6 Express yourself, write a letter

There was a frown on Alyssa's face. She was too focused on writing something on a piece of paper in front of her. She read it twice, she was not satisfied with what she read. She scribbled on it, attempted to write something anew but failed. She then crumpled it and threw it on the trash. This had been the cycle for the past hour; wasting inks and papers, and drafts that were going out of nowhere. Her trash was overflown with balls of crumpled papers, it was as messy as her mind.

She took a fresh piece of paper from a rim beside her and attempted to write: Dear royal council.

But she strikethrough it. She attempted to write again on the next line:

To the royal council,

May this letter serve as a formal request to seek an audience with your presence. This is in relation to Act III of Conduct Code, entitled Code of Ceremony that stated the definition of Ceremony. As you all know that I can directly speak to my mother, the Queen, regarding my concern but may this letter show my sincerity and respect with our law. I intend to follow our rules as a citizen and not as the princess of this kingdom...

Alyssa felt like this was not as formal as she wanted her letter to be---but she's getting there---so she attempted to write another one on her scratch paper:

To the Royal Council,

The petitioner, Alyssa Ewig, single, seventeen years of age, with residence at the palace, is acting for and on behalf of herself regarding the matter stated below.

The petitioner hereby seeks the audience of the Royal Council to review the Conduct Code of our kingdom. In particular, the Article III of the Conduct Code entitled Conduct of Ceremony where Ceremony is defined.

The petitioner acknowledges the significance of your time, she does not seek to inconvenience you in any way or to take you away from your more important tasks. But please allow the petitioner to emphasize the fact that this matter involves the main family and thus, affects all of the houses. May the Royal Council seriously consider this request.

Looking forward to your positive response,

Alyssa Ewig

Alyssa read it once, then twice. She was satisfied with it, so she took another blank paper and wrote it more nicely and cleanly.

Alyssa attempted to talk to her mother regarding her concern, but the Queen seemed to still be preoccupied with something. Queen Kathy's attention was not focused on her daughter for once, Alyssa could also tell that there was annoyance on the Queen's part for her persistence on the matter. So Alyssa had no choice but to write a letter directly to the council so she could have a chance to talk about her request.

There was a knock on the door. It must be Ziloh, he had been her personal guard lately---or more of like her keeper, really. She told him that she won't go out of her room so there was no need to look out for her--- and of course, as Alyssa speculated, he did not believe her words.

She put her re-written letter on the side.

She stood up and opened the door. "I told you I---" But it was not Ziloh.

It was King Greg. He was fumbling back his white blonde hair, embarrassed. "Hey…"

"Hi," Alyssa stood on her ground, stunned. It was unusual, they were in a hi-hello type of relationship. King Greg never sought to have a conversation with her, it was the first time he knocked on her door.

"Uhm, are you busy? Can I?" King Greg pointed inside her chambers.

"Sure! Of course!!" Alyssa stood aside to let King Greg in.

King Greg sat at the round table and Alyssa followed. Alyssa flipped her letter, hoping that King Greg did not see it.

Of course, King Greg did not notice it at all. He had a very serious problem, and he thought that Princess Alyssa is the only one that could help him. "So….Hi." King Greg said nervously.

"We… already greeted each other," Alyssa pointed out.

"Oh, right." King Greg laughed nervously.

"Do we need to talk about something?" Alyssa inquired. "Any concerns or problems that I need to know about?"

"Oh yeah, about that." King Greg ran his hand through his hair. "Yeh, I do have a problem. But can you keep our conversation a secret? Especially to your mother."

"Of course." Alyssa rested her chin on her hand. "What is it?"

"Okay, here it goes." King Greg exhaled heavily. "So, I've been thinking that Kathy has been dodgy to me lately."

"What do you mean?" So Alyssa was not the only one that was being ignored.

"I mean, her attendant always told me that she's not in her room every night I visit. Do you think she has another man?" King Greg leaned closer to Alyssa. "You can tell me. I'm open minded about these things."

"I don't think so. Maybe she's just occupied. You know, Queen duties."

"You think so?" King Greg beamed. "I just can't help but to be concerned you know, we've never been this distant before and I began thinking that I must have been doing something wrong or maybe she found someone else."

"I don't think you have to worry, I mean. I'm not seeing much of a shadow of my mother myself." Alyssa admitted. "I don't think you have to think that way. As far as I'm concerned, she likes you the most compared to the kings before you."

"Really?" King Greg grinned from ear to ear, his biceps are flexed on his side. "She still loves this baby." He kissed his biceps.

"Yes, you don't have to worry about a thing." Her mother would never hide a man, if ever she had one, she would show it, Alyssa thought.

"Right?" King Greg brushed his forehead. "I'm just reading too much about the signs."

"Don't be silly, there's no signs. So just enjoy your day just as you usually do. Think of this as a time for yourself, you deserve it."

There are perks on being a king, and men would literally fight for the position, just as what King Greg did a year ago.

"But she's definitely colder to me nowadays. But now that I think about it, maybe because she's stressed. So, I'm wondering to maybe… I could surprise her about something and that maybe you could give me some advice?"

"Me?!"

"Of course, no one in the kingdom knows the Queen better than her daughter."

"You know her well enough."

"But not as well as you do, you had been with her ever longer."

