Chapter Text
Cedric has been struggling to figure out what the decorations for the Winter Solstice Festival should be. It begins in a month yet he hasn’t even decided on the floral arrangement: whether it should be hydrangeas or carnations should be the main flower or perhaps some other one such as the fire lotus(1). As he is debating between the choices there is a knock at his door, distracting him and causing him to look in time to see his knight, Mirella, open the door.
“You know you shouldn’t spend all day sitting at your desk, it is a good idea to get up and move around. Perhaps not skip lunch?” she says amusedly while staring at his messy desk and the - by his usual standards - disheveled appearance. “It would do you some good to take a break and come back later refreshed.”
“Is there a reason you interrupted me?” he questions, stretching “You know how important this festival is, and I can’t afford to slack off so close to th-”
She interrupts “It isn’t slacking off to take a break, and I do actually have a reason for coming in unannounced, the emperor(2) has requested your presence. Although I do suggest going to the kitchen and asking a cook for some food before you meet with him” reminding him again that he missed lunch in his endeavor to finish.
“Finally remember he has an heir does he? Not that it matters because, even if I don’t take over, he still has Alaric(3) and Thalor(4) to give the crown to regardless of how little they want it.” he scowls with derision.
Cedric is annoyed that after so long, his father finally wants to talk to him but can’t be bothered to get him himself, instead relying on a knight to inform Cedric of his summons. He sometimes wonders if perhaps being a noble or even a peasant would be better, as from his observations none of them seem to have the same issues with their family. Realizing he got lost in thought he sighs “Thanks for informing me, where should I meet with him?”
“He is in his study, but you don’t need to rush, it doesn't seem too urgent.” Mirella informs him calmly “Anyhow, now that you have been informed I shall go back to standing by your door waiting for something interesting to happen.” Then she slips back out, closing the door behind her, leaving him to his thoughts as he tidies up both his desk and himself before opening the door to get an apple and meet with the emperor.