Wither of Thornes

Chapter 2: Graydown

The King gathered a group of guards with different tasks. Night guards, traveling guards, labor guards. The traveling guards would try to find someone who knew how to fix the issue of the seasons. Arine wanted to say that she couldn't go to a nearby Academy while there were people going to the unknown for who knows how long.

As Arine stood still, not knowing where to go, one of the maids nearly bumped into her. The maid had dirty blonde hair coming out of her bun. Arine muttered an apology at the same time the maid did. 

"No, no, it's okay." Arine assured.

"I am so sorry your Royal Highness! The King has ordered breakfast to be served and he calls the royals to the dining table now." the maid said. 

"Ah okay. I'll be there in a moment."

Arine was escorted by the maid to the dining table. There were various items on the table, such as breakfast rolls, toast, and drinks. Usually, Arine would be delighted to see breakfast, but today was different. Today her head was too occupied to enjoy the taste of breakfast. Today she was yearning for the meal to be over so she would be alone.

Arine did not realize as she was buried in her mind that she ate significantly faster than usual. Her mother and father noticed this, and stared at her confused. 

"Arine, do you need to go somewhere? You're eating your food very quickly." her father asked, concerned. 

"Huh?" Arine said. "Oh, no. I actually need to go back to my bedroom for I am not feeling that well." 

"Are you alright?" her mother inquired.

"Yes, yes, it's fine. I'll just need to rest for a bit."

"Okay, I'll call Eda to take you to your room." the King called out to the maid Eda.

Eda came, and Arine realized that she was the same maid she had bumped into. "Yes Majesty? What may I help you with?"

"Take my daughter to her room. She is not feeling well." the King commanded.

Eda looked at Arine with a rueful smile. Eda bobbed her head, bowed down, and took Arine's arm as she rose up to bring her to her room.

"Is everything alright?" Are you ill?" Eda asked Arine.

"No, I just feel the need to rest." Arine replied.

Eda nodded and led her inside the room.

"Would you like for me to fix up your hair and find comfortable clothes for you?" 

Arine nodded.

Eda motioned for her to go to the dressing table with the large mirror. Arine sat down as Eda took the clips out of Arine's hair and started combing it. Arine found it soothing when someone else combed her hair for her. When she was younger, it was her mother who combed her hair and tied ribbons to it. 

Arine's dark black hair fell over her shoulders. The strand of white hair she had was visible in front of her. Arine's mother did not like the white strand she had, but she had tied her hair a way to make the white strand more princess-like and not out of the ordinary. 

Eda tied her hair into a tight ponytail and checked over it one more time. "I think you are ready your Highness. I will take out light clothes for you now."

Arine looked at Eda while she opened her closet and searched through the clothes. She came out with a large sized yellow shirt and loose blue pants. 

"This good enough?" Eda asked.

"Yes, thank you." Arine answered. 

"Rest for a bit. Go to the King and Queen's room once you feel better."