“My Queen, I was told you were taking a meal here, but I am delighted to see Jane here as well. May I join you all I have some things to relate to Jane, and then there are two messages received for your eyes only, sealed with wax, and signed by”

  I interrupted. “The sender might not want everyone hearing it! It might be best to simply hand the Messages over instead.”

  Looking at me, she realized that perhaps there were people in the room who shouldn’t know the messages were from me. “Ah yes, that’s quite wise.”

  She handed the messages to the Queen, who, upon seeing my signature, raised one eyebrow, but quickly lowered it. “If you’ll excuse me a moment, I’ll read these in private, the sender was quite insistent that it was for my eyes only after all. I’ll return quickly, these seem to be brief messages.”

  “”Of course my Queen”” everyone responded.

  “Now, Jane, permit me to introduce myself, I am Tamra Desona. Technically I’m a cousin of Alian, well everyone anyway, but we grew up more like Sisters. I’m jealous of her continued youthful appearance, but I do remember the period of Awkwardness lasting much longer as well, so I think she can confirm there’s good, and bad things involved with continued youth. In any event, the Stainless Ingot you brought was given to the Royal Smiths, and they are overjoyed, and very impatient to be taught. Could you possibly swing by the Smithy today, even explaining a little aught to satisfy them for a moment. Perhaps a day or two till the extra material you said is needed arrives.”

  I chuckled a little. “As it happens, that’s on today’s to do list already, and I sent a runner to collect the needed material already, one Barrel will arrive,…I think in about ten minutes or so, depending on how strong the runners are anyway, and I assume there’s plenty of scrap iron around already too, so we should be pouring the first batch of Ingots today. I’ll be bringing my Crossbow, and Bolts too, as well as my Knuckles, so they’ll have a couple weapons to play with also. Remaining weapons, and Aluminum though, will have to wait for the King’s approval.”

  “Aluminum, what’s that?”

  “It’s another metal, only it can’t be used on its own, it has to be made into an alloy, but like Stainless, it doesn’t rust, and in construction, it can do the same job as Steel at one tenth the weight.”

  “I’ll not mention that to them just yet, I’m sure they’d be swarming you for details regardless of the King’s approval.”

  Vanessa returned then, catching my eye alone, and winked. “Apologies, those were urgent, and I’ve dealt with them properly, so no further issues should arise on those fronts.”

  “Welcome back, my Queen.” We continued our Meal, with Tamra being served too.

  “I must say, Jane, the improvements to the food are amazing even the simplest dishes taste orders of magnitude better already. Yet you say you have only just started, I look forward to all the new changes to our food.”

  I smiled, and noticed that both Jeanette, and Alian were positively glowing with pride in me. “Hey you two, this isn’t something to be proud of, I’m not inventing anything, just teaching it.”

  I could see Vanessa’s indulgent smile at her daughter. “We do need to discuss your upcoming wedding my dears. The color scheme should be decided early. Also you’ll need to be fitted for your Gowns.”

  I flinched. “I can’t do a Gown, no chance, sorry Queen Mother. I do have a design from home that is typically worn by the Men, but can be altered to fit me. Also do you do white for women on their wedding day? It’s supposed to indicate their purity prior to Marriage, but that’s almost never true back home.”

  “I understand dear, I’ll assign a special seamstress who typically deals with Men’s Clothes, honestly she’s been attempting to convince Women to switch to Trousers for years, so she’ll be ecstatic to make a Wedding Outfit for a Woman, that includes Trousers from the start. You two though, I assume are intending to wear Gowns. Also, we don’t have any tradition about White for Brides, just something nice is all. So colors, what do you intend Jane, for your outfit’s main color?”

  “Ah well, typically what I want would be mostly black, with a white undershirt, and accent color in the form of a Hand Kerchief in the Jacket Pocket, and perhaps a Red Tie for my neck. Also, I’m used to having short hair, despite how I look now, so I’ll need a Stylist to come up with a Hairstyle once my Outfit is finished, so they know what they’re working with. My Outfit should work beside the girls regardless of the Color Scheme, so I have no input on that front really.”

