--- Elise

"Your Highness, it's time to wake up."

"Just a little more..." complained Elise.

Annette ignored her plea, barging in and bluntly opening the curtains. Bright sunlight invaded the room, momentarily blinding the princess who kept hiding under the blankets.

"Come on!" she whined. "Annette, you are heartless!"

"I'll take it as a compliment, Your Highness. It means I'm doing my job well," replied the young woman. "You should get up now, the hour is late and you have a busy day ahead of yourself."

Elise huffed and moved out of the bed, stretching her legs. It took her a couple of seconds to remember what her lady-in-waiting was so concerned about.

Yeah, that's right. Today Father wanted to introduce me to the rest of the court... I'd rather avoid it, given what I've heard from him and my uncle, but it's my duty as a member of the royal family... And as part of this kingdom.

While she was getting dressed, Lady Annette efficiently listed the tight schedule she had prepared for her mistress. There was a main meeting with the nobles in the morning, then lunch with the King, a visit to the royal gardens with the wives of some counselors... All things the princess didn't really care about. She didn't mind being with her father, of course, because his company was very pleasant, but she would have much preferred taking a tour around the city instead. Maybe even having talks with some townspeople.

It's been three days since our arrival. I suppose uncle Darius couldn't hold the entire court back anymore, just like he said. Father wanted to give me some time to get used to the palace, but it can't take forever.

Brushing her hair, Annette asked, "Something on your mind, princess? You seem less talkative than yesterday."

"It's nothing, just... I don't know if I'm ready for this."

"I can understand that," went on the woman. "You have lived your entire life in a distant, barbaric land. It's normal to be intimidated by these formal meetings."

"I wouldn't call my land barbaric," said Elise. "The fact that we didn't have marble fountains and statues doesn't mean we lived as savages. Don't talk about my people in these terms, please. You don't know them."

"My apologies, Your Highness," promptly answered the lady-in-waiting. "Can you tell me about your issues this morning, then?"

The girl sighed. She had been sighing a lot lately.

"I... It's not like I'm scared of the nobles, just..." she explained. "I'm more concerned by what they will say about me. By what they will see in me."

Lady Annette put down the brush, and crossed her gaze in the mirror. For some reason, her face was a little sad.

"Princess, do you mind if I voice out my true, honest opinion?"

"Go ahead."

"Those people... The court," said the woman, lowering her voice. "You should focus on making a good first impression. I mean, you should really focus on it. Show them that you aren't afraid of their judgment, sure, but also that you are wary enough not to trust it blindly. It's a fine line between arrogance and caution, and in your position you will need the perfect balance of the two."

"What do you mean, exactly?" wondered Elise.

"They are going to eat you alive if they see even a glimpse of weakness in your character. Not literally, of course, but from a political standpoint. Things are much more complicated here in Cassidia than in the place you told me about... One wrong move, and you'll end up being toyed with."

Even with Father and his protection?

That was what the girl would have said, then she remembered. Her being raised so far from home wasn't exactly a product of chance. King Sebastian had chosen, albeit impulsively, to have her brought away because there were people at the palace plotting against him. His own wife had died because of that reason. Long years had passed, but who knew if someone still harbored grudges against the royalty.

"Do I... Need to watch out for anything in particular?"

"Not for now, Your Highness," replied Lady Annette. "Enjoy this day. They will take some time to study you, to see what you are made of. Some nobles will accept you wholeheartedly, due to their loyalty to the King, others..."

"Others?"

"Others will aim to use you as a tool, to gain more power. They will believe that you are just a scared girl, one who can easily be manipulated," said the woman. "Remember, never tell anyone in the court your most beloved secrets. If you have need for a confidant, I'm here. But your problems, even the smallest ones, should never slip out of these quarters."

"Do you speak from experience, Annette?" asked Elise.

The young woman turned away, apparently dubious on what to say, then she just headed to the wardrobe.

"This... This is something Your Highness wouldn't want to hear now," she cut out. "Maybe another time. It's already late."

