The morning started well, despite the disappointing prospect of not seeing my baby boy. His father is asking for permission to have an outing. There's no way ill deny my baby the right to spend time with his father.

I sigh, a bit saddened. No matter then, I stand up sleepily to start this slightly disappointing day. However, a loud knock shocks the sleepiness out of me.

A voice follows. "Your Highness, Queen Mother Elaine, has called for your presence." I sigh a bit deeper, annoyed in being forced to attend such pleasantries.

I reply softly, "Thank you, Faye, Ill be out in a moment." I dress hurriedly, doing the details required of my station. Being in the capital was always a pain in the ass.

I look myself in the mirror, checking if everything is in order. I nod to myself, yup this is good enough.

I open the door to see Faye waiting, dressed in formal clothing. I ask her, "Do I look alright?" Faye nods in acknowledgment. I started to walk, with Fate following after me.

"Where are we supposed to meet Faye?" I turn my head to the side, asking her. She replies, pushing up her glasses, "You are asked to meet in the front yard gazebo." I look forward again as the servants and guards stand by the side.

"I see, well nevermind that then, how has the preparation gone for Charles' coming of age ceremony," I say as I keep walking, dismissing the servants bowing in deference.

Faye pulls out a notebook, "Well, there have been a few reasonable delays, due to the increase of guests" She reads off a few lines from her notebook, I give a small smile.

"But most of It can be solved by an increase in manpower and allocation of funds." I nod, acknowledging her reports.

"I'm sure the palace has more than you require, I'm giving you authority to do what is necessary." She bows her head, "Just make sure his ceremony remains perfect."

As we continue walking, I realize the distance, almost boring me to death. However, a cough from Faye catches my attention. "Though there is the problem of insubordination."

I shake my head, and it seems politics even reach something as simple as this. "Since this isn't exactly our place, Just go ahead and use my authority, I'll deal with any issue that arises."

She nodded her head in acknowledgment and proceeded to close her notebook. "Thank you, Your Highness, this clears up a lot of things for me."

I wave my hand, dismissing her worries. "Don't mind it, you're the one doing me a favor here, I'm sure with everything in hand, you'll be making Charles' coming of age ceremony perfect."

She dips her head, grateful "I'll never fail your trust, Your Highness." I smile at her. "I know you won't, After all, what are friends for, Faye."

Silence settles between us. Times like this tend to be few and far from between, especially here in the palace.

We continue to walk as Faye points outside the window. "It seems, there is your meeting, Your Highness."

I look at where she points and notice a table filled with delicacies. A tree of significant size covers the warm summer shine. Three women sat there, seemingly chatting.

"This is going to be a pain," I spoke despondently. Let's hope it isn't as bad as I thought it'll be. Faye puts her hand on my shoulder, "I'm sure you'll be fine Ann." She beams at me as she ran to the other side.

That bloody traitor left at the first sign of danger, I shake my head, her antics earning from me a small smile. It seems the more things change, the more they stay the same.

I steeled myself, walking briskly towards the table. I hear their chatter, "I see" The elegant voice, befitting of the sight of a queen of green and graying hair, dressed in such a dignified manner it could put one to their knee.

The woman that raised Arin, the woman who held a kingdom as a regent, the one that earned obedience from all its subjects. A terrifying person to handle.

I reached the table, and they notice me standing. I bow my head to Lady Elaine. She gives me a small smile, beckoning me to one of the seats.

"Hello, Annabelle how have you been," I respond quickly. "It has been fine, Your Majesty, I made sure Charles had a wonderful time growing up." Elaine nods, satisfied. "I'm glad, I myself enjoyed my time with Arin as he grew up."

I take a seat, noticing the same stiff faces present from both Ariel and Jane. Elaine spoke again, "Though I'm quite glad that the three of you are back here with my grandchildren."

I spoke hesitantly, "Um you can never really be too sure, since the incident, it gave me peace of mind to be back in my family home."

"Uh, yes, the incident certainly raised alarm for the children's safety. Though even now I am unable to find leads." She takes her tea, tapping her chin as Arin, along with the three children, passed by us.

I see Charles, and I excitedly wave at him. He waves excitedly back as the three children continued in their happy little world. As she puts down her tea, Elaine happily spoke. "Even though they've been far apart, the children seem to have found a budding friendship."

The three of us nod back. Elaine spoke once more, "Yes, it is great that they've got along splendidly."

I excitedly replied, "It is, Charles has excitedly told me the things they've been doing, apparently they've been reading together the first time they met."

Ariel giggles. "Even my dear Aron seems to have started enjoying sparring, despite his scathing remarks of it" She cuts a piece of pancake.

Jane beams, "And even Julius started to laugh more when they got together." picking up her tea.

Elaine sighed, content with the positive news. We continued to chat about the children. Moments pass until the chatter was interrupted by a piece of unpleasant information.

"The Germanian Delegation has landed,"