What Sisters Say {Part 1}

Anastasia's eyes fluttered opened to her bedroom being nearly completely quiet. She could hear the birds chirping beyond her garden door. The wind brushed through the sheer curtains of her bedroom windows and they and they fluttered to life casting shadows across the wall from themselves. The soft ticking of a clock brought in the rhythm of a normal day, and the shutting of a book signaled she was not alone.

Anastasia sat up to see two of her sisters sitting in her room. Bryn, the one who just closed the book, got up and came to her sister's side. Cora, sat stitching the embroidery of a dress she hoped to dawn some time soon. Her littlest sister, Daisy, was not present at the moment, but she didn't blame her. From what Anastasia could tell, it was early in the morning.

As her sister drew nearer, she tried to recall what might bring them to her chambers so early in the morning. Then it slowly dawned on her. She remembered waking up to a room full of people as she laid on her bed with her head pounding. Although she did little to help due to the foreign fog encircling her hear, she stood as she was quickly changed out of her normal clothes and into a cool night gown before being placed back in bed. A soothing tea was lifted to her lips ever so often, but for the most part she was simply told to rest.

And rest she did, so much so that she had no recollection of her sisters entering her room, or everyone one else leaving it. She now sat up in her bed, the remnants of a headache still teasing the corners of her eyes, but otherwise it was almost entirely gone.

"Hello Dearest." Bryn cooed, bringing a fresh cup of tea towards Anastasia and lifting it towards her lips.

"Good Morning, I can drink for myself now." Anastasia's voice was husky with sleep, but still quiet and gentle.

"Well I'm glad to hear that, but you mustn't tax yourself." Bryn spoke, practically forcing Anastasia to drink the offered liquid.

"And since when has drinking tea been taxing." Cora quipped as she sat down her embroidery and joined the two others on the bed.

"Since the British made it so." Bryn retorted throwing a fiendish look at her sister.

Anastasia smiled. This was akin to old times, before she was a Queen and her sisters shoved into even higher roles of importance. She missed the times when she and her sisters would all wake up early and sneak into the others rooms and simply talk. Even better were the nights when they couldn't recall the morning sun coming up, but knew the nanny would not be pleased when she would find all three girls half asleep during their lessons. Daisy, was still much to young during the times when Anastasia would sleep in the princess' quarters.

That was many years ago. Anastasia had been ruling since she was 15, which was six years ago now. Her sister Bryn, who was two years younger, was forced into a foreign life much as she was when their parents were massacred during the peace negotiations with Grasdia. Cora was four years younger than Anastasia, and Daisy was nearly 8 years younger than Anastasia, making her only 7 when their parents died.

Now the four sisters had found their own way to thrive. Anastasia was queen, and kept quite busy trying to maintain the job both of her parents had done perfectly together. Bryn had started her portion of the tasks when she turned 15. She was the one who planned tea parties, balls and royal events. She was good at being the lady of the castle and was known for knowing how to pull off the perfect party. Cora was a bit more stoic, and focused more on the arts than she did any physical tasks. She was fluent in several languages, even more so than Anastasia, and also knew how to play a variety of instruments, create art in multiple mediums, and was as skilled a dancer as any other in Karthia.

Daisy was their little bud in bloom. Each worked in their own way to help nurture the girl who lost her parents so young. Bryn probably did the most of the mothering, as Anastasia was far to busy those first few years. However, Daisy knew if she need something or someone she had Anastasia. She also would lean on Cora, and the two were known to spend a majority of their time together. However, Daisy was a bit more active than the other three girls. She was already a skilled rider and had started training in archery several years before.

As if the thought of Daisy made her appear, Anastasia jumped as her door was thrown open and Daisy came running into the room. The ribbons of her dress were undone, her hair was not at all brushed or braided, and she was even daring enough to not wear shoes. She immediately climbed onto her sister's bed and asked with wide eyes. "Is it true Prince Taren carried you all the way to your room when you fainted."

Anastasia's eyes went wide. Had it been him that carried her here? Anastasia couldn't help but stare at Daisy wide eyed before turning to Bryn.

"Daisy, you cannot ask such a question." Bryn quickly shifted her gaze from Anastasia as she scolded Daisy. She then quickly walked the tea cup and saucer back to their place at the table and closing the bedroom door.

"Why ever not?" Daisy whined after her, but it was Cora who picked up during this potion of the conversation.

"It is inconsiderate of the person's situation. She just woke up and is trying to orientate herself. Besides, she probably doesn't remember who carried her here."

"But it was Prince Taren, wasn't it." Daisy pleaded, searching for the nugget of truth as if a miner during a gold rush.

"It was." Bryn said rather flatly while looking at Anastasia to gauge her reaction. There was a slight look of shock that faded away into contemplation she noticed. It was obvious Anastasia didn't remember waking up while the man lifted her, or shielding her light from the eyes by burying into his chest.

Cora, who was slightly oblivious, began to speak again before Bryn could ask Anastasia anything. "But it was Phillip who waited outside her door until he knew for sure she was okay. I was afraid he might have threatened to barge in should he not be told her status within the first hour of her being ill."

Without a second thought of what she was saying, Daisy decidedly said "I like Phillip, but he's to shy to be King. Besides the Prince is handsome"

"You've never even seen the Prince." Cora retorted, knowing that Daisy was much to preoccupied and young to join in on any of the events that had taken in the court in the two days that the Spring Season had been going on.

"But Aubrey has, and she says his looks are worth giving up a kingdom for." Daisy explained.

"I would never give up Karthia for someone's looks." Anastasia spoke for the first time since Daisy's arrival, and it pulled the attention of all three sisters. She looked almost wounded by their words, and none of them had the faintest clue why.

"I'm sorry. It's been a long few days, and I have a lot on my mind."

"Of course you do dear. No one in this room is expecting more of you than what you already give. Daisy, Cora, why don't you go get breakfast for the four of us. If Anastasia is up to it we can all eat together in the garden. While your at it, Daisy put on some shoes and brush your hair."

Daisy looked at Bryn with distaste, but followed Cora as she left the room. This left Bryn and Anastasia. Before much else could be said, Anastasia watched as Bryn went into her closet and pulled out a simple morning dress. She knew Bryn was planning something, but she was far to wrapped up in her own head to judge was those schemes were.