[MUSIC RECOMMENDATION: HOUSE ON FIRE ~ SIA]
Wild grapes covered the willow trees, the morning sun casting on the lakes in the palace, making the carps look beautiful as they moved in schools.
The palace was as silent as the midnight before the new year. Servants who used to attend to the queen dowager were assigned to new positions. The usual royal breakfast was not as large as it used to be, based on Kitanna's request. There was no need to add to the table what she would not eat; it would only be wasted. These were her words.
All the maids tried to curry favor with the princess. If she would be the future queen, then there were enough reasons to be on her good side, including the ministers and court officials of the royal house.
