Visitors to the Imperial City (III)

The seminar was poetry oriented although Kamaria didn't pay much attention.

The scholarly young nobles answered and asked questions about the poems, having debates in-between about the meanings of the lines. Wasn't this anything but showing off that they were educated and cultured?

She was bored enough to look out of the window from where she sat in her corner.

The clear sky and colourful garden made it absolutely tempting to go outside. Even though her mind was wandering, she kept a straight posture and graceful appearance.

Not far from the window, she spotted an amazing sight on one of the blooming trees.

It was a bird of iridescent blue, purple, and green. It hopped on the branch, its little orange stomach looking round and adorable.

Where bits of sunlight caught it, the feathers shimmered in the most amazing way.

"Aren't you just making the flowers blush?"

Kamaria still had a small smile as she looked out the window. She felt uncomfortable a few moments later since it seemed a bit too silent and turned back to the hall to realise that everyone was looking at her.

'Did I speak out loud?' she thought. Even so, they wouldn't really have heard her, could they?

"Pardon me, the new blooms looked interesting from this view," she said softly, a bit flustered.

"An example of a true poet with the gaze of a romantic indeed," said the scholar in high spirits.

Raisa almost laughed but kept her composure as she stood with the rest of the attendants.

A few laughs started in the room as everyone was clearly entertained by the situation, but Kamaria looked genuinely confused.

Her siblings and the few nobles that studied with them weren't surprised as she tended to daydream this way most of the time even with just their normal studies.

No matter how long she sat in a study room, her results were always average so a lecture like this would completely be beyond her understanding.

Kamaria was still wondering if her daydreaming just earned her the title of a true poet.

Was she seen as a romantic simply because she was bored and would rather be looking outside and admiring flowers?

She wasn't sure about the situation, but she smiled slightly and looked down.

Even the people that weren't paying attention suddenly saw her as if she had not been sitting there the entire time.

"The princess is in a good mind. Since preparations are ready, maybe it's time to enjoy a view of the blooms as well after Master Scholar has discussed them at length," suggested one of the palace stewards.

It meant the lecture was over and the viewing of blooms was time to socialise.

Velia stared at Kamaria and subtly narrowed her eyes.

The girl had barely passed the Imperial Academy entrance exam. Her score was so low that it was no use in her studying further because she clearly wasn't made for it.

What was everyone so amused about now and labelling her as a poet?

Urien glanced over at this young woman he liked. She looked so adorable when she was bewildered. Everyone started packing their belongings as a servant showed them the way to their refreshments.

Just as they were leaving, Lili discreetly slipped in and signalled with a positive nod to the princess. Kamaria stood up in high spirits, hardly able to wait for the night.

They thought it would be fine to leave the socialising to everyone else, so they headed down a different path in the garden, excitedly whispering the entire way.

They were quite a distance from everyone else when suddenly Urien appeared from the bushes ahead. Kamaria paused partly surprised at the appearance.

"Lord Urien…"

"Mari, I just needed a moment of your time," he said gently.

"What if someone-"

"Khayri, Nima and Brice are looking out, no one will know," he insisted.

Kamaria would have to catch her brother later for putting her in this difficult situation.

How did he suddenly appear only after the lecture? Raisa and Lili stood where they were with their backs turned while Kamaria approached Urien.

She was clearly shy, such an endearing sight to him.

"I um, I wanted to give you something. Here, a birthday gift."

Urien stuck out his hand to give her a box. She was stunned for a minute making her unable to move, so he took her hands and put the box in her hands himself.

"Open it later," he insisted, and she nodded with a small smile.

There was a short silence between them. They were both shy to speak under these circumstances.

"I'll see you later tonight then," said Urien.

Before Kamaria could thank him for the gift, he was already on his way donning a huge smile on his face at his accomplishment.

When the two girls re-joined her, they couldn't wait to see what was inside the box as they hurriedly headed to her room making sure to keep the box hidden.

The arrangement was for Khayri to accompany her from the palace to the festival's night market.

Once there, she would meet Urien to enjoy the festival together. The young man took it as an important outing since to him, Kamaria barely left the palace unless it was with her relatives.

Even then it wasn't without armed guards and the like, so he wanted to show her what life was like outside the palace and she appreciated the thought behind it.

On the other hand, it was something of a date since her and Urien barely had chances to be alone.

They arrived at the room and made sure to lock the doors behind them.

"What does the Princess think it is?" excitedly asked Raisa.

"I don't know."

Kamaria looked at both girls in turn before slowly opening the box. Inside the velvet lined box was an intricate flower hairpin comb, encrusted with pearls and diamonds.

Both Lili and Raisa gasped when they saw it. Kamaria carefully took it in her hands and studied it closer.

It was beautifully made with lustrous milky pearls and sparkling diamonds, but she wondered when she would have a chance to wear it.

None of her usual hairpins were this extravagant so it would have to be saved for a special occasion.

Perhaps their meeting that night was a good occasion since she would be in an equally decorative costume.

A new accessory to celebrate the first week of spring. Her eyes sparkled as she thought about it and the meaning of gifting someone a hair accessory.