The Sun shone brightly on the kingdom of Gumstom that morning, but their princess still lay in bed, enjoying her dream state.
Helen drew the curtains to let the sunlight in, Skye's eyelids twitched a little, but she still did not wake.
"Lady Skye." Helen tapped her gently, and Skye smiled and shifted in her sleep, snuggling deeply into the white bed covers.
"Lady Skye," she called again, this time Skye's eyelids fluttered before she blinked awake and looked up to find her maid, Helen, standing over her bed.
"The officials have been discussing. I believe your father wants to travel to Kristanlia," Helen said. The words were enough to wipe the last bit of sleep from Skye's eyes, and she jumped out of bed, sprinting toward the door.
"My lady!" Helen called after her, wondering if she should have informed her later, but Skye was already striding down the stairs toward the throne room.
"My lady?" One of the guards at the throne room door asked as she approached. He stared at her but forced his eyes to remain on the ground. Skye saw his face go red, and the other one couldn't meet her eyes either.
Why did they look so embarrassed?
"Move," she commanded.
"My deepest apologies, Your Highness, but there is a meeting…" the guard began.
Skye stepped closer to him, and he went an even deeper shade of red than the other guard.
"Move," she warned again, much sterner this time. The two men exchanged a glance and stepped aside; after all, she was their princess.
She shoved the great mahogany doors wide and strutted in like she owned the place—well she did.
"Father!" Her voice rang as she entered
The people in the room snapped their heads toward her. The general paused mid-sentence, the court sorcerer froze his gaze lingering on her, and the commanding officer leaned back in his chair with raised brows.
Her father, seated at the head of the long table, lifted his gaze slowly. His eyes darkened as he called "Skye."
She ignored the weight of the stares and marched forward. "You cannot go to Kristanlia." she declared
A ripple moved through the chamber of shocked whispers, muffled gasps.
"Skye." The king's voice was calm, but it sounded like a warning.
"It is too dangerous, and you know it. I forbid—" she pressed on.
"Enough!" The king roared, slamming his fist onto the table. The sound reverberated off the stone walls, shocking the people sitting around him.
Skye froze, her heart hammering; she hadn't expected him to shout, he rarely shouted.
"I was not asking you," the king thundered, rising to his feet."And as your king, I command you, go to your chamber!"
Her breath faltered. For the first time she noticed the way veins stood out in his neck, anger obvious in his expression.
The silence in the hall increased making room for more tension.
And then, as she scanned the faces around the table, she noticed it, the men glancing down, shifting uncomfortably, cheeks rosy with an obvious blush. The general cleared his throat and the sorcerer turned his head away. Even the guards at the door stared firmly at the floor.
Something was wrong. Confused, she looked down and horror seized her.
Her robe hung half open, the thin linen of her undergarments clung to her body. Her thighs exposed and her night wear exposed to the council.
Her throat tightened. Heat flooded her face she wanted nothing more than for the ground to open up and swallow her.
With shaking hands, she pulled the ropes of her robes together, knotting it at her waist, her breath coming fast and shallow.
Not a word was spoken, but the silence was deafening.
Skye turned on her heel and fled the chamber, the doors echoing shut behind her as whispers finally broke out in the room after she had gone.
…
The knock at her door was soft, but Skye already knew who it was.
"Come in, Father," she said, her voice barely audible.
The door creaked open a little before being opened completely and the king stepped inside. He watched her from where he was, walking closer to her.
Skye sat on the edge of her bed, her eyes down, fixed on the pattern of the rug under her feet. Heat rose to her cheeks again at the memory of the council chamber.
"I am sorry, Father," she began. "I did not realize… what I had on."
The bed dipped as the King sat beside her. He let out a long, tired sigh.
"Do you know how many men were present?" he asked quietly.
She shook her head, her hair falling to hide her face, she was beyond embarrassed.
"All the councilmen," he said. "Generals, officers, men who will one day command armies. If word spreads… the whole kingdom will hear."
Her breath caught. She finally looked up at him, eyes wide with fear. "No, Father. Please. They must not tell. I—"
"I already made sure they will not speak of it," he said before placing his hands onto hers, His tone softened.
"I am traveling to Kristanlia, as you have heard." he confirmed what Helen had told her.
Her head snapped up, her brow furrowing. "Don't, Father. It is one of the most dangerous kingdoms." She reminded.
He smiled faintly. "I know. But Gumstom is lacking resources, trading with Kristanlia will make us stronger. Our enemies will think twice before moving against us then again Kristanlia's riches…" He spread his hands trying to emphasise.
"Still, Father, it is too dangerous." She shook her head. Rumors about Kristanlia's prince still echoed in her mind, none of them were good
"I will return in one piece," he said lightly.
"Then I must come with you," she reasoned before looking up at him.
His eyes narrowed. "You shall do no such thing."
"Then I will not let you go."
"You know how dangerous this is, Skye." he reasoned, he couldn't risk her life.
"I do. And since I am heir to the throne, I must learn about politics, about trade, about other kingdoms. How else will I rule when the time comes?" She argued.
"Some other time. Not this journey," he pleaded. He knew how dangerous it was, he knew what he was embarking on.
"To this kingdom, I must. And if I cannot come, then you shall not go either." Her chin lifted, defiant as ever.
The king studied her. She was stubborn, she had always been. But she was also right. When he was gone, she would inherit the crown. And if she could not lead, the throne would pass to another family.
At last, he sighed. "Very well. You shall come. But you will not speak unless spoken to, and you will remain by my side at all times." he warned, he had no choice but to bring her now.
"Yes, my king." Skye's lips curved into a satisfied smile.
A smile tugged at his own lips despite himself. He reached out and ruffled her hair, just like he used to when she was a child.
For a moment, she was simply his daughter again and he her father.