King, Queen, Rouxls, Clover and some of the other Card Castle peers sat in the main room, where Queen was about to tell the others about a little something that she planned for later today.
"Good Late Morning Dear Card Castle Peers" Queen started, "And Of Course King Too. Today I'd Like To Discuss Something With You Lot. I Can Already Hear You All Think: Queen Are You Serious We Were Just Having A Nice Mundane Monday With Each Other."
King, Rouxls and the others laughed about the statement.
"But As A Matter Of Fact It's Something Fun I'd Like To Discuss. Something You Lot Have Discussed Very Frequently For The Last: 15 Nearly 16 Months."
The Card Castle peers now started muttering to one another, whereas King simply smiled, already knowing what Queen was about to discuss.
"Is she planning a tour through her mansion?" a teenage Ponman named Izuki whispered.
"That'd be amazing…!" Amore squeaked.
"No, man…!" Eiji said, "she mentions Cyber World foods a lot lately, maybe that's what she's trying to bring up…!"
"The taste test…!" Iggy squeaked. "Of course…!"
"Ooh, if that's the case, I'm super-duper excited!"
"Yeseth…!" Rouxls whispered. "Me too…!"
Queen then loudly clapped her hands to get everyone's attention again.
"I Heard Some Of You Have Overheard Me Lately" she said, "Judging From The Fact That You Just Mentioned: The Taste Test At My Mansion. This Assumption Is Correct, And Yes We're Going To Do That Today."
"Oooh, nice!" the majority of the Card Castle peers said in an eager tone.
"Everyone Should Make Sure To Wear Their Magic Pendants By: 4 P.M., Which Is When We'll Depart To My Mansion Where I'll Start With: An Official Tour. I Bet The Majority Of You Is Very Curious About How I Lived Until I Came Here, And I'm Happy To Be Able To Show This To You Lot As Well."
An applause from King and his peers followed.
"Now Now Sweethearts I'm Not Finished Yet. After The Tour We'll Gather In The Dining Room On The Second Floor Where The Taste Test Will Officially Take Place. In This Dining Room There Are However A Few Rules: Wear A Napkin Around Your Neck. Do Not Lean Your Elbows On The Table Surface. Hold Your Fork In Your Left Hand And Your Knife Or Spoon In Your Right Hand. Do Not Make Noises While You Eat, This Includes Humming When Something Tastes Good. Do Not Talk With Your Mouth Full. Do Not Belch. Do Not Use Your Fingers To Poke Food Out Of Your Mouth For We Have Toothpicks For That. But Most Importantly: Be In A Genuinely Good Mood."
"That's a lot of rules" Cathy said, "but I'll try my best to remember them, my Queen."
"Those rules are way too easy to forget, Cath!" Amore said. "You know how we're not allowed to make noises and burp here either, right?"
"Yeah, you've got a good point there."
"In short" King said, "the rules at the dining table are practically the same as here."
"Exactly" Queen said with a confirming nod. "Another Important Rule - In My Entire Mansion Actually - Is: Be Polite To Everyone. This Means: No Cussing. No Defying. No Bullying. No Violence. Respect The Pottery. No Spitting In The Pottery. But Most Importantly: Treat Everyone Equally Regardless What And Who They Are." 5 exact seconds of silence. "Am I Clear?"
"Yes, my Queen" King and his peers replied.
"Ay, mine Queene" Rouxls replied.
"Are There: Any Questions?"
"Is the Cyber World food good…?" Izuki shyly asked.
"Why Of Course It Is That's Why We Let You Guys Experience It Today As Well." The cyber monarch laughed loudly, her visor showing the text 'LMAO' as she did.
Some of the Card Castle peers snickered at the statement.
"What if we don't have any questions now?" Iggy asked, "but will eventually get them at your mansion?"
"Please Feel Free To Ask Me Or Any Of The Butlers. It's Okay If You Don't Have Questions Right Now."
"Imagine if one of us gets tired earlier than we might be scheduled to leave" Milo started.
"Are we allowed to go back home earlier?" Nico added.
"Of Course Sweet Twins It's Important To Think Of Your Energy Level Too. Anyone Can Go Home Anytime They Wish BTW."
