A/N: Hello! Well, I know I haven't written back to many of you, and for that, I apologize. My birthday was yesterday, and I've had the biggest gigantic load of homework in the universe… but I hope this chapter makes up for that! R&R please!
"You're supposed to sit up straight." Nasuada told Emerald as they had tea in one of the many parlors in the castle.
"How is that going to help us infiltrate Galby?" Emerald grumbled.
"How many times do I have to explain this? You're supposed to act like a princess for the Surdan Empire, therefore you must represent us well, even if you are a fake." Nasuada sighed. "And anyway, Galbatorix might try to convince you to join his side, giving that this works."
"Fine. But for the record, this is stupid." Emerald adjusted the gown she'd borrowed from Nasuada.
"I guess we can move onto table manners. Seeing as you're going to be in the castle of a villain, you might need to have a weapon on you at all times." Nasuada handed her a dagger. "It's not much, but it can be very powerful at times."
"And where do I put this?" Emerald asked.
Needless to say, these few hours were not among Nasuada's favorites. But she worked it out. The next day, there was supposed to be an assembly, to begin the plan. Nasuada would comeout and announce that Orrin had an unknown sister, and they only recently discovered who she was. Emerald would then come out, wave, do a lot of princess stuff. It was flawless.
The Next Day
"We did not know of this until a week ago," Nasuada said in a loud voice at her podium. Orrin was out making amends with various cities outside of Surda, trying to get support, so Nasuada had to announce Emerald.
"King Orrin had a sibling. One he did not know of, as she was birthed in secret. She was raised in the islands west of the Spine. She discovered her heritage, and fled to Surda- they had exchanged stories before he left, and they are truly related. Please, may I present, Princess Emerald of Surda!" Nasuada finished her lecture, and Emerald walked out of the castle gracefully, only she didn't look like Emerald anymore.
Her brown hair was stick straight, and the gown she was wearing, a deep green, looked perfect. The only time she messed up was when she stumbled on her high heels on one of the steps. Thankfully, not many took notice. Those who did, however; snorted with laughter. Emerald was about to glare at those in the crowd, but she stopped herself. Nasuada had told her, no matter how idiotic people were, she shouldn't make faces. Nasuada stepped aside to give her the podium.
"Hello, Surda… and the Varden!" She started off, nervously. What am I supposed to say? She thought to herself. "I am glad to have found my brother, and am truly hoping that some of my new ideas can help Surda grow and prosper."
Nasuada grinned, and there was applause. "Nice," she whispered as Emerald took her seat at the top of the steps. Emerald grinned.
"In other news, Orrin will be back in approximately two months. He has managed to secure help from someone in Teirm, and is settling the final agreements." The townspeople cheered. Nasuada closed the meeting, satisfied. The townspeople chattered about the new "princess" and the few travelers there had scurried to pack their things, eager to tell people in other towns about this new girl.
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"Where'd you get that "My new ideas will help Surda grow" thing?" Sapphire asked later, in their bedroom.
Emerald snorted. "Spur of the moment thing. Hopefully, they bought it." She was in her jeans and an old T-Shirt now.
"That's so like you," Sapphire laughed and threw a pillow at her best friend.
"That was uncalled for!" Emerald yelled, and soon, they were having a pillow war, and a very intense one at that. After another four or five hours of that, Nasuada came in to alert Emerald that she'd have to go soon, and was greeted by feathers spewed across the floor.
Needless to say, she wasn't pleased.
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Many hours later, after Nasuada had nearly deafened the two of them with her anger, Emerald and Sapphire were asleep. However, Emerald was abruptly woken up when Sapphire kicked her leg, apparently she was having the same dream she's had in science the day the came to Alagaesia. Emerald groaned and kicked off her blankets.
"There has to be something to do around here." She grumbled as she exited the room. Unfortunately for the residents of the castle, the only thing that could possibly be fun to do was cause trouble.
