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SONIC CHAOS 3: UNDERGROUND ARC - ALEENA
Once Upon a Time
Princess Aleena sat curled up on a window seat in the music room, watching the rain patter outside the panes. The door creaked open. She didn't turn. "Oh gentle daughter, here come the wooing men," her mother's soft, affectionate voice said.
"Oh gentle mother, set the wheels in motion for me," she replied absently.
"This will be the day, my darling," the woman said, smiling and folding her hands in front of her. "Today you meet the one." Aleena neither spoke nor turned to face her mother. The Queen's smile fell. "Oh Aleena, please," she pled. "Do you truly intend to stay single the rest of your days? No. Don't answer that. My heart couldn't take it."
"What of my heart?" Aleena asked.
Her mother was silent, watching her daughter. She sighed softly, looking down, then back up once more. "Aleena, please don't think that your marrying is more important to me than your happiness, but your father and I are getting old. We waited too long to have you, I'm afraid. Soon we will join the rest of your ancestors in our family's crypt. Then you will be alone. Running a kingdom is a huge responsibility. You shouldn't have to tackle it by yourself. Not because you aren't capable of doing so, but because you shouldn't have to. It isn't fair to you."
"I will have Charles," Aleena replied.
"Your half-brother who doesn't even live in the same city? Your half-brother old enough to be your teenaged father?" the queen challenged. Silence. "Ally," her mother gently said, sitting next to her daughter. Aleena turned to her, meeting her eyes woefully. "You are the only heir. Your brother has forsaken the crown and your cousin cannot inherit it. It falls to you now, and one day your children will be its inheritors. Not Charles', not Bernadette's, but yours."
"Should I die childless, the throne will fall to my brother's children," she answered.
"And if he has none?" her mother asked. Aleena looked out the window again in frustration. For a moment her mother watched her, heart twinging inside her chest. "Oh my darling, you need only walk by and men become infatuated with you. You have suitors falling head over heels for you wherever you turn, and it's all for naught."
"I have not yet met one who has proven capable of keeping up with me," she replied.
"You haven't given any a chance to try," her mother said. "Darling, you cannot see what you don't look for."
Aleena bowed her head. "I want to be free," she said.
"Since when does marrying mean you cease to be free? I continued to be as free as I pleased despite my marriage to your father. The only one who will hold you back from that is yourself," the Queen replied.
"You stayed free because father was able to keep up with you," Aleena countered.
"Ah. So therein is the problem," the Queen said. "It isn't that you're averse to marriage, is it?"
"No," Aleena confessed, bowing her head. "Nor am I averse to someday having children. But I will not marry for the sake of marrying, and I will not marry for political gain. I will not marry a man I don't love, and I will not marry a man who will try and hold me down. I will not bear children for the sake of birthing heirs, I will bear children because I want them, and I will wait even then until I feel ready."
The Queen smiled ruefully. "I bore a discerning daughter. Perhaps a bit too discerning. You are wise and mature beyond your years, my dear," she said, tapping her child's nose gently. Aleena smiled a little. Defeatedly the Queen sighed, bowing her head. "So be it," she said. Aleena gave her a curious look. Her mother looked up at her once more, forcing a smile. "If you choose not to have children of your own or even marry, I will not stop you. Be as free as you please, daughter. With or without a man. Just as long as your responsibilities are not sacrificed in its wake. And please. Don't make the same mistakes that I did," the queen said, cupping her daughter's cheek.
Aleena frowned curiously, tilting her head. "Mistakes?" she asked.
The Queen ruefully smiled. "I had never intended to marry or have a child. Bernadette was quite enough, I thought. I told myself I had all the time in the world to marry and have a baby. I was wrong... I bore you in my middle years, not considering the consequences of having a child so late. Those consequences became more and more apparent with each year that passed. I found out far more quickly than I would have liked, that I hadn't the energy to keep up with you. Nor the ability to stimulate you half as much as I should have been able to. You were left to rely on others for such attentions instead. I've hardly had the opportunity to live long enough to enjoy my child. In the blink of an eye I grew old and my days became numbered. All the time we otherwise could have had together is gone now. Just like that." Aleena closed her eyes and leaned into her mother's touch, covering the queen's hand with her own gently. She hated when her parents spoke like this. "If any part of you at all desires marriage or children, don't wait until it's too late or until you are worn down." Aleena nodded in understanding. The Queen smiled sadly and stood, drawing her daughter with her. "Oh my darling. Where did the time go?" she lovingly murmured. Gently she pulled her child into her arms, resting her chin on top of the girl's head. "You will be the belle of the ball." Aleena nuzzled against her mother with a smile, all tension melting away. "I have a gift for you my dear."
