A Season of Renewal (I)

"Princess! Princess!"

The princess pulled the covers over head while groaning. Another ridiculously early morning for only the gods knew what reason. When could she get a chance to sleep in?

"My Lady, the Empress Consort's steward will come to check on us if we're late," insisted a young woman's voice. With her eyes closed, the princess rolled to the other side of the bed and sat up.

She sleepily opened one eye, but it was still too bright outside.

The two maids helped her stand up and helped take off her sleeping garments and bonnet.

All this while she was half asleep with her eyes closed.

They put a bathrobe on her before pushing her towards the bathing room where an essential oil bath was already prepared.

She sleepily rubbed her eyes as she swung her legs into the steaming bath.

It wasn't until she splashed water onto her face that she attempted fully opening her eyes.

Her black hair was twisted close to her scalp for sleeping purposes, so she ran her hands through it with just a bit of water. They would style it after her bath.

At least she could keep the hairstyles for a week even though they insisted she sometimes have a different hairstyle for each occasion.

As she lay back and soaked in the bath, she thought about the fuss over a hairstyle when there was so much to worry about in life. There were still so many foods she hadn't tasted.

"Princess Kamaria…" said one of the girls in an exasperated tone and Kamaria turned her head and smiled.

"Yes, dearest Liliana."

"My Lady, we can't be in the bath for more than quarter of hour today, we're already late. Raisa is choosing an outfit in the meantime."

Kamaria rolled her eyes and returned to soaking to which Lili shook her head. The eye roll was considered completely unladylike, but Kamaria couldn't be bothered when it was just her close attendants.

After a completely refreshing hot bath, she stood in front of the mirror in her bathrobe as her tow attendants bustled around the room.

Raisa was now trying to choose jewellery to go with the dress while Lili was picking out hairpins and thinking about what type of braid style to do.

Kamaria only smiled as she poured a bit of oil on her hand and massaged it onto her skin.

Usually there were people to do this too for the other princesses, but she liked being able to do some things herself and keep her space less busy and easier to monitor.

She sat down and worked the oil down to her legs when she looked at the scar running from her knee to halfway down her shin.

For some reason, it looked better than usual but maybe that was due to her good mood. It also hadn't hurt much recently meaning it was unlikely to rain.

This was great news considering the festival was supposed to take place in a few days. After Raisa helped her into the dress, she sat down at the vanity while Lili worked on her hair.

"Does your Highness think she'll have fun with Lord Urien at the festival?" whispered Raisa.

"Whether I was attending with him or not, I'd still go and have fun," replied Kamaria with a smile.

"But the Princess would prefer if he were there," said Raisa mischievously and then they both giggled while Lili could only smile at them being silly little girls as if she was much older.

She slid in a few more simple but pretty pins to secure the hairstyle while Kamaria gently pursed her lips trying to even the balm on her lips.

Surprisingly they still had time to spare and with one last look in the mirror and head nod of approval, they left the residences.

In the passages, they passed by a few maids carrying sheets and cleaning implements who stopped to greet them.

At least in her mother's wing, most of them still sincerely acknowledged Kamaria but she didn't mind her treatment in other residences. The less attention they paid to her, the more she could busy herself with her own plans.

As they turned a corner into the corridor that led to the doors of the dining hall, Kamaria paused and inhaled deeply. The play was beginning.

When she approached, the guards opened the doors but just as she was about to walk into the hall, a voice made her pause.

"Little Seventh is here quite early," said the voice.

She didn't dare to turn and look up. Instead, she stood aside and kept her head bowed as another young lady approached.

"Good morning, Princess Velia," she said in a soft gentle voice with her head still bowed. Lili and Raisa curtseyed simultaneously. Velia smiled, somewhat amused to see the little display.

"You don't have to stand at attention so seriously little princess. We're not strangers, don't feel so troubled okay," gently said Velia with a brilliant smile as she walked past.

Her attendant didn't even glance at them while accompanying her princess.

Kamaria meekly followed her sister into the hall where some of their other siblings were already waiting.

Lili and Raisa stood further behind her with some of the other servant after helping her sit down.

It wasn't long before one of the stewards walked in then stood at the door and bowed. The siblings all stood up since they knew the empress and company was approaching.

Empress Livinia walked in, and she looked around the table to find that everyone was there before walking to her seat.

Behind her was the Empress Consort Johari who looked as gentle as always with a silk handkerchief in her hands. She glanced at the table and saw Kamaria to which she smiled just a bit.

The girl had grown up just a bit.

The rest of the party were the two Royal wives, Grand Lady Alva, and Grand Lady Fara.

For an emperor, their father was involved with very few women in his palace. There was enough activity in the palace with just them.

If there were any more, the family stress would have killed him before anything else.

The four women stood at the head table waiting for the emperor to step into the hall. His head steward arrived first announcing his presence.

Even with just the family, they kept these little formalities.

Although the man had authority of the entire empire which consisted of seven kingdoms, the emperor was an uncomplicated person.

This was not always a good thing, but it worked out for the most part in terms of running the kingdom. After a few words from the emperor, the meal began.

The imperial family wasn't the biggest there had ever been, but it also wasn't smallest either.

Empress Livinia was the mother of the virtuous Crown Prince Dario, the eldest of the siblings. He was being gently cared for by his wife Crown Princess Maeva which the empress was glad to see.

Her daughter, Velia looked well put together as always, worthy of a princess.

Lady Alva looked over at her twin daughters Thyra and Yrsa who seemed to be behaving quite well and slightly glanced at her husband who was eating.

The twins were already of age but neither the emperor nor empress were very active in discussing their marriage matches. At least one twin had a potential match but the other worried her.

There was some chatter at the table as everyone started digging in, but Kamaria never spoke to any of her siblings and just focused on the food.

She was a picture of a princess, slowly eating in small bites with her eyes downcast and a neutral but gentle expression on her face.

The corner of the empress's mouth twitched but she couldn't fault the girl just because she was such a timid thing.

Something small and feathery suddenly flew across the table and landed next to Kamaria but she didn't jump up in fright.

"Prince Khayri!" warned Lady Fara but the young man merely shrugged with a large grin on his face while his older sister Ruwa rolled her eyes in disapproval before continuing with her meal.

Kamaria took the small carved toy and slightly smiled before putting it away and. Her brother would occasionally make these small gifts when he was in a creative mood.

He was really one of the only people who minded her. Maybe it was because they were only three months apart.

"Princess Kamaria," suddenly said an unexpected voice.

Everyone paused as it was unusual for the emperor to speak when they had family meals.

"Yes, your Majesty."

"Come and sit next to the Empress Consort I want to discuss something with you."

Kamaria's gaze climbed all the way up to her father's face, but she couldn't make much of his expression.

As she shifted in her chair, she happened to see Velia politely smiling at her. She wasn't sure where this unnecessary spotlight on her would lead.