"Are the preparations almost ready? Her birthday is less than a week away," Terrance asked as he sat down in the chair. The tall slender man with the pleasant smile put an apron over him and applied warm cream to his face.
"My Lord Regent, every single request you have made in regards to Brianna's birthday has been carried out, checked and triple checked. Each of her uncles and their families will be attending to see her crowned.
"ALL of her uncles, Barker? Terrance raises an eye at his valet who only chuckled as he reached for an onyx box.
"Oh I certainly hope not, my Lord. Forgive me I have misspoke. Cigam will not be attending, of course."
Terrance sighed; it had only been four years since his adoptive mother and father had disappeared. If his uncles or the old general, Gorien, knew where they were; they have never shared. Still they made sure that the throne was ready for them. Negus had stopped it's quest for power when his father took over the throne, ending hundreds of years of war. A few years later Gorien had found Terrance, just a young boy in the woods, and the still new king and queen adopted him. Even after his sister was born, he was never treated as anything less than their own son.
Still when it came time to announce an heir, Terrance's younger sister was selected. There was no end to the questioning that caused. Some people said it was because only a true-blooded beryl should rule... others simply stated that the crown had typically passed from Mother to Daughter, Drakin and his four brothers being the first male Beryls born in hundreds of years. Still others simply think that the young princess was more loved by her father.
When Barker opened the small onyx box, Terrance's mind stopped wandering. Barker was his father's last gift to him. A talented servant, a fierce protector, with a dreadful secret. The pale thin fingers of Barker reached into the dark onyx box, and took out a simple looking razor out from it. Terrance's eyes focused on the blade as it was opened.
"Since this is such an important event, " Barker started, "and you have to look your best, do you want..."
"No Barker, no just YOUR talents will do." Terrance cut him off tilting back his head.
Barker just nodded and smiled as he brought the razor up to the Lord Regent's neck. "Very good, sir."
