He bowed to me and answered. “You honor me, Milady, my Name is Freddrick. If you’ll forgive me, I feel that introductions to the rest can wait till later.” I smiled broader. “It is truly an Honor to make your acquaintance, and I agree. Our first stop is the Adventurer’s Guild, to collect a Quest Reward. If you hadn’t heard, I am Gold Rank, and Jeanette is Iron now. Your Protection Detail isn’t as troublesome as most in some ways, but I will tend to jump into the fray, rather than huddling in fear, or simply ignoring dangers entirely out of arrogance. These are my weapons, they’re a Knuckle Type, allowing me to punch at full power, without risking my fingers, yet my Claws can still be used. My Backup Weapon is ranged. It’s called a Crossbow, and is much easier to aim than a traditional Bow. We will visit the Palace Smiths later, and commission one of these for each of you, because you never know when a bit of range will be needed, and a traditional bow isn’t very practical in the city. I only have twenty bolts, but they’re strong enough to punch through most armor. I intend to visit several shops as well, but the reason is private.” We left the Palace as Alian waved forlornly.

  It took nearly forty minutes to reach the Guild Hall, but when we entered, there was almost nobody there, and those that were, all were seated, and staring openly at me. I approached the Receptionist, and Jeanette and I handed our plates and the Quest Tile. His startled gaze found the proffered items after a while, then he had us place our hands on the Tablet to confirm that we had indeed completed the quest, and that our tier was what was presented. He handed us our equally split payment. I then transferred what I owed Jeanette to her stack and pocketed the rest. Jeanette also pocketed hers. I thanked the Receptionist and left the still stunned audience behind. We then headed to the Market Place, and after a short while, I found a Jewelry stand. I zeroed in on the stand. I found three elegant rings that were perfectly identical. “I’ll take these three rings, and I’d like to commission three additional rings with diamonds in them, which need to sort of twine with these three when they’re on the finger.” The clerk was eager to comply with the request. I instructed him to deliver the completed secondary rings to the Palace addressed to the Queen, and I wrote a note for the Queen’s Eyes only, explaining the purpose of the secondary rings, and their significance in my Culture. I sealed the letter with wax and my thumbprint. Signing my full name on the back.

  We then continued to look at the marketplace stalls, but then I saw a young girl being yelled at by someone who was by no means related to her. She was being berated as a useless Chit, and not worth the coin he spent on her. My Rage Boiled, and I barely restrained myself from killing the Man outright. I tapped him on his shoulder, and he turned in Rage, only for his face to Pale at the sight of me and my Guard Detail. “You have two choices, First sell her to me for one Gold, Second, I kill your useless ass, and take her anyway. Which is it?” He took out the girl’s slave paperwork and handed it over, accepting the coin. “Good choice, no get out of my sight you pathetic piece of Scum, who isn’t worth the money I just spent!” He ran, full-out ran, never looking back. I turned to the girl, paperwork, and collar key in hand. “I’ll serve you as best I can, Mistress! What do you wish of me?” I went to her, and knelt, inserting the key into the lock, and removing the collar. “If you remove the Collar, I’ll be freed, that’s in the Contract!” I smiled, “Good, cause I didn’t buy a Slave, I paid a Ransom to get a Family Member away from a Bad Person.” The collar fell away, and I embraced the Girl with a fierce hug. “You’re mine now, you hear, nobody can ever hurt you again.”

