Saffron's hands shook as she pushed open the door. She stepped into the study, her eyes scanning the room. The room was empty except for King Ignis and one of his guards.
"Have a seat." He said, gesturing to the empty chair across from him.
Saffron gingerly approached the King and bowed before sitting down.
"I'm sorry if you heard that. He's a stubborn boy. I'm afraid I've spoiled him too much."
"It is natural that the Prince is weary. He is correct, my lack of wings does indeed impact how the rest of the people see me."
A frown creased the King's face as she spoke. He clasped his hands together for a moment as he contemplated his response.
"It seems to me that many people are too quick to judge. You may be different, but that is not a bad thing. Besides your ears, you look no different from any of us here at the Phoenix kingdom. If they did not know your identity you would blend in with the rest of us."
Saffron raised a hand to touch the fine point on her ears. Even they were softer than most Fae. She was indeed an anomaly in her kingdom.
"You are too kind, Your Majesty. I do not wish to bring shame to your son, so I beg you to reconsider for his sake."
"I have made my mind up. Whether he likes it or not. You are a brave and selfless young lady. You are clearly not valued as you should be in your natal home. Kindness like yours would be a wonderful addition to our family."
Saffron offered a convincing smile to the King, though inside she was terrified. As lovely as the sentiment was, she had no idea how she would deal with the Crown Prince if he did not like her. She had always hoped that she would marry for love one day since her father had always had little use for her politically.
"You need not return home if you do not want to. You may stay here and familiarise yourself with the palace before the wedding. Given the circumstances, we should hold it soon. I will discuss it and set a date tomorrow."
"As you wish, Your Majesty."
Saffron's heart dropped. She would not even get the chance to say goodbye to Nanny Pine.
"Alright, I'll have Fitzwell show you to your temporary room."
With a meek nod, Saffron stood and followed the King over to the door. A short man with greasy black hair and a crooked smile took her hand and raised it to his lips.
"Pleasure you meet you, your highness. If you'll follow me..."
Even his voice sent chills down her spine, but she knew that she should not judge someone purely on her first impression.
"Thank you, Fitzwell."
Saffron followed behind the man as he marched down the corridor. From his slightly hunched posture, Saffron observed, he must have been a horse rider at one point. Perhaps he had raced them for entertainment. His short stature would be perfect for competing. Saffron loved horses and had ridden them often in the Fae kingdom. Though they typically opted for flying transportation, her father had brought horses in specially for her to enjoy.
"Here we are. This will be your room until the wedding. After that... Well. Anyway, I'll let you settle in. I'll send a maid to take your measurements later and have the tailor make you some clothing more fitting for our Kingdom."
Saffron swallowed hard. She knew was he was implying and did not want to think about it. Instead, she gave a curt nod, pushed the door open, and stepped inside.
The room was lavish. Far more so than her room in the Fae Kingdom palace. If this was only a temporary room, she could not imagine what Prince Ash's bedroom might look like. She shook the thought off and made her way to the luxurious bed. It was huge and adorned with silken sheets.
Saffron took a seat on the bed and clasped her hands together. This day had not gone the way she had hoped. She wondered if the party was still going on outside, or if the guests had dispersed and begun to make their way home.
A knock at the door signalled the arrival of the maids.
"Please, enter," Saffron called. She wasn't sure she had the strength to get the door herself.
The door opened and in stepped an unfamiliar man with three maids. The man was tall but young. Possibly a year or so younger than her. He did not seem to want to look at her.
"Your highness, the second prince has brought us to take your measurements." One of the maids said with a bow.
"We have also brought you some night clothes for tonight." Another added.
So this was Prince Blaze? Saffron had never seen him before. Although she had heard much about him, he had never attended any of the celebrations. Now that she looked at him, she could see the family resemblance. Unlike the Crown Prince, his hair was an orange colour with darker red tips.
"Thank you, your highness," Saffron said with a polite curtsey.
Prince Blaze waved his hands quickly. Saffron tried to ignore the maids working to measure her, bobbing about with their tape measures and taking notes.
"No formalities, please Ms Fae, we will soon be in-laws."
Saffron offered him as much of a smile as she could muster, her energy was depleting faster each second and she was not sure how much longer she could form thoughts in her mind, let alone engage in conversation.
"In that case, please call me Saffron."
"Blaze."
Saffron watched him for a moment. He seemed almost anxious. She wondered whether he was nervous talking to her, or nervous about what was in her future...
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Blaze. I hope we will become fast friends."
Prince Blaze looked at her then, his mouth unable to fight a smile. Perhaps he had just been unsure of her character? However, she could not shake the feeling that was not the case.
"Yes, I would rather like that."
There seemed to be an unfiltered joy behind the prince's eyes. Saffron could not help but return his genuine smile.
