"I'm going to find you!" Ember called out to her sister, as she ran through the garden, throwing her arms around her precious sister as she bellowed out, "Hah, I got you!" into the bushes beyond.

"Aww no fair you know the garden passages way better than me!" Through her giggles, she huffed an over-exaggerated breath of air, "I guess I'm the seeker now-"

"Girls, your mother has requested that you come inside." Lionel, the fatherly butler, cut her off.

"Thank you, Lionel." Ember said as she walked past him, and up the stairs leading into their home. "Mum! Where are you?" Ember called, her voice carrying through the huge front foyer.

"Up here, girls." her mother called from the top of the stone stairs. Although the house was big and beautiful, the castle had always felt cold to Ember, she didn't think that Trinity ever noticed. Her sister was always with her, she never had to go through the lonely years with no one to play hide and seek with, or go without a partner to annoy Lionel.

The girls climbed the stairs and they're mother motioned for them to follow her down the hall. Then it dawned on Ember, they were heading to her sewing room.

"mum, where are we going?" she said hoping she wasn't correct on her assumption.

"You know where we're going, you can't stall any longer. I need to get the dresses started." she stated flatly, her face unimpressed "I also need to know the colour so that I can figure out the decorations." She said, sounding almost giddy at the mention of decorating.

"You know I don't want a huge party mum. I would rather just have our close family over." Ember's mum had been obsessing about hosting her eighteenth birthday party since the day she turned seventeen. "Neither do I want a huge dress. Just something simple please."

"Ok, I'll try to keep it simple, have you given any more thought to the colour you want?" her mum had given about a million suggestions but she hadn't liked them, mostly different shades of red, gold, and glittery silver.

"Lavender, I think I look some-what decent in it, and the decorations will look good." She had actually thought quite a lot about it, despite her feelings toward the whole thing she didn't want it to look horrible either.

"I really like that idea!" Trinity said, "Lavender would look really good in the gardens! We should have the party outside, as long as it doesn't rain." She said, sounding quite excited, Ember was always happy to see her sister like that; life wasn't always easy being the model kids, constantly in the eyes of the other council members, majesties, and other highnesses, it was good for her to be excited and experience at least some of what the other kids did; even if that was planning her sister's dreaded coming-of-age party. The lacking childhood Trinity received from her parents being so busy is one of the reasons why they played hide and seek or tag out in the gardens so often, and why every once in a while when Ember went to practice the flute or go to her studio to paint she would take Trinity with her. Anything to keep her sister a kid, for as long as possible.

"Ok, if you both like it then I guess that's settled!" Mum piped up, cutting off her string of thoughts. "We just need measurements then I will get Willow or Reah to help me get started."

Willow and Reah were the best seamstresses among the servants that worked around the castle, they were always the ones who helped mother with her projects like this. Mum liked to do things herself when she could, she hated having people doing everything for her, it made her feel like a snob she always said that "Just because I'm a queen it doesn't mean I can't help out with anything anymore," shortly following with "everyone thinks I'm useless," under her breath. She told Ember that when she became queen that she should live by that too, to not lose her independence. Ember couldn't believe that she would be queen of a whole kingdom someday; it felt too soon, on her eighteenth birthday she could take the kingdom under her rule, should the circumstances enforce it. .

She told her parents that she wouldn't take over until they were too old to take care of things, or until the worst happened, although she tried not to think about it much she always knew in the back of her mind that someday they wouldn't be here to guide her when, not if, she started to go off the rails, and that scared her. More than anything. Maybe that's why her mother wants her to get married off so early in her life, to have someone to take over and keep her in check when they no longer can themselves.

"Ember! Were you listening? It's your turn to get measured." Her mother gestured to the elevated platform. Her mum always liked for them to stand on it because then she didn't have to bend over all the way to get measurements. Ember's mother wasn't the tallest person in the world, Trinity and herself got most of their height from their father.

Their father is off in battle right now, the next city over is making an alliance with our empire and last we heard they were attacked, just before the others could sign their allegiance. The same people who are said to have conducted the attack are the group who had tried to do the same to her father years before, thankfully back then he realized what was going on and made them sign it outside the kingdom's walls all those years ago as a safeguard, and king Deon was not happy about it. Maybe he decided to try again? It's been a problem for generations, the Beaufort family always came out on top. Mostly always.

"Get up there young lady!" Mum exclaimed playfully, she would always pretend nothing was wrong and act unbothered while her husband was away, smothering the worry with laughs and fake, plastered smiles, but Ember could see it in her mum's eyes; she was sad and worried for her husband's safe return. Father always returned, a little beat up however never anything too serious... This time though, Ember couldn't shake the feeling that something felt different, it wasn't just loneliness or worry in her eyes when she caught her gaze, there was anger, and grief, something had happened Ember knew it, and she also knew she was not going to like it. Every time their eyes met, her mother would give one of those non-reassuring smiles that just conveyed the issue more.

