Enri gazes at herself in the mirror, surrounded by her ladies-in-waiting. The looming schedule on the first day of the Great Assembly requires her to be at her best, and she just managed to keep a slight sigh when Sonia, one of her young lady-in-waiting, steps forward. "How does it look, Your Majesty?"

Enri was dressed in the traditional attire of the Tonenmen dynasty, all tailored to fit her. She donned a blue and gold long armored dress, flowing down to her feet, with a matching cape cascading down her back. At her hip hung the legendary sword Altair, crafted by the late Grandmaster Raphtaïl III. Topping it all off was the Crown of the Tonenmen, adorned with pristine jewels, proudly bearing the insignia of the Royal House of Tynna... her house now, even if her bond was only one of marriage who has been buried a decade ago.

Enri's hair were meticulously groomed, her golden locks braided and sophisticatedly wrapped like a crown behind her head. She stood dignified; her chin held high, her back straight, chest out, shoulders back, feet firmly planted, fixed hazel eyes exuding determination. Every fiber of her being was the embodiment of queenly composure and grace—Her Majesty Enri Niema Solene Briar Tonenman, Queen of Tynna, carried this regal presence with pride, but the weight underneath and sentiment of imposture still ever present. Everything still felt foreign; still unfit.

"It's lovely, thank you." Enri responded succinctly yet kindly, carrying a sense of satisfaction and approval. Meanwhile, her gaze stayed fixed on her regal reflection in the grand mirror before her. After a brief moment of silence, Enri broke the silence with authority and purpose as she instructed. "I shall go now. Cassandra, you will accompany me."

The oldest and chief of her ladies-in-waiting, a noblewoman and seasoned royal attendant who had served Enri since she was Phileas' bride. Her face and body were weighted by age and pressure she lived under for most of her life. Her hair were now mostly white, glasses framed her eyes and beautiful but aged visage. Yet she flawlessly carried herself still—dress without a single blemish, hair dressed to perfection, hands properly held together, muscles still ripped from all duties Tynna and Enri demanded of her.

Even now after all these years, Enri keep admiring and finding her much more worthy to be queen that she'll ever be. After all, Cassandra was the one who raised her since she stepped in this castle nearly two decades ago. Who took this unfit, uncouth third daughter of a anonymous Baron and made her stand alongside kings without shame, then made her a queen of her own. From how to walk in royal dress or appropriately use the quill, to talk greed into silence or inspire loyalty with a glance, Cassandra has been at her side through it all. Even before her first night with Phileas, Cassandra has been Enri's first supporter.

Enri never wanted to be queen. She just loved a man and had been lucky to be loved back. It just so happened that this man was to be king.

Cassandra had loved too once. A powerful man just like Phileas has been. But although she had been the daughter of a Count, she had only been the second. So the man was offered and married her older sister instead. A marriage of love as much as reason. Their progeniture—Cassandra' nieces and nephews—kept his legacy would stood among the elites during the Assembly. Meanwhile, Cassandra' birth made her meant to serve...

But Cassandra was much more than just a servant or teacher to Enri. She was a companion, a friend, a council, a confident, a partner, an older sister and mother amisdt the highest highs when she stood alongside Phileas on the royal altar; and lowest lows when she helped bury him alongside their unborn child in the castle ground... Enri could never voice her gratitude and appreciation enough; besides Phileas' own, her company was undoubtely Enri's most precious.

Cassandra's tall stature and dignified voice echoed through the room as she affirmed her duty with a bow. "As you wish, Your Majesty."