Chapter 3: Queen
Mariabella didn't wish to take a look in the mirror, frankly concerned about Shion's fashion sense. She had agreed to go shopping with her for new clothes for the evening, and she couldn't avoid becoming Shion's new dressing doll. When the girl arrived earlier that morning, she insisted on taking Mary out for a walk so that her master could rest and prepare for their meeting with Princess Valentina. Reluctantly, Mary agreed to go with her after Machina insisted it'd do her good to go out and make friends with Shion.
"I don't think it'll look good on me." Mariabella said with an angered, yet nervous voice just before she turned around to face the mirror. "Y- you picked a very gaudy dress, even if it's really pretty I think it doesn't fit me..."
"Don't be so nervous, Mary!" Shion said, fixing the neck of the dress and adjusted the straps on her shoulders. "You look lovely, I'm sure the Princess will adore it. She asked me personally to buy a nice gown for you, assuming your master would not care much about your clothes".
"He does, actually. The maids buy me a lot of clothes, but I think they're not fit for this weather. And we didn't have much time when we came here, it was an emergency after all."
"You're right about that, and I guess Lord Machina didn't expect to meet with milady, either." Shion conceded, pensive as she spoke. "She asked to meet you personally in the letter I delivered yesterday, so it's better if you look nice for her." Shion smiled kindly. She wasn't sure that was actually a good idea, knowing Valentina as she did, but it was better not to refuse her Princess' wishes. She placed her hands on Mariabella's shoulders, forcing her to turn around to look at the mirror. The aquamarine-colored gown reached down to her knees and tied around her neck, creating a serpentine shape over her figure. She didn't know how, but it was quite flattering to her body type and it hid pretty well all of the recent stitches and almost all her mechanical joints. She almost looked... beautiful. Mariabella blushed deeply and turned around again, staring at her bare feet with giddiness.
"T-that's just not me" she muttered as she shook her head. Shion grabbed both of her hands to reassure her as kindly as she could.
"I'm sure your master will love it too."
"I-I don't think he will. He's not very observant when it comes to my appearance. As long as I look healthy, he's happy." Mariabella explained, but her eyes drifted away as she blushed deeply. "Yet it'd be nice if he noticed...'
"Oh" Shion had a sudden realization, which made her smile widely. "Then I wasn't so wrong on my tracks."
"What...?"
"It' s nothing, don't mind me." The girl with the silver hair thought it was weird for the future emperor of Leginus to care so much for a little girl, when he was known to be distant and cold with almost everyone around him. She had assumed at first it might be some sort of father and daughter relationship or even a brother and sister bond that they shared, but Machina's behavior was quite odd for what was usually said about him. Seeing Mariabella's reaction changed her perspective, at least from the young assistant's point of view. Perhaps there was something that went beyond her knowledge between the two of them, and Shion knew Lady Valentina would notice immediately if something wasn't as normal as per usual. If there was someone able to bring their secrets to the table, she'd surely do it later that evening.
Valentina looked the same as Machina remembered her: an astonishing blonde woman, with long hair that flowed down to her waist and beautiful amber eyes sparkled in her round, delicate face, decorated with little make-up on her lids and her lips, an inviting tone of crimson. However, last time he'd seen her, Valentina was still a teenager, a lot shorter in height and curves. She had truly become what was expected of a city that praised beauty over everything else.
"Princess Valentina" He greeted her bluntly.
"Machina, dear, how good to see you." She walked down the staircase to the main aisle of her palace, waving her hips as she moved. She extended her arms to hug him, but Machina flinched and stepped back when she got closer. He still remembered what happened the last time, those red binds, tightening around his body as if they were to strangle him, burning every inch of skin they touched… Valentina noticed, smiling mischievously as she lowered her hands. "I see, you still don't trust me, don't you?"
"You'll have to excuse me, you Highness, but you must put yourself in my place to fully understand why I was reluctant to come in first place." Machina answered coldly. He knew Valentina wasn't as monstrous as people usually described her, greedy, vain and spoiled as a princess could be, but he was aware it wasn't a good option to get her on a bad mood. If he wanted to deny something to her, he might as well be as polite as possible.
