After finishing their breakfast the two return to the side of Vivian as her personal bodyguards.
"Alright Sigrid what's on the agenda today?" Vivian asks.
Sigrid takes out a sheet of paper from her pocket and reads it aloud as they continue walking.
"Though your birthday celebration was yesterday a lot of nobles who still haven't met with you are coming to meet with you in the afternoon. Your schedule is packed full with those meetings."
Vivian sighs.
"So I'm just meeting with late arrivals huh? Sounds boring."
"While it may be boring your highness it is necessary to meet with any and all nobles who want to wish you a happy birthday."
"If only I had something else to do..." Vivian mutters under her breath.
"What did you say?" Sigrid asks curiously.
"Nothing."
The two continue their conversation until they reach princess Vivian's office.
As the crown princess she was given an office in order to receive visitors easily and to perform any work that she might be required to do. A few minutes later a knock is heard.
"Come in." Vivian calls out.
A few seconds later the door opens and five people enter the room.
"Good morning Princess Vivian."
Each of the five people bow to the princess in turn.
"It's good to see you again Viscount Richards. I see your children are doing fine as well."
Laura, having no clue who these people are just stands there with a blank expression.
Viscount Richards raises his head and looks at Laura curiously. After a moment his eyes widen.
"Um, Princess Vivian who is this girl?"
"This is my new bodyguard. Her name is Laura. She also a demon."
The viscount and his family look at Laura with wide open eyes.
"Your majesty! Are you sure that having a demon as a bodyguard is a good idea?"
"Why not?"
Viscount Richards furrows his brow.
"Because demons are evil creatures, they bring disaster wherever they go. It is for your sake that I humbly ask you to reconsider keeping a demon by your side."
"Are you trying to go against my decision Viscount?"
"No, I am merely concerned for your safety. Demons are known to kill humans without hesitation, and even destroy entire villages."
"Laura is a good girl, I highly doubt she'd ever do something like that. I've taken precautions and am fully prepared for whatever may or may not happen. You really should know better than to doubt me."
"If you say so your majesty. Let us hope nothing happens."
The viscount bows his head.
"Yes, let's hope nothing happens."
After the viscount and his family wish Vivian a happy birthday and give her their gifts they leave the room. Princess Vivian slumps in her chair and sighs.
"Ugh... I could do without the lecture from someone like him."
"Well your highness you are royalty after all. The people of this country and throughout the world fear the demons and are wary of them."
"I know but he should have just wished me a happy birthday, gave me the gifts and then left. I did not ask for a lecture."
Vivian gives a deep sigh and rubs her temples before looking at Laura.
"Sorry about that."
Laura nods her head in response.
"Don't worry about it, I figured a lot of people wouldn't be too open about the idea of a demon being so close to royalty."
Sigrid walks up behind Laura and places a hand on her shoulder.
"Don't worry about it kid. All you gotta do is silence everyone who doesn't accept you by proving yourself beyond a shadow of a doubt."
"Thanks Sigrid."
Sigrid smiles at Laura.
"That's what I'm here for."
She then turns back to face Vivian.
"Princess you still have many visitors who are eager to wish you a happy birthday."
"I'm well aware of that Sigrid. We'll be at this all day so be prepared."
Sigrid salutes Vivian.
"Understood!"
Afterwards Princess Vivian met with many nobles of varying ranks and age groups. They gave her gifts and spoke to her about various subjects. As the day progressed each visitor had something to say about Laura. Until finally the last group came and went.
"Goodbye your majesty."
"Thank you for visiting."
After Princess Vivian bid farewell to the last visitors for the day she slumped over in her chair and sighed loudly.
"It's finally over. Thank goodness."
"You don't seem like you're enjoying yourself princess." Laura says.
"Well all the nobles who aren't deemed important enough to attend my birthday party always want to somehow nudge themselves into my good graces with artificial well wishes. They think if they can get me to like them they'll be able to gain favor with me when I become queen."
"It seems like a rather tough job."
"It is. Sometime I wish I could just force all this work onto someone else."
