The day had finally come for Princess Eryn's arrival. Princess Sky dressed in her chambers, trusting only her most competent lady's maid to help her prepare. Outcast bustled about the princess, arranging her skirts and checking for any flaws in the fine fabric. The royal blue dress was fitted tight to her top before flaring at her waist.
"One last thing, my lady." Outcast carefully picked up the golden crown and placed it on the Princess's head. "There, you look amazing."
"Thank you, Outcast. What would I do without you?" She smiled at the girl in the mirror.
"Probably look like a mess." Outcast teased as she cleaned up the crown polishing supplies she had laid out earlier. "Now you have a fiance to meet and I have to go check on the seamstress. You look amazing, she'll love you." She gently shooed the Princess out of the room.
When the Princess entered the room, the Queen and her consort were sharing a private moment in front of the twin thrones. He was holding both of her hands and whatever he told her made her blush and look away smiling. He kissed her. Princess Sky rolled her eyes as she mounted the steps in front of the thrones.
"You guys are so gross." She smiled at her mother as she spoke.
"Just you wait till you meet Princess Eyrn." Prince Aj stuck his tongue out at her and the Princess opened her mouth to say something back.
"You two, behave for once." The Queen shook her head, trying to contain her smile.
"You love us." Her husband replied as a messenger slipped into the room.
"Your Grace, ma'am, sir." He bowed to each in turn. "Princess Eryn and her entourage have arrived safely. They have disembarked and are almost to the castle." He was quickly dismissed and with his exit, the butterflies returned to the Princess's stomach. She was going to meet the woman she would have to marry. What if she was terrible or they didn't get along? Of course if things went terribly wrong, Uncle Carry was always looking for new members of the a cold life of poverty and hard work would be great. She nervously smoothed the fabric of her dress.
"You look lovely. Stop fussing." Her mother's gentle reprimand stopped her with a hand halfway up to her crown to check it's position. She smiled sheepishly and she dropped it back to her side. She took a deep breath and stood up straight, her fake court smile on her face. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her stepfather squeeze Queen Cabin's hand before stepping back. Though Queen Cabin had made him a lord when she married him, his rank was still lower than Queen and Crown Princess. On the outside, the three were the picture of regality but inside they were all worrying about this meeting.
The doors were opened by the guards and the royal herald stepped through.
"Her Royal Highness, the Crown Princess of the Isle of Foxes, Princess Eryn and Lord Commander Epocalyse of her Queensguard." He bowed out of the way of the pair as they entered.
Princess Sky's jaw dropped as she saw Princess Eryn. The red headed woman was gorgeous and she couldn't take her eyes off her. Queen Cabin smiled as she gently bumped the Princess to remind her of where she was. She smiled sheepishly as she closed her mouth and gazed at her betrothed. The Princess was dressed in the pale pink of her house, carefully selected to match rather than clash with her short ginger hair. A silver crown perched on top of her hair, embedded with diamonds that showed the true wealth of her kingdom. As the pair drew up to the foot of the stairs, the Queen stepped forward.
"Princess Eryn, Lord Commander," The Queen bowed her head at each in turn, smiling warmly. "Welcome to the Kingdom of Nemesis. May I introduce my husband, Lord Aj," He bowed. "And of course my daughter, the Crown Princess Sky."
The Princess stepped forward and curtsied. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Lady Eryn. And of course, the infamous Lord Commander Epocalyse."
The Princess laughed. "Infamous? Why Epoc, your deeds have even been sung here."
"Heh, I wouldn't really think they deserve to be sung. It's just what anyone would have done." The Lord Commander smiled at her Princess.
"You must be tired from your trip. Princess Sky would be honored to show you to your rooms." The Queen spoke up.
"Lead away darlin." Eryn said as the other Princess walked down the steps.
Sky lead the way out of the throne room, careful to stay ahead so they couldn't see how red she was.