Surprisingly Royal

👸Chapter 6: Spending time together

Ciara's POV

My sleep gets interrupted by a gentle knock on my door.

I ignore it. Nope. Not today.

Mum knocks again, more persistently this time, but I just groan and bury my head under the pillow, clinging to sleep like it's the last cozy cloud on earth.

Moments later, she storms into my room, clearly annoyed. Great.

The second she enters, she yanks the pillow off my face like a warrior claiming victory.

"I've been knocking for nearly five minutes and here you are, dead asleep with a pillow covering your head!"

I sit up slowly, still half-dreaming.

"Oh Mum... I'm exhausted," I mumble. "I've done so many chores today and I talked to Em almost the whole day. I'm so tired I could sleep for a week straight without even blinking." I throw in a dramatic sigh for effect.

Mum rolls her eyes. "What did I do to deserve such a drama queen for a daughter?"

"Oh come on, Ma! I'm not that dramatic," I say with a pout.

"This is not the time to act like a baby. Get your lazy bum out of bed and go eat something."

"Okay, fine."

I shuffle to the kitchen, stomach growling. No point arguing, I was starving anyway.

As I walk in, I spot my food already set on the table. Heaven.

I wash my hands and dig in without wasting a second.

Mum soon joins me, sitting at the table.

"Won't you get some food for yourself?" I ask with my mouth full.

"I already ate before coming to call you for what felt like the thousandth time."

"I was just really tired, that's why I didn't hear you knocking."

"I doubt that. You probably ignored me on purpose to dodge more chores."

"That's not it! I was just worn out. That's the whole story." I say while tearing into a juicy piece of chicken.

"If you say so. I'm going to take a quick shower and head to bed."

"Isn't it a bit early for that?" I ask, surprised.

"It's very late. You slept forever. But see today as your lucky day, because tomorrow you're helping me make dinner for the new neighbors who are coming over."

"Wait, tomorrow? Isn't that too soon? I thought they'd be coming next week or something!"

"There's nothing wrong with early visits. Better this way , we get to know them quicker. I heard they have a daughter your age too. Maybe you'll be good friends."

"Oh Mum, just because she's our neighbor doesn't mean we'll automatically click and braid each other's hair."

"When I was your age, I'd get excited whenever there were kids around my age in the neighborhood. I'd sneak over to their place just to avoid chores!" she chuckles. "You don't even seem curious."

"I'm not you, Mum. And I do have other friends besides Emily... I just don't see them as often."

"Fine, fine. I just think it would be nice to have someone else around. Her house is really close, you might end up liking her."

"I'll think about it."

"Nice to hear. Don't forget to wash your plate and sweep the kitchen."

"Sure thing."

After eating, I clean up as instructed. Then I head back to my room and wait for Mum to finish her bath since we share the same bathroom.

To kill time, I pull out one of my old storybooks and start reading. I lose track of time, flipping through the familiar pages.

Soon, I hear the bathroom door open. Finally.

I slip a pink bookmark into the page I stopped at and grab my nightgown and toiletries. Time to get clean.

I wash my hair with my favorite vanilla shampoo and take a quick bath. Once I'm done, I throw on my nightgown, grab some water and milk from the kitchen, and curl back up with my book.

Just when I'm getting back into the story, there's another knock on my door.

Ugh. Again?

"I'm coming, Mum!" I call out while finishing my glass of milk. The knocking continues, steady and soft.

I swing off the bed and open the door.

"Can I join you in your room?" Mum asks.

"Erhh... of course, Mum. Come in."

She sits beside me. "What are you up to?"

"Just reading."

"Okay. I just wanted us to spend a little quality time together."

"Sure! I'll make us some tea. I'll be right back."

I rush to the kitchen, prepare two cups, and return to find Mum flipping through some of my old school books. Nostalgia hits me ,I really do miss school. Ever since graduation, it's just been me and Em.

I hand her a cup of tea and sit next to her.

She thanks me and sets the book aside.

"So, Mum... what do you suggest we do?"

"Let's just talk. Tell me something you've always wanted to say but never got the chance to."

I smile. "Honestly, I didn't expect you to pop into my room tonight. You've been so busy with the palace stuff and the upcoming festival. But I'm glad you're here. It's been a while since we had time like this."

"I know, sweetheart. I'm sorry. That's why I took today off to be with you. But then Emily came around, and I didn't want to interrupt. After the festival, I promise I'll make more time."

"Oh no, Mum. I'm fine, really. Nothing exciting is even been happening since school ended."

"Are you sure? No boy drama? No secret crushes?" she teases, raising her eyebrows playfully.

I groan. "Seriously, why does everyone assume turning sixteen means instant love problems? I have no time for all that. I'd rather read or watch the archery men practicing."

She laughs. "So you like archery, huh?"

"I know it's kind of weird for a girl to be into that... but I love it. The way they hit their target, it's just so cool."

"Hey, that's not weird at all. When I was your age, I loved watching sword fights. Everyone's got their thing. That's what makes us unique."

"Wait, you liked sword fighting too? Wow. No wonder I turned out like this. We're basically the same person!" I say with a grin.

Mum smiles, but her eyes flicker with something... a bit of sadness maybe. I want to ask, but I don't.

Instead, I shift the topic and tell her about what Em and I discussed about Melanie and the whole Samuel situation. She offers to talk to Em's mum, maybe help smooth things out.

We start chatting about palace life and all the stress that comes with her role as the soon-to-be head maiden. She has so much to manage, I can't even imagine.

Eventually, I start yawning non-stop. Mum notices and kisses my head.

"Goodnight, love," she says, switching off the lamp and leaving the room.

As she closes the door, I suddenly remember I didn't lock it! I hop out of bed quickly and turn the key. Mum is always on me about that.

Back in bed, my head hits the pillow, and I'm out like a light.

⸻

¤¤¤¤

A/N:
Thanks for reading this chapter!
Don't forget to vote and comment
#StaySafe