Sigrid places a cup of tea in front of Vivian. "You shouldn't talk like that Princess. The country is in the right hands with you as the future monarch."
"Thank you Sigrid. But it would be nice if someone could just take some of this burden off of me."
"We all have our burdens princess. I understand how you feel though." Sigrid gives Vivian a warm smile. "Anyway, it's almost time for dinner."
"Good, I'm starving."
Vivian stands up from her chair and stretches. After doing so she looks at Laura and frowns slightly.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing Princess."
"Don't tell me your worried about me?"
"Of course not."
Vivian smirks mischievously.
"I see... Well I guess we should go and eat dinner."
"Yeah..."
The three of them exit the room and walk down the hallway together towards the dining hall. Once inside the dining hall Vivian sits next to her father near the head of the table while Laura and Sigrid stand behind her.
As the servants pass out the food Vivian glances around the room. It's only her and the king eating dinner with no sign of the queen or her little sister.
"Father where are Mother and Elena? I thought they'd be here too."
"They both had to make an appearance at a banquet earlier today and were tied up with other matters after that. They'll probably return later tonight."
"I see, so they're busy huh?"
"Yes. I'm sure they'll be here soon."
"Father, you seem rather tired," Vivian observes, concern lacing her words as she looks at her father's weary expression.
The king lets out a tired sigh, his shoulders slumping slightly.
"Yes, it's been a long day dealing with court matters and diplomatic discussions. But seeing you here brings a light to the evening, my dear."
"Your Majesty, if I may ask, how are the negotiations with the neighboring kingdom progressing? Are there any updates?" Sigrid asks King Thomas.
The king takes a moment to compose himself, grateful for the change of topic.
"Negotiations have been challenging, as always, Sigrid. Tensions with the Florence Kingdom still linger, and little progress has been made.
Sigrid nods in agreement. "It's crucial to maintain stability in the region, especially considering recent events."
Vivian interjects with a smile, trying to lighten the mood.
"Well, while you're busy handling the fate of the kingdom, I've been busy with my studies and training. You'd be proud to know that I've made significant progress in archery, Father."
The king's tired features soften as he looks at his daughter with pride.
"I'm always proud of you, Vivian. Your dedication to your responsibilities and your willingness to learn are commendable. Your shoulders will bear the weight of this kingdom one day so it puts my heart at ease to know that you're taking your position seriously."
"Thank you, Father," Vivian responds, a mixture of gratitude and determination in her voice. "I understand the gravity of our situation, especially considering the tension between our kingdom and the Florence kingdom. But I also believe that communication can bridge gaps and prevent unnecessary conflict."
The king's eyes hold a mixture of weariness and hope as he gazes at his daughter.
"You have a wise perspective, Vivian. The Kingdom of Dawn and the Kingdom of Florence have never had friendly relations, but that doesn't mean we should be hasty in our judgments. War is a path we must tread carefully, for its consequences are far-reaching."
Sigrid leans in, her voice gentle yet firm.
"Your Majesty, if I may offer a suggestion. A neutral ground for discussions, away from both kingdoms' borders, might help in fostering a more open dialogue. This could be an opportunity to find common ground and address the root causes of our disagreements."
The king considers Sigrid's words, a glimmer of hope flickering in his eyes.
"It's not that easy Sigrid. My ancestor Albert Francis Dawn made an audacious move to conquer a vast untouched land with half of Florence's military that not only shattered their pride but also left them vulnerable to external threats. They've held a grudge ever since, and it has since boiled over ever since their new monarch took the throne."
Vivian stands up, her expression hidden behind her veil.
"Father, history casts a long shadow, but perhaps there's still a way to mend those wounds. We can't change the past, but we can work towards a different future, one where our kingdoms coexist without hostility."
The king nods, appreciating his daughter's optimism even in the face of the impending storm. "You're right, Vivian. Change is possible, but it requires time and effort from both sides."
Sigrid's voice remains measured as she adds, "Nevertheless, it's crucial to prepare for all possible outcomes. Diplomacy may falter, and tensions could escalate beyond control."
