Enigma

Just a suggestion

Having an appetite is Amazing, I'm currently going through my second serving and royally ignoring the brooding lord sitting at the head of the table.

"I don't need anything Talika, come sit. Did you already eat?" I ask after swallowing a bite from the creamy pancake.

Clearly surprised, she stumbles to form a reply, "No. I- I'll eat after..."

I pull out the chair beside me and Pat the cushion for her to sit, "Come on, I don't really like eating alone."

I hear a pointed cough that reminds me that I am not, infact alone. I slowly turn my head to Ellis and smile sweetly, "You don't mind, do you? We're all friends after all."

He purses his lips and nods to Talika, who awkwardly makes her way into the seat.

His majesty wears a fitted white shirt and matching white trousers with tiny golden embroidery, his flame red hair tied back in a braid. I must say, he's an eye candy through and through.

After finishing a somewhat awkward breakfast, I head back to get dressed. The maids almost fainted when I showed up at breakfast in my night suit. What a pity, I really like my night suit.

The seamstress Ohana is efficient, to say the least. The outfit laid out on my bed is exactly what I expected, if not better.

The prettiest and probably frilliest pair of Palazzo pants in the shade of peach and pale green flows loosely around my ankles and hugs my upper belly in a tight curve. A round necked top with Bishop sleeves in the matching shade of peach, makes my complexion seem brighter. I look pretty, I feel pretty and moreover, hat's off to the comfort. I guess I'll be giving the people a culture shock, but ofcourse I do I, you do you.

Ignoring the shocked gasps I move towards the front door and am greeted by an awed Talika. "His majesty wants to show you around the ward. The carriage is that way." she leads me towards the front gates, her yellow skirt sweeping the ground after her. Today her blond curls are tied back by a blue ribbon and her alabaster skin gleams brightly in the sun. I wonder why his bovine majesty didn't consider bestowing his heart upon her. Kinda sus if you ask me.

"Talika?" I shyly call, "I wanted to know if... uh-"

"You can ask me anything la- Skye." she gently encouraged me.

"Do you have an intended? Like... someone you like or just consider to be your partner?" I ask, avoiding the word boyfriend, I don't think that word will be understood.

She blinks and blushes furiously, "Ah- no, Skye. I don't have anyone special."

"Oh, I was just curious. I hope you don't feel bad, you can totally tell me to mind my own business!"

"No, it's fine. I was actually promised to a merchant in my birth town." she says, suddenly deflating.

"Oh, did something happen?" I really don't want to make her feel bad. I don't really know much about her backstory, so I guess I'm just trying to sate my inner nerd.

"I didn't want to get married." she says, blushing again. "I don't like men."

Oh, that's why.

"Well...women are superior. I suppose no lucky lady caught your eye either?"

She suddenly looks up and beams, "No, not yet. I'm hoping to find someone someday though."

"I'll help you with that, if you want."

She smiles wider, "Ofcourse Skye."

As I reach the carriage, I see lord Ellis agitated about something the footman says, "We can't do anything about that now." he stops short when he noticed me.

"Deity" he says to me and nods at Talika, who leaves with one last smile in my direction.

"Please call me Skye." I say as I get into the carriage.

"What's the problem?" I ask without preambles.

He looks at me strangely and asks, "What gave you the impression that there is a problem?"

I roll my eyes and sigh, "Well, first of all you look like there's a problem. Second, your ward isn't really the happiest place on earth resulting in unpleasant subjects, third you must have taken a tumble in the last war. All of these seems like a problem to me."

He takes a deep breath, as if to spew definitely undignified curses at me, but stops short.

"How do you know about my ward and the war if you've been here for less than 24 hours?"

"Just because I didn't exist in this world doesn't mean I don't know anything about it. I know more than you'd imagine." I take a deep breath, "I'm called the deity for a reason I guess."

His face is unreadable except the tick in his jaw, "The subjects are worried about repercussions after the war. The business is dropping and our relation with the other wards are- fragile."

"I know that." I say after a pause, "What are you going to do about it?"

He slumps in his seat, suddenly appearing much older than my 19 yr old self, "I don't know."

"I might have a few suggestions." I say, "But you'll have to shed a huge portion of your ego and stupid beliefs."