42: Kingdom of Spring
I woke up quite earlier than usual, no; I woke up in the middle of the night. For some reason, I found myself going out of the assigned room for me by slightly pushing the glass door open to let some mist in so I can drift through.
There's a pulling sensation that I don't know where is coming from, I followed the pull and it lead me out of the Silk Palace. I don't know where exactly I am now but I am still inside the Palace, after quite a while the pull stopped and I looked around where I am.
It seems to be a garden, only that unlike the other gardens in the palace, the flowers and plants are still in full bloom. What's more is that there's another person apart from me in here, another person with a gift.
"It makes sense," I muttered and I saw how the plants crawled back under the ground as he turn around
"The Holland Kingdom is the Kingdom of Spring after all." I said walking forward
"You've given me quite the surprise, your majesty." He chuckled and I smirked
"I apologize then, King Skylark." I said and he wore his white gloves
"Why are you still up at this late hour?" he asked and I shook my head
"I just woke up and ended up here." I said
"There's two of you who knows it now," he said and I smiled
"Zairo, I presume?" I asked
"I do not know who this Zairo is, but I am talking about the King of Arcadia." He said and I shook my head
"Perhaps he can sense gifted people, he also found out about my gift before I even did." I said and he nodded his head
"I see, so this Zairo you talking of is the King Zachary." King Skylark said
"You're looking for someone, aren't you?" I asked and he chuckled
"Does your majesty has the ability to foresee the future?" he asked and I shook my head
"It's just a hunch, but are you really?" I replied and he chuckled
"I am, but this person is better in hiding," he said
"Hmm, have you looked far?" I asked
"I have, your majesty, everywhere outside the palace." He said
"What if the person you're looking for is in the palace?" I asked and he shook his head
"That is far from possible," he replied
"You'll be departing to Astrae today, aren't you, your majesty?" he asked and I nodded
"Yes, however, I'll be departing with Baron Tariq alone." I answered
"You'll be leaving your knights behind?" he asked
"I'm not leaving them behind, I am merely not bringing them to their deaths." I replied
"The way her majesty's mind works still puzzle me," he said and I chuckled
"You are still young but the knowledge you possess is different." He added
"Believe me, your majesty, my knowledge is still that of my age, and my mind works according to the lessons I've learned from my teacher." I answered
After the short chitchat with the King of Holland, I drifted back into my assigned room and sat on my bed, I stared into the moist glass window of the room and sighed.
Going back to Astrae during a time like this may not seem to be a good plan, it is quite risky as we're starting a war after all but I don't think this can wait.
I took the bell from the table and rang it, it took quite a while before two servants arrived, one holding a tray of breakfast and one holding a kettle.
"I'd like to prepare early for my travel today," I said and leaned on the stack of pillows as I sat on the bed and put my bed on the bed.
"This is your breakfast, my lady," the maid said and placed the tray on my thigh
"I shall prepare your bath, my lady," the other one said and went inside the bathroom
"I have a question," I told the maid who's standing by the bedpost
"What is it, my lady?" she asked
"Can a lady be a queen?" I asked unexpectedly
"Of course, my lady, if the king wishes to or when the council chooses her to be." She answered and I started eating
Hmm, so our traditions were quite different. In Astrae, as long as you are the first-born son of the King, you will be King automatically. The reason as to why my father was crowned king despite being the younger brother of the Duchess Elizabeth, and in my case, as I am the only daughter of the late King Aristotle, I became the sole heir to the throne of Astrae.
After eating breakfast, two more servants arrived and helped me in preparing. After taking bath, I went out while wearing a bathrobe over my undergarments, I noticed another dress on the bed, I do not wish to wear an uncomfortable cloth on my travel
"Where are my clothes from before?" I asked
"What do you mean, my lady?" one of them asked
"The ones I wore upon arriving here, I'll wear it." I answered
"We'll bring it immediately, my lady." They said and they left
I touched my necklace and I felt my bracelet slipping down from my wrist. Gladly, the bracelet and necklace haven't started rusting as it always gets wet, I don't remove it even whenever I take a bath in worry of losing it.
I sat on the bed and the maids began drying my hair, I noticed how they stared at my prominent golden streaks in fascination, my golden streaks no longer stand out that much as the natural brown color of my hair has become quite lighter.
They started braiding my hair in a simple crown braid, letting my hair flow freely behind me. My hair remained as long as it is before as I had it trimmed a week before.
I stood up when the maids came back with my clothes, they placed it on the bed and closed the curtains. After changing into my clothes, I pursed my lips to stop myself from smiling when I felt the familiar fabric of my shirt on my skin.
Even the leather boots brought me a wave of nostalgic feeling of how simple life was for me before, not wondering about my safety, not thinking of anything that involves war, just dreaming freely of peace and unity.
"Please prepare a bag of bread I'll be bringing on my journey." I told the servant who immediately bowed
"Yes, your majesty, a moment please." She replied and went out of the room
I went out after wearing my leather cloak, even the cloth I wore to cover my face was washed clean, I placed it inside my satchel for the meantime as we're still in Holland.
"Good morning, your majesty," they greeted me and bowed
I smiled when I saw Dame Therese and Knight Stephen with Sir Charles and Dame Maia, as they are unscathed and safe.
"It's nice to see all four of you, you all look well." I said and they smiled
"It's nice to see you as well, your majesty," Knight Stephen and Dame Therese replied
"How are the preparations going, Sir Charles?" I asked
"Knight Stephen and I will be leaving to ensure our acting general's safety, your majesty, as for Dame Therese and Dame Maia, they will be staying here to ensure your safety." He answered and I nodded
"I see, that's good to hear." I replied
"Good morning, your majesty," Baron Tariq greeted
"You're quite early, Baron Tariq." I commented
"I mustn't be the cause of her majesty's delay." He replied and I smiled
"Are we leaving already?" I asked
"I'll be heading to announce our departure to the king, your majesty." He answered and I nodded
"I see, I'll come along then." I said
"Dame Maia, please brief the other knights of the current situation, I'll be going ahead." I said and she bowed
"Yes, your majesty." She said while bowing her head
I followed Baron Tariq upon entering the throne room, the King Skylark is already seated on his throne.
"Good morning, your majesty," we both greeted him
"Good morning, your majesty, Baron Tariq," he replied
"I assume you're here to inform me of your departure?" he asked and I nodded
"I wish you safety on your journey." He said
"Thank you, your majesty." I said
"I shall ensure her majesty's safe arrival." Baron Tariq said and bowed down
I curtsied before we left the throne room.
"Aren't those the same clothes her majesty wore on our first meeting?" he asked
"Indeed, it is." I answered and we headed to where his caravan is
He is currently wearing a cloth made of fiber, the same cloth that most of the merchants wear, I honestly would not think that he is a Baron, more or less the King of Holland's cousin.
Upon going out of the Palace walls, I wore my cloak over my head and wore the cloth to cover half of my face. I saw Baron Tariq pursing his lip to stop himself from smiling and I mentally shook my head.