Author's NOte: I had no idea how to write this chapter, massive writers block struck me after opened up the word doc to being this page, and it only vanished two days ago. Anyways, here it is. Hopefully it isn't as bad as I think it is. Oh yeah, and I realized Asturia doesn't have a U after the first a. So I guess I'll have to go back and edit all those u's out.
Set Course
"Why aren't you going with them?"
Millerna and Merle both stood side by side as they watched Van, Allen and several Asturian noblemen and women, King Aston included, walk ahead towards the carriages that would take them towards the castle.
"I don't like politics," Merle replied, waving at Van before he entered the small carriage, noting angrily that two noblewomen decided to board the same one as he did, "they make me fall asleep. Are you sure you don't have to go? You are the princess, so you should be there shouldn't you?"
"No," Millerna added, turning towards her own private carriage with Merle in tow. As they neared it a servant opened the door for them, bowing as they passed him and climbed into the vehicle. Sitting down, and waiting for Merle to take the seat opposite her, she continued. "No, father doesn't like to have any sort of negotiation so early. He'll usually start them an hour or so before dinner, and then continue afterwards." She rolled her eyes, remembering her father's habits in slight annoyance, "He'll probably drag everyone out to the coliseum to watch guymelef fights first… So, what did you want to tell me?"
"Well first, could we start heading to the plaza? I'll tell you on the way."
"Oh, sure," Millerna replied, turning and pushing open a small window shutter and pulling aside sine small curtains, "driver, can you please take us to the plaza? Thank you." Soon they heard a reply through the window and felt the carriage lurch forward as the driver ushered the horses forward. "Alright, so are you going to tell me now?"
Merle leaned forward and put her hand out, wiggling her fingers to draw attention to them. Millerna's gaze was immediately caught by the emerald gem that rested on one of her fingers, her ring finger. After a shocked gasp escaped her mouth, she suddenly looked up to Merle's beaming face. "Wha-who?"
"What do you mean who?" was the suddenly and angry reply. "Who do you think?"
"Van? But, when did this happen and how?" Millerna asked, surprised by this sudden revelation. "I, I knew you had a crush on Van… but now you are engaged? Tell me the whole story."
"Well…" Merle began, tapping a finger to her lips to give the illusion of hard concentration. "I guess Lord Van started noticing me after my accident, I-" she paused when she saw Millerna giving her a concerned stare. She turned slightly in her seat, allowing Millerna to see the faint scars that ran along her shoulder. "It's nothing, I was on top of a building when it collapsed and Lord Van saved me. After that, well I guess he realized what a special, loveable girl I am and started dating me. He asked me to marry him last week on my 16th birthday and… now we are here."
She noticed the frown on Millerna's face and sighed.
"In case you are wondering, our dates mostly consist of working on paperwork together, or having dinners together. Not very exciting stuff, but I love it. And yes, we have kissed."
The rest of the trip to the plaza, which was taking longer than usual, was filled with their conversation. Merle continued to go on and explain her relationship to Van, answering questions and explaining when Millerna had a question, it was only cut short when the driver announced that they had arrived at the plaza.
"Miss Aston," his voice came in through the window behind Millerna, "we are here at the plaza, though because of the crowds I can't drive in forward."
"That's fine. Come on Merle, we'll just walk."
They both excited the carriage, Millerna excusing the driver from any further duties and waving him goodbye. They soon found themselves back in the crowds and hustle of the plaza, and Merle was immediately amazed at the loud music that was created by all the shoppers, tourists, merchants and performers. Noting the prices listed all around on stalls, Merle reached under her dress and pulled out a small pouch containing all her money.
She frowned.
"Hey, do you know where all the book stores are? I want to buy a book."
Millerna, who had already begun looking at a small necklace, turned to Merle, a look of confusion on her face. "Books? Yes I do know where we can find a bookstore but… what book are you buying?"
"What? I can't read books, is that what you are saying?"
"What book are you buying?"
"Updated Atlas of the World."
"I didn't know you were interested in cartography Merle."
"Ha!" Merle exclaimed, putting her hands on her hips in a proud stance which drew a few stares from those nearby, "Of course I am, I'm all about maps and the making of maps! Hahahahaha!"
"It's been nothing but surprises with you Merle, first you tell me you are engaged to Van, and now you reveal you understand the word cartography. What's in store next?"
"I'm not stupid you know," Merle said, slightly offended, "I know big words since I was taught by a Fanelian advisor inside the castle, I just don't use them that often. So are you going to show me this bookstore or not?"
