I allow myself to squeal in delight when the dog breeder entered the palace, along with nine crates.
My puppies have arrived.
Don Weisburgh is the best dog-breeder in all of Legibus. His shop is to the South-West in a place that used to be called California. It now part of the Sand region. Four years ago he was at our palace with thirteen crates instead of nine he has today. My dog Elizabethe, who I just call Beth was in that litter, she is a Huskey-Weimaraner mix.
This time Mr. Weisburgh has brought me Australian Shepard- Broder Collie mixed puppies. I can hear them squeaking the toys in their crates or giving delicate barks.
Palace servants hover in the shadows waiting for my command.
"Take them to the garden," I instruct. "The one by the fields. But away from the stables."
People flood the area momentarily and then in a second the crates are gone, being carried away by servants in a single file line.
"Mr. Weisburgh," I nod, "You received my point transaction last month. Correct?" The puppies were born a month ago, I was charged once we knew how many of the puppies survived, which was all but one of them.
"Indeed, your Majesty," he bows.
"And you're quite sure you don't want one?" I inquire.
"Positive, Princess, I've plenty of my own pups at home."
"Thank you again, sir!" I smile, as he turns to exit.
It is interactions with people like Mr. Weisburgh that I cherish the most. Because I know those are the smiles that I do not have to fake.
Kennedy trails behind me as I walk to the garden where the nine puppies have been released from their crates and are now prowling the gated grass and vegetation with wary curiosity. Most jump back when a large leaf moves, but one brave pup barks at the rose bushes.
I throw my head back and laugh. I make my way other to the gallant boy. I plop myself down in the grass and pull him onto my lap. He paws at the deep blue folds of my sundress with intensity. I lift him so his snout is at my chin.
His fur is white and tan. There are two brown circles around his eyes, making it as if he were wearing the mask of a superhero. "I'm going to call you Griffin!" I declare setting him back down into the grass.
A servant swoops over Griffin and attaches a red collar to his neck. The tags clink against each other as he walks. Before he leaves the castle a name tag will join the tags.
Another daring puppy comes and sniffs at my dress which has billowed out across the grass. I pluck up this pup as well. Her fur is all black and brown, except for white spots around her nose and paws.
"Jillian," I state setting her back into the plush grass. "Jill for short."
Jill's neck is immediately acquainted with an identical collar as the one Griffin was given. I always have to specify nicknames for the puppies, the nicknames are the name which the dogs are trained with.
The next dog that I pick out of the throng is black and white with overly large, floppy ears. The young male puppy reminds me of a television character. He walks clumsily, and when I pick him up he squirms in my hands trying to lick my nose.
"No, Levi," I scold playfully. The name came to my lips so naturally. "I can't have you lapping all the highlighter off my face. I'm a princess, I have a reputation to uphold."
I set the puppy back down and watch him teter off over the grass as a servant attaches a red color around his neck.
The next puppy I spot is sitting on his rear with his head held high. He's sniffing the air, he immediately looks like a prince puppy. I stand and tuck him under my arm. The puppy quickly molds himself into the curve of my waist.
"You are very regal." I giggle scratching under his chin. "We shall give you a name with the class you deserve."
I walk with the puppy going over names before one comes to me. "Sir Harrington!" I exclaim. "But his close friends have the privilege of calling him Harry."
I place the boy back down and pick myself up. I wander the garden looking for another puppy. I find three more. Naming them Alexander (Alex), Betty, and Chase (he spent a slid five minutes running in circles trying to capture his tail).
I hold the final dog in my lap. A girl with one blue eye and one brown eye. Her front paws are propped up on my right leg, scanning the garden with interest.
"Kennedy?" I call scanning the identical-looking servants lined along the walls. One steps towards me. "I'm fresh out of ideas. What should I name this little girl?"
Kennedy cocks her head. Either scanning me or the pup. The only sign she is a human and not a machine. "Roosevelt. Rosie for short."
