I was deep in thought, poring over maps and reports in the room the king and queen had provided for me. The Eastern Province was in a dire state, and I needed to devise a plan that would bring immediate relief to the people. The king and queen's empty promises had done little to alleviate the suffering. I had to make a difference.
A knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. I glanced up to see a young servant girl standing hesitantly in the doorway.
"Lunch is ready, Princess Lydia," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
I shook my head, my mind still racing with ideas. "I'm not hungry. But can you do something for me?"
The girl looked surprised but nodded quickly. "Of course, Your Highness. What do you need?"
"Can you gather some food? Enough to feed a large group of people. Bread, cheese, fruit—whatever we have available," I instructed, standing up and stretching my stiff muscles.