They both headed off in the direction of the docks, Millerna explaining that stores and merchants that sold heavier items were located there because it was easier to ship their supplies. Merle nodded, a single book wasn't all that heavy, though the giant tome ones could be a burden to carry, several of these books being moved at a time might weigh as much as any piece of furniture. As they reached the dock area the smell of the nearby Captured Sea drifted in, along with the calling of seagulls and the ringing bells of ships pulling in to dock. Merle saw several different ships besides the normal freight ships off in the distance and docked into areas that seemed more heavily guarded, the private piers and docs of Asturia. She counted several ships she couldn't identify and even one Zaibach ship. Before she could ask Millerna why one of their ships was here, she was pointed in the direction of an old building, with the name Page Turner labeled out front. They walked in, a chime ringing as the door swung open, and were greeted by an elderly lady wearing glasses.
"Oh, the princess is in my store today. What can I do for you Lady Aston? Are you looking for any particular book?"
Millerna bowed and then shook her head. "No thank you, but my friend here is looking for a book. Merle?"
"Yes, do you have a book called Updated Atlas of the World? "
The old lady thought for a bit, her face gaining even more wrinkles as she furrowed her eyebrows in concentration. "Why yes, I believe it a few of those books came in last shipment, please check the geography section young miss."
"Thank you." Merle responded before turning away and heading deeper into the store, reading the name of isles as she searched for her intended area. "Found it." She announced to no one in particular, and walked in. "Uhh… right." She suddenly remembered why she didn't like libraries or book stores, you had to find the book yourself, and that meant reading all the titles and the names of the authors. She crouched down as she read the names of books, and sighed. "Are these arranged by title or author?"
"Neither, I'm afraid."
Merle looked up to see Millerna browsing the aisle, checking the names of authors and titles of books along with her. "She's a nice lady, I met her a while back while searching for a book myself. Her son usually arranges these books for her, but he's currently serving in the Asturian Army as a sapper due to the education he gained from reading engineering books."
"Oh." Merle said, and then turned back to browsing the books. A couple of minutes passed by, neither knew there were so many maps being made in the world, when Merle finally found what she was after. "Finally. Stupid book was hidden behind some papers." Strands of blonde hair suddenly fell into Merle's peripheral vision, indicating her friend was peering over her shoulder.
"Is it the right edition?"
"It better be, for all this searching. Let's go and pay."
After paying and saying goodbye to the old lady, they walked out of the store, the sea breeze in their faces once again. Merle looked at the book with a satisfied look on her face and it wasn't long until Millerna spoke up. "So, I think we both know by now that this book isn't for you. It's for Van right?"
"Yes, it is. He saw a merchant reading from it a while back. He, the merchant I mean, said he'd sell the book to Lord Van but that he can't, since he uses it to find his way around Gaea. Lord Van actually likes to travel, and to learn about new places, but since… well, you know."
The rest of their few hours were spent browsing the shops and seeing several of the sights Palas had to offer. Around sunset they decided to head back towards the castle, as they were both expected to be there during the dinner. Millerna decided walking was too much of a chore, and hailed one of the various people who operated taxi carriages around the city and paid him for their trip towards the castle. While on the way there, Millerna pointed out the window to a construction site where Merle saw several workers adding what seemed to be a new section of a building. "That is the new wing of medical sciences being added to the Asturian First Academy, it'll be open by next spring, if we can find enough doctors to fill in the teaching positions."
Merle simply nodded.
"Merle, what are you going to do after the dinner?"
"What do you mean, I thought we were still going to hang out and talk more about girl stuff? Because otherwise I have nothing and I'll be bored."
"No Merle, I'm going to actually stay and hear the negotiations."
"But I thought-"
"No, we skipped out on them because there was nothing important going on, but after dinner the actual talks to begin. And even though I don't have any official power my father is the king, and he does listen to me. On the other hand, you are going to be the queen of Fanelia, you can and you probably are expected to go to these things just as much as Van is. Not only that, but even though I don't know Fanelian law very well, I can bet that Van will allow your words and decisions to have just as much weight as his words." She realized the catgirl had a blank expression on her face, as if this had never occurred to her before. "Merle, you have thought about this haven't you?"
Merle, for her part, hadn't thought about. She had been too overwhelmed by feelings of love and happiness, and thinking about finally being married to Lord Van to realize that not only was she agreeing to be with him forever, which she didn't mind and looked forward to, but that she had agreed to rule and lead Fanelia with him. She suddenly felt very embarrassed and scared. "I actually didn't."
Their trip towards the castle was far shorter than their trip towards the plaza, since only a select few could even enter the castle grounds, as such there was no traffic on the way. They spent most of it in silence, Merle lost in thought about the future responsibilities she would take; Millerna breaking the silence here and there to attempt to put her fears and nervousness to rest. "You should stay after the dinner Merle, and at least hear the negotiations, to get an idea of how they work, what goes on. I'm sure Van will appreciate it."
