Dipping a chocolate chip cookie into my glass of milk, I am glad I asked one of the Maids if she could run to the kitchen and grab as many of the freshly baked treats as she could with a couple of cartons of milk as once everyone settled their things into their rooms, they all ended up in my room with each one of us wearing pajamas.
“These are delicious.” Lia states as she shoves a whole cookie into her mouth, getting an eye roll from her twin. I laugh, taking a bite of my own as Sky sits beside me on the loveseat, his left arm resting along the back of the furniture.
“I think Alli can make better cookies.” He chimes in from beside me, winking at me when I roll my eyes at him.
“You can bake?” Max asks excitedly, making me sigh.
“And cook. Sky hates that I put bell peppers in my mac and cheese -”
“That’s because vegetables don’t belong in a mac and cheese.” He cuts me off, giving me a dramatic eye roll as he takes a sip from his glass of milk. Everyone chuckles at Sky and me, Alice giving me the same knowing look from earlier that I decide to ignore.
“Is it safe to say we should look forward to you cooking then?” Max asks, his brown eyes lighting up at the prospect of food. I laugh, nearly spilling my glass of milk in the process.
“Yes, it is.” I finally manage to answer, wiping away tears of joy from the corner of my eyes.
“You all have rooms spaced out in this wing of the Palace, but there are many still empty that I need to design. I plan to turn one into a room for us to be able to relax and cook in whenever we want.” I continue, reaching for another cookie from the giant pile on the coffee table.
“I like that idea. When do you want to start the process?” Alec asks, pushing the plate closer to me before he too grabs a few more cookies.
“Soon, maybe within the next few days.” I shrug, dipping one of the cookies into the milk and cursing when I accidentally break it and watch as the half that was dunked slowly sink to the bottom of my glass. Sighing, I face my fate and begin to chug my milk until the soggy half of the cookie reaches my lips and I manage to tap the glass and get it into my mouth.
“Need a refill?” Max asks laughing, handing Sky a still-cold open carton of milk who then hands it to me.
“Thanks.” Taking the carton, I refill my glass and continue to dunk the dry half of my cookie into it, careful not to over-saturate it in the liquid.
“So what’s the plan for tomorrow?” Alice asks as she sets her glass down on the end table beside her.
“Relax and rest for the morning, then meet with Taylor and Kolten in the afternoon.” I answer with a groan before I set my own glass down and lean back into the loveseat. Sky wraps his arm around my shoulder and pulls me close to him as I yawn.
“It's been a long week for me since finding out I am a Princess and I think I need a moment to relax.” I continue once my yawn ends. Feeling the warmth of Sky’s body, I relax into his side and close my eyes. Maybe I should reschedule the meeting with my new General and Lieutenant-General until the day after tomorrow so that I can get some proper sleep and have a clearer mind when dealing with everything.
“Maybe you need more than a moment.” Alec chimes in as if reading my thoughts. Looking at the man, I nod and decide that if someone I just met today agrees that I need more than a moment, then maybe I should just take the day off tomorrow. Sky and I could sneak off to see Ron and Liz again.
“I’ll tell Kolten and Taylor you are taking the day off. Not many people can pull off what you have done in a month, let alone eight days.” Pressing his head on top of mine, Sky chimes in and I feel myself nod in agreement. He is right. In eight days I went from a child with no memories thrown into the Slums to a Princess regaining control over her Palace and Kingdom. What I have done would have taken someone weeks, if not months, to do. And in five days I plan to do more that will improve the lives of my Kingdom’s people.
Noticing my exhaustion, Alice wrangles everyone from my room, telling them I need to rest. I thank her as she and the others divide the remaining cookies into seven equal piles before they leave my room, leaving only Sky and I sitting on the loveseat.
“She would make a good Second in command.” Sky muses, scooping me into his arms and carrying me from the loveseat. I am too tired to protest and allow him to carry me to my bed, my hand clasping his wrist when he settles me down and tries to back away.
“Stay the night please.” I plead, not wanting to be alone in case more memories surface in the form of dreams.
“I will. Just let me turn off the lights.” I nod and slowly loosen my grasp on him, watching as Sky walks to the light switch and flicks it, the room becoming dark instantly. Snuggled under the covers, I wait until the left side of the bed dips and I am pulled into his arms. This time he wears a cotton shirt thankfully, sparing me from becoming a blushing mess.
“You should make her your second.” I yawn out as I get comfortable, my head resting against Sky’s shoulder.
“Alice?” He asks, fingers drawing small circles on my back.
“Yes.”
“I will tomorrow morning. You should get some sleep Alli. You’ve earned it.” I hum in agreement. Sleep comes quickly between being exhausted and the slow circles Sky draws and I welcome it. I look forward to a much-needed day off tomorrow.