"How big is your mansion?" Clover's left head asked.
"Is it bigger or smaller than this castle?" the middle head asked.
"We're afraid to get lost in such a big building when we're alone…" the right head said.
"Hey Clover Dear Don't Worry You Won't Get Lost As Long As We Remain Together During: The Tour. You Could Always Stay Near Your Foster Family If That Makes You Feel Safer."
"Phew…" Clover sighed in relief with all three of her heads. "Thank you, my Queen…"
The rest of the Card Castle peers shook their heads, not having any questions in particular.
"No More Questions? Alright. Please Feel Free To Leave And Do Whatever You Lot Wish To Do. Perhaps Pick Some Lunch Up From The Kitchen Since I've Heard They Already Started Cooking About: 15 Minutes Ago? Thank You All For Taking Your Time To Gather Here BTW."
"No problem at all, my Queen" Cathy said with a sincere bow. "I'm very much looking forward to the evening." She smiled sweetly.
"Every Single One Of Us Is Sweet Cathy." Queen petted the usually feisty Hathy's head and smiled back at her in the same sweet fashion.
"Have a nice one."
"You Too."
Soon after, it was just King, Queen and Rouxls in the main room.
"Couldeth I do anything to helpeth thou, mine Kinge?" Rouxls asked.
"No, thanks" King replied. "So far, I'm good."
"Mine Queene?"
"No Thank You Dear Rouxls We'll Be Fine" Queen replied. "You Look Hungry BTW."
"I doth? Then I guesseth I shouldeth get mineself some luncheon soon. Doth thou haveth any idea what they art making?"
"Carrot Soup With Freshly-Baked Bread, And Garden Salad."
"Ooh, I couldeth use some soupe at this point. Soundeth very goode." Rouxls bowed deeply before he left.
"Queenie Beanie?" King asked with a cheeky-looking smile on his face. "Could you give us any hints on what foods there are going to be in your mansion soon…?"
"Kingy Wingy That'll Only Spoil: The Surprise" Queen replied.
"Aw, please? Isn't there at least going to be Spaghetti Code?"
Queen started laughing, her visor showing the text 'haha' as she did.
"As A Matter Of Fact Yes That'll Be One Of The Foods, But Do Not Tell Anyone Just Yet Or Else."
"Or else what?"
"I Shall Permanently Return To My Mansion." The cyber monarch's visor now showed the text 'lying' while she spoke.
"You what?!"
"Relax Just Kidding Why Would I Do That? How Else Would We Be Able To Get Married And Perhaps Have: A Baby?"
"Phew, thank goodness, I was quite scared just there!"
"I Would Never Just Leave You Behind For That's Not Very Ladylike."
"That's absolutely true."
Queen smiled sweetly while her visor showed two heart icons, put her arm around King's shoulder and peppered his right cheek with many small kisses.
"You're Going To Love My Mansion Tons Kingy Wingy. Say If You Had To Choose Where To Reside Permanently, Would It Be-?"
"Card Castle, definitely. I'm too used to this trusty castle of mine, and I would never just want to leave my peers and guards behind. They'll wreck chaos when I'm gone, and not just for a little bit either!"
"That's A Very Legitimate Argument You Stated There."
"Now, if you had to choose where to reside permanently?"
"Oh Dear That's A Tricky One." Queen pondered, and her visor showed the text 'processing…' while she did.
One, Mississippi… two, Mississippi… three, Mississippi…
"For Now I'll Choose Card Castle Since You Reside There And You Kingy Wingy Are My Everything." The bubbly monarch giggled a little.
"Aww, now that's sweet. You're just as much my everything, Queenie Beanie."
King and Queen locked their lips for 5 seconds and smiled adoringly at one another.
"Now, what would you say about some lunch? And shall I let you charge afterwards so you'll have enough energy to go to your mansion later today?"
"That's A Terrific Idea, Right Now I'm So Hungry I Could Eat: An Octorok (Whatever That Is), Or Maybe A Thousand Of Those." Queen's visor showed the text 'LOL' while she spoke.