Aleena tilted her head curiously. The Queen reached around the back of her neck and unclasped something. She removed it from her person and held it in her hands for Aleena to see. Aleena caught her breath and covered her mouth, eyes widening. A heart-shaped pendant made of pink gold. She had always loved that pendant. "M-mother?" she said in a breath, looking at the woman.
Her mother smiled. "I wore this for my own debutante ball, long, long ago. My mother gave it to me, her mother gave it to her, and now I would give it to you. Wear it with pride, dearest."
"It's so beautiful," Aleena said in awe, taking it. She threw herself into her mother's arms, hugging her tightly. "Thank you mummy," she whispered, voice choked with emotion.
Sonya smiled and moved behind her daughter to clasp the necklace around her child's neck. "Remember, my dear. True beauty is from within. Not from some unfeeling pendant," she said. Aleena grinned, holding it in her palm.
SU
The princess knelt before her father and mother's thrones. "Aleena. My dearest daughter," her father greeted affectionately. His expression became solemn. "Look at you. Eighteen years old... My baby is growing up faster than I can keep up with." Aleena smiled softly and looked up at him. "There will be quite the showing at the ball tonight, I think. Noblemen, Aristocracy, gods-awful celebrities trying to sink their claws into royalty..." Aleena grimaced.
"To say nothing of the royal officers and gallant soldiers that will also come, still fresh from battle," the Queen said.
"I allow their presences under duress," the king flatly replied, frowning at her. "You're far too persuasive for your own good, Sonya."
"Well what else can I do when my daughter has grown to be so practical? That was your doing, Maurice. Besides, the wider the net is cast, the more likely she is to find a suitor to her liking. Thus far nobility and aristocracy have done little for her," Queen Sonya replied.
"What of King Nigel Maximillian Acorn?" King Maurice asked.
"Married," Queen Sonya replied.
"Titus?" the King asked.
"Intrigued with Countess Katrina," the Queen replied.
"Argus?" the King almost pled.
"Rumor has it he's involved in some capacity with Lady Windermere," the Queen said.
"A pity he didn't step up for me," a new voice said. "He's not bad looking that one."
Aleena gasped, turning quickly, and lit up with a grin. "Bernie!" she exclaimed, racing to her maternal cousin and throwing her arms around her.
"Hi cuz," Bernie affectionately greeted, grinning and hugging Aleena back.
"Love must come from more than looks, my dear," the Queen chastised her niece.
"I know, Aunty," Bernie replied with an affectionate roll of her eyes and a smile. She pushed the beaming Aleena gently back.
"You came," Aleena excitedly said.
"Of course! I wasn't going to miss your Debutante Ball for the world," Bernadette replied. She looked her cousin over. "What's this?" she asked, taking the pendant hanging around her cousin's neck. "Oh. Aunty's pendant. Gods it's beautiful. I wore it to my own Presentation Ball, you know. She was going to give it to me, but I told her that it should go to you instead. You always adored this thing. I remember that when you were little, you would always ask to play with it or hold it or wear it. You loved it so much. It was only fitting it become yours in the end. I never felt right wearing it knowing how much you cherished it."
"Oh thank you Bernadette!" Aleena exclaimed, hugging her cousin tightly once more.
"You're welcome, Ally," Bernie said with an affectionate smirk. Gently she pushed her back. "You look so beautiful. You're going to excite every eye that falls upon you." Aleena's smile slowly fell. Bernie frowned in concern. "Aleena? What's wrong? Aren't you excited for the dance?"
Aleena bowed her head. The King seemed to catch on, and his gaze softened. "You are not obliged, my dear, to give any vow. Neither your mother nor I will rush you into a promise," he seriously said.
Aleena smiled gratefully at her father. "Thank you father," she said.
King Maurice harrumphed as Queen Sonya shook her head hopelessly at him, arms folded and eyes narrowed. He pointedly ignored the look. The idea of his little girl being presented to society for courtship at all, at so tender an age, appalled him. He consoled himself with the knowledge that permitting men to date her wasn't the same as permitting them to marry her. Gods, if anyone even considered trying for more than a kiss before Aleena was twenty-five, that man would rue the day he was born. In fact, the King would much prefer no man enter a relationship with his daughter. At least not until he was dead and gone.
"Come on cuz. There's someone I want you to meet before tonight," Bernie said, taking her cousin's hand and leading her off. Aleena waved back at her parents.
SU
"Once upon a time there was a beautiful princess, the youngest of her father's children. So vast was her beauty that stories were sung of it. Many had tried to win this fair maiden's heart, but all had failed. She wanted for no lover. Only a freedom already beyond her grasp. She, you see, was fated to forever be chained; held captive within the palatial walls of her great castle. For all her days it would serve as her prison. Her brother had rejected the throne and chosen instead a pursuit of science. Her cousin could not inherit it, nor would she have chosen to. She, you see, was deeply in love with a young Commander in the army of an allied King. The Commander, though, was not of the same heart. He was blinded instead by love for the princess."