The king nods once again. "Considering how that new ruler over in Florence is rallying his people up I doubt this will be easy. It all points to an inevitable conflict many generations in the making."
Turning his attention to Laura, the king's expression softens as he acknowledges her presence.
"Laura, though you've only been here a short while, you find yourself amidst a crucial juncture in our kingdom's history."
Laura, not expecting to be acknowledged meets this kings gaze.
"I know you've just joined us, and these discussions may seem overwhelming. But your perspective is important too. What are your thoughts on the tensions between our kingdom and Florence?"
Laura looks down for a moment before speaking.
"I have read up on the history of this kingdom and from what I read Florence went through a terrible time after King Albert took half the army with him and even to this day they're still feeling the affects of it. Having to sign awful treaties with other nations just to keep themselves alive just so they can one day get revenge on Albert's bloodline. I believe this deep seeded grudge won't be easy to mend. But that's just my perspective as an outsider."
Looking at Laura, the king nods.
"I understand your point, Laura. But it's important to remember that we're not living in the past anymore. Times have changed and the world is a different place now. Nobody from back then is alive now. There's no reason why our two kingdoms can't peacefully coexist."
"Perhaps," Sigrid muses. "But having said that, there's a lot of distrust between our two kingdoms. Our histories have created a rift between us. And unfortunately, there are some among us who refuse to let go of the past and put it behind them."
"That's true," the king agrees. "And it's dangerous for us to ignore such feelings. If we don't address them, they'll manifest into something worse."
Vivian steps forward, her voice determined.
"We need to find a way to bridge the gap between our two kingdoms. If we fail to do so, our future generations will suffer. The hatred between our people has festered for decades and if we don't act soon, it could fester indefinitely."
The king nods. "Our current situation is dire. But I believe we can overcome this challenge together."
"What a first day on the job this has been." Laura thinks to herself.
As the darkness deepens and the stars begin to emerge, a sense of foreboding hangs heavily in the air. The paths of diplomacy and conflict stand at a crossroads, and the Kingdom of Dawn faces a choice that will shape its destiny for generations to come.
After finishing their breakfast the two return to the side of Vivian as her personal bodyguards.
"Alright Sigrid what's on the agenda today?" Vivian asks.
Sigrid takes out a sheet of paper from her pocket and reads it aloud as they continue walking.
"Though your birthday celebration was yesterday a lot of nobles who still haven't met with you are coming to meet with you in the afternoon. Your schedule is packed full with those meetings."
Vivian sighs.
"So I'm just meeting with late arrivals huh? Sounds boring."
"While it may be boring your highness it is necessary to meet with any and all nobles who want to wish you a happy birthday."
"If only I had something else to do..." Vivian mutters under her breath.
"What did you say?" Sigrid asks curiously.
"Nothing."
The two continue their conversation until they reach princess Vivian's office.
As the crown princess she was given an office in order to receive visitors easily and to perform any work that she might be required to do. A few minutes later a knock is heard.
"Come in." Vivian calls out.
A few seconds later the door opens and five people enter the room.
"Good morning Princess Vivian."
Each of the five people bow to the princess in turn.
"It's good to see you again Viscount Richards. I see your children are doing fine as well."
Laura, having no clue who these people are just stands there with a blank expression.
Viscount Richards raises his head and looks at Laura curiously. After a moment his eyes widen.
"Um, Princess Vivian who is this girl?"
"This is my new bodyguard. Her name is Laura. She also a demon."
The viscount and his family look at Laura with wide open eyes.
"Your majesty! Are you sure that having a demon as a bodyguard is a good idea?"
"Why not?"
Viscount Richards furrows his brow.
"Because demons are evil creatures, they bring disaster wherever they go. It is for your sake that I humbly ask you to reconsider keeping a demon by your side."
"Are you trying to go against my decision Viscount?"
"No, I am merely concerned for your safety. Demons are known to kill humans without hesitation, and even destroy entire villages."
"Laura is a good girl, I highly doubt she'd ever do something like that. I've taken precautions and am fully prepared for whatever may or may not happen. You really should know better than to doubt me."
