A/N: That's right! Two Chapters in one day! (And not just because I have to earn that X-over label, no sir! Ha ha...)
As you step outside, you take your place in-between both thrones. Both parents acknowledge your arrival with a nod, as Manfrey begins his introductions.
"Introducing! From the Ghaulic Peninsula! The Bourgeois Dukedom!" As Manfrey spoke, a blonde girl wearing a yellow dress with black stripes (or is it black with yellow stripes?) sashayed down the carpet. She held her head up like she was already a queen.
Behind her, a portly man wearing a sash, and a thin woman with a very large sunhat walked down the carpet followed in her wake. When they reached the throne, the man immediately bowed. The women around him paused for a moment, before curtseying. As they took their spots at the side, you're very certain the blonde girl winked at you.
As your cheeks warm at the bold action, you look to see if Dad saw that; he did, but his response was a thumbs up! 'You old fart, I need help, not a thumbs up!'
"Introducing! From the Ventenzia Sea! The Rossi Trading Company!" As Manfrey bellowed, a girl in a sleeveless number walked down the aisle. As she passed, she waved everyone; she even blew a kiss to Manfrey! This girl, no doubt, is a real charmer!
Behind her, ten men each carried a chest, probably filled with precious gifts from her home. As she approached the throne, she curtseyed. "Great Majesty of Mewni," she purred her words, each one sounding as unfamiliar as the last. "I bring with me the ten most sought-after goods from my home! Dyes, paints, and many fragrances for an incredible queen!"
Mom looked at her offerings for a while before addressing the girl. "Thank you for your gifts. Please endeavor that you leave them at the docks next time. That is what the envoys should have told you."
The girl looked shocked. "Oh! A thousand pardons, your Majesty! I did not understand at the time! I thought he meant 'you could leave them at the docks,' not should. Please forgive me." She quickly motioned to the men to take the trunks back outside. She would send them all the way back...right?
"And lastly! Hailing from the Sommerest Islands! The Lady Tsurugi!" As Manfrey finished, a procession of four men, all wearing long coats and carrying long, straight blades, flanked two women. The eldest's eyes had scars over them, shut firmly, while the smaller of the pair led her by the arm.
Said girl was wrapped in the silkiest looking dress ever conceived, her face covered in a white powder with a blush on her cheeks, and her hair in a top knot. She walked not just with grace, but with purpose, unlike the first two. As they reached the thrones, two things happened that had never happened before: the women bowed, and the men stood tall.
As the smaller girl rose, she spoke. "Thank you, honorable Moon, for your hospitality." As they stepped to the side, whispers already flying around, it would be understating the obvious that these girls would be interesting.
With all guests present, Mom stood up to speak. "Welcome, visiting dignitaries, to Butterfly Castle." Despite her firm, but inviting tone, there would never be an exclamation; queens never exclaim, when it can be stated, Mom would always say. "We are glad you could make the trip and join us for this small luncheon."
Said small luncheon was a food table easily as long as the banquet hall dining table, with an army's worth of sandwiches, sparkling juice, savory meat-corn pies (Dad's favorite), and at least three different cakes. Mom continued, "I'm sure you all are very tired, so let us not tarry. The event may now begin." With that, the royal band began to play a soft but pleasant number, the guests, along with the three VIPs, started to either mingle or head for the 'lunch table.'
Before you make any rash decisions, you resolve to ask the wisest people in the room for their opinions. The results...
Dad: "Ah, yes! A little fatherly advice, eh? Well, it's a little too public for 'that talk,' (you fight down a blush at that hint-geez, Dad!) Let's just say go for the one that catches your interest the most! That's how I got your mother! ...Well, eventually, anyway."
Geoffrey: "Truth be told, visiting dignitaries have the most abhorrent wards... For example, the delegate from Sommerest glares at any servant who gets near her with food. Meanwhile, the Duke's daughter has picked her nose five times, thinking no one has noticed – but I did! The only polite one in the bunch is that Rossi girl. Ah~! She's so considerate!"
Well, wise was a stretch, but it was better than nothing! With all that was said kept in mind, you head over to Mom, who is overseeing the luncheon with all the grace and poise you expect from her. "Yes, dear. What do you need?" She never turned her head – how!?
"I-I was just wondering...about how to go about this?" you ask tentatively.
Mom was silent a bit before speaking. "Mewni needs strong allies and support. Each of these delegates was chosen as such. Lady Tsurugi hails from a powerful eastern nation, with incredible military might, but they are too far for an even alliance. Rossi Trading Company has full command over most trade routes, as she calls an entire nomadic country her home. Sadly, the leader of the nation is very standoffish, slow to change. The Dukedom is closest, and Lord Bourgeois is an amiable fellow if a little...soft-headed and full of his own power.