"Fair enough. Okay, what do you need to know?" And maybe Alyssa could earn some points from her mother herself.

Someone was banging on the door. Geez, she had many unexpected visitors today.

"Hold that thought." Alyssa said to the King as she went to get the door.

It was a guard this time. "What is this about?" Alyssa glared at him.

"Princess." The guard saluted. "I was just wondering if you need me for anything." The guard was clearly trying to take a peek inside her chambers, trying to be casual about it.

"I don't think so, no. I don't need any help. Thank you." Alyssa was about to close her doors when the guard stopped her.

"Actually, is the King inside?" The guard asked blatantly.

"I have no obligation to answer that." Alyssa was suspicious of the guard.

"What's taking so long?" King Greg called. "Is that the kitchen?"

"No," Alyssa replied. "just a wandering soul."

"Is it appropriate for the King to be inside your chambers?" The guard's voice was stern.

"What are you taking about? He's family." Alyssa was dumbfounded on what the guard was implying. "Everything's fine."

It was actually weirder to let Ziloh in her room than to let the King in, and nobody questioned that.

"Did the king force his way in?" The guard was ready to pounce anytime.

Alyssa was starting to get annoyed. "No, actually I invited him inside. Okay, whatever we talk or do inside is none of your business."

"Of course, princess. I was just making sure that all is okay." The guard was studying Alyssa before he took a step backwards.

"Everything's normal, we're just family talking. Okay?"

"Understood, princess." The guard bowed. "Forgive me for the intrusion. Remember to call-out if you need help."

"You don't have to worry about that." Alyssa closed the door on the guard's face and returned to the King.

"Was that the Kitchen?" King Greg asked again.

"No." Alyssa sat back.

"Oh, maybe later."

Alyssa was starting to have a very bad feeling about this.

"Your mother might have mentioned in a passing that you like sweets, so I requested the kitchen for some." King Greg smiled.

"No, I eat them. But I'm not fond of them." Alyssa lied.

"Oh, okay I get it. Your secret is safe with me." King Greg winked.

There was another knock on the door. "That must be it." King Greg noted.

Alyssa sighted. "Come in!"

And there it was, tea and all the macaroon flavors you could think of.

Despite her restraint, Alyssa was starting to salivate.

"Please, it's for you." King Greg gestured at the dessert in front of them. "Macaroons are rare in the palace."

"If you insist," Alyssa gave in and enjoyed the dessert presented to her.

She tasted the yellow one first. It was lemon, sweet and citrusy.

"So, I was thinking to give her a surprise dinner maybe. I'll cook. Would that be romantic?" King Greg continued with their conversation.

"I think that's a good idea. But she prefers it raw you know, sashimi style."

Alyssa grabbed another one. It was orange this time, it tasted like peanut butter.

"Sashi what?" King Greg decided to try a chocolate macaroon, but he spat it on his first bite. "Ergh, sorry about that."

"It's okay." Alyssa stopped eating herself, she lost her appetite. She should not be eating, she should not be enjoying it. It was not normal. "You don't cook the brain part, you just slice it very thinly. She likes it that way the best."

"Oh, that would be easier on my part." King Greg began planning on his mind.

"See, my mother is not that hard to please, she's much simpler than other people would think." Alyssa settled on sipping her tea. "One thing I know for sure though, she likes antiques. Like old stuff things. Give her a painting or a vintage jewelry maybe that could better things up."

"Thanks princess, but I don't think she needs more jewelry in her collection."

"Then, maybe something personal… like a love letter would be good. I used to write her letters when I was younger, she loves it…"

"That's it! That would be a better idea. I could start writing right now!" King Greg stood up, elated. "Thank you, princess." King Greg squeezed Alyssa with a tight hug. "I knew you have the answers I needed."

"You're welcome." Alyssa struggled to break free.

"Oh, by the way how are you coping with the prank?" King Greg asked as an afterthought.

"Oh, its fine. I moved on. But the palace did not." Alyssa shrugged.

"Tell you what. If you need someone we need to beat, just let me know." King Greg winked as he pumped his chest.

"Sure, I'll let you know." Alyssa had already someone in mind.

If Ziloh and King Greg would fight who would win? Agility or strength? Alyssa thought. But if Ziloh won, it would be a nightmare, he would technically be her father. Alyssa shook her head away from the thought.

"Thank you, princess. I'll keep you posted, hope our plan works!" King Greg patted her back. "And let me know if you need more macaroons, I will get you some." King Greg whispered.

After being a love consultant to her stepfather --- kind of, Alyssa signed her petition and went down the main floor to give the letter to the Royal Council.

It was an attendant who was accepting letters all around town. They collect piles of letters everyday with concerns from the citizens, then they would segregate those they think who are worthy to have an audience from the Royall Council.

The attendant stood up as soon as he saw her. "Princess! What are you doing in here."

"I'm here to give my letter to the council."

"You mean your letter, a letter signed under your name?"

"Yes,"

"I don't think that is necessary Princess, you can talk to your mother directly."

"No, I prefer to follow the same procedure as the citizens follows." Alyssa lied.

"How admirable of you princess."

"Please read my letter thoughtfully, it's very important."

"Understood, princess." The attendant nodded profusely.

Alyssa is now one step closer to her plan.