Chapter 2
Nicole’s head was in disarray; the Kingdom has only three days to arrange everything they need till the arrival of the daughters of Duke Ward Earp of France, and having the Queen mother disappear to her Aunt’s manor the day before, she doesn’t have anyone to entrust the preparations with. She then had decided to take the matters in her own hands.
“Mother would know what to do.” She muttered to herself as she looked at the list of dishes their head cook had presented her with, utterly confuse with the names and how they’re supposed to look like.
Deciding to probe into something she’s not entirely aware of, Nicole first did what she thought was the easiest. She had inspected the quarters where each of the ladies will stay for the time being till they all had grown accustom to each other, as agreed by her Queen mother and the Duke. Taking in the consideration that her mother favors the youngest born, she had personally chosen the nearest quarter to hers for the youngest Earp; craving to grow closer instantaneously, if permitted.
Xavier Dolls, her most trusted life guard whom she considered close to a confidant, commented, “And whilst I concede that mothers know best indeed, deciding for the dishes should not be that complicated, my King.”
“Well I, for one, have no idea what French ladies eat. And two, it’s always mother who decides on the dishes daily.” Nicole closed her eyes and massaged her temple. She had always relied on her mother, on everyone in the palace, really, though she’s exceptional with everything but cooking, as most of her time was spent bettering her reign. She’s still young and still has a lot to gain knowledge of. She’s wearing the crown and she’s bearing the weight, like what her father did and his father before him. She’s the King and she’s supposed to rule not decide on what dish to serve the guests.
“If I may, my Lord, I do think that the French ladies have the same stomach as the ones our ladies have. They would eat just the same. Must you really exert this much effort in choosing the dish?”
Nicole opened her eyes and looked at her life guard, as if his inquiry had made her question her existence.
“I’m sorry my King. Forgive my straightforwardness, it will not happen again.”
“No, you’re right Xavier, I should not misuse my free time deciding what dish to prepare. I’m only concerned about our guests; I want them to have a sense of satisfaction on their stay here.” But truth be told, Nicole only wants to make an impression to the youngest born. She wants her to experience what her life would be if they were to wed, as the thought had come across Nicole’s intellect more than once before.
“And that they will have.” Her royal knight assured her, drawing her attention from feeling rather amused that she’s already enamored by Lady Waverly Earp.
One can say that meeting the other daughters of Duke Ward Earp is no longer necessary. Nicole seemed to have already chosen, anyone can tell.
“But for your mind’s ease, I can ask one of my French acquaintances.” Her life guard was about to leave her chambers but she added, “Make sure no lamb or beef, I reckoned the youngest Earp loathes them.”
Nicole had remember one of Lady Waverly Earp’s letter where she mentioned her abhorrence to finding out how lambs and cows had been butchered for their meat and had sworn never to eat meat again. The mere thought alone draws a smile on Nicole lips, she cannot wait to see how the youngest born would act in response if she were to have been serve a meat, “On second thought, make sure to serve our finest lamb delicacy.” She said in jest, just for a tease.
Her knight nodded knowingly, as he had been adapted to the good-humored King all his life.
Nicole had resumed her light reading, heart still not contained as she look forward to finally meeting the Earp girls, fully aware that there’s not enough preparation to coach her with. Two years was not enough.
The first year had passed like a breeze; Nicole had never stopped demanding her mother to change her mind since the day she informed her about her grandiose of a plan to marry her off, but to no avail, her mother is fixated on finding her a company she’d share the rest of her life with. And whilst Nicole had already accepted her fate, she still find it unnecessary to choose between three siblings and asked her mother to choose one for her instead, but the Queen Mother declined, knowing it is the least she can do for her daughter, give her the opportunity to choose the person she’d want to have in her life.
The second year was spent sending letters back and forth to France in an attempt to be on familiar terms with the Earp Ladies. And Nicole had managed to do just that, she knew a scant amount of wisdom the siblings explicitly shared with her, particularly Waverly; she loved how genuine each letters the youngest born had written to her. It might have something to do with her juvenile age, that she’s still allowed to dream and express things the way she wanted to, something Nicole had been deprived of ever since she was born.
She envies Waverly, and she envies how’s she has the freedom to dream and speak her thoughts out loud without having to face any consequences because she’s still young and the Earp Manor valued her youthful and creative mind. Nicole wishes she can be free too, but she knows it will remain only a wish because despite being England’s King and Ruler, there are things that she certainly cannot acquire.