  Her happy tears burst forth, and the misery escaped through racking sobs into my shoulder as the Guard detail, smiling at the tender moment, kept watch around me. Once she calmed down a bit, I asked her a Question. “Do you know where a Florist is? I need to get a Bouquet before I can take you home, get you cleaned up, and dressed in better clothes. This isn’t how I expected to get my first Daughter, but I’m not complaining. At least you won’t have to worry about any of the Noble stuff.” She wiped her teary face and nodded, smiling. “Yes, it’s this way, the flowers are super pretty.” She led us down the street to an intersection, then around to the back of the left side of the stalls, where indeed a Florist was set up. The Florist couldn’t afford a better spot, and they were struggling for sure. “Make me a Bouquet worthy of the First Princess’s Private room. It’s a gift for her, and I have the Money.” Jeanette came up behind me. “Never got me a gift!” “Never had the chance, but you’re not left out, you saw I got three rings right?” She smiled and grabbed our new daughter in a side hug. She looked at Jeanette in confusion as to why she was hugging her too. “I’m one of her soon-to-be wives, so in a way, you’re my daughter too, and you have another mother to meet still. You’re overloaded with Family now!” The girl, who couldn’t be more than twelve if even that, hugged Jeanette back, hard, afraid to lose this newfound warmth.

  The Florist did a marvelous job of assembling a Bouquet the likes of which I had never seen. I beamed at her and forced ten Gold onto her. “You’re excellent at your Job, and I want you to provide flowers for my Wedding. I don’t know the details about the Color Scheme yet, but I want centerpieces for each of the Banquet Tables. You will provide them at that time. I’m paying ahead so you can ensure you have enough of the right flowers for the Job. I’ll write a Note for the Queen’s Eyes, so you can go to the Palace to receive instructions. I’ll take no buts on this.” She bowed repeatedly and agreed to do as asked. I wrote the note and sealed it, signing my name on the back. Then took the Bouquet and left with my new Daughter. I noticed a food stall with meat skewers, and bought ten, and handed four to the girl. “Eat those, and I’ll hand you more once they’re gone. All ten of these are meant for you. You’re too skinny, that evil thing didn’t feed you enough. I’m half tempted to hunt him down and end him anyway.” She didn’t need a second urging. I had to slow her eating a few times, explaining that she wasn’t to throw up, and eating too fast could cause that. Chew properly, take your time, it’s not going anywhere besides her belly.

  She had just finished off her ten skewers by the time we reached the Palace, to the astonished gazes of the Palace Guards. One of the Maids approached to see if I needed anything. “This is my adopted Daughter as of today. She was a slave and wasn’t treated well. She’s been fed, but she needs a Bath, any wounds tended, and decent clothes. Something pretty, but more like what your children might wear when you bring them to the Palace, assuming they live elsewhere, that is, I don’t know anything after all. I just realized, I still haven’t asked your name, sweetheart. Haven’t even told you mine yet either. My name is Jane, and your other Mother here is Jeanette. After you’re cleaned up, we’ll surprise your third Mother; Her name is Alian, but don’t go saying it to anyone else till after you meet her. So what’s your name?”

  “Gabby is my name, Mother Jane Mam.” I smiled at her and gave her another Fierce Hug, joined by Jeanette on her other side. “It’s a lovely name, now you need to run along with the Maid here, she’ll take care of you for me, ok? I need to run interference for your third Mother, till you’re all cleaned up. Don’t take too long, ok, I’ll miss you, so hurry up, and do what you’re told, no matter how weird it seems to you.” “Yes, Mother Jane, I won’t take any longer than I have to.” She smiled, and nervously followed the Maid who couldn’t help but shed a little tear at the tender moment she had just witnessed. The detail broke away, now that I had returned to the Palace. Jeanette and I followed another Maid as she led us to the Audience Chamber, where Alian was attending Court alongside her Parents. When we entered, it was, apparently, the perfect timing between one matter and another. “Your Majesty, may I intrude for a Moment? It’s somewhat urgent.” Donican raised a Brow and noticed the Bouquet hidden behind my back from Alian’s sight, then nodded. “As long as it’s brief, I have no objections.” I approached and Knelt on one Knee, with both my Lovers in front of me. “First Princess Alian, Jeanette, will the two of you do me the great Honor of wearing my engagement ring, and will you together place your shared ring upon my finger in return, to carry the symbol of our betrothal for all to see?” Saying so, I held the first ring to Alian, as she joyously nodded her head, “Yes, a thousand times YES!” I placed her ring on her Finger, then turned to Jeanette. “You didn’t even have to ask, YES!” I placed her ring on her Finger, and the two took the third ring and together placed it upon my Finger. I then handed the Bouquet to Alian. “The Flowers are something of an Apology, as something happened before I came home, which altered our family, without your say so.”

