Whispers traveled through the halls of Cannock Castle, all telling of the affectionate new King and Queen. For the first few days of their reign, Art and Suzuri were unable to keep their hands off of each other, and they made every place in the castle their bed at least once or twice. The pair were known as the most loving pair of rulers the country had ever seen, and neither of them really had a clue about it. Every day brought smiles and had a slow-progression, seemingly because they were all so enjoyable. That fun all came to a grinding halt when a messenger from another country arrived to deliver news to the new King of Cannock.
Art and Suzuri hated how far apart the thrones were from each other, honestly, and when they discovered how impossible it was to move them any closer, they decided they were small enough to share Art's throne. That didn't work so well when they weren't aiming for a place to be affectionate, of course, so to recieve the messenger, they agreed to sit apart until it was over. Suzuri made the comment of commissioning a bigger throne be made so they could share it, she was so mildly annoyed.
Alicia and Seth stood on one side of the throne in case of emergency and Tara and Angelo stood on another. They would not tolerate some kind of half-baked attempt at an assassination.
The messenger came in, bloody and barely able to see. "Your Highness," he gasped as he ran into the throne room, "I am sure you have news of what happened to Lorasia?"
"Not at all," Art responded. He now wore the crown his father had before him, and he tried to keep his tone in that regal voice, even though he was getting used to speaking like a normal person most of the time. "You appear as if you've been to through a warzone."
"I have," the messenger replied. "There was a march on Lorasia, Your Grace."
"Who could have led this?" Suzuri asked. "All of Alefgard and Aliahan have known nothing but peace as of late." She had upon her head a smaller crown, a miniture of the one Art wore.
"My apologies," the messenger started again, "But it were no humans that brought destruction to my homeland."
"A force of coordinated monsters?" Seth asked. "That's extremely weird." Then he forgot his manners and said, "Apologies for speaking out of place."
Art shook his head at Seth. "You know I see you as family, please, if you have something to say, I would advise that you do."
Angelo asked, "Could it be that Hootingham guy that crashed the train? He seemed able to control a legendary dragon rather easily."
Suzuri felt anger rise up in her body just hearing that name, as Hootingham had been responsible for the death of Ciresso. "The fiend would not be so foolish," she quipped back.
"Well, we originally were on our way to Tantagel," Tara said. "Perhaps we have waited too long to reach there, and now things are kicking into overdrive?"
The messenger said to Art, "That reminds me, Your Grace. I hear this country has a young princess."
"My sister," Art replied. "What of her?"
"The monsters said they were looking for three princesses," the messenger replied. "That is why they marched on us, because we do not have a princess, we only have your cousin, the Prince Hiro as our heir. They did not believe us."
Art looked mortified. "Alicia, Tara."
"Yes?" Tara responded instantly.
"You rang, your majesty?" she asked, obviously taunting him with her tone.
"Please go and keep an eye on Eliza," Art said. He then stood up to give his commands. "Seth, Angelo, I need you to tighten the guard around the castle. Lock the grand gate. We will not take the fight to them, as we may very well lose our castle in the process, and we have few soldiers as of now."
"It's done," Seth said with a nod.
"I'm on it!" Angelo agreed.
Art smiled at the messenger. "Thank you for your bravery to bring us this message. Four years ago, the messenger from Moonbrooke called upon the Castle Lorasia to battle against the hordes of Hargon just like this."
The messenger smiled. "I... have completed my duty." He collapsed onto the floor, and Suzuri ran over to his side.
Suzuri sat next to him and put his head on her knees. "Young messenger, you have done well. Rest now."
"Such a sweet queen you have, Your Grace. I can die a happy man, having seen such tenderness," the messenger whispered. "All Hail the King and Queen of Cannock." He closed his eyes and passed a few seconds later.
Art choked down his tears. "Prepare for the hoard!" he shouted. "We will not give in!"
Tara and Alicia darted one way, and Seth and Angelo headed in another.
Art watched as the energy left behind by a desceased body started to float on, as he knew the angels had some to take his body to Heaven. "I don't think this is going to get any easier, Love."
Suzuri stood up and turned around to see him. He was very scared, having given his first acts as King. "No, it isn't, but you handled that very well. Especially it being your first time."
"I felt so much pressure on my shoulders," Art confessed to her. "I do not think my father was wise, leaving with the crown."
"It matters not what your father had planned for you," Suzuri said. "It matters what you do with what you have now."
"Such strength, Love." He replied in amazement. "I shall use your words of encouragement for the rest of my life." He kissed her gently, then started to walk out. "I must help my subjects prepare for this oncoming attack."
"As a true king does," Suzuri said. "I will help my sisters keep yours safe." She headed to the gardens, where Alicia and Tara were sitting down to read a story with Eliza.
"Your Kingy sure can take charge, can't he?" Alicia asked when she saw Suzuri standing there. "He sent chills down my spine."
