Switched ~ a Fractured Fairytale

Chapter Seven ~ A Disastrous Dinner

I woke the next morning not feeling particularly very rested. Cassy merely groaned and turned over, so I slipped out of bed and followed the smell of breakfast to the main room. Only Mother was awake, reading from a large pile of letters as she sipped her tea.

'What time is it?' I asked, glancing at the soft light seeping in through the open windows.

'Just gone 8,' Mother said, setting aside her letters. 'I wasn't expecting any of you for hours.'

'Couldn't sleep,' I yawned.

'Ah yes,' Mother said. 'The young gentleman at the window last night.' She looked at me with a quizzical half-smile and I buried my face in my hands.

'Why... why couldn't he be normal?' I groaned.

Mother chucked and passed me a cup of tea. 'He seems like a very sweet boy,' she said. She shuffled through the envelopes before her and passed me two. 'Here, these are for you,' she said.

Sipping my tea, I ripped into the first letter, written on a thick, creamy parchment. It was from Prince Alastair, inviting me to a private dinner in three days time. The second was from Rani's mother, Queen Indra, inviting me to breakfast.

Leaving Mother to her letters, I dressed quietly in my favourite green dress and, with Cassy still asleep, I left for breakfast. I got lost twice and had to ask a passing footman the way to Queen Indra's apartments. Finally, I made it to the North North-East tower and knocked on the door.

Queen Indra's rooms looked over the forests behind the palace. Rani and her mother were already sitting on the balcony with a table laden with breakfast beside them. They both stood as I entered, and Queen Indra approached me with her arms open.

'Ah, Elia,' she said, sweeping me into a hug.

'Your Majesty,' I said but she waved me away.

'Oh, please, my dear,' she said. 'Come sit with us.'

I sat beside Rani, silently marvelling at how alike they looked, with the same strong nose, high cheekbones and infectious smiles. Indra wore a simple gold coronet, but Rani's hair was free, long black curls that seemed to have a mind of their own. Indra had brought some sweet treats from Kalatani, including my favourite, tiny nests of spun sugar, sprinkled with crushed nuts and flower petals. I grinned happily as I nibbled on one, savouring the flavours. Rani chuckled as she watched me, pouring strong, sweet tea for us.

'Elia, tell us about your animal sanctuary,' Indra said, taking a sip of tea.

'It's going well,' I said, smiling. 'We finally have our own building, and the manager tells me they released the eagle I rescued last winter.'

'That's wonderful,' Rani said.

'I adopted a hedgehog the other day,' I said. 'It's in my chamber, keeping warm.'

'Does you father know?' Rani asked, grinning.

'Not yet,' I chuckled.

We chatted about Rani's latest acquisition, a new horse she was hoping to train for cross-country riding and soon, the conversation turned to Santiana. Queen Indra was well aware of the conflict brewing between Pembleton and Zlarov, and did not envy Santaina's position between them.

'Rani mentioned that the Duke offered to marry you,' I said with a giggle as Indra arched an eyebrow.

'He did indeed,' she said dryly.

'He's getting desperate, then,' Rani quipped, grinning at her mother.

Indra rapped Rani sharply on the arm, though she too was grinning.