  Just then, a Maid entered with Gabby, Clean and Dressed, and I reached my hand towards her. “I adopted a Daughter, she was enslaved, and being mistreated. I bought her, rather forcefully, and then freed her, explaining that I didn’t buy a Slave, but paid a Ransom to get a Family Member away from a Bad Person. I hope you’ll forgive me for this surprise child of ours.” I kissed Alian’s hand while hugging Gabby. “Of Course I forgive you, I would have done the same, if I had the courage at least.” She knelt to Gabby and opened her Arms. “May I have a Hug too, Daughter? Gabby was it?” Gabby nodded and happily entered Alian’s warm and genuine embrace. I could tell she was truly overjoyed to have Gabby to pamper. The crowd applauded, with one exception, whom I noticed. The very same man who had mistreated Gabby, he noticed my Gaze, which had turned cold as ice. I pointed directly at him. “That is the very piece of trash in question!” He tried to escape, only to be grabbed by the Guards. King Donican called the Maid to him and whispered into her ear, then got a response. “The Maids inform me that this child has been abused, which is a direct breach of the Laws protecting Slaves. The punishment for this Crime is to be Enslaved yourself, and be sold to a Salt Mine. Collar him, and take him away!” A slave Collar was placed upon his neck, and he was hauled away.

  Profound satisfaction was all I felt at that moment, as all three of us embraced Gabby from all sides. “Thank you, Your Majesty, for indulging my interruption, and I am glad this situation was also solved. I suspect the trash thought he could cause trouble for me by complaining about misappropriation of his “Valuable” slave, that he treated “Oh So Well,” Never thought it would involve the Royal Family Directly.” Donican huffed in annoyance. “I see what you mean about Power Corrupting. He had Power over Gabby and abused it, ignoring the Law. Good Riddance!” Just then, a runner from the Gate Guard arrived with a Message Scroll. “I bring a Message from the Guard Captain.” A Palace Guard accepted the Scroll and brought it to the King. “Hmm, it appears your fears were well-founded. Guards, seize the General Talos, under the charge of treason.” A muscular Man, who was no Surprise NOT a Tiger, roared in anger, and drew his weapon, beginning his charge towards the King. I cast my super bright light beam into his eyes, and then instantly raised my loaded crossbow and pulled the trigger. The bolt flew straight and true, burying itself in the bear man’s eye. He dropped like a stone, and everyone in the room marveled at the Weapon that saved the King.

  “My thanks, future daughter, I’m glad you kept that weapon on you, though I imagine it was an oversight on this occasion. Do try to remember not to bring weapons into the Audience Hall in the future. I can overlook it this time. Fortunately, the General seems to have acted alone, rather than a major conspiracy throughout the Nation. The Bandits didn’t even withhold anything before the Mage Breakers verified their testimony. As a result, I will commute their sentence as you suggested, so enslavement in the Salt Mines, the same as the Trash from earlier. Enough of this, take your new Daughter, and mine, and go relax for the day. We shall speak this evening after dinner.” He patted my head; it felt good to my surprise. I then left with my girls, two lovers, and one adorable daughter. “Huh, I just realized, technically I’m the first one of us with a child.” The two slapped my shoulders affectionately. ”That doesn’t count, and you know it!” They both stated in unison.

  Alian handed her Bouquet to one of the Maids, asking that it be put into a Vase in her room. Then all four of us went to the Library. Alian wanted to visit the Gardens, but I countered, suggesting that I’d like to start teaching Jeanette, and now Gabby, how to read and write. Then all three of them how to do Math with my Numbers. Adel and Cassandra were already in the Library. So I decided to start with numbers and math.

