Jin awoke in the morning with a mild groan. The morning sunlight was warming her skin, but it was also in her eyes. That light made her head start to throb, and she buried her head in her soft pillow for another moment more. 

“Ugh.” Her mouth was dry and papery. While she had not participated in last night’s drinking contest, she was unused to the regular wine. She’d been drinking from the silver cups all her life up until yesterday, so the real stuff was both a pain and a pleasure.

After rising up and washing her face with the warm water the maids had provided, she did her usual stretches and pushups. It was important to keep the body limber. Sir Arnold was always fond of stating that ‘danger could strike at any moment’, to keep his knights on their toes. Jinayah always had this advice in the back of her head. Even though today was a different kind of battle, it would be good to keep it in mind.

Once she was done exercising, she rang for a bath and clothing. The maids showed up promptly, with steaming, perfumed hot water, and a selection of gowns. Jin frowned, and sighed. Sulhana’s words from yesterday were still ringing in her ears.

“Ladies, please send my armor off to be buffed and shined. I will be wearing it this morning.”

A silence settled in the room. The eldest maid spoke up. She was in charge of all the others who assisted Jin in the mornings. “My lady, are you sure about that? You will be expected to dress for the occasion, and-”

“Bianca.” Jin interrupted with a word.

“Yes, my lady?” 

Jin smiled warmly. “I will be wearing the armor. It’s time to be me, instead of what other people think I should be.”

“But-”

The smile dropped. Jin’s eyes and voice went sharp, and she squared her shoulders. “I believe I issued an [i]order[/i], not a request.” Her royal bearing shone through, and ‘no’ was no longer a possibility.

“...y-yes, my lady! Right away!”

The maids went back into action, and Jin relaxed again. She hated to pull rank like that, but sometimes it was necessary to get her point across.

Hours later saw Jin bathed, brushed, and headed down the halls toward breakfast. The armor glittered in the morning sun, and fit like a dream. She stifled a yawn into her glove and wondered just what the reactions would be.