"How sad… I had hoped that after almost five years you'd have forgiven me already, darling." She was faking remorse, but Machina knew better. The future queen of Shangri-La never asked for forgiveness. If she wished, she could do it again and Machina would, of course, be on great disadvantage. Gleipnir was truthfully a terrifying weapon. "Where's the girl you mentioned in your letter? I was eager to meet her!"
"Your squire, Miss Shion, took her for a stroll earlier in the morning." The scientist checked his pocket watch, noticing the girls were still on time for their rendezvous. He had decided to arrive earlier to the palace, in hopes he could manage to cancel their appointment. Given the fact that Valentina hadn't changed at all, his wishes died immediately. "They should be arriving soon."
"I see. In the meanwhile, we could make ourselves a little more comfortable. Come, dear." She gestured him to follow her and walked him to the dining room, accompanied by many of her servants. "Tell me, how's it been? You're looking wonderful nowadays and for the news I keep getting it seems you're prone to follow your father's steps anytime now."
"I wouldn't know about that." He said in a hushed voice, careful not to get too close to her. "My father's still in pretty good shape, and you know Leginus' government is not hereditary. It's a meritocracy. I've got little important deeds to my name so far as to deserve the throne, therefore I'm sure the crown will not rest on my head anytime soon."
"Rumors have been spreading about your father's resignation in your name, Machina." She sounded a lot less inviting now, making obvious her intentions to talk about politics. Valentina had always been clear about her desires to expand her dominion, shrouding it with kind and generous proposals of trade and commerce. The only thing that stopped her was the fact that she wasn't entitled Queen just yet. "It's only a matter of time until I'll have to bow my head to you, Your Majesty."
"The same could be said about you." Machina sighed, glancing at his clock again. Just a few minutes left, and he'd have to defend not only himself, but Mariabella as well. He knew Valentina would not leave her at peace during the whole evening, and his assistant wasn't a social butterfly to begin with. "Words reach Leginus as well about the King's health. How's your father dwelling with his illness?"
"I'm afraid it doesn't look good." She had no emotion in her voice, neither an expression in her face. The Princess smiled idly, as if the idea of her father dying meant nothing to her. "These days he looks like he's just… an old rag doll, or a puppet, I don't know."
Machina gulped. The gossip that had reached Leginus obviously included juicy details on how the King's health had diminished so much was because the one taking care of him was no other than his power-thirsty daughter. Rumor had it Valentina was killing him to get the throne sooner, but no-one had proof of that since nobody had seen the king for the past few months.
"Milady, I'm sorry we're late!" Shion's voice interrupted the sudden silence that had fallen between them. She wore a corset-like blouse and a pair of tights in a pale blue color, along with a long navy cape with golden brooches.
"Never mind, darling. I think you're just in time." The silver haired girl joined her master's side, bowing with respect to her. Valentina stretched her hand and played with one of Shion's long strands of hair, admiring her beauty with greed in her eyes.
"I'd like to introduce someone to you, as you asked personally to meet her, Your Majesty." Shion bowed again with respect, and Valentina gestured her to go ahead. As she walked towards the door she exchanged glances with Machina, who tried to conceal his worry, but Shion could notice his concern, so she asked him to accompany her to the hall.
"Machina, darling, would you please bring her in? I want to know who's making my dear friend lose his precious sleep for weeks now. I'm sure she's a wonderful lady." Valentina mocked with a sly smile.
Shion opened the door, but instead of bringing Mariabella inside or going into the hall herself, she gestured Machina to go fetch her. He thanked her without words, and walked outside the dining room with doubtful steps.
"M-master?" The corridor was unlit, but it was empty anyway. He barely noticed Mariabella was there because she had spoken, but he could not find her by sight.
"Come, Mary. She's waiting."
"I'm scared."
"I know." Machina looked around the rooms on the hall, but she wasn't there. After a few seconds, she popped from behind a column, wearing a beautiful aquamarine dress decorated with pearls and blue flowers in her head. He looked at her with wide eyes, as he had never seen her wearing anything other than the lab coats and her very discreet dresses back at home. "Don't worry. She can be intimidating, I'm sure Shion managed to scare you off, but she's not terrible. Come, I'll take care of everything."
"Are you sure?"
"When have I lied to you?"
