The rule of thumb held. Altezza's ears began to shorten not long after the twins' fourth birthday. It took several months, but they came to be roughly 30 centimeters long—the average length for a Doggle.
However, as her ears shortened, another set in the castle lengthened. Though, it was not because of pregnancy. Duchess Shary began her HRT regimen, but it came with a side effect.
Altezza held Shary's ear along the meter stick. "You're sure you're holding it all the way out?" Shary asked.
"I'm sure," Altezza replied. She looked at where the ear came to. "Seven hundred fifty-two millimeters, the same as it's been for the past month." She let go of the ear and set down the meter stick. "I think they're as long as they're going to get."
"The doctor said they should return to normal once my body has finished developing," Shary said. "Which should be in about three years."
"I think you'll manage," Altezza replied.
"You could always stop," Virginie suggested.
"I'd rather have my ears go to the floor," Shary replied. She looked down to her chest. "I'm finally starting to grow breasts."
"I'll leave you to it." Altezza left for the throne room.
It was a quiet day. There were no pressing affairs of state, and Auler and Altezza would spend their required time in the throne room should someone seek an unplanned audience.
Altezza sat next to Auler as he read the mail. "Despite her insistence otherwise, your sister's ears have stopped growing. But, boy, are they long. They're a good five centimeters longer than mine were."
Auler laid the mail on his lap. "Do you miss them? Your Human ears?"
Altezza held her ear. It was soft and fluffy and had been a part of her for years. "The one thing I miss is wearing earrings. I can't pierce them because of the muscle and all the fur would make it impossible to find the hole anyway."
"Is that why you've begun wearing ribbons on them?" Auler asked.
Now that Altezza's ears were a reasonable length, she had been decorating them. Ribbons seemed to fit, and her crown did not crowd them. "I guess."
She turned to the pile of mail in Auler's lap. "What came in today?"
"It's baby season," Auler answered. "Queen Milro is having a girl."
"I guess the clock is ticking on her reign," Altezza replied.
"Fine and Rein are also going to have a joint baby shower," Auler continued. "I guess it would be given when they ended up pregnant at the same time."
"Your Majesties," the herald at the door announced, "the prince and princess."
Their children came in. Bö bowed and Emma curtsied. "Hello; Mom, Dad," they said together. They were as much in sync as Fine and Rein.
"Lessons going well?" Auler asked.
"They're going great," Emma said cheerfully.
"If you think rocks are interesting," Bö sighed.
Emma was just like Altezza. She had been fascinated with her collection of gems. Looking into her eyes, she could even see they were alike. Emma was a princess proud of who she was. Perhaps, before Bright became king, it was time for three generations to sit on that bench.