As soon as I’m dry and dressed, Mina bursts through the door, several outfits in hand. I smile to see her so excited. This situation may be embarrassing for me, but I guess there’s no harm in going on a date with my own husband, if only to make Mina happy.
“Alright, I’ve got seven different outfits put together, all fitting for the season and occasion. It’s up to your personal taste from here, Alessia!”
I peruse the outfits hanging from her arms, judging their colors schemes and styles. At first, I think I want to go with something a little nicer than usual, but then I remember that I’m going out with Aurelio, and I decide to dress down as much as possible. He’s not worth the extra effort to look nice, if I’m being honest. He owes me for ruining my day.
“I’ll go with this one,” I conclude, plucking the hangars right out of Mina’s hand.
“Perfect! You get changed; I'll put the rest of this away and bring you matching shoes!”
I get changed quickly, then look in the mirror. With my hair tied back and my clothes more loose than usual, I look a lot like a shopkeeper’s daughter, aside from the unnaturally blue eyes. My cropped light pink t-shirt stops just beyond the bottom of my ribs, providing plenty of opportunity for the wind to blow through my shirt and cool me down. My tan shorts consist of the thinnest material money can buy without being completely see-through.
Finally, I’ve found an outfit that might keep me cool. This summer heat is getting brutal; I was sweating just sitting at my meeting this morning, and we have cooling charms all throughout the palace.
Mina hurries back through the door, a pair of plain sandals in her hands. I put them on, then stand up, presenting myself to my personal servant.
“So, how do I look?” I ask.
Mina purses her lips, tapping her finger to her chin as she examines my appearance. After a minute of scrutiny, her eyes light up.
“Aha! That’s what’s missing.”
She runs over to her dresser, opening up the jewelry box on top of it. She returns to my side with a glittering sapphire necklace. I dutifully turn to the mirror so she can place it around my neck. When she’s finished, we both stare at my reflection. Mina hugs me from behind, resting her head on my shoulder.
“Ah, I keep forgetting how grown up you are. It’s going to make me cry,” Mina remarks.
I can’t help but smile at her. Mina may only be five years older than me, but she’s been through so much at such a young age. She acts like a wizened fifty-year-old adventurer from a tavern. She’s the complete opposite of me in every way: she’s barely five feet tall, curvy, fairer-skinned, refined, and as feminine as feminine can be. Every day, she finds a way to make her outfit into some sort of fashion statement. Usually with pastel shades of pink involved. She’s always in heels, too, something I couldn’t tolerate for a single hour.
And yet, she’s the woman I respect more than anyone else in the palace, and it’s because she wears her heart on her sleeve, lives with no regrets, enforces the rules of fairness, respect, and family, and speaks her mind when most would hold their tongue around royalty. I’ve always striven to be more like her, ever since she came to be my personal servant at only sixteen years old.
Now look at me. I’m freaking out over a date with my husband. Some brave, emotionally honest queen I am!
“I’m proud of you for doing this, you know,” Mina says.
I turn to look her in the eyes. “Mina, you forced me to do this.”
“I did. But you easily could have told me no, and instead, you bickered, protested softly, and eventually gave in, which tells me that deep down, you’re interested in this husband of yours.”
I bite my lip, averting my eyes. “I hate it when you read me like that.”
“Hate it all you want. Someone has to keep you honest if you’re not going to do it yourself.” Mina reaches up and pats my head with a big smile. “You’re going to have a great time tonight. By the time you go to bed, you’ll wonder why you ever wanted to say no in the first place.”
“How do you know this won’t be a dumpster fire of a date?”
“Because even if it is, you haven’t been out in years, Alessia.”
I suck in a breath. She’s right. When was the last time I left the palace grounds? Three years ago? Four years ago? It’s been since my tour of the aristocrats’ renovations, which was about three and a half years ago. After that, I was getting older, so there were more things to learn, an ever-increasing list of things to do, and heightening safety concerns as the nearby Wendigo Forest became more dangerous by the day. I’ve been so busy training, learning, and meeting people that I haven’t left this place in all that time.
To be fair, the palace is the size of three villages strung together, but still, that’s a pretty sad life for a young woman.
“You know what? You’re right. I’m excited about this. I think a small adventure outside the palace will be fun.”
“Whether you call it a date or an outing, I have no doubts Aurelio will keep you safe,” Mina says, squeezing my hand. “Although I certainly hope you try to make this romantic. Your love life has been drier than a desert, Alessia.”
“Mina,” I groan, rolling my eyes. “I’m too busy for love.”
“No, you’re not too busy. You say you’re too busy as an excuse not to make time for love. It doesn’t take much effort, just a pair of listening ears and a commitment to do better each day.”
“Easier said than done,” I mumble, thinking back to my teenage years.
