As it was just past noon Yumiko would be in her usual spot, her room balcony overlooking the central park of the capital. The park was one of the city's many treasures—a vast canvas of greenery stretching as far as the eye could see. Hundreds of rare plants were meticulously placed along winding paved paths, all leading to its grand centerpiece: a massive, man-made lake filled with crystal-blue water, Yumiko fondly remembered walking down the promenade path with her mother during the fertile season watching the flowers getting pollinated on the water by the burrflies.
As Yumiko got deeper and deeper lost in thought reminiscing about old times, a strong breeze blows her coal hair into her face. She felt herself jerk awake like someone getting pulled out of a dream. She sighed and stood up she could already hear the tipper tapper of her head maid Gabriella. She was always so predictable, always at her door at exactly four hours and 24 minutes on the second precise.
A loud couple of rhythmic thuds pounced on her ornate doors "Lady Yumiko, it's me Gabrielle. I've come to..." Yumiko laughs "To inform me my father is expecting me." A short pause occurred before Gabrielle awkwardly answered "Uhm... yes "
Yumiko openend her doors and before she could say anything Gabrielle made her usual bow but just like always it was just a little bit to deep almost like an ostrich sticking it's head in the dirt. Yumiko always had a hard time no laughing at the woman, she was devoted to noble customs. "Miss Gabrielle please raise your head. So father has summoned me, let me guess the study like always." Gabrielle nodded in agreement and led the way for her to follow.
Gabrielle was a short and round thing funnily enough as she was strong as a knight and nimble like an athlete. Dressed in her usual fitted yellow and white suit.
As they descended the grand staircase in the main hall Gabrielle offered to help and as usual Yumiko refused pulling her long form fitting white and yellow dress up by its sides revealing her long smooth legs, effortlessly touching her white heels to each step with a grace that can't be called anything but elegance.
After walking which felt for hours in this large maze of black marble and gold. They reached the study, a large pair of two white oak doors adorned with two large pelicans carved into its surface. The two men guarding the door looked like they only escaped the academy that day, she was sure their first beard hairs were still growing in. The larger of the two cleared his throat and pulled into the classic Kade salute, The smaller awkwardly imitated and was a far cry from a proper salute but the effort was appreciated thought Yumiko. "My lady please allow me." as the larger pulled his door open.
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Her father was sitting across the room, behind his large white stone desk. Count Remus was a broad-shouldered man with a neatly kept short beard. A set of thick, dark eyebrows framed his face, making it impossible to tell if he was angry, happy, or simply stoic. He was nose deep in pile of papers, stamping, signing and crumpling them one by one like a well oiled machine. Yumiko knew by now that he probably didn't even notice her come in.
So she just walked over and pulled the chair in front of him as she sat down she cleared her throat. "Count you've requested for my presence" The count looked up from his pile of papers and had a small smile on his lips. "Oh dear, when did you come in and be at ease, it's only us. Just call me father then." He scrunched his forehead and sighed "Tonight is a banquet, tomorrow three council meetings and day after that a frontline appearance." Yumiko understood the pressure her father was under after all he was warrior first a leader second. He must be dying to go see his men instead, he's stuck in the capital catering to fat nobles and wealthy merchants. "I didn't call you in just to hear me complain." He paused, his fingers tapping lightly against the desk. "But... perhaps tonight isn't the time. Enjoy the banquet, Yumiko. Knight Ambrose will be joining us as well."
Yumiko knew her father well and knew that he was anything but cunning. He was always to much on the nose trying to break bad news by burying it in good. Still she couldn't help but be excited Ambrose was returning from the frontlines. "Knight Ambrose? I thought he'd still be in the western mountains leading the fifth." Her heart skipped, but she kept her voice even. Her father smiled "He earned it," her father said, a rare glint of pride cutting through the tired lines on his face. "Took down the baron's third daughter mid-air... single combat." Yumiko saw her fathers pride in his eyes as he exclaimed all of Ambrose's exploits on the frontlines.
"I'm awarding him tonight with the golden pelican." Yumiko's jaw dropped "Are sure father... Ambrose is only 29. Isn't it a bit early for him to recieve that pin yet?" Her father forehead formed their signature thick grooves "The boy might be young but he has the skill of man ten times his age. I tell you these things to keep you on top of the events not for your opinion." She looked down and knew she might have overstepped her place even if she is his daughter, she's also his subject in the end. But she also knew the pin wasn't what her father thought it was. It's more a target on a young falcon rather than a badge of honour in this court of short tempered vultures and jealous crows.
"Ok but a banquet tonight, isn't that a bit much our supplies and treasury is already stretched thin as it is now" Protested the young lady towards her father. Her father directed his plain stare towards her and said "Yumiko... I'll tell you one thing my father taught even me, a fat den of wolves don't need to bare their fangs at each other."
