[IC] The Making of a New Queen

[tsubasa]

Millie woke up early that morning and rushed to the Princess's room. News of the Queen's death would spread quickly and someone was bound to go to the Princess's room to tell her. That was not what Millie wanted, in fact, only one she wanted Anastasia to hear from it was Samsul. She walked over to the door and sighed, she looked at Amul, who had taken the night shift, "You are free to go... I think it is best that no one be in the hall when the Princess finds out... Only let Samsul through will you?"

The man nodded and went off to find another guard to block of the other side of the hallway. Not long after, Samsul came through and Millie at him. She nodded to him, "You've done really well... comforting her... And I think other than Elana you've gotten the closest to her.... Just be.. gentle, okay?"

[pyroman]

Samsul woke up early the next day. He knew that today would be stressful, and as much as he didn't want to encounter Anastasia, it was his job though, and he made a promise to her mother to be there for her. He went through his morning rituals and left the room, making his way straight to Anastasia's room without any distractions. As he went down the hallway, he encountered Millie in the hallway and nodded back to her. She was right. Other than her own mother, he seemed to have been the closest to her out of anyone in the castle. He hoped that he could be there for her when the news would soon come to her. He nodded once more and sighed. "I will try... Today will be stressful.. I can see that now.." Without another word, he slowly walked over to the door and stood in front of it. He wasn't going to go in there, since it was still very early and she was probably still sleeping.

[tsubasa]

Anastasia woke up sometime after Samsul started to take her watch. She woke up to a small bird tweeting by her ear. Opening her eyes, she spotted the bird and cursed, realizing she had left her shutters open. Moving slowly, she brought her hands closer to the bird before jumping forward, completely missing the bird and falling out of the bed. She laughed and picked herself up as she went about trying to find the bird. She looked toward the door, when Samsul came in with haste, most likely investigating the cause of the racket. She rose a finger to her lips and pointed at the bird.

She tried to grab it again for it only to get away but fly out the window. When it had, she quickly shut her shutters and looked at Samsul. She blushed, "Sorry... I didn't mean to leave them open..."

[pyroman]

Samsul had stood watch at the door for some time, thinking about how to bring the news to her. All of his thoughts were disrupte when he heard a thud coming from her room. Quickly, Samsul rushed in and looked around the room to see Anastasia standing there with a finger to her lips, telling him to be quiet. He nodded to her and watched as she attempted to grab the bird. He smiled lightly at her as she blushed and nodded at the princess. "It's fine. The morning breeze is relaxing and calming. I think that your room is high enough from the ground to keep away any unwanted visitors.." He tried to keep calm and still as he stood there. He didn't know how to tell her the news in the most cal,in way possible, and that troubled him.

[tsubasa]

Anastasia looked at Samsul and became slightly worried. The man was normally difficult to read when it came to many emotions, unless he wanted her to see them. Such as when he laughed or when he smiled, but even then, she wasn't really sure what was going through his head. However, now, worry was clear on his face. She walked toward him, "Samsul," she said softly. She felt like something had caught in her throat, what had happened that made him look so worried, "Is... Is everything alright?"

[pyroman]

Samsul sighed deeply as she already figured him out. He didn't really want to tell her, but if he didn't tell her now, then someone would mention it later, and everything would still go downhill. "You... You might want to sit down for this..." He forced out as he glanced over to her couch. Following his own words, he slowly walked over to the couch and sat down. He waited for her to sit down as well and looked at her. He waited for a moment as he attempted to find the right words to say what he was about to say, and although the words weren't perfect by any means, they got the point through. "Anastasia.... Last night..." As he attempted to talk, it got harder and harder for him to speak. He didn't want to say it, but he knew that he had to. "Your mother.... She...."

[tsubasa]

Anastasia walked over to her couch and slowly sat down. She held her hands tightly as she sat down, looking at Samsul as he started to talk. He struggled trying to tell her what was wrong but when he said it was about her mother, she closed her eyes and held up her hands, "Stop..." She bit her lip, "She's... She... She died..... didn't she..."

She opened her eyes to see Samsul nodded. She kept looking at him, all her life, she had been a orphan taken in by a couple and she had been fine about that. Never knowing her mother or father. Now, she found out about her father and how wonderful he was. She met her mother and learned how wonderful she was. But now, she was back to being a orphan. She buried her face in her hands and sobbed. She leaned against Samsul, just wanting someone to be there. Just to know that she was not alone. As much as she loved meeting her mother and learning about her father, she felt emptier than she had those years she spent as a peasant working on the farm. She turned slightly, not thinking, and buried her face in Samsul's chest, She balled up his shirt in her hand. After a moment, she opened her eyes, "Oh god," she whispered, "I... I... have to become Queen... Don't I?"

