Chapter 217 - Home is where the heart is (2/2)
Reighley laughed once again. ”Alright, now back to business I've teased enough. Camilla, dear, you will be joining Ales in his studies from now on. You will do mathematics for an hour of the morning, followed by history of our clan until lunch, then literature, writing, and the arts of the evening. Etiquette classes will be three days a week and will include ballroom dance, and you may select any instrument for tutoring on the other two days.” She smiled at her son. ”Ales is currently taking piano and violin if you like to sit in on a few of his classes before deciding.”
Cam nodded. ”Wh...what about Fern...” She stuttered sending a nervous glance to Ales before quickly adding. ”It's just that... well you haven't mentioned him.”
Reighley sent Cam a warm smile. ”You do not have to explain, dear. It's only natural to ask. He studies outside the palace for the most part now, either at university or by working alongside his father. He has trained for many years now to take over when his father can no longer rule. You will most likely only see him in passing around the palace during the evening or your days off from tutoring.” She filled in.
Cam nodded. ”When will I begin?” She asked shyly.
Reighley smiled warmly. ”You will begin today, dear. Ales will show you where to go and help you acclimate. I will send for you once the seamstress is here.” She had lifted her fork halfway to her lips before breathing in suddenly. ”Oh, I'd almost forgotten to ask. How do you like your rooms, dear? Are the colors agreeable? We can also change them if you'd like.”
”Oh no, my room is beautiful. I like it quite a lot, thank you.” Cam said around another bite.
”Very well, dear.” She nodded to Ales. ”Perhaps Ales can spare some time one day this week to take you into town and shop for other items for your room, to make it more personal for you. There are several shops. It would also give you a chance to see the town and get to know it.”
Ales nodded. ”That could be fun. I can take her to the shop with the shaved ice!” He began rambling on about other shops in town and the things he liked the most about them.
Reighley laughed. ”Oh well, now I want to go, even!”
”You should, Mother! It would be super fun and the shop owners always give extra treats when you or Father are around.”
Reighley chuckled at her son's enthusiasm. ”I will try rearranging my schedule and see.” She turned to Cam and winked. ”Anything for extra treats.”
The rest of the morning passed in a blur of activity. The mathematics teacher was an older, rather lively man with short gray whiskers lining his jaw from ear to ear, growing bushier by each. The oils of his balding head often caught the glint of the morning sun and reflected it causing Ales to giggle every time a ray would cause Cam to squint. The history lessons were surprisingly interesting, and Cam discovered this wolf pack's history wasn't so much different than her own. Lunch came and went with her and Ales sharing finger sandwiches and a tray of fruit out on the beautiful veranda that overlooked the ocean. Her attention stayed so focused on the waters below that Ales had offered to take her down to the beach sometime soon. Her amazement hadn't ended there. Once back inside she had first been surprised at how well Ales read and at how pretty his calligraphy was, but neither had prepared her for what was to come. The beautiful melody of the violin filled the room. Her attention stayed trained on him the whole time, enjoying every expression of his closed-eyed face and the agile stroke of the bow over the strings as his finger moved nimbly across the cords at the handle. She couldn't help but clap when his practice was over causing the teacher to clap as well.
”I want to learn that one!” Cam said in excitement as she reviewed her day to the queen as they walked hand in hand down the sloping road leading to the town with Ales skipping along beside them happily enjoying her praise.
”If it is what you would like, Dear.” Reighley chuckled sending her son a pleased smile. She continued asking the girl questions and enjoying the easy banter between the children. ”Ah, here we are.” Reighley announced as they rounded the last turn leading into the booming town.
Cam's eyes took in the bustling streets lined with busy shops. The scent of fresh baked goods mingled with the scent of the many flowers overfilling the many flower boxes in each of the businesses windows and hanging from baskets attached to the shop signs. ”Wow...” Cam murmured in amazement. ”It's so pretty...”
Ales grabbed her free hand and dragged Cam and his mother toward his favorite shop. Pushing up on tip-toe over the counter, he called out. ”THREE shaved ice's today, Mr. Ginio!”
”Oh? Is that Prince Ales I hear? And did you say you brought friends?” The shop owner said as he turned away from the counter he'd been working at, a gentle smile spread across his face. The man paled briefly as he suddenly straightened and bowed his head. ”Your Majesty! I didn't realize-” Reighley's cheerful laughter brought the man's blushing face back up to meet hers.
She patted her son's shoulder. ”Prince Ales insists you have the best treats in the entire kingdom. So, we simply couldn't resist.” She said, moving her smile down to Cam.
The shop owner smiled nervously back at the queen. ”I hope I can meet your expectations, My Lady.”
She chuckled as she patted her son's shoulder again. ”Ales is never wrong about these things. If he says your shop is the best, then it must be so.” She winked down to her son. ”What flavors would you recommend, Dear?”
Ales thought it over for a few seconds. ”What is your favorite fruit, Cam?” He asked. When she only shrugged, he thought harder, tenting his brows and rubbing his chin. ”I have an idea!” He called out before smiling brightly as he pushed up onto his tip-toes to see farther into the shop. ”One of each, please!”
The older shop owner chuckled as the queen giggled merrily and nodded in agreement. ”Here you go, it's on the house.” He said as he handed several cups out the window to Ales.
He quickly grabbed the spoon from one of the cups and scooped a large amount of the red tented ice onto it. Shoving it toward Cam, he declared. ”This one is my favorite, so you must try it first!”
Reighley laughed happily as she watched the children sample each of the cups and rate which were each of their favorites. Her worries of Cam's transition to their palace quickly melted away as she reached out and stroked her hand over the girl's soft hair.