NEXT MORNING
Amelie awakes to the sounds of horses whinnying and swords clashing, the usual sounds of the kingdom. Knights were always training so she had grown up with the sounds of their sparring. It was comforting and she laid in bad a moment longer listening to it until she remembered what she had to do today. Sighing, she sits up and gets out of bed. Ringing the bell on her nightstand, her maidservant Claire comes rushing in.
"Yes, milady," Claire says, curtsying.
"Claire, I thought we talked about that. You don't need to act like that when it's just you and me," Amelie says kindly and Claire smiles, looking down. "Anyway, I need your opinion on this," Amelie says, holding up a silver dress and a green dress. The silver was more lightweight and it was warm outside so she was inclined towards it but the green brought out her hair and eyes.
"Hmm," Claire says, eyeing the dresses. "I'd say for the tour today you should wear the silver. You will be much more comfortable, milady," she says and Amelie nods, pursing her lips.
"Alright, can you help me with the corset?" She asks and Claire nods, smiling.
"Why are you so focused on your looks, milady? The last time you wore a corset was before the queen's passing. Might it be the prince's arrival?" Claire asks and Amelie shrugs, putting her hands against the wall as Claire tightens the corset.
"No, my father. He's very insistent on this marriage's success and Prince Valeraine is inclined towards respectable ladies," Amelie says. Claire finishes the corset and helps Amelie lace up her dress. "Thank you, have a good day, Claire," she says and Claire curtsies before exiting. Amelie sighs and shakes her head. Exiting the room, she walks downstairs to the kitchen and greets the staff all by name. They've grown accustomed to her arrival every morning and all wave instead of bowing. It's refreshing for her to have people relaxed around her instead of uptight like these Foretieres. Someone places an omelette in front of her and smiles in thanks, unable to see who it is because they rush off. Sighing, she eats in the bustle of the kitchen, at peace with the noise.
After she's finished, she says goodbye and walks up to the throne room, where her father sits and is speaking to his adviser. She walks up and stands beside him, putting her hand on his shoulder.
"Ah, good morning, daughter. Should we send for the prince? The sun is approaching its high point as it is," King Gregory says and Amelie sighs.
"I suppose," she says and the King nods towards a guard member.
"Fetch the prince from breakfast and let him know the tour will begin whenever he is ready and to come to the throne room when he is," the King says and the guard nods before exiting. "Be kind, Ames. Let the prince see how beautiful our land is and how much he will enjoy it here. And be careful," King Gregory insists and Amelie nods. She walks over to the scribe room just off the throne room and sits down, writing out a schedule for the day. She would not use it on the tour, but she wanted to write out all that she needed so she could be prepared. She knew it was going to be a long day.