Chapter Twelve: Princess for a Day

Elsword brought herself to open her eyes to look upon the light stained roof of her room. She sat up, and remembered she had gone to bed with Aisha. She looked over, but the mage was not there. Guess she went to do her own thing. Elsword smiled, it was no big issue. She hopped out of bed and went to her wardrobe, taking out a pair of denim jeans and a black shirt.

"Elsword."

"Eeeeek!" Elsword screamed, turning around in shock.

"How rude." It was Eve.

"Ever heard of knocking?!" Elsword instinctively grabbed a pillow and covered her crotch, only earning a raised eyebrow from the Nasod. Elsword realized it didn't matter since they were both female. Elsword only reacted that way as it was not the first time Eve walked in on her while she got dressed.

"Ophelia." Elsword called for her maid, who came in and set a box on the table. Curious, Elsword lifted the lid to see a mound of red fabric.

"Eve, why did you-"

"Delilah told me she wants to see you. Suite three oh six." Eve turned and left the room. Elsword sighed, taking the dress she had worn on her first day of being a girl and putting it on. Why does the queen want to see me? Elsword sighed as she finished putting on the rest of the outfit, stockings, elbow gloves, and heels. She realized she still needed to learn something, and she knew just who to ask. Elsword want to the door and slowly opened it.

"Oh, morning sis." Elesis had come to the room and spoke innocently.

"No, Chung didn't sneak into my room sis." Elsword replied coldly, knowing exactly why her sister was here, "Doesn't matter, can I ask for some help?"

"Sure, what is it?"

"Think you could teach me how to do make up? Eve said Delilah wanted to see me and I just assume it's a big deal."

"Right'o kiddo, get in." Elesis pushed Elsword back into the room and sat her down by the vanity. She opened the drawer and took out Aisha's make up kit and began to take out various products, seeing which one would suit Elsword the best, "So. Chung?" Elesis began to put on the eye liner.

"Everything I ever hoped for." Elsword replied calmly.

"Down here?" Elesis rubbed Elsword's thigh.

"Aisha helped me take care of it last night."

"You wanted him?"

"Yes, but I promised you I would wait."

"Good." Elesis took out some pale red lipstick, "Pucker your lips."

"Huh?" Elesis face palmed.

"Act like you're going to kiss Chung." Elsword quickly adopted the motion, and paid attention to how Elesis applied the cosmetic. After a few more minutes, and accessories, Elesis clapped her hands, "Okay, all done."

"Thanks sis."

"Better get moving. I saw Oberon wandering around the halls, seems like he was looking for someone."

"Probably me, I think Eve sent him to fetch me." A knock on the door, "Twenty ED on a robot butler."

"Shit, take it." Elesis joked, taking out some coins from her pocket and tossing it on the vanity. Elesis never turned down a bet, even if she knew she'd lose. Sure enough, they opened the door to see Oberon standing there, Dizzy sitting on his shoulder. The little Phoru lit up upon seeing his mother.

"Mama!" Dizzy jumped off Oberon's shoulder, Elsword swiftly catching him.

"Hello dear." Dizzy tried to burrow into her chest but she pulled him away, "Sorry, no cuddling today."

"Dwah?"

"No chest hugging."

"Mind if I hold onto him? I was just going to relax with Rena and Ara in our room."

"Okay. Dizzy, you be nice to aunty Elesis okay?"

"Mah!" Dizzy whined as he was handed off to the other crimsonette.

"We'll take care of him. Have fun I guess Elsword."

"Thank you sis." Oberon tapped Elsword's shoulder and gestured down the hall. Elsword sighed, "Alright, I'm ready."

Oberon graciously escorted Elsword to Delilah's suite. Eve didn't need to give a room number, not with two armed guards standing outside the door. They stood at attention when Elsword came up to them.

"Lady Seighart?" Elsword felt flustered at being addressed as a 'lady'.

"Yes." she replied as strongly as she could.

"Her majesty awaits you inside." The other guard said, opening the door. Elsword walked in, thankful the guards let Oberon accompany her inside.

"Ah Elsword, there you are." Delilah was sitting at a small table on a balcony to the side, well protected from falling off.

"H-Hello majesty." Elsword said nervously, curtseying awkwardly.

"Please dear, call me Delilah. Or mother, should your intent for my son be as I pray it to be."

"O-Okay maj-I mean, Delilah."

"Come now, take a seat." Oberon pulled out a seat for Elsword, letting her sit down. Delilah looked up, "Oberon was it?" The butler nodded, "Might I trouble you to bring us some treats from the kitchen?" Oberon nodded and left the room, leaving Elsword all alone with Delilah. The queen's gaze was calm and kind, but harsh and cold at the same time.

"Y-You wanted to talk to me?"

"Yes. I hear you have had an interest in my son for a long time."

"It's not what you-" Elsword cut herself off, remembering that Delilah was no shaman and had no way of knowing about her change to a girl.

"Pardon?" Shit! Gotta lie!

"I just...admired him for a long time." Okay, not a total lie.

"I see. Well, I have a proposition for you my dear." Delilah sat up straight, "Surely you have been wondering why there are so many nobles on board?"

"Yes in fact."

"Well, it is no coincidence that we are all here. In fact, this is a private cruise ship special for royal balls and parties. I invited Eve a month ago when the plans were concrete, and she said she would think about it. I had no idea she'd bring you all."

"You mean-"

"There are a lot of important people on board, yes. The Velder Imperial Family and their guards. The leaders of the Sander Trading Society. I've also heard the head of the Elder black market is hanging about but I can't trouble myself with trifling details like that. However, I wanted to offer you a chance to be my companion for the day."

"What do you mean?"

