Yea, I suppose you can see how mature this might get. Just remember, NO EXPLICITY. I already promised myself that. So if you're just looking for a lemon, then turn right back around. None of that here.

And, considering what is in this chapter, I guess it is no longer a 'spinoff'. You'll see it when you see it.

Enjoy.
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Pains and Duties of Royalty
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Chapter Three: Painful Pleasures
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"Oh, Miranda, you look absolutely stunning!" Emille circles about, looking Miranda all over, trying to find anything wrong so that she might fix it. Miranda stood there, a little embarrassed, judging by the color of her face. She donned a gorgeous dress, cut low in the back, and had a slit in the left side of the dress, so when she walked, her slender leg would show through, garnering the attention of any male passer-by. The front of her dress was perhaps the best part, and was also cut just a little bit low, showing a seductive glimpse of her chest. The frills around her neck ran down the chest area, and stopped. Then they continued down to the bottom of her dress.

Meanwhile, Emille hurried about in her plain ball room dress. Just a simple design, one with a long train, showed nothing risqué at all, and showed barely any skin at all. Nothing much to describe compared to Miranda. Emille looked up, and took notice of me.

"What in all of Endiness are you still doing here! Bardle!" She looked at me disapprovingly, and Bardle approached at her beckon.

"Yes, m'lady?"

"Please, take Albert and get him dressed up! And do hurry, it's almost time!"

"Yes, m'lady. Come along, sir. Your wardrobe awaits." I exited with Bardle, giving a parting glance to Miranda, who watched me leave. Emille did no such thing.
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"Bardle, isn't this the exact same thing always wear?"

"Indeed, sir, and it looks magnificent!" I stood under his scrutiny, watching him look me over. He adjusted my top armor, making sure it was aligned, and not lopsided. My armor gleamed, and Bardle shined over any parts he missed before while polishing.

"And now for the pièce de résistance…" He grabbed my cape, carefully attaching it to the hooking clips on my shoulders. I felt him clip them, which shook my armor just a little bit. He finished and stepped back.

"Come now, you know the drill. Spin around, sir."

"Very well…" I do as he says, and spin. My cape catches the air, and flows behind me. Bardle claps gleefully.

"Excellent sir! You're ready! And you better hurry, the opening ceremony is beginning!"

"Thank you Bardle!" I bolt for the door.

"Knock'em dead, m'boy!" I stop, and turn to look at him, a playful smile tugging at my lips. He quickly corrects himself, for o reason whatsoever. I'd rather him call me that. He is, after all, a father figure to me.

"Ahem…knock'em dead, sir!"

"No need to correct yourself…" With those last words and an appreciative smile from Bardle, I left.
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Emille stood at the podium, giving just a few words before beckoning for me, at which I hastily refused. But at the urging of Dart, Kongol---especially Kongol---and other friends, I stepped up.

"Friends! Thank you for coming to this ball! There is no need for formality, for many of you are very old friends, and others of you are new to Emille and I." I tried to stop there, and turned to leave the stage, but there stood Kongol and Dart, blocking my exit. I gave a small cough, and continued.

"Many of you remember, that quite some time ago, ancient warriors arose to combat great evil…" Not a murmur throughout the crowd. Every eye was fixated upon me.

"These warriors, Dragoons, as they were called, vanquished that evil, and have had no use since that time. Let this event be just a small reminder of what they have done for us." Hushed agreement swept the crowd.

"They have long been forgotten, and deserve some recognition! I hope you all don't mind if I ask them to join me up here…" Cheers of urgency greeted my request.

"Dart…" I eyed him maliciously, and he turned to leave, but Kongol stood in his way. He joined me on stage, looking somewhat annoyed.

"Kongol!..." The gentle giant walked to my side, and the crowd hooted. Kongol crossed his arms and snorted in appreciation.

"Shana…" Even though she had lost her spirit, I still believe that she was a vital part to our success, and Dart grabbed her hand, pulling her onto the stage. They shared a brief kiss.

"Haschel!" The old man jumped on stage in a flurry of flips, showing off to the oo's and ah's of the crowd. For an old man, he still might give you quite a beating.

"Meru!" A jumpy young girl clambers up, and ruffles my hair. I do the same to her. Her cyan hair is still as it was two years ago. She settles next to Kongol, to whom she whispers something. Kongol nods, and picks her up, setting her on his shoulder. She squeals delightedly.

"Miranda…" I savored this moment, watching the crowd clap and cheer at the mention of her name. She stepped up, standing next to me. She was blushing furiously. Many of the men eyed her longingly, much to the dismay of their female companions.

"And two of…my closest friends…" The hall became silent, as if they knew what I was going to say.

"Please…never forget Rose, who made the ultimate sacrifice to save Endiness, and Lavitz, who made the ultimate sacrifice to save me." Every head in the great hall bowed down in gratitude. Wherever Rose and Lavitz were, they were smiling. Lavitz a bit more than Rose, obviously. My silent approval was interrupted as Dart pushed me out of the way.

"He seems to be forgetting himself! A round of applause please!" The hall roared, and I pushed Dart back to his place, giving him a very venomous glare. He laughs.

"Enough with pleasantries! Enjoy yourselves, please!"
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"Dart, how have you and Shana been doing?"
"Ah, same old, same old. I've been trying to get a ring, but I'm a little short…"

"By…?"

