Technology. Destruction. Family. Rosemary Ellesmere would summarize her life with those three words: technology, destruction and family. A dismal description for the life of a 22-year-old princess, isn't it? Well, she doesn't know how else to put it. At this moment, you may think that the privileged life of a royal couldn't be so disastrous that she would describe it as "technology, destruction and family". You just wait and see!
Rosemary Ellesmere is the Princess of Andros-9, the fifth planet in the solar system of Antanarivo. She is the oldest daughter of the King and Queen of Andros-9 and has three younger siblings: two brothers and a sister. Her oldest brother is Nicolas; he is 20 years old. Then there is her sister Victoria, who is 19. Last but not least, her youngest brother Thomas. He is only 16.
As mentioned, family is a key word to describe Rosemary. Her family is what is most important to her. If anything happened to her siblings, she would rampage for days. So, it mustn't come as a shock to you that they are very close. Very close.
With their parents often on humanitarian missions, Rosemary vowed to protect and take care of her siblings. Therefore she insists that they stay at the Grand Palace in Pontiasin, the capital of Andros-9, while their parents are away. They don't object, although Thomas feels that he doesn't need his older sister to baby-sit him. When he told her once, Rosemary pinched his cheeks and talked to him as if he were a baby.
"Aaw, who is a good baby brother? Yes, yes, you are!" she said in a high pitch.
"Oh Rose, stop that! I am 16 now, not 6," Thomas complained.
"Then stop being so silly, Tommy boo," she lifted her voice at his baby name.
"Who is pinching me like Nana did?" he retorted.
Thomas and Rosemary's grandmother, Queen Delphine, used to pinch all her grandchildren's cheeks, even on official occasions when the whole planet was watching. It had never bothered Rosemary, but Thomas had always made a face as if he had eaten sour grapes. After Queen Delphine died about two years ago, Rosemary would mimic the gesture whenever Thomas was grumpy.
"Tommy, is it really that hard for you to act as if you are still my baby brother? I know you are getting older, but I will always see you as the boy who acted like a sourpuss when Nana pinched his cheeks."
"Could you blame me? After she pinched me, it looked like I was wearing rouge. And you don't need to worry; I will always be your youngest brother. I just don't want you to treat me as a child anymore. It is bad enough that Mom does."
"Fine, Tommy boo, I won't treat you as a child, but I do want you at the Palace when Mom and Dad are away."
"Sure. And please stop calling me Tommy boo," he pleaded before hugging his sister.
From that day, Rosemary had never called him Tommy boo again, but she did keep pinching his cheeks. Thomas' face was too funny for her to give it up. And Thomas would complain, but she wouldn't care. He would always stay her baby brother and she would always pinch his cheeks.
Today, her siblings are joining her at the Palace in Pontiasin once again since their parents are on the far side of Andros-9. So, while the King and Queen visit a native tribe, Princess Rosemary Ellesmere will have a garden party. Many high-placed politicians and their families are to attend, as are Rosemary's siblings.
Standing on the patio in a short, blue dress and black vest, Rosemary overlooks the preparations in the palace gardens. Her dark clothes create a lovely contrast between her and the patio's white tiles. Behind her, a maroon moonstone archway resembles a gaping mouth about to swallow her. The archway's moonstone was carved from Andros-9's main moon, Andros-9-red. (The scientists who discovered the solar system of Antanarivo thought of very original names.)
From under that reddish brown archway steps mister Edwards, the head of palace staff. His fancy, grey suede suit almost makes up for his thinning hairline. However, Rosemary doesn't mind his receding, white hair. Together with his many wrinkles, it is a testament of mister Edwards' experience and wisdom.
"Your bother, Duke Nicolas of Pontiasin, has arrived, milady," Edwards announces as he bows. His falsetto voice carries a deep feeling of respect and honour. After 35 years of service, mister Edwards is still proud of his work for the royal family.
"Thank you, mister Edwards. You can bring the duke right here," Rosemary nods. "That applies to the countess and baron too."
As the official heir of Andros-9, only Rosemary has the privilege of being called Princess. Thus, her siblings received different titles at birth. Nicolas became Duke of Pontiasin. Victoria is Countess of Kyuryu and Thomas Baron of New Grenada.
Moments later, Nicolas strides through the archway and hugs his sister. He is wearing a white T-shirt beneath a dark grey blazer, with a purple tie and purplish red trousers. His caramel-brown hair is as wild as ever. Unlike his siblings, Nicolas doesn't have the platinum blond hair of their mother.
"How are you, Rose?" Nicolas smiles.
"I have been better," Rosemary sighs. "Our guests will arrive soon, but there is no trace of Vicky or Tommy."
"You worry too much! They will show up. They always do," he puts his arm around her.
"I suppose you are right," she sighs once more.
Just then, mister Edwards approaches the two royals: "Your Majesty, the solido-projector theatre has finished its warm-up."
The solido-projector is a unique technology, known only to the Androsians. It is an escalation of the global industry and hobby: films. For centuries, Andros-9 had been the centre of the universe for shooting and distributing films. The Androsians themselves had a particular love for the classics from the days of ancient Earth.
To honour Andros-9, the scientist Marcus Geelong developed the solido-projector. This device scans an entire film and projects solid 3-D figures of all the film's characters. After the initial projection, the solid figures follow the same plot as the film, but spectators can see it happen in real life action.
The technology was an instant success and the Ellesmeres globalised it, so they could produce it in bulk. The solido-projector soon took over the interstellar market and the Androsians profited immensely. For a good century, the planet has been manufacturing and personally enjoying the solido-projectors.
"Wonderful! Start the The Lord of the Rings procedure. The theatre should have it on file," Rosemary orders mister Edwards.
"As you wish, Your Majesty," he bows before scurrying through the palace gardens.
"The Lord of the Rings? Heavy film for a garden party with politicians," Nicolas remarks.
"I just felt like watching it again. One of the new maids suggested it actually," Rosemary smirks.
"Then she needs to learn how to match a film to the proper occasion," a familiar voice calls from behind Rosemary and Nicolas. The two of them turn around and grin as they see their sister Victoria.
Strutting a semi-long, hot pink dress and sparkling, pink pashmina, Victoria Ellesmere greets her older siblings. Rosemary wouldn't want to be caught dead in such an over-the-top dress, but Victoria relishes in her extravagance. With her elfish face and girly attire, few would guess her to be 19.
"Fell in a cotton candy machine again, Vicky?" Nicolas chuckles.
"Lost your sense of fashion again, Nick?" Victoria counters.
"Don't start you two!" Rosemary warns them chuckling. "Have you seen Tommy yet, Vicky?"
"Oooh, is the baron late again?" she says sheepishly.
A servant alerts the three royals: "Your Majesties, your guests have arrived."
Rosemary grumbles.
"Fine, let them through. We will greet them without the baron."
No sooner has the servant disappeared or the Ellesmeres' guests walk through the moonstone archway. Every politician of the Global Parliament was invited and most of them agreed to come, including their families. Courteously, as it befits royalty, the Ellesmere siblings shake hands with each guest, greeting them personally.
Halfway through the courtesies, Thomas appears next to Victoria and starts shaking hands. He chose to wear a bright yellow suit with a clover green tie. Rosemary throws him a venomous look from behind Nicolas before continuing to greet the guests.
When everyone has been greeted, the Ellesmeres walk two by two into the garden. After linking arms with Nicolas, Rosemary turns around to face Thomas.
"I will deal with you later," she whispers before turning around and smiling again.
