Alexandra would look back on this day and only think it fitting the beginning of her royal life started with her hacking a chicken limb from limb. She was currently engrossed in the process of removing the wings and legs of one of the orphanage’s chickens. The sound of sizzling oil was deafening and the room smelled of aromatic spices.

“Alexandra. Someone’s here to see you.” A familiar voice said, laced with worry.

“Tell them to wait up,” she replied, not looking up at the figure, intensely focused on her task.

“I don’t think that would be wise.” Came the reply from the head of the orphanage, a tall man with a demeanour both difficult to cheer and sadden.

That caught her attention. She didn’t often behold her boss worried. She covered her pans to simmer and unlaced her apron. “Take the pans off the stove in 10 minutes.” She half-jokingly ordered, he only solemnly nodded.

* * *

“Hungry, boys?” She stood in the doorway of the waiting room, examining the two hulking figures awkwardly standing in a room intended for sitting persons. Nervous was not a good look on the King’s law enforcers.

“Your Ma- er- Miss-” A guard with striking green eyes said, removing his hand from across his chest in a recalled bow.

The other guard interrupted, “You’re Miss Smith?”

Alexandra piqued an amused eyebrow. “Everyone’s a Smith here, could you be more specific?”

“Alexandra Smith?” Green eyes said with a much more even tone than before.

“Yours truly.”

The guards exchanged questioning glances and nodded in silent agreement.

“Miss, if you would please accompany us to the palace, there is someone who requires of you.” The green-eyed guard motioned to the carriage outside the door.

She looked between the two guards sceptically. “What's this about?” she asked apprehensively.

The guards once again glanced at each other uncomfortably. "It's not our place to say, Miss. Please come with us, the royal advisor will explain everything."

"Why would a royal advisor be explaining it to me? Why not you?" She asked again, irritated by their evasion."

The green-eyed guard pursed his lips and motioned to the other guard to follow him as he returned to his carriage. Alexandra heard the door of the carriage shut and rolled her eyes. Curiosity killed the cat. 

"Okay, okay! I'm coming, hold up." She ran to the door of the carriage as the guard opened the door for her. She had been expecting an average police carriage, but inside the seats were lined with leather and the windows with silk curtains. More questions were on the tip of her tongue, but the whinnying of horses as the carriage took off towards the castle interrupted her. 

Well, she thought, let's hope satisfaction brought it back.