  “There are ten symbols that each represent a value. Zero, meaning nothing, One, a single item, Two, a pair of items, Three, a trio of items, Four, a quartet of items, Five, a quintet of items, Six, a sextuplet of items, Seven, a septuplet of items, Eight, Nine. Having drawn the symbols, then using dots to show the value in a visible representation. You can make any number with these ten symbols.” I then explained the places that changed the value of the symbols. They all picked up on the numbers instantly. Then I started with the operation symbols. All of them picked up addition and subtraction, but Cassandra got Multiplication and Division just as quickly. Then I explained the math of variables called Algebra. Giving some very basic examples, and explaining how it can be very useful for Military Projects, supply, and management. Cassandra struggled with that, but did manage to understand it at least in part. Then Geometry, only very rough examples, without the whole Pi R Squared, or A squared plus B Squared equals C Squared. All the Princesses had a fairly good grasp of Mathematics, and though they verified their work with an Abacus, they weren’t making any mistakes. Jeanette was only able to manage the Multiplication and Division. Gabby naturally wasn’t quite as good, but addition and subtraction weren’t too difficult for her. “Don’t worry, you’ll get there. It takes time and effort. I’ll help you, and we’ll get you caught up to Cassandra in no time. Besides, you’re already better than anyone outside of this room.” I hugged her, and she cheered up.

  All the Princesses helped me teach Jeanette and Gabby how to write. It took almost an hour before they were both confident in copying the Letters and what each one meant, and did in their singular form. At which point we were called to Dinner. A new chair was set, with no adornments, but taller legs next to Jeanette’s; They expected Gabby to sit by us. Dinner was MUCH improved. Everyone was stunned at the change. “I take it this is thanks to your intervention, Future Daughter?” Donican asked, and Vanessa giggled. “And clearly, my Wife knew in advance.” I bowed. “Yes, Your Majesty. Shortly after breakfast, I went to the Kitchen, attended by Alian, Jeanette, and the Queen herself; I made three simple dishes and had everyone taste them. The first two dishes I had made before I spotted a particular plant in the Kale Yard, which strangely nobody knew the value of. That’s the spicy taste in some of the dishes. They’re called Jalapenos, they’re a type of Chile Pepper.”

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  A joyous meal was had by all, and faces beamed with pleasure at all the enhanced dishes. Even their favorites had improved. “I started teaching the Princesses Math today, and they’ve all progressed quite well.” The King looked confused. “They already know how to use a Calculation Board.” I shook my head. “I taught them the numbers from back home, and how to calculate on a slate. Cassandra has learned some Algebra even but all of them can do Multiplication and Division. Next is Fractions and Percentages. Those concepts are a little trickier; then there’s Long Division, remainders, and powers to deal with. I expect Cassandra might have a decent grasp of everything I know within the year, she’s quite the little Brainiac. Jeanette and Gabby can both sign their names now. I’m feeling like a Proud Parent here, and I can only even marginally claim that with Gabby.” Now the King looked Intrigued. “You must give a demonstration, Cassandra, I want to see just how well you’ve learned this new method of numbers.” Cassandra eagerly nodded. “Oh yes Father, I truly adore these numbers, and the complexity of Algebra is such an enjoyable challenge, with its potential application to Military Record keeping, it’s going to be invaluable in its way.” “Indeed, Military Record keeping. How will it help, this Algebra?” “It will help with Supply and Distribution records, and Requisition Forms. To keep things ordered and recorded for quick review. Inventory will be much quicker.” Donican smiled warmly. “You truly are a Blessing for our Nation. You stamp out a rebel and provide new knowledge, all without a care in the world, aside from keeping your family safe. I’m certainly glad to be a part of your new Family. The peace of mind knowing my daughters can all count on your aid when they require it is priceless.”

