Nephele
It's been a week since I talked to my father about moving into my own wing of the castle and he made up his own plan which I guess would do for now. Father wanted Van to have the room right beside his, my old nursery. The same nursery every single one of us six went through and slept in up until we were old enough for our own room. Van had a ball skipping his lessons that Papa had pulled him out of to decorate the room to his liking, his very first room of his own. Van has such a personality sometimes, he is the funniest three year old I've ever met and definitely the most perfect little boy in the realm. I couldn't find my father anywhere before our first meeting of the day and sure enough when I went to grab Van for his teachings, there he was- my father passed out with Van in Van's room.
"Wake up, Dad. We've got meetings to do to." I gently shake his arm and stand over him on the side of the bed. I almost couldn't believe the two of them fit together, my father is no small man.
My father groans as he slowly wakes, "Where am I? Oh gods, Van and I just passed out." He shuts his eyes and continues talking, "I am going to take a day off, the meetings are nothing you can't handle- oh and Van is going to be with me today."
"No. Van cannot skip another one of his lessons Dad." I place my hands on my hips and stand my ground. "I love the bonding between you two and how happy he makes you, but-"
"Nephele, he's so young. A day off won't hurt him either. Come on, you know it's what he wants too." Oh, he was good. Good at making me feel some guilt.
"No Dad. Van needs to go to his lesson."
"Please." It was the first time I heard those lips spoken from his lips and directed at me.
"Fine." I sigh and finally cave in leaning over my father to kiss Van's forehead and then my father's before heading out to the meeting.
Windsor is first to arrive after me, of course he gets there early. After him; Hilen, Makani, and Fenton pile in with vindictive smiles across their faces. Niyol walks in with Paven, both discussing some matter secretively with whispers. Keitha and Junen both show up with Borseas. I wait five more minutes for the final member to show; Esen, but she doesn't.
"Where is your father, Princess?" Lord Fenton asks me.
"He took the day off- it will but be the eleven of us today." I explain briefly.
"The ten if your Lady doesn't make it- you can no longer waste our time and make us wait." Fenton raises his chin- his entitlement on display today, but he was right. I couldn't keep any of them waiting any longer.
"What is our agenda today Lord Niyol?" I smile over at him.
"Actually Princess Nephele,-"
"Wait! Wait! Don't start, I'm here!" Esen barges in through the doors out of breath. "I was just greeted by our guest for today."
"Our what?" I crane my neck to face the door.
"Hello, Princess." Themis smirks. "I'm the guest for today- your father didn't tell you?"
My hands ball into tightly clenched fists. Nope, dear old Dad didn't mention anything except for the fact that I could handle it. A test.
"Hello, King Themis. Please take a seat. I suppose today's meeting will be covering over Araelle's trade with Ferawen?" I say looking for a confirmation from Niyol and I receive a weak smile in return.
"I heard you moved your wedding up, Nephele." Themis smiles sitting down and folding his hands together.
"Yes, I have. It is hardly an appropriate matter of discussion here. Let's stick to business- shall we?"
