(I'm still bored…And tired…I know the betrothal is a little routine and haphazardly put together, but I couldn't really think of anything else that wouldn't be over elaborate.)
It had been almost two weeks since Hippo had called Princess Lucia and Prince Kaito into the conference that had announced their betrothal. During that time, the entire kingdom was in a flurry of motion; setting up decorations, all in at least one shade of pink, and preparing the food and refreshments for the congratulatory celebration after the ceremonies were complete. Businesses took holidays for the occasion, and everywhere people were rejoicing in their Princess's happiness.
What with all the preparations and the betrothal being so close, the soon to be affianced bride had to work hard to get a maid's attention if she had anything that she wanted them to get done. More often than not, she was ignored for some pressing matter that needed the staff's full concentration. Such as if the kitchens had enough of this or that or if the seamstresses had enough miniature pearls to complete sewing Princess Lucia's wedding dress. She would not actually wear the dress in the ceremony, but after the betrothal, the wedding would be the next big event to prepare for.
It's as if those decorations are more important than I am, and I'm the bride! Lucia thought indignantly, quietly sulking in her room. If only they'd let Kaito near me, then at least I'd have someone to talk to.
It was an old tradition that the engaged couple be kept apart for the days just before their betrothal, thus ensuring no improper conduct, and they could each contemplate what their future life together would be like, and so on and so forth.
Thinking of Kaito made Lucia her normal, cheerful self once again. For someone who didn't think he was ready to be betrothed, much less married, the young sea prince was handling this whole situation rather well. He had been spending his time apart from Lucia being taught court etiquette, and what he was supposed to do in the ceremony. Over the short time that he had been in these lessons, there was already a notable improvement in his manner and general bearing. He looked proud of his progress, but when he passed Lucia in the corridors, she could see that he wished he was by her side instead of being taught proper princely behavior.
Lucia mulled over this for awhile and then there was a knock on her door. When she opened it, it was a maid, one of those who had ignored her for the past two weeks.
"Princess Lucia, the Princesses Rina, Coco, Seira, Hanon, Caren and Noel have arrived." The maid said politely, bowing to show deference to Lucia's high rank.
"Very good, Mika, you may go." Lucia waved the maid from the room, watching her bow once more before she finally left. Once the maid had gone, Lucia swam through the corridors, eventually ending up in the main room of the palace. It was mainly used to receive important visitors of state, and the visitors that were currently in the room were a happy relief to Lucia's eyes. Having been deprived of Kaito's companionship for nearly two full weeks, her fellow princesses were the next best thing.
"Hanon, Rina!" She called out, quickly swimming over to them. "I'm so glad to see all of you!" Her bright blue eyes took in each of the six princesses in turn.
"We're gad to be back, Lucia." Noel said softly, which was her normal tone of voice. She rarely raised her voice except in times of extreme danger, and it was a shock if she did otherwise.
"Sort of a short betrothal, isn't it, Lucia?" Hanon joked, laughing in satisfaction as her friends face was engulfed in a rosy blush.
"I didn't decide that! That was all Hippo, Taki and Nikora's doing!" Lucia protested, still blushing. It was true that such a short betrothal was uncommon, but secretly, Lucia was glad that she did not have that much longer to wait.
"So, where is he?" Caren asked, sparing no time on formalities or jests. She had been suspicious of Kaito when they had first come back to the seas, and she had not forgotten her suspicions. To her, any member of the Panthelessa was a potential enemy.
"Where is who?" Lucia queried, not immediately understanding who Caren was referring to. Then she grasped the situation, and her eyes flashed with annoyance. "Kaito is with Hippo, learning how to behave during our betrothal ceremony. I'm sorry he couldn't meet you when he arrived, but he had much more pressing matters to attend to. He'll be here once his lesson is done.
"For a Prince of the Panthelessa, such things must come quite easily, don't they? It's a pity that Kaito has to be the exception." Caren remarked snidely.
"Caren, I'm surprised at you!" Coco exclaimed in astonishment, "This is one of the most important days of Lucia and Kaito's lives, and you keep trying to ruin it with your cutting, rude remarks!"
"Thank you for that gallant speech, Coco, but let's let the Princess Lucia fight her own fiancé's battles, shall we?"
Lucia's hands clenched into fists and she began to move slowly and deliberately toward Caren. Everyone not directly involved in the small catfight watched anxiously. Caren had some sort of talent of getting under people's skin with her taunts, but all agreed that she had gone too far this time.
