The breakfast table was piled high with food. Aneira sat at the head of the table. In a velvet chair clearly meant for the monarch. They sat with plain toast and a bowl of fresh fruit. Bellaire sat beside them with a plate filled. She tried to remain ladylike and cut her eggs, bacon, sausage, steak, and toast smothered in butter and honey. But she still shoveled her fork into her mouth so fast, Aneira was worried she might choke.

Roskva sat on the other side, eating her fill of syrupy pancakes with pillowy whipped cream. Beside her was the former prince Starkon. Who was pushing around an egg and some bacon discontentedly.

“I can’t wait to show you all the things I’ve seen while I’ve been here!” Roskva said, pausing to drink from her glass of milk. “And you’re going to take over all this? You’re going to be a Queen! Or King… whichever you prefer.”

“Right. We should probably discuss that.” Aneira said, putting down her coffee mug.

“We should worry about that after her birthday.” Bellaire mumbled through her food. Gulping down her own glass of milk and moving on to the juice.

“Speaking of,” Aneira said. Giving Bellaire an annoyed glare, they turned to Starkon. “What plans do you have? Are there any things you need from me?”

“I’ve picked out the date already and have made baseline preparations.” Starkon sat up straight in his seat and flipped on his smile like a light. “But I would love to see more of you as plans are made and supplies ordered.”

“Me too?” Roskva asked excitedly.

“N-”

“I don’t see why not.” Aneira cut off Starkon mid-word. “It’s your party after all. Can hardly call it a surprise party when you already know it’s happening.” Roskva beamed. She could barely sit still in her excitement.

“We have quite a party already.” Starkon said stiffly. His smile seemed plastered on and fake in every sense of the word.

“Can't wait to see the guest list.” Bellaire murmured, her feeding frenzy slowing down. Aneira sipped their coffee and sighed. Feeling the exhaustion of getting no sleep. Staying up just to keep the captain and Bellaire from going at each other’s throats.

“I suppose we start today.” Aneira said. Biting half a strawberry.

“We do.” Starkon said. “We can start by parading through the town and seeing all the dressmakers and bakeries. Everyone who we’ll be requesting items from for the gala.” Roskva’s eyes lit up, she was practically floating out of her seat.

“And how does the treasury look?” Aneira asked, maintaining her ever present diplomacy.

“The treasury?” Starkon asked, caught off guard by the question.

“Yes, the treasury.” Aneira said, shifting the fruit in the bowl around. “I imagine we have to pay for what we order.”

“Uh… no.” Starkon laughed as if paying for things was the most absurd thing he’d ever heard. “We don’t pay for what we want. We’re the royalty. Only peasants pay for things.” Aneira’s frown deepened. They raised a hand and called an attendant over.

“Yes, your majesty?”

“Please find the treasurer and have them write up a full report on the finances of the kingdom and be prepared to present the report to me in three hours’ time.” Aneira said. Looking back to the table. “That should be enough time, right?”

“Too much honestly.” Bellaire said and rolled her eyes. “You can demand things get done faster, you know that? And what’s wrong with not paying for what you order?”

“The items you order must be made.” Aneira said, turning to chastise not only Starkon but Bellaire as well. “Made by people, people who need to eat. Feed their families. How do they pay for their bread? For their clothes? Shoes?”

“So… we’re paying for the things I want for my gala?” Roskva asked. Unsure how to feel.

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“Yes.” Aneira said. “I’m sure the economy of the kingdom is just gagging for a gala in which the royals lead by example. For once.” Again sending severe looks at Starkon as well as Bellaire. They both looked down in shame.

“Well perhaps after breakfast I can show you around your new palace.” Starkon offered.

“That would be wonderful!” Roskva jumped up nearly out of her seat. Ready to go right that second. But Starkon wasn’t looking or responding to her. Instead he looked at Aneira.

“I suppose that wouldn’t be a bad idea.” Aneira relented, seeing how excited Roskva was and nothing else. “Though I’d prefer to consult a historian who is well versed in the history of the palace.”