"He certainly has that regal tone about him," Tara added.
"That's because my big brother is just like Father," Eliza said, bouncing a little. "He always knows what to do when trouble comes. He is so smart and brave and I wanna grow up to marry someone who is just like him!"
All three sisters laughed in response.
"I'd say you have good taste all ready," Suzuri replied. "Now what story are you reading, Eliza?"
"The Princess and the Slime," Eliza said, turning the pages. "The slime goes on an adventure to save his whole village, every one of them had been locked in treasure chests by the evil organization called the Plob! In the very end, the princess helps the slime win the day, and they all live happily ever after."
"I know that story," Tara said. "I like the ninja slimes who help train the main slime in battle. Tokyo Tom is super cool."
"I love the slimes in the church, who always are there to help the main slime in his battle against the Plob," Suzuri said. "The Mother Gooperior is such a sweetheart."
Alicia just sat there, rather disappointed. "Well, I don't know the story."
"What, you never had anyone to read you stories when you grew up?" Tara asked.
"I grew up an orphan," Alicia muttered. "How many people go and read orphans stories in their spare time?"
Eliza said, "You're Suzuri's sister, that makes you my sister now, and that means you have a family now, too." She hugged up on Alicia sweetly. "And that means that I can read you all the stories you want!"
Alicia laughed, "But I should read to you. You're the littlest sister here."
"Mother and Father and Big Brother all read me stories," Eliza said with a big smile. "So it's your turn."
Alicia was impressed. What ever it was that the previous King and Queen of Cannock had done with their children were the techniques the entire world needed to learn. Even at twenty-five years of age, Art was still as pure-of-heart as he was when he was born, and always so focused on his studies, even if a bit naive. Here she thought the art of good parenting was dead in the world, and she was looking into the eyes of a little girl who was the most unselfish princess she'd ever seen. She thought about it, and then decided she would go pester the King to write a book to publish and sell to the world. They'd make millions of gold coins.
"You're precious," Alicia said, hugging around her. "I want a daughter just like you!"
Meanwhile, Art had the soldiers ready for when the hoard approached. He had Angelo straighten out the casters of the army and Seth help the front-row fighters configure their equipment properly.
"All right," Art said. "We have no idea when they'll get here, but if Lorasia is gone, we don't have much time."
Angelo nudged him a bit. "I heard from the maids that you and Suzu have been lovey-dovey all over the castle," he said. "And that's why we haven't seen you around much out where we commoners tend to be."
"Now's not the time to discuss this," Art grunted.
"But will it ever be, for you, Your Highness?" Seth cackled a bit. "Look, Kingy, when the maids are whispering about the acts of passion you have on the library floor-"
"Can you imagine that?" Angelo snickered, adjusting the pull-strings on a bow he'd found lying on the floor. "Suzu coming up to him from behind, and saying 'oh, Arty, books make me so hot'."
Seth laughed so hard he couldn't concentrate on sharpening any swords like he intended. "Oh, man, I can so see that!"
Art sighed. "That's... not how it..." he looked away. "Like I said, this isn't the time to be talking about such things."
Seth just shrugged, "Yeah, whatever, Art. I mean if you can't tell your best friends about your escapades, who can you tell?"
"I wasn't aware that such private matters were for sharing," Art said, turning away. "I will go check on the ladies. Please help the soldiers in any way you can."
"But of course," Angelo said with a wink. "We'll forgive you for your quickie before battle. Sometimes guys like the adrenaline rush."
Art twitched madly like he wanted to beat on Angelo with anything nearby, but he decided against it. Angelo and Seth both meant well. He was certain of that. He rounded the corner and headed towards the gardens, when he could have sworn he heard something a bit too naughty.
"Word around the castle is that Art's in heat constantly since he was coronated," Alicia said teasingly. "What do you make of that, Suzuri?"
Suzuri said, "Well, I won't lie. He is."
"Ooooh," Tara squealed. "He's just like the other guys, he just doesn't want to show anyone face to face."
Art slapped his forehead in disbelief. Argh, he thought, That must be something the common people like to talk about. That must be why I don't quite get it. I never heard my parents talk to their friends about things like this.
Art stepped in to where Suzuri could see him, also noticing Eliza had fallen asleep on Alicia's lap. "We've got a formation set up," he said. "The four of you are the safest right where you are."
"Glorious," Tara said. "If it comes down to it, we can also protect your little sister."
Art nodded. "What scares me is, it might not be her the hoard is looking for." He looked at Suzuri. "These monsters are coordinated. They could be looking for any sort of princess, not just one who is in line for a crown."
"That is perplexing." Suzuri said. "I want word of everything that happens out there."
"But of course, Love," Art said gently.
Suddenly, there was the sound of an explosion from the east side of the castle. Art instantly ran in that direction. "Full force to the ready," he yelled at the top of his lungs. "They're here!"