2.10

                                    

                                          


                          

                            

                                
                            
                              
                                  
                              
                              
                                
                                  
                                  
                                
                              
                             
                            
                            
                          
                          
                          
picnic by the lake
                          
2.10
                          
Diplomatic paperwork had to be Skyler's worst nightmare. Ever since she'd requested the nobility and courtesans to inform her of their inquiries through mail, her desk had been loaded with scrolls to read and respond to without seeming angry. 
                          
She should have someone set up a standard respond form, it would certainly save her time. Even more if she had a laptop around here or something. 
                          
Several hours skipped by, the sun high at the sky by the time she had survived half the stack of scrolls. She needed a break. Desperately. 
                          
She rose from her chair and shed her bathrobe, in which she had spent half the day already. The sun heated her back from her windows, a summer breeze brushing her shoulder. It was summer. She was Queen of Asgard. Fuck the paperwork, she could do whatever she wanted. And she wanted to go for a swim. 
                          
Skyler packed light and pulled a simple white dress over her head. Adjusting a periwinkle robe around her waist to look slightly more refined. She grabbed a history book from her shelves and headed for the kitchens. 
                          
"Your Majesty!" the Cook, Reinaldo, bowed deeply as she entered the kitchens. "What a pleasant surprise, are you going out today?" Skyler smiled at him and nodded.
                          
"Just out to the Royal Lake... I figured it would be a great day to go for a swim. Do you have any cakes or other sweets?" 
                          
The cook seemed to shuffle to hide his pans before pointing toward the cabinet. "There are always blueberry pastries waiting for you, Your Majesty. I'm afraid I don't have your favourite." Millionaire's Shortbread – a delight she had taken with her from her first year at Hogwarts. The Cook always remembered to make it.
                          
Skyler opened the cabinet and stuffed some blueberry pastries in her bag. "Thanks, Reinaldo. I'll try and stop by before dinner to tell you how I liked them. Have a break yourself, alright? Breathe in the fresh air." 
                          
Reinaldo held his cooking spoon high in the air as he looked outraged. "Your Majesty, that is an offense to my heart! Nowhere in the realm, does the air breathe better than around my kitchen!" 
                          
Skyler laughed and nodded. "That is indeed true. Have a great day then." She waved a goodbye and headed out to the stables. 
                          
Lilly, the grey mare she'd 'burrowed' from Wolveshire Fort, awaited her. The mare whinnied at her as Skyler opened the stable and put a sheep blanked over her back. "Today we're going to relax, girl," she hummed as she put the bridles over the horse's head. With the help of a stool, Skyler swiftly placed herself upon the horse. 
                          
She took the reins and gave the spurs. "Let's go," she said with a smile. 
                          
~