"If you say so your majesty. Let us hope nothing happens."
The viscount bows his head.
"Yes, let's hope nothing happens."
After the viscount and his family wish Vivian a happy birthday and give her their gifts they leave the room. Princess Vivian slumps in her chair and sighs.
"Ugh... I could do without the lecture from someone like him."
"Well your highness you are royalty after all. The people of this country and throughout the world fear the demons and are wary of them."
"I know but he should have just wished me a happy birthday, gave me the gifts and then left. I did not ask for a lecture."
Vivian gives a deep sigh and rubs her temples before looking at Laura.
"Sorry about that."
Laura nods her head in response.
"Don't worry about it, I figured a lot of people wouldn't be too open about the idea of a demon being so close to royalty."
Sigrid walks up behind Laura and places a hand on her shoulder.
"Don't worry about it kid. All you gotta do is silence everyone who doesn't accept you by proving yourself beyond a shadow of a doubt."
"Thanks Sigrid."
Sigrid smiles at Laura.
"That's what I'm here for."
She then turns back to face Vivian.
"Princess you still have many visitors who are eager to wish you a happy birthday."
"I'm well aware of that Sigrid. We'll be at this all day so be prepared."
Sigrid salutes Vivian.
"Understood!"
Afterwards Princess Vivian met with many nobles of varying ranks and age groups. They gave her gifts and spoke to her about various subjects. As the day progressed each visitor had something to say about Laura. Until finally the last group came and went.
"Goodbye your majesty."
"Thank you for visiting."
After Princess Vivian bid farewell to the last visitors for the day she slumped over in her chair and sighed loudly.
"It's finally over. Thank goodness."
"You don't seem like you're enjoying yourself princess." Laura says.
"Well all the nobles who aren't deemed important enough to attend my birthday party always want to somehow nudge themselves into my good graces with artificial well wishes. They think if they can get me to like them they'll be able to gain favor with me when I become queen."
"It seems like a rather tough job."
"It is. Sometime I wish I could just force all this work onto someone else."
Sigrid places a cup of tea in front of Vivian. "You shouldn't talk like that Princess. The country is in the right hands with you as the future monarch."
"Thank you Sigrid. But it would be nice if someone could just take some of this burden off of me."
"We all have our burdens princess. I understand how you feel though." Sigrid gives Vivian a warm smile. "Anyway, it's almost time for dinner."
"Good, I'm starving."
Vivian stands up from her chair and stretches. After doing so she looks at Laura and frowns slightly.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing Princess."
"Don't tell me your worried about me?"
"Of course not."
Vivian smirks mischievously.
"I see... Well I guess we should go and eat dinner."
"Yeah..."
The three of them exit the room and walk down the hallway together towards the dining hall. Once inside the dining hall Vivian sits next to her father near the head of the table while Laura and Sigrid stand behind her.
As the servants pass out the food Vivian glances around the room. It's only her and the king eating dinner with no sign of the queen or her little sister.
"Father where are Mother and Elena? I thought they'd be here too."
"They both had to make an appearance at a banquet earlier today and were tied up with other matters after that. They'll probably return later tonight."
"I see, so they're busy huh?"
"Yes. I'm sure they'll be here soon."
"Father, you seem rather tired," Vivian observes, concern lacing her words as she looks at her father's weary expression.
The king lets out a tired sigh, his shoulders slumping slightly.
"Yes, it's been a long day dealing with court matters and diplomatic discussions. But seeing you here brings a light to the evening, my dear."
"Your Majesty, if I may ask, how are the negotiations with the neighboring kingdom progressing? Are there any updates?" Sigrid asks King Thomas.
The king takes a moment to compose himself, grateful for the change of topic.
"Negotiations have been challenging, as always, Sigrid. Tensions with the Florence Kingdom still linger, and little progress has been made.
Sigrid nods in agreement. "It's crucial to maintain stability in the region, especially considering recent events."
Vivian interjects with a smile, trying to lighten the mood.
"Well, while you're busy handling the fate of the kingdom, I've been busy with my studies and training. You'd be proud to know that I've made significant progress in archery, Father."
