Something poked me,

  Gentle, but insistent,

  "Sekire, wake up,"

  Soft voice, familiar,

  I opened my eyes, slowly,

  Fuyumi was beside the bed, smiling, small but genuine,

  "Good morning, we have a lot to do today,"

  I sat up, rubbing my eyes,

  "What time is it?"

  "Early," Hinata appeared from the other side, holding a tray, "But the king and queen arrive at noon, so we need to prepare you,"

  She placed the tray on the small table, bread, fruits, tea,

  "Eat first, then we'll take care of the rest,"

  Preparation

  After breakfast, they took me to the bathroom,

  Bigger than yesterday's, with a real bathtub,

  "Proper bath today," Fuyumi said, "Yesterday was basic, today needs to be complete,"

  Hinata was already filling the tub, hot water, steam rising,

  And smell, flowers again, but different, softer,

  "Lavender," Fuyumi explained, "Relaxing,"

  I undressed, entered the bathtub,

  The water was perfect, hot but not burning,

  I sank up to my neck,

  Closed my eyes,

  "Comfortable?" Hinata asked,

  "Very,"

  "Good, now stay still,"

  They began to work,

  Fuyumi washed my hair, carefully, massaging my scalp,

  It was... good, relaxing,

  "Your hair is beautiful," she commented, "Natural red, rare,"

  "Is it?"

  "Yes, especially with that tone, deep red, almost crimson at some angles,"

  Hinata scrubbed my arms with something rough,

  "What is this?"

  "Sponge, removes dead skin cells," matter-of-fact tone, "You'll be softer,"

  They continued, methodical, efficient,

  But not cold, there was care there,

  As if they really cared,

  "Why are you doing this?" I asked, quietly,

  "Doing what?" Fuyumi rinsed my hair,

  "Taking care of me, you don't have to,"

  Silence for a moment,

  Then Hinata answered:

  "We do have to, it's our job,"

  Pause,

  "But we also want to, you seem to need it,"

  "And," Fuyumi added, softer, "Her Highness likes you, so we like you too,"

  Something tightened in my chest,

  "Just that simple?"

  "Just that simple," both answered in unison,

  I got out of the bathtub, they wrapped me in a huge towel, soft, warm,

  They dried me, carefully,

  Then took me back to the room,

  Clothes were on the bed,

  Not the simple ones from yesterday,

  But a dress,

  Dark blue, simple but elegant, without many details, but clearly quality,

  "For the royal reception," Hinata explained, "You need to be properly dressed,"

  They helped me dress,

  The fabric was soft, comfortable, didn't squeeze,

  Fuyumi combed my hair, left it loose, just pinned the front strands with simple clips,

  "Done," she smiled, "Beautiful,"

  I looked in the mirror,

  And almost didn't recognize myself,

  Clean, groomed, healthy,

  Different from the bloodied and broken girl from a week ago,

  "Thank you," I murmured,

  "You're welcome," Fuyumi touched my shoulder, gently,

  The Grumpy Monster

  "And now?" I asked,

  "Now," Hinata sighed, "we wake up that grumpy monster,"

  "Monster?"

  "Her Highness Mabel," Fuyumi smiled, but there was something conspiratorial, "She's... difficult to wake up,"

  "Impossible," Hinata corrected, "But we have our techniques,"

  They led me through corridors, to a larger door, more ornate,

  The princess's room,

  Fuyumi knocked, gently,

  "Your Highness, it's time,"

  Silence,

  Knocked again, harder,

  "Your Highness Mabel, the king and queen arrive in a few hours,"

  Muffled growl from inside,

  "Don't want to,"

  Hinata and Fuyumi exchanged glances,

  Then Hinata opened the door,

  And we entered,

  Mabel's Room

  It was... chaotic,

  Not dirty, but disorganized,

  Huge bed, bigger than mine, blue canopy, messy sheets,

  Books stacked everywhere, some piles reaching waist height,

  Table covered with papers, drawings, maps,

  Closet open, clothes hanging randomly, some on the floor,

  Enormous windows, curtains open, sunlight flooding everything,

  And in the center of the bed, buried in pillows and blankets,

  Mabel,

  Only the top of her white hair visible,

  "Your Highness," Fuyumi approached, "You need to get up,"

  "No,"

  "The royal reception is important,"

  "I don't care," muffled voice, "I'm a princess, I'm not obligated to participate in receptions, daddy said I could choose,"

  Hinata sighed,

  "She always uses that argument,"

  "Because it works!" Mabel buried deeper into the pillows,

  Fuyumi looked at Hinata,

  Then smiled, mischievous,

  "What a shame, I heard Mark O'Malley was going to pass by the castle today, along with his younger brother,"

  Silence,

  Absolute,

  Then the blankets exploded,

  Mabel sat up, fast, white hair completely disheveled, eyes wide,

  "W-WHAT?!"

  "Mark O'Malley," Hinata confirmed, neutral tone, "The Kyusei, apparently bringing his brother, Ferme, to visit,"

  Mabel's face turned red,

  Instantly,

  "I-I DON'T CARE!"