The name rings a bell in my head. But I don't know where it's from. Looking back down at the puppy I nod. "Roosevelt, Rosie for short."
I hand her into the waiting hands of a servant and walk from the gardens. Much to my chagrin, I have actual work to do before I can go out. I reluctantly leave the garden to start my work. My father hates budget reports with a passion, so he handed them off to me as soon as I turned sixteen.
The office is in the Eastern wing of the castle, below the throne room. But before I'm out of the main hall a woman descends from the staircase that leads to the children's tower.
She is neither my mother nor sisters. Servants are not to wander the castle in their plain clothes. This woman has shoulder-length brown hair that falls limp. She wears a nice pair of jeans and a deep purple blouse with sleeves that flare out at her wrists.
She spots me watching her and her eyes light up. "Emmalyne!"
She walks over to me and envelops me in a hug. She didn't curtsy. Or even use my proper title. Who is this girl?
"Hello, " I smile, feining hospitality. "I haven't had the pleasure of your acquaintance before. Who might you be?"
"Oh, " The woman laughs waving a hand. "My name is Genevieve Parr. Genie for short. I'm getting married to your brother, Bobby!"
So this is the girl Grandfather spoke of. I can't iminge how she got through her trial. If you looked up the word 'improper' her face would be the first thing to come up.
"Of course!" I smile, giving a small laugh to placate her. "Genie. It's wonderful to finally meet you. I've heard so much about you."
"Not too much I hope." Genie beams. "Bobby and I were about to go out. You're welcome to join us. We're heading into town to go get some lunch."
"A gracious offer, but I'm afraid I have a budget meeting to get to. But I will be going into town later. Maybe I will see you there."
Bobby comes down the stairs wearing his best town clothes. Black slacks and a white button up. His messy blonde mop of curls is actually styled for once. This must be his first official date with Genie. He hooks his arm under hers a gives me a nod.
"Emmalyne," He avoids eye contact. "I see you've met my betrothed."
"Yes," I grin. "She is a delight. You've found a wonderful spouse, Robert." I see the hurt in his face at my using his actual name.
It stung him, it was supposed to. Who does he think he is? Calling me Emmalyne. He should have just called me Princess if he was going to be so cold.
"Well, we must be off!" Genie grins oblivious to the bitter interaction my brother and I just shared. "It was amazing to meet you Emmalyne. I hope to see you again soon."
"And to you," I murmer as they walk away towards the palace doors. So freely. Genie gives me one last wave over her shower before they exit. Then I am left alone standing in the main hall.
I quickly shake the stange interplay off as I make my way to the office. I'm having trouble identifying what emotion throbs deep inside of me. Watching Bobby and Genie walk away with their arms linked stirred up something deep inside of me. They were standing so close.
Lonelieness.
I'm lonely.
I must think about my longing for a partner another time. I physically shake my head trying to clear my mind from the muddling interaction with Genie.
"She didn't even curtsy." I mutter as I walk over to my desk.
"Pardon?" I jump as voice speaks to me. But it's just my Uncle Barney. He is one of my father's three advisors.
"Oh nothing," I say taking my seat. "I just met Bobby's wife to be. She was something different. But she seemed so happy to be with him."
"I should get Nick to talk to Bobby, he could learn a thing or two about finding a wife." Nick is Uncle Barney's son. Who just so happens to be four months older than me. He also never fails to hold that fact over my head.
"If Nick had his way, he would never have to marry," I say pushing a button on the bottom of my desk. My keyboard and monitor rise up from inside of the frame.
"That much is true," Uncle Barney sighs, looking back down at the list on his desk. He has a half typered letter on his screen.
"Who are you writing?" I question pulling out my calculator and pen.
"Obses." He replies. "We had to transfer almost an entire Security officer department down to the Canals. I'm asking them to send us some more officers."
"What happened in the Canals?" I question, this wasn't in my overview this morning.
