnecessary pleasantries and small talk.

Her father, King Cyrus, made his way from the family. He seemed to enjoy himself as he flirted with single women, much to Kalilah dismay. Upon noticing this, Amaris thought to herself, 'Since when did father start doing that?'  

Amaris gave a questioning look towards her mother, which Kalilah dismissed immediately. All Amaris could do was shake her head in this matter and continued to greet the guest that arrived. Abruptly, all sound was snuffed out of the ballroom as they made a new announcement.  

"King Rhys of the Kingdom of Speir, his mother Lady Layla, and his sister Lady Audrey…"  

Hearing the King of Speir's being announced caused the air in the room to become intense.