"Your Majesty," the Unversed guard came. Since your father had given voices Vanitas's creations, you'd grown nothing but exhausted of the creatures. "The Sultan requires your presence."
"Very well," you muttered, attempting to keep your voice elegant and leveled. You were turning 18 this year, and needed to show that you were adult enough to someday rule your country. You attempted to glide your way down the halls of the palace-though you knew that it looked more like a faulty waddle. Still, you did your best before the servant and it only gave you praise as it dropped you off before your father's door.
You knocked lightly. "Enter," your father called. You pressed the heavy stone doors with all of your might; born in a royal family gave you little upper arm strength.
"Father," you greeted with a curtsey. Your father gave you a nod from his bedside.
"Good to see you, my child." He motioned you over with a weak, thin hand. You approached his side, settling onto his plush blankets. "Let me look at you." He put a hand to your cheek. You leaned into it, feeling the familiar sting that the man's cold palm brought you. You instead focused on his face. The elderly gentleman had lost all hair on his head, but still retained a small pointed beard stained white with experience and age. His ears were sharp, too, making him appear to be a tan elf paled by sickness. You were secretly relieved that you'd received your mother's genes and not his. You imagined that you wouldn't age well if you had.
As his hand remained against your cheek, you saw your father regain his usual posture: one of absolute power. He was, naturally, a strong man (despite his age) and his research into the Unversed, Light, and Darkness kept him driven to retain his strength.
"You're so full of Light, my child." He commented. His thumb stroked the area under your eye.
"Thank you father," you replied.
"Don't sound so formal, my dear." The Sultan withdrew his hand, relaxing it into his lap. "We're family, after all."
"Yes, father." This was how you were taught to answer him. He was leader of a massive country. He deserved respect and didn't have time for something as trifling as daughterly affections.
He chuckled at your montone response. Then, his face relaxed into his business expression: a small smile beneath stern, calculating amber eyes. "Now, my dear, I've called you here to discuss an important matter."
"What is it, father?"
"You life is in danger, my child. Someone is plotting to come and steal you away from me."
"Steal me?" You dropped your formal facade. This was the most exciting (and surprising) news that you'd ever heard.
"Yes. They want to obtain your affinity for themselves and use it against us to bring down our empire."
"Why? What could they want from us?"
"I don't know." Your father stroked his beard, his hand no longer moving slowly or delicately.
"But father! We've ruled in peace for years! How could someone be after you for doing good?"
"Not all people in this world want the best for our kingdom, my child." He pulled you into one of his arms and brushed his fingers through your (colored) hair. "You must be more cautious than ever now of who you trust. Even our closest friends could be plotting against us."
"Our friends?" You didn't have many of those; any that you did have didn't count, as they were also servants.
"Yes." The Sultan brought you out of his arms and gave you a gentle smile. "You need not live in fear, though. Should anyone try to harm you or take you away, I will protect you." You felt immense comfort from the man. He'd done well to protect you without a mother already, so you knew that you need not worry for your safety now.
"Thank you, father."
Someone opened the door to the bedroom, and Vanitas came in. He wore eyes like your father's: yellowed to match the color of tree sap. He wore a suit seemingly made of red and black veins; your father had explained once that it aided with the boy's rare and painful disease. His hair was strongly spiked and the color of ash, making his eyes stand out to you more. He was about your age, though you couldn't understand why such a youthful boy was the right-hand helper of your father.
"Pardon me, your highness." Vanitas greeted your father first with a bow, then you with a strange look. "Princess."
The Sultan lifted you from his bed. "Hurry now to your lessons. We shall speak later." You curtseyed and dashed off, relieved to see your father looking so flushed and well again. He loved you so, and as long as you had him, you had no need for anyone else.
... ... ...
That night, you were surprised to be summoned once more to your father's side. He usually didn't have time to see you, except when he was on bedrest. You were rushed by a Scrapper Unversed to the throne room. It hobbled beside you only to the door; the creatures weren't allowed in this area. You led yourself to your smaller throne beside your father. His was white silver, lined with rubies and sapphires. Yours was a miniature version without all of the jewels, which was fine by you; as pretty as they might look on clothing, they're heavy and scratch easily. You were better off without having to sit on those things.
