【 ❀ ❀ ❀ 】 —— The castle has been absolutely bustling with activity with Alma’s looming coronation, her mother and her advisors practically frantic with their planning. Everything had to be just right, even something as minuscule as flower arrangements were something hotly debated and while Alma did try to be interested, she often found herself thinking of the world outside the castle walls. This, however, is a secret best kept to herself. She has a duty to her kingdom, after all, no matter how much she may not particularly relish in the idea of it.
Wiping flour covered hands on her apron, she hums quietly to herself as she turns to the cooling chocolate chip cookies on the kitchen counter. She probably should have been sat in her room studying, knowing that it was the utmost importance to her parents that she learned the history of each surrounding kingdoms -- if only so she knows more about potential suitors. But, she’s more preoccupied with baking snacks for her newly named knight, more then a little pleased that it had been Ruka who was given the position.
Of course, she supposes that it helped that she had not-so-subtly suggested him to her father. Really, she wouldn’t want anyone else; he was her childhood friend, after all, having met when he had been brought to the castle as a page. She even remembered when he had been made a squire -- that day, she had baked him a tart and they had shared it together in the garden, but under the veil of night, hidden from any prying eyes that might disapprove of Alma interacting with someone below her.
Even though in the past few years they had both gotten quite busy, her with being groomed and educated for her future of being a princess and him with his training of being a knight, she still managed to sneak out of her room at night and dragged him out of his own so they could talk.
Wrapping the cookies up carefully into a cloth sack to keep them warm, she places them into a small wicker basket before threading one arm through the handles. Quietly, she tugs open one of the kitchen doors and pokes her head out, peering around for any of her mother’s personal maids who might spot her. When she’s satisfied that the coast is clear, she slips out into the hallways and makes her way down to Ruka’s quarters, knocking gently on his door before stepping back to wait.