The Six of Cups

The early morning light shone through the arched windows, casting a bright glow across Clara's face. A gentle knock came from the large wooden door.

Clara groaned, opened her eyes, and squinted at the rays of sunlight. She sat up, the blanket slipping off her. Her white nightgown was rumpled from sleep. Glancing around the room, she blinked a few times.

"Oh, right. I was moved to my own bedroom..." Clara mumbled. Her eyes darted to the door as a louder knock echoed, interrupting her thoughts.

"Who is it?" Clara called out as she swung her legs off the bed, her feet touching the soft rug. She approached the door and lifted her hand to her mouth to stifle a yawn.

"My lady, it's Olivia. Jewel accompanies me. May we enter?" her lady-in-waiting replied. Olivia and Jewel stood just outside the door.

"Come in," Clara answered, taking a seat on the stool at her vanity. Her ginger hair was tousled from sleep, and she rubbed the sleep from her eyes. As she opened her vibrant emerald eyes, she noticed the golden crown neatly placed on a pillow, and a scowl crossed her face for a brief moment.

"I can't believe people can even function at this hour," Clara muttered as the door creaked open and Olivia and Jewel stepped inside. Jewel held a gown in her hands.

"My lady, it's time to prepare for court. Petitioners are already lining up," Olivia said softly as she approached Clara, trying to tame her unruly hair.

"I almost forgot that Father wanted me to attend today," Clara replied, allowing her ladies-in-waiting to continue with her hair. She nervously fiddled with a ring on her pinky. Jewel stepped forward to clean Clara's face, but then noticed the ring.

"My lady, you really shouldn't sleep with jewelry on," Jewel commented, glancing at the ring. "It's rather plain for someone of your status," she added, her voice dropping to a whisper.

"Ah, I know; it won't come off, so I just forgot about it," Clara explained, rubbing the back of her neck. She lifted her hand so Jewel could examine it. Clara paused her brushing to lean in for a closer look at the ring as well.

"It won't come off? You should have said something sooner!" Jewel gasped, then turned to leave. "I'll fetch some lard; maybe we can get it off," she said as she hurried out of the room, determined to help her princess.

"No need to—" Clara called after her, reaching for Jewel, but she was already gone. Clara sighed and shrugged it off.

"It kind of looks like a promise ring. Where did you get it, my lady?" Olivia asked, tilting her head as she looked down at Clara while she began braiding her hair.

"A promise ring?" Clara echoed, glancing at the ring. "I found it in a bird's nest on the roof of the castle," she replied matter-of-factly, her tone showing no sign of fear about venturing to such a dangerous place.

Olivia paused, her breath catching in her throat. "The roof? The castle roof?!" she repeated, her voice squeaking slightly as she stiffened. When Clara simply shrugged, Olivia's brow furrowed in concern.

"Well, you shouldn't put on strange jewelry that you find. It could be enchanted," Olivia said softly, letting out a long sigh. Her shoulders slumped. "And you chose to wear it on your left pinky of all places, my lady..." she added, her tone becoming even more serious.

"Huh? I would have sensed something by now if it were enchanted, wouldn't I?" Clara replied, turning her head to look up at Olivia with raised brows. She tilted her head and asked, "And what does the placement matter?" Olivia asked the last question with genuine curiosity.

Olivia paused as she noticed Clara's furrowed brow. "My lady really needs to get out more..." Olivia thought to herself, then sighed.

"It's similar to engagement in a way. It means you have promised to marry someone and will accept their proposal when the time is right," Olivia explained patiently, her tone gentle. She then gently guided Clara to sit up straight again so she could finish styling her hair.

"Ah, I see. This could scare away suitors—how sweet!" Clara's voice rose with confidence, and a cheeky grin spread across her lips.

Olivia didn't reply, but her brows knitted together once again.

The bedroom door opened, and Jewel returned with a small cloth bundle containing fresh lard.

"Apologies for the wait," Jewel said as she set the bundle on the vanity desk.

"Jewel, there's no need; I have decided to keep it on," Clara replied, glancing up at the flushed maid.

"My Lady—" Jewel began, but Olivia shot her a look.

"It will be fine. The ring doesn't seem to be causing any damage; if our Lady wishes to keep it, so be it," Olivia interrupted, nodding at Jewel.

"Ah, as you wish, then. My apologies," Jewel said humbly, bowing her head. Sometimes, she became so relaxed around Clara that she almost forgot her place.

"It's all right. Let's finish getting ready for court." Clara hummed as her hand fiddled with her ring. Jewel and Olivia helped her finalize her preparation; the green dress was adorned with gold lining, and they tightened a matching corset around Clara's waist. To complete the look, Clara placed the gold crown on her head.

"You look as stunning as the grass plains of East Aflia, my lady," Olivia exclaimed, her voice cheerful and a broad smile spreading across her lips as she admired Clara's appearance.

Clara took a few steps and performed a slight spin. "Thank you, this dress is lovely," she replied, her fingers tracing the delicate fabric.

"I'm sure you will catch the eye of the court today, my lady," Jewel added, crossing her arms and nodding firmly.

"I heard the duke from the north traveled down and arrived today," Olivia said in a hushed voice, leaning toward Clara as if sharing a secret.

"Huh? I thought he never left his estate…" Clara gasped, bringing her hands up to her mouth, her eyes wide with surprise.

"I heard that too!" Jewel chimed in, placing her hands on her hips. "He brought his rugged knights; I saw them in the yard earlier. They look like they came straight out of a winter landscape painting," she commented in a not-so-hushed tone.

"Well... they kind of did, didn't they? The north province is always in winter," Clara replied, crossing her arms and tilting her head.

"Not always; the snow melts in the summer," Olivia interjected, glancing from Jewel to Clara. "But I hear there are a few other nobles visiting today; a blue moon must be rising," she said with a wide smile.

"That, or they are trying to woo our lady," Jewel muttered, scratching her cheek and looking away.

Clara snorted, placing her hands on her hips. "They can try," she said with a cocky tone and a matching grin.

"Well, you are of age to marry—passed it, actually, my lady," Olivia remarked. Jewel stepped to Olivia's side.

"You remember what happened at her 18th birthday party? Prince Eveon nearly fainted!" Jewel exclaimed in a loud, hushed tone. "Princess Celia had to comfort him," she added with a defeated sigh.

Olivia giggled awkwardly and placed a hand on Jewel's shoulder, while Clara laughed and shrugged.

"That was a blast! I can't wait for Celia's and my 19th birthday party," Clara snickered.

Just then, a knock came at the door. "Princess Clara, it is time to go," Knight Lue's voice rang out, interrupting the girls' gossip circle.

"I'll be right out," Clara replied, then turned to Jewel and Olivia, giving them a nod before making her way toward the door.

"Good luck, My Lady," Olivia said as she bowed her head, and Jewel mirrored Olivia's gesture as they watched Clara exit her bedroom.