  “Hmm, well, Jeanette, Alian, perhaps you two can each pick a Color, and that be our overall scheme, along with the Royal Crest?”

  “Well, Mother, I think Blue would be a good color, perhaps a light Blue.”

  Jeanette spoke then. “Purple, closer to Violet perhaps? I think that would suit the Crest, and the Light Blue that Alian wants.”

  Vanessa nodded in approval. “Very nice choices. perhaps those choices should be your individual Gown colors, well, the base color anyway. They’d look perfect on you after all.”

  ”Perfect!!” The two spoke in unison.

  "Well, now that’s settled, I think you two should spend the day with the Seamstresses, while Jane deals with the Smithy. Off you run, Jane, a moment before you leave.”

  Everyone besides Vanessa, Myself, and Tamra left, the younger ones overly excited as they had been all day, though Gabby did hug me, and the other girls fiercely before she left. Once Vanessa was certain they were out of earshot, she spoke. “Those ring additions are exquisite, I know Alian will adore them, and the symbolism. The concept of an engagement ring is going to be a tradition after this, and the Wedding Band addition too. The Florist also contacted me, Floral centerpieces have never been done either. It’s perfect. I’ll relay the color scheme we just decided on today so she has the time to design something well in advance of the day. Tamra, let’s continue with Queen’s Eyes only messages after this, anything Wedding-related. It will cover for Jane’s actions, so they’re a surprise on the day, alright?”

  “So that’s what those were about, I’m sorry for almost spoiling it, Jane, truly!”

  “No problem, it was avoided, and you didn’t intend any harm. Making sure Jeanette didn’t figure me out with the Flower Centerpieces was a trick; if she hadn’t stepped over to another stall before I asked, I don’t think I could have managed it. She didn’t know about the Wedding bands, but she saw the engagement rings, though she didn’t know why I was buying them at the time.”

  “Well that’s all for me, best not keep the Smiths waiting any longer, Tamra, would you guide her please?”

  “Certainly my Queen.” We both Bowed before leaving the room.

  “Mind if I stay for the demonstration on making the Stainless? I’m interested in the Weapons too, if you don’t mind.”

  “Not at all, the more people learning at the same time, the better the understanding over all. Since you can refresh each other’s memories. I take it you’re somewhat involved with the Smiths, even if unofficially.”

  Tamra nodded. “I am, I am usually responsible for their material acquisitions, BUT…I actually like the processes, and that Crossbow, who wouldn’t want a weapon that saved the King, even if it isn’t the same one.”

  Wasting no time, we moved to the Smithy. The reaction to everything was priceless. Wonder, irritation, excitement, rage even. All the Smiths, and their apprentices were wrapped in the demonstration, and if I had any skill in the craft myself, it wouldn’t have surprised me to have someone attempt to kill me out of self reproach, and feeling inadequate. “Thank you for the demonstration. I take it you don’t intend to offer any advice on the working, only the material itself, and a few designs?”

  “Well even the designs are rough. I leave it to masters to perfect the rough drafts I provide. It’s only luck that I studied the process of making Stainless in my studies as a youth, oh and to the Smiths, realize I’m actually in my Forties, I’m not the teen I appear to be.”

  A lot of the animosity I sensed before eased, realizing I wasn’t some punk kid, but actually a mature adult with only some tidbits of information to share. “Forgive our Rude expressions earlier, I expect you understand it, since you’ve explained your situation perfectly to relieve the situation. Will you be sharing any other things? It’s a little frustrating still that you knew things we didn’t, but is there perhaps a reason for it?”