Mariabella took his hand and he walked her back to the main room, where Valentina had already sat at the head of the table. She still had that sly smile on her face, but she seemed as surprised as Machina was just some seconds before when she laid her eyes on the young girl. She stood up immediately, which made Mariabella react with fear, hiding behind her master. Machina held her arm softly, trying to assure her everything would be fine.
"Don't be scared, child, come forth." She called as she made her way towards them.
"This is my assistant and protégée, Mariabella." Machina introduced her, holding her shoulder firmly as Valentina approached to inspect her closer. "Mary, this is Princess Valentina, she's been eager to meet you."
"You have beautiful eyes, Mariabella…" Valentina muttered, lowering herself to the girl's height. "You'd make a wonderful squire, I'm sure your master has taught you a lot."
"T-thanks, Your Highness." Mariabella bowed to her, unable to avert her amber eyes even for a second.
"Now, let's dine, shall we? Shion, would you please sing for us as we eat?"
"Of course, milady. What would you like to hear?"
"Hmm… how's about this new song you showed me the other day…? The lovers, was it?"
"That's correct. Your wish is my command, Milady." Shion grabbed her violin and sat beside the Princess, and she began singing a beautiful melody with her wonderfully soothing voice.
The two of them followed the women to the table and the servants began bringing in the dishes. Grails filled with beverages, silver trays with delicious dishes, each looking more exotic than the past began filling the table. Mariabella wondered if all that food would be just for the four of them, or if someone else might come to the diner sometime later.
Machina remained as quiet as possible as they ate, answering to the Princess with simple one-liners and in several occasions answering for Mariabella when Valentina tried to start a conversation with her. The girl was grateful, but she noticed the Princess was becoming exasperated with it.
"I have a proposal for you, Mariabella. Machina, would you be kind enough to let her answer this one by herself?" She was menacing enough to make her master remain silent, but Mary knew he had her back in the worst-case scenario. He shrugged and drank from his cup, worried about Valentina's intentions.
"What is it, Your Highness?"
"Would you like to stay here, in Shangri-La? There's a lot of space in my palace for you, and I'm sure your health will improve a lot because of my land's weather, rather than returning to Leginus' cold and polluted air." Her mischievous smile made Mariabella shiver slightly, but the proposal itself made Machina's blood boil with anger.
"I'm sorry, your Majesty." Mary answered, no trace of nervousness in her voice, just before Machina could articulate a single word. "But I have my place in Leginus by my Master's side. I owe him my life and I wish to stay with him, helping with his research as long as I'm able, so it's not my call to make."
"I see some real devotion for your beloved master, dear. Yet… I know Machina might have something to say regarding your health, won't you?"
"I will respect Mariabella's decision."
"Will you be able to drag her back to Leginus, knowing it may kill her?" Valentina's words were sharp and filled with poisonous intentions. "Wouldn't you be carrying too many guilty thoughts on your back? After all, it was your fault she almost died, you wouldn't do the same thing to her again, would you?"
"…"
"You may be right, Milady, but I've already made up my mind. My wish is to stay with Master until my time is due. Besides, my health has been compromised, if I don't have constant checkups and replacement of mechanical parts, it'll indeed kill me. I don't believe the healing springs will heal me either, so I need to be by his side most of the time in case of an emergency, as he's the only one who can do the surgery flawlessly. I hope you understand…"
"Quite a predicament." Valentina said, shaking her head. "I understand your point, dear Mary, but your master's the one who has the final say on the matter. That's not the face of someone who's willing to see you dying for the third time."
Machina had a preoccupied expression on his face, one of shock and contempt. He hated Valentina so much for things like these, she always had to take things and people away from others, it was her nature to be selfish like that. He hated her so much, because she was completely right. If Mariabella lived in Shangri-La, she'd most likely not need any further intervention. If she went back with him to Leginus, she might not even survive another year. He sighed, as he closed his eyes. Would he be able to carry the burden of her death on his shoulders once again? Just as he was about to speak and insist on making her stay, he remembered he had promised Mary not to falter her. He had promised to protect her from any harm, and at the moment, that immediate threat was Valentina and her manipulative skills. He snapped out of his trance with determination and shook his head as he glanced at Valentina.
"No."
"What did you say?"