"Some people wanted to start trouble and stole an entire ships worth of textiles. Blankets and jackets mostly. The theifs have been taken care of, but we still need to stomp of their irresponsible behavior."
"If the people needed textiles why didn't their office put in a request for more. We would have sent an extra shipping crate." I say my mind spinning.
Each region has an office where the officlas of that region work. They mostly just communicate the needs of the citizen to the Court so we can adequately provide for out subjects.
"The office in the Canals was ransacked just a few days before. It's left communication fuzzy." Uncle Barney says.
"Well, dispatch a repair crew as well." I say matter-o-factly. "Comincations cannot be down, especially in the Canals. That is an essential region."
"That's a brilliant idea, Emmalyne." Uncle Barney says making a note. "Thank you."
"Yes, keep me updated on that situation. Relay messages to Kennedy if you cannot find me." I say grudgingly opening the budget report I need to decipher.
"Absolutly."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Everyone has a different way of interacting with their subjects. My grandparents along with the rest of the Orginal Saviors led the resiantace that in the end, threw over the final surviving government, ending the Finial War.
They were commoners that rose up from the ruin that world had left us in. There were four million surviving people after the Orginal Saviors seized power. They were evenly divided and sent to the four different Kingdoms. My Grandparents didn't have to try hard to be loved. It was easy for them. For all of them.
My father had a harder time. His big project was the well being of the people. He made the communications between regions possible. He ensured that everyone would have access to housing, food and medicine. He followed through. As a whole the population appericated him. But there was no topping my grandfather. But who can follow a war hero?
So in an attempt to be the best Queen, I started interacting with the people. When Elizabethe's litter of puppies came to the palace; I kept her. But with the other twelve I went out into town and gave out the rest of the puppies.
Four years ago I became known as the "Puppy Princess". Adults have little to no use for a dog, so I tried to find families with children. I told the children the puppies names and they ran in the house squealing, the dogs close on their heels.
I would provide toys, a bed, a crate, food, and medical care for a year. It took a solid chunk out of my allowance, but I felt so good doing it. So with eight of the puppies I go out to do the same. But this time I have a particular audience in mind.
Young men. Possiable suitors. I explained when I proposed the idea to my parents.
Going out on the town has always been a pain. For my entire family, but it's always been worse for me and my parents.
When Bobby and Genie went out to lunch they only had four Place guards standing nearby for their protection.
On the other hand, I have eight. Eight men guarding me. My father belives that only the best and strongest soldiers can guard his heir. So that would be these eight men. They're burly and wear black sunglasses. Their faces are also shaped like squres. It must be some Obses gene.
I make it to seven houses when I'm left with one last puppy. Roise trots on her leash happily. Stopping multiple times to let the children pet her. The resiantial squares surround the downtown, which is filled with shops and restaurants.
I reach my third residential squre when I pick a house at random. It's painted soft blue and there is a swing on the front lawn. As I walk up the steps two guards flank the door and the rest line down along the path.
Pressing the doorbell I hear the sounds of running footsteps and see a little boy's face peak out the window at me. He gasps and yells over his shoulder. Another window must be open because I hear him.
"Mom! It's the Princess!" There is then a loud clattering. I think I've cased the poor woman to drop a pan.
"Well then answer it!" She calls back. "We don't leave the Princess standing on the front stoop!"
The little boy dissapers and seconds later the door opens. He can't be more than ten years old. He stares up at me for a moment before remembering his place.
"Princess," He bows. "My name is Liam Ryans."
I give a small dip of my head as another boy appears over Liam's shoulder. His hair is wet and I catch a glimpse at his adomen as he pulls his shirt down. He looks as if he just got out of the shower.
I reconize the boy, but I don't know from where. He puts a hand on his younger brother shoulder and bows before smiling.
"Princess Emmalyne, to what do we owe this pleasure?" The boy askes me.
I now look down at Rosie, who is sniffing at Liam's feet.