"Enter," the Sultan called when you were seated. Three people entered the room. When you caught sight of the tallest one, you cried out in glee.
"Uncle Eraqus!" You jumped up from your seat, rushing towards the man. He was dressed in his samurai-like garb from his visits to the Asian continent and smelled like pocky. You buried your face into his clothes and smiled. "I've missed you!"
The man laughed, giving you a hug back. "And I you, _." You pulled back to examine his face. He'd gained some new scars from his travels-though you couldn't tell right off of the bat, because his face was littered with them. He'd let his hair grow out as well and it was pulled into a small, fluffy ponytail. Shorter parts of his black strands hung around his face, occasionally coming over his kind, dark eyes.
"Good to see you again, Eraqus," the Sultan greeted, rising from his throne to follow after you. His step was light, though his hunched back as he walked indicated that he wasn't feeling completely cured from illness. Your Uncle rose his head to his brother, giving him a respectful bow.
"Another land was brought to peace," he said. Eraqus was in charge of foreign affairs. He commanded your father's army, but it usually wasn't needed, as the samurai was excellent as relieving tensions through negotiation.
"And not a moment too soon." The Sultan glanced at the other two visitors. "And I see you've brought your apprentices."
You withdrew from Eraqus completely to look at the guests. One was a girl was short blue hair and an outfit to really bring it out. She held a perfect posture as she stood at her master's side. She was about your height or so, but looked older. She gave you a smile and a bow as you looked to her, placing a hand lightly on her heart.
The other was a boy about your age. He stared forward for a moment, as if consumed by something. When he finally looked at you, his exciting brown hair-do bobbed in realization. His strong body bowed as well, his heavy blue eyes moving to the floor. You had never liked it when someone wouldn't look at you-regardless of royal etiquette. When he rose, you held his gaze, secretly admiring how smooth and gentle his complexion was. You hadn't seen many other boys before, having been in the castle for so long, but you'd never minded until that point.
"This is Aqua," Eraqus introduced, gesturing to the girl. The he pointed to the boy. "And this is Terra. They'll be staying at my side while I'm here. I hope that's not too intrusive."
"Nonsense," your father said, eyeing the apprentices with a scientist's gleam. You couldn't fight rolling your eyes; your father did this with anyone who visited your home. He really needed to get out more. "They're most welcome. I'll have rooms prepared for them at once." The Sultan took to your side as the three guests bowed in unison. As they were about to leave, your father called them out.
"Yes, your highness?" Eraqus's eyes became slightly stern, almost guarded. You wanted to remind him that we was home now, not among enemies in the battlefield.
"There is another matter I'd like to discuss." Your father placed his hands on your shoulders, holding you to his chest. "I have received word that someone will be attempting to kidnap my child from our stronghold. She will need a bodyguard to be with her at all times, someone that I can trust to protect her from danger. While you're here, I would appreciate the aid."
"Of course." Eraqus's gaze softened as you were spoken of. He turned to the boy. "Terra, I leave you in charge of the Princess."
"Me, Master?" The boy seemed almost disappointed. What? Was it so bad to watch over a young girl?
"I don't need a guard, father," you told the Sultan ruefully. "I never leave the palace, and it's the safest place in the kingdom." You glared at the boy. He didn't have to protect you, especially if he was so against it.
"Nonetheless, my daughter," the Sultan said, "I'd sleep much better at night if I knew that someone strong was watching over you when I cannot."
"Terra," Eraqus continued, "this is a very important duty. I trust that you will take it seriously and guard the Princess with your life."
"Of course, Master." Terra relented, but made it look graceful as he gave Eraqus an affirming nod.
... ... ...
"So, I have to deal with you following me around all day?" You looked to the boy at your side. Terra, who was a half a foot or so taller than you, glanced down at your brooding form.
"And all night, your Highness," he pointed out. "Since you are in danger, I am supposed to stay by your side at all times."
"At least father put you in another room." You hummed and furrowed your brow. "Even if that room is right beside mine…."
