"Please, pick whichever outfit you like," the smiling maid - Jane - offered. I looked between her and the expansive closet in awe.

"Really?" I asked, quieter then I intended it to be.

"Of course."

After the king had left, Jane had come into the parlor and took me upstairs to a corner room. It was the same pretty gold as the outside bricks, with a large canopy bed, sitting area, and even a balcony. I had hungrily took it in as Jane bustled around. The closet was the feature I was currently enamored with. It was square, filled with clothes of various sized. It held more then I had owned in my previous life. Most likely cost more then my rent.

Gingerly, I ran my hands over the lower row. Soft cottons and light silks swayed under my fingers, metal embellishments clicking every now and again. The outfits where cute too, even the boy ones.

What truly caught my eye was an outfit, somewhere in the middle of the row. A soft peach circle skirt, connected to a tight, high waisted band, buttoned up in the middle. It was paired with a white button-up blouse, one with lantern sleeves and a ruffled puritan collar. It was simple and sweet.

It was stupid. I had no idea what kind of reaction I would get. Playing it safe, picking one of the boys outfit, that was the smarter thing to do. But I really want to wear this outfit.

"Have you found something you like Edward?" Jane asked, putting a hand on my head. Her thin face was warm as she smiled down at me.

Before I could think, I was pointing to the outfit. "This one please!" Jane blinked at me, and my face flushed as I realized what I said. She pulled the outfit off the rack, holding it out to me.

"This one?" She asked again. There was no malice, just curiosity. Shyly, I nodded. "Alright then." She ushered me back into the main area of the bedroom. "Let's get you ready for tea."

Thankfully, I was able to dress myself. Years of changing the locker room before PE meant I wasn't even awkward about Jane

Wearing the skirt and blouse was an experience though. I was cuter then anything I had ever owned - although a bit childish. Jane even let me twirl in front of the mirror, clapping as the skirt and fully petticoat swirled around my knees. The black Mary jane shoes made the look. Jane kept complimented me, calling me cute and adorable as she brushed out my odd hair.

Then, she lead me down to the sunroom for tea. As terrifying as it was, walking a stranger's mansion in girls clothes. But for the first time in a while, I felt pretty. More importantly I felt confident. Jane's easy acceptance also helped. The way the maid barely blinked at my request, then pointily used feminine terms when complimenting me, it reassured me that attitudes here couldn't be too bad.

Jane held the door for me. Squaring my shoulders, I skipped inside. The adults already in the sunroom looked right at me, even the guard.

"Your Majesty," I said, even managing a proper curtsy. A chair screeched across the floor. It was my new mother, her face growing red as she stormed across the room. My heartrate spiked at the sight.

"Edward!" My mother snapped, rushing over to me. "What are you wearing?!" She snatched my arm up, and I could only stare up at her in fear. "I thought I told you to drop this Athalia act," she growled.

"I'm sorry!" I cried as her nails dug into my arms. She was about to say more - her face still red from either embarrassment or rage. My breathe came quicker, and the world narrowed to her nails and her face. Panic was building in chest, and I was spiraling. Then, as quickly as it began, it was over.

He had moved silently, neither of us even realized it until he was prying her hand off of me. He

"Sit back down Kate," King Mattias said, cold and calm despite the confrontation. "We clearly have more to discuss." My mother nodded, subdued, but not calm. King Mattias still refused to let me go with her. He kept a calloused hand in front of me, only glancing down at me when I tried to slink away. Otherwise he ignored it, guiding me to his side of the round table.

Jane - who was quickly becoming my favorite adult in this world - poured me a cup of tea as King Mattias and my mother stared each other down. She stacked a few sweets on a saucer as well, moving to stand just behind me once I thanked her. The tension at the table was so thick it could be cut with a knife.

"As such a high ranking working woman," the King began casually, "You must be aware of how Vridilian princesses are treated." He sipped his tea, his eyes not leaving Mother's.

"And I can assure you Edward is no princess," she snapped back.

"Athalia." Both of them turned to me. I shrank back into my seat. "I am Athalia," I said again, looking up at my father in this world.

"She knows who she is," the King stated, "Besides -" He smiled sadly, touching my head. "- The hair is indisputable." I stared up at him, tilting my head in question.

"Huh?" That wasn't in the original story.

"Opalescent white hair like yours is only seen in Ravensworth women," he informed me, "Regardless of the circumstance of your birth, you are my daughter, and you will be treated as such." Tears welled in my eyes.

"You're really going to go along with this?!" My mother demanded, "But -"

"Silence!" The King snapped, "If she says she's a girl then she is. That is the end of it." Mother glared, slamming her cup down.

"Fine," she said, standing, "Then you can raise him. I'll take my leave."

"Good riddance," Jane muttered as the door slammed shut behind my mother. She moved the other woman's tea, sitting in the chair. "So, shall we discuss my raise your majesty?" I stared at her in awe. So forward! The King on the other hand just sighed, putting his face in his hands.

"Jane..."

"Edward - sorry, Athalia is going to need a nanny, and I'm the only maid here who qualifies."

"I'll care for her myself." I turned to the king in shock. In the book, he had fostered Edward off at the first opportunity. He had gone to every length to avoid even seeing the boy, a constant reminder of his actions after his wife's death. Now he wanted to raise me himself?

It... didn't exactly throw a wrench in my plans, but it did change them. I would have more resources at least. I'll have to see by how much later.

"You?" Jane questioned, raising an eyebrow. "When? You're normally working for most of the day. Who will watch her then?" The King remained stubbornly silent. Looking at the man, I took a risk. I grabbed his sleeve, making my eyes as wide as I could when he looked down at me.

"It's okay your Majesty," I told him, "You must be very busy as king. I don't mind if Jane cares for me while you work." I smiled up at him.

Jane and King Mattias stared at me strangely. Oh shit, I'm five now. Five year old's talk like that do they? Maybe I could pass it off as being advanced or something? I smiled though it, hoping they wouldn't comment.

King Mattias was the first to shake it off. He rubbed my head, nodding.

"Alright then. Jane," he classed his hands together, "2 extra gold a week."

"15 or Charlie can watch her." The guard by the door blanched.

"He's already going to be her main guard." The guard - apparently Charlie - seemed faint at that. "10."

Jane nodded decisively. "Agreed." Then, she smiled at me. "I look forward to caring for you, your highness."

"I'll be in you care then," I replied.