I woke up early to the gentle rays of the sun peeking through the slits of my blinds, casting a soft glow across the room. It had only been a few days since I started waking up early, but it was becoming a habit. Slowly, I sat up in bed, feeling the warmth of the morning embrace me. As I stretched, I brought my knees to my chest and ran my fingers through my hair, reminiscing about the lessons my mother had taught me on the importance of hair care.
A wave of nostalgia washed over me as I thought about my mother's loving gestures, like making me breakfast on special occasions, particularly on my birthday. The memories tugged at my heartstrings, filling me with a bittersweet longing. Lost in my thoughts, I was startled when a soft knock on the door interrupted my reverie. Clearing my throat, I called out, "Come in."
To my surprise, the voice on the other side of the door hesitated, as if unsure of entering. "Your highness," the voice finally spoke, "I just came to inform you that breakfast is served from 6 to 9 am." Puzzled by the unusual behavior, I thanked the person and waited until I was certain they had walked away before getting out of bed. Making my way to the bathroom, I decided to braid my hair, following the techniques my mother had taught me.
After finishing my hair, I opened the closet, only to find that the majority of the clothes inside were unfamiliar to me. Frustration welled up within me as I realized that my wardrobe had been replaced without my knowledge. "Are you kidding me?" I muttered under my breath, feeling a sense of disconnection from my own belongings. Determined to find something that felt like me, I pulled out a green teal-colored dress, but the sight of it made me grimace in disgust. It was not a reflection of my personal style.
Opting for a dark burgundy dress instead, a small smile crept onto my face as I held it up to the mirror, envisioning how it would look on me. Excitement filled my chest as I quickly retreated behind a privacy screen in the room to change. Stepping out from behind the screen, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror, and for the first time, I noticed the striking resemblance I bore to my mother. The realization brought a mix of emotions, both comforting and overwhelming.
Shaking off the flood of thoughts, I grabbed my book, eager to immerse myself in its pages. With a renewed sense of purpose, I made my way out of the room and descended the grand staircase, the anticipation of a delicious breakfast filling the air.
I entered the room with a slight bow, feeling a mix of nervousness and excitement. The only occupants at the table were Amira and Regulus, both engrossed in their breakfast. "Good morning," I greeted them warmly, taking a seat. Amira had already finished her boiled egg and was now savoring some jam and toast, while Regulus was indulging in a bowl of porridge.
"Good morning, how did you sleep?" Regulus inquired, taking a bite of his porridge. I smiled and replied, "Fine, thank you. And what about yourself?" Regulus's eyes lit up with enthusiasm as he placed his cup of water on the table. "Mmm!" he exclaimed excitedly. "I had the most incredible dream last night. I dreamt that I was out hunting, and I stumbled upon a majestic elk. With my musket in hand, I aimed and fired, hitting it perfectly!" He playfully mimicked shooting at us, causing us all to burst into laughter.
Before Amira could share her thoughts, the door swung open, revealing a woman who stood just a little taller than me. She was dressed in a black dress that seemed slightly heavy, hinting at the presence of chainmail underneath. "He's been having this dream every few years for the past year," she stated matter-of-factly. Following her was another woman, much taller than the first. I couldn't help but shift uncomfortably in my seat as she entered the room. "Let's not forget that I had to drag the damn thing in," the taller woman added, her voice carrying a hint of annoyance.
Feeling a sudden urge to compose myself, I discreetly wiped my mouth with the napkin beside me. When I looked up, I found myself locking eyes with the taller woman. She wore a colder, more aloof expression, which sent a shiver down my spine. "Of course, I forgot to introduce you!" Regulus exclaimed, breaking the tension. "Princess Imani, these are my sisters, Princess Maeva and Princess Manon."