SU
Commander Jules Hedgehog of the Knothole army, while not a lady's man, like to consider himself halfway decent with women. Certainly he'd had no trouble striking up conversations with them before. When Bernadette introduced him to her cousin, however, he found himself for the first time at a loss for words. He couldn't have spoken if his life depended on it. Bernadette, at first puzzled, seemed to catch on and smirked in amusement. "Smitten so quickly, Commander? I gave you more credit than that," she teased lightly.
He flushed brightly and sputtered incoherent words before clamping his mouth shut, eyes locked on Princess Aleena who seemed curious. "Forgive my friend, your majesties It seems he's had too much to drink," Captain Amadeus Prower apparently much smoother than he was, said, grinning mischievously.
Jules' eyes widened and he wanted to die on the spot. "I haven't," he lamely said, shaking his head.
Aleena, seemingly amused, smiled at him. "It is my pleasure to meet you, Commander," she said. "Bernadette has told me you went to school with her?"
"Y-yes my lady. We shared a debate class. She was my constant partner," he said, fondly smiling at the memory.
Bernie beamed, grinning. "You always put up a worthwhile fight," she said.
"Maybe so, but you were impossible to win against," he answered, tone warm as he looked at her. "I dreaded it each time we faced off."
"Jules, you were the one who kept volunteering to be my opponent. Really you brought it on yourself," Bernie replied.
"And it was always worth it," he said. "You were stimulating. It got old after about the tenth defeat though. After all, there's no fun in debate if you know you're always going to lose."
"Fortunately for you, there will be no debates to be had here tonight," Bernie replied.
"Thank goodness for that," he said with a smirk. "If such is the case, then perhaps later tonight I will be able to enjoy your company for a dance or two." He looked towards Aleena, and his eyes softened tenderly. "Your cousin's company as well."
Aleena felt her skin heat up a little, and shyly she grinned. Bernie looked from one to the other with a curious frown, and felt suddenly very uncertain. "Tell me about yourself, Commander."
"Of course my lady," he answered, smiling softly. She felt her cheeks heat up a little and glanced to the side. "Let's see. I'm a Commander in the Knothole Army and have a house there, but recently moved to Mobotropolis. It's temporary, so I never bothered to get a place, I just stay with my brother Chuck." Aleena's smile vanished, a look of shock crossing her expression.
"Chuck?" she asked, stunned. "I have a brother named Chuck."
"I know. Your Chuck and mine are one and the same, Bernie has said, except he and I share a mother while you and he share a father," Jules replied.
"So no blood relation whatsoever," Amadeus said, pretending to be interested in a tapestry when he was actually paying attention to their conversation and clearly searching for ways to meddle.
Jules frowned at him, unimpressed, then smiled apologetically to Aleena. "Most of my battalion is native to Knothole, but Mobotropolis is where we train most of the time because of the superior facilities. Moving here was simpler. You could say I'm sort of timeshared between the two kingdoms. My commanding officer is General Armand Depardieu D'Coolette, the greatest General you'll ever meet without question. I've never admired a commanding officer more than I admire him. He's a bit pompous, but he has a good heart and a good head. It's served us all well throughout this…" Jules began before trailing off. His smile slowly faded, becoming sad.
"Throughout this war?" Aleena gently asked, tone sympathetic.
"Yes. The war," Jules murmured. He drew a breath. "It's… been a time." Silence a beat. "I never wanted this life, you know. A military career? It was the last thing on my mind. But when things began to get bad… How could I turn my back? Charles joined, and after he did there was no way I was staying behind. I wasn't about to let my brother go off to war alone, so I followed him. I'll be forever grateful it was Armand I was stationed under and not anyone else. Still, I long for the day it all ends and I can settle down. Retire to Knothole, start a family, pursue a career I want instead of one I have no choice but to join… I look forward to that day."
"A peaceful life is something we all miss," Aleena quietly said. Compared to most, she was exceedingly fortunate. Few of her generation were not orphans. It was the by-product of too many wars and too few periods of peace.
Amadeus, watching now, looked saddened. Seeing Jules upset, though, pushed him to force a smile and approach his companion. "Enough talk of war and tragedy. Jules, tell her of your adventures instead," he said, squeezing his friend's shoulder reassuringly.
"You are an adventurer?" Aleena asked, perking up.
"Not in the sense you might be thinking," Jules solemnly said, shaking his head. "Maybe I would have been, once upon a time, but then 'adventuring' meant going off to battle and killing hundreds, and well, now it's left a bitter taste in my mouth." Amadeus winced and decided he should probably shut up. Aleena watched the Commander in concern. "Dull, aren't I?" Jules ruefully asked.
"No. I understand," she answered. "I look forward to seeing you again, Commander. Do save a dance for me."
