Her Princess – Chapter 2
Shirin awoke from her night slumber to the sound of music being played on a piano. Rubbing her eyes the short haired woman rubbed her eyes and retrieved her glasses from the nightstand before making her way to the window overlooking the center of the palace. Her eyes traced a path from her own window to another that was just to the left on the ground floor. It was one of the main halls that was adjacent to the Princess' room and housed a grand piano. It was this sound that she dreamed of waking up to every morning. The sound of Marina's fingers fluttering across the piano keys was soothing and even led her heart to a crescendo of it's own.
It was unfortunate. Marina did not wish to be the Princess of Azadistan, but her lineage dictated it. Perhaps if she was just a bit more normal the girl would have had a chance to continue her studies in music. That's what Shirin thought, but it was bittersweet knowing that if that had really happened she would have never met Marina in the first place.
Leaning herself on the window sill, Shirin made it a personal routine to listen to Marina for an unspecified amount of time before starting her day off. Whether it was five minutes, ten minutes or even thirty minutes, she felt that she could spend the whole day listening to the pleasant music. When she was satisfied, she would get ready for her duties as the Princess' royal advisor. After putting on her usual attire, she combed her hair as nicely as she could and set off to royal room. Two knocks on the door and she entered.
"Good morning, Princess Marina." Shirin adjusted her glasses, seeing Marina resting on the couch with the window open, hands neatly in her lap and her eyes closed. The gentle morning breeze arrived through the window kissing lightly with the interior of the room, shuffling the drapes and curtains around. Shirin's lips formed into a smile, happy that she could see the Princess resting peacefully.
Taking a chance, Shirin walked over carefully to seat herself next to Marina so she could feel the other girl's warmth, her breath and her fragrance. When the advisor sat herself down Marina's head lowered onto her shoulder unexpectedly and Shirin began to caress Marina's hair. Something was wrong. In the next few moments the Princess' sleeping expression became somber. Marina was thinking about something painful. Shirin had wished that things like this would never befall her princess, but it was a wish she knew no one could fulfill. Without thinking she placed her hand on Marina's face that caused her eyes to open.
"Shi...rin?" Marina sighed in relief to see Shirin by her side. With one hand she rubbed her eyes while the other tangled itself with Shirin's arm. Marina's head returned to its proper place on the advisor's shoulder but Shirin noticed that the expression was still the same.
"Princess Marina, is something bothering you?" It felt odd to ask this question, as there were probably many things going on in the inexperienced Princess' mind. The recent coup d'etat attempt, the worldwide issue of Celestial Being and even the people that target the Princess every day, there had to be something she was worried about. There was also that Gundam that approached the Princess at the palace. Shirin thought that the pilot was reckless. To pursue world peace by force, yet he left the cockpit of his mobile suit? It was suicide. Shirin's train of thought was halted abruptly by a pair of dark blue eyes staring at her.
"Shirin?"
"Yes Princess?"
"Why... Why do people fight?" Shirin looked away from Marina, trying to formulate some answer. She knew what Marina was asking very clearly without anymore explanation.
"Why do you ask this so suddenly Princess? Is this about Celestial Being?" Marina nodded in agreement. Shirin adjusted her glasses and placed her hands neatly in her lap before her explanation. "People fight for what they believe in. What reason they do it for might be better or worse than the others, but the fight for what they believe in nonetheless. Celestial Being is fighting to bring peace, correct? They might not be using the best method in the publics eye, but they fight. Also Princess, are you not fighting for Azadistan?"
"I am fighting for Azadistan and I am fighting for peace. However last night, that gundam meister came into my room." Shirin's eyes lit up with rage. What happened to the guards? "He asked me one quest-"
"No," Shirin stood abruptly from the couch, her teeth clenched and inhaling deeply. "A gundam meister in your room? He could have killed you Princess! I am going to have a talk with the people responsible for the security measures. How could the palace guard let a dangerous man waltz himself into the royal bed chamber!?" Shirin started for the door as quickly as she stood up.
"No Shirin!" Marina caught the other woman just as he had placed a hand on the golden handle of the double doors. It was a tight embrace. Marina's cheek was buried deep into Shirin's back and she could feel the Princess' warm breath. She felt as though she were frozen in place. "Don't go Shirin, just listen. He asked me why the world was warped. He asked was it god's doing? Or the people's doing? I gave him the only answer I could give. God is impartial and people understand each other, but somehow still the world is warped. When I finished, he was gone. He didn't do anything Shirin."
"That doesn't mean I don't have to consult the guard." Shirin was relieved to hear Marina's explanation. Although it was more intriguing that a gundam meister would come to the Princess to hear her take on a philosophical question. She felt tears wet her back, Marina broke into a sob burying her face deeper into the advisor's back. The Princess may have fell in love with that gundam meister. Shirin brought one of Marina's hands into her own and kissed them lightly before clutching it against her bosom.
"It's going to be okay, Princess Marina." Shirin had no idea if those words would hold to be true. She could only hope and wish.
