"Federik? Apologies for the intrusion, could you tell me where the queen is?"
"Your Highness, you are not intruding at all."
Federik paused, interrupting the conversation he was having with one of the castle staff. Despite the haste and the chaos, preparations were almost complete. The counselor was on the verge of a nervous breakdown: I wonder if a vacation will ever be allowed, the young man thought. His face remained impassive, of course.
"She went to the capital for her dress fitting ahead of the celebration."
Snow White held back a sigh and smiled at the counselor, thanking him, before greeting a few workers who had been staring at her since she entered the hall. She was used to their gazes and didn't pay them much mind, as always. Instead, she paused to think about how much she missed the queen, even though she had only been away from her for a few hours! In that moment, she didn't feel much different from a greedy, needy child, unable to tolerate the absence of what she wanted. She wished to remain by Grimilde's side as much as possible—not out of dependency, but rather to be graced by her precious presence. And speaking of romantic relationships...
"Rachel! Stop, I need to talk to you."
The princess spotted her handmaid walking just outside the hall and approached her calmly, appreciating the blush on her friend's cheeks, fully aware of what she had done.
"Your Highness! H-how can I help you?"
"First of all, how about we go for a walk in the garden? The sun is shining..."
"Princess, forgive me, but we should start getting ready for the evening—"
"We still have time, Rachel."
Snow White linked her arm through hers and wouldn't hear any more protests, escorting her friend toward the garden. They needed to have a good chat, and she wouldn't let her escape until she had wrung the truth from the handmaid's lips!
"This is about the book, isn't it?"
When the two women were finally certain they were alone, Rachel grew timid, searching the princess's gaze to figure out what she was thinking. The girl with ebony hair smiled, looking around as she gathered her thoughts on what to say and what she wanted to ask.
"I'm actually enjoying the book... which is why I'd like to ask you what led you to suggest it to me."
"I thought you might appreciate it, nothing more. Furthermore..." Rachel lowered her gaze for a moment, then raised it, displaying a resolve she hadn't possessed earlier. "Lately, Mariella and I have been worried about you... and the queen. You are facing many difficulties, and we would like to help you in some way."
"You are already a great help. Believe me."
Snow White took the girl's hands and squeezed them gently. Her doe eyes melted Rachel's heart, but by now she was used to the effect of that innocent gaze, so full of sincerity and affection.
"It's true... this is a difficult time for both me and the queen, but we are doing well."
The smile the princess wore whenever she spoke of the queen was something truly precious, making Rachel want to help her more than ever.
"Speaking of the queen... are you two on good terms? Like always?"
Even the handmaid blushed when she saw Snow White grow shy.
"Of course, why wouldn't things be fine between us? Grimilde is always so understanding, reliable, fair..."
"Beautiful..."
"Exactly, she is—" Snow White brought two fingers to her lips, silencing herself in embarrassment. Rachel was looking at her with the exact same eyes she used when she wanted to uncover a new piece of gossip.
"It feels strange to talk about her when she isn't here..."
"You must need someone to listen to you talk about your love for her, right? I can be that someone, if you want."
Snow White's face turned even redder, and she stopped, looking around once more before addressing her handmaid cautiously.
"I have never felt anything like this... my heart aches every time I think about what could have happened that day, and my... desire for her has grown exponentially, so suddenly. But we have far more important things to think about, and I don't want to be a source of distraction for her."
"Snow White, you are not a distraction for Grimilde, that is clear as day. I am sure she needs you just as much as you need her. Now that I know the nature of your relationship, I can understand just how much the queen holds you dear and desires your happiness. Can't you see it too?"
The princess paused to reflect, wondering what Rachel saw that was hidden from her own view. She was aware of Grimilde's feelings; she couldn't have ignored them even if she wanted to. When those sky-blue eyes lingered on her, she felt them physically, like a gentle caress on her skin.
"Rachel, do you think I could... indulge in these feelings?"
Rachel couldn't hold back and blurted out: "You should!" But then she corrected herself: "I meant that you are allowed to, Snow White."
The princess smiled again and looked up at the sky, admiring the blue canvas dotted with a few white tufts above them.
"Tonight, the queen will wear a foreign gown, something truly precious. She will make sure to show everyone present just how powerful and regal she is in both name and presence. I want nothing more than to see her, to adore every part of her, even though the evening will be dedicated to political discussions and potential governmental changes."
"Speaking of which... we should start getting you ready, what do you say?"
