Chapter Text
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The lights of the hall shone brightly as Princess Jana of the Dawn Realm looked at the different paintings that were hung there, especially admiring the one of her and her parents. Her bright auburn hair was usually tied back, but she had let it flow free in the portrait since it matched her brown eyes. She was especially happy with this portrait because of the fourth figure in it, her personal guard Lady Renee. The colors were so bright and vibrant, the shine of Lady Renee’s armor along with Princess Jana’s hair. Lady Renee had even let Princess Jana style her hair, which was rather long. They looked happy. She heard approaching footsteps and turned to see the lady herself, one hand kept on the hilt of her sword that she always kept with her in the sheath. “Your highness.” Lady Renee said with a bow.
“Renee!” Princess Jana smiled. “I was just admiring our portrait.”
“I still don’t know how you convinced your father to let me be in it.” Lady Renee looked at the portrait closer, frowning. She never really liked that portrait, for some reason that she would never tell.
“Well, you look wonderful.”
“You do too.” Stepping forward, Lady Renee touches the frame of the portrait fondly. “So much has changed since this was painted. It was a simpler time, don’t you think?”
“It can be that way again, someday. When the war is over.” She was speaking of the war with the Twilight Realm. It had been brutal, but Princess Jana was certain that her father would be able to protect their people no matter the cost. After all, that was the royal family’s duty, wasn’t it? Princess Jana wanted to follow in those footsteps that her parents had modeled for her from her childhood.
Lady Renee’s gaze fell, and she crossed her arms. “I don’t think it can, your highness. Not everything can be fixed so easily.”
“I’m sure it can.” Princess Jana insisted. “Besides, it hasn’t changed all that much. We’re still having my ball in a few days.”
“You’ll be put onto the Royal Council. Why aren’t you nervous about that?” When an heir turned seventeen, they joined the council to begin to learn and observe from their parents.
“Why would I be? I’ll be there to support my family and my kingdom, and you’ll be there with me.”
“I suppose.” Lady Renee admitted, but there was still uncertainty in her eyes. She seemed to be thinking about something, but Princess Jana could only wonder what that could be. She wished that Lady Renee would trust her more with these things that bothered her.
Princess Jana shook her head, clearing out her thoughts. “Let’s not focus on the negative. Why don’t we head out into town and take a walk? We can do some window shopping too.”
“Sure.” Lady Renee smiled, but it never quite reached her eyes. As they walk out of the hall and towards the castle gates, Princess Jana lets her hopes for the future run wild. She just wished that Lady Renee’s view of the future wasn’t so pessimistic.
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