Overlook

It's been another couple of weeks, looking out from the veranda of the palace, I can already see the changes and the progress of reconstruction in Astrae. I feel delighted to see that despite the cold fall of snow, the progress does not get prolonged or fall into standstill, with the aid of the resources coming from Arcadia and Holland and the determination and diligence of the people, it seems that Astrae is finally recovering.

"Your majesty," Dame Therese arrived and knelt down on one knee as she arrived

"Rise, have you delivered the letter?" I asked and she stood up

"Yes, your majesty, the King Zachary has personally received the letter." She said

"What did he say?" I asked with anticipation

"He did not say anything, your majesty," she replied and I sighed before smiling

"I see, thank you for your hard work, Dame, you may take a rest." I said

"Yes, your majesty," she said and left

I went inside the hallways and closed the door of the veranda when the cold wind of Sagittarian blew in fractals of ice and snow.

"Good day, your majesty," the servants greeted as I walk passed them

"Good day as well, thank you for your hard work." I replied while smiling

The palace seems livelier than the palace I remember growing up in. The servants are all smiling as they work together, everyone is bustling in work but there's this light atmosphere surrounding them as they work, the surrounding looks lighter as well.

"Be careful," I said and raised my hand when a maid almost stumbled down while holding stacks of boxes, presumably for the food to be rationed to people

"I apologize, your majesty," she said as the ice wall blocks the boxes rom falling

"Knights, kindly assist her," I turned to the knights with my hand still raised

"Yes, your majesty," they said and I lowered my hand after they took the boxes

The residents of the Palace are still startled whenever I use my gift, and that is quite understandable as I am probably the only gifted monarch who blatantly uses her gift in front of her people. I would smile at them and they would smile back before lowering their gazes, I will be lying if I say that I do not feel their alarm whenever I suddenly use my gift.

I continued walking in the hallway, I went out of the main Palace and headed to the White Palace to visit the young prince. During the past weeks, it's been a part of my daily routine to visit the young prince before I head to do my political duties and before I began my paper works as a queen.

"Good day, your majesty," Sir Charles stopped on his track and bowed followed by the other knights he is training

"You're still on training? It's already noon," I said and he stood up straight, his head lowered

"They are the new knights, your majesty, the exercises had been finished earlier." He said and I nodded

"I see, thank you for your hard work, Sir Charles." I said and glanced at the new knights

"I hope to see you around as knights soon, don't give up." I smiled at them

"We will not disappoint you, your majesty." They said and I nodded before heading to the White Palace's entrance.

The knights opened the door for me and the servants stopped on what they're doing.

"Good day, your majesty," they greeted upon my arrival and I smiled before heading to the young prince's room

"Her majesty, the queen Patrice, is here." The head servant of the White Palace who assisted me announced when I arrived in front of the room

"Thank you for your hard work." I told the head servant who bowed before leaving

"How is he?" I asked Dame Maia who had opened the door

"The young prince still talks in his sleep from time to time, your majesty." She replied

"Thank you for your hard work, Dame Maia," I said and she bowed down

"It is my honor and duty, your majesty." She replied and I went to the young prince

I went to sit on the side of his bed and held his hand, he looks peaceful while lying there.

"I'm here again, Malika," I said softly

"Aren't you bored of just sleeping, young prince?" I asked and caressed his cheek

"You've been sleeping for quite a while now, you see." I added

"I remember that you said you'd like to experience playing in the snow before, the whole kingdom is covered in snow now." I chuckled softly before bending down to kiss his forehead

"I'll go ahead to work now," I said and caressed his hair gently

I stood up from sitting and went out of the room, Dame Maia bowed as I passed by. I smiled at her and she smiled back, I couldn't help but notice that she had gained weight, she's looking over the young prince from dawn until dusk so she is exempted in their morning training, that must be why.

I went back to the Main Palace and headed to the King's study. Some documents were stamped with the royal seal and I have to review each term and conditions whether it would be beneficial to Astrae or would it be merely favorable to satiate the personal interest of the parties involved.

So far, as it was Katrina who handled most of the political and official works of Astrae, as Trinity Ezra was merely a puppet exposed to the limelight, most of the documents I've reviewed are fairly beneficial to Astrae.

"Knight," I called the knight guarding the door to the King's study

"Yes, your majesty?" the knight knelt down as soon as the door opened

"Have a carriage prepared for me along with some foods to be given out, I will be heading to see the progress in the village myself." I said and he stood up

"Yes, your majesty," he said and left, closing the door after him, I looked out into the window before I continued reading the agreement that Katrina had approved and sealed.

"Come inside," I said and looked up when I heard knocks coming from the door

"Your majesty, the Lord Valdez is here to see you." Knight Stephen said and knelt on one knee after coming inside

"Good noon, your majesty," Lord Valdez greeted

"Good noon, Lord Valdez, have a seat." I replied and closed the agreement I am reading

"Thank you for your assistance, Knight Stephen." I said and he stood up

Knight Stephen bowed before he went out, closing the door after him.

"For what purpose did you come to see me, Lord Valdez?" I asked directly

"News has spread within Astrae that her majesty had taken in a child into the White Palace, I have come to ask for her majesty's affirmation." He said and I looked at him in amusement

"Oh, I was already expecting one of the council members to come see me and ask for confirmation one way or another as it's been a couple of week since he has arrived." I chuckled and I saw how Lord Valdez's eyes widened in surprise

"Then, such tittle-tattle is true?" he asked and I nodded

"Yes, however, he is still unconscious due to the assassination arranged for him during the recent battle." I said and my voice became somber upon saying the latter part

"Then was it the child her majesty has spoken of before?" He asked and I nodded

"But I do hope he wakes up, if not, I may have to bring him to Arcadia personally for him to receive the medical treatment that would wake him up." I said seriously

"Are you considering forming a formal political alliance with Arcadia for the sake of treating him?" he asked and I smiled before nodding my head

"I have always been insinuating building an alliance with them." I said

"Your majesty," following several light knocks

"Come in," I said and the door opened and the knight knelt on one knee

"Your carriage is ready, your majesty." He said and I nodded

"It seems her majesty has other affairs to handle, I shall go ahead then." Lord Valdez said

"Knight, accompany Lord Valdez on his way to his carriage." I told the knight who stood up

"Glory to the glistening moonlight of the Astrae," Lord Valdez bowed and I smiled

It has been quite a while since I last heard someone address me as such, it's quite nostalgic.

I stood up and went out of the King's Study after tidying up my table. I walked in the hallway, it's already afternoon and the number of palace servant's I've encountered on my way to the carriage waiting in front of the palace can be counted with one hand.

The coachman opened the carriage for me, and a knight accompanied me on the way to the village. It feels quite strange to be with a knight who seems uptight and strict, I must have gotten quite accustomed to the relaxed attitude that my personal knights have before.

"Glory to her majesty, the Queen Patrice!"

I descended the carriage when I arrived in the village. The people are working hard and it's quite heartwarming as it really means a lot that everyone is helping in rebuilding and bringing back Astrae to its original state.

"Hello," I waved my hand and smiled at the people who looked my way

"Your majesty," they bowed upon seeing me

"Have you all eaten?" I asked one of the workers who is holding a pail of cement

"Yes, your majesty," he said with his head lowered and I smiled