"I'm just as hungry, hahaha…! C'mon, let's go."
Chuckling and laughing heartily, King and Queen left the main room to go towards the kitchen's 'offer counter' where a few more lunches were awaiting the next few hungry ones at Card Castle.
Five and a half hours later, King, most of his peers, Rouxls and Queen were in the latter's mansion and just finished the tour through this largest building in the Cyber World.
"And this, dear guests, is the dining hall where the taste test dinner will take place" Miguel said. "Did you know that this dining hall is barely used anymore ever since the previous Cyber Queen's passing? It feels like the honour of a lifetime to host another dinner party here for the first time in a few years. Seriously, I'm very happy about this."
"I'm Just As Happy As You Are Miguel Dear" Queen said. "I'm Very Glad That I Could Reserve The Dining Hall For Today."
"You're always welcome to reserve it, my Queen. Now, everyone, please make yourselves at home and have a seat. Our chefs will come and bring the foods in about 15 minutes from now."
"You should do the same, Miguel" Mardi said as he had a seat next to Izuki and Eiji.
"Good point. My legs are kind of killing me from walking all of those stairs during that tour." The Swatchling dressed in red had a seat at the table as well.
"Then you're definitely not familiar with the stairs to the basement at Card Castle" Iggy said. "My uncle says they're so steep that they give him a massive foot muscle ache every time he has to scale them!"
"Steep stairs that hurt foot muscles, huh?" Lemmy said. "I happen to know a few engineers around here who can easily build an elevator in its stead, one of them being the elder Tasque Manager. Any chance you also have some engineers back at Card Castle?"
"My uncle happens to be one of them. He'd be more than happy to get help from this mansion's engineers and no longer have to scale those dreaded stairs afterwards!"
"Ooh, that sounds promising!"
"Engineers From My Mansion At Card Castle To Help Build An Elevator To The Basement?" Queen said. "That Is Indeed Very Promising. When Will I Be Able To Hire Them?"
"Always, actually" Fabio said. "Maybe you'd like to have them over tomorrow?"
"Oh Yes That'd Be: Lovely!"
"I can arrange that very easily" Tasque Manager said with a wink and a cheeky smile before turning towards the elder Tasque Manager, who sat just next to her. "Dad? Any chance you have some time to come over to Card Castle with some of the fellow engineers tomorrow?"
"Of course, sweetheart" the elder Tasque Manager replied. "I mean, when I hear those stories about people hurting their feet on those steep staircases, then I know just the solution."
"Thank You Very Much My Good Sir" Queen said as she shook hands with the elder Tasque Manager. "I'm Very Happy That You're Able To Help."
"My pleasure to the fullest, my Queen."
"Hey, Bowen!" Cathy exclaimed once Bowen finally arrived into the dining room. "How have you been?" She additionally smiled and waved at him.
"Hi there, Cath!" Bowen said as he sat down in between Cathy and Fabio. "I've been super busy trying to finish my studies and finally become an official doctor of more than just medicine… it feels like I've been studying for two decades rather than almost 9 years."
"You'll eventually get there, don't worry. You'll be one of the best doctors in Queen's Mansion! You'll be able to stitch gnarly wounds back up, cool someone's core back down, listen to someone's heart to detect deficiencies, give shots and reassure the one who gets them… and the list goes on and on!"
"I'm still a little reluctant about giving shots… I'm oftentimes still afraid that I'll accidentally jab next to someone's vein instead of in it."
"That sounds pretty tough. But it is important to help someone give their flu shots, or to give a baby their first shots so they won't get caught with primitive diseases and such."
"Yeah, that's fair. At least I know by now how to handle babies for a bit, no matter how much of a wriggle worm they can often be." Bowen then turned to Iggy, who happened to sit in between Cathy and Lemmy. "And how are your medical studies going, Ig?"
"Complicated" Iggy replied. "Like you, I'm slowly but surely finishing them up in order to become Card Castle's best doctor and surgeon soon, as well as its first real midwife in years. Did you know that I recently learned how to distinguish the core beat of the computer-related species and the heartbeat of all of the other species?"
"Ooh, that sounds amazing! You're one of the first doctors outside of the Cyber World to have learned that."
