General's Concern
After spending some time getting chewed out by the infirmary nurse, I finally found myself back in my room. The sun was well beyond set behind the distant mountains now, signaling the day was finally over. Fatigue had washed over me, but I wasn't quite ready for bed yet. I found myself settling into the bath that I requested be set up. Steam rose slowly and sluggishly from the clean and crisp water. Lavender scented candles had been lit around the rim of the bathtub, giving off a calming aroma. I sighed with relief as the warm water lapped at my aching body. The heat working at the hard tense muscles that formed over the course of the day.
What would my life be like without my bathtub? I would truly be lost. The only issue I had with my bath, was that it gave me time to reflect. Now I had to face my reality with Nicklos. It was true that seeing him today made me realize how much I did miss him. Regardless of how our relationship turned out, he was still my trusted best friend. At first, he was the only Knight in training that saw how good I was with a sword. Then he became someone I could rely on and talk to, even if it were not about training. I grew closer to him as the year went by and finally, we started to secretly court.
I guess since neither one of us stated anything about breaking off the secret courtship, it was still official. Father couldn't really complain since after all, he was a Prince. Having a suitor aside, now I had to focus on getting everyone else here safe and sound. Those bandits would return, whether it be in larger numbers or a small few. There was no rhyme or reason for what they did, and that always made dealing with bandits dangerous. I just hoped that we could find their den soon and diminish what was left of those rotten bastards. The last thing I needed was my Kingdom falling apart because of some stupid group of thieves. If we couldn't even take care of some low life thugs, could we really call ourselves the Royal Guards?
There came a small knock on my bathroom door. Carefully I pulled a clean and dry towel from the side of the pool and covered my body with it before hollering them to enter. I had a curtain that hung from the ceiling that hid the pool from the doorway, but I would have felt better being covered than not regardless. I heard the door slowly creak open and then shut as a pair of footsteps entered the door. The newcomer awkwardly cleared their throat. I smiled at myself, knowing that it was the General who dared to enter my room.
"You know it calls for execution for you to enter a woman's room alone, General." I said teasingly. There was a nervous chuckle from behind the curtain in response. Joking aside, there had to have been a reason for his intrusion. "You wouldn't come here if you didn't have a reason. So please, state your business." I tried not to sound bossy, but I was really enjoying my bath until he came in. The General cleared his throat again.
"I really do apologize my lady. I know you are supposed to be relaxing but another Royal Carriage is on it's way in and we have been addressed to escort it to the Palace." I gave a long sigh and let my head fall back on the granite flooring. What was more dangerous than a group of bandits during the day, was a group of bandits at night. I could already come up with a million reasons why this was a terrible idea, but it was my duty nonetheless to escort them to safety. I just had to pray that there were not any bandits roaming around at this minute. We normally never got cargo in during the night any way, so the chances of an ambush where slim.
"Very well General, wait for me outside my room and we will head down together. I will only be a minute." I listened to the scuffling of the General's feet before pulling myself out of the bathtub. Water rushed off my body and towel as I sat with my feet still tucked into the bathtub. I was already starting to miss the feel of the heat as I grabbed a dry towel and started to dry off my body. With my skin now dry, I started to dawn on my new Knight clothes. A button-down shirt with white slacks. All the seems were hemmed with golden thread. I placed my cloak over my shoulders, making sure that the golden rope sat off my shoulder. The weight of the rope alone was enough to make my wound throb. I didn't want to add any other unnecessary pressure to the agitated stitching.
I pulled my white boots on and looked at myself in the mirror. I pulled my long black locks into a tight ponytail atop of my head. A few loose strands fell from the hold and fell against my face, framing it. I stood tall and proud despite the altercations I faced today. I could feel my mother's appraisal even beyond the grave. Even the small thought of her caused my heart to ache. I was a spitting image of my mother. Long black hair, dark forest green eyes, small, rounded nose. Everything I had was identical to her. Even for a split second, I thought I was looking at my mother and not myself. I took pride in her looks, because she was the greatest Queen that had ever ruled over Celestia. She was always calm and collected, but stern when she needed to be. She squashed squabbling Kingdoms with nothing more than her words and saved lots of suffering and heart ache. She was revered as a merciful Queen and was always placed on a high pedestal. I only wished I could be half the woman she was.
Taking a last glance in the mirror, I headed out the door and through my bedroom. Opening my door, the General stood at the ready. With my door closed tight behind me, we walked together in silence. The air felt different from earlier, like there was something between us that was unspoken. So, I casually nudged the General and he glanced down at me questioningly.
"Why do I feel like you are hiding something from me. You are normally so awfully chatty." There was no laughter this time. There was no witty comeback or any sign of humor as he sighed bitterly and let his shoulders slightly sag. There was a look of utter defeat upon his face as he stared ahead and continued walking.
"I saw you with his Majesty today out in the corridor. I knew you two where close in the past, but I never realized that you two where intimate." I groaned angrily and shook my head. I was afraid someone would have caught us, but I didn't think it would have been so soon. I wasn't fully understanding where his bitterness stemmed from, but I knew that he was an old man with a dad like complex. He was going to be overprotective of me regardless of my feelings of the situation.
"You are my most trusted friend and ally, General. So, I would appreciate it if you would keep this quiet and between us." The General nodded his head once and I gave him a small smile. "It's true that we are courting. We have been since before graduation. That was why I was so angry when he stopped communicating with me. We haven't talked anything out yet, but I do plan on hearing him out. After all I did promise him, I would wait for him." I said grudgingly. The General's face lit up in amusement before clapping my on my good shoulder.
"Well, if at any time, you want me to break his knees I will without hesitation." He said, the joking part of him returning. I couldn't help the giggle that escaped my mouth with his promise. "But you should still tell your father. After all he will ease up on you about having a suitor. If you can't come clean about it soon, I have been told he already has an arranged marriage set up." I sighed disgruntled and nodded my head. An arranged marriage is something that should have been done a long time ago already. But now it seems like he was getting impatient and was starting to tire waiting for me to find a husband. Giving me this much time already was a blessing, so I shouldn't waste it right?
"When I figure things out with Nicklos I will. I haven't been able to talk things out yet, and right now my main concern is getting all of the possible suitors for my sister here safe and sound." The General nodded his head with approval. All the Royals and High Nobles would come first before I could find time for myself. And even still I was tasked with getting rid of the Bandits as well, so who knows when I would be able to find a proper time to sit down with both and have a proper conversation?
"I respect the love you have for your Kingdom your Majesty. I think you will make a fine Queen one day. I just hope I am around long enough to see your coronation." There was no teasing in his tone this time, just sincerity. I hoped he was around long enough too. Honestly, I wouldn't even know who to appoint as the next General if something where to happen to him. I guess I should really start paying attention to the soldiers' training early in the mornings and study them. No one could replace the General's skill and loyalty to the throne, but nothing lasts forever.