  “Ah well as to sharing anything else, that is at the King’s Discretion. The reason I know more than you, is because my people are a few centuries advanced from your current level of technology. This Nation, which is now my Home, is in what we call the Early Medieval Age. That’s the age of crude Steel, but the Weaponry hasn’t evolved even to the peak of that Era. I have a rather long list of Weapons that fit your Tech level, not to mention ones from far above. I can’t describe everything to a level that would be useable, but enough that I could force an early advancement. Problem with that though, is that it’s sort of like giving a sword to a toddler. Either he can’t use it at all, or else he will destroy too much before he learns to control the thing. I can’t see the future, so the King needs to decide if the risk is worth the reward. Personally I don’t see lifting us up to the limit of the Medieval age, since you already understand the principals involved, but even that might have negative effects if handled poorly.” The Smiths were now concerned, the thought that knowledge could harm their Nation, rather than help it was new.

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  “Knowledge you haven’t earned is the problem. Having Stainless Steel, well it’s really no different than Steel, as you’ve seen, it’s just the next refinement. A bigger investment to produce it, but it’s still Steel in the end. Crossbows are just a minor change from a Bow, which you already use heavily, even if they’re cruse in comparison to the ones I could teach you to make. Knuckle weapons, are just an addition for unarmed combat specialists, and ultimately useless for anyone who uses a Proper Weapon, which has a longer reach. Even a Dagger can beat Knuckles if you’re skilled. Those ideas won’t really change anything you see?” The Smiths nodded, it was true, the new Weapons, though unique, weren’t hugely different, it was instantly understood, and their knowledge and skill was what made the Stainless useful, not anything I had, or hadn’t told them.

  “Well, we shall await the King’s decision on any new things, and trust in his wisdom to not give us anything we aren’t ready for.”

  With that, Talma and I left the Smithy, having spent a few good hours uplifting the Smiths knowledge base, we were a little Sweaty. “Shall we go to the Gardens? The Children are most likely running around there.”

  “Sure, that sounds good, Gabby will like to give us Hugs about now I expect. I’m so glad she’s getting along with those girls. The Bunny Girls are just so Precious, and they are so cute with Gabby’s Fox nature. I’m going to lose it if Gabby is chasing them though!”

  “Why?” Tamra's confused expression, coupled with curiosity, was almost comical, though not quite.

  “Oh, back home, Foxes are animals, not people. Four-footed predators, while Bunnies, also animals, are prey animals, and a particular target of Foxes. So seeing my adorable adopted Fox Girl daughter chasing two cute Bunny Girls at high speeds, I’m not going to be able to not laugh.” Wide-eyed surprise.

  “Does that mean we all have animal counterparts in your home?”

  I nodded my head. “Yes, though the details are being kept secret. I actually find it curious that you call yourselves by the same root name. A fox is a fox, a tiger is a tiger. Tigers are great cats by the way, they’re actually heavier than I am. They prey on things my size. Lions are technically bigger, but they’re also less energetic. They live in extreme heat areas though, so they conserve energy as much as possible. If they aren’t Hunting, Guarding, or Fucking, they’re sleeping.”

  Shock at my crude words, only paled to the shock of the information about my home country’s wildlife. “Most of my personal experience with those animals, were in zoos though. More often than not, their origins were other countries, and I never hunted, so I didn’t have reason to encounter the local once either, like the Cougar. It’s another Big Cat, tawny fur, and a roar that’s more of a scream, quite disturbing to hear, but they’re beautiful deadly creatures. They’re Claws are actually larger than mine if I’m honest. Probably weight the same as me, if not a little more too.” At that moment, I burst into laughter, because as I had predicted, Gabby was merrily chasing her two Bunny girl friends, her Fox tail wagging merrily behind her.

  When she heard my Laughter though, she pounced on me for a hug. “I’m having so much fun Mother Jane!”

  “I’m glad Sweetheart, don’t let us interrupt, I’ll find a place to sit and watch.” I returned her hug tightly though, and snuck in a kiss on her cheek. The bunny girls looked a little Jealous. “Hugs are free you know, and I opened my arms. They nervously, but eagerly accepted the embrace, and I figured why not, and kissed each girl on a cheek. “Now off you all go, burn off all that energy ok!”

