It was no secret that Ochs had never been amazing, or that certain people looked down on her father for being an adopted heir without a Crest. The barony had been loyal to the Empire since its foundation, but never as pivotal as the likes of Aegir or Bergliez. Even Vestra, which had no territory, was more notable than Ochs.
Monica had tried not to put too much stock into these things, but today her father was taking her to Enbarr with him - to House Hresvelg itself, and while he went over some paperwork with the Emperor, Monica would be introduced to the Imperial Princes and Princesses. One of the Princesses was said to be roughly her age.
She couldn't deny it was exciting, but Father was so excited at the prospect of her making new friends. As if it were a given, when Monica couldn't imagine the Imperial children wanting to spend more time than necessary with a mere baron's daughter.
At least if they didn't, she could keep herself busy in the library. They probably had more than enough books to last her the week. If only we didn't live so far away, then Father could get this done within a day and we could be home by tonight.
"Here we are," Father announced. The carriage rolled to a stop and the driver helped her step out, Monica smoothing her travel coat and skirts. Putting on her most polite, cheerful smile as she and Father walked to the gates.
The Emperor waited for them in the great hall, which was every bit as elegant as Monica imagined it would be. Too elegant, almost, and so was Emperor Ionius IX. Not as imposing as she'd feared, but far from jovial and warm. Very serious, even as he smiled at them.
"Baron Ochs," he said. "And you must be Lady Monica." Monica swallowed, giving the best curtsy she could.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty."
"Please allow me to introduce two of my children," the Emperor said. An older boy stepped forward, bowing politely and smiling gallantly. "Hemholz, my oldest son and heir."
"Baron Ochs, Lady Monica. How nice to meet you," the boy said. Next to him was a girl about Monica's age with long brown hair tied into pigtails. Monica blinked, her gaze lingering on her for a moment before the girl's lilac eyes met hers. "And this is my little sister, Edelgard."
"Ah..." Monica quickly looked away, but Edelgard stepped forward and took her hands. Emperor Ionius IX raised an eyebrow, holding up his own hand.
"Edelgard, perhaps-"
"No! No, it's...it's fine, if she wants to, then..."
"I've been looking forward to meeting you," Lady Edelgard said. "I don't get to make new friends very often. We can go play in the garden!"
"Ahem." Monica's heart nearly stopped; she hadn't noticed the fourth person in the room. A tall, skinny, pale kid with messy black hair and ominous eyes stepped closer to Edelgard, and Monica shrank back. "So you're the girl Lady Edelgard has been so looking forward to meeting." Monica swallowed, standing her ground and moving forward again.
"My name is Monica."
"So it is. You'll have to forgive me if I can't just allow Lady Edelgard to go off alone with you," the boy said. "My name is Hubert von Vestra, and I take her safety and well-being very seriously." Lady Edelgard rolled her eyes.
"Hubert, don't be silly. There's nothing scary or dangerous about her at all."
"I'll be the judge of that," Hubert insisted. Prince Hemholz gave him a stern look.
"You can take this too far sometimes, Hubert, even if one couldn't ask for a better vassal than you," he said. Lady Edelgard squeezed Monica's hand more firmly.
"I can decide who to make friends with, and that's that! Father, Baron Ochs, I'll take Monica with me to the garden." Their fathers nodded in approval, and Lad Edelgard led Monica through the expanse of the great hall and the corridor, towards one of the exits.
"I'm sorry about Hubert," Lady Edelgard said. "He doesn't nmean any harm, he just worries too much about me. House Vestra's been serving the Imperial family forever, and he just wants to live up to that legacy. But he's a good person, really." Monica frowned a little, sitting down on a fancy iron bench.
"He certainly has a funny way of showing it, no offense. I don't think he likes me."
"He will." Lady Edelgard smiled, sitting down beside her with a lap full of flowers. "I picked these from the nearby field yesterday. Would you like to make flower crowns?" Monica blinked.
"I've never made flower crowns before. You'll show me how, right?"
"I will! And we've got plenty of flowers, so don't worry if you mess up." They certainly did, and Moncia suddenly had an idea.
"Enough to make one for Hubert?" she asked.
"Trying to curry my favor with flowers, are we?" Monica shrieked, and Lady Edelgard looked over her shoulder with a frown.
"Honestly, Hubert. Given the way you've acted towards her, I'm surprised she doesn't ask the cooks to teach her to make your favorite foods," she said. "Look, I'm sorry I ran off without you, but you're always like this whenever I try to make new friends. You have to trust other people." Hubert crossed his arms over his chest.
"Why do you need new friends? You have me."
Oh. Monica understood. She thought it was dumb and he was being selfish, but she understood. Lady Edelgard patted the empty space on the bench next to her.
"We're still friends, we always will be," she said. "If you'd just learn to like other people then my new friends can be your new friends, too." Hubert made a face.
"That's what your sister said about the Aegir boy, and he's still a pain in the neck." Lady Edelgard snorted.
"But you don't really mind him, otherwise you'd avoid him every time he came over," she said. Hubert turned red for a second, sighing a little, and Monica giggled.
"Now I'm definitely making you a flower crown, then we can be friends and you won't have to get jealous of me and Lady Edelgard!" She paused. "Um...we are going to be friends, right, Your Highness?" Lady Edelgard smiled again, patting her hand.
"We already are. So call me Edelgard, okay?"
Monica's heart fluttered, and she tried not to squeal out loud.
"A-all right...I'll try!"
"Well, then." Hubert almost smiled. "If that's what Lady Edelgard wishes, I...will make the effort to tolerate it. And perhaps I can humor you, Monica, by wearing your flower crown." Edelgard put some flowers on Hubert's lap.
"Good! Now we can all make crowns for each other, and we'll be friends forever!"
Any worries Monica had before faded away as they sat on the bench, weaving their crowns and occasionally sharing banter or jokes. The Imperial Princess had chosen her, personally, to be her new friend! Me, a mere baron's daughter. Maybe the other Imperial children would like her, too, but if not, Lady Edelgard liked her and Hubert would give her a chance. That was enough.
Suddenly, a week-long stay in Enbarr didn't feel like nearly enough time.