"Ah, that one looks a lot better than when you're just being polite," Blaze commented.
Saffron's face flushed. She averted her eyes for a moment and laughed.
"So my polite smiles are obvious, huh?"
"Only now that I've seen your real smile."
The unease in Saffron's heart felt a little less in the knowledge that Prince Blaze seemed to be a good man. At least she may have one friend in this unfamiliar land. She could make it through whatever life threw at her if she had that much.
"All done, your Highnesses." The head maid said, holding a notepad with neatly scrawled numbers.
"Well, I will let you get some rest, Saffron," Blaze said.
Saffron smiled and waved as he left with the others, closing the door behind them. Once he was gone, she sighed in relief. She examined the nightgown that had been left for her. It was beautiful. Elegant and long, with short sleeves and a lace neckline. The dress was made of silk and finished with a chiffon drape. It was nicer than anything Saffron would have chosen to sleep it. It felt almost as if it could be worn for an occasion.
Feeling the call of sleep, Saffron painstakingly slipped out of her borrowed dress, struggling with the corset and sighing in relief as she felt the pressure release from her ribs. She poured some water into a small hand bowl and washed off her makeup with the cloth. Saffron was rarely alone even at home. There was always someone around her, whether it was Nanny Pine, Silver or her father. She slipped the nightgown over her head and felt the soft fabric settle on her body. It felt just as luxurious as it looked.
The exhaustion of the day finally hit Saffron as she climbed into bed. Though her mind raced with the day's events at first, she felt her thoughts begin to ebb away as she settled into the soft cloud-like mattress. If there was one thing she could get used to in the Phoenix Kingdom, Saffron thought, it was definitely that bed.
Saffron woke to another knock on her door. Sitting up, she swept her hair out of her face and cleared her throat.
"Who is it?"
"Your Highness, it is time for us to help you get dressed. The King has requested you join them for breakfast."
Saffron's heart began to pound. Join them for breakfast? Did that mean she would have to see the cold Prince? She drew a deep breath and placed a hand over her heart, steadying herself. If Prince Ash would be there, then surely so would the others. At least she would see a friendly face in Prince Blaze.
"Come in."
Saffron slid out of bed and fixed her nightdress, which had hoisted itself up around her waist as she moved in her sleep. Three maids scurried into the room holding supplies and clothing. Saffron wondered if they had rushed the poor tailor to make a dress overnight, or if she would be borrowing another of the Princess'.
"Could you tell me why the King wants me to join them today?" Saffron asked one of the maids curiously as they worked.
"I would not know, your highness. We were only instructed to come and get you." Another replied.
"If I had to guess, the King is probably getting a measure of how you fit into the family." Another said.
The first maid promptly elbowed the second in the ribs, making her yelp in pain.
"Please don't mind her, your highness. She is young and is known to speak before she thinks."
Saffron swallowed hard and mustered a smile.
"I don't mind. You are entitled to your own thoughts."
The second maid regarded her for a moment before returning a bright smile. Clearly, she had been scolded for this behaviour before and was very happy to find someone who did not care.
Saffron wondered how the Phoenix family treated their staff. She had always made an effort to be kind to the Fae Palace staff. After all, they were just the same as everyone else. Their only difference was the family they were born into. Saffron had never put much stock in that sort of thing, though she was still eternally grateful for the opportunities she had been given having the King as her father. Had she been born to a common family with her lack of wings, Saffron was not sure she would still be alive now.
It did not take long for the maids to dress Saffron. She was very relieved to learn that this dress did not have a corset. Perhaps they were purely the Princess' preference and not a common necessity here. The maids were even quicker when it came to her hair and makeup, with the three trading off between tasks, it felt like no time at all had passed before she was ready. They were astonishingly efficient.
"You look wonderful, your highness!" The talkative maid remarked.
"Thank you... What is your name?" Saffron asked, tilting her head curiously.
"Rochelle, your highness!" she answered quickly.
"Thank you, Rochelle."
Rochelle blushed and looked away, a huge smile on her face. It was clear she was not often thanked.
"My lady, we should go, you do not want to be late for breakfast." another maid remarked.
"Of course. Please, lead the way."
Saffron followed the maids as they scurried ahead. She wondered if she would ever learn her way around the palace. All of the hallways looked so similar, and it was such a large building with many wings. Brushing off the thought, Saffron came to a halt before a grand set of doors.
"This is the private dining room, your highness. Most meals will take place here. If a guest is present, you will dine in the banquet hall instead."
"I see. Thank you all for bringing me here," Saffron said with a small smile.
Her heart pounded anxiously in her chest as she reached for the handle.
"Allow me, my lady," Rochelle said quickly.
Rochelle grabbed the handle and opened the door, bowing deeply and stepping sideways to allow Saffron to enter the room.