In the four years Fauna had known the five, it never got easier. Alone with each of them, she might’ve been able to manage. But it seemed they were all together or nowhere to be found. With “friends” like these she’d be grateful for the just-barely-functional friendships she’d acquire later. She was only with them now because it allowed her to be “normal,” away from the serious conversations Kamila and Domenique would have.

Fauna always stayed quiet, usually observing whatever else they were doing. It worked, for the most part—it kept them from asking her any more questions she couldn’t truthfully answer.

“I don’t get the point of it,” Kathrine muttered. “Why are nobles around here if they’re not noticing the talent around them?”

“We’re the dirt they walk on,” Emiyo responded casually. “I bet we make it pretty comfortable, too.”

Serafina glanced at Kathrine. “Are you annoyed no one’s seeing your ‘obvious talent?’”

Kathrine gave a hmph in defiance. “As if you’d be any more likely to catch their attention!”

“My dad said they keep coming for a bunch of ‘parties,’” Nivik remarked. It honestly sounded like it was just to start a hopefully-non-pointed discussion. “They’re actually just super interested in our stuff, though. I mean, why else would they choose Ryobel all the time?”

“That’s not it,” Cynrik said. “They have important conversations to do between Mikkel, Jaden, and Tobiah lords. We’re basically in the middle of all three.”

Tamostu nodded. “Step-Dad’s in charge of entertaining them all. It makes him pretty busy.” He looked around, as if what he’d say next was something unfathomable. “I heard the royal family’s here, too. But I haven’t seen them.”

Kathrine seemed interested in the thought. “The royal family? As in, the king, the queen, and the prince?”

“It’s not like there’s another royal family somewhere around here…” Serafina mumbled, getting an aggressive-looking swat from Kathrine.

Cynrik shrugged. “I think I heard Dad mention that. But nothing’s gonna come out of looking for them, you know.”

“Oh, please!” Kathrine gave them a smug smile. “My family may not have wealth or status but we are naturally gifted individuals. If a commoner like Minne can get herself into the favor of the king, I can certainly get acknowledged by the prince! What qualities does she have, anyway, that I don’t already possess?”

“Red hair,” Emiyo said rather matter-of-factly. “You know, that thing that most of the royals like…”

Nivik shook his head. “That doesn’t matter. I heard my parents say that he doesn’t have the Saint-King’s spirit.”

Kathrine’s nose scrunched up. “Really? Well, then my talents are better focused somewhere else.”

Somewhere in that conversation, Fauna stopped actually paying attention to them. She was listening to someone else—the conversation of two unfamiliar but young voices.

“Father and Iris were talking about going to the beach this summer,” a girl’s voice remarked. “I’m sure you could come, too, if you want…”

There was no response, but a second pair of footsteps suggested she really was talking to someone else.

Fauna glanced over at the others—now arguing over if Kathrine really could marry into the nobility—before cautiously stepping away to find the source of those two voices. She didn’t have to look far, either; following the trail that would eventually lead to the kids were the prince, Lord Kesem’s daughter, and a guard for each.

She’d never dreamed of being close to anyone so important, much less seeing them, and even less so in seeing them so casually. She didn’t know what else to do so she stood there, watching Prince Imre and Lady Samone.

“They’re pretty during the summer,” Lady Samone said. “We’ll have some privacy, too. Don’t you want to come? You’ll get even more boring if you never leave the castle.”

“Maybe.”

“Maybe? That’s all you’ve got to say..?”

Unfortunately for all of them, as the two got closer, the other five realized Fauna wasn’t just staring off into space.

“Oh, hey, there they are!” Nivik pointed to them and all the others turned to see.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Kathrine even pushed Serafina out of the way, as if what she said earlier didn’t mean anything. “Really? Let me see!”

Prince Imre stopped first, looking at them with… well, it was hard to tell. Honestly it just seemed like a blank, possibly confused, glance. Lady Samone followed his gaze to the kids. He mumbled something to her, she muttered back, and the two started walking again.

“You saw them before us, right?” Nivik looked at Fauna. “Why didn’t you say anything?”

“I didn’t think about it…” was her honest, albeit quiet, response. She then decided she didn’t want to stick around for any more questions or conversation. “Actually, I think it’s almost time for me to head back home. I’ll see the rest of you later.”