  Just then, the Dining Room Door swung open, and a Handsome Tiger Man walked in. Older than Cassandra, but at least visibly younger than Alaian’s twenty-three years, he strode in, and the doors closed behind him. He headed confidently towards one of two chairs, that though ever present, had been empty till now, on the King’s other side. “Darnel, welcome home, my son; how was your mission? We had an incident here involving General Talos, so I hope he hadn’t set up any surprises for you.” Darnel, who had smiled at the welcome, was shocked at the statement about General Talos. “An incident, Father? Of what kind?” “Treason of all things, and when confronted, he didn’t even attempt to defend himself, but attacked. Luckily, your future Sister had forgotten to leave her Crossbow outside the Audience Hall, and was able to drop him in an instant.” “Future Sister?” Only then did Darnel notice me, and his Eyes practically bulged out of their sockets and onto the floor. “It seems some monumentous events have occurred in my absence, but as to my Mission, there were no surprises, at least not that I am aware,” I spoke up. “Perhaps Bandits wearing matching, and too fine dark hooded cloaks, Your Highness?” Darnell thought a moment, then nodded. “We did indeed kill a group of Bandits that match that description; I wouldn’t have thought much about it, but the Cloaks did stick in my mind somehow. Only when you said they were too fine and matching did I realize what bothered me. They posed little threat to my Mission. Might I presume you are my Future Sister that was mentioned, and perchance, may I have your name?”

  I bowed my head in respect. “Naturally, your Highness. My name is Jane Rae Richards; I don’t mean to sound pretentious or anything; I’m not even nobleborn, your Father, and everyone in the immediate family knows the details, and I’m certain you’ll be told in Private. Then I expect you’ll come to ask, maybe twenty million questions that the others wouldn’t, owing to different interests and specialties. I have barely begun to dump information out and have already advanced both weaponry and metallurgy, and as you’ll notice once you take your first bite of any dish, the food quality. Not that I cooked the dishes, only that I revealed some uses for plants in the Kale Yard that nobody realized were edible. Beside me is my Concubine Jeanette, though Alian and I both think of her as a wife, and beside her is our newly adopted daughter Gabby. Thankfully, Gabby isn’t recognized as a Noble, but a direct Ward of the Royal Family nonetheless, so I hope you will treat her with the Love I expect out of an Uncle.” I bowed my head again. “A niece is it, that’s wondrous news. Might I request a welcome home hug, young Gabby? I’m certain Father won’t mind indulging this once.” The King nodded his ascent, and Gabby, being overjoyed at yet another person claiming her as Family, and cherishing her, leapt off her seat, ran over to her new Uncle, and gave him a Monster Hug. “Welcome home, Uncle Darnell!” He chuckled as he hugged her. “This doesn’t mean you won’t be making heirs the traditional way, does it, Sisters?”

  We all three shook our heads. “Dear Brother, you know I’ve always wanted to be a Mother, to give birth, and how no previous Marriage offers were seriously considered, because they insisted I shouldn’t have to bear the Child myself. Now I have a Betrothed that not only will allow that, but is genuinely relieved about it, for reasons you’ll learn in Private; I surely won’t give it up, and neither will Jeanette. Jane even came up with two ideas that we are going to attempt. First, if two Tigers can jointly impregnate a third female. Naturally, that’s Jeanette, and secondly, can Magic induce milk production in a Woman who didn’t give birth?” Darnel was gobsmacked at both suggestions, but the whole hall was abuzz with the second idea. “That, both of those Ideas would be Stupendous if they work. You’d create a whole new bloodline with the first, and the second could help so many women, who for whatever reason aren’t able to give birth.” Alian smiled, “Father said the same thing!”

  Darnel’s eyes lit up at the first taste of the food. “You weren’t kidding about the food, it’s amazing!” I chuckled again. “I’m just getting started, there’s so much good food to share. More, depending on the availability of ingredients. There weren’t many Potatoes in the Kale Yard, and everyone thought they were weeds; I’ll have to see about setting up a farm field somewhere to grow them, they’re a National Staple crop back home. One of the States is Famous for its Potatoes. Something else I want are Sugar Beets, the ones that are too hard to eat. They are called Sugar Beets back home, because you can make Sugar from them. That, in turn, allows for many desserts. Cookies, cakes, pastries, puddings, Gelatins, Ice Cream, if I can figure out ice magic, or else make an Ice House, and stock it during the winter. There are ways, and ways to improve food.” The whole hall went silent at this revelation of Sugar being something easy to acquire.