  "Of course not," Fuyumi agreed, tone too sweet, "That's why your face is redder than a tomato,"

  "IT'S NOT!"

  "It is,"

  "IT'S NOT!"

  I looked at the scene, confused,

  "Who is Ferme?"

  Mabel froze,

  Turned to me, slowly,

  "N-NOBODY! JUST A STUPID BOY WHO COMES HERE SOMETIMES!"

  "Is he your boyfriend?" I asked,

  "NO!"

  The scream was so loud I almost fell,

  Fuyumi laughed, quietly,

  "They're not dating, but Her Highness likes him,"

  "I DON'T!"

  "And gets all flustered when he shows up,"

  "I DON'T!"

  "And red,"

  "I'M GOING TO FIRE YOU!"

  Hinata approached, grabbed Mabel by the shoulders,

  "Your Highness, if you don't want Ferme to see you in pajamas with bird's nest hair, I suggest getting ready, now,"

  Mabel looked down, at her wrinkled pajamas, at her hair reflected in the mirror,

  Then screamed,

  "AAAAAAAH! I LOOK LIKE A SCARECROW!"

  And ran to the bathroom,

  Slamming the door,

  Hinata looked at Fuyumi,

  "Works every time,"

  "It really does,"

  Both smiled,

  And I... laughed,

  Small, but I laughed,

  Stolen story; please report.

  One Hour Later

  Mabel emerged from the room, finally groomed,

  White dress with blue details, hair combed, still a bit rebellious, but controlled,

  Purple eyes shining,

  But still slightly red,

  "Not, one, word," she looked at me,

  I made a zipping gesture on my mouth,

  She sighed,

  "Let's go before I change my mind,"

  Royal Reception

  The hall was different,

  Not empty like before,

  But prepared,

  Impeccable red carpet, candles lit even during the day, flowers decorating the corners,

  Magic knights flanking the walls, perfect posture,

  And at the back,

  The throne,

  Still empty,

  But not for much longer,

  The main doors opened,

  Trumpets sounded,

  "His Majesty, King Harven of Axoland!"

  He entered,

  Tall, very tall, maybe six foot three,

  Black hair combed back, some gray strands at the temples,

  Purple eyes, like Mabel's, but darker, more serious,

  Short well-groomed beard,

  Royal robes, dark blue with gold embroidery, cape flowing behind,

  Simple crown, not ostentatious, but undeniably royal,

  Erect posture, broad shoulders, presence that commanded attention,

  But the face,

  Kind, tired but kind,

  He smiled upon seeing Mabel,

  "My daughter,"

  Deep voice, warm,

  And then,

  "Her Majesty, Queen Caliope of Axoland!"

  She entered,

  And she was impressive,

  Average height, but enormous presence,

  Silver-white hair, like Mabel's, but longer, falling to her waist in perfect waves,

  Turquoise-blue eyes, bright, penetrating,

  Beautiful face, delicate features, but there was something sharp there,

  Light blue dress, elegant, elaborate, silver embroidery forming complex patterns,

  More ornate crown than the king's, silver with blue stones,

  She walked with grace, each step measured, perfect,

  Looked around, evaluating, judging,

  Then saw Mabel,

  And something changed,

  The serious expression cracked,

  Just for a second,

  But I saw it,

  They ascended to the throne, sat,

  And the reception began,

  Fuyumi and Hinata positioned me beside Mabel,

  "Stay quiet, don't speak unless directly asked,"

  I nodded,

  My heart beat hard,

  King and queen,

  The two most important people in the kingdom,

  And I was just a refugee,

  Foreigner,

  Didn't belong here,

  The pressure returned, not magical, just anxiety,

  The king began to speak, something about thanking the knights, about the journey,

  I didn't hear properly,

  Was focused on not fainting,

  The queen observed, sharp eyes, studying each person,

  Then they fixed on me,

  For a second that felt like eternity,

  And I felt it,

  Judgment,

  Evaluation,

  My stomach turned,

  But then,

  The queen smiled, small, almost imperceptible,

  And returned attention to the king,

  The ceremony continued,

  Speeches, thanks, protocols,

  All formal, rigid, perfect,

  Until,

  The king finished speaking,

  The queen stood up,

  And looked at Mabel,

  For a moment, she maintained composure, perfect, royal,

  Then,

  Broke,

  Completely,

  "MABEL!"

  She descended the steps, running,

  Not walking, running,

  "MY BABY GIRL!"

  And hugged Mabel, tight, hard,

  Lifting her off the ground,

  Spinning,

  "Mommy missed you so much! So much! Did you eat properly? Sleep well? Did anyone bother you? Tell mommy!"

  Mabel, trapped in the embrace, turned red,

  "M-MOM! PEOPLE ARE WATCHING!"

  "So what?! You're my daughter! I can hug you whenever I want!"

  The king descended too, smiling, indulgent,

  "Caliope, dear, composure,"

  "Composure NOTHING! I was two weeks away from my baby! Two WEEKS!"

  She squeezed harder,

  Mabel looked at me,

  Mortified,

  And I,

  For the second time that day,

  Laughed,