Stable

The next morning, I awoke with my younger siblings jumping onto my bed. Before the sun was even up they had enough energy to run to the gnomes and back. My body was too exhausted the evening before to put up much of a fight toward sleep. I slept soundly.

"Jack! Wake up" Liliana cooed.

"You'll miss your parade!" Abrin added.

My mother, who had unleashed my siblings on me, stood amused in the doorway. "They're right. Get up sleepyhead. The castle is expecting you."

I meandered out of bed. Rest felt good. Then shooed my family out of my room so I could dress.

What does one wear to a parade? I threw on my finest clothes and hoped it would be appropriate. I suppose I should write a guide for clueless future royals.

My family all met me in the carriage downstairs. I suppose as my family, they too would be honored. My mother, being the angel she is, had some toast and an apple waiting for me for breakfast.

We were off and at the palace gates before I was done with the apple. The Royal Steward met me at the carriage.

"Sir Jacobson, please come with me. You're late. The rest of the family, please wait here until I come with further instructions." He graciously gave me a bow and led on. How could I already be late? It was not that long after dawn. I guess Royals never sleep.

I was escorted to the Royal stable, where a few guards stood around looking lost. I recognized some of them from yesterday. They were Alina's unofficial taste testers. The steward looked flustered. He paced for a moment in front of the door before turning back to me.

"Wait here, please sir. It seems that running late is a habit everyone has today." His tone was light, but he seemed under a considerable amount of stress. I hope he has a day off coming up soon, otherwise the vein in his forehead might just pop. He turned on his heel, leaving me alone.

Although the smell of the stables was not the most pleasant of aromas, it was at least familiar. In the last few days I had very little in the way of familiarity and it was very welcomed. I breathed in the smell.

It was then I noticed there were voices coming from inside the open stable. They seemed familiar.

"So you're really going through with it?" I heard a female say. I knew the voice but couldn't immediately place it because it was so full of emotion. I think she was crying which made her voice thick and less intelligible.

"I think I have to. I'm so sorry. Maybe we can keep thinking and find another way" Alina's voice rang out clearly and sounded pained.

I heard someone give a frustrated sigh. The first speaker continued. "I'll see you after the parade, I have some thinking to do." She said the word thinking with such disdain, the idea must've been repulsive.

I heard footsteps. I panicked. I didn't want Alina to think I had been eavesdropping. I stepped to the side of the door before either of the girls saw me. I made my way out of sight just in time as the first figure, who I assume was my mystery girl, left the stable in a brown traveling cloak covering her entire person. The morning was chilled and the cloak looked warm. She soon found her way out of sight.

The moment shared between the two women seemed too personal for grace to be given to an eavesdropper. I hope the mystery woman will be alright.

Alina soon followed and stood waiting in front of the stable. I suppose the Steward left her there too.

I seized the moment and pretended to casually walk up from the far side of the stable, and hoped the loitering guards would not ask about my awkward behavior.

"Alina, is this where I'm supposed to be?" I hoped she didn't suspect too much.

Alina looked slightly startled. "Oh, Jack. Yes, this is where you need to be. The stable master will soon have our carriage ready and my parents will join us soon." She seemed uneasy.

"Everything okay?" Maybe my acting was not so extraordinary. She must have been confused by my behavior.

"Yes, well I hope so." Alina bit her lip.

"Me too." I responded sincerely.

Alina shook her head as if shaking off a thought and turned to face me square on, "Are you excited about your first Royal parade?"

"Terrified." My honest answer fell from my lips instinctively.

More footsteps announced the arrival of the King and Queen with the steward close behind. The slim man had a scroll tucked under his arm. His anxious expression had not changed much. He unraveled the scroll in his hands and nodded, mentally checking off part of a list.

"Princess Alina, have you seen the stable master?" The steward inquired. I guess his duties were not done yet.

"He's readying the carriage in the back, I believe" Alina responded politely, gesturing in a direction.

The man rolled back up the scroll and ran off in the indicated direction. I think I've seen tomatoes with a paler expression.

I stood with my future family in uncomfortable silence. It seemed as if all of us used up all of our small talk topics the evening before.

The queen broke the tension, "Sir Jacobson, did your family tell you what to expect from a royal parade?"

My family? Maybe my mother and the queen discussed this last night while I was panicking about Swordsman meetings. Who else would know about Royal parades?

"No, Your Majesty. I'm afraid my family does not have much experience with parades. What should I expect today?" This could be helpful.

The queen looked sideways at the King, sharing a moment. I must have missed something. She then smiled at me "Just smile. Wave. Be yourself. And don't lose your hat."

We all laughed at her joke. It was then our carriage arrived, with one slightly less red Steward. I breathed deep to feel more stable. Here we go!