Amongst the loud clatter of kitchenware and echoing steps, a young lady scurries across the kitchen with a dozen plates in each of her hands. 

She set them on the counter and took a sigh of relief. “I don’t think I’ll have time for my workout.” 

Stretching her back and shoulders, she glanced at the microwave’s clock, then twirled her way towards the pantry. 

“Okay, first things first. How do I make actual dishes?” She squinted, a bit overwhelmed by the dozen foods to choose from. “I don’t remember buying all this.” 

Stroking her silver hair with her hands, she glanced back and forth between the many stacked shelves. 

“Frozen pizza and pasta won’t do for anyone outside of the Esperanza clan.” She began repeatedly tapping her foot on the floor, biting her lips in frustration. “Cmon, what should I cook? There has to be something.” 

Suddenly, the door burst open, and in came one of the royal attendants. “Neoma, your majesty, they have arrived.” 

Almost alike in appearance, as if they were twins, the maid caught her breath; her tied hair dispersing into a mess. 

“Sister, I humbly apologize, but may I leave the cooking to you?” Neoma asked, lightly bowing her head.

“Of course, your majesty.” She bowed in return, eyes closed, and her hands held together.

Neoma lightly tapped her rosy cheeks with her hands, taking a deep breath. “Thank you so much.” 

“It is my honor.” She began walking towards the pantry, smiling softly.

“And good luck!” In a cheerful display, she ran out of the kitchen and towards the exit hurriedly. 

“Wait, your majesty,” she exclaimed in sudden realization, her voice filled with worry. “They’ve barely begun their tour.” 

An embarrassing silence, nothing but the faint drops of water from the sink. 

“Oh, my, what am I going to do now?” Whispered the maid, sighing in shame.

Neoma paced past the hallway in a light, melodic rhythm, stopping by the first room around the corner. 

“Yes, this is the room.” She entered the room elegantly, being greeted by floating glitter in the air. 

She took a moment to take a deep breath, walking towards the soft rustling paper and faint chatter.

“The question is, which ones do I take with me?” She whispered cheerfully. 

A dozen clones all paused their crafting and note-taking, redirecting their attention to her.

“Your majesty, welcome!” All clones exclaimed with merit, placing their hands together and bowing before her. 

Still varying subtle differences in tone and styles of hair, all her clones stood around the few large tables and the dozen gift baskets they were working on.

“Hi, dear sisters!” She lifted her hands, smiling cheerfully. “I’m glad to see you all doing well.” 

She returned to royal posture and approached the grand tables and their large gift baskets.

“Serving you is our greatest honor.” Most of the clones exclaimed, a few of them returning to work on the gift baskets with a smile.

“So, Sister Lulu, do any of you have recommendations?” She crouched, resting her hands on the table as she glanced between the many beautiful gift baskets.

From the corner came one of the sisters, taller and more bruised than the rest, standing beside the fascinated Neoma.

“From what I heard from Sister Luama, her research studies recommend selecting three that aim for an adolescent demographic and one for a young adult.” She commented rather quickly, hands intertwined with one another.

Neoma stood up in confusion, glancing at her clone.

“Ado the scent?” She tilted her head, spacing out for a second. “And what about those research studies?”

“Your majesty, I mean that you should choose gift baskets for three young teenagers and one adult,” Lulu replied, closing her eyes in embarrassment.

“Oh, I get that, but I was asking which of these to choose from.” She crossed her hands as the large gift baskets glistened with glitter.

“From what I can tell, they’re all amazing.” She rested her hand underneath her chin, trying to help her majesty with choosing.

“I just hope I can make it in time to meet them.” She rested her hands on the table in defeat, sighing dramatically. 

“Do you mean the squad?” She asked, turning to look at her majesty’s frown.

She fell to her knees, resting her head on the smooth table, groaning in frustration. 

She hid her face between her hands, muffling. “It’s a queen’s responsibility to greet them formally.” 

Some of the clones paused, quickly glancing at them with a little chuckle, then returned to making more gift baskets.

“Your majesty?” She lightly tapped on her shoulder, scooting closer.

“Yes, what is it?” She slowly lifted herself, as sluggish as a balloon. 

The clones’ footsteps echoed through the room as Neoma took off her apron, fixing her royal attire.

She paused for a moment, taking a steady breath. “Address your concern, dear sister.” 

Lulu cleared her throat, taking a second to exhale, and dusted off glitter; her blazer dress was a soft powder blue.

“They have barely arrived.” She commented, biting her lips to keep in her laughter. “You still have about half an hour.”

Neoma returned to looking at the gift baskets. “Oh.”