Chapter 4: The Jade Princess
Do you remember when I said the Junelle family might have been related to royalties?
Surprised or not-so-surprised, I am.
I guess my father's title of "Duke" should have been my first clue in, and I've been his son for eight years! So being related to royalties means we'd be included in one of the private parties they make, and currently, I'm on my way to Crocus to attend Hisui E. Fiore's third birthday.
I'm beginning to think it's impossible to get away from canon anymore.
My brother, Sawarr tapped on my shoulder and pointed out the carriage window. We've gone past the hill and what I saw was the view of Fiore's capital city.
Looking at Crocus, you realize the differences between a town and a city. Certainly, it is the largest city I've ever seen, probably the only one capable of rivaling the cities in my past life. With a vast amount of buildings as far as the eyes can see assembled in a circular formation, on the right part of the town being placed on the edge of a small crag were surrounded by walls, topping the crag itself and woodland at either side of the city. As we advanced further, you would witness the countless flowers blooming at either side and every corner of the street. Lots and lots of flowers that after every five seconds of seeing them had me already feeling sick at the sight. Lastly, towering all the other buildings majestically was the King's palace; Mercurius. The place appears to consist a number of different, yet uniformed buildings fused together, with some sections protruding outwards and assuming particular forms, and the walls being mainly adorned by orders of large, rectangular windows lined up and flanked by protruding pillars. It was really a sight to behold because nowhere even in another world you could see a palace like that.
Oh, and the city offers more than that. Apparently, being three years old is a significant breakthrough here in Fiore, something about celebrating a child's survival from their most vulnerable years... a bit morbid, that. Despite the reason, the festival is cheery enough. I'd like to refrain from describing the festival and just let you guys picture how the people of Fiore party in Fairy Tail, God knows how many times there were festivals throughout the series.
"You look excited Roy," brother Sawarr observed me bouncing on my seat and my feet kept thumping in place.
"Obviously, it's not every day you get to visit the palace."
Dad cleared his throat and took both of our attention, "Now remember, try to behave as you have learned, pay the royalties your first and utmost respect, don't be shy telling your exploit or many talents, oh and be nice"
Yes, Dad. I'll be sure to suck up some people and make sure to tell them why you're so proud of me. Being nice is totally the last thing on my mind. Not that my Dad meant anything bad, just... different moral value, that's all. One of them happens to be looking good to those with higher status, possibly even owe favors or gain their alliance.
Politics... meh.
I felt the carriage stop, not long the door was open and the three of us then stood side by side in front of the enormous gate that parted slightly into two. The guards check out our identity and one servant led us to the ballroom.
"Entering the Duke of South Fiore, Lord Zafarr Junelle and his sons, Sawarr and Roy Junelle"
You know... sometimes I wonder why my name is different, even though I'm glad it is and not have a name like Jafarr or Mawarr. It's just plain weird.
We climbed down the stairs to the ballroom, where the celebration underwent exactly how all those royal parties are pictured in movie screens. Food tables lined around the room, men in dark tux and women in colored full dresses, yet their style was surprisingly much more on the contemporary side. The ballroom itself sparkled to life from the shiny jewelry and gold decorating the room and the people themselves. Before my family could mingle with others, it was imperative for us to greet the birthday princess. Usually, the guest would come forth near the balcony of where the King and his daughter stood to greet their guests with a smile while they present their gifts to the royal family of two before the knights would accept the gifts to be inspecting any unsavory ones. Doesn't matter if you're family, you're not exempt from it since we aren't even that closely related, and nobles aiming to murder royals aren't exactly new either.
However, that wasn't the case here. The small man...or more like the smallest man in the room, just about two heads higher than me, he still had color on his hair though the grey streak was obvious just above his ears. He wasn't as short as in the show yet, and he had an angular face, slick hair, thick eyebrows and had a small mustache. I knew immediately he was the king, Toma E. Fiore. The king allowed us to climbed up and stood on the same floor as them. That's not nothing, especially when you're a royal. He then gave us a warm smile. One that people would give to their family. Even though we are distant by blood and came because of tradition, I could see in his eyes that he looked at us as a family regardless.
Dad bowed to the king and we followed suit, "Your Royal Majesty, it is an honor for my family to be invited for this joyous day. We came bringing great wishes and gifts to Princess Hisui in the hope she will accept them. Please allow us to present them to you."
The king smiled at my dad's words and nodded. The king held out his hand as a sign for us to lift his head and thank us for our thoughtfulness. We were allowed to see her up close and surely we were met by the joyous laughter of a small child, her striking jade-colored hair and eyes managed to give a reason behind her name. She spotted me looking at her and immediately cut her smile short, and hid behind one of the guards. It might have been just me but the guard she hid to looked awfully familiar. Especially his long square nose that reminds me of Pinocchio and his shaggy black hair. Shouldn't military officer shave that hair of yours?
After Dad clicked his finger and had his servants showed them a mini-castle built for the little princess to play in. It was this universe's version of those playhouses children like to play in, only castle-shaped and with carved features of the ballroom on the inside of its wooden structure. He looked proud as the king vocally expressed his awe at the gift my dad has custom-made it for her.