Finally standing on the raised platform, Ember looked at herself in the mirrors surrounding her... she could see her father in her face, eyes the same shade of green, the dirty blonde look to her hair and the shine when the light hit it the right way. Father was here, even when he was not... she missed him, missed his warming words and bright smiles along with his echoing laugh. Ember missed the way her mum's eyes would crinkle in the corners when she heard that laugh, how she would join him quietly pretending like the joke he cracked wasn't funny. "How is dad doing?" Ember questioned, watching as her mothers shoulders noticeably tensed as she raised from taking her inseam length, stating a quick "33 inches'' to Trinity to write down before looking at Ember through the mirror.

"There's not much talk right now, your father hasn't sent any letters recently as they're quite busy sorting out the alliance and deciding whether or not to still go through with it. As far as I know the attack was unsuccessful, but added a lot of complications to the matter of alliance... whatever that means." She stated, returning to the same flat tone she harboured for topics she would rather not talk about. Ember didn't fail to notice her mother averted her eyes before she could truly grasp the emotions conveyed in them... however one thing was clear, that same anger was displayed. Could the attack really have displaced such a carefully built connection, filled with years of back and forth and mutual trust with the Grosvenor empire? What was she missing? "I'm sure he'll be back soon darling, do not fret," Mother said, giving her daughters both a sad smile. "Now come, give me opinions on these shades of purple," Holding up a few different coloured velvet, lace, and silk swatches as a way of diverting the topic. Trinity hopped up from the bench she was on, an unreadable look on her face... a look that Ember hated.

-

It went on like this for two full days. Ember followed her Mother around all day but she could never get her alone, it was like her mother was avoiding being alone with her... but why? If there was something wrong she would tell her right? Maybe her mum just needed some time, if it really was something big she could still be processing it herself. So Ember decided to let her be for a week, a week and then she would confront her and get the answers she wanted, only getting more frustrated as the days dragged on with little answers. She could tell that her mum was getting worse everyday as well. What could she do? Ember didn't even know what was going on, so how could she help?

"Ember?" Trinity called, her heels clicking as she entered the room, "What's with your face? Did something happen?" She quired, looking confused yet curious. There was no concern, Ember noticed, for if there was something truly wrong Trinity knew Ember would speak to her, let her in and talk things through together.

"Nothing is wrong. Just tired I suppose." She didn't want to alarm her little sister for such a little, uncertain worry. What if it was all in her head? What if her mother was just too busy with her party to speak with her about her Father who's gone away many times before? Second guessing had become a habit in the last couple days for Ember, constantly checking and rechecking if anything had changed in her mothers mood, or in her body language.

"Are you sure? You know you can talk to me, I'm not some little kid you have to protect anymore, I'm almost eleven you know." Trinity stated proudly, a look on her face that told Ember she was curious. She saw that look often.

"I would tell you if something was truly wrong, for now I believe it to be paranoia," Ember smiled, trying to get Trinity off her back so she could focus on thinking about nothing, afraid that if she began talking, she would begin thinking again and it would just make everything worse.

"Would you want to get a snack with me? The kitchen staff have all been pulled out of the kitchens to help with the cake tasting," Trinity looked excited, mischievous even...

"Sure, why not, I could use a distraction," Ember stated, standing up. She didn't miss the look Trinity sent her at the statement.

Making their way down to the kitchens, Ember and Trinity immediately began brainstorming what to make, as nothing had been prepared due to the cake baking occurring not so long before, the remnants of pans and flour being evidence of the upcoming party. Ember had no clue why her mum decided to plan it so early in advance, the party was scheduled to be a full two weeks from now?

In her thoughts, Ember failed to notice the abundance of ingredients that Trinity had acquired on the counter, ranging from chocolate to raisins and even a stray can of beans.

"Do you think we can make something out of this?" Trinity queries with her hands on her hips, surveying all that she had collected a minute before.

"I'm... not totally sure, is there a book of recipes anywhere?" Ember asked, peeking over her shoulder topper around the room in search of a book to go off of.

"Oh yeah, Rhea puts hers over here!" Trinity jumps up from her leaning position on the island and Embers watches as she opens a cupboard door she didn't even notice was there, on the underside of the countertop. "Rhea hides hers, the other maids like her recipes a little too much." Trinity elaborates once she spots Ember's perplexed expression.

"When were you here with Rhea?" She had never seen Trinity interact with the young women working in the palace, let alone one of their mothers' right hands.

"Ah, I wasn't technically with her, just observing as she made one of the cakes for the tasting today." Trinity said, turning the pages in the book looking determined. "Ah ha! I knew it was in this one, the recipe for her macarons." She looked proud, smiling as she pointed to a certain page in the book. Aren't macarons French? She remembered a French prince coming here once, bringing something that was pronounced similarly as a gift for the Queen... although he seemed much more interested in Ember, and her English accented charm.

"How did she learn to make a french dessert?" Ember vaguely remembered the first time she met Rhea, having no idea where she came from nor where she lived before. It seemed to be that way with most of the servants and workers here.

"Rhea is French, never noticed the slight accent before have you? Neither did I until I found out, now it's all I can hear." Again, Ember was sitting with a perplexed expression, watching as her sister began following the recipe like she had done it a million times, and maybe she had.

"What exactly do you do when I'm not around?" Ember asked, curious, she believed that Trinity was more like her and her mother, calm and never where they shouldn't be, but it seems maybe she's more like her Father.