  The Maid whose children these Bunny girls were, happened to be nearby, and at my display, she decided to follow suit. Giving each of the three girls her own hug, and cheek kiss. “Thank you for your favor to my daughters Milady! I hope you don’t mind my doing likewise with yours!”

  “The only thing I mind, is being called Milady even one second before I have to. At least until the Wedding, I’m just Jane ok,…Please!”

  “Of Course, I didn’t think, you must be overwhelmed with all the Royal Treatment seeing as how you weren’t a Noble.”

  “Well the service itself isn’t a problem, because high class Hotels, of which I have stayed at a few, have similar standards, but they don’t defer to you, they’re just professional, they’re service workers, not servants. There is a distinction, despite the similar sounding names. Service workers are equals to the Guests they serve, they’re being paid to provide the service, but once they’re off work for the day, that behavior is gone, replaced with the same attitudes their guests had all day long. A Waitress at a Restaurant will plaster a smile on her face while dealing with a stuck up pig at work, then as soon as her shift is over, she might be just as stuck up at a different place herself, without even realizing she’s being just as bad as her own guest earlier.”

  This revelation between servants that she knew, and service workers that Jane knew was startling. “So it’s the Nobility itself you’re avoiding, not the services we offer?”

  I nodded. “Exactly, I’m a normal citizen at heart. Actually, I’m a foreigner when all is said and done. If I thought I could have avoided this, and been a Citizen, without anyone making a fuss every time I came to a village, town, or city, I wouldn’t be here at all. Though, I genuinely love Alian already, so that would have been a major sacrifice, yet if I had never met her, well I wouldn’t have known what I was missing. Still, Alian want’s to be a Mother, and nobody else was going to let her, so I wouldn’t want to rob her of that either. In the end, me being forced into the Noble Society is a good thing all around, but I don’t have to like it.”

  The Maid was confused by my words. “Why don’t you like the idea of being a Noble, I’ve often Dreamed I was secretly a Tiger, but some spell or other had hidden my features, and once I broke it I would be welcomed with open arms.”

  She laughed self deprecatingly at herself. “Because I have to place every Man, Woman, and Child’s well being above my own; to always strive to improve life for the Majority. I can’t ignore things, and must see the consequences of every action I take, every technology, or technique I reveal. I can’t just do whatever pleases me so long as it’s within my personal abilities. A true Noble is a Slave to the People, much more so than any actual Slave, who must only serve a single master, or family. I will have to serve Everyone.”

  Dawning realization of the True meaning of Nobility was clear across the Maid’s face. “I never considered it from anything like that perspective.”

  Tamra also looked thoughtful. “By that reasoning, Jane, would that mean the King is the ultimate slave?”

  “Yes Tamra, that’s exactly it. Not meaning any disparagement, but when absolutely everyone else must be place above yourself in terms of welfare, that’s pretty much being a Slave to the People. Not that the King is ever told what to do, or given orders. But he Orders himself to suck it up, and do what needs doing, instead of self indulging. Even our Wedding coming up, isn’t for us, or him, or his wife, it’s for the People.”

  “I just now understand how stupid it is to envy the King and Queen. Not that I ever did, but others have, I’ve heard enough to know that, yet now I can see they were utter fools!” Tamra shook her head in disgust at those fools she was thinking of.

  “Yeah, the only people who enjoy being a Ruler, are evil despots who just want to crush others spirits. There’s a big difference between Ruling, like a Despot, and Leading like a King.”

  Vanessa, and Donican had just come into the Garden as I finished my Statement. A look of gratitude was on both their faces. “I’ve never been able to explain that concept myself Jane, I thank you for your understanding of the true burdens of the Crown. Also that you didn’t try to flea the responsibilities, but came to us regardless of knowing what it actually means. That level of Bravery is rare indeed. I’m even prouder that you will soon be my daughter than I already was!”

  I bowed in respect to the King. “Your Majesty is a good King, I could tell, your worry for your People’s future is palpable. I’ll need to discuss some things for the Smiths to get your decision on what should, and shouldn’t be shared.”

