The Royal Contract

Where was she? She asked internally, taking on the state of the room. It was clean. The bed sheet had no creased on it as if nobody had slept on it last night. But she was sure that she assisted her mother into her room, even tucked her in her bed.

“Mom.” She tried again, but no one responded. Concerned, she checked every available space in the room, even under the bed.

A little absurd.

However, she had to be thorough. But the room was empty.

Where could she have gone? Checking again for any sign, but everything in the room was in order. Maybe she was in the garden, and the maids cleaned the room as soon as she had left.

It was worth a try as Dani exited the room and followed the path to one of her favorite places where her mother liked to spend her time.

.....

“Good morning, Ms. Dani.” One of the maids greeted her with a smile and a nod. “It is nice to see you back, even if it was for a little while.” She added before she went

She was carrying a vase full of colorful flowers in her hands when she passed her by and continued on her way.

Could those flowers come from her mother? That was not likely since she was still very distraught when she left her last night. Still, those flowers looked beautiful.

She walked further into the hallway, going in the direction of the garden, but before moving further, she heard something that caught her attention. It was coming from her left.

It was the voice of her mother. Laura seemed to be giving instructions to someone. It was slightly unclear, so she changed direction and moved towards the kitchen instead.

“Mom!” She finally called again when she was within hearing distance, not needing to shout.

Then, when she entered the room, she saw her mother in the kitchen, preparing breakfast as if this was just an ordinary day.

“Good morning, my Princess.” Laura finally looked up to her with a sweet smile on her lips.

She suddenly wanted to slap herself on the cheeks to check if she was not dreaming. Her mother enthusiastically cooked in the kitchen as if nothing had happened yesterday.

But when she slightly pinched herself on her arm, she knew this was all too real. Her mother, who was supposed to be in her bed, still crying or fast asleep, was now in their kitchen, smiling and happily cooking for them.

Was she in some form of denial? Was this a stage of her grief?

She had read something about the five stages of grief on the internet. Something that she was hoping would help her in the process of accepting the untimely death of her father.

She knew it would not be easy, but she wanted all the help she could get through reading, therapy, or being with her loved ones. But could her mother be going through those stages?

“Hi, Mom. What are you doing?” Dani asked as she walked closer to the counter where her mother was busy working.

She could remember how her mother would wake up early each morning to start preparing for the day. Her first obligation was to feed them. So, she would always find her in the kitchen when she woke up.

She would always ask her what she would cook for them. Then her mother would smile and say either her favorite or her Dad. Now, she was afraid to ask, frightened of what her mother would answer.

“I am preparing something special for you and Alex.” Laura looked up to her before returning to her preparation. “Don’t worry, my darling. I am ok.” Her mom added.

She must have noticed the concern on her face. But she felt relieved to hear her say that. She was expecting that she would mention her father in the mix.

But she was glad she seemed fine, but it was still too early to tell. Maybe the symptoms would show much later. But she hoped that she did not have to go through those stages.

But if she did not, would that be bad too? She had no idea since she was also going through something herself. But one thing she was sure of, she missed her Dad terribly.

“I am glad to hear that.” Dani sat on a stool, tightening the knot of her robe as she watched her mother move into the kitchen.

Would she ever be domesticated and house trained just like her mother? Until now, Alex dominated the kitchen more than her. What about when they started having kids? Would Alex and her kids expect her to cook just like her mother?

Suddenly, she smiled, realizing where her thoughts had taken her, imagining small children running around the place. Her mother would love little kids playing with her cooking stuff, except for the knives.

“I am not sure what you like for breakfast since we rarely see you this early.” Her mother had a glimpse of sadness in her eyes, probably remembering her father in that statement, but she quickly blinked it away.

“Anyway, I prepared several choices,” Laura told her. “But I still cooked some of your favorites.”

She could see several of her mother’s assistants working in the background, preparing several dishes under her directions. It seemed like she was cooking a feast just for the three of them.

“Alex likes everything. He would eat anything you put in front of him.” Dani guaranteed her mother that she did not need to worry about her husband.

The last thing she wanted was for her mother to be anxious about nothing. She had been through enough to feel terrible about her cooking.

“That is good to hear, but don’t worry. I have invited some guests to join us, so you don’t have to eat everything.” Laura smiled before turning around to put her pie in the oven.

She did not expect that again. This morning seemed to be full of surprises as her eyes widened at her mother’s plans.