Early morning dew soaked Catalina's skirt hem as she strolled through the palace's westward garden. The acres between the palace itself and the servant's village within its walls abound with numerous flowers.

  Goldenrods soft under her fingertips, azaleas bushes in full bloom, zinnias dotted throughout it all. Her heart desired to remain here, forever admiring the floral masterpiece. In her seldom selfish prayers she would pray for even an inch of this beauty to care for and call her own.

  The sun brightening the sky beckoned her to return home to ready for the day ahead.

  One last glance over it all before she headed back to the village gates, smiling at the guard standing post, the walk a short one from there till she reached the two-story cottage she gratefully called home. The flowers packed so tightly one might guess that they're trying to rival the palace in such a small space. In truth it was her father, always testing a new idea for one of his perfume before using it at work.

  Speaking of him, there he stood right when she opened the door.

  "Good morning, sweetheart. Have a nice walk?" He greeted from the kitchen, a plate full of eggs and sausage with toast in hand.

  "Peaceful as always." Wiping her boots off at the door, the dew consistently made sure every morning to stick dirt in every crevice of her shoes.

  "Good, good. You want any breakfast? There's some left in the pan."

  "Thank you but I'm having breakfast with Princess Esme again." Though her stomach grumbled at the smell.

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  Her father simply nodded making a mental note of it. He snapped his fingers. "Ah! I almost forgot. I need you to deliver this for me." Sitting his plate down he stepped in the living room and grabbed a small box, handing it to her. "It's King Lorenzo's anniversary gift for the queen, it's tomorrow, so you must delivered it by tonight." Without opening it she just knew it had to be the loveliest perfume you'd ever smelled. "I would have liked to gone myself but some company partners are coming in tonight and I have to be there." Noticeably not pleased with the thought.

  She gave her word she'd have it delivered by the end of today.

  She headed upstairs to change into her work clothes, though most others who see it would call it an everyday royal gown. It was one of the many Princess Esme ordered for her, the young princess simply adored matching with her, the whole reason she had been hired as Esme’s nanny was because of the immediate liking she took to Catalina.

  Only a child herself, barely a few years older than the princess when her mother, the royal tutor, took her along to work that day hoping to connect with the stubborn princess through Catalina. A success it turned out to be, from that day forward Princess Esme refused to be anywhere without her, nor listen to anyone but her, besides her older brother, Prince Ezra, whom was the only other person she adored equally to Catalina.

  A soft smile lifted her lips as she finished up the last button on her bodice. She threw her hair up into a neat bun, or at least as neat as the thick curls allowed.

  Done getting ready she went back downstairs, where her father and mother held each other he planted a small kiss on her cheek. Catalina adverted her eyes, her mother a woman who very much valued her privacy wasn't one to appreciate someone seeing this side of her, often shunning those "too open" with their affections.

  Her mother promptly let go when she noticed her there. Catalina pretending like she saw nothing, hugged her father goodbye. "Love you, Papa."

  "I love you too, sweetheart, and don't forget the perfume."

  She gently shook it next to him. "I won't."

  Her mother touched her arm. "We best get going." Her father quickly squeezed her tighter, kissed her head then released her.

  "See you later, my loves." With that the two women left.