The World of Rhune

Sicera waited under an umbrella held by a servant. It was hot, perfect weather for the beach, but not in the clothes she’d been forced to wear. Sicera fingered the blue cotton dress she’d chosen, since she did really love it. The dress just seemed too heavy for the beach, though; too tight. It trapped her ribs and her legs, with no split sides for freedom. Only the sleeves were slightly acceptable, being mostly see-through and air penetrable. She fingered a cuff, tracing how it widened around her wrist but clung slightly to her elbow and arm. At least that gave her some freedom. “My dear Sicera, why don’t you wait in the carriage? Much less work, Seaku will be joining us in a few moments, he had an ambassador from Xirra come on short notice, and caused him to change his schedule in order to fit the poor man.” Neriku smiled down upon her, coming down the stone steps gracefully and also dressed up more than usual. She was wearing more make-up and a strand of pearls to accompany her light rose dress. Sicera nodded, she wished she could just ride horseback with her brother. “Of course, my feet were already beginning to ache from the change of shoes, which I may be able to have an answer to?” Sicera walked along Neriku’s left, a step behind. She watched as her sister-in-law smiled, blushing slightly. “Oh, well Sicera, let’s just say that these people are—should—be highly important to y—us,” The Queen smiled to the footman as he opened the door, and she stepped in. Sicera ducked in less gracefully behind her, managing to nearly whack herself in the face with her hair. They sat upon opposite seats, and Sicera immediately opened the thin glass pane nearest to her, but shut the curtain. She liked watching the curtain swirl in the slight wind; it reminded her of when Jaydius and herself would run along the beach. She heard a ‘thump-thump’ of a cane upon the stairs, and a rustle of feet quickly descending the stairs. “My brother is—” “Hello, Neriku, Sicera. I like your dress choices.” Both Neriku and herself blushed slightly and looked away. Sicera instantly was curious, wondering why Neriku had blushed, but then realized the queen was probably just as curious as herself. She watched amused as Neriku took up a calm stature, pretending like nothing was wrong, yet she was taking up all the bench, leaving no room for her husband. Seaku was gently pushing her, though feining that it was difficult. “Really, darling. Your not that big, so there should be some room for my butt on there too!” He feined the pushing, only to get whacked in the head by Neriku’s fan. “How dare you! Sweets, I thought you would have learned from last time,” Neriku shot back, waving the fan gently into her face. Her guardian’s and Monarch’s clipped sentences boiled her curiosity, but she forced herself to try and read between the lines. Yet she wasn’t good at that, which was why she was always so curious. “I agree, darling, we both learned from last time that I am King, and I control practically everything, and therefore what space your backside takes up upon my seat.” Seaku tried to shove her legs over, but Neriku knocked his head again, her brown fan odd against her brother’s complexion. “Dear, we learned that you are the King of everything but me. Didn’t we?” “Of course, Darling, but a one, two… three.” Her brother shoved the Queen over, and the footman gratefully closed the door. Sicera felt herself lurch forwards as the carriage took off at a steady pace, and she stared at the floor. As a princess riding in a highly expensive carriage, she hated being looked and stared at. Therefore, she’d wait until out of the town to look and enjoy the beach. Sicera fingered her golden olive branch that acted as both crown and headpiece. It felt wrong, somehow. Her crown was for her princess life, while her free hair was for the beach and waves and sand. Sicera peeped out of the curtain, and then quickly shoved the thick fabric back in place. They were still in town, and people were, consequently, still staring.