7 Down to business

It had been four weeks since Calluna was thrust into the strange universe, and she was only conscious for just half that. There had been many strange adjustments and culture shocks as she went about her daily life within Newleigh Castle, as she had discovered it was called. Each morning she'd instinctively reach for her phone and find nothing at her fingertips; and oftentimes she'd think things like 'I should call him' or 'Maybe I should email them' only to be brutally reminded that the only way to communicate aside from speech was through writing… which she had just barely started to learn to do.

Each morning Eleanore and the young ladies in waiting would wake her and help her dress, then one of them would escort her to breakfast. It seemed that they alternated who tended her each day, but Calluna was so preoccupied memorizing the written language and logging away each of the ladies' names to take note of their behavioral patterns.

In order to help her retain all of the new information, the crown prince had begun writing down important things that she learned each day in a journal, and revisited each of her entries every night before bed. It was a very helpful process, considering she had crash-courses on both language and Killian society each day. It was also a bonus that no one knew English so even if, for some reason, someone wanted to read it, they wouldn't be able to understand it regardless.

It was early on a fine morning that Calluna sat in the spacious royal study adding more information to her 'diary'. The gentle rays of the sun were filtering in through the tall stained-glass windows, casting a soft light into the chamber. It reminded her of home, being awake at the crack of dawn. She leaned back a bit in her cushioned chair and let out a comfortable sigh, arms extended above her head in a stretch.

Four hollow knocks returned the gravity to her thoughts, and she crossed her arms over the wooden desk once more. "Come in."

"Luna!" The familiar figure of Vincenzo swaggered into the room and called out to her, the sword on his hip swinging leisurely at his side. He pulled a chair in front of her desk and sat down, nonchalantly crossing his right leg over the other. "It's been several days since I saw you last, how have you been? Are your wounds healing nicely?"

She casually closed the leather-bound journal that she was writing in and shoved it to the side, golden gaze then shifting up to look at the official. "Yes, I'm healing well. Now I am just waiting for my ribs to quit aching. Where have you been, V?"

"I've been following your orders, boss." Vincenzo chuckled, propping his elbow up on the desk and resting his chin in his palm. "I've started the investigation and have been carrying out interrogations. No leads just yet, but I have a feeling it will come through soon. I've also assigned a capable individual to guard Lukas and Yosef."

"Oh," Calluna blinked, slightly puzzled. She honestly hadn't expected him to be so proactive. "Wonderful job, then. Thank you."

"Bragging about my hard work isn't what I'm here for, though." He grabbed something from his belt and placed it on the desk. "As promised, I'm here to deliver your specialty eyepatch."

It was a small wooden box, roughly five inches across and three tall. The wood used was light in color, so Calluna assumed it was birch or whatever its equivalent was in this world. On its lid was engraved a crescent moon, and some strange swirling characters she couldn't recognize.

"Does this say Luna on it?" She asked, taking her eye off the gift for a moment to search his face.

It was smug and unreadable, as always.

"Oh, right. I forgot that you are only just learning to write Kili, but yes it says Luna." He idly pulled his long brown ponytail over his shoulder, and gave her a genuine smile. "Go on, open it! I can't wait any longer."

At his insistence, she flipped up the small golden latch and carefully propped open the lid. The interior was inlaid with dark-green velvet, and inside rested a black leather eyepatch. It had the very same crescent moon carved carefully into its smooth surface, and it had a braided leather securing-strap.

As soon as she laid eye on the impressive leatherwork, a small gasp flew through her slightly agape lips. "V, It's beautiful."

"I'm thrilled that you are pleased."

Calluna served a gentle smile and began to unwrap her eye bandage. "I was worried you'd have poor taste, so it really is a shock you got something so lovely."

"I'm hurt!" He feigned offense, putting a hand over his heart dramatically. "What did you think I'd give you, a ragged piece of cloth?"

She shrugged and stuck her tongue out. He chuckled in response to her teasing, and his relaxed expression lingered as he watched her remove the bandage. Once it was successfully taken off, she placed it neatly at her feet and took the new article out of its case. "Would you mind helping me put it on?"

"No problem."

He stood from his seat and approached her swiftly; standing behind her chair and taking the eyepatch from her hand when she offered it to him. Calluna took her long, near-white locks of blonde hair up into a makeshift bun with her fingers; this was so the patch could rest beneath her thick hair rather than over the top. Once it was out of the way, Vincenzo gingerly fastened it behind her head.

"Voíla!" The tall man announced as he returned to his spot in front of her. It was from there that he gave Calluna a very pleased grin. "You look so badass."

"Pffft." Calluna couldn't force back her giggle at his statement. She hadn't thought they'd use that term here, so it felt extremely out of place... but in a good way.

The crown prince turned to the ornate golden hand mirror that rested on her desk and pulled it up to gaze at her reflection; she was pleased at the sight, to say the least. Adjusting to a new body was difficult, but all of these small changes to her style made her feel as though she at least had her own identity… even if only a little.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince, I must speak with you." An authoritative voice announced from the door, surprising Calluna and Vincenzo, and both turned to identify the speaker.

In walked Sir Fyodor, one of her most valued attendants. He was a middle-aged man with tan skin, as was the norm in Killia, and blond hair similar to her own. He wore round glasses and his eyes were a striking blue color that seemed to pierce through those he looked at; it almost felt as though he could read your mind and quite possibly even steal your secrets. In his hands were multiple books and scrolls, which was typical of Fyodor as he was essentially a workaholic.

"You may speak."

"I will give you the most pressing news first: the date for your coronation has been set by the judiciaries. On the first day of autumn, which is five weeks away, you will be crowned King despite everyone's initial protests." Fyodor stated, his voice smooth and emotionless. "I've already marked your calendars."

"That's good news. Proceed."

"There are many things that need to be done before the coronation can occur. I've made a checklist for you that I have already left with Eleanore, but I will tell you the first few things on the list so that you can take action as soon as possible.

Firstly, you must make a trip to all major cities in Killia to greet them and make yourself known. As princess, you never visited the common folk and because of this, it may be difficult to leave a good impression. However, you need to do your best regardless."

"Yes."

"Second, the harem needs to be reorganized or dealt with to your liking. As it is composed entirely of women, you are recommended to simply disband and... if you wish, instead take consorts." Fyodor then added, sounding apprehensive despite his usual stone-like nature.

"No need, the women may stay; leave them alone. Rather, I would like you to take consort applicants from our allied countries to help appease them and guarantee positive relations with those we aren't at war with. I will take six consorts in addition to the concubines." Calluna's response to that issue came without even a second of hesitation. As soon as she heard from Eleanore about the harem a week prior, the crown prince had already known what she wanted to do.

"Uh-" the attendant seemed to be at a loss for words. It was clear to Calluna that he was very much against the idea, but he fortunately appeared to be at a complete loss when it came to denying the command. "I… will do as you say, Your Majesty."

"Thank you. Is that all?"

"Yes, Crown Prince."

"I will come talk to you this afternoon about the logistics of traveling. You may leave."

With a deep bow the man exited the study, leaving Vincenzo and Calluna alone once more. She took a deep breath and pinched the bridge of her nose in concentration. There was so much to think about and decide, it was quite overwhelming.

"Well, Luna. It seems that it's time to get to work." Vincenzo mused, brows lowered as he fell deep into thought.

"It would appear so, V."