The breakfast room was smaller than Saffron expected, despite the grand doorway. There were 12 seats around a long table. King Ignis sat at the end of the table. To his left sat Prince Ash. The seat to his right was empty. The rest of the siblings were seated in what Saffron assumed was some sort of age order, with the two eldest siblings facing each other and continuing in a zig-zag until the last seat, where the 13-year-old Princess Enya sat.
"Miss Fae, please, come and take a seat." King Ignis called out.
The King patted the empty seat to his right. Prince Ash looked up quickly, his nostrils flaring.
"You're giving her mother's seat?" He asked.
Saffron stood stiffly in the doorway, her hands grasping at the silk skirt of her dress anxiously.
"Your mother passed away ten years ago. We all love and miss her, but Miss Fae will be the Queen one day, so she should take the Queen's seat." The eldest Princess Seraphina said, speaking up from beside Ash.
Saffron had never met Seraphina, but she knew of her. She had heard many good things about the Princess being kind and just. Although she was grateful for Serpahina's defence, the last thing Saffron wanted was to upset the Crown Prince any further. He was intolerable enough already.
"You're scaring her." Prince Blaze said, pushing his chair back and standing up.
The second Prince walked quickly from the table to Saffron and placed a hand on either shoulder.
"Don't mind my brother. For a brave man, he is seemingly terrified of change."
With all eyes on her, Blaze led Saffron over to the empty seat and pulled the chair out for her. She thanked him and took a seat.
"There. Is it really such a big deal?" Prince Blazed asked his brother pointedly, sitting back in his chair beside Saffron.
Prince Ash gritted his teeth, clearly swallowing his words so he did not cause an even bigger scene. Saffron cast her eyes down at the table nervously.
"Whilst we wait for the servants, perhaps we can have a talk about the future, hm?" King Ignis said, patting Saffron's shoulder lightly.
Saffron looked up, offering the best smile she could and nodded.
"Of course, Your Majesty."
King Ignis cleared his throat and cast his eyes across his children for a moment, almost as if he was giving them permission to speak. Chatter between the siblings began immediately. Saffron sighed in relief. It felt much less stressful this way.
"Are you familiar with our marriage customs? We have not had someone from the Fae kingdom in one of our weddings before, so perhaps we will need to make some adjustments to accommodate you?"
"I'm afraid I am not familiar with your ceremonies, Your Majesty."
Prince Ash scoffed quietly. Saffron turned to shoot him a glare before correcting herself and instead, she gave him a hurt look. King Ignis tutted and shook his head.
"I've raised you with bad manners, boy." He barked, folding his arms.
Prince Ash looked away from his father, glancing across the table at his siblings instead.
"As I was saying," Ignis sighed, shaking his head, "There are a few things that I believe will benefit you. Unlike the Fae Kingdom, flight holds no part in our traditions. We do, however, have a candle-lighting tradition which may trouble you. We can change it if so."
"If you do not mind, could you explain the candle-lighting please, Your Majesty?" Saffron asked, tilting her head curiously.
"Of course, I can," the King replied kindly with a nod, "The bride and groom each hold a candle and use their magic to light the other's wick."
"Oh, that is no problem at all. I can use some Fae magic, it is just I do not have the wings for most of it." Saffron said, offering a genuine smile this time.
The King's face seemed to light up seeing Saffron's smile. he nodded, pleased, and leant back.
"Marvelous. To my understanding, fire magic is rather rare for Fae. You must be exceptional."
Saffron waved her hands quickly.
"I am not worthy of the praise, Your Majesty. Perhaps I would have been, had I been born with wings, but most Fae magic involves their use, so I am quite useless really." She insisted.
"Have you tried using your magic in other ways?" Prince Blaze asked suddenly, startling Saffron.
"Blaze, mind your manners. Don't just butt into a conversation." Ignis scolded.
"Sorry, father," Blaze said, dipping his head apologetically.
"It could be possible, but it is rather daunting to think about," Saffron said, with a half-smile.
Blaze nodded thoughtfully, taking a moment to shoot a pointed glance at his brother. Saffron wondered just what it meant.
The sound of a door opening caught everyone's attention. A team of maids and butlers swept into the room holding many trays of food.
"Aside from the food at our parties, have you eaten any Phoenix food before?" Blaze asked Saffron, grinning madly.
Saffron shook her head. She did not often eat the party food either. Her father was constantly worried about their safety, so she could only eat when she manage to sneak something from a waiter's tray out of his sight.
Once the food was laid out on the table, Saffron watched everyone take servings. She had never seen most of this food before. The Fae Kingdom made use of mostly fish, vegetables and floral dishes. These dishes seemed to be much more complex, not only with fish and vegetables but also with meats, dairy, grains, sauces and bread. Saffron took a little of each dish to sample. Everything was delicious. It was rich and tasty. Even the simple dishes were bursting with flavour.
The room was silent as everyone ate, they seemed fully engrossed in their food. Saffron was sure the food would be the easiest change for her to accept.
By the time everyone had finished, the atmosphere in the room was much calmer. A few of the other royals smiled warmly at her. Perhaps they had expected her to cause a fuss about the difference in food. Once everyone had finished eating, the siblings began to excuse themselves, one by one.
"Ash, you shall stay behind with Saffron for a moment whilst we talk." King Ignis ordered.
Ash sat down again sourly, crossing his legs and leaning back in his chair. King Ignis shot him an indignant look. His posture, Saffron assumed, must have been greatly against etiquette. Once the room was empty, the King leant forwards on the table, his fingers clasped together.
"I will be announcing the wedding date this morning. I have discussed this with the court, and we feel it best for the two of you to be married as soon as possible. Therefore, I have brought in double the usual wedding planning team. We should be able to have everything ready by this evening. You will marry in the morning." The King explained, a serious expression on his face.
Saffron watched Prince Ash's jaw clench, but he said nothing.
"As you wish, Your Majesty," Saffron replied, bowing her head at the King.
"You are a good child," Ignis replied, patting her hand lightly, "I will admit, I was apprehensive at first, but you are proving more and more that I have made the right choice."
Saffron felt her cheeks flush. She was used to feeling like a burden, but the King clearly saw her as an asset, even if it was just politically.
"Father, is she to be my wife or yours?" Prince Ash asked sourly, catching Saffron off-guard.
A smile tugged at the corner of the King's mouth, but he suppressed it and remained stern.
"She is to be yours, of course. I hope you can act like it."
Prince Ash stood up abruptly, pushing his chair away from the table.
"If that's all, father. I have to meet Conley for his swordsmanship training."
"Go on, you ungrateful brat." Ignis sighed, waving his hand.
The King stood up, offering his hand to help Saffron stand. She took it gratefully and he led her out by the hand.
"You know, you remind me of your mother," Ignis remarked, offering her a warm smile, "I met her a few times at the ball before she passed. She was a brave woman. Very warm and kind too."
"You flatter me, Your Majesty. I am happy to hear that. I heard she was a wonderful woman, and I am saddened that I never got to know her as I should have."
The King patted her hand softly and then called for a maid.
"You will go for your dress fitting this afternoon. I will have a maid run you through how our ceremony works before then. After the fitting, you will go and do a practice run on your own in the grand hall," Ignis told her gently.
Saffron nodded and thanked the King once more before following after the young maid. She tried to ignore her heart pounding anxiously in her chest. The closer the wedding drew and the more preparation she went through, the more real everything felt. Was she making a mistake?