The princess looked at the sky and the sun beginning to set, then nodded. They headed back toward the palace with a serene expression and the feeling that they had deepened their bond even further. Rachel wanted her princess's happiness—it was her priority—and if the queen made her happy, then she would support Snow White in this love with all her might!
"What do you think will happen tonight?"
Counselor Federik adjusted his glasses on his nose and turned to Astrael, who was standing beside him. He looked elegant but annoying, as always. He didn't have a hair out of place and gave off the impression that he could feel comfortable in any situation. The confidence he possesses is enviable, Federik thought.
The young man cast his eyes around the room again. The banquet was a mere pretext to gather the kingdom's nobles, keep them in check, and demonstrate the royal family's power and wealth. The queen and princess had yet to make their entrance, but he was sure it would be spectacular.
"What's supposed to happen? The nobles will have to bow their heads for once. If it were up to me, I would have beheaded a few of them... or publicly tortured them. Hearing their screams: what satisfaction!"
Astrael began to laugh, and Federik simply ignored him. He was used to his colleague's strange behavior and his even more bizarre thoughts. He still wondered why the queen and princess associated with him...
"Oh, she has finally arrived..."
Astrael's comment drew Federik's attention to the hall's entrance, which featured a sweeping staircase designed for moments when the nobles needed to flaunt their beauty. At that moment, the marvelous and majestic regent of Arran appeared at the top of the steps, wearing a luxurious damask gown. Federik was passionate about fabrics, among other things, and instantly recognized the material of the dress. The skirt was long, but not bell-shaped; instead, it draped along the queen's legs like elegant midnight-blue curtains—the most fashionable noble color in Arran at the time. The bodice was also a departure from the fashion of the era, appearing less cinched at the waist but still fitted, featuring delicate dark red embroidery with a few golden notes that completed its richness. The queen wore her hair up so that everyone's eyes would be drawn to the highly precious necklace, encrusted with numerous gems, which the king had gifted her in their early years of marriage. The queen was like a bright star in a night sky: it was impossible not to be captivated by her glow.
"Very pretty." Astrael stated, looking away shortly after.
"Very pretty? Our queen is marvelous, and her refinement is unmatched!"
Embarrassed by Astrael's behavior and words, Federik snapped, revealing his true thoughts, only to regret it immediately.
"You seem particularly agitated, Federik... don't tell me you have a crush on the queen!"
At that point, the counselor scoffed and decided to ignore his colleague entirely. He was soon distracted by the entrance of the princess, who beautifully complemented Grimilde's brilliant beauty with her ebony hair and dark gown. Federik was also pleased by the princess's enchanting and mature style; he relaxed, taking a few minutes to enjoy the hall's music and the chatter that accompanied the notes.
Snow White and the queen busied themselves greeting and speaking with the nobles, who had grown reinvigorated following their entrance. Many men in that hall deeply desired to marry one of the two women, and several noblewomen aimed to speak with them, attempting to enter the princess's inner circle of friends. Everyone knew Snow White's story—a crystal princess, kept safely within the royal palace, shielded from the world—and it was inevitable that, living like that, she hadn't been able to forge relationships with other nobles. The party was the perfect opportunity to get closer to the princess!
"Your gown is spectacular, Your Majesty!"
"Your Highness, allow me to say that you look enchanting!"
Formal invitations to dance soon began, and while the princess made sure not to disappoint the most enthusiastic nobles by dancing with a few of them, the queen returned to her throne, which offered a view of the entire hall. She continued to watch her sweet Snow White, wishing she could take the place of whichever noble was holding her in the dance, but she would make up for it later. In her mind, images surfaced of the two of them holding each other under the moonlight in her private garden, where they could talk and relax freely.
Grimilde planned to give Snow White a blue rose, a precious flower from her homeland. Many tales spoke of this symbol, narrating stories of eternal love, brave warriors searching for their beloveds, of peace and balance. For Grimilde, it meant giving her sweet princess a piece of herself, something hidden in the depths of her heart and mind; she would be naked and vulnerable. Her desire was to celebrate their love and bind herself to Snow White until the end of her days. She wanted to be faithful to her, protect her, and confess even her darkest secrets. They needed to have a long talk, and she would have to prepare the maiden for some truths about the world they lived in that were far too harsh and difficult to digest.
"Your Majesty..."