With a sigh, the young princess let her be and went on preparing.

***

A small crowd had already formed outside the throne room when Elise and her lady-in-waiting arrived.

"I'll be at your side all the time, Your Highness," whispered Annette, as they walked. "Now, put on your best smile and don't let them scare you."

Makers... I would feel much less nervous if Roric was here. In his instructions, however, Father has been clear. This meeting was something I had to face on my own. At least I have Annette with me.

The duo passed through a gap in the middle of the group of people, without saying a word. The King himself was expected to introduce his daughter to the court, and nobody was allowed to speak with her until he was done. Elise however felt the weight of the stares on her and became nervous by hearing murmurs from every direction.

So these are nobles. For some reason, I don't really feel at ease among them. Maybe because of where I grew up, or maybe... Because of what Annette said earlier.

The woman who accompanied her didn't show any sign of being uncomfortable, so she struggled to mantain her own composure as well. She had royal blood, after all. They carried on across the hall, also full of richly-dressed people, until they reached the point right below the throne. There stood the King, in wait.

"Elise," the man greeted her. "Good morning, my dear. Slept well?"

"I did, father," replied the girl, like she had been told to.

"Wonderful. So, are you enjoying your new life here at the palace?"

"It's perfect, father. I still can't find the words to describe it."

His instructions said we were going to have a little conversation like this, in front of the court, to prove our bond was real. Uncle's idea, of course. He seems really good at handling these people.

She spotted Darius, who was keeping watch from the left side, and received a silent nod of approval in response. He wasn't supposed to come any closer for now. Not when every light was pointed on the ruler of Cassidia finally reuniting with his lost daughter. It was a matter of image. A matter of politics.

"All these people came here to see you," went on Sebastian. "Let's not make them wait too long, shall we?"

The two turned as one, facing the crowd. The audience numbered in the two hundreds, of all ages, and most of them were men. Some noblewomen were present too, dressed with elegant ornaments, but were almost all wives of those important enough to be in that room.

They all came without their children. This event must have a high importance for the court of a King.

Elise's gaze swept from left to right, trying to identify any familiar face. General Cremont stood in a corner, overseeing the situation, and ambassador Virgil was partially hidden by one of the columns. Those two were the only ones she was able to recognize.

Damn, I have the feeling that I'll be asked to remember a lot of names today...

Sebastian cleared his throat, and began his speech. He told of a day many years before when he had sent his daughter away in order to protect her, reminding the crowd of the difficult times the kingdom had faced back then. Then he stopped for a second to address words of gratitude to Lord Dominic, the former ambassador, who had accepted the burden of hiding a princess away from the world. He talked about honour, bravery, loyalty.

The way he speaks... It's totally different from when we are alone. He is solemn, powerful. I have a lot to learn from him. Yet, I can't help but miss Dominic now. If only he could see how far I've come...

As he went on, it became clear that a portion of the court hanged from his lips. It was similar to how Gardn the carpenter used to speak, only much more convincing. On that topic, Elise's father also went great lengths to describe the gentle farmers from a distant land who had sheltered her from peril after Dominic's death. Still, he didn't even mention Roric. That made the princess a little angry, but she realized it was necessary to keep the boy outside of all topics for the moment.

"So," concluded the King. "I have the great pleasure to introduce you my daughter, who's back here after fourteen years as your princess. Elise Lynn Sebastiana!"

The crowd erupted in cheers and clapping. A bit embarassed by that, the girl just smiled and held back the need of hiding behind her father.

***

"In truth, I'm impressed of how Your Majesty handled living in that faraway village," said the nobleman, scratching his bushy moustache. "Another proof of the resilience and strength of your proud dynasty."

Things had calmed down a bit, and Elise was currently caught in a conversation with Lady Annette's father, Knight Locke, the Master of Finances. He seemed to be an alright person, compared to many of the characters who had come to the girl asking to revere her and kiss her hand. Some of them had definitely creeped her out.