"While the main priority would be to find you a suitable betrothed, I urge you to take it slow. Learn who they are first, what they wish to achieve. Only after all that, should you make a decision." You nod at her words, and what she didn't say. Mom clearly preferred an alliance with Bourgeois, so that's probably who she was rooting for you to get along with his daughter.
Following Geoffrey's advice first, you talk to the girl from the nomads. Seemed she was talking to a group of local nobles.
"...and when we pulled the last survivor from the wreckage, one of the kids ran up to me, with the saddest eyes, asking me if it would be alright. So, I gave him a hug and promised I would do my best to make sure his whole family got back to their home safely – no matter how powerful that hurricane was!" As the girl finished her tale, not a dry eye in the group, she excused herself for some drinks.
When she stepped out of the circle, she noticed you and smiled widely. "Oh, my apologies milord! Lila Rossi, humble trader and navigator at your service." She curtsied.
Hearing her colorful story reminds you of your father's warnings on merchants and their tall tales. You can still be polite and friendly, just don't be a sucker. "Please, Ms. Rossi, stand up. Sirius is fine."
She looks up in surprise, before smirking. "An informal royal? Isn't that a bit rebellious?" She laughs at your blush. "Sorry, I don't mean to tease. I've never been one for formality myself. The seas are too rough for that sort of thing."
"Y-yeah! Sailing must be pretty great, right?"
Lila's response was to wave her hand like she was pushing the thought away. "Please! I bet you have all sorts of adventures in this amazing place! Can you share some~?" She gives you this look, like a sad puppy. What, do her eyes inflate, or something?
Well, who are you to disappoint? "Alright, put those away, and listen to the tale of... The loose Warnicorn!
"It was a dark day, and I was out in the woods, ditching my studies... when I heard a neigh that rolled over me like thunder! Then, the ground shook like it was about to erupt! And through the trees – literally, it was knocking over trees as thick as iron! - came the largest, most furious, dirtiest Warnicorn I've ever seen!"
As you take a breath, Lila taps her chin in thought. "Warnicorn? What is that?"
You blink at her incredulously. "You... you've never heard of a Warnicorn!?" When she shook her head, you grin; it's time to educate! "Warnicorns, simply put, are incredible! Beasts of muscle and fury, six powerful legs, and horns so sharp they could cut through stone!" You grin at her expression of awe while noting some of the other nobles in the area looking over with interest.
Catching your second wind, you play up to the crowd. "So! There I was, staring down a tree-tearing beast! But I was not scared. I had been taught how to handle beasts like that! I waited for just the right moment... right when I saw the whites of his eyes... I could feel his hot breath, it felt like Hell was trying to burn me itself. He roared in my face – then I moved!
"In an instance, I spun to the side, grabbed his mane, and climbed onto his back! Now, any average Mewman will tell you that riding bareback on a Warnicorn is suicide... but I'm not just any Mewman." You shoot a grin that gets Lila to blush a bit.
You continue the tale. "As I rode the monster, I held on as if my life depended on it! Which it did, 'cause if I fell off, it would have killed me! It bucked me, up and down, side-to-side, 'round and 'round! I felt sick, but I didn't let go! It felt like ages, but it finally tired. I had outlasted the beast!
"As my victorious right, I rode it back into town, right into the castle!" At that part, you get kind of sheepish. "And once Geoffrey got up from fainting, he made me do all my lessons, then cleared it with Mom and Dad that I exclusively clean up after him. But since then, Heartstopper and I have been inseparable! As has his smell, if I never get out from behind him fast enough!"
While Lila looked awed, the nobles were a mix of polite applause and held-in laughter. Yep, the best way to win over a Mewman – toilet humor!
As the crowd dispersed, Lila stood there, absolutely slack-jawed at the tale.
"Not bad, right?" You grin as she readjusts herself, trying to not seem impressed.
"I-it's okay..." she says, not really all that convincing.
You scratch your chin, an idea coming to mind. "You know... Heartstopper isn't all that terrifying when I'm around... after this whole party thing's over, we could go to the stables...like, if you want to, I mean..." Crap, are you blushing!? Feels like you're blushing...
Judging by her predatory smile, she certainly saw your red cheeks. "Oh, Sirius~! You should be more careful! Inviting a girl like that someplace so secluded could be a scandal..." She begins to walk past you, but not before casually caressing your chest, and whispering in your ear, "I do love a good scandal~" You turn to look at her, but she's already regaling some lords and ladies with another seafaring tale!
