Chapter Text
I sighed as I felt the familiar warmth on my face, birds chirping just outside my window. I squinted my eyes against the sun, sitting up and rubbing my face. Then it hit me; I had slept in. I jumped out of my stiff bed, almost running into the wall in my rush the closet only a foot away.
I pulled my night clothes off in record time, quickly grabbing my only clean dress and make my way into the light blue fabric. My dad is not going to be happy I slept in again. I crossed my short bedroom and ran to the kitchen, hoping maybe he wasn't back from hunting yet.
"Edana." His gruff voice said when I came into view. Great, my luck is never with me. "How are you going to be a good house wife when you can't even wake up early enough to make your future husband breakfast!" My father yelled.
I kept my head respectfully bowed, just like I've been raised to do. "I'm sorry father, I won't do it again."
He shook his head and sighed, "You said that last time too. Get cooking before your brother wakes up." I quickly did as he said, starting the small meal of eggs and bread.
My Dad looked over my shoulder in disappointment, "That's all you could get?"
"It's all we could afford." I replied honestly, sighing, "They raised the prices again."
He cursed, "Just great, I could barely afford anything working with the blacksmith, and now I can afford even less!" He turned to me, "It doesn't help that I haven't married you off yet! Most girls by your age are already married and having kids! And we could use another working man around here."
"I know, but it's not going to make much of a difference if it's a guy from here." I pointed out.
Father scowled, "That's why whenever I see nobles come in, I bring you up. I'm not stupid. Don't talk back to me again."
I wince, "I'm sorry father."
My brother walked in, the blonde hair he got from Mom ruffled still. He also got Mom's brown eyes, which look good on him.
My father smiled, "About time you woke up, Alistair."
The five year old smiled, rubbing his eye with a tiny fist. "Sorry Dad, the birds weren't as loud as usual."
I got his plate ready and gave it too him. Even though he only had half a loaf of bread and a cup of eggs, he didn't complain. My Dad smiled proudly at his son, the slightest glimmer of mourning in the back of his eyes. Alistair looks so much like Mom.
I avoid the urge to tear up. I look down at my black hair, my father's genetics. My blue eyes were also more like my Dad's, although I was always proud that mine were a deeper blue. I shake my head and give my father his food.
"Edana, remember to take the laundry down to the community wash." I nodded, quickly eating the small amount of eggs that were left, since my father got the other half of the bread. I grabbed the laundry basket and made my way out, careful not to spill the contents out as I made my way down the dirt road.
Fazbearia was never the richest country, but we made do with what we had. Other places like BroFista had fancy paved roads and more food, but the people of my land had always been proud if the close community we have here, more or less. Some parts get more attention from the kings than others, and naturally those places were nicer.
Overall, we knew our king was trying his best, but the country has really grown and he's struggled with the change. He's also the youngest king this country has had, and has only been running the place for three years.
I stop behind other woman who were waiting for their turn to wash their families clothes like me. I lived in one of the poorest cities, a place that the king doesn't even glance at.
"I heard that he's so handsome!" The woman in front of me squeals. I look at the brunette girl who made the.sound, realizing she was younger than me by a couple years. I'm 20 now, which is an unusual age to still be unmarried, like my father said.
"Who is?" I asked, feeling a little bad about I intruding on her conversation with another woman.
She turned and smiled at me, "The king! My sister got the privilege of visiting a nicer area and said she caught a glimpse of him! She said he was absolutely gorgeous."
I roll my eyes slightly, "Gorgeous or not, couldn't he run this place a little better? It isn't fair that some places get more attention and money than others!"
"Talk like that will chase away all suitors and you know it. Besides, how could you not care about his gorgeous brown eyes and thick black hair?" She said giddily.
"I heard that he's really strong too!" The other girl across from the brunette said, giggling.
"But some people are suffering, and he isn't doing anything about it!" I said, resisting the urge to yell.
The girl shrugged, looking at her friend, "You know, there is nothing we can do. Besides, you speak a big game for someone who hasn't been married yet."
I wince and stay quiet, ignoring them as they continue to gush over our leader. I could feel someone look my way every now and again. I knew I wasn't popular around here. I'm not the woman my mother was.
When it was my turn, I wash the cloth articles quickly, running back to the house to hang them up to dry before they get wrinkled.
I walk back to the kitchen to find my father with a small amount of dirt on his face. He smiled slightly, holding up a rabbit. "Found dinner for us. I was going to get the squirrel but...you know..."
I sigh, "It's against the law to kill the national animal." I pause for a second, "Squirrels are pretty cute, though I wish I national animal was more threatening."
"But you're not in any position to change that." He gave the dead rabbit to me. "You know what to do." I hold back a groan and quickly walk to the kitchen. By the time I get this rabbit skinned, I'd have to rush the preparation if my father and brother wanted to eat before the sun set. I glanced out the window for a second, spotting the castle all the way in the distance, for from here.
I don't want to say I hate him....but I do. How hard is it to treat the whole country the same? I've lived here my whole life and haven't even seen royalty once. My Mom said the Fischbach's have been here for a long time.
I focused back on the rabbit in front of me and sighed. Whatever, this thing isn't going to skin itself.