Federik stopped by her side, lowering his head in a gesture of reverence, and spoke quietly to the queen. It wouldn't be long now before the Council meeting began, and some of the nobles present in the hall had already started huddling together, likely preparing their futile arguments against the proposals the queen would bring forward. Grimilde was tired of still feeling like a foreigner: the kingdom was as much hers as it was theirs, and as the current regent, she had the right and the power to rule, not to take orders from someone else just because she was a woman and a widow.
"Do you wish to proceed...?"
The queen nodded after a moment, casting one last look at Snow White. She could also participate in the assembly, as it was her right and duty as the princess of the Kingdom of Arran. No noble could protest it; the queen wouldn't allow it.
"Inform the princess for me. I will go on ahead."
Grimilde rose from her throne and caught the attention of her guards, who temporarily halted the music so the queen could speak without interruption. Grimilde took a moment to give a short speech thanking the nobles present for their attendance and support, recalling the recent tragedy to highlight her strength and resilience—traits fitting for a trustworthy regent. Without lingering, she left the hall, capturing the attention of the noble Council members.
"The time has come."
Duke Helmholtz was the first to leave the party, and soon many others followed suit. The princess also prepared to join them, taking her leave from some young noblewomen she had been speaking with; her steps were confident and resolute, much like her dark eyes. Astrael saw her and didn't hesitate to accompany her: after all, it would be fun to watch humans squabble among themselves for power!
Anything could happen in the next few minutes, but Snow White fully intended to make it clear to every Council member that there would be profound changes in the future, and no one could escape their responsibilities. When the princess reached the meeting hall, accompanied by Astrael and two guards, she immediately noticed that the queen had left a chair open beside her at the head of the long table around which the other nobles were seated. Grimilde was wearing a crimson-red cloak adorned with the symbols of the royal family, and her flashy, precious crown was certainly not missing. The princess had been wearing a tiara since the start of the party, and as expensive as it was, it paled in comparison to the crown. Snow White was mesmerized by the sight, but quickly composed herself and took her seat, ready for the meeting to begin.
At that point, the nobles also took their seats at the table, and the queen finally did the same. It was a highly theatrical gesture: as queen, she should have sat down first, but she wanted to demonstrate her profound respect for the princess. Snow White hoped she wasn't blushing too obviously and promised herself she would show Grimilde her gratitude later... in private.
The regent immediately opened the meeting after exchanging a word with Federik, who stood behind her, clutching a stack of papers in his hands.
"We all know the reason we are gathered here today, but what few of us acknowledge is that the true target of the assassins who betrayed this country was not me. The crown was attacked, and thus its meaning, its power... Arran is experiencing a time of peace, but this will not last forever. Ronald Ohniz is a fugitive from a foreign country, but his actions have had serious repercussions in the eyes of neighboring nations. Threatening the power of the monarchy exposed our weakness—and I do not speak of our military resources, but of the collaboration between the crown and the nobles of this land. This meeting, held during a truly difficult time for our kingdom, is an opportunity to reaffirm our faith in working together to bring order and ensure peace in Arran. But to do so, we must accept the necessity of making changes."
Grimilde wore an indecipherable expression, but her gaze was undeniably cold, and her solemn tone carried the weight of the responsibilities of everyone present. Standing behind her was the captain of the royal guards, Gregor Povik, who followed his queen's words with great attention, captivated by the deep respect he harbored for her. The position she was in was difficult, but he would support her in every decision.
The discussion soon opened up when the queen announced the changes that would specifically affect the Council, proposing new directives to strengthen the oversight of the provincial governors' actions. Officially, nobles could either delegate their powers regarding economic management or handle the distribution of resources for the citizens and the kingdom themselves. They had taken advantage of their freedom: this was how Quentin Sorton had managed to conceal the arms trade and prepare a plan, likely to start a civil war in the country. Furthermore, the Sorton territory would be temporarily entrusted to a delegate from the royal palace, removing his seat from the Council until a new election could be held, as well as those of his collaborators. All nobles involved in dealings with Ronald and Quentin would remain under investigation and strict surveillance until further notice.
Many nobles began to push back against the strictness of the oversight, complaining about the restriction of their powers. Regarding the proposal to elect representatives for the citizens, it was inevitable that even more protests would arise, but Grimilde was convinced she could bring about changes over time. She certainly didn't harbor the illusion of fixing everything in a single night. During the meeting, Federik assisted the queen by providing statistics and explanations tied to the kingdom's legislation.
