Morning came, bringing with it light that made the world sparkle like glass. It was springtime again; everything had come alive after its long sleep of winter. The air smelled fresh, as if it were just washed from heaven by angels' wings.
Sofia had just helped you get dressed when she relayed information that you had been summoned by mother and must make haste to her office. You looked at her quizzically, wondering what could possibly be so important that she'd interrupt your breakfast. "Do you have any idea why?" I asked quizingly.
"No," she answered simply.
You nodded and hurried out of your bed chamber. A long winding excursion within the castle has got you standing in front of your mother's office. You entered her office, finding her sitting on her desk chair with her legs crossed. She wore a simple dress that showed off her figure nicely, but not too much. Her hair was tied back into an elegant ponytail and her face held a smile.
She stood up and walked towards you, smiling gently. "Good morning, my dear."
You smiled nervously and curtsied. "Good morning, Duchess." You were taught to act with noble's etiquette when mother was inside her office, for she was amongst leaders of Avaberg.
"Come here," she said, beckoning you closer with one hand.
You obeyed, walking over to her and stopping right in front of her. She placed both hands on your shoulders and looked you straight in the eye. "I've been thinking about something lately," she began, "and I want to tell you about it. But first, let me ask you something. Have you ever felt...lonely?"
Your eyes widened slightly, and you shook your head no. "Never!" You exclaimed, surprised by the question.
Her smile faded away to reveal sadness in her eyes. Years of being the next heir of Avaberg after your father's death has led you to mingle in dens of nobility. Your reading of people has became acute and accurate, a talent of yours as pointed out by your wise governess, Melissa.
"...I do, seldomly. Why?" You confessed the truth. It was okay to seem weak in front of your mother, for it seems that the rest of her governing staff were too busy and far away to listen to a quiet conversation between a mother and her son.
Alessandra sighed heavily and sat down on her desk chair, placing her elbows on the armrests and resting her chin on her palms. "My dear boy, I'm sorry for asking such a thing of you. It's just that..." The strong Duchess had trouble finishing her words.
Obviously troubled, you began to feel concern to your mother. A closer inspection of her face led you to believe she had not slept well. You attempt to remedy this by sitting on her lap, as you did when you were much younger, you hope this may make her smile.
"It's alright, mother. Please continue." You asked her kindly, hoping to calm her.
Alessandra closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "There's a lot going on around us, isn't there?" You were barred from entering the politics that run Avaberg for you were still too young at your age of twelve, but it seems that your mother is handling a lot right now.
You lean your back. Her breasts now supported your shoulder blades, when much before it would cradle your head whenever you would rest on your mother's lap. This reminded both of you of your growth and the strange times that have gone by in a blink of an eye.
"Yes, mother. There is," you agreed with her, nodding your head.
Alessandra opened her eyes again and continued talking. "We're doing our best to keep everything running smoothly, but it's hard. We're trying to figure out how we can help those who need it most, while dealing with the political turmoil of the world outside these walls." She paused and took another deep breath before continuing. "And then there's my personal life. I miss your father dearly. I wish I could see him once more, just one last time. He was so kind, so gentle, so loving. And he was so good at this job..."
"Do you miss having more time as just our mother?" You cut her off as you found both of her hands from her glorious seat's armrests and placed them around your waist.
Alessandra smiled softly and nodded. "Yes. Yes, I do. Sometimes, I just want to sit with you and hold your hand like we used to do when you were little. Or kiss you and tell you how much I love you." Your tired love-seeking mother leans on your back that has grown bigger and unfamiliar to her. You strengthen your core to support her weight as she laid her chin on your left shoulder as she squeezes you tighter, familiarizing herself to her growing boy.
You tilt your head to the left so yiu can rest it on the side of your mother's face. Cheek to cheek, you reply sweetly with magical words that your mother has long wanted to hear again. "I love you mother."
Your mother smiles lovingly, though you can't see it. You felt it through her cheeks and knew it from her voice. "Thank you, my darling boy. Thank you for saying that to me. It makes me happy to know that you still remember how much I love you."
The Duchess Alessandra started to feel her cold, lumpy fatigue be engulfed and incinerated by this warm feeling growing inside of her. How she missed her son, how she missed hugs like this, how she missed words of affection, these were all being satiated as if her son was a cool oasis in the middle of a harsh desert.
Alessandra turned her head to the right to look at her son's face. "How are you doing? Are you okay?"
You turn your head to face your mother. You were surprised how close your faces were, your similar noses almost bumping. After a pause, you reply, "I'm doing well mother. Sofia has been taking great care of me."
Alessandra smiled and kissed the top of your head. "That's good to hear. But...you seem sad."
You shook your head. "No, no mother! I am just concerned about you."
Alessandra chuckled. "Oh, I have been fine. Just worried about you. That's all." Alessandra lied to her son once more, but it was a mother's job to not project her problems to her children.
You looked down at your mother's face, you know she's lying for your sake so you don't worry because you've become more matured now that you're twelve. "Will you spend the afternoon with me, Lily, and Rose?" You asked, nay, challenged your mother so she does not deny herself much needed family time.
"Of course!" Your mother replied happily. "We'll go to the gardens today. We haven't done that in ages."
"Pardon me, my Duchess, my Lord." Diana bowed in front of the desk, grabbing me and my mother's attention. "The guild of merchants have arrived in the meeting room." Diana reported curtly. You could never guess what she was thinking with that blank face of hers, she was like a statue most of the time, beautiful, but soulless.
Before my mother could respond, I stood up from her lap, knowing she had work to do. Alessandra sighed, but she had just been rejuvenated by her talk with her not so little anymore son. "Don't forget to eat all of your vegetables this breakfast Fable. We will meet with your sisters in the garden this afternoon for some tea, let them know." Alessandra commanded, nay, reminded her son.
You turn around and pounced quickly for a brief kiss on your mother's cheek. "See you later mother." Alessandra was pleasantly surprised, it seems your mischief has not been completely rid off with your age.
You move out of her way and watch your mother walk towards one of the many doors in her office, to the one connecting to where the merchants were waiting, with Diana following her like a duckling to its duck mother.
Now in front of the door, the Duchess looked at Diana besides her and then to you. "Diana, attend Fable for today. Have Sofia take a well-deserved day off." Without waiting for a response, she opened the door to a wide room full of squabbling men, entered, and closed the door.
***