...Well. Guess you... made a good impression. Maybe get some... water... very, very cold water before going on...
After a bit of a break and mingling, you head over to the Lady Tsurugi and her... entourage. The men just look at you, like a stain on the ground. Wow, really not liking royals, got that. Alright, let's kill them with kindness! "Hello! Welcome to the castle! Name's Sirius! How are you guys enjoying the festivities?"
"..." No response.
Still smiling, you say, "So... you treat every spoiled rich prick like that, or am I just special?"
"..." Not even profanity moved them.
"You know, you guys look like some real tough fighters! I'm a bit of a fighter myself – and I've got scars to prove it!" With that, you pull up and roll what parts of your clothes can move. You go hunting with Dad once a month – and every scar had a reason!
On your knees is where a bugbear hung you upside-down before Dad felled it with rock and sling. The back of your calf is where an arrow got you (monsters could use tools, who knew?). But your most prized scar... is the small bald spot on your head, where one maid, failing to catch you as you ran away from the tub at age four and slipped on the soap.
"..." Seriously!? Margarie was a menace! How did that not faze them!
You settle for glaring at them, showing your stubbornness right back. Finally, the old lady sitting down tapped her cane on the ground twice. "Enough! Move aside!" The guards quickly step apart to let you through, where Lady Tsurugi and her daughter (?) sat. I apologize for my Lorin. They can be overly unprotective even in calm atmospheres."
"They are pretty calm," you agree. "I was worried I was talking to Mewman statues." You laugh at your own joke. The dignitary regards you with a raised eyebrow. You cover your laughter with some coughing. "I mean, it is understandable. You are foreigners in an unfamiliar land."
Tsurugi nodded. "But this is supposed to be a social gathering. As guests, we should be interacting... Hey!" She taps her cane lightly against the smaller female. "Introduce yourself! Don't be rude!"
The girl's painted face gave no indication if she felt the jab as she stood up and bowed. "Tsurugi Kagami," she spoke simply and plainly. It was clearly rehearsed.
You return the bow, which apparently surprises even the guards. Do men really not bow in their country? "Prince Sirius Butterfly. I hope you're finding Butterfly Castle well." As you straighten up, she recovers from her shock to simply nod. "Kagami, right? That's a beautiful name."
If possible, the girl seemed to tense up even more. "Thank you, milord." After a second, she smiled like she just learned she had teeth and wanted to show them.
Tsumugi, despite the blindfold, seemed to be displeased with the interaction. "You know, young Prince, our offering for your many long moons on this world was a tea set, made by our most skilled artisan. Might I suggest you try some? My daughter is excellent at her hosting skills."
You nod at the idea. "Tea sounds lovely. But I apologize if I'm stepping on any customs."
The stern woman shakes her head slightly. "Please forgive us, young Prince. Our customs should not burden you. Please, go. Enjoy your moment of peace and respite."
After Tsumugi calls the guards off of tailing you, you lead Kagami to the VIP room, where the tea set and a few other small gifts were situated. "...Please have a seat. I will make you your tea." She pauses for a moment, before adding, with a bit of edge, "Master."
Your eyebrows shoot up; 'Master?' Where did that come from?
You jump up and stop her before she can begin. "Hey, hold on! Kagami, you know if this makes you uncomfortable, you don't have to do it. Just say something."
She pauses to look at you. Her eyes no longer feel like she's trying to peel your skin off; now they just seemed puzzled... and only slightly worried. "Uncomfortable? ...You... really don't know anything about our customs, do you?"
You scratch the back of your head sheepishly. "Well, I made it a habit to dodge my studies as much as I could, hehe~" You sober up to look with as serious a face as you could pull as a teenager. "But, I'm very willing to learn now."
Kagami looks away for a moment, before looking back with a cautious face. "...On the Sommerset Isles, women are trained at a specific age to be... the perfect and ideal mates for men. The most respectable lady is one only seen and hardly heard. The mother is one of few exceptions."
You look down to see Kagami clenching her fist hard enough for her knuckles to turn white. "I'm a bit too young to learn... everything, but I was giving a crash course in most of the arts needed to... please my Taiyo." She spat out that last part like bile.
The way she said 'please' was a little disconcerting, to put it mildly. "You didn't, um... have to... you know, do anything... like, adult? 'Cause I do have a thousand-pound warnicorn that loves to crush skulls..."
