Lynette Saunera // 22 // Eldest Princess & Heir // M: Ari (Ind), Edric (Ind), Meredith (NPC Servant), Other Courts (Ind), Open for Interactions!
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As Lynette gazed out of her bedroom window and onto the courtyard below, it was apparent that the morning wasn't just going to be something full of cold interactions but the frost on the ground indicating that it’d be crisp enough outside to begin her transition from sundresses to fur coats. Lynette had awoken not too long ago when the sun had just started rising, casting a golden hue over her surroundings, and the birds had begun to sing their melodies, filling the air with gentle notes of hope and cheer. The princess had likely slept less than a few hours, her mind churning with worries, resulting in the extended period it usually took her to rise from her bed and call her servants to assist her in getting ready for the long day ahead. The woman had entered her room quickly, her heart racing as she hurried to get her bathed and dressed, acutely aware of the weight of expectation resting on her shoulders.
They had pulled on a corsetted, sleeveless dress that hugged Lynette’s curves perfectly, a testament to the skill of the royal seamstress who had dedicated countless hours to its creation. The silky material, colored white with intricate gold embroidery, took the shapes of vines around her bust, waist, and along her left side's hip and leg, an elegant design that made her feel both regal and vulnerable. A slit came up just above the knee of her legs, revealing a hint of her skin when she walked. The girl had slipped on a pair of elegant white and gold heels that clicked softly against the marble floors, while wrapping a white fur stole shawl around her shoulders, clipped together at the ends by a thin gold chain that glimmered as it caught the light. Lynette’s hair had been let down from her sleeping braid, cascading luxuriously down her back before being pulled back into her signature milkmaid braid, leaving her bangs tucked loosely behind her ears to frame her face delicately.
Once the girls had finished pinning her hair back, she thanked them quietly, her expression solemn as if the weight of her thoughts had settled squarely in her chest. The servants hadn't asked questions, but a few shot her concerned expressions filled with empathy, and Lynette caught the hushed whispering of the young women as they left her quarters, their worry echoing in her mind. The princess stepped down from the pedestal in which the maids had her stand for dressing and turned once again to the grand curtain-covered window, her eyes staring blankly into the distance, lost in a whirlwind of emotion. As Lynette fiddled with the gold rings adorning her fingers—a habit she had picked up a while ago—she let her mind wander to what she was worried about. Today was the day… It was the morning in which her young sister, Lady Ari, would be sent off to the Day Court and meet with her betrothed, the Prince of the Day Court himself. The young woman's lips thinned into a line, her brows furrowing slightly as she contemplated the implications of this union... Lynette would of course be accompanying her sister, along with head soldier, Edric. But it didn't really make anything better.
It was meant to be an alliance, a bridge to restore peace between the different courts, but what would occur if this engagement didn't work out? Lynette knew the answer to this question already, and the thought sent icy tendrils of fear creeping up her spine. War. Suffering. Death—No. Lynette shook her head vigorously as her gaze turned to the ground before her, eyes closing as she let out a breath she hadn’t known she was holding, willing the dark thoughts to disperse. No. This had to work.
“It simply has to,”
Lynette breathed the words out, her voice barely above a whisper, filled with a determination she was trying to muster.
Just then, she jumped out of her skin as there was a knock on the door. A small voice sounded from outside of the princess's quarters, breaking her reverie,
“My lady, your breakfast has arrived.”
Letting out a small sigh of relief, Lynette put on a soft smile as she spoke her next words,
“Come in, Meredith.”
The young, petite brunette entered, carrying a cart laden with many silver trays, her cheeks slightly flushed from the effort of balancing it all. She opened the large wooden doors with her hip, soon lifting her head to meet the gaze of the princess with a small, genuine smile of her own that momentarily lifted the weight from Lynette's shoulders. Meredith shut the door behind her quietly before rolling the cart to the middle of the room and placing the different dishes on the circular wooden table that had been set for one.
“This morning, we have put together; Rhubarb and Custard Brioche Tarts,”
the maid announced, the enthusiasm in her voice evident as she lifted the lid of a medium-sized platter to reveal three delightful-looking small pastries, their golden crust glistening invitingly in the morning light.
“Mixed fruit—without grapes, as my lady requested—along with cottage cheese and dippy eggs,”
she continued, her hands moving gracefully as she lifted the lids of the smaller platters, revealing a bowl of fresh fruits vibrant in color and a separate dish of cottage cheese topped with a jam-like mixture, glistening with promise. Finally, the young woman gestured elegantly to the last dish holding two eggs upright, the dippy eggs she had mentioned, their creamy yolks peeking through the cracks of the shells.
Meredith looked up with an expectant yet warm expression, watching as the princess stepped forward to the edge of the wooden table, her gaze moving across the food in front of her before her expression fell slowly, the weight of her thoughts pressing upon her once more. The maid caught on quickly, her brow furrowing with concern as she noticed Lynette's distracted demeanor.
“My lady…? Is something the matter? If there is something wrong with the dishes, I can go back to the kitchens and—”
Lynette’s head lifted, and she shook her head, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“Oh, no—my apologies. I have a lot on my mind—everything is perfect,”
she reassured her, gesturing to the platters of food softly with her chin before looking back at the maid, whose eyes softened with understanding.
“Thank you, Meredith.”
The brunette’s expression lightened with relief, and she nodded, her demeanor shifting back to one of composure.
“Of course, my lady. Let me leave you in peace,”
she said, a gentle smile dancing on her lips as she excused herself with a short curtsey, opening and closing the door of Lynette’s quarters behind her quietly, leaving the princess enveloped in a cocoon of solitude once more.
A few moments passed in silence before Lynette moved to daintily pick up one of the pastries, her other hand moving to cup the underside of the hand holding the tart to catch any crumbs as she took a small bite. The delicious taste enveloped her mouth, a burst of sweetness and warmth that momentarily distracted her from her worries, a small smile moving to her lips that didn't quite reach her eyes. Yet, as the initial delight faded, the princess let out a small sigh, placing the pastry down as her smile fell away once more. She was in no mood to eat—having lost all of her appetite in the storm of thoughts swirling in her mind.
With a heavy heart, Lynette moved across the room, her gown trailing behind her in a short train as she picked up the cream-colored, knitted mittens that sat on her bedside table, their warmth giving her a sense of comfort. The woman pulled them on, feeling the soft fibers hug her hands as she steeled herself for what lay ahead. She should probably go find Ari and Edric... she thought, quietly hoping the brisk morning air would be the balm her troubled spirit needed. As she opened the door and stepped into the corridor, she took a deep breath, the chill of the air invigorating her senses and reminding her of her purpose. Today was a pivotal moment, not just for her sister, but for the future of their realm, and Lynette would do everything in her power to ensure it was a day marked by hope rather than despair.
Spring Month: 3 
Day 
Light Rain