Being surrounded by these people still makes me uncomfortable, however. A couple of them were already trying to question me on my plans for the future of this kingdom. Talking about securing a good position for themselves... Annette was right. For some, I represent a chance they cannot miss.

Her lady-in-waiting had been at her side all the time, like promised, but remained in a respectful silence in order to let her handle things. Elise had a vague feeling that even she was being put under some kind of test, that day.

"I wouldn't have made back here without the help of those people, noble Lord," replied the princess. "I was in serious danger a couple of times, but they put their lives on the line in order to protect me."

"Oh, my apologies. I didn't know," went on the man. "Being reminded of those days must be painful for you, Your Highness. Such a forsaken place..."

"No, not at all," quickly stated Elise. "I grew quite fond of that village, on the contrary."

Another small group had joined them in the meantime, and its members were commenting intently. The girl however couldn't follow their whispering and hadn't a clue on which they were saying good or bad things about her.

"It seems our brave princess has her good share of adventures already."

The person who had just spoken, right behind Locke, was Sir Isaac, a powerful landlord from the city of Norburg. The young princess remembered being presented to him by her father just a couple of minutes before.

He is the governor of the city. If I recall correctly, he is a superb statesman, which is why he had gotten a spot so prestigious. His manners, on the other hand, don't fully convince me. He is the kind of person who I can't stand. Always looking down on others.

"Life in the valleys wasn't easy, noble Lord," she said. "More than brave, I was lucky. I had Dominic and many great people around at all times."

She couldn't talk about Roric. Uncle Darius and her father had explicitely warned her not to show to be close to a low-born in front of the court.

"Thank goodness, then," commented Isaac. "I think you have been blessed by a good star, Your Highness, for making it out of such a barbaric place."

Barbaric. This is a word I've heard too many times today.

"It may be true that their houses aren't as big as this palace, but I think they at least deserve some kind of gratitude," said Elise. "Even if they aren't a powerful kingdom like Cassidia, the people of Fradot took care of me as one of their own."

Some of the presents chuckled noticeably, like she had said something funny. The girl ignored them and went on.

"Lord Locke, I've been meaning to ask this for a while, but... Is there anything it could be done to provide aid to that village, as the Master of Finances? Having been like a family to me, its people should at least be compensated for their protection."

It's my promise to Gardn and the others, after all. It won't erase my mistakes, still...

An upsetting silence surrounded her, after those words.

"Noble Lord?"

Locke made a weird face, and his gaze went left and right, nervously.

"Your... Your Highness, I... I don't think you should be concerned by these mundane problems. Those poor people, despite clearly having good hearts, dwell countless miles from here..."

"And?"

"And it would be belittling for this kingdom," stepped in Sir Isaac, "If we gave our aid to a remote village on the other side of the world. If word got out, we would become the laughingstock of the entire Republic!"

The small crowd who was surrounding Elise erupted in laughter. Still, the girl didn't find anything funny in that.

"Many of them died for me," she pointed out. "Don't disrespect their memories, noble Lords."

All the fuss quickly calmed down, only for a lively murmuring to start.

Who do they think they are? Who gives them the right to talk about other people badly? They weren't there, they can't understand what...

All of a sudden, the princess felt a tight grip on her right arm. She turned to face Lady Annette, who was glancing her way. The eyes of the woman could only say that much, but the basic concept was easy to understand.

I have to stop. Or I'll mess up badly.

Elise managed to talk her way out of that situation with one or two jokes, which made her feel terribly guilty, but she got out nonetheless. Her lady-in-waiting's dislike for the court was now a little more understandable. A good part of those people weren't interested in making the lives of their subjects better, all they cared about was their position and wealth. She could have become like them too, potentially, had she lived in Cassidia since the start. Still, that wasn't the case.

The day went on without anything exciting happening. The girl met many other nobles, but she never forgot Annette's important lesson again.

I am... Just a tool for most of them. That's something I should remember.