The Love in your Eyes

III | Déjà-vu

MISAEL

Excited that I was nearly finished getting ready for the day, I let out a satisfied hum as I was standing in front of my full-length mirror.

Five servants –who had the responsibility of me helping to get dressed– were currently adjusting all the varied materials of my attire. And I remembered how in my past life I had disliked this many people helping me with something as simple as putting on clothes. Now I hated it even more. I shook my head as I let out a frustrated sigh, my spirit souring. I did not even know the names of all the servants around me.
Immediately the hands, which had been on me mere seconds ago, left my body and all servants scurried to take a few steps away from me while bowing their heads down. Before Alexandre could even ask, what the matter was, I had already turned around standing firmly and determined in front of my subjects.

"From now on I wish to only have Mr Laffon, and one of you five help me in the morning and evening. I wish for one of you to become my personal servant. My Valet." I paused shortly and could hear the six around me let out surprised gasps. "The only exception will be with official assemblies, such as balls or banquets for instance. In those situations, is when I wish to have all five of you help me. But on regular days, such as this one, I am in no need for five to help me. Two will absolutely suffice."
"Yes, your Majesty." The six answered in unison while bowing once again, after I was finished with my announcement. Alexandre then stepped towards me, still with a confused expression on his face. "Who is it you wish to have as your valet, your Majesty?" I looked at the five –all male servants– while still deep in thought. "I am not sure yet. I will make that decision later today, after I had a proper in depth look at all the palace household affairs, the employees and their work. Perhaps tomorrow as well, depending on how long it is going to take me today," I paused once more, while I turned to Alexandre, "does Princess Evangeline have any important appointments today, or tomorrow that you are aware of, Mr Laffon?" Alexandre looked at me bewildered for a second, but quickly regained his composure.
"Not that I am aware of, your Majesty... though she might be amid the preparations for Prince Philip's upcoming birthday ceremony. But if I informed myself correctly, Her Highness is already nearly finished." After Alexandre's answer, I smiled to myself, starting to feel excited once again with a plan forming in my head.

"Then Princess Evangeline shall join me today, I will let her know at breakfast. You five are dismissed, further instructions will be given to you later today." I declared, whereupon the five servants immediately left the room, and I turned back around to the mirror to look at my reflection, making sure I looked presentable for the day.
Behind me, I could hear Alexandre shuffling closer to me. "Your Majesty, are you sure you want Princess Evangeline to join you? She is not Queen Consort yet, therefor it is not her–," Before Alexandre could even finish his sentence, I already raised my head, and given him a sharp look through the mirror. "She may not be Queen now, but she will be in less than three months. It would only be to her advantage, to get familiar with the palace household affairs, as she will be taking over them regardless, once she is the Queen." My tone was final and left no room for discussion. Evangeline was going to join me today. The only thing stopping me, was if she told me herself that she did not want to, for whatever reason that may be.

Looking at myself in the mirror, I made sure –probably for the one hundredth time this morning– that everything was in place. The plain white traditional, linen dress shirt, with a pleated front, which was tucked into my black wool trousers, which reached up to my waist. The traditional waistcoat I was wearing on top, had a stand-up collar, was made of a mixture of linen and wool, had such a dark olive-green tone that it could have easily been mistaken as black. Just like Philip's jacket, did this attire have traditional, golden pattern embroidered onto it, at its centre front, yoke front, as well as back, and hem. The pattern was the national flower of the Bayareau kingdom, the Princha. It was a flower said to have helped the founders of Bayareau make it a prosperous kingdom. Today the flower could only be found on the highest mountains of the northern region of Bayareau. It was truly a remarkably beautiful flower, and additionally made a quite dashing embroidery pattern.