The morning was different than anything I've woken up in before, the comfortable silence, the lack of idle chatter, or the warm summer breeze. However, the fact that my mother slept with me on the bed does remove any unfamiliarity—the warmth from my mother a comforting wake-up.

I hear a knocking from the door, shocking the drowsiness away. I push away from mother as she rubs her eyes and looks at me with a dopey smile. "Good morning, sweetie, come to mommy." She hugged me tighter as I tried to get off the bed. The knocking stops, and the door opens as Faye enters dressed in a simple gown of black and red.

"Milady, It would be best to start preparing. His Highness called for you for brunch," Faye spoke with her face neutral. I look towards mother to see her reply, only to catch a glimpse of an uncommon visage. Her face contorted in an emotion of annoyance and anger. I hug her hoping she can find comfort in me.

She smiles and scoops me in her arms. As Faye readies, the clothes were about to wear. Mother puts me down as she removes her clothes. I shyly look away as mother giggles and ready myself with Faye's help. Mornings like this are the best. The simple laughter and comforting warmth is something I'll always hold dear in my heart.

We finished getting ready. I check myself in the mirror. Noticing the three-piece suit, I nod to myself. DAMN, I'm going to need a cane to complete the look. I shake the thought away to look at my mother. The goddess I call mother, the purple hair reaching her back, and the lasting smile that could capture anyone's heart.

I hold Mother's hand. As we go out of the room, a man dressed in what I would see worn by a butler was waiting outside. His face neutral, he spoke with deference.

"Your Majesty, I shall be accompanying you towards the dining room." We nodded at him once and started to follow him. As we walk, I notice the decorations and candleholder, either painted gold or actual gold. I'm not sure which I would prefer.

The thought was overwhelmed as the feeling of anxiety fills me in, as the idea of meeting the man I should call father draws nearer. I grip my mother's hand a bit harder to relieve myself of anxiety. She smiles at me again, which reminds me ill always have her at my side. I sigh in relief and steel myself to make sure I have a comfortable and leisurely life.

We stop in front of a door, the man knocks and asks for entry, and a reply of affirmation answers. We enter, and I look inside the lavish dinner hall, the various paintings and decorations adorning the walls. Even the table cloth and chair speak of luxury.

As I look around, my eyes look eye to eye with a man. Hair black as midnight, and eyes filled with dark lustre. I stop in recognition knowing this man to be my father. He sports a small smile beckoning us both to sit to chairs in his right.

As my mother brings me to the chair, I look around once more to notice a red-headed woman. A smile adorns her face as she looks at me in kindness. by her side sat a red-headed boy. A curious smile and wave directed at me, I smile and wave back. He smiles brighter, and joy can be seen from his dark eyes.

Mother and I sat upon the chairs. I sat next to the redheaded boy, the boy I assume to be my brother. Mother settled in as another knock sounds out. I look on in hope, hoping that perhaps the same friendliness will be present once I met them. The door opens, and I met her blue eyes, eyes filled with contempt adorned with a mocking smile. And a face framed with blonde hair.

I suck in the air. Maybe I was hoping for too much. I look towards the kid following her and notice black eyes filled with curiosity. He looks at me with a neutral expression framed in black hair. They walked to the chair in front of us and sat promptly.

Looking at my brothers, the age difference between us seems less than a year, a few months maybe. I think to myself then we eat through the served breakfast,

A few moments pass, the blond woman spoke with contempt. "I see. We have a guest here."

Mother smiles sweetly. "Good morning to you as well, Ariel." The atmosphere is getting tense. Well, I guess that was too much to ask.

A cough captures the room's attention and dissipates the tension. and father spoke, "It would best for us to start eating, wouldn't want for the food to get cold."

We start eating as silence settles between all of us. Father spoke curiously, "So, how has the children's education been."

The red-headed woman spoke excitedly, "Well, Julius is progressing nicely. He's really interested in learning about military history" I look at Julius as he bows his head shyly.

Father looked at him with a smile and spoke proudly, "I see, then he should keep at it then, I'm sure he'll be a great military leader. With your guidance, Jane," Julius blushes and lowers his head even more, which almost elicits a giggle from me.

Ariel went closer to father, holding his hand. She spoke sweetly, "Well, Arin, Aron has also been progressing nicely, though I have noticed his great interest in the sciences, something I'm sure you'll be fond of." Ariel giggles as she holds her father's hand fondly. Father smiles back at her.

"Then I'm sure he'll be a great man of science." He spoke and smiled at Aron brightly. Eliciting a proud expression from him.

I look towards mother and notice her face locked in a neutral expression.

Facing forward, Mother spoke in deference, "Charles has studied dutifully and has learned the necessary lessons for a royal member."

Father's smile falters a bit, and as he recomposes himself and speaks happily.

"Well, I'm sure he'll be great on whatever he chooses to dedicate himself." He smiles brightly at me, and I return it with a grin.

The breakfast passed like that, with a few idle chatters. As the other have said goodbye and have left. Father looks at me and beckons me closer, and I look towards mother seeing her nod.

"My goodness, you certainly grew like your mother." He lovingly spoke as he captured me in his arms and hugged me deeply.

"I'm sorry", He apologised in a voice filled with sadness. No words were exchanged, but I understood.

I hug him back, closing my eyes, knowing this warmth was something to etch in my heart as well.

Perhaps, this wasn't as bad as I thought it'll be.