"I Was Willing To Be Iggy's Test Subject For That Pre-Exam Instruction" Queen said, "And Kingy Wingy Also Partook Even If He Didn't Want To At First. IIRC Iggy Herself Was Very Fascinated Upon Learning What My Core Beat Sounded Like." She briefly got up from her seat to pet Iggy's head. "You Did An Amazing Job Back There Sweet Girl."
"That's absolutely correct" the energetic Rudinn said with a proud pose and confident look on her face. "A core beat sounds just like a regular heartbeat, except for the fact that it's paired with some sort of computer-fan-like sound in the background, which comes from the top of the core that consistently maintains its overall regular temperature."
"It's a fascinating sound to listen to, huh?" Bowen said.
"Surely is! By the time Queen is pregnant - who knows in how long -, I can listen to her baby's heartbeat and determine whether it's a spadeling or of the computer-related species."
"Whoa there, hold the phone." Bowen made a 'slow down' sort of gesture with his two feathery hands. "Did Queen recently confirm that she wants to get pregnant at some point?"
Queen nodded heartily with a confident smile, her visor showing the text 'true' while she did.
"Living proof, Bowen buddy." Iggy couldn't help but giggle a little. "Of course, I'll be more than happy to help her by then."
"You know that you can't just listen to an unborn baby's heartbeat with a regular stethoscope until their mother is approximately 20 weeks pregnant, right?"
"Hmm, my books never mentioned such a thing, but it's good to know. Is there a special device that you know of for that sole purpose?"
"Absolutely! It's a special audio monitor that can detect even the earliest of heartbeats. If you'd like, I could give you one of ours so that you can give yourself some test instructions in between your exams."
"Thing is, I know nobody who is about to have a baby right now…!" Iggy chuckled heartily.
"Neither do I, to be frank, but that's most likely because I'm not going to become a doctor outside of this mansion."
"Yeah, that sounds pretty logical."
"You Know What Would Be Nice To Have At Card Castle?" Queen said. "A Doctor Who Specialises In Cybernetics In Case I'll Need Them."
"Ooh, cybernetics, huh? That sounds very fascinating, but unfortunately, nothing about that has been mentioned in my studies so far."
"They Should Give Those Study Books A Grand Upgrade, Similarly To How I Upgraded All Of The Computers At Card Castle Only Recently."
"Windows 7 as well?" Mardi asked. "Swatch helped us update the computers here as well two weeks ago, and they're running a lot smoother than they ever did!"
"Correct. Windows Vista Sucked Harder Than: Coconut Cocktails, So I'm Glad I Swiftly Found The Significantly Better Windows 7 Only Recently."
"I second your opinion."
"By the way" Bowen said, "Iggy, for doctors who specialise in cybernetics, you should consult Dr. Vichyssoise: she's one of the best-trained doctors of cybernetics at this mansion, and despite the fact that she's retiring in half a decade from now, she's always willing to teach everyone about her primary specialty."
"Half a decade?" Iggy said. "Aren't there any other doctors of cybernetics around here?"
"Of course there are, don't worry, but Dr. Vichyssoise is the one who is currently the biggest expert at it. If you'd like, I could give you her Spyke handle so you can video call and make consults in between."
"Ah, that'd be amazing! How long does such a curriculum take?"
"If it comes to her, only just a year, unless you actually want to specialise in it to the fullest, then it takes approximately half a decade."
"Well, sign me up, for I'm highly interested in this, too. I might continue studying for that sole purpose while in the meantime, I do continue my deed as a new doctor, midwife and surgeon at Card Castle."
"Doctor of cybernetics, huh?" Eiji said. "Does that mean… that I can give patients cybernetics when their arm has stopped working, or how does it exactly work?"
"That's correct, Eiji" Bowen said. "The previous Cyber Queen needed to have her left leg replaced about 18 years ago, and it eventually worked just as perfectly as her right one!"
"Replacing stuff…? Ooh, that sounds more like, um, a surgeon's job… and I'm honestly a bit squeamish for a doctor-in-training…"
"You can always take your time to think about whether you want it or not."
