There was a small, raised white gazebo in the center of the smallest garden surrounded by lush flowers and vines. A round table was built into the center of it with cushioned white chairs around. Amirya sat in one while Sephine poured the tea. Yanafir was surprised that Seph, who she perceived as new, portrayed an assertive action to the volatile princess.

“I’d like everyone but Lady Sephine to leave.”

Yanafir bowed and heeded her, but Estel hesitated before she bowed and trailed after Yanafir.

“Shall I sit, Your Highness?” Sephine said. Her wary spirit conflicted with her upbeat tone.

“Naturally,” Amirya said. She took the tea kettle and poured it in Sephine’s cup.

“Ah, don’t,” Sephine paused and gave Amirya an incredulous, dubious look.

“I would like it if you called me familiarly, like before,” Amirya said softly, “by my first name.”

“Okay…”

Amirya snorted. She inhaled deeply, “Lady Sephine, I was wrong, and I can’t give you an adequate excuse. You’re my… you were my only friend and I-” whatever Amirya planned to recite dissipated from her brain, “I am… all alone here, except for Nanny… I - I know, I was obsessed and hung up on Valerian, and immature - very immature. But honestly, I don’t even care if you liked him or still like him, goddesses.” Amirya spoke faster as she rambled, “I don’t even want this engagement anymore, what I want, well, it’s - it’s complicated, but to say, it’s not what’s ahead. What I mean is that, I am going to change it, and myself, and…”

“Princess Amirya,” Sephine interrupted. She sipped her tea. “Thank you for pouring me such a delicious cup. Hm, well, I made it, so perhaps I am not humble enough in my own praise, right?”

“...”

“What is it? Is it still too formal? My Lady Amirya, then? But what will the nobles say…” Seph widened her eyes and tilted her head. Her playful nature had a sharp edge to it.

“Just Amirya when we’re alone, at the least.”

“Call the princess’s own name in her own palace? What? Do I dare?” Sephine covered her mouth with a fake gasp. She was always good at word games.

“Would you dare to throw a doll or perhaps that tea in my face?” Amirya asked.

“Huh? No,” Sephine responded, unexpectedly stumped at the response.

“If it would earn your forgiveness, I would have you throw something at my face, as it would only be fair to send the same treatment back when you’ve been wronged.”

“But then I would have to be mute for the next four years, and what lady-in-waiting to royalty has such a disability? The nobles would say it was a weakness.” Sephine quipped.

Amirya’s heart leaped at the stark realization. Rather than the fight itself, the main offense was obviously the time that passed before Amirya apologized. She abandoned her friend, the thing Amirya herself feared the most.

“Well, accidents happen all the time, a pinch of the skin while tying a dress, or the pull of a strand of hair while you braid, so perhaps not mute, but until your heart can be satisfied.”

“It’s like the princess is moving the chair just as I sit down,” Sephine smiled, but her eyes squinted.

“Not at all, I was wrong.” Amirya said earnestly.

“Wow, the princess says it again, but if anyone heard, I would be wrong.”

“I will never treat you like that again.” She promised.

“What complaints does this one have, anyways?” Sephine moved a shortbread cookie to her plate. “This humble girl may not be high-class, but she understands the weight of a position and would never mix up duties.”

“Augh, oh my god,” Amirya gave up, “I’m not talking to you because I’m scared you’ll betray me in vengeance! And I’m not trying to trick you into messing up. Seph, I’m just sorry. I’m so sorry. And I hate it here, I really do. If you don’t want to forgive a foolish girl, then don’t, but if I can fix it, I would really like it if I had just one friend. Not for politics, but because I’m frightened and alone, and I miss you. If you don’t want to, just say so, and I will tell Nanny to release you back to your father’s shop. But it isn’t just any friend or girl that would do - it’s you. The one who was raised with me like we’re sisters. Please.”

Her desperation surprised her as it revealed itself. Amirya had never apologized in her life, not once. Zee did, though. Zee learned the value of relationships with others, and June, her best friend, ran through her mind again.

Sephine and June were so alike, she suddenly noted. Their attitude and their wit - and the way they tolerated her shortcomings as though they didn’t exist. Her desire for Sephine was rooted in selfishness. She feared loneliness. She could not face the future by herself. She would die again if she did. A relationship with Amirya would not benefit Sephine. It may even endanger her, so if she acted in Seph’s best interest, she wouldn’t even approach the girl. But she missed Sephine - and June - so much. A heaviness weighed in her.

Sephine basked in stunned silence for a while.

“Wow,” she finally said.

Amirya raised her eyebrows.

“Well, is school that scary?”

It’s not like Sephine knew of a future-past to fear. They let a moment pass.

“And people.” Amirya shrugged with one shoulder.

“Well, besides all that, there’s no way I would believe that you don’t want to marry Young Lord Valerian, so it’s okay to be completely truthful in your pleas to me. A lie to assert the truth is not effective…” Sephine reproached as her index finger tapped against her lips.
Amirya groaned.

Sephine continued, “I don’t like him, anyways. I never did. I mean, don’t you see plenty of knights with broad shoulders and big grins? He’s too… lanky. And,” Sephine contorted her face into a serious expression with pouted lips and a furrowed brow to mimic him. “Right?”

“Right,” Amirya agreed.

“If you read my letter after, you’d know that back then too, I only ever meant that the best would be picked out for you. And, you’re not alone. If you’re going to complain like that, then give me back my mother. You see her more than I do.”

“I won’t complain,” Amirya promised.

“If you throw something at me, I’m taking you up on your offer, but you better not have me punished, or I’ll forsake you forever,” Sephine swore. “I’ll leave you to cry about being lonely. Oh, and I want a raise.”

Amirya chuckled. Finally, Seph’s aura quit buzzing and relaxed.

“You’re laughing, but the raise was for real,” Sephine drank her tea, her eyebrows raised up. “And, this is the first smile you’ve given me this whole time. Stingy, much? How are you going to win me over with only that much?”

“I don’t even know about my own funds,” Amirya admitted. “And I’ll only smile for you, Seph.”

“Bah, I guess the pay is already quite good. I’m receiving more than that other one, right? And don’t say that, you’ll make mother cry.”

“I don’t know,” Amirya said honestly. This was the first time she felt so light since the dragon heart ceremony. “But I’ll get you lots of gifts and share all my things.

“Your things? The princess’s things? Those precious things? No way,” Sephine dramatically gasped. Her sarcastic tone and exaggerated face pained Amirya’s heart as it reminded her of June once more, but simultaneously, happiness flooded her.

“Yes, yes.” Amirya nodded.

“Do I dare? I might dare, perhaps,” Seph scooted her chair until she bumped into Amirya’s and bent closer, “what did Young Lord Valerian get on your sixteenth? Tell me; I want that.”

“A music box - you can have it.” Amirya agreed. She knew it was a test, but it was a simple one.

Sephine’s head jerked. She no longer faked her surprise and careened back, “No way!”

“You must take it.” Amirya said pointedly. “It’s an order from the princess, you dare refuse?”

Sephine placed her hand over her opened mouth, “Pri… Amirya, my, my, what is this? I heard you fell ill at the dragon ceremony - Mother told me some of it. That you bled from your nose and ears. I didn’t know your brain had actually bled too.”

“I think it was a good thing,” Amirya whispered like she shared a secret.

“Maybe someone took over your body,” Sephine whispered back and casted a cursory glance over her.

Amirya paused. She was Zee. But also, Amirya. They melded together and created a new whole. “In a way, perhaps.”