Kingdom of Ash

Of course, your majesty.

I woke up to the inviting aroma of eggs and toast wafting through the room. Groggy and half-asleep, I pushed myself upright and glanced toward the foot of my bed, where a breakfast platter awaited. The morning sunlight filtered through my curtains, casting a warm glow across the room and gently stirring memories of last night. As I adjusted my position, I noticed the bandage on my thigh had shifted during the night. The ointments we'd been applying are working their magic—though the wound was still tender, it looked less inflamed. I gingerly touched it, appreciating the improvement even if it still hurt.

With a quiet stretch, I shuffled to the edge of the bed, eager to indulge in the breakfast spread. Nestled among the warm eggs, cooked potato bites, and golden toast was a small note and a single red rose. I had Earnest whip up the El special. Enjoy. -Ezra

A smile tugged at my lips. Earnest's cooking was a rare delight. Even though I never held the title of noblewoman, I had roamed the castle freely. While Ezra was occupied with royal duties, I'd formed a bond with the waitstaff. Earnest, the king's private chef, had been particularly kind to me. His culinary skills were renowned, and he had traveled far and wide, collecting flavors and techniques from across the land. My favorite had always been his over-easy eggs with toast and perfectly crisped potato bites, accompanied by freshly squeezed orange juice. It was a breakfast fit for royalty, and yet, Earnest made it feel like a personal treat. As I savored each bite, I was transported back to our simpler days, reminiscing about the cooking lessons and the delightful discoveries of flavors.

As I finished the meal, my satisfaction was tempered by thoughts of Ava and Theo. They deserved comfort and joy as well, but their lives had been far less fortunate. Although I had found myself surrounded by luxuries that were beyond their reach, I could never quite escape the tinge of guilt that accompanied such privileges. It was a feeling that seemed to shadow me no matter where I went. Rising from the bed, I headed to my closet to choose my attire for the day. I retrieved one of my favorite garments—a brown leather corsetelette that laced up the front. Despite my general aversion to anything that restricted movement, this piece of clothing had molded to my body over the years, becoming a comfortable second skin.

Alongside it, I selected a long-sleeve white shirt, light and airy for the warm weather, and a flowing green skirt that was both acceptable for the castle and practical enough to avoid discomfort. Completing the outfit were a pair of black shoes with a modest heel, just high enough to be stylish without being bothersome. As I began the lengthy process of dressing, I couldn't help but remember how much I disliked the layers and the time it took. I sank into the cushioned chair before my mirror, the day's first light filtering softly through the window, I began the daunting task of taming my wild, tangled hair. It had grown long and unruly, defying every attempt to smooth it out. Each stroke of the brush felt like a battle, and I was losing ground.

In the midst of my struggle, a gentle knock on the door broke through my concentration. "Come in," I called out, eyes still fixed on the mirror's reflection. I caught sight of Ezra slipping through the doorway, his presence immediately shifting the room's atmosphere. He closed the door with careful deliberation, a smile on his face that did little to dispel the concern I saw etched in his features.

"Good morning," he said.

"Morning" I replied, my gaze catching his through the mirror. I noticed the furrow in his brow deepen as he approached. Raising an eyebrow, I spun around to face him fully. "Okay, what's wrong?"

Ezra's smile faltered into a tight-lipped expression. He sighed deeply, stepping closer until he stood before me. "The King would like to speak to you."

My heart skipped a beat. The blood in my veins seemed to turn to ice. "Why?" I asked, my voice barely more than a whisper.

He shook his head, his eyes troubled. "I'm not entirely sure. He didn't elaborate, just requested your presence for a word at noon."