"We can understand the need to guarantee greater security, but we will have to carefully consider the next steps toward these reforms." One of the nobles commented, observing his colleagues' reactions. At that moment, Duke Helmholtz seemed to abstain from speaking; he looked thoughtful as he read some numbers on the documents Federik had provided.
"Citizen representatives? With all due respect, Your Majesty, I believe that is madness."
"And why on earth would it be madness, tell me, Baron Ruven."
Grimilde maintained her composure throughout the Council session, and Snow White remained silent for most of it, until then. The queen noticed the girl's gaze and nodded, waiting to hear the baron's reasoning.
"The common people lack the skills to manage an entire community. Many of the citizens are illiterate or ignorant, and, with all due respect, I do not believe this is the solution."
"If I may, Baron Ruven, I would like to remind you that it is the citizens who concretely manage our society." The princess interjected into the discussion, fixing her dark eyes on the stout, grim-faced man who had been speaking. "Without the hands of our workers, we would have no resources; without their coordination and collaboration, we could not even maintain order. Security is guaranteed both by the presence of the guards and by the people's reasonable decision to follow the laws."
"Your Highness, that does not change the fact that they remain inexperienced and unprepared compared to us."
"I will not deny that illiteracy is widespread in the kingdom, but assuming the entire population has received absolutely no form of education is a generalization. The protection of the citizens comes in various forms, and one of these consists of granting them the opportunity for representation. It is an invaluable right. My father fought for years with the goal of improving this kingdom, and to honor his work, I will not allow our progress to be erased or ignored."
Astrael smirked: Snow White was clever, capable, and if she wanted to, she could leverage her influence to assert herself far more.
"Your Highness, I share your reasoning. Your father always put the good of the kingdom first, and it is right to honor him. I am certain you will agree, however, on the necessity to discuss the matter with careful consideration."
Duke Helmholtz finally spoke up, almost as if trying to silence a squabble; he shot a glare at the baron to warn him to stay quiet.
Grimilde took the opportunity to bring the meeting to a close, avoiding dragging it out beyond the allotted time. They had discussed national security, the changes she intended to bring to the kingdom, and what would happen to the prisoners. The Sorton family had been interrogated and cleared of the charges of collaborating with the traitors. The blame fell squarely on Quentin Sorton and those who had knowingly helped him, while Ronald Ohniz and the noble followers of his sect were still under investigation. Ohniz would be sentenced to forced labor and kept under strict surveillance along with his collaborators: the reason for this sentence was due to Ronald's origin from the neighboring kingdom. Grimilde, in fact, had opened correspondence with the bordering kingdom to ensure she wouldn't provoke the foreign ruler with her actions. He agreed that the matter should be handled in Arran, but requested the opportunity to personally investigate Ronald Ohniz. In the following weeks, foreign emissaries would arrive specifically to handle this. Upon the conclusion of the inquiry, the sentence would be reviewed.
"I would like to take this opportunity to assure you that you can count on the full support and cooperation of my delegation in fulfilling your burdensome responsibilities. With that said, we shall have the opportunity to reconvene soon..."
The queen concluded, breathing a sigh of relief when no one else raised any questions. She was the first to stand up, accompanied by Snow White and the royal counselors; the nobles followed, leaving the room murmuring among themselves in hushed voices.
"Snow White?"
As they walked away from the meeting hall, heading back toward the party, the queen took advantage of the moment of peace to speak to the princess. Snow White remained silent but turned her gaze toward her: she was listening.
"I need to talk to you... it's important. I'll wait for you in my private garden," she communicated in a low voice, so as not to be overheard by the people surrounding them.
They were rarely alone these days, and Grimilde needed a moment of quiet, accompanied by Snow White, to confess a few truths she had omitted. That morning, she had received a worrying letter, and despite the dangers involved in discussing it, she wanted to share what was happening with the right person: her competent and brave Snow White.
"Will you come?"
"Of course."
The maiden smiled, lowering her head to hide her shyness in the moment. Grimilde's voice was full of affection and hope, and that was enough to convince the princess to do whatever the queen asked.
"See you soon."
The blonde offered her a smile, though it appeared strained. And so they parted ways. Snow White slowed her pace, wondering what to do in the meantime: her deepest desire was to rush to the queen immediately, but she had to fulfill her duties as the princess of Arran. The nobles were waiting to make small talk with her, and she needed to start forging some alliances if she wanted the support of the kingdom's nobility.
And so the princess found herself back at the party, but not even fifteen minutes passed before she left in a hurry, shaken by a truth (or lie) that Astrael had revealed to her...