He smiled a bit. "Many dances," he promised. She felt her cheeks warming up and shyly grinned, turning away and tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. Bernie watched in utter silence, her heart twisting uncomfortably in her chest.
SU
"Attention all! May we have your attention please?" the Queen's voice said over the music in the grand hall. It came to a stop, as did the casual chatter, and all eyes went to her and the King who stood at her side, the latter of which looked sour and agitated.
"It is with heavy hearts..." the King began.
Sonya nudged him hard and grinned. "With great delight!" she corrected. Her husband frowned in annoyance.
"That we announce our daughter, Princess Aleena, has come of age for courtship," the King finished bitterly, crossing his arms and rolling his eyes. Roaring applause followed the declaration.
"Whomsoever would please to attempt to earn her hand in marriage, shall step forth as the night closes out and make themselves known to her royal parents. Bear with you the gifts and vows you would offer our daughter, and should she see fit to accept you, you shall officially be counted among her royal suitors. Now dance, make merry, and delight with us in this year's very special Debutante Ball."
SU
"Bernie, I'm frightened," Aleena nervously said, peering out from the curtains above, where she and all those who would be presented stood, waiting to be announced. She would be called last, she knew. She had no partner to walk with, her brother had been unable to make it, so Bernadette had volunteered herself to the King and Queen's vast amusement.
"It's okay. You're okay. I promise. I'm right here beside you," Bernie assured, squeezing her nervous cousin's hands tightly. "Just look elegant and poised as always, and everything will be fine," Bernie assured.
As pair after pair was announced, Aleena's nerves became more and more frazzled. "Presenting Titus of Annes and Countess Katrina!" the crier announced. Aleena caught her breath as the two in question stepped out. She and her cousin would be next.
"Come on. We're up. It's simple. We walk out, you're presented to society, we make our way down the stairs, we walk up to your mother and father, they give their blessing, and for the rest of the night after that, we eat and dance and have all sorts of fun, okay? Just breathe," Bernadette said.
"Bernie..." Aleena fearfully began.
"Last of all it is my greatest honor to present to you, for the first time, Princess Aleena the Hedgehog accompanied by her cousin, Lady Bernadette!" the crier exclaimed. Aleena gasped.
"Deep breath," Bernie said. Aleena did so, breathing in with her cousin and letting it out slowly. Bernie walked with her her out onto the landing and grinned a beaming grin, raising her hand and waving at their subjects. Aleena mimicked her, grinning as well. The cheers of the guests filled the halls, loud and booming. All eyes were locked upon the two, many an eligible young man stunned to silence. Gracefully the duo descended the steps, regal and composed.
"See? It's not so bad, is it?" Bernadette said with a smile as they went towards the King and Queen who beamed proudly at them.
"It isn't over yet," Aleena replied.
"Hush you. You'll be fine," Bernadette said, bringing her to the King and Queen and kneeling. "Aunty, Uncle," she greeted. Aleena knelt as well.
"Rise my dears," the Queen said. They did so, smiling, and Bernie left Aleena's side to step back, folding her hands in front of her. "Oh gentle daughter, here come the wooing men," Sonya fondly said to her child.
Aleena smiled ever so slightly. "Oh gentle mother, put the wheels in motion for me," she responded just as she had earlier that day.
The Queen grinned proudly and the King offered a strained smile. "Aleena my dear, tonight you are a woman. A whole new journey lies before you now, one you must travel alone, and your father and I couldn't be prouder," Queen Sonya said.
"Nor could her cousin," Bernadette added with a grin.
The Queen smiled at her niece, then turned to her daughter once more. "May your royal consort, whoever he may one day be, prove worthy of you. I wish you only happiness in your life, dearest. I lament that I cannot guarantee it. Especially in these troubled times," she ruefully said. Aleena bowed her head solemnly.
SU
There came at courting, one day, a man who had long admired the young maiden from afar. In his heart he had nursed for her a lust so powerful and volatile that obsession, dangerous and violent, was sure to follow in its wake. When his turn to greet her and offer her gifts and vows of love and incentives for marriage came, he shared the same fate as all the others who had come before him. Rejection.
SU
The King and Queen watched quietly and anxiously as their daughter sat before the lineup of men who would attempt to court her, stoic and cold. One by one they stepped forth, and the young princess listened to their vows and promises. Examined their tokens of love and incentives for courtship and marriage. One by one they were turned away with a dismissive wave of her hand or turning of her head.
Her parents saw in their daughter's eyes the grief and guilt she tried to hide...
Maurice and Sonya exchanged worried and pained looks. Bernadette seemed equally as concerned. Subtly young men began to slip out of the line, sensing pending rejection and unwilling to face such humiliation. At last, though, a suitor came before the princess and caused her to pause in surprise. His coat was white as snow and his form far from unappealing. He was well-muscled and powerful, but not so much as to be off-putting. There was no question of what he was. A warrior unmatched. He wore a mask over his face, they noted. Grotesque and horrifying but excellently made.