"Look, I'm just doing my job." Terra was growing a bit frustrated. You didn't like the boy's temper. He had yet to really unleash it, but…
"If you were a true warrior…" You whirled on him and folded your arms. "Then you'd learn to control your temper before the Princess."
Terra narrowed his eyes, clenching his fists then releasing them. "Look, Princess, I don't need to take lessons from a spoiled brat like you."
"Spoiled brat?!" How dare he call you that?
"Yes. Now, I know that you don't like me and I don't care for you. Just let me do my job and we'll hopefully be out of each other's hair soon."
You gave a frown and turned away from him. "So rude."
Terra sighed behind you. "Sorry. That wasn't called for…"
You took a glance back; he seemed truly remorseful. However…
"Think you can protect me?" You asked. You smirked and dashed off. Terra gave a dumbfounded expression and charged after you.
"Princess!" He called. You laughed.
"This is your test, guardian!" You turned the next corner, confident that you could lose the boy in the next hallway. No one knew this palace like you did. After another few turns, you were by the entrance to your humble abode. Massive sandstone pillars lined the carpet leading to the throne room and you hid behind one of them before Terra could round the hall.
"Princess!" He didn't sound too badly out of breath, to your surprise. He must've had good stamina.
"You're doing well so far," you said, throwing your voice just enough to hide your location. "You've last longer than any Unversed so far. Most give up and use their shadow melding abilities to cheat."
As Terra spoke again, you could tell he was getting closer to your hiding place. You started circling the pier as your guard got closer. "Please, your Highness, we shouldn't be playing games at a time like this."
"This isn't a game! It's a test! If you can keep up with me, then you are definitely a worthy bodyguard."
"You have to test me?"
"I can't leave my life in the hands of an imbecile." You could tell that upset him a bit, but then something changed.
"Alright, then let's make this interesting." Terra began backing up towards your pillar. You knew it'd only be a few minutes before you needed to sprint again. "How about if I pass your 'test', you stop complaining about my following you around and do as I say."
"And If I win?" You were intrigued. What could he offer you as a prize?
"If you win, then I will refrain from speaking for the remainder of our sentence."
"Hm...interesting. I accept." He had found you and was slowly coming for you around the pier. You grinned. "I almost forgot to tell you, didn't I?"
"Tell me what?" You could hear his smirk as he thought he had you.
"Why, that I'm the fastest runner you'll ever meet, of course!" As his eyes came to find your body, you broke into a full-force run. Your statement was true; you had a natural affinity for long-distance sprinting. The Sultan said proudly that it was a blessed gift you were born with. Your legs were a mixture of a doe's and a titan, pumping blood through your veins like a Spartan warrior's life depended on it. You may have never gotten a chance to test it in front of others, but father had given you ways to compare yourself. You could run a mile in 6 minutes on your worst day.
Impossible, some may say, but you'd timed it multiple times. It was the complete truth.
You led yourself down your usual route, heading for your favorite hiding place. Feeling your body give into the burning sensation of a great run, you didn't bother looking back for Terra. You were certain he wasn't following, anyway.
When you arrived at a dead-end hall, you swiftly pressed down on a statue of a roman warrior. It opened a small door for you to crawl into. The space was just big enough for you to sit up straight, the tip of your head brushing the top. The darkness flooded as the door closed. You giggled to yourself; not even your father could find you here.
You sat on your own for a while, enjoying the privacy and solitude of your space. It was the best place to go when you just wanted to be alone. Even the black didn't frighten you; if you got truly uncomfortable, you could summon light from your between your fingertips. You could hide there for as long as it took. Then you wouldn't need to listen to Terra's arrogant yapping-.
The door slid open and the brunette's head bent over to glance at you.
"There you are," he said with a grin. You jumped at the sound of his voice.
"H-how…?!" Terra reached out his hand as your jaw dropped to the floor.
"As your royal bodyguard, I have to be skilled at finding the Princess." You accepted his hand hesitantly and let him pull you out.
"You found my…." You pointed to the roman soldier. Terra straightened up, folding his arms.
"Now, I'd advise you, your Majesty, to head back to your room for the evening. We surely have a long day ahead of us tomorrow if you're going to keep up stunts like this."