"Y-yeah… I guess so… e-even if I'm not aiming to b-b-become a surgeon or m-midwife myself…"
"You're not required to become either of those if you don't like that. For all I care, you can just stick to listening to heartbeats, applying bandages or peeking in someone's throat to see if their tonsils are still okay, to name a few mundane-sounding examples."
"Hehe… yeah, f-for the time being, I will." Eiji chuckled somewhat awkwardly yet heartily, and at the same time, his stomach rumbled loudly. "E-excuse me… I guess I'm juuust a little hungry right now…!" He then started laughing a little louder.
"Don't Worry Eiji Sweetheart" Queen said, "Do You Hear That?" She cupped her hand around her ear spot. "The Sound Of Cloches On Big Steel Platters."
"Ah, finally!"
Similarly to the stereotypical chain reactions in a science lab, everyone else at the table became equally excited about the upcoming foods.
Next thing everyone knew, a fairly long but colourful row of Swatchlings, with Rolek at the front, entered the dining hall to serve the dozens of cloches onto the nearby buffet and revealed the Cyber World-specific foods underneath those as soon as they were served.
"Ooh, both of my mouths are already watering…!" King said as he adjusted one of his napkins around his neck.
"Hopefully It Won't Be Too Long Before We Can Dig In" Queen said, rubbing her hands together in anticipation while her visor showed the text 'hangry' and she couldn't quite help but salivate a little either.
Once all of the cloches were removed from their trays, everyone fell silent and didn't really do anything but admire even the mere sight of those many gorgeous-looking foods.
There was Spaghetti Code, like most of the Card Castle peers already somewhat predicted, but there were also Record Bagels, fresh bananas, Tension Bits and Gems, Giga Salad, different kinds of tea with a very specific glow and appearance, Butler Juice, fried Pipis, Java Cookies… more than enough to choose from, in any case.
"Enjoy your meal, dear guests" Rolek said with a sincere bow before he sat down in one of the last vacant seats. "I hope they taste as good as they look."
Queen, King, Rouxls and the rest of the peers of both Card Castle and Queen's Mansion applauded and cheered for Rolek before calmly heading towards the buffet to serve the aforementioned foods onto their own plates.
"Phew I'm Satisfied Enough Now" Queen said as she leaned back on her chair. "Feels Good To Have Tasted Cyber World Food Again After What Seems Ages." She looked at King, who only just sat back down with his next plateful. "Kingy Wingy What Do You Think Of The Foods?"
"My tastebuds are still eager for more!" King chuckled as he devoured his umpteenth Record Bagel. "I surely don't regret tagging along with you for this amazing event."
"That's A Pleasure To Hear. Rouxls What Do You Think?"
"These foods art beyondeth amazing" Rouxls said with a sincere nod after swallowing his last mouthful of Tension Bits and Gems. "Thou shouldst include this pristineth cuisine at thy marriage."
"Ha Ha Ha As If I Wasn't Planning On: Doing That!" While Queen laughed, her visor showed the text 'LOL'. "Food Diversity Is An Important Thing You Know? I Was Considering To Serve Both These And Eastern Dark World Foods Anyway."
"Including mine personalst recipe of roux?"
"Of Course I Mean It's Not That Everybody Hates It Or Anything."
"Ay, that art indeed correct. Everyone lovest mine roux liketh the sweetesteth kind of milk chocolate." Rouxls took his first bite of one of his Record Bagels and smiled in delight once again. "These bagels art perfectly roastedeth, and its selectioneth of spreads… they art out of this worldeth! Liketh classical and jazz music!"
"Classical, yes" Swatch said, "my utmost favourite genre. Of course anyone could easily tell from my piano skills. Mind if I entertain you lot for a bit?"
"Sureth, it art a pleasure."
"Even if I'm a bigger fan of jazz" Tasque Manager said, "please do entertain us, Swatch. Your piano skills are out of this Dark World."
Swatch bowed deeply and settled themself at the piano, which stood at the other end of the dining hall.
Just as soon, the familiar classical tune Moonlight echoed through the hall, somewhat softening the formerly energetic mood at the dining table.