[pyroman]

He could on'y nod at the question about her mother's death. He couldn't say anything else to her. Not yet. He could feel the young woman lean against him and use him for support. It's all he could do right now, support her and hope that things can run smoothly for a while. He knew that it wouldn't simply happen like that, and he had to be there to help her at every term. Gerald as well, since it was evident that he knew much about the life of royals and politics. All thoughts stopped as Anastasia buried her face into his chest and held onto his shirt tightly. He nodded once more and looked at her. "Yes, but not now... Although the king and queen are the most powerful people, we do have a council of thanes and stewards that can assist you. Right now, Gerald, the council, and myself, will assist you in making larger decisions until you are ready to fully take the mantle." He stroked her hair softly and looked at her. "We need you Anastasia. Gerald will continue to teach you, and in a few more months, we will have the coronation if you are ready by then.."

[tsubasa]

Anastasia sat there with Samsul stroking her hair till the tears could no longer fall. She sniffled but remained leaning against Samsul. She cleared her throat, "Thank you... Samsul..."

She moved away from him and stood, walking into her closet. When she came out, she wore a very simple black dress and was rubbing her eyes. She looked at Samsul, "You must be... hungry... We should go... to the dining hall."

She nodded before she walked to the door and headed down the hallway. Amul was surprised to see her come out of her room, he had expected her to spend most of the day in there with the news of the Queen. He bowed to her and gave her a soft smiled that she returned. She kept walking until she reached the dining hall and took her seat. Sitting there quietly, she looked across the table at where her mother had sat the previous night and just stared.

[pyroman]

"Your welcome.." Was all that he could say to her before the moved and stood up. His eyes followed her to her closet, but turned away just before she entered. Slowly, he stood from his spot and moved towards the door, waiting for the queen-to-be to come out.

As soon as she came back, his eyes snapped over to her and looked at the black dress that she was wearing. It was customary for humans to wear black when mourning, but in his own culture, they would wear a simple white with a crimson red trim. They symbolized the passing to the heavens, and the sacrifice of blood that it takes to get them there. He was currently out of his knights gear, and in a simple white and red shirt, along with pants of the same color pallet and simple shoes. He nodded to her with her suggestion of getting food, and opened the door for her and himself. He closed it behind himself and followed Anastasia down to the dining hall. He sat in his usual seat, and much like Anastasia, couldn't keep his eyes off of the seat that her mother was placed in the night before. It didn't take very long for Eric to walk out into the hall and greet them. "Hello Anastasia and Samsul. Would you like anything in specific this morning?" He asked, taking note of the clothes that the two of them wore. Word spread quickly throughout the castle, and he was dressed in black as well. He didn't have his chef's toque on like usual, and his balding head was exposed to the world.

[tsubasa]

Anastasia continued to stare at the chair when Eric came out. It wasn't until he actually spoke that she noticed his presence. She tore her eyes off of the chair and looked at Eric. She noticed the black he wore, it seemed those who had woken earlier had already heard the news. Soon, it would be spreading around the country that the Queen had died. And then to the surrounding countries. She wondered how they would react to finding out that a peasant who had been under the title of Princess for three months would be becoming Queen. She wondered if they would think them weak. If they would attack while she was trying to get on her feet and understand what was happening with being Queen. She realized that she had gotten lost in her head and was just staring at Eric. She blinked a few times before she opened her mouth, "Um... Porridge and brown suger would be nice..." She nodded her head, "Thank you."

She went back to staring at the chair. She started to bite her lip. She had ideas for the country. Schools and things to better Greenspring but she had never imagined being able to put them into motion so soon. She spoke quitely when she did, "Samsul... You'll help me protect the country... right?"

[pyroman]

Without another word, Eric nodded to Anastasia and left the room to prepare the Porridge brown sugar. It wouldn't take very long to do, and even if he was going to make another serving for Samsul, it still wouldn't be much of a wait.

Samsul nodded to Anastasia and looked at her calmly, looking away from the chair. "I will do my best to help you, Anastasia. I can help you protect and improve Greenspring, but I cannot make any changes directly. I can offer you words of wisdom and assistance from my kind, but that it all I can do. I am not a thane of Greenspring, nor am I an ambassador to speak for my people." He sighed lightly and glanced down. "I'll try my best to help you, Anastasia."

[tsubasa]

Anastasia nodded her head, understanding that he couldn't do anything on his own. However, she could help him as he helped her. She blindly reached out and grabbed his hand, never taking her eyes off of the chair, "Thank you..."

