The Hearts Desire

The King

Hello my darlings,

With 2021 many weeks on its way, I want to wish you a late happy new year and remind you that a year is just a number. Make 2022 your year!

Moons out!

Waking up, I could feel the sunlight move as everything around me started to become clearer. Slowly opening my eyes, I was met with the recollection of yesterday's events, how we came to the palace after a long journey, my brother being worried about me, and finally sleeping in a bed. A breeze entered the room out from the open glass doors from the balcony, I am guessing Tsu and Kyoka are already up. The lacy curtains moved along with the wind, slowly, and the sun was warming up the morning air. It felt good waking up in a beautiful sunlit room like this one, the whole world looked light and lovely.

Getting up from the bed was hard since it was so comfortable and the warmth so familiar, the softness incomparable. But the day cannot start in bed, there is still time before the ball starts today, which means more time for me to go and explore outside.

But I still have the meeting with the king, and I have to stay vigilant until then, so I wouldn't be able to go outside the palace yet. I was stuck between a rock and a hard place. I ruffled my hair and sighed. Well, no time to sit around and mope all day. Pushing the covers away from me, I step onto the hardwood floor and began my day.

"Tsu and Kyoka, can you hear me?" I call out as I drape on my silk morning robe.

The door opens up and both of them enter the room. "How can we assist, your highness?" They both greeted me with a curtsey like they do every morning.

"I'd like to get ready for the day, help me with my bath. Also, some breakfast after my bath would be nice, and Tsu I need to know today's schedule." Once I had given my orders, Kyoka rushed to start my bath and Tsu helped me with my clothing. Finally, after a long and refreshing bath and a nice breakfast, I was ready to start my day!

"For today, your father has asked me to remind you that you'll be attending the meeting with king Endeavor, so going outside the castle today is not possible." Even when I knew that it felt disappointing to hear it from someone else. "But before and after the meeting with the king, we can go and explore the palace and the palace gardens. I heard that the flowers are in full bloom and looking the most beautiful in years." Tsu's words comforted me. Although I wouldn't be able to go outside, I'd be able to go and explore an unknown palace.

"I heard from the palace maids here that the celebration will go on for only four days instead of a whole week!" Kyoka said. Huh, only four days, that is quite unusual. Usually, these celebrations are quite big and festive, maybe it is a cultural difference?

I put on the dress Kyoka showed off yesterday, and it looked stunning when I looked in the mirror. It was very snug on the waist, like all dresses are, but complimented my chest very well. The dress had multiple layers of petticoat so a cage, which holds the other layers of the dress up so it looks fuller, wasn't needed. The train of the dress flowed nicely behind me when I walked and gave me a regal feel. The lace looked so beautiful, especially on the sleeves.

My hair was made into a half up, half down hairstyle, with a carefully made bun with curls sticking out here and there to give it more of an airy look. The rest was curled and left alone to rest on my back. Lots of flower decorations of a different kinds were added to my hair with some hairpins of pearls to match my dress. For the finishing touches, I put on a pearl and ruby necklace that clung to my neck, like a choker that drapes down beautifully with a pendant of my family crest in the middle.