"But I don't," the nervousness was clear in the girl now, "I don't even know what this is about. Or who is there."
"Merle, don't worry so much. Just try your best, Van will be there to hold your hand right? Figuratively and literally. I'm sure he won't expect you to be an expert on international politics already, just be there, learn, listen. That's all."
By now they were inside the palace, guards bowing as Millerna passed them by and receiving a friendly smile in turn. Even though Merle was fretting over her future, she did take the time to notice how differently the Asturian castle and the Fanelian castle were run and built. Palas Castle was large and imposing, with high ceilings and several arches along the hallways, with most of the walls dominated by large paintings of past members of the Aston family. If it was designed to remind everyone that Asturia was a dominant political and economic power, it worked. They walked along these walls before they noticed loud conversation and the smell of food come from the direction of the dining hall. "Oh no, they've already started. Well, let's hope they don't mind us showing up late."
For the second or so that silence filled the dining hall, with all the eyes of kings and queens and one president Merle thought everyone was looking at them with disapproving eyes, 'How dare they come late to a dinner?' and such. It wasn't until King Aston recognized his daughter and welcomed them both in that she felt a little relieved, and it wasn't until Van came over and took her hand in his did she feel safe. They turned towards the others, who were greeting Millerna and walked towards them.
"Lord Van, I'm nervous."
"You'll be fine Merle, now let's introduce my future wife to everyone." Van simply nodded towards King Aston, before the older man clapped his hands, gaining everyone's attention.
"Everyone if you would please sit, the young King of Fanelia has an announcement to make."
The guests sat at their seats, and watched as the Fanelian king walked hand in hand with a young woman, a cat woman some noted with slight disgust, towards the table. A few of them already guessed at the announcement, but waited for him to say it before doing anything.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Van began his eyes drifting over the people assembled here. He knew by the looks on their faces which of them already knew what he would say, and which of them were hiding their disapproval. But he wasn't here for their approval. "This is Merle, she has been my dearest friend all my life and more importantly, she will be my wife and the future queen of Fanelia."
Merle suddenly felt their eyes fall on her, and anything she was planning to say died in her throat. Finally she simply bowed her head slightly, and settled on "It is a pleasure to meet all of you."
Everyone stood up and applauded, and came and offered congratulations, shaking Van's hand and kissing Merle's, which caused her quite a bit of embarrassment. They sat down and resumed the dinner before them, trading idle conversation between each other. Most of this conversation centered on the two's engagement, the men asking Van questions while some of the ladies present asked Merle their own questions. Throughout the dinner Merle had to make a conscious effort to eat in a lady like manner and often turned to Van when she didn't know which fork or spoon or knife to use, and looked to him and the other ladies present when it came to drinking wine, which she wasn't very fond off. After a while she found that the conversation was actually enjoyable; though everyone here was a leader of a nation or related to one, she thought the conversation would be high above her head. She was surprised when they talked and acted like regular people. As the dinner went on, she learned to identify some of the people present, both through Van's help and her own idle chatter with them. The man with a missing eye and ear was the president of the Republic of Basram, a nation that like Zaibach had quite advanced technology, though luckily didn't share their ideas. She had to ask him exactly what a 'republic' was and was shocked to hear they had formed their government after a violent overthrow of their monarchs, something which quite obviously not lost on those present. Next to him was a beautiful young lady, no older than her, who introduced herself as his wife. The old man with a large beard and several sons and daughters was the King of Daedalus, the country to Fanelia's north. She had already met him years before on his occasional visits to the castle, and she even managed to remember the name of one of his daughters, though only because years before she had heard talks of marrying off Van to his daughter to strengthen their ties. The only people she didn't get along with were from Chezario, the small strip of mountainous terrain that bordered Zaibach to Asturia's northeast. They seemed friendly enough, but everyone present knew Chezario had latent human supremacy feelings and discriminated against "beast people". One of the people from that area however, was actually quite genuinely friendly with Merle, and even slipped her a message written on a napkin. 'Sorry'.
After an hour of eating and drinking, all the leaders stood up and excused themselves, with Van staying behind with Merle. "The negotiations are going to begin, they are going to decide how to proceed with Zaibach's new government, as well as how reparations should be paid out." He leaned in and kissed her, causing a few giggles from some of the women behind them, "I'll see you later tonight, if you aren't asleep by then." When he turned to leave she held on to his hands, and looked him straight in the eye.
"No Lord Van, I'm going to be your wife, I'm going to be a queen, and I can't do that if I'm already skipping out on these types of things. I'm going in there with you."