"Princess," he greeted, voice low and rumbling.
For a long moment the princess stared at him, taken aback. "What are you?" she questioned. She couldn't tell for the mask.
"Does it matter?" he asked.
"What is your name?" she said.
"My name is Drago," he replied.
Aleena was quiet, seemingly intrigued but also very wary. The Queen and King exchanged uncertain looks. This man before their daughter's throne made them uneasy, though they couldn't have said why.
"What incentives do you offer me, young man?" the princess soon asked.
"Gifts of gold and jewels. The finest clothes and palatial estates. You'll want for nothing ever again," he answered. Aleena by now, though, had stopped hearing him. He offered her no more and no less than any other suitor.
"I want for nothing now," she said, dismissing him with a wave. He frowned in a measure of annoyance and got up to leave. It wasn't the last time he came, though. She was taken aback when she saw him again. He offered her wealth once more and anything else she desired. Again she dismissed him, begrudgingly impressed at his persistence. He returned a third time, and this time she listened more carefully. Her father, though, was growing quickly agitated, scowling at the determined suitor. Her mother too looked concerned, and began to quietly whisper to her husband. Once again the suitor offered up the same promises he had previously made, though worded differently, and once again she was left disappointed.
"Enough of your repeated vows, suitor. Offer me something no one else has and then perhaps I will hear you," she said to him, annoyance lacing her tone.
"I offer you the honor of being called my wife!" the man snapped. She started, taken aback, and stared at him in shocked disbelief.
"Guards, take him!" the King immediately ordered. The suitor didn't wait to be seized. Furiously he rose, storming off. The guards that tried to take hold of him were grabbed and mercilessly thrown to the sides, sent sprawling with shouts of pain. The King and Queen watched after the man in horror, stunned at the ease with which he was taking them out.
"Halt!" Argus, Captain of the Guard, ordered, getting in his way along with Commander Jules and Captain Amadeus.
"Argus, Jules, Amadeus, let him go!" Aleena immediately commanded, determined to save them from harm. They looked uncertainly at her, then at the man approaching. Said man snarled, protruding long and deadly looking metallic claws. Their eyes widened, and they knew that the next ones who tried to stop him would not get off so easily as the others had. In the interest of self-preservation, they quickly moved from his path. He stormed by without a word.
"This caravan is finished!" the King snapped. "Everyone out! Now!" No one protested, and soon the Royal family and the guards were left alone in the large, empty hall, shaken by the encounter. Rising without a word, Aleena left the throne room trying to ignore how much she was shaking. Her parents, cousin, and the guards watched after her worriedly.
SU
Enraged, the suitor went away, but he had never been one to accept defeat, and so he searched for a way to make the princess his own by any means necessary. If she would not have him of her own free will, then she would have him against it...
He sought help to make his wicked vision come true. In his search he discovered a young bounty hunter, a man much like him, who was vile and wicked and cruel and cold. He was ruthless, hungry for power, hungry for wealth, hungry for infamy and renown, and utterly unstoppable.
SU
"Are you Sleet?"
"Should I bother to ask how you found me?"
"Won't the hunt be much more fun if I don't?"
"Fair enough."
"So then you're Sleet."
"Won't the mystery be much more satisfying if I say nothing?"
"I'm a hunter, not a detective."
"And your prey isn't going to plaster a sign on their heads saying 'Eat Me'."
"Oh, eating you is the last thing I intend to do. I have another entrée in mind."
The man in question glanced back, eyes glittering. "You have my attention," he soon said.
"My name is Drago. Drago Wolf," the suitor said. The young man sitting at the bar stiffened, then carefully turned around, eying him warily up. Drago started and smirked in amusement. "Ah. They told me you were a wolf, but I never expected one like me." For a long moment, the other was silent. "What? Suddenly out of things to say? Am I so overwhelming?" Silence. "Never thought I'd see another of our subtype again," he said, shaking his head. "I don't expect you did either."
The grey wolf, undoubtedly Sleet at this point, was quiet, but soon turned away from him once more. "What sort of entrée did you have in mind?" he asked.
"A princess. I'm a bounty hunter in my own right, but that's a little above my paygrade. You on the other hand... I hunt as a hobby. They say you hunt as a career."
The man, Sleet, snorted. "You must be exceedingly wealthy," he deadpanned.
"What I can't pay for in money, I can pay for in a partnership," Drago answered.
Sleet turned curiously to him once again. The offer, it seemed, was a unique one, and not unappealing. "And what, might I ask, is your intention in going after a princess?" he questioned.
"Rejected suitor. All that juicy stuff there."
"So you want revenge?"
