Casting one last look in her floor-length mirror, Kagome stole away to the kitchens. She had a long list of servants, all waiting to render her as useless as she felt, but she'd made it clear to Akitoki that she still required her independence. He was a little confused at what that entailed, but after emphasizing that unless there was some sort of event going on, she would be dressing and bathing herself, he was quick to accommodate her wishes.
It was more to keep from being smothered by handmaids, but she was also tired of their snide comments about her hair. A princess was meant to look perfect at all times, and being forced to coat her unruly locks in perfume and pomade every day gave her a headache.
No one had bothered her about her hair back home, but maybe that was because her mother wore the same style. She'd taught Kagome how to tame it over the years—growing it long helped—but it seemed that curly equated to unkept, as all the other nobles within Akitoki's castle sported pin-straight hair, and the crown prince's intended was expected to do the same.
She could never leave it down, lest she be looked down upon, so she had to spend extra time each morning styling it. Today, she'd twirled two braids upon her head; she'd thought about adding a few flowers but opted for a jewelled comb instead. She wanted to look her best for Akitoki, and though his gifts were lavish and overstated, she felt the sincerity behind them.
The chefs were busying themselves with everyone's breakfast, leaving the pantry free and clear for the picking. Kagome knew she'd never get away with actually cooking anything, so she assembled a tray of food that wouldn't require utensils. Akitoki's palate was strange, but she chalked that up to growing up within the castle walls, so she'd observed him whenever he ate to pick up on his preferences.
After adding a plate of diced peaches, she declared the tray complete and quickly stuffed it in her basket. She touched her hair, making sure it hadn't come loose, then went in search of her betrothed. There were only a few places he could be, especially at this time of day, and Kagome lucked out when she discovered him outside the knights' quarters.
"Be sure to check your weapons every morning," he said, looking dashing as always in dark blue silk. "A dull sword is a useless sword." The knights bowed in agreement, some heading back to the barracks while others shoved each other toward the great hall.
Holding her basket in one hand, she grabbed his shoulder with the other, placing a kiss against his cheek. "Good morning."
Akitoki jerked, then stepped away from her. "It's a bit early for that, isn't it?"
Kagome frowned. "Am I not allowed to be affectionate with the man I'm going to marry?"
He smiled, then kissed the back of her hand. "Of course, but it's better to do it without an audience."
She perked up at that. "Speaking of which, you have no other duties until this evening, right? Let's go on a picnic!"
He gave her an odd look, head cocked to the side. "Why would I do that?"
Her smile became forced. "You said we'd spend the day together."
"Well, yes, of course, but a picnic is something peasants do." He tugged at his crisp white gloves. "The cooks are about to serve breakfast, anyway. Food is much better when hot."
Kagome's hands tightened around the handle of her basket, face turning ashen. He wasn't doing it to be cruel; how could he have known that she'd made them a meal? That she'd been looking forward to time away from the castle and their duties?
Tongue thick in her mouth, she swallowed as she tried to get the words to form. "Your Highness," she began, hoping to appeal to his ego, "I humbly request some of your time. It doesn't have to be a picnic; we could walk through the market or read together in the library."
His brow only furrowed more. "I have everything I need here. If there's something you require, then ask one of your ladies in waiting to fetch it for you." A bell chimed inside the castle walls, and he turned to follow the knights. "Come along. We will feast among friends."
She shook her head, keeping the basket behind her back. "I'm afraid I've lost my appetite. Go on without me." He didn't question it, though he advised her to find a healer before lunch, and then he was gone, along with Kagome's hopes that today would be different.