When Valeria and Oriana made it to the carriage, the Queen noticed right away the tension between them. Judging by their annoyed expressions and absolute refusal to look at each other, it wasn’t hard to guess that they must’ve had another fight.

Nevertheless, when the two - and Kyra - got close to the coach, the Commander held out her hand and helped her get inside, as always. No matter how much they fought, she would never forget her manners and responsibilities. Even though Valeria often used her duty as an excuse, the truth was that no matter how much she tried to deny it, she cared for the Princess. This sternness, that she hid behind, was something she acquired over many years of wandering and striving to survive in a world that cared little for yet another orphan.

She saw the life on the other side of the gilded cage that Oriana grew up in, and she knew that reality was vastly different from the colorful images she saw in her beloved books.

All of that didn’t mean, of course, that there were never times when she was really tired of the Princess’ shenanigans and just wanted a small break. Unfortunately for Valeria, the Queen had different plans.

After the Princess got inside the carriage and sat across from her mother, it was Kyra’s turn to join them. Just as the girl was about to sit in her usual spot next to the Princess, she felt someone grabbing her hand and pulling her to their side. When she looked to the side, Her Majesty the Queen gave her nothing but a roguish smile and a meaningful look.

Due to the unexpected change in seating arrangement, Valeria, who was the last to get into the carriage, had no choice but to sit next to Oriana. Naturally, this caused both of them to be greatly displeased. Each of them moved as far as possible from the other and ostentatiously looked outside the window. Sitting next to each other was, for both of them, the greatest punishment they could face at the moment.

When the coach started moving, the Queen finally spoke.

— Together with your father, we asked Valeria to become your personal guard, and she did us a great favor of accepting our difficult request.

Oriana couldn’t believe her ears. Her eyes jumped between her mother and the Commander, who didn’t even bother looking in her direction.

— Mother! You can’t be serious!

— I know that you have your differences and you don’t always see eye to eye…

— More like never — Oriana muttered under her nose.

— However — the Queen continued — you will soon marry Prince Emil and become the new head of the Kingdom. You will learn that the court rarely is as glorious as it pretends to be. Suddenly you are going to be surrounded by people who will try any method to gain your favor. They will scheme, and lie, and do terrible things just to get what they want. When that time comes, you will need someone you can trust by your side. — Queen Hester reached out and held Oriana and Valeria’s hands to emphasize what she was about to say — There’s no one in the Palace that I would rather entrust my daughter to but Valeria. I will need you both to see beyond your differences and learn to work together and support each other. There might be a time when you will have no one else but yourselves to rely on.

For Oriana, her mother’s words were nothing more than a case of parental love. For Hester, on the other hand, this was valuable knowledge she was sharing with her daughter. Knowledge that she had to obtain on her own, often through unpleasant experiences.

Before becoming the Queen of Aelius, Hester was the eldest daughter of a noble family. The house of Avitus wasn’t as rich and influential as other houses so, it came as a big surprise for everyone that it was her who’s going to marry the Royal Prince. She wasn’t happy for the prospect either, and even ran away from home upon learning that her father accepted the proposal. She was five, maybe six at the time, and the thought of being forced to marry a stranger felt like the end of the world to her. She dreaded the moment for the next fourteen years.

Fortunately, young King Flavius Lucius II turned out to be a good man and, in the end, she never regretted marrying him. He became her only ally in the court and only thanks to that, she was able to overcome all hurdles and become a figure that people respect.

Regrettably, Oriana couldn’t hope for the same. As far as the Queen was aware, Prince Emil wasn’t someone to be trusted. Neither her nor the King really wanted their daughter to marry him. There was someone else they saw worthy of the Princess, but when it comes to politics, nothing was ever easy. There were a lot of things happening in the shadows that the Princess wasn’t aware of. The best they could do was make sure that Oriana had someone who would be there for her when they are no longer around.

— I need you both to promise me to look after each other. — The Queen looked at the two young women sitting in front of her.

The Princess started feeling uneasy seeing her usually light-hearted mother become so serious. She knew that her parents weren’t sharing everything with her, but this sudden shift in mood and this sense of importance made her wonder if she’s in a danger that she’s not aware of.

— I promise. — Valeria spoke first. Her voice didn’t show any signs of hesitation.

Oriana looked at her, surprised. She was expecting more resistance or at least some discontentment, but there was none. The Commander turned her head and their eyes met. They were calm, unwavering, earnest. Oriana had no doubts that she meant it.

— Don’t worry, mother. We’re going to be fine. I promise. — The Princess squeezed her mother’s hand — Besides, this Ruffian is too obsessed with me, to ever leave me alone. No one will ever have a chance to get close enough to harm me with her around.

— Who are you calling obsessed?

— You, of course. Who else is following me everywhere every day?

— You do realize that it’s my job as a personal guard?

— That’s what you keep saying…

— That’s the truth. Your delusions are not my fault.

The Queen listened to the Princess and the Commander bantering with a satisfied smile. Notwithstanding, her heart was full of worry and compassion for the pair. Merciful Mother, have them in your care. They are still so young, but there’s so much they will have to face…