Bluebirds chirped under the woven roof of blooming vines at the airy circular sunroom. Their little eyes curiously watched as the doors opened for the king and queen. Helpers rushed to assist their sitting at the marble table while uniformed servants flooded the room, serving the numerous beautifully presented dishes on the table. Two male servants approached, each with a silver pot in hand. They poured the king and queen their usual tea preference as another placed the sugar bowl within reach for both. When done, the queen adjusted her cup's position on its saucer, glancing over her shoulder at the handmaid standing by the door. The latter understood the gesture and rushed to her side. 'How can I serve you, Your Majesty?' she whispered.

'Where is The Princess?' she asked under her breath.

'I'll look into it at once, Your Majesty,' she murmured, backing away, bowing before exiting the sunroom.

The mustard yellow dress swooshed as the hasting steps of the handmaid echoed against the walls of the endless hallway. She came to an abrupt stop at the sight of the princess approaching. 'Your Highness,' she panted bowing, 'their majesty, king, and queen are awaiting your arrival.' 

'Can't you see that I am on my way,' huffed Suarus, a headache pounding at the base of her skull. The doors of the sunroom opened, and she walked in. Her troubled gaze met her father's. He smiled, his cup returned on the table. She masked all she felt under a smile, kneeling. Like countless times before, her hands held his, but this time the kiss she landed felt dead. 

'Good morning, Your Majesty. I apologize for the delay.'

The king retracted his hand, welcoming her with wide-open arms that she hesitated to accept. Was it too an act? She finally gave in, hugging him back as she has done every morning as far as she could remember.  

'Good morning, Mother. Hope you are well,' she said, with a courtesy once she detached from her father's warmth. 

'Oh, Suarus, for Gaxmanisus's sake, call me by my name. Elsanius, simply Elsanius. After all, I am only a few years older than you,' remarked the queen, taking her teacup.

'If it pleases you, I will, Elsanius.' She sat on the chair, adjusted by the male servant.

Elsanius chuckled, sipping her tea. 'Much better.'

'What caused this delay? You know I do not eat unless you join me at the morning table, my precious,' said her father, dismissing the servant standing behind him with a swing of his hand, reaching for the warm bread next to him.

'Please forgive me, father, I have overslept. I wasn't feeling well,' she explained, observing the servant as he poured her favorite tea.

'I've noticed your absence last night at the time of prayer. Lanesirus told me of your sudden ailment. Are you feeling better today?'

'Yes, father, much better.'

'The physician must examine you if this fatigue continues.'

'I will.'  

'There is nothing that a good walk can't fix. We should go for a walk in the High Garden this afternoon. The fresh air there will certainly make you feel better,' said her stepmother excitedly, palms joined.

'Thank you, Elsanius. It's a lovely idea.' 'I'll consider it and inform you by noon.' Suarus smiled.

She lifted her cup, inhaling its delightful fragrance before sipping its content. Her eyes studied her newlywed stepmother, platting her father slices of the large greyish boiled egg, declining the servant's assistance. 

It was evident under the sunlight the age difference between the couple. Suarus wondered if Elsanius loved her father as much as her mother once did. Her mother, whom he claimed he adored, bent the rules to marry, bared two of his children, only to be watched dying. How Ironic life could be. Bringing us together only to separate us in the cruelest of ways.

'Homokirus dear, have you told Suarus the good news? She'd be thrilled.'

'What good news?' asked Suarus, resting her hands on her lap.

The king's eyes glinted a youthful shine. 'You are to have a sibling very soon.'

Suarus's grin wrinkled the sides of her eyes, unexpected warmth flooding her heart. 'I am so happy, congratulations.'

Elsanius blushed, hand reaching for her husband's. 'Since it's a joyous blissful day, why not tell Suarus the second good news.'

The king's laugh startled the birds, sending them flapping into the sky.

'Oh woman, you can't hold your tongue, can you!' he said, laugh and cough mixed, turning at Suarus, 'well, I wished for Lanesirus to inform you himself, but since Elsanius insists on a bundle of celebrated news, why the delay...I assigned Lanesirus the rule over Dunvaka yesterday.'