After a moment, of holding his hand, she released it and sighed. Despite knowing Samsul and Gerald and advisors would help her with everything, she just couldn't help but think that she wasn't ready. Her mother and father left giant shoes to fill and she didn't think that she could. They were raised from birth to understand the workings of court. All she knew of it was what she learnt from her lessons or that first night at the feast, and that went just so well. Could she do this? She had been starting to think that she could become Queen but that was with the expectation that she'd have at least ten more years of studying and being a Princess under her belt. Finally, she looked at Samsul, "Do you really think I can do this?"

[pyroman]

He nodded to Anastasia and grabbed her hand, giving it a light squeeze. "You can. I know that you can. You have the eyes of the normal person, and right now, we need those now more than ever. The other royals and high class people don't truly understand regular life like you do. You know more than any of us about what needs to be changed and improved." Slowly, he pulled his hand away from hers and looked at her with a small and calm smile. "I need you to promise that you will try to do what you can and not back down. I need you to promise that to not only me, but to Greenspring as well." He wanted for her to believe that she could do this, and he felt that she was already trying to be strong, since she was already out and about instead of being hulled in her room, mourning about the loss of the mother.

[tsubasa]

Anastasia didn't know why hearing that she was going to do well from Samsul calmed her, but it did. She took a deep breath, trying to calm down further and prevent herself from making herself sick again. She was slightly surprised by Samsul's request and the taking of her hand. Sure, she had just held his hand a moment ago but it didn't seem like something he would do... And yet. She looked at him, shock showing on her face, "O-of course I will... Greenspring is my home... and now it is my responsiblilty to take care of it...."

She gave him a gentle smiled and placed her free on top of his, sandwiching it between her two hands, "I promise..."

[pyroman]

Her gentle smile was quickly returned as he smiled back at her and glanced down at his own hand sandwiched in between her hands. He was being very strong about this, and he was glad that she was showing this much strength so early on. Samsul nodded slowly to her with his smile still showing. "Thank you.. When your coronation comes around, I'm sure that we can arrange for your parents to be escorted here to see it." Before he could say any more, Eric came out of the kitchen and into the dining hall with a plate, holding two bowls of porridge, as per the request. He saw that Anastasia was already doing well after hearing the news so soon,, and a small smile came upon his face as he set the tray down and lifted the lid. "Porridge with brown sugar, Anastasia. And a serving for Samsul as well. I hope that two of you enjoy."

[tsubasa]

Anastasia looked up at Eric when he came into the room and dropped Samsul's hand as he placed the food in front of them. She smiled at Eric and inclined her head, "Thank you, Eric. I'm sure we will."

She picked up her spoon and began to stir around the porridge. She hadn't realized before but she wasn't hungry in the slightest. Maybe... She would just leave it... Or feed to Melor... Or bring it with her and give it to someone else. She just couldn't bring herself to eat it and it made her regret asking for it in the first place. She sighed and continued to push around her food for a little while before she spoke again, "I can only assume that I don't have lessons today.... Do you think that we could go to the city... You said that you need me and it might be good for the people to see that I am here and things will be okay.

[pyroman]

Samsul took the question into thought as he slowly ate his porridge. News spread very fast throughout the castle, but it was still early in the day, so it was very unlikely that people would even know about the death yet. After taking a moment to eat and think, he slowly shook his head at her. "No.. Not yet. Word might travel fast within these walls, but it's a different story out there, and it's still early. Until the people start asking questions, all we can to is stay strong and continue with our lives. If you would still like to visit the city, then I think that we can do that." His eyes quickly flickered around the room as he noticed that Melor wasn't there with them. He just assumed that the dog didn't wake up early in the mornings, and left it at that.

[tsubasa]

Anastasia nodded slowly when Samsul said no. She understood what he meant but it also meant she was most likely not allowed to leave. Her and Samsul in mourning clothing would be picked up on very quickly and she didn't want that to be the way that people found out. So that meant she was stuck in the palace... Which was the last place she wanted to be. She never went to the city with her mother, it didn't hold any memories of her. The castle, on the other hand, was filled with them. Between the pictures of her in hall, the garden and even the people within the walls, she wouldn't be able to get away from the fact that her mother was dead.

She pushed her untouched porridge away from herself, "I'm not hungry... Maybe Melor will want it..."

[pyroman]

As he continued to eat, Samsul kept his eyes on Anastasia as she sat there. It didn't take her very long to push away her food and suggest that Melor would want it, and as she did, he set his spoon down and looked at her calmly. He didn't realt answer him when it came to still going into the city, and he felt that she was avoiding it for one reason or another. "Anastasia..." He spoke quietly. "We can still go into the city if you'd like. We would just need to get changed into different clothing." Elana roamed these halls along him and Anastasia, and many memories of her lingered throughout the halls of the castle. It wasn't very easy walking through these halls when everything reminds you of the one you just lost. She needed an escape, and he wanted to help her get there.