"If it helps you sleep at night."
Sleet smirked dryly and somewhat bitterly, catching onto the veiled meaning. He was young, of that there was no doubt, but not naïve. "And just what princess do you have in your sights?" he asked.
Drago darkly smiled. "Aleena."
"The price has doubled, my friend. Daughter of the high king and queen? That's no small order."
"Can you do it?"
"Of course I can. Consider it as good as complete. Within the next couple of years, she'll be yours to do with as you please."
"Years?" Drago asked, scowling a bit at this.
"Would you rather rush it and be executed for high treason?"
"I think you can do better."
"Hmm... One year. But if this goes badly, well, I'm more than willing to sacrifice my employer to save myself. Even if he is a fellow wolf."
"Deal," Drago replied. Smirking, Sleet rose and approached, shaking his hand.
SU
The young bounty hunter gave the jilted suitor many a promise and guarantee, and vowed to his employer that soon enough the princess would be his to do with as he pleased. For months the hunter plotted and planned. There was no scenario he did not account for. Except for one. Falling in love with his prey..."
One Year Later
Aleena stared out the window of the library as her mother spoke to her about potential suitors. She only half listened. It had grown tiresome over time. "Have you considered the young Commander in the Knothole army? Jules?" the Queen asked. Aleena perked up at the mention of Jules, turning to her mother curiously. It was a small victory at least, and her mother seized on it. "He has had his eye on you for some time you know. Is the fact he's your half-brother's half-brother off-putting to you?" the Queen asked.
"No. There is no blood relation so there is no reason for me to feel off-put by him, but he has not come forward or professed a desire to court me. Perhaps when he does, I will give him the opportunity he craves so much," Aleena replied.
"That, I suppose, can be counted as something, but he's watched you reject so many men, my dear, that it's little wonder he shies away from asking. The same could be said of Titus and Argus," the Queen replied. "Titus and Argus I understand, they have their own little infatuations, but why do you hesitate with Jules? He would do whatever you asked of him, you know."
"But would he be happy?" Aleena answered. "For all my talk of pleasing myself, I am equally opposed to the idea of marrying someone who would not be happy with me."
"Jules has fallen hard, I've heard. Charles speaks frequently of it, to Bernadette's dismay," her mother said. "The poor girl. She's loved that man since childhood."
"Then how could I ever take him from her knowing how much she cherishes him?" Aleena demanded, holding her heart-shaped pendant in her hand. Bernie had never taken anything from her that she loved, so how could she take away something that Bernie did?
"Does the Commander love her in turn?" the Queen solemnly asked. Aleena flinched and bowed her head. No. He didn't. The Queen was quiet, watching her daughter. Soon, though, she sighed sadly and set down her needlework. "Aleena, they are not of the same heart. Bernadette knows that and will accept it. In the end, she wants him to be happy too."
"What if it is she who will make him happiest?" Aleena questioned.
"My dear, for once stop thinking of everyone else and do something for yourself," the Queen replied, smiling teasingly. "Are you fond of Jules?"
"Very much so," Aleena quietly said.
"Then act upon it," her mother said, rising. "Aleena, you must understand. Your father and I only want what's best for you. Then again, I suppose that's yours to decide now, isn't it? You're not a little girl anymore. At least not so little that you need your father and I to make your decisions for you." Aleena smiled a bit at this. Her mother smiled back, but that smile soon fell away. "Think about it. That's all I ask," the Queen gently said. "This year's debutante ball will begin soon. The guests are trickling in as we speak, doubtless along with a fresh batch of would-be suitors. At least give them the time of day this time. Let them try and impress you with dancing and conversation. Eventually one is bound to catch your attention." With that the queen left.
Aleena watched after her forlornly before bowing her head and staring at her folded hands. She considered trying to practice an instrument, but found she had lost the desire to. "Ally, what's the matter?" a voice said from the doorway. Aleena gasped and looked quickly up. Her cousin. She blinked at Bernadette then turned away again. Bernie's expression became sympathetic. "Does it have to do with the ball tonight? And the inevitable stream of would-be suitors that come with it?" her cousin pressed. Aleena was quiet. "Ally, if you're truly so averse to the idea of marriage..." Bernie began.
"I am averse to being told that I must marry," Aleena corrected.
"But you were planning to anyway," Bernadette pointed out, looking puzzled.
"That isn't the point," Aleena said with a frustrated sigh.
Bernie was quiet, summing her cousin up, then approached and sat next to her. She took her cousin's hands in hers and nudged her lightly. "Hey, it won't be so bad. Listen. Put the thought of suitors out of your head, okay? Let them wallow in the desires. You aren't obliged to promise them anything. Just grin and bear it and move on, like always."
"But mother..." Aleena began.