Suarus clasped her hands under the table, smile fading. 

Yesterday?

'As you know, Dunvaka, the neighboring island significant as it is, remains without a ruler after the sudden passing of Prince Goncaulus three weeks ago. Without a male heir or an assigned successor, I found myself forced to choose a fitting ruler and none other than Lanesirus came to my mind. The instant approval of the Dunvakan council confirmed my choice to be rightful.'

Suarus shook her head, agreeing. She waited as her father emptied his cup, then continued, 'The level of loyalty and commitment he has will certainly lead him to greatness. Oh, how proud he made me yesterday...honoring his late father's legacy, accepting his rank, replacing him at the ceremony...' her father chuckled, sorrow glazing his eyes. 'He very much resembles Faitus in that armor. I could swear it was him standing in the square.' 

A long moment of quietness passed.  

'Ruling will teach him a great deal, preparing, grooming him for the future. For him to become a reliable, worthy heir, and you, his queen. Together ruling this kingdom atop of the malachite throne under the protective eye of the Gaxmanisus.'

The sudden shock of pain attracted Suarus's attention to the bleeding around her thumbnail, skin unconsciously grazed. She reached for the handkerchief in her pocket, wrapping her finger,  squeezing around it, questions burning on her tongue.

'What I could not quite understand was his hesitation when I presented the idea. He tried to avoid involvement in the ceremony, despite its great honor. But, I convinced him of its importance and significance to the position I'll assign him. How it'll instantly strengthen his public image.' Homokirus's attention shifted to the approaching servant.

'Suarus, are you alright?' Elsanius asked, 'You look pale.'

Her eyes darted the servant whispering into her father's ears before answering, 'I am a bit...tired,' she rubbed her eye, looking down, avoiding her stepmother's curious gaze.

'Ah, I'm afraid I have to leave, my most favorite ladies. An urgent matter requires my immediate attention,' said the king rising off his seat. 'I'll see you later this evening.'

Both women returned to their seats as soon as the doors boomed shut. The wind lightly whooshed through the branches above. Birds alight chirping loudly. Suarus glanced at her thumb. The bleeding had stopped. She returned the handkerchief in her pocket then reached for a piece of bread. She crumbled it between her thumb and forefinger, scattering it across the marble floor. Birds flocked to her side, feeding.

I bet they'll miss you when you move to Dunvaka after the wedding.'

Suarus hummed, agreeing. The bird's fight over the big crumb was a blur in her eyes. Lanesirus's betrayal was all she thought of. A poisonous dagger in her heart. It was not an order he could not avert, as he had claimed. It was lust after fame and valor. How could she be so naive, so foolish, to believe he would be any different than the rest.

'I never get enough of your father,' her stepmother said, sadness in her voice.

Suarus lifted her gaze at her suddenly realizing how lonely she must be. Away from her family and her homeland, alone. Suddenly a queen.

'I miss his presence... one might assume the lack of love because of the vast age difference. But, that difference is what made me love him. I find safety in his wisdom.' She paused, a hand over her stomach, 'I hope that this child will bring joy to this family once again... I know it wasn't easy on both of you to lose your mother, then your little brother Raylus soon after.'

Raylus, sweet little Raylus whom she has buried deep within her ribs close to her heart, never forgotten, always present. 

I hope so too,' she managed to reply, doubting if she would ever meet that sibling of hers.

'You've barely eaten anything. Are you sure you are feeling better?'

'Yes, I've lost my appetite due to the headache pounding in my head. I hope you won't mind if I returned to quarters. Laying down might help ease it off.'

'Oh my, of course. I'll inform the royal healer to prepare a jasmine infusion for you. It'll help with the headache. My mother's sworn remedy, it never fails.'

'Thank you, My Queen,' said Suarus standing up.

Elsanius blushed, tossing a hand in the air. 'Don't start again with the titles, please...inform me if you felt well enough for that walk later on.'

'Certainly, I will,' said Suarus with a smile, slightly dipping her head, leaving the sunroom. In the hallway, Tirus followed a step behind, a concerned look on her face. 'Are you well?' she murmured.

'Never better, never better.'