Witches of Regnum

𝑿𝑰𝑰

~~~~~~~~~~~~~♕︎♕︎♕︎♕︎~~~~~~~~~~~~

𝕿he day went on smoothly, although the girls worried for their suddenly disappeared friend, they continued with their lunch, eventually retiring to their individual palaces for the day.

The orange-pink sky slowly turned to the black of night, usually at this hour most would be preparing for sleep, but a particular princess had much to do before she could rest.

"And the Duke insists on this?" She asks, a bit of annoyance laced in her tone.

"Yes, he says that if we cut down on the shipment of potions, he, in return will completely ban all trade of nymph dust to Cyrus" Aiden replies.

A stressed Arpina looks at the heap of documents on her desk, tiredly rubbing her temples in attempts to ease out the nagging pain in her head.

"Arpina...I think it's time you rest for the night, you aren't even queen yet, leave these matters to mother for now" Aiden says rubbing the back of his sister in attempts to calm her.

"Yes but this is also work for the crowned princess" she began looking up at her brother "if I am unable to finish my remaining work as crowned princess, I will have to do all of it and my queenly duties all at the same time" she adds.

"I understand"

"And now more than ever the people seem to have so many issues and complaints, I can't even catch a breath without being bombarded with one problem or the other" the witch explains. She arises from her office desk, perfectly placed in the corner of her spacious private sitting room, before looking out the narrow window infront of her, peering into the darkness that was her kingdom.

"I just wish...I could just get a brea-"

A soft yet loud knock on the large wooden door interrupts her sentence. She furrows her brows in confusion on who might disturb her at a time like this, after all she hadn't sent for anything, and since it was her living room and not bedroom, her parents would just enter.

"Yes come in" she says. The small frame of a familiar lady-in-waiting appears from behind the door.

"Your highness, you have a guest" she says politely bowing.

"Penelope I have told you, if it is one of the future queens then please do not address them as gues-"

"No your highnesses, it is not any of the future queens...it is, a man.." she replies, hesitating before the last statement. The two siblings look at each other with confused looks obviously wondering the same thing.

"Perhaps it is the Duke?" Aiden suggests. Arpina rolls her eyes at the mention of the old fool that had been giving her kingdom problems for some years now.

"Of course, I'll be right there" Arpina says a bit annoyed, allowing the young servant take her leave.

"I swear if that man speaks to me rudely about this matter, I will completely cut down the shipments not just half it" the princess spat angrily. Her brother laughs at her serious Tone.

"You know what, this time I'm with you" he replies making her giggle.

The royal made her way downstairs as her brother remained in her office helping her sort out some final documents. She had already set her mind that today, she would show that annoying wizard who the royal family was. Opening the doors to the main room, her face fell into a look of surprise meeting with the eyes of the person she'd least expect.

"Princess Arpina" the velvety voice greets her with a warm yet mischievous smile. He then takes her slender hand into his, planting a gentle kiss on her fingers.