"Oh you know, reading, painting, watching the servants every move." Trinity said, turning to grab a bowl from the cupboard above the stoves. She began to put wet things into it, like she hadn't just admitted to semi-stalking the employed people in their home. Has anyone ever caught her? Has she ever watched Ember? She would assume not, as she could always tell when someone was watching her, like a sixth sense almost. Perks of being monitored all hours of the day as a kid, now that she thought about it though no one really watched Trinity when Ember wasn't around her as they assumed that she would behave as her sister had done. A sad game of 'follow the leader'. Yet it seems they all assumed wrong, including Ember herself.

"Well what else have you learned about our staff" Ember asked, curious to know more, if her sister was going to be a snake, she might as well be a useful one.

"Not much interesting, some scandals between a maid and a few butlers, a gardener found inside the palace when he was supposed to remain outside with the others. Nothing that fun to be completely honest." Trinity looked up, a bit of flour on her face as she began to put more and more things into bowls, confusing Ember the more things she did. She was using a strainer of sorts... for powder? Why? Wasn't it already powdery enough?

"What are you doing?" Ember asked, truly confused as to why she was doing what she was doing.

"I have to sieve the flour, and powdered sugar, so that it's light enough and there's no clumps... makes it much easier to handle and they'll come out better." Trinity claimed, looking back down at her current task, "Can you preheat the oven please? Just turn the dial to 300 for me please." She requested while looking at the book again.

"Okay" This should be easy enough, the stoves they have are very new and updated, running on gas instead of the firewood they used to rely on. One of her favourite trades to watch outside and around the house was no longer of use after that, no more lumberjacks to watch any longer, after all the whole castle had been run through with gas and later electricity... Ember much preferred the fire. Turning the dial, Ember sat back and listened as a click sounded and a fan turned on... believing she had done it correctly she returned to her stool to watch her sister again.

Ember didn't usually have moments like this, where she actually got to use her own head to figure things out. She was an amazing mathematician, sure, but she never got to think on her own for anything but her lessons. It was sort of... thrilling to be able to do something completely on her own for once, not under surveillance. Is this what Trinity felt like everytime she watched and learned? If so, count her in.

-

Ember was done playing games, her mum still seemed to be avoiding being alone with her, whenever she asked her to sit down and have a cup of tea and talk her mother would just push it off and say she needed to work on the dresses for her birthday... Was something seriously that wrong, so wrong that she couldn't even trust Ember enough to tell her? It was like a stab to the heart every time she looked into her mum's eyes.

Could she just be imagining it? No. The way her mum appeared and acted was not usual, and it was starting to scare Ember. Eventually she couldn't take it anymore, on the first step of the stairs to the sewing room when Lionel passed by her, "Hey, Lionel, Can I ask you a question?" she asked.

"Of course, what is it Ember?" He smiled, showing his laugh lines and the eyebrow creases from years of laughter and life, he had been working ever since Ember's dad was a teenager. Her father and her grandfather never did get along, so Lionel was kind of like a second father, only much older than her real dad. The dad that was currently missing.

"I just need to know," she paused. "What is going on with my father, mum is acting differently than usual... is there anything I should know?" she asked, practically begging, pleading for him to give her any amount of information or reassurance.

"Your mum hasn't told you?" he said, his warm smile fading away, something clouding his mind shown through his eyes. "Well then I can't tell you, your mum will tell you when she is ready." Lionel finished, turning away slowly to take his leave. Ember couldn't shake the image in her head, his eyes... He knows something, and is choosing not to tell her, but why?

"Lionel! Please! Can't you see that I'm worried!" she said before he could round the corner to the dining room, one solemn tear streaked its way down her face. "Please," Ember whispered quietly.

"You should ask your mother," he said, turning back around before Ember could fully grasp the expression on his face. "She would want to tell you herself, I just don't think she is ready to tell you just yet... please give her some time." he said, his eyes almost pleading as he looked over his shoulder.

"I've given her almost a week! What more does she need! She's not the only one that this affects!" she cried.

"I'm sorry." A sincere apology whispered in the front hall, silent in its emptiness, his footsteps the only thing echoing in the space as his shined shoes continued their path to the dining room. The front foyer had felt colder than ever at that moment, the enormous front doors closed behind her. Lionel was always there, first her mum doesn't trust her enough to tell her, now Lionel too. Why is everyone turning their backs to her? Was there something she'd done wrong? Why were they pushing her away? The endless stream of hopeless thoughts trailed her up the stairs as she climbed them, leading herself mindlessly to her room, it felt even colder than the foyer, she can't stay here right now.

The gardens were her happy place, she always went there to escape when there was something overwhelming going on. She didn't feel like sitting around right now, although the gardens were beautiful she needed to do something, to go somewhere. That was when it dawned on her, father had bought her a horse, hoping that it would give her something to do other than read books, or beg to go to the village. The only time she had ever been in the village with normal people was when they had a parade for Father, coming back from the biggest war he'd ever fought in his much younger years, Ember being not merely past toddler stage. She ran towards the stables, dress following behind her in the wind, tears blurring her vision, why was