They wasted no time joining Prince Naca in the dining hall.
The table was quite long, easily fitting up to thirty people, but only four were seated. The fourth space was filled by the chief guard, who chose to keep quiet while the rest spoke.
He'd occasionally talk with Bazil about military things that connected them, but both kept it polite and brief to not speak over the royals.
While servants were filling up the table from edge to edge, others were filling a separate table with all sorts of things.
"Princess Salīa, I must admit. I was waiting to hear of your return to Salazā long before all those tragedies took place. And so, in planning, I've prepared some gifts for your family. I understand that I can't send all of them out just yet, but I would like your thoughts, if that's alright?"
He really is rightfully one of Khī's most beloved princes.
"Of course."
"For Queen Saoa, I've prepared these gifts."
A servant lifted an ornate glass bottle painted in black and gold lacquer.
"A bottle of coconut marula liquor that's been specially made fragrant. A fine drink on its own, but especially delectable in desserts."
Mother does like special drinks that mix well with desserts.
"Next, we have these three pottery pieces that seem to be holding hands and were painted in great detail for three months nonstop by one of the greatest artists in the realm, who no longer accepts commissions. You can see the signatures at the bottom."
I know that signature. It's one of mother's favorite artists, and she's always wanted special pieces from them but could never track them.
"And the last…"
A few servants removed the cover from a wall-long canvas.
"A carefully created painting of your mother as the powerful tigress Queen with her three beloved cubs."
Salīa felt a mixing of ache and ease slipping back and forth within her chest. It was a beautiful painting indeed.
It showed Queen Saoa standing tall within a jungle during twilight. She wore luxurious black and gold robes reminiscent of tiago tiger patterns. And just under was Salīa, embracing a waterfall, whose curls glowed golden.
Amandla was planting flowers nearby. And Awethu was watching little pretty bugs crawl around a rock in fascination. Each part of the painting, from the shading in the skies to the shape of each shrub to the features in their face was intricately cared for.
She'll love this best.
"There are a few other gifts for her, but these are the ones I haven't wrapped yet. I hope it's not too off the mark," he said nervously, lowering his head.
"This is amazing," she hugged Prince Naca. "Thank you so much."
He smiled, unable to contain it as he leaned into the hug, then nodded for the servants to bring out the rest.
"If I remember correctly, Amandla loves dresses and jewels in ochre colors. So, we've got a few boxes of specifically chosen raiment that may be suitable. And I know she favors books that make her laugh, so there's also a stack that should be fitting for her age."
All the gifts were presented, and yet again, he had chosen quite well. This was certainly the kind of gifts she'd favor.
"Awethu, I know, was looking for a particular make of drums, and I'm not sure if he found them as well, but if so, I can find something else. Besides that, I know he's quite a fanatic about board games. And so, we've scrubbed through and found all the appropriate games that exist throughout the realm, some so ancient that it might be better buried with our ancestors. But he might enjoy them."
No surprise, this was exactly the kind of gifts her brother would favor.
"I know your aunt refuses most gifts but favors her headpieces of particular fabrics, and designs, and so I've chosen a modest selection. There is also something for her husband and son, which I admittedly know little about."
He really thought this out. Aunt Lizalenhle refuses most gifts, but it would be hard for her to refuse these. Especially the ones chosen for her family.
"The last one is the one who'll probably receive his gifts the soonest, but I am the most fearful to get wrong. I already know sending certain kinds of gifts to his wife may be troublesome, as others have advised against, so I only chose some rare, beaded jewels and a new design of slippers which provide the utmost comfort.
But for Prince Kian himself, I know he's quite a drinker of spirits. He can describe the flavors in a way that puts most sommeliers to shame. And so, I wasted no expense in arranging a set of crates of the finest drinks, a few being especially rare. What do you think?"
Salīa looked at the gifts while reflecting on Prince Naca's words.
"I haven't seen either of them in a while, but I can tell these jewels are of exquisite quality, and I've heard of these kinds of slippers, which I think may be a favorite.
The special selection of drinks, while I'm uncultured in knowing, I can tell from the efforts put by the makers in the glass shaping and attentiveness to the decoration of the bottle and way of preservation, that this gift cannot be ignored in its value or thoughtfulness," she said, nodding to herself.
"All in all, I think you've got quite a gift for selecting gifts. Thank you again for being caring towards my family."
"You flatter me. Your family has gifted our family plenty. This is nothing compared."
"I wouldn't call this nothing."
Her eyes flittered.
"Prince Naca, I admit, I brought a gift for you, too…but if something is nothing compared, it's my gift to yours."
All that the dear, excited prince could say was, "You got me a gift?!" and smiled until his cheeks ached.
She tentatively handed him the book and watched his eyes glow in thrill. It was something she had prepared for him long before going to the Faraway Forests.
He'd always talk in depth about her stories that she'd share and ask if she could make one up about him sometime. And here it was with a beautifully commissioned cover of the prince and with several short stories about him as a fictional character. Titled Prince Naca and the Three-Eyed Owl.
"I apologise as I couldn't prepare something more fitting in such a short time and—"
"I can't wait to read it. Thank you."
This time, it was he who hugged her; his beating heart felt immediately.
She hardly thought it deserved that much praise. But he immediately took to reading it throughout their feast, and only lifted his eyes to say a word or two between the conversations.
When complete, he looked up at Salīa, smiling nonstop. The servant women giggled to each other softly, pointing out the royals staring at another, to Bazil's annoyance.
The chief guard observed all but continued to eat, not saying a word.
"The way you wrote this, Prince Naca made me want to be more like him," he said, nodding for a servant to pour him some drink. "I'd love to share this story within the realm if you permit it?"
She gave a nod.
Her and Bazil's hands reached over their cups as the servants were about to pour marula.
"You don't drink?" asked Prince Naca.
Salīa was never much of a drinker. If she wanted to cause trouble, she could do so perfectly sober. Even if she were to drink, she was not a cheap drunk by any means, for her tolerance often rivalled some of the bulkiest devotees.
Though that wasn't how she first started, having had her first drink quite young.
Many years ago, during the Freedom Festival, someone had snuck some of their marula juice to her, although she couldn't quite recall who.
But back then, it only took a few sips before giggles escaped. And while she was always quite vibrant, she was especially so – dancing and singing all over, the world spinning around her. She remembered chattering about and hiccupping plenty.
Someone had called her, "silly" in a gentle way, and then her stomach suddenly ached. Though she still glided around giddily, sipping more and more.
However, the events that occurred after were quite sobering. For it was the same night as the incident. It was clear to her mother that her tot had been drinking. This had many questioning whether what the young princess said was true.
Truth was one matter, though it's not like Salīa actually forgot anything.
"Maybe one glass," she permitted, to Prince Naca's pleasure.
Bazil continued drinking tea, gritting his teeth hard as she took a large sip.
"Prince Naca, where else would you like me to accompany you?"
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