“No one is more knowledgeable about this palace than I am. I was born in it and raised in it.” Starkon boasted. “I was taught every nook and cranny that exists in these halls. Every banner, tapestry, painting, and stained glass window. I know the stories by heart.”

“Fascinating.” Aneira said curtly.

“I can’t wait! This is going to be amazing!” Roskva wiggled excitedly in her seat.

“And of course you are welcome to join us, Lady Callafon.” Aneira offered. Hoping she’d say yes.

“I’d be delighted.” She wiped her mouth with her napkin.

“What about me?” Roskva asked, for a second doubting that she was invited.

“Yes of course you’re coming. It’s your palace too.” Aneira said. Roskva brightened up again instantly. Starkon’s face was painfully neutral.

“If we’re all finished, how about that tour?” Aneira asked. Starkon smiled.

“I’d be delighted.” He stood up from his seat and Roskva jumped out of hers. Bellaire got up and scooted out Aneira’s chair for them.

“Thank you,” they said. She waited for Starkon to lead but he seemed to be waiting expectantly for something.

“Oh, I must have forgotten to say.” Starkon laughed. Turning the charm all the way up. “When you are finished at the table you must command the staff to clear it.”

“Oh?” Aneira raised an eyebrow.

“Yes, you must say; Clear.” Starkon commanded. A few of the older staff had to stop themselves from obeying the command.

“Is that so?” Aneira frowned. They went to one of the waiting staff by the wall.

“What’s your name?” They asked the first person who made reluctant eye contant with them.

“Charles.”

“Well Charles, you seem capable of speech.” Aneira said. “And are you capable of sight as well?”

“Yes, your majesty?” Charles said confused.

“Well then Charles, can you see any occupants at the table?” They gestured to the empty table.

“Yes.”

“And you know we have eaten, correct?”

“Yes?”

“Then you may be able to come to the conclusion that the meal is over and you can begin cleaning up, is that right?” Aneira said.

“But.. But what if I’m not sure-”

“Then you are capable of speech and you may ask.” Aneira said. “If you are unsure, please ask for clarification.”

“Oh.” Charles stared at the table blankly. Then cautiously; “May I speak, your majesty?”

“Yes you may.” Aneira nodded.

“If you are finished, may we clear the dishes?” Charles asked, his voice teetering off under the glare of the former prince.

“Yes you may, and thank you for asking for clarification. Page.” Aneira turned as a page appeared at their side. “I don’t know what is a common reward for staff but see to it that Charles here, receives one.”

“A reward?” The page asked worriedly.

“Do you not reward your staff for their hard work?” Aneira turned to Starkon and again ready to chastise.

“We already pay them!” Starkon raised his voice. Aneira rolled their eyes.

“Pay him extra then. Give him an extra… oh… hour’s pay.” Aneira said and with a wave of their hand they turned away. Charles’ mouth dropped and the waiting staff seemed to go weak at the knees.

“Honestly.” Aneira shook their head and waited beside Starkon. “Well. Go on.”

“Right.” Starkon cleared his throat and smiled again. He held out an arm for Aneira but they didn’t take it. Only staring hard at him. Roskva jumped in and took his arm. Aneira narrowed their eyes at him.

“Let’s begin at the front of the palace.” Starkon swept his arm out of Roskva’s grip and she bounded after like a lovesick puppy. Bellaire kept close to Aneira as the pair followed to the front of the palace.

The front gates were made of iron bars with guards patrolling at all times. Basic topiaries and manicured grassy areas neatly and plainly laid out.

“There isn’t much to see right in front here.” Starkon said, turning around and making eye contact with Aneira. “But the palace itself is grand. The first stone building made when the kingdom was founded. Made of the ships that brought the first king…”

It had to be said that Starkon knew a lot about palace, but he carefully curated the tour. Keeping as close to Aneira as he could, while keeping friendly with Roskva but not paying her any real attention. Bellaire kept herself planted between him and Aneira, much to his annoyance.