Keep Your Enemies Closer

A Breakfast of Sugar and Tea

'The most beautiful thing you can wear is confidence'

It was early a few days later when Everly burst into Reyna's room at dawn. Lately, Reyna had been exploring the gardens, talking to Juniper or getting to know the other girls - mostly Gladys who she found she got on with quite well. Donovan hadn't visited her since their date as he had been taking out the other girls. She understood that he had to but it wouldn't stop her feeling nervous every morning past by and no Prince to be seen. At least today she had gotten a Princess instead. 

She hadn't seen Everly for a while - Gladys had told her the Princess had been quite busy but told her to give Reyna her regards. "Secret business." Gladys had whispered. "Perhaps she'll tell you about it at a later date." Reyna had wondered what it was but had come up empty with ideas.

It was still dark but there Everly was, her dress a pale gold and stitched with flowers, hair tied into a loose plait interwoven with daisies. "Get up." She told Reyna, throwing a gown at her from within her wardrobe. "We're going out today."

"We are?" Reyna asked, rubbing her eyes from the linger of sleep. Before she could push her dark hair from her face, she found herself cradling shoes, underwear and a dress. "Everly." She grumbled. "What time is it? You know I need my sleep."

"You look fine." Everly replied cheerfully. "I haven't seen you in ages and I have a whole day planned for us." She clapped excitedly as she said this before inspecting herself in the mirror.

"But..." she faltered. What if Donovan came today? 

As if she could read her thoughts, Everly replied "He's meeting with Gladys today. You won't miss him." 

Disappointment flooded through Reyna as she pushed her hair back from her face. "You don't have to come." The Princess said slowly. "I can always get Fabian to go with me instead."

"What? No." Reyna grabbed the dress and ran into the bathroom to get ready. Everly laughed, flopping down on the bed. "Okay then." Reyna ran into the bathroom in a hurry, rubbing sleep from her eyes. She glanced in the mirror, her hair tousled and skin pale. She would never stop being grateful for her new appearance. She never wanted to go back to being the other girl again. She climbed into the forest green dress, simple with a few layers of silk at the bottom and the sleeves hanging off the shoulders. She applied some lavender face cream and massaged in some rose hand cream to her palms. Satisfied, she left the room.

Everly was asleep in the time she'd gotten ready. "Wake up!" Reyna whispered into her ear, shaking her awake. "Apologies," Everly replied. "Let's go." 

Everly had led Reyna through the city. It was so silent they could hear their shoes as they moved. "Will anything even be open?" Reyna asked.

"Of course. I wouldn't take you if nothing was." Everly replied, giving Reyna a look. "Trust me, you'll thank me."

"If you say so."

"I do."

"Okay then." 

They eventually came to a small but well decorated cafe, flourishing with plants and flowers. Everly smiled smugly. "I love this place for breakfast. I get a discount as well." 

"Not free?"

"No. That's too spoiled. I need the people to respect me - if I do that they won't." 

"That's...true."

A man was behind the counter as they entered, middle aged and stout, cutting up what looked like bacon? Sausage? Something like that. The smell of maple syrup entered Reyna's nose, making her feel even more hungry than she already was if that was possible. "Dallas!" Everly squealed, rushing to embrace the man. He returned the hug easily, chucking as he did. "Long time no see, Princess." She beamed in response, turning back to Reyna.