The king's tired features soften as he looks at his daughter with pride.
"I'm always proud of you, Vivian. Your dedication to your responsibilities and your willingness to learn are commendable. Your shoulders will bear the weight of this kingdom one day so it puts my heart at ease to know that you're taking your position seriously."
"Thank you, Father," Vivian responds, a mixture of gratitude and determination in her voice. "I understand the gravity of our situation, especially considering the tension between our kingdom and the Florence kingdom. But I also believe that communication can bridge gaps and prevent unnecessary conflict."
The king's eyes hold a mixture of weariness and hope as he gazes at his daughter.
"You have a wise perspective, Vivian. The Kingdom of Dawn and the Kingdom of Florence have never had friendly relations, but that doesn't mean we should be hasty in our judgments. War is a path we must tread carefully, for its consequences are far-reaching."
Sigrid leans in, her voice gentle yet firm.
"Your Majesty, if I may offer a suggestion. A neutral ground for discussions, away from both kingdoms' borders, might help in fostering a more open dialogue. This could be an opportunity to find common ground and address the root causes of our disagreements."
The king considers Sigrid's words, a glimmer of hope flickering in his eyes.
"It's not that easy Sigrid. My ancestor Albert Francis Dawn made an audacious move to conquer a vast untouched land with half of Florence's military that not only shattered their pride but also left them vulnerable to external threats. They've held a grudge ever since, and it has since boiled over ever since their new monarch took the throne."
Vivian stands up, her expression hidden behind her veil.
"Father, history casts a long shadow, but perhaps there's still a way to mend those wounds. We can't change the past, but we can work towards a different future, one where our kingdoms coexist without hostility."
The king nods, appreciating his daughter's optimism even in the face of the impending storm. "You're right, Vivian. Change is possible, but it requires time and effort from both sides."
Sigrid's voice remains measured as she adds, "Nevertheless, it's crucial to prepare for all possible outcomes. Diplomacy may falter, and tensions could escalate beyond control."
The king nods once again. "Considering how that new ruler over in Florence is rallying his people up I doubt this will be easy. It all points to an inevitable conflict many generations in the making."
Turning his attention to Laura, the king's expression softens as he acknowledges her presence.
"Laura, though you've only been here a short while, you find yourself amidst a crucial juncture in our kingdom's history."
Laura, not expecting to be acknowledged meets this kings gaze.
"I know you've just joined us, and these discussions may seem overwhelming. But your perspective is important too. What are your thoughts on the tensions between our kingdom and Florence?"
Laura looks down for a moment before speaking.
"I have read up on the history of this kingdom and from what I read Florence went through a terrible time after King Albert took half the army with him and even to this day they're still feeling the affects of it. Having to sign awful treaties with other nations just to keep themselves alive just so they can one day get revenge on Albert's bloodline. I believe this deep seeded grudge won't be easy to mend. But that's just my perspective as an outsider."
Looking at Laura, the king nods.
"I understand your point, Laura. But it's important to remember that we're not living in the past anymore. Times have changed and the world is a different place now. Nobody from back then is alive now. There's no reason why our two kingdoms can't peacefully coexist."
"Perhaps," Sigrid muses. "But having said that, there's a lot of distrust between our two kingdoms. Our histories have created a rift between us. And unfortunately, there are some among us who refuse to let go of the past and put it behind them."
"That's true," the king agrees. "And it's dangerous for us to ignore such feelings. If we don't address them, they'll manifest into something worse."
Vivian steps forward, her voice determined.
"We need to find a way to bridge the gap between our two kingdoms. If we fail to do so, our future generations will suffer. The hatred between our people has festered for decades and if we don't act soon, it could fester indefinitely."
The king nods. "Our current situation is dire. But I believe we can overcome this challenge together."
"What a first day on the job this has been." Laura thinks to herself.
As the darkness deepens and the stars begin to emerge, a sense of foreboding hangs heavily in the air. The paths of diplomacy and conflict stand at a crossroads, and the Kingdom of Dawn faces a choice that will shape its destiny for generations to come.