  “Come Sally, let us depart, the King and Queen don’t need to worry about us spreading anything they deem unacceptable by accident, best be out of ear for the time being. You can set yourself in line of sight, and call the girls to stay close to where you are as well.”

  The two left us to talk, and I described several weapons, and the concept of Aluminum, also sheet extruders, the concept of a screw, and nuts. Then Leaf Springs for the Carriages, to which Adel had relayed that such a concept existed, but not clearly enough. I also explained all the Siege, and anti siege engines I knew of. Then also indoor plumping, flushing toilets, and the chip seal road using Tar. “Well I can easily approve all of those weapons for Royal use, and a few for Adventurer’s use, the Aluminum I don’t foresee being a problem either, as it will provide a cheap building material that is much more durable than wood. The Leaf springs I certainly want to be produced. Once you describe them to the Smiths, they can talk with the Carriage Wrights to get measurements, for the Modified Carriages. Screws I certainly approve of, and the Nut/Bolt idea. The sheet extruders are also of no concern, and only a positive. As to the Chip Seal road, and the Plumbing projects, I’ll begin with the Roads I think, and slowly improve the shipping. Also that Postal service, combined with the Stage Coach is a great idea. I’ll also approve any of the anti siege weapons, but not the siege ones. Until and unless they are required through no fault of our own that is. Let’s not push our offense without cause.”

  “Are those enough of a Knowledge dump for a single day your Majesty?”

  He laughed heartily. “Well I think if you stop with just that, and don’t visit the Kitchens, my Wife will have both our heads. Otherwise I’d say yes. Take Tamra, and let the Smiths have their treat first. Then off to the Kitchens if you please.” I bowed in respect, and waved to Tamra so we could return to the Smithy.

  “Back already?”

  I smiled. “With several weeks worth of new concepts for you to play with. Do you have a large slate, with some chalk?”

  “Certainly, over here.” I took the chalk, and first wrote the recipe for Aluminum, and then diagrammed the sheet extruder, and threading tools, followed by the leaf springs, and then started the laborious task of diagramming all the anti siege weapons, and other weapons including a Compound Bow, specifying it for Military use only, until the King’s approval changes. Despite the size of the Slate, it was very full before I was done, on both sides no less, so I was directed to a second slate, which I also filled, thinking it wasn’t going to be possible to do everything, I was alerted to the fact that the first slate full had been copied onto parchment, and erased, so I kept going back and forth until eventually I was done.

  “Now, before Dinner, I have to visit the Kitchens, and start writing recipes, ugh, my hand’s already cramping.”

  The head Smith laughed at my pain. “Well you deserve it for having too much Smith craft knowledge! Off with you, I can manage this much now. I can see what you meant about rough knowledge, and designs.” Still laughing as we left, the Smith started bellowing to his subordinates to start assembling prototypes of everything they could.

  Dinner was already finished when we entered the Kitchens, so I didn’t have to write after all. Instead I dictated as the Head cook took notes. She had acquired quite the stack of Parchment. I told her to keep several recipes aside for the Queen’s selection for the Wedding Banquet. She was overjoyed at the thought of using any, or all of those dishes during the Wedding Banquet, and promised to do just that. I apologized for not telling her anymore, but my brain had already turned to mush for the day. “Nonsense Mila, I mean Jane, this is already a huge list of new Recipes. The detail in their preparation instructions alone is astounding, though I’m not certain how I’m to know the temperature of the Oven for baking.”

  “Ah, I’ll get with the Smiths on that, to see about making some proper oven thermometers. A simple heat spring connected to a needle with a face plate for the temp numbers is simple enough.”

  I quickly explained number characters, to her delight, and told her that the new Thermometer would use them. “Thank you very much, that will improve all our baking, to think such a thing was possible.”

  “Oh right, I forgot all about kitchen tools entirely. So much more stuff to explain at the Smithy, UGH!” Shaking my head at the seemingly endless knowledge to relay, I left the Kitchen for the Dining Hall.