"Six hundred?" He looked at his feet, scratching the back of his head and looking embarrassed.

"Done and done. Talk to Bardle on your way back to Seles. I'll have him wait at the door."

"Haha! Albert, you're a real life saver, you know that?" He steps closer, and grabs me in a monstrous bear hug. I squeeze out some near-death words.

"Dart…Dart, I…can't bre-breathe…"

"Oh, man, as long as you know how much you mean to me! Thanks a million!" I get enough air in order to answer. My voice is rather raspy.

"No…problem…" He runs back to Shana, and they both begin to chow on the food. Knowing Dart, half of the table will be gone in thirty minutes. I turn around, scanning the crowd for any sign of Miranda. Wait…I think that's her.

"Miranda! Hey, ov—gah!" Two arms wrap around my neck, and the body that belongs to them swings around to meet my face. It's Meru.

"Meru, get off! Dart already gave me a bear hug! I'm having enough breathing trouble!"

"Sorry!" She detaches at once, but giggles, squeals, prances…everything a ten year old would do.

"Al! Glad to see ya! Where ya been? How's it going? Where is everybody? Where's Dart? How's Emille? What about---"

"Meru! Meru! Calm down! Soa, give me a second to talk!" She makes a motion, like she's zipping her lip.

"Firstly, I've been here. I've always been here. Secondly, it's going fine, until my lungs and trachea were crushed…" She blushes.

"Thirdly, look around you! Everyone you can imagine is here!" She laughs, spins around, and gives me another hug.

"Dart is with Shana by the food…" She spins, standing on her toes to look over the sea of people. She spots Dart and Shana, and waves. Both of them wave back.

"Lastly, Emille and I…well…" Her face turns sullen, and her happy demeanor is no longer present.

"She's pregnant, isn't she?"

"What! No, no! Nothing like that! It's almost the exact opposite!...I just can't seem---" Her normal mood is back, and she interrupts me with a teasing voice.

"Uh oh, does wittle Al have a wittle bit of trouble? Maybe he shoots blanks?"

"Meru! What do you know of the life between Emille and I? Did I ever say any such thing!"

"Al, I'm only playing! Calm down, man! Sheesh! What's the matter between you two anyway?"

"You must swear to me to keep your mouth shut about this…"

"My lips are sealed!" I sigh, and prepare to pour out my miseries.

"My life has been…lacking, to say the least. She and I have no fun. She's boring, Meru. It's not working."

"Aha! I knew it! Heeheehee!"

"Meru! Be quiet!" She didn't let me finish my outpour of misery…

"That reminds me…you need to go the washroom!"

"I beg your pardon?"

"Miranda is waiting!"

"What! How did you know---" She giggles, and disappears into the living mass of guests. No use trying to look for her. So, Miranda is waiting for me in the washroom? I can only guess why she chose to wait there. My imagination runs rampant, and I hastily work my way through the crowd, towards my destination.
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"Miranda? Hello?" I nudge the door ajar, calling in to make sure no one else was there. At the reply of silence, I venture in further.

"Miranda? Meru told me you we're waiting for me. Is something wrong?" I close the door behind me, and stand in the middle of the floor. The tile reflects the candle light from the walls, and I stand, disappointed and depressed.

It was then, that I was pushed against the wall, with someone whispering sweetly and softly to me.

"Albert…why so long?"

"I didn't know you were waiting…"

"Don't play dumb anymore. No more games." She has a dangerous glint in her eye. One that made my blood grow hot.

"I'm not playing games. Not anymore." She lifts her knee to me hip invitingly. I find my hand traveling up her leg.

"Why did you wait so long if your were so bored, Albert? I would have been dying to get out of this situation…" She runs her lips down the side of my neck. A marvelous sensation courses throughout my body, and I find it hard to talk. There are other things on my mind, at this moment.

"I wouldn't risk a scandal. Emille had made me too cautious…" She laughs, and allows me access to her own neck. Her skin…silky smooth, soft…absolutely perfect.

"Miranda?"

"Mmm…what is it?" Those words came out in between her moans.

"Try to guess what I'm thinking."

"Didn't you say no more games?"

"Just try." I can feel the top of herstockings, and my fingers curl around the frilled edges.

"Hmm…make love to me."

"Not quite…"

"What?"

"I love you. I want my whole life to be just with you. I want it to be dangerous, exciting, fun…fulfilling. You know…what Emille isn't." I gigantic grin spread across her face. She let out a soft giggle.

"And by the way…I wasn't guessing what you were thinking. I was telling you what I was thinking." She smiles, and lets a playful purr escape from her lips. I start pulling down…

"Nu-uh. Not here." All I can do is growl in response.

"Your room."

"Fine…"
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We slowly walk about the halls, taking the longest route possible. Along the way, we exchange heated kisses, playful touching…I wish I didn't have to wait. I want her so badly, right now!

"Albert…quit it…we're almost there…" I don't bother answering, but instead let my actions speak for me. I pull down the shoulder strap of her dress.

"I know, just a little bit longer…we're so close…"

We continue towards my room, but I'm still all over her. I'm not letting go of her for a second.

"Here…Albert, we're here…" I cease my touching and kissing, and grab hold of the door handle. I open it, and my mood evaporates upon seeing what is before me.

"Emille! What in the world…? What's going on!"