"Queenie Beanie" King said once his plate was also empty, "I'd like to discuss a few things one-on-one, if that's okay with you."
"Of Course" Queen said with a brief nod as she got up from her seat. "In A Secluded Spot In The Nearby Hallway So That Nobody Can: Eavesdrop? I Know A Good One."
"Good idea."
"We'll Be Back Soon Everyone Don't Worry." The cyber monarch and her fiancé headed towards the hallway, where they eventually sat down on the floor in one specific corner.
"Our wedding" King started as he grabbed a notepad from the inner pocket of his cape. "That's why I wanted to talk to you one-on-one, to confirm a few things regarding it."
"Very Well. What's One Of The Details About Our Wedding That Came To Your Mind Recently?"
"The foods. I presume we're both still okay with the fact that the foods from both my and your Dark Worlds will be present at our wedding?"
"Of Course."
"Good, because I can officially confirm that the Cyber World foods other than the Spaghetti Code are just as delicious! I especially don't want to miss those Record Bagels and boxes of Butler Juice on our big day." The spadeling wrote his confirmed wishes down with his pencil.
"I'm Proud Of You! Really I Am Sweet Kingy Wingy." Queen embraced King and peppered his left cheek with small kisses for a little while. "I'm Glad We Can Both Agree On This."
"Yeah, me too." King chuckled with a slight blush. "Also, I wanted to discuss the music. I think I might have a clue on what kind of music I'd like to hear when we walk towards the altar with our best people."
"Actually I Already Know One Specific Song For When We Go Down The Aisle And Swatch Picked It. You Wanna Know Which One?"
"Ooh, certainly I do!"
"The 2nd Movement Of: Spadehoven's 9th Symphony…!"
"That title sounds familiar. Let's see if I still remember the melody." King let himself sink into his library of thoughts. The 2nd movement of Spadehoven's 9th symphony… how did that song go again?
It started in a neutral D tone, followed by hints of… was it D minor? Yes, very certainly. Slowly working itself towards a C major for some reason.
And yet, the spadeling couldn't completely place it.
"I Can Help You Remember." Queen browsed in her own library of thoughts, and swiftly found the snippet of the song that Swatch had played when they brought it up on Spyke while first discussing the marriage.
While Queen played the music for King, her visor showed a single music note icon in the middle, which was a rare phenomenon to behold.
"Ah, that song…" King whispered with a few confirming nods, being quite surprised about Queen's apparent ability to play songs from her personal library, like his home computer.
The cyber monarch nodded back and put both of her thumbs up.
A little while later, the song ended, and the youngest card monarch was visibly pleased.
"That's the perfect song for when we go down the aisle!" he said unusually enthusiastically. "I could picture that scenario quite easily, and it was an amazing sight to behold."
"I Pictured The Exact Same Thing Back When Swatch First Suggested It!"
"We're clearly in sync." King chuckled heartily. "Now, do you know what song you want the orchestra to play for us once we're allowed to kiss and everyone else applauds for us?"
"Ooh That's Something That Nobody Suggested Just Yet. Do You Have An Idea Perhaps?"
"Hmm… I'm not as much of a musical genius as your stepsibling, so thinking of any suggestions isn't very easy for me."
"Shall I Seek Through My Music Library Again? Perhaps You Can Say Yes To Any Of The Songs That Way."
"Not a bad idea."
"Alrighty-O." Queen let the next song play from her library of thoughts, which started with the Rabbick March from Johann Swatch II. Once again, her visor showed the single music note icon while the music played.
"No, too frantic…"
Evening Mood by Edward Glyde subsequently followed.
"Hmm… no, that one starts too quietly."
"Then I Presume You Don't Want To Hear Tales From The Scarlet Forest Either In That Case?"
"Good point. That one indeed starts too quietly as well, now that you mention it."
"Are You Ready For The Next One?"
"Yes, please bring the next one in."
Queen then started playing the 40th symphony in G minor by W.A. Mauszart from her music library.
"No, it sounds a little too dark."
"Fair Enough. Then How About: This One?"
The next song to play was Night Scene 9 2nd Movement by Fredrick Chopippins.