Kagami, shaken from her hate haze, looks up at you, blushing through the face paint. She finally laughs slightly, shaking her head. "Your concern, or curiosity, is unwarranted. As I mentioned earlier, girls of certain age learn all about how to answer their Taiyo's needs. As I am still underage, I was only taught how to be silent and – urk! - agreeable." After looking sick for a minute, she chuckled again. "Plus, if any one of the court even suggested... tutoring me in such an art, Mother would, how do you say... 'cut off their second brain.'"
You instinctively cover your private area; no need to ask what that meant! Let's change the subject – NOW! "Sooooo, what is a 'tie - o' anyway?"
"I see you slept on foreign languages, as well." Your cheesy smile is enough of an answer; Kagami ignores it and continues. "Taiyo in my country is 'your other,' primarily used for men. Like our Emperor, all men are suns – life-giving, brilliant, and the center of a proper family. Our jobs as women are to support them, in silence and approval. The moons to their suns."
You nod, thinking that was very unusual for the women to support the men. While Mom and Dad ruled equally, people looked toward Moon the Undaunted; no one asked for an audience with 'River the Unwashed.' "To be honest... you seem more like a sun than a moon."
Kagami's face goes searching for something on yours' again. She must have found it because she smiles pleasantly. "Thank you, M – er, your Majesty?"
You shake your head. "Nuh-un! We're building a friendship here, so if you want to call me Sirius, feel free to say it!" With that, you step over to the tea set. "And if I choose to make tea for us, I'm free to do it!"
Kagami looks at you, surprised. "Huh!? Wha – wait!"
You pause as you've already picked up the teapot. She walks over but doesn't seem in a hurry to start her 'traditions' anymore. "What Mother failed to mention is why she wanted me to make you tea. You can pick the leaves, but leave the heating to me, okay?"
You nod. "Sure! Teamwork will make this go by quickly!" You look at all the selections of tea that was brought with the set... "So, uh, got any recommendations?"
Kagami seems to think for a moment. "Well, the preferred choice in Sommerset is Dragon's Grace, but I don't think..." She looks over at you, then nods. "No, I am certain that's a bad idea." She offered you a jar of 'milder stuff.' A sweet smell wafts up from the dried leaves as you add them to the pot.
"Now, we just need hot water..."
"No need." Kagami then pours in the water, then trades pitcher for the teapot. She closes her eyes, holding the pot at its base, takes three deep breaths, then pours out the water into the provided cups. She hands you one, and as you touch it, warmth shoots through your palms! The water is hot! How!?
"You can do magic!?" you gape at the girl as she blows on her tea.
After a sip, she responds, "Not magic, not exactly. My people have... special techniques that bring them closer to the elements, and nature as a whole."
"That's still pretty cool..." you mutter as you sip your tea. Despite the steam, it's the perfect temperature for drinking. The flavor is sweet, but strong, filling your mouth with an almost honey-like aftertaste.
"This tea's awesome!" Your outburst draws Kagami's confusion. "Er, right. Awesome is good. It means good."
"Ah," Kagami hummed. "Back home, we just say 'sugoi.'"
Between tea gulps, you inquire, "So you can heat things up... is that like something anyone can learn?"
The powdered female, looking far more comfortable now, looks at you over your teacup. She says nothing until you've taken another sip. "Well, that depends. Know anybody who's part-dragon?"
You start in shock! Part-what!? You almost spit out your tea, but thanks to Geoffrey's (ergh) etiquette lessons, you remember to swallow first, freak out after. Once your throat's clear, you exclaim, "Part-Dragon!? That's the coolest thing I've ever heard!"
Kagami nods. "It's said our ancestors were blessed many centuries ago with one power of a dragon each. We commune with nature to never forget that promise made, and to show respect for those that paved the way to our present."
You smirk sinisterly as she put her cup to her lips. "So, your dad's like Tom?" Looks like Kagami didn't get the same etiquette lessons, as she definitely did a spit take. Unfortunately, you were hit with the spray; no good prank goes on unpunished, as it were.
As you mop yourself off with a nearby towel, Kagami clears her airway before speaking. "Y-y-you know... of a living dragon!?" She looks at you, her face more readable than the entire conversation.
"No," you smile at her shocked face. "Tom's a guy I know. He's half-demon, so I figured it was the same."
Kagami, shaking off her shock, frowned slightly. "The dragons did not impregnate my people, like demons. The bond that our people share with those legends is tied to our spirits, not our flesh." Seems like a sore subject... unless she likes overboiling her tea...
"Hey, uh, this is an exchange, right? Don't you have a question for me?" You hope the change of subject will calm her down. She looks up from her cup, sees your olive branch, and takes a breath, cooling the cup as she set it down.