  I couldn’t help but outright laugh. “I come from a Nation that can provide fresh vegetables, Fruits, Nuts, Berries ALL YEAR! Not because of the Climate, but because of our methods of preserving foods and shipping them hundreds of miles within a single day. Unlike here, where traveling less than forty miles took nearly a whole day. Our Nation, at least the main part of it, what we call the lower 48, is thousands of miles across, and it only takes a week to travel casually from one side to the other. There’s one State slightly north and west of the lower 48, only a couple of hundred miles, but we have to cross the Border between us and Canada, so by ground, there are two border checkpoints to cross. Passports are required, and it’s usually a decent wait for Inspections. Checking for Contraband and Criminals. Then the same thing again on the other side. The last of the States is an Island Archipelago called Hawaii. It has its own unique culture. Then we have a couple of territories that are protectorates. Their governments went corrupt, picked a fight with us, lost everything, and we installed a new government from their citizens, and oversee them, while using our own Navy to protect their shores. Keeps them in line, while letting them be themselves. We don’t want to ruin their cultures.” All of those are hundreds of miles out at Sea, and people can reach them the same day they depart.”

  Darnel’s eyes were full of amazement at the distances involved and the speed of travel implied. “With such speeds, how is it we’ve never heard of any of these lands?” I smiled, “That’s a Private Family Secret, you’ll find out later behind closed doors, but suffice it to say, that even with our speed of Travel, we wouldn’t ever be able to reach this Nation. Some power beyond my understanding brought me here, and dropped me face first, and Naked out in the Woods, directly in front of Jeanette when she was on a Quest to hunt a Boar, which I later killed when it surprised me in the Morning, when I was relieving myself.” Complete bafflement on everyone’s face. “As my future Daughter has stated, the exact details are Private Family Secrets. She is here now and is staying. She’s our Family now, and we will benefit from her very presence. Her knowledge of her People’s inventions, foods, tactics all sorts of things will help us all. Forgive us for keeping the precise details secret, but the Truth is quite startling, and if uttered in the wrong place, could cause a Panic; it shakes the very core of our understanding of the world as a whole. She has trusted the Family with this Secret, but for the rest of you, ignorance is bliss.” The crowd settled, accepting their King’s word that they were truly better off not knowing the details. That the potential threat of my old Nation couldn’t even reach them with all their might, and that I had no method of returning, nor wish to do so, was all they needed to know.

  Once Dinner was over, we retired to a private setting, specifically the King’s Study. We discussed Darnel’s Mission, which was a simple monster suppression. It would seem a pack of Wargs got a little too large and decided people were acceptable prey. Now the Pack had been culled, the people were safe, and surprisingly there were no casualties, and the Minor injuries had already been healed. I then revealed all my Secrets, and Darnel was splendidly shocked at the fact I used to be a Man, and a different species into the Bargain. “So does that mean I should call you Brother then?” “Hell no! One person outside of the know hearing that, and it’s going to cause a ruckus. You can treat me like a Brother while calling me a Sister. Gabby looked at me in Wonder. “So you’re kind of like my Father, and Mother all in one then?” I hugged her tight. “You could say that, but if anyone asks who your father figure is, tell them it’s Uncle Darnel, ok? Nobody needs to know it’s me. Can you do that, keep my being a Man before a secret?” She smiled, nodding furiously. “Yes, Mother Jane, I wouldn’t do anything to make you mad at me!” “Awe Honey, I wouldn’t be Mad at you for that, it could cause trouble for everyone else though, even you. People might make fun of you if they knew, as stupid as that is.” Gabby hugged me back tighter, happy to be so loved.

