Just as the maid silently entered her chambers, Felicity Esaburg was startled awake and sat up in her bed. The maid flinched and stared at her, startled that, despite her care, she had managed to abruptly arouse the princess from her sleep. She didn’t, and Felicity just smiled gently at her and greeted her with - “Good morning.”

The maid blushed upon realizing her faux pas and quickly bowed to her. “I’m sorry your Highness, I didn’t mean to wake you. Or stare. Good morning.”

You didn’t wake me, but I better not tell you that.

Having taken no offence, as it wasn’t her fault, Felicity shifted her weight, resting on her hands. They promptly sank into the soft mattress, as if inviting her to do the same. She had half a mind to do and just lie down again and slip back into the realm of dreams.

Not that it would help. I haven’t gotten enough sleep, but this is no time to rest! I need to check with Fiona and Harridon and see how far they’ve come with the ritual while I was at the summit.

But first, she would have to report to her father. So, Felicity got herself out of bed with effort and stood still, while the maid promptly undressed her with practiced hand and clothed her in an elegant white dress that wasn’t half as uncomfortable as it looked.

“Your highness, your father, his majesty, awaits you in his study after breakfast.” the maid informed her. Felicity thanked her and - after slipping into a comfortable pair of shoes - went to her dressing cabinet and took a brief look at herself in the mirror. Looking back at her was a young woman of around 20 years. Her long blond hair needed no combing, even though she just got out of bed, as they framed her face perfectly. She had a delicate nose, high, defined cheekbones and vibrant green, slightly angled eyes that held the glimmer of a bright mind. She gave her reflection a radiant smile that made the maid behind her hold her breath, undoubtedly charmed by her lovely appearance. Felicitiy relaxed her cheeks and turned back towards her maid. She gave her a quick nod to indicate that they were done, and made her way to the dining room to have breakfast.

--

After a light meal, Felicity walked down the long hallway of the castle’s royal wing, which led to her father’s study. The high windows to her right allowed for a stunning view over the city, which has just begun to come to life. Tightly packed multi-story stone houses made up a good part of the residential district, their red tiled roof glistening in the late morning sun. The streets were busy, as many made their way towards the commercial district, where the market place and trading and craft guilds were situated. Felicity never stopped, but got lost in thought as she gazed at the busy activity below.

An onlooker would be sure to read her gaze as being one of concern for her citizens and how she could best protect them from the coming danger.

As she arrived at the door to her father’s study, Felicity gently knocked on it. “Enter” the deep voice of her father came back. She turned the handle and opened the door with ease, the hinges offering almost no resistance. At the other end of the room sat her father, Rufus Esaburg, at a big ebon desk, facing whatever visitor enters the room - her in this case. At his back was an enormous window, that single handedly lit the room and made her father look imposing, as he sat in his big leather armchair. The king himself was a man of impressive physique. His cleanly shaved beard accentuated his prominent chin and strong jawline. His greying hair was cleanly combed-back and his lips formed a faint smile as he locked his deep blue eyes with her, looking at her gently.

“Felicity, my daughter, it is good to have you back. Come, take a seat” he said to her while pointing at one of the guest seats at the desk. While she obliged, he added “I’ve already skimmed the outlining report, but I want to hear the details from you. From what I have gathered, the summit was a success, yes?”

Felicity answered in the affirmative. “Yes father, the four states have come to the unanimous decision to join hands against the upcoming planar convergence. As I have proposed, we have agreed to coordinate militarily in an attempt to contain the first Rift’s invaders.“

Her father heartily agreed. “Yes, good. The firmer a stand we make early on, the better our chances to contain the devastations the convergence will bring. We don’t want a second Wrachurid.”

“As you say, father. If we all work together, less will have to suffer from this disaster!” Felicitly fervently spoke of her desire to protect the people. She met with her father’s approval, as he nodded and continued.

“You always cared for the people Felicity, it is a good quality to have. With regards to the cooperation, we will need to figure out the details with the other states before we can work on the logistics and prepare our troops.”

“We will hold a second summit in one month’s time to discuss exactly that. It means I will have to depart in a week, by then I need to know what kind of support we are willing to provide, father, and what our bottom line would be”

“I will give you the information you need in time. I’ll also send one of my generals with you, for the military details are best left to military men.” Rufus paused and simply gazed at her for a while, before he continued “The summit was a success, and I must commend you in particular, Felicity.” he said. “After all, it was your initiative to push for cooperation, when even Arcrary itself was hesitant to ask for help. Without you, the summit would not have happened, or at least not this early.”

Rufus bent over his desk, resting himself on his elbows. “I am proud of you, my daughter. You have a kind heart and a decisive mind. You have proven your diplomatic ability as well, with this. It is clear to me, you might make for a good queen regnant.”