But the Princess's only reaction was a slight peek out from her guard and nothing more. The king tried coaxing her out to greet, but the Princess was stubborn and kept shaking her head, and I thought 'That just won't do.' Not only will Dad sulked from thinking the royal heiress doesn't like his gift, but the birthday girl should be allowed to be more carefree on her birthday. It was with that in mind that I dared to take a step forward and humbly bowed my head, "Your Majesty, would you mind giving me permission to speak with the princess?" I asked.
Daring? I know... You don't speak to the king unless the king explicitly allows you too, but I'm taking advantage of his soft heart to allow me. Besides, despite being canon, Hisui is still just a kid, and I love kids. In my past life, I had a little brother and three little sisters so you could say I find fondness in children and have an overprotective tendency on them. I even volunteer to work at a nursery since no one in class would in our volunteering project.
The others who heard me looked surprised while my brother and Dad looked shocked and paled from my misbehavior. Let's play ignorance to that.
Thankfully, the tensed air last just for a second since the king chuckled and gave space for me to get closer to her. The others were still unsure of what to take on the scene but I tried focusing my magic at the tip of my finger, giving a bright light to it and taking the princess attention. I glanced sideways for anything I could use for my magic to work and spotted the rabbit doll she had been keeping it tucked in her arms. I crouched down to her eye-level, posing a smile as I waved my magic finger, "Hi, that's a nice dolly you got there, what's its name?"
The girl perked up at my question, and boldly came out while showing off her doll, "Her name is Ms. Carly Ray Bunnyffer, and she is a brave knight capable of defeating a hundred men and also a great ballet dancer."
That... is a wicked name and skillset for a rabbit.
But this is good, this will just make the magic much smoother. Yellow shimmering rune words were being written in the air before with a quick blow of air, it sailed past until it hit the rabbit doll, sticking into it before disappearing. However, it was clear the magic works when Ms. Bunnyffer's ear twitched, then its whickers and feet before jumping down from the Princess' arms. Princess Hisui gasped, but when she found her doll jumping excitedly around, then began dancing ballet that would make professional dancers jealous before looking up with its dark beady eyes that could melt even the coldest of hearts, Hisui began to clap and laughed excitedly. She opened her arms and Carly the Rabbit jumped back for her to cuddle, "Thank you, thank you, thank you so much. This is the best gift ever!"
Well, it's great to know she loves my magic.
The others inside were just as pleased. The king, especially, was delighted by my usage of magic, "Thank you boy, for pleasing my daughter," said the King, and I grinned in return.
"I've always wanted a little sister so I couldn't help but wanting to get to know her..." my mind halted for a moment, realizing I'm associating with a royalty, "...if I don't sound impudent, I hope"
"Not at all my boy, in fact, if you had one, I'm very sure you would be a very good brother"
I smiled in to relieve and my respect bar for him went higher, considering it was already high from the anime.
To be honest I barely remember details of the show and mostly only remember important points. Like Hisui is the mastermind of Eclipse mind, Lucy close it, Future Rogue and Lucy were there, seven dragons, Natsu defeats Rogue and I barely remember anything else. Before you try judging me, I am an anime enthusiast so I have mixed memories of all kinds of shows inside my head.
I do remember the king asked help from the mage in tears and was the mascot for GMG. And anyone with the highest status who could go out and disguise as a pumpkin mascot would always get my respect.
"Now that you've gratefully brought forth your gifts, please go on and enjoy the ball." The King said in a hearty laugh. When we all turned to walk toward the ballroom, Dad pat me on the back and gave me a thumbs up.
Good to know I pleased you.
The three of us went ahead while the royal family went toward another direction, back to the ballroom. The guest was looking up ahead at the balcony where the king was giving his thanks for coming. Afterward, I decided that rather than mingling with the High Society boasting their privilege and achievement. I smuggled the best food there was and hid just outside the courtyard where I could enjoy food peacefully without minding anyone.
Or so I had thought.
I was supposed to be alone outside yet my sudden appearance seemed to have startled someone who had the same kind of thought as me. I looked toward the source of the sound and found a kid around the same or a little older age than me. I put down my food and offered him a hand which he took with thanks. The kid has peculiar green hair just below his shoulder which he tied, greenish-blue eyes and a beauty mark under his left eye. He was a scrawny kid and kept looking away from me and acted awfully nervous. "Hey, are you okay?" I asked him, jolting him from my sudden presence.
"Huh? Oh! Yes I'm fine, thank you for asking"
"I'm not trying to be blunt but you don't look fine"
"I...ah...well..." he was looking a lot more nervous, I wonder if it's because I found him outside, he might think he looked inappropriate to a stranger.
"Hey, calm down, why don't we just eat? I brought a lot of food from the hall and the night looks fine to eat outside."
"Wait...you brought food...to outside?!" He looked pretty horrified from the revelation which made me chuckled.
"Why not, there's no harm in it, and no one needs to know"
The boy looked at me with a pale face as if I made a grave sin. He took a step back and began to rapidly tell me he should go. I didn't think it was fair for him to run off like that so I took the Ebi Tempura and stuffed it in his mouth.
"There...now we're accomplice, if you don't want to get in trouble, I suggest you sit down and no one will know any of this," I said with my most menacing tone I could muster. The boy gulped down his food and nodded. Once he sat beside me, I offered my hand and began introducing myself.
"My name is Roy Jurenelle, what's yours?"
The boy's eyes looked like he was in deep thought while staring at my hand, so hesitantly he grabbed it and told me his name.
"Freed, Freed Justine"
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Oh, you've got to be kidding me!