"Well, I'm here to offer your family a puppy." I start, and then in a split second I made a snap decision. "I also want to offer you an invitation to the ball I am hosting on August Twelfth."
A guard hands me the black invitationss with gold lettering. I give it to the boy. I spy his mother behind him looking feint.
"Thank you." The boy says looking down at the invatation slightly shocked. "My name is Logan by the way."
"It's wonderful to meet you." I smile.
Liam looks up at his older brother. "But Logan, we aren't allowed to have two dogs."
They already have a dog? Then I rember the boy. I gave him one of the puppies from Beth's litter four years ago. Ryans, the name did sound familiar.
"Two dogs?" I question.
"Yes!" Liam exclams. "Our dad is on a walk with Harper. But don't you rember Princess, you gave her to Logan."
"I do remember." I smile. "Well, I hope to see you at the ball Logan. Have a wonderful evening."
I turn to walk down the steps but Logan calls after me. "Oh, Princess!"
I turn around to see him halfway out the door. "My neighbor John and his little sister Posie might be interested in receiving a dog. "
He points four houses down to the largest residence on the street. A beautiful white house with a wrap around porch and a perfectly manicured lawn. A woman and man sit on the front porch sipping what looks like tea.
A little girl, who must be Posie, sits between her mothers legs as her hair is being braided. A boy, who could only be John, holds a book in his hand. His black hair is falling into his eyes and he is bent over to eximae the pages. He keeps pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose.
"Thank you!" I smile back at Logan.
Making my way over I have a guard hand me another one of my invites. As I draw closer to the porch I see each of the family member look up. I'm already easily recognizable but the band wrapped around my head that rests just above my brow signifys my status.
The court has a strange rule about crowns. We only wear the ones that stand off of our heads for important events, such as a coranation or the Confrences. But we still have to look our part no matter where we go. The band I wear today in silver inlaid with hundreds of tiny diamonds.
The man of the family stands first. He is quickly followed by his son, wife and daughter. Once she stands I can see that the woman is very pregnant. She must be pushing the end period of the law. Because John must be my age, and if she had him right when she turned twenty then that would make her thirty-eight now. That's the deadline for having children.
They walk over to meet me on the path through their lawn. "Your magesty." The man bows. Just then do I recognize him. He is Henry Andrew, head of the Throne regions office. The Trone region is the region I live in. This is a man of highly elevated social influence.
The woman, who I now realize is Chirstine Andrew, manages small curtsy over her stomach. John bows low but never breaks eye-contact with me. Posie just exits her cursy before she spots Rosie.
"Oh! Puppy!" She sqeuals. "Can I pet her?"
"Of course." I reply. "I actually came here to see if you would like to keep her."
Posie's eyes light up as she looks back at her parents. Her mother looks towards Henry and he gives a small nod. I feeling of pride swells in my chest as I hand the leash of to the little girl.
"Her name is Roise. Take good care of her." I smile kneeling down to become eye level with her.
"Thank you!" Posie cries before racing across the lawn with the dog in tow.
I see Christine grimance as her daughter's manners. Or lack there of. I don't mind, though. Posie is a child, it would be rediculous to expect such behavior from and eight year old girl.
I take another step forwards. Towards John. I see his father raise his eyes brows in surprise. John must have taken off his glasses when he stood because they are not on his face now.
I hold out the invitation. "Mr. Johanthan Andrew. I cordially invite you to attend the ball I am hosting on August Twelfth. I hope you will be able to attend."
John takes the invite. "Thank you." He murmurs. "I'll be there."
His mother holds her heart and looks between us beaming. His father nods firmly as John pockets the invitation.
"I look forward to your company at my home then." I say, stepping away and giving a small curtsy. "The items you need for the dog will be sent before tonight."
I turn and walk away to the tele-car that has appeared to take me back to the castle. Once inside I look back out to see the family heading back to their porch, but I don't miss John taking the invitation out of his pocket and giving it a small sniff.