"We'll pacify aunty by claiming you've narrowed the field down a bit. In fact, I bet we could come up with a list of serious contenders right now. Argus, Titus, you like that movie star Luke Periwinkle, don't you?" Bernie said.
"You are more a fan of him than I am," Aleena replied with a smile. "But he is not wholly unpleasant to look at."
"From you that's quite a compliment," Bernie replied, giggling a little. "Let's see. Perhaps some man from Knothole? Your horizons broaden even more if we extend the search beyond Mobotropolis. Armand D'Coolette! That dashing young General in King Acorn's army."
"Married with a newborn," Aleena said, smirking.
"Details. The point is I'm sure we'll meet plenty of handsome young officers and soldiers tonight at the ball who we can convince your mom you're interested in," Bernie said, brushing it off.
"Why must I meet suitors at all if it will do no good?" Aleena asked in frustration.
"For the fun of it?" Bernie replied.
"Fun is subjective," Aleena dryly replied.
Bernie grinned, pulling her cousin to her feet. "Come on you. Let's get ready. It's a masquerade, remember? You love those. Don't let anxiety ruin that for you, alright?" Aleena smiled and nodded. Bernie walked ahead of her and Aleena's heart twisted uncomfortably inside her chest. Guiltily she bowed her head. She dreaded the day Jules offered himself to her as a suitor.
SU
"King Acorn will be there with Alicia and their son Elias," Bernie said as the two cousins walked through the palace. "General Armand as well, along with a good portion of his men. This year's Debutante Ball is somewhat doubling as a military one as well. Captain Prower will be present, Lieutenant Sherman 'Tundra' Walrus, Commander Jules to no one's surprise given what... what awaits him here..." Bernie trailed off.
Aleena's smile slowly fell. "Will Charles?" the princess questioned, hoping to change the subject and get her cousin's mind off Jules.
"I don't know," Bernie answered, shaking her head. "He might have gotten himself too caught up in his work to be able to make it. You know how invaluable your brother's efforts are in this time of war." Both went quiet again, the grim reminder of the continent's dire state hanging thick in the air. Bernie shook her head. "Titus will be there," she said, forcing a smile. Argus as well. Luke Periwinkle, Willoughby Mink... There'll be no shortage of eligible bachelors."
"Duke Willoughby is engaged to Lady Darcy
"A pity. He's a fine fellow," her cousin replied. "Lady Windermere and Countess Katrina should be present as well."
"Then they will be happy that Titus and Argus are too," Aleena said, exchanging a knowing, hopeless smile with her older cousin.
Bernie giggled. "Oh yes. Titus and Countess Katrina have always had a fascination for one another, even when you and him were toying around with the idea of pairing up. Argus and Lady Windermere, I hear, also get along quite well. Apparently they even had something of a tryst with one another in their adolescence. Of course at that stage in his life, Argus was engaging in a tryst with anyone who would have him. Man and woman alike. Even Titus, ever the experimenter, didn't escape. Luckily you'd already gotten over your little infatuation with our Captain of the Guard by then. You were spared that drama."
"Bernadette please," Aleena said with a laugh. "Father and mother will be furious with you if you can't control your urge to gossip in front of them."
"Fortunately I'm not in front of them," Bernie replied with a grin. "Come on. Let's hurry to the ballroom and join the festivities." Aleena nodded.
The City
The young bounty hunter stood in front of a window, scanning through an invitation ponderously. Behind him a blindfolded, bound, and gagged young aristocrat struggled against her bonds, terrified. "What is it?" a gruff voice said from behind. His partner, who was currently aiming a blaster at the aristocrat's head.
"An invitation to a ball," he replied.
"A ball? What sort?" his partner demanded.
"Debutante," he answered with a smirk.
There was a beat. "And what does it say?" the other soon asked.
"High King Maurice and High Queen Sonya invite you to join them in celebration of the annual Debutante Ball, wherein the many young ladies attending shall be presented to society as eligible for marriage, and pursuit of courtship may officially begin. This year also marks the first anniversary of the presentation of their daughter, Princess Aleena. In celebration, she shall be permitted to preside with them over the events. We look forward to your joining us for this momentous occasion," he read. "It seems it will be a masked ball."
"When is it happening?" his partner demanded.
"Tonight," he replied. He heard a scream through the gag and turned quickly when he heard the blaster cocking, taking aim with his own. "Pull that trigger and I'll blow your brains out!" he viciously snarled. "Our job is to bring her back to her father."
"Whether alive or dead was ambiguous," his partner answered.
"We bring her back alive! What happens to her afterwards is her father's to determine," he snapped.
"Pregnant out of wedlock. I'll bet you're regretting your licentiousness now," his partner sneered at the girl with a mocking grin. She could only stare up at him in horror, tears in her eyes.