She left before they could say anything. She was already the odd one out to them—she didn’t need to worry about making that part more obvious.

She’d expected for just Kamila to be home, or maybe Domenique if she’d already gone shopping. But Fauna caught a glimpse of a stranger through the window.

A stranger that looked an awful lot like the descriptions of Queen Minne. Though… maybe she was wrong. She and Kamila seemed to be having a casual conversation, after all.

There was one more strange thing about the encounter that she heard when she opened the door: “It’s… been difficult, honestly—since my husband’s passing. I suppose growing up with little myself has prepared me to take care of it, but… I was hoping the two of them wouldn’t need to experience this.”

Queen Minne noticed Fauna first, giving a smile that seemed to hide their previous topic. “Oh, is this your other daughter? Hello, dear! I don’t think we’ve met yet. I’m Minne. I’ve been here talking to your mother a lot but we’ve never crossed paths before now. What’s your name?”

“F-Fauna…” she mumbled back. This was the queen, right? Why did she sound so casual..?

But, apparently, it was almost time for Queen Minne to leave. She stood up and walked closer to the door. “Thank you for the tea, Kamila. I’ll be sure to drop by again soon.”

…

It seemed, more often than not after their meeting, Queen Minne was always there when Fauna came home. But it was always just the queen—there might be a mention of King Casper or Prince Imre, but that was always it.

Until, of course, they were all there just as Domenique and Fauna returned from doing errands in town.

They’d just arrived, from the looks of it, as Kamila was just now getting out the tea.

She smiled when she saw them. “Ah, girls! Did you get everything?”

“Everything they had available,” Domenique answered, setting the bags on the counter. Given it was only a few, all with very little in them, the more accurate term would be, Everything we could afford.

Queen Minne gave them a kind smile, too. “I have an idea. Imre, why don’t you let them show you around? You three can spend some time together while us adults chat.”

“I can handle adult conversation, Mother,” was his response.

“These two are Domenique and Fauna,” she tried. “I’m sure you all can do something together…”

Domenique nodded. “It’s nothing fancy, but we’ve got a garden. I’ll show you.” She took the lead out and to the garden—Prince Imre and Fauna just followed.

“There’s one thing I want to ask, before we all start eavesdropping,” Prince Imre began casually once they sat down outside. He looked at Fauna. “You were the girl I saw a few days ago, right?”

She nervously nodded. “Sorry, it must’ve seemed like I’d interrupted…”

He shook his head. “No need to apologize. It’s nice to properly meet you.”

They all went silent then, with the common understanding that none of this was what any of them considered normal.

King Casper’s voice was first, coupled with a sigh. “You know I can’t do anything. Well, there is, but it’s by far not the ideal situation…”

“I know.” Kamila sounded so calm, despite everything she must’ve been thinking of. Fauna wished for even a fraction of that—it wasn’t something she’d ever be able to muster. “What kind of tea would you like? I’ve got a few options, thanks to a friend of mine.”

“Whatever you ladies want, I suppose.”

Queen Minne’s response was more thoughtful. “Our usual will do just fine. You don’t need to trouble yourself for us.”

There was the sound of shuffling and of tea being set on the stove. As far as the three outside could hear, nothing special had happened.

But, apparently, Queen Minne had caught sight of something. Or… a lack of something, as the question itself suggested. “Ah, sorry to ask this, but—was that a bit of magic just now?”

Silence. Then, “Have you not heard the rumors or do you choose to ignore them..? Well, rumors aren’t the right word for it—that suggests some fantasy mixed in with the truth. I don’t see a point in lying to you. Yes, it was. My… mother came from Qizar. She taught me a bit when I was younger.”

“You know, my father came from Qizar.”

“Then, do you..?”

“No, I was adopted. Speaking of him, though… I think I recall hearing that he had family around here. A sister. She helped us quite a bit after his death…”

“That’s an odd coincidence. My mother had helped her brother’s family when I was younger. She’d leave one or two times a year, though I don’t remember her ever saying where.”

A pause. “What if that… wasn’t a coincidence?”

“If my family was known for luck, Minne, we’d likely be much better off.”

“Just amuse me for a moment, alright? What was your mother’s maiden name?”

“Huzaifa.”

“Then was her first name Sarah?”

“Mhm. But what does this have to do with..?”

“Because that makes us cousins. There really is something we can do for you.”