"Just stay with me, attend the party tonight, I'll be treating you like a daughter, or in this hopeful outcome, daughter-in-law." Every time Delilah hinted she wanted Elsword and Chung to be wed, Elsword felt her face heat up.

"S-Sure, I guess. I'll try to not be a trouble." Delilah giggled, just as Oberon entered the room with a tray of tea and snacks.

"You will have a lot to learn about royalty Elsword. We are not all as stuck up as those lower class fools who were on the deck." Elsword was stunned. Those nobles the day before were lower class? She was even more intimidated to see what the high class was like. Delilah saw the worry in her eyes, "Oh calm down Elsword. I have a very tight group of friends on board, they are all very kind people. I think you would enjoy Lady Gerenhart's company, she is such a sweet old lady." Delilah seemed to remember something, "Oh, perhaps you wouldn't mind helping the dear old lady about during the party? She's been feeling weak lately but her son wasn't able to attend to take care of her."

"What about her husband?"

"Don't bring him up around her." Delilah warned gently, "He passed away many years ago, soon after they were wed."

"How sad..." Elsword felt guilty for prying.

"You didn't know. Come on Elsword, your tea will get cold." Elsword hadn't even realized Oberon had poured a cup for her. As Elsword went to pick up the cup, the door opened. A guard approached the queen, "Yes Benherd?"

"Lady Evelyn to see you mi'lady." He said stiffly.

"Oh, Eve!" Delilah was surprised, "I thought you were going to visit Lord Herthuon?" Eve huffed as she patted down her dress before sitting down.

"That foolish lad has no class. It's simply degrading of his mother." Delilah sighed, Eve was always such a stickler for form. Eve glanced at Elsword, "Elsword, have you forgotten your lessons already?"

"Huh?"

"Your legs?" Eve said harshly, pointing to her legs. Elsword saw no problem, they were tucked neatly under the chair. She then realized that both Delilah and Eve, who hadn't been sitting for more than four seconds, both had their legs crossed over one another. Delilah smiled.

"Elsword, why don't you go find your friends? I would be glad to have them all attend the party tonight."

"But you all must, I repeat must, go to Ophelia for your dresses." Eve gently took a sip as Elsword got up, "By the way, Rena seemed to be looking for you. I last saw her with Ara and Raven in the casino."

Elsword wandered around the casino, various men and women gambling and whatnot, as she looked for her friends. She couldn't see anyone, and was feeling very uncomfortable with the unending gazes she was receiving.

"Elsword!" She turned around to see Rena's voice, and saw her and Ara standing next to Raven who was at a slot machine.

"There you are...I've been looking all over for you." Elsword said as she walked over. She noticed something was off about Ara, "Ara where's your-"

"It got stolen." Rena said coldly.

"I traced who took it, but we can't just snatch it back."

"Why?" Elsword asked, knowing Raven would have no problem with it.

"Some noble took it. That one right there." Raven pointed at the nearby poker table, and a man with light grey hair was laughing. Sticking out of his pocket was the tip of Ara's hair pin.

"Why can't we get it back?" Elsword asked again.

"That." Everyone jumped to see Eve had come out of nowhere, "Is Lord Herthuon."

"Holy El Eve!" Ara clutched her chest, "You scared me!" Elsword however grinned.

"I take it this is the example of his lack of class?" Elsword inquired.

"Absolutely." Eve said.

"Well, I have an idea then. Eve, mind helping?"

"Certainly."

"Well, what I was thinking..." Elsword trailed off, silently explaining her plan to Eve.

"Hmm. Perfect. He'll fall for each bit of that, and with the queen on our side we'll be safe from ridicule. I will have Oberon prepare. You get the pin back." Eve walked off.

"What are you going to do?" Rena asked. Elsword smirked, and adjusted her dress slightly to expose her breasts more.

"Use my feminine wiles to my advantage." Elsword said, "Wish me luck." Elsword winked before walked towards the table, swaying her hips.

Lord Herthuon seemed to be on a roll at the table given the amount of chips on his end. Elsword ignored the other nobles as she came out of nowhere and sat on the table, staring at Herthuon.

"Can I help you?" He asked somewhat irritably, the hint of red in his cheeks hinted at some drinking.

"I must say, you must be a man good with his hands to score this big." Herthuon grinned.

"I'm getting richer than I need to be sweet cheeks." Elsword hated this guy more every second.

"Well, I like a man who's..." Elsword walked her fingers across the table to his hand, "Good with his hands...If you get my drift?"

"Oh oh oh." The smug ass smacked Elsword's rear hard, "I do." I swear I will throw this ass off the ship.

"Well, perhaps you might come to my room later?" Elsword gently rubbed his shoulder, "At a price of course?"

"How much?" He took out his wallet.

"Oh not money. I've been dying for something to complement my hair but I just can't find anything I want."

"And what is it you want?" He said, Elsword catching him reach down to his pocket.

"I have such a fondness for flowers, but also foxes."

"Well you're definitely a foxy lady."

"Please, you flatten me." Just think of Chung..."But, every shop I've been to doesn't have the two put together in one."

"Well I have a surprise for you." Lord Herthuon pulled out Ara's pin, "A gift for you."

"Oh my..." Elsword took the pin, "It's lovely." She got up and smiled, putting the pin in her hair. She whispered in his ear, "Room five oh four." Was all she said before walking off back to her friends. Ara jumped as she handed her the pin.

"Thank you so much Elsword!" Ara hugged her.

"No problem. Now, I have to get back to my room for the next part of the plan. Rena, maybe you'd like to come join in?"

"Damn right I do." Rena said, and the two left for the room, Elsword explaining as they walked.