"Haha, this is funeral music, silly Queenie Beanie! Our wedding isn't a sad thing, is it now?"
"Okay You Got A Good Point There But This'll Be: One Of The Last Few Suggestions I Can Currently Think Of. Now Feast Your Ears On This."
The Waltz Of The Echo Flowers by P.I. Tasquekovsky subsequently followed from the music library.
For a while, it was quiet between King and Queen, as they silently listened to the slow waltz.
One random Swatchling dressed in blue, who happened to pass by, briefly stopped to listen along, as it happened to be her favourite song.
Other than the two monarchs and the passerby Swatchling, nobody was present at this exact spot of the hallway. It's a good thing of Queen that she happened to know of this spot, isn't it?
It lasted approximately 2 minutes before King was pleased enough, which he expressed with a nod and in response to which Queen stopped the music.
While this happened, the passerby Swatchling continued her idle journey through the hallway, being pleased herself as well due to having heard her favourite song out of nowhere.
"The intro is nice and slow" King stated, "so it could perfectly be played during the last few lines of the speech that… well, at least someone will deliver. And then once we're permitted to kiss - bam! The main part should be played! Sound good?"
Queen's visor briefly showed the text 'processing…' while she tried to picture the scene that the spadeling just mentioned.
About 15 seconds later, her visor showed the text 'yes' and Queen herself nodded heartily with a wide smile, both of which indicating approval.
"Sounds Like The Perfect Plan!"
"Right?" King made some more notes in his notepad.
"However None Of Us Knows Who Will Give The Speech Yet Though."
"It won't be any of those incarcerated kings, in any case, since they're not invited anyway."
"True. I'd Say Dad Should Give The Speech, What Do You Think?"
"Um… Rolek, right?"
"Yes."
"He indeed looks like the perfect person who can give any type of speech. So yes, I agree with your idea."
"Neat. I Shall Request This To Him Very Soon Albeit In: Whispers."
"Good idea, because our wedding planning is still supposed to be a surprise, of course."
"Was There Anything Else About Our Wedding That You Wanted To Discuss Kingy Wingy?"
"As far as I know, not really. I think we do have some things confirmed and settled by now."
"Yeah Me Too."
"For now, we have confirmed our best people, our wedding location, the decorations, the foods for real this time, the temporarily locked computers to prevent distraction, what our cake should look like, what music we want the orchestra to play during our arrival and while we're allowed to kiss, the person giving the speech… ha! I suddenly know some nice haiku to put on the invitation cards."
"Better Write That Down Too."
With a brief nod, King immediately wrote said haiku down on the next page of his notebook.
King and Queen's wedding
On top of Card Castle's roof
You are invited.
Queen read the haiku for a few times, then smiled in approval while her visor showed the text 'yes' again.
"That's Amazing! I Never Thought Of This Myself! This Is The Perfect Caption For The Invitation Cards!"
"Isn't it?"
"But The Date On Which Our Wedding Shall Take Place Is Still Unknown Isn't It?"
"I think it could perfectly take place in two months, what about you?"
"In Two Months Huh?" Queen's visor briefly showed the text 'processing…' again. "Light World Summer. That's A Perfect Time. For All I Know It Is: Settled."
"Are you sure?"
"I 100% Agree With: The Terms And Conditions To This." The cyber monarch held her hand out, in response to which King shook hands with her.
"We made a good deal, I see." King made one last note for the time being before closing his notebook, putting the pencil back in between its rings and tucking the set back into the inner pocket of his cape. "Now to slowly but surely work towards arranging everything."
"But Not Too Hurriedly Of Course Since Stress Is A Big No-Go At: Weddings."
"Those are true words, Queenie Beanie."
This time, King cupped his hand around Queen's chin to lock lips with her, which initially surprised Queen a little, but she gave in quite quickly and just as happily.
After the half-minute-long kiss, the almost-couple smiled sweetly as they got up to head back towards the dining hall, where the atmosphere hadn't changed much and everyone still had a time as good as beforehand… but all of the foods and drinks were gone from the buffet by now, which was obvious proof that everyone had enjoyed them to the fullest, even the Card Castle peers.