"Enough! Leave. I'll deal with her myself," the bounty hunter ordered. The other growled, looking over at him, then harrumphed and tucked away his blaster, leaving in agitation. As soon as he was gone, the hunter turned attention to his prisoner. He walked over to her and pulled the gag from her mouth. She screamed in fear and sobbed. He quickly covered her mouth. "Shh..." he soothed.
She caught her breath, trembling, and he removed his hand. "Whatever my father is paying you, my love will double," she said, voice shaking in fear. "Don't send me back, oh please, please don't send me back."
"Your love will pay double you say? Interesting," he replied.
"Yes, double! Triple even!" she blurted frantically.
"Hmm... What is his name?" Sleet asked.
"LaTour!" she exclaimed.
"LaTour? That imbecile? Your taste is questionable," Sleet said.
"Please," she pled, voice breaking.
"Hmm... Fortunately for you, my loyalties can be bought. Very well. I'll deliver you safely back to your love. My team won't know the difference anyway. If you ever speak of this to anyone ever again, though, well... Use your imagination and know it won't be pretty," he said.
"Alright," she fearfully said, tears spilling from her eyes.
"And of course you won't mind if I take this, will you?" he asked, holding up the invitation between two fingers.
"No, do whatever you want with the invitation," she said, shaking her head vehemently.
"Be careful with that, my lady," he warned.
"Please, I don't care about the ball. All I wanted was to meet up with my darling and elope!" she said.
"How sickeningly romantic," he replied, rolling his eyes hopelessly. He'd never understood the appeal of love and romance. Tucking the invitation away, he left the bedroom to meet up with his partner again.
SU
The bounty hunter walked into the sitting room of his secret hideout, stroking his goatee as he considered his next steps. "Sleet?" a voice asked from nearby. He blinked and looked towards a closet, puzzled. The door was pushed open and a young face peeked out.
Sleet frowned, unimpressed. "Dingo, what are you doing?" he dubiously asked, a hand on his hip.
"Why didn't you come out with Drago, mate?" the child asked, slipping out.
"Because I was busy," Sleet flatly answered. "Where is that imbecile anyway?"
"That way," Dingo said, pointing towards the kitchen.
"You have your uses after all," Sleet deadpanned, walking off in the direction the dingo pup had pointed. The child, of course, followed, and Sleet rolled his eyes wondering what he'd even done to draw the boy to him. He'd actively avoided fostering attachment in the pup in fact, and treated him coldly to say the least, yet still the child insisted on tagging along. He wished the boy would catch onto his indifference and learn to self-soothe, but for now it seemed he was saddled with the miserable creature. Oh well. Eventually he'd say or do something that caused Dingo to leave. When finally the child did, all the better. The life expectancy of a bounty hunter was less than stellar at the best of times. A brief life didn't frighten him so much, more the manner in which he might die, but the same couldn't be said of the pup.
"Dingo, what have I said about following me?" Sleet asked, frowning at the child.
"Um, don't?" Dingo said.
"Yes. And what are you doing now?" Sleet asked.
Dingo was quiet. "But Sleet, what else am I supposed ta do?!" the pup at last blurted.
"Play with your toys," Sleet replied.
"I'm bored of them!" the child protested, stomping a foot.
"Dingo, you ninny. Get lost!" Sleet snapped.
Dingo was quiet. "Really?" he soon asked, eyes wide and fearful and now looking like they were about to brim over with tears.
Sleet blinked blankly at him and frowned, unimpressed. "Fine. Follow if you must, but I'm going to discuss a job with Drago. You don't like Drago, Dingo." Dingo grimaced. "Do you really want to be near him?" Sleet pressed.
"No," Dingo replied in a sulking tone.
"Then you shouldn't follow me," Sleet said.
"Fine," Dingo grumbled, stomping away.
Sleet shook his head hopelessly and got back to business. He entered the kitchen and spotted Drago looking out the window. Frowning warily, he paused. "The clock is ticking, Sleet. I'm still waiting for the fulfillment of my contract. You're running out of time, wasting it all on these petty side jobs. When do you plan to get down to business?" Drago asked, hearing and smelling him before seeing him.
"Your contract, Drago, requires the most planning of any contract I've ever had," Sleet answered. "Your goal is to kidnap the heir to the throne of Mobius. You realize, of course, that that means committing high treason? I thought I made this very clear the day you hired me." Drago gave him a dark look. "Do you want to be executed for a botched job, because I certainly don't. High treason, you see, also happens to come with a healthy, unhealthy as the case may be, dose of torture. Do you want to be tortured to death Drago?" Drago growled lowly. "Precisely," Sleet said.
"You don't even have a clue how to start yet, do you?" Drago darkly asked. "I can take my contract elsewhere if you're not up for the job."
"Oh shut up," Sleet bit. He smirked, pulling out the invitation and waving it in the air. "I do believe I've just secured our way into phase one." Drago started then smiled darkly.