The distance between Lucia and Caren had lessened quite a bit, and if they were allowed to advance only a few more steps toward each other, there was a high possibility that they might come to blows.
"Lucia, Caren, please don't do this!" Seira cried pleadingly. No one paid attention to little Seira.
"Enough!" A masculine voice commanded from the entrance of the room. It was Kaito, looking for the entire world like a royal Prince of the Panthelessa. His forehead shone with a brilliant glow, the symbol it was emanating a testament to a long, though ashamedly not proud, heritage. "I have heard enough to know why there is this unhealthy discord among you." After so many intensive etiquette and behavioral lessons, he was even beginning to sound like a true prince. "Caren, you think of me as a possible traitor. Tell me this: When I had the choice to join with my brother and destroy you all, whose side did I choose. Yours, or the people you accuse me of being like."
Caren glared at him defiantly, and then lowered her gaze before his display of inherited power. "You fought for us." She muttered sullenly, for the moment convinced. Though knowing Caren, she would soon find something else to find fault with.
"Thank you for clearing that up. Lucia, will you step away from her, please?"
Lucia was still bristling with anger over the slight made about Kaito, but at his instructions, she calmed down and started to swim over to him. "This isn't over." Luca hissed as she passed Caren.
Caren said nothing in return, but only glared at the couple who had caused her to lose face in front of the people she most wanted to impress. Little did Caren know that you don't go around making friends while insulting another friend's fiancé.
"Ah, Lucia, but I'm afraid it is over." Kaito murmured confidently, linking arms with his beautiful girlfriend, soon to be fiancé, and later, wife. "Caren has agreed that I am not a traitor, and as such, I see no reason why you should attack her in a dark alley or corridor somewhere."
"I wouldn't attack her in a dark alley." Lucia protested, "I'd save time by attacking her here and now." Lucia struggled to free her arm from Kaito's grasp, but failed.
The sea prince sighed and did all he could to keep his love and the person she was currently upset with from potentially killing each other. If Lucia did manage to get free, then she would attack Caren. That would strain the relationship between the two kingdoms more than it could afford to be.
The were saved by the sound of Hippo entering the room and telling them all that it was time for the betrothal ceremonies to begin. The two who were to be betrothed must go to their rooms, where they will be assisted in preparing for the ceremony.
They all filed out and parted each to their own designated rooms. The Mermaid Princesses who were not going to be betrothed that day went with Lucia to help her prepare for the event. They wove ribbons through her hair and pulled it into two long, immaculately styled pigtails. Her garments were a gauzy skirt that was almost see-through, and had been dyed a soft pink.
Sooner than would have been thought possible with a demanding young woman being dressed for her betrothal, the preparations were complete, and the Princesses, with Lucia in the lead, filed out into the large auditorium of the castle where speeches were made and important ceremonies were held. Like the one that was taking place today.
Hippo was waiting at the exact center of the room. He had been appointed as Master of Ceremonies, and he bore the role with honor.
Lucia and Kaito had both been trained meticulously for this moment, so the entire thing would go off without any problems. The six Mermaid Princesses who did not play a part in the ceremony stayed in the background so that the exuberant crowd that had assembled had a good view of their Princess's betrothal to the young Prince of the Panthelessa.
On cue, the prince and princess bowed to each other and to Hippo, and then knelt, or in Lucia's case sitting on her tail, facing Hippo.
The little blue penguin cleared his throat for good measure before starting. "People of the North Pacific, we are gathered here today to be a witness to the betrothal of Princess Lucia and Prince Kaito." He paused and waited for the wild cheering to die down. "They, and the six other Mermaid Princesses who accompanied them, fought valiantly against the uprising of the Panthelessa not long ago. They were victorious, but as a unfortunate consequence, they were forced to return to the seas well before they were needed to avoid publicity in the human world." Hippo brought forth a gold goblet and held it up for all to see.
"With the customary drink that the couple shares from this cup, which has been passed down through countless generations, the betrothal will be sealed."
Filling the glass as best he could with wine, Hippo handed the cup to Lucia, who sipped from it and then handed it to Kaito. After the sea prince had drank, Hippo took the goblet once more.
"I now declare that this betrothal is sealed and binding!" The penguin cried. "On the first of the last month of the year, these two will be joined in holy matrimony!"
Their betrothal now official, Kaito and Lucia bowed once more, this time to the cheering crowd that called out blessings and much happiness for the coming auspicious day.
