52: Turning Point

I've been here for a couple of days now and I've noticed some… unnoticeable changes. I do not know how such thing has occurred but despite everything seeming like the usual, I've noticed something different.

"Your majesty, do you want to eat?" Dame Therese asked me

"Yes, and can you please join me, I don't like the feeling of eating alone." I said

"Yes, your majesty, I will have them prepare your meal." She knelt down on one knee before standing and leaving

"Dame Maia," I called her attention and she looked at me

"Yes, your majesty?" she knelt on one knee again

"I want to take a stroll," I said and stood up

"I will have them prepare your coat, your majesty." She said and stood up

"Wear one as well, accompany me." I said and turned to face the glass window

"As you wish, your majesty," I heard her reply

I raised my hand and touched the glass, it's moist and I can see from where I am standing the misted grounds outside. The days seemed to move like a gust of wind, I'm looking forward to day the Holland has finally reclaimed the territory, as it means that we're finally a step away from the final step, the final act… from reclaiming my throne.

I drew a flower on the glass and smiled, I suddenly began to miss my days as the princess of Astrae, I may have been known as a callous and rebellious one but… I prefer that reputation. I prefer the reputation that makes me look so carefree, that my people are afraid that I might not be a good ruler as I might take things too lightly. Than… than have them fear me because of what I've done in the past.

I put my hand down and closed it, I suddenly realized how lucky I was before.

I overlooked my situation, I hated Katrina back then for raising me with negligence but… but on the brighter side, I became more responsible of myself because I knew that without Zairo's presence, I only have myself, and that lesson had given me the chance of saving.

"Your majesty," I turned around and I saw Dame Maia followed by servants holding different kinds of cloak.

"I'd take the leather cloak," I said and the maids brought it forward

They wrapped it around my shoulder then they placed a medallion as a clip to lock the coat.

"Why aren't you wearing winter clothes, Dame?" I asked when I noticed her clothing

"I apologize, your majesty, I will go ahead and change." She bowed her head and was about to leave when I called her

"Give the other coat to her," I told the maid and she turned with wide eyes

"Your majesty, I… I don't deserve to wear such fine clothing as you do." She said and knelt on one knee before me

"Are you opposing my words, Dame?" I asked calmly and she looked up with wide eyes

"I would not dare do such insolence, your majesty." She said and shook her head

"Rise, Dame Maia," as reluctant as she may be, she stood up straight, I know for sure she will not dare go against my words as I am still her queen

Unfortunately, the knights are to act upon their monarch's words. It doesn't matter if the order is against their will or morale, as long as it came from the definite order, or the highest position, they have no choice but to obey. Knights like Dame Maia who do not follow immediately are not usual, I do not say that it's bad as it's rare to have a knight, a loyal one at that, who dares voice out their opinion and does not blindly follow. I'd prefer a knight like her than a puppet who cannot decide on their own, as they are much more worthy of receiving my trust.

"I will fix your coat, dame," one of the servants said

"Thank you," Dame Maia said almost out of breath

After she was ready, I smiled and headed outside, I heard her footsteps trailing behind mine. I continued walking to the garden, it's barren but for some reason I feel warmer with the cold gust of wind colliding with my skin than with the cloak I am wearing.

"What do you think of the upcoming winter?" I asked her and stopped walking

"I beg your pardon, your majesty," I turned around and I saw confusion written in her face

"As a knight, what do you think of the upcoming winter?" I repeated and she looked down for a while then looked up in the sky

"The upcoming winter would probably harsh as it hasn't arrived yet but the wind is now whooshing with cold fractals of ice." She replied while looking up then she glanced at me

"May I ask her majesty what had brought this question forth?" she asked and I smiled while shaking my head gently

"No reason," I replied and smiled

"Then, may I ask of what her majesty think of the upcoming winter?" she asked

"Hmm, the upcoming winter would cover the battle field with the thick blanket of snow." I said and she nodded

"That is indeed true, your majesty," she said and I smiled

"Don't you think reclaiming the Frozen Kingdom on the first fall of snow would be quite an event to remember?" I asked and she smiled

"It would be very historical, your majesty." She answered

We continued walking in the garden until we reached a gazebo, I removed my glove and tapped the metal bench, wrapping it in ice, I turned to Dame Maia and I saw how her eyes widened in disbelief before she averted her gaze. I sat on the frosted bench and turned to her.

"Do you have any questions, Dame Maia?" I asked her

I did blatantly use the gift passed down to our generation, Zairo had talked to me about considering it as a gift rather than a curse as gifts like ours are only given to the rightful rulers and heirs to throne. That kind of talk doesn't end well as it always ends in argument.

"I would not dare do such insolence, your majesty." She replied slightly quivering

I turned to her and I realized that I almost forgot that I am the only one who is able to withstand a cold atmosphere such as this as it is my gift's domain. I stood up and began walking back to the reading area, I heard Dame Maia's footsteps, they're rather quick and heavy yet she remained to move in a manner that kept her trailing behind me.

When we arrived, Dame Maia immediately took the cloak off as the maids removed mine and carefully gave it to the maids while saying her thanks.

The door suddenly opened and a knight barged in and knelt before me before speaking,

"Your majesty, the young general,"