I can hear a ‘but’ in there …

Felicity noticed the hesitation in her father to speak further, as if he knew she would not like to hear what he had to say next.

“But …”

I knew it!

“… not everyone sees it the same way I do. Even now, many nobles think that, while you have earned the right to be more directly involved in this country's politics, you are still not fit to lead it. After all, you are not crown-princess …”

“It has been over seven years, father!” Felicity exclaimed, unable to reign in her churning emotions. “I have worked harder than anyone else for all this time, trying to learn the matters of state, I even gave up most of my magical education for it and you know how it has estranged me from Fiona!” With each half sentence, her voice grew every so slightly louder and her father deflated a tiny bit more as he sunk back in his seat. “When the time and place of the next planar convergence has been discovered, it was I, single-handedly, that brought the nations to the table, when even the one that would house the Rift couldn’t”

Felicity stared at her father with an intensity that had him almost break eye contact. You couldn’t discern whether it was sadness or anger that fueled her frustration. Felicity recollected herself and continued, now a bit calmer on the outside. “I want to help the people, father. And I have demonstrated the ability to do so. Yet, you continue to let the nobles push their own agendas, trying to have their sons marry into the royal family and inherit all the power with your throne. You say you trust in me and my ability to lead our people, father, and yet you don’t seem to have my back.”

That gave her father pause. He awkwardly fumbled around with a letter on his desk, seemingly trying to find the right words for what he wanted to say, before he locked eyes with her again.

“I know how hard you’ve worked since your brother's death, Felicity” he started. “I am partly to blame as well, for you having to carry this burden on your shoulders all alone. Since I refused to remarry and produce another heir …”

Felicity could hear the regret in his words and softly said “Father…”

“Not all of the nobles that speak out against you as possible queen-regnant want to take advantage of you or me in the way you fear, Felicity. Many of them actually stand behind you, but I cannot dismiss the voices of those that don’t, especially the prominent ones. In these times, we cannot allow ourselves an internal conflict, but that doesn’t mean I have been idle” With the words, he passed her the letter.

“What is this, father?” Felicity asked, with suspicion in her voice.

“A letter from the Duke of Rochette. You are 20 years old, Felicity and as much as you don’t want to hear it, most men and women your age are already married, especially nobility. This letter concerns the duke’s second son, Edmond, and you.”

“Is this what I think it is, father?”

“It might not actually be” her father answered, slightly amused. “I respect your wish to carve out your own path, my daughter, including choosing your partner, but that doesn’t mean I’m not looking to help you. You see, Edmond Rochette is a man of virtue and impressive martial prowess.” her father started

I cannot tell him that I am perfectly aware of who Edmond Rochette is, can I? But my father’s mistaken if he thinks I’d want to marry him.

“Edmond is said to hold great care for the common people in particular, personally ensuring the safety of his people against monsters and bandits in the Rochette duchy. His ideals align with yours, Felicity, and I think the two of you might hit it off with each other.” Her father points towards the letter “This is the confirmation of the duke of Rochette that - in agreement with the king of Arcrary - Edmond will be the representative of Arcrary at the next summit. We both wanted the two of you to meet and it seems they took this opportunity, the letter has just arrived this morning.”

“Father, I know you mean well, but ...“ Felicity started

“Say no more, my daughter. Our first concern must be to stop the results from the convergence. You shall work towards that goal, together with Edmond Rochette, and you will naturally get to know each other. When we have overcome this crisis, if you are sure then that he is not the right one, I shall not force you.” His face full of determination, he added “In fact, I will declare my support for you as future queen-regnent then, if you so wish. With my word, perhaps we can sway enough of the undecided or hesitant nobles towards your side. Enough to suppress any conflict that might arise from such a declaration.”

Felicity was surprised by her father’s declaration, she didn’t think he’d be that decisive in his support of her.

Well, he is still hoping of me and this Edmond to end up together and maybe he’s right and I will be charmed by the white knight

“Thank you father, your support means the world to me” she said sweetly, her smile showing off the dimples on her cheeks.

“I am blessed to have a daughter such as you.” her father said, unable to stop a goofy smile of his own from forming on his face. “And don’t sell yourself short either. You are perfectly capable of bringing the nobles to your side yourself, as you have clearly already demonstrated. It may not have been enough yet, but it is not as if you haven’t gotten another ace up your sleeve, hm?” her father asked, his smile now turned into a teasing, that he often wore back when they still had a complete family. But Felicity was more focused on what he had said, her own smile straining.

Wait, he knows about that? That means …

“You may have gotten Fiona to agree to keep it a secret from me, but Ashfield would have none of it.” her father said, his tone now clearly betraying his amusement. “I’m afraid your surprise has been ruined, my daughter. Now, tell me more about this ‘hero-summoning’.”