  The girls and I retired to Alian’s Chambers, and set up Gabby in what would typically be the Lady’s Maid’s side room, since she wanted to stay close, and Alian had never seen the point in a Lady’s Maid, when all the Maids showed up in the Morning every morning anyway. I had a thought, and wondered if I could alter the walls to soundproof them with Magic. I placed my hand on the wall, and thought of exactly what I wanted to happen, and willed the changes. Sure enough, it worked, and everyone could hear the difference, if not see it. “What did you do, Love?” Alian asked. “I can, it would appear, use Earth Magic, too; I altered the wall's shape inside to block sound, so it won’t carry through the walls. Should help Gabby sleep, if we make any, … Loud noises during the night.” Alian and Jeanette blushed, knowing exactly what Loud Noises I was referring to. “An excellent notion, Jane;” Jeanette said, still blushing. “Do the rest of my rooms too if you can, did that drain you at all?” I shook my Head, “That’s the thing, I’ve never felt drained doing magic, I just don’t know what all I can do. I’m new to Magic.” I altered all the walls, and the quality of the Silence altered noticeably. “All done, so is there an evening Bath, or just Bed?” “We Bathe in the Morning, which is good, because it removes the Sweat from our nighttime fun. So we can strip down, and have our fun tonight, before sleeping, if you’re up for it?”

  She truly looked doubtful that I would want more so soon, and I couldn’t allow that misconception to last. “What’s this IF word you speak of?!” I pounced on my girls, practically frantic to remove their clothes, and they returned the fervor, kissing whenever possible as clothing flew all around us. We climbed into the Bed together and spent hours pleasuring each other, before passing out in a pile, not even bothering with covers.

  I awoke to a pretty sight in the Morning, and I kissed what I found. Not the normal location to kiss, but she didn’t mind. All of us grudgingly climbed out of the bed and went for the Bath, Gabby following behind us shortly, after a Maid woke her. She happily climbed into the Bath and went around hugging all of us good morning. The tenderness made all the Maids smile indulgently. “Gabby, today I have some not-so-fun things to tend to. Would you maybe like to meet some of the Maid’s Children, perhaps you can play with them for a while, while I do the adult stuff.” Gabby looked dubious. “My daughters are in the Palace today, they’re roughly your age, and they run all over the Gardens playing all sorts of games. I’m sure they’d like to have another Playmate.” Gabby nodded. “Okay, I’ll try, I didn’t have friends before, I don’t know how.” I suddenly learned a major fact in Gabby’s Life. “Gabby, were you the only girl in the place you grew up?” She nodded. “Yeah, boys can be mean to girls, they don’t know how to treat them, so they end up hurting girls' feelings, even if they don’t mean to. Her daughters might be nice, but they might not know how to deal with you either, knowing you’re the Princess’s adopted daughter, they might think they need to be extra polite, instead of just treating you like a Normal Girl. Tell them how you want to be treated, like any other girl, and maybe they’ll loosen up, so you can all play and be happy together.” A determined look was clear as day on Gabby’s face now. “Okay, I can do that.” Once she was dressed, the Maid who had spoken bustled her off to meet her children.

  Now dressed, I asked for a place to make the soap. Needing a Hearth to boil things, as well as a list of ingredients, pots, containers, and various other requirements for the process. Within two hours, I had a decently smelling batch of Soap curing in molds. Half an hour after that, several bottles of Shampoo had been made. I used the rind of a Citrus fruit to scent that. Then we took another half hour to make some Lavender hand soap. I spent another hour demonstrating how to make a Lotion for soft skin. Grandma taught me better than I had remembered, it seemed. Alian loved the Lotion, and insisted we introduce her sisters and Mother to it immediately. I just chuckled and went along with her. Breakfast was a Private affair that day, with Darnel being home so recently, the King was expected to focus on him for the day, to ensure nothing was forgotten from his report. So we had waited for our Breakfast till after the Soap and Lotion making. I asked that the Maid’s Daughters join us if they were getting along with Gabby, so we could eat without separating them. So three bubbly girls were at Breakfast, talking excitedly about everything they played, clearly Gabby had made friends. The Queen joined us before we had finished, and Alian insisted she sample the Lotion at once. She was just as appreciative as Alian. “Truly wonderful Jane, you have my thanks, and I suspect all the Noble Ladies will be singing your praises for this alone.” Having said that, seemed to be a summons, or a Magic word. A tiger woman came in at that moment.