"No, she's staying with me. I can make her better, I've been focusing my research on that for some months, she doesn't need to stay here with you." He turned around and grabbed Mariabella's hand, squeezing it softly. The girl had a surprised, yet joyful look on her eyes, which gave him a lot more confidence to stand up against the Princess. "Once… if I'm appointed King of Leginus, I'm making her my Queen."
"What…?!" Valentina, Shion and Mariabella asked in unison, all of them impressed for his sudden decision.
"M-master, what are you talking about?!"
"It seems you don't know how government works in Leginus." He sighed in desperation, feeling another headache coming up. He grabbed his temple and proceeded to explain. "We pick a King by the deeds they've done, usually they come from a noble aristocratic family and the charge is usually hereditary, which is why I'm the first candidate in line. The 'King' as we call the governor of the city can pick a partner, usually called the 'Queen'. It's not necessary a spouse, it can be a sibling, a son, a friend or, in your case, an assistant. The titles are given simulating the pieces of chess, but they hold no real noble status."
"It's like a right-hand man?" Shion asked, talking for the first time since she began singing. She had a joyful grin on her lips, almost as if she knew something Machina and Valentina didn't.
"Exactly." Machina smiled, enjoying the look of defeat in Valentina's face. "If I make Mariabella 'Queen' of Leginus, keeping her here would be as much as abducting the governor, as the Queen is as much of a Ruler of the land as the King."
"I never said anything about abduction, I was just making an offering." Valentina admitted in defeat. "Then, it's settled. You'll take her back, and you'll try to keep her alive. I hope you manage, dear, it'd be a shame if we lost something as precious and beautiful as you."
As ever, Valentina's words didn't sound sincere. She was evidently pissed, she hated having her wishes denied and she loathed being told 'No' straight to the face. The dinner ended after just a few minutes, the Princess interrupted the banquet and got up before the servants could bring the dessert. Machina insisted it'd be better if they left before anything else happened and Shion agreed it'd be for the best. She said she would talk to her superior once she had calmed down and that she'd meet them the next day, for their second session at the springs.
Mariabella followed him outside the palace, and they both caught a ferry that returned them to the main land. In their trip on the small boat, Machina sat on the deck with a tired look on his face. He was nervous, but he had managed to stand up against her without regrets.
"Master…?" Mariabella caught up with him and sat beside him, fixing the wrinkles on her dress. "Is it alright what you did back there? Do you think she'll get so angry she'll break the trading treaties with Leginus?"
"No, it's fine. She's selfish and childish and she'll probably hold it against me for a long time, but she'll not do something so drastic. It affects her country, after all. It's better if she doesn't start a Revolution against herself for ruining the economy for a temper tantrum."
"I'm sorry I complicated things."
"Don't worry, I knew she'd do that. You managed yourself a lot better than I initially expected… you even managed yourself better than me." He scratched the back of his neck, shaking his head. "I'm sorry I had to appoint you as my 'Queen' without asking your opinion before, but I found it was the only way to shut her up."
"I don't mind. It's actually… no, never mind."
"You look lovely in that dress, by the way."
"T-thank you, Master."
"Mary… in any other situation, would you stay here in Shangri-La if they made you an offering like that?" He asked, concerned. He turned around slightly, to meet her gaze as she answered his question. Valentina was right, he had never noticed her eyes were beautiful.
"In any other situation in which I hadn't met you, I would've." She blushed, fidgeting with a lock of her hair she tucked behind her ear. "But if it implies never seeing you again or never feel this happy when I'm with you, Master… I'd rather die again."
Machina ruffled her hair as they watched the sunset fall on the horizon, which kissed the surface of the water as the ferry almost reached land once again. The small girl smiled kindly, dangling her legs outside of the boat cheerfully as she expected to be able to spend another year, or as many as they'd come with her beloved master. The scientist sighed, grabbing her shoulder to bring her a little closer. He wasn't sure about his feelings towards her, he was just glad she was able to see another sunset with a smile on her face.
A/N: Part 1 of 3, finally done. I had forgotten to edit and update this one. Also in celebration of L2's release, which is awesome. I do hope Mary makes a comeback someday. If Faria and Valentina could, maybe the robot loli will do it one day.