"Alright, I do have a question. This whole event was set up in your honor. You talk about me looking uncomfortable, but what about you? Do you enjoy being paraded around and fought over like some prize?"
You chuckle sardonically. "Oh, I hate it, really! Don't get me wrong - the party is fun, the food tastes great, and even the music is cool. I just can't stand all those empty smiles and the hollow 'friendships.'" You grimace as memories of parties past; the lowest parts were always connected to what noble of the week wanted to 'secure their future' by cozying up to you.
Shaking off that dark cloud, you look back at Kagami. "But if my parents need me to do this, I will. I may not enjoy it, but I'll bear with it for their sake." You smile warmly at the thought of your parents. "Plus, I make some cool friends on occasion, so it isn't always terrible."
Kagami matched your smile; well mostly, hers was a bit smaller, but she still smiled. After another cup of tea, she bids you farewell, but not before kissing you on the cheek when you both exit the room. You blush, but judging from how blank her face is, it's just a ruse to keep Lady Tsurugi happy. Probably.
Well, two girls down, one to go.
As you head over to the Bourgeois Party, the blonde girl seems to be looking in a mirror, constantly checking herself for something...
You cough for attention. "Howdy! Name's Sirius!"
The minute you speak, the girl shoots up from her chair. Tossing the mirror behind her for a red-headed girl to catch, she sashays over to you, her dress making her look like a black and yellow bell. She curtseys low enough you can see her cleavage. "Hello, your majesty~" She stands up, pokes out her lips, and bats her eyes at you. "I'm Lady Chloe Bourgeois, heir to the Bourgeois Legacy. I hope I can meet your standards~"
Okay, not gonna lie, she is gorgeous and smells strongly of honey, but she's also trying way too hard. So, you sidestep her poor seduction techniques and greet her normally. "It's nice to meet you, Chloe. Please just call me Sirius, there's no need to be so formal."
Chloe blinks in surprise, but a sly smile crosses her face. "As you wish... Sirikins~"
S-s-s-s-sirikins!? Trying to distract yourself from... that, you look over at the redhead. "So, who's your friend?"
Chloe huffed. "That's just Sabrina, my personal handmaiden. Watch." She snaps her fingers, and as she makes to sit down while her chair is at least 3 feet away, Sabrina sprints into action! She grabs the chair and scoots it right under Chloe's tush before she dropped any lower.
"She is very good at following directions!" As Sabrina seemed to glow at the compliment, Chloe frowned and coughed. After a while, she coughed again. When Sabrina still seemed dazed, Chloe elbowed her. "Get me and Sirikins some juice, you air-headed slowpoke!"
"Meep!" Sabrina actually meeped. "A-at once, your Ladyship!" And like that, Sabrina made a beeline for the refreshments.
"Good, but slow..." Chloe sighed. "She is doing the work of ten servants today..."
Well, she's a hoot... "So, only ten..." you vaguely comment, wondering if Sabrina was alright.
"Daddy says we only need ten when traveling," Chloe whips out a nail file from her low-cut gown (guess where?), and goes to town on her already manicured nails. "But when we finally land, after weeks on that stupid boat, every one of those useless jerks says they're sick! After all they did for me on the way here, they suddenly get sick! Feh!"
"...So, tell me about yourself," you say politely because that is the person you were raised to be.
She smiled sweetly at you before she stands up. "You know, I lo~ve this ballroom, so fetch, but I'd kill for some fresh air..." She struts over, not stopping until she's practically leaning on you. "If only there were some..." she traces your bicep, "...big, strong, handsome..." she puts one hand on your chest as if to steady herself, "...prince to lead me to some~"
Okay, she is very persistent. Ignoring her proximity, you shoot Chloe a winning smile. "Just let me make one stop first." As you step back, you walk over to Mom, still at her throne. "Hey, Mom. Lady Bourgeois needs some fresh air. Can I show her the Orchard?"
Mom hummed for a moment, before looking over at Chloe, who was chewing out Sabrina for bringing sparkling grape juice when she had clearly implied pear. "Yes, she does seem high strung. Alright, just don't leave the palace premises." With a nod, you go fetch Chloe and lead her outside to the Orchard.
The moment you get outside, the Orchard greets you. Trees filled year-round with oranges, lemons, apples – all kinds of apples! Even Chloe looked a little impressed; she was not talking or preening so, she must be impressed.
"Ew! When I said fresh air, I meant, like, from a balcony! Not in all this... dirt!" Ok, not exactly impressed... but you can change that.
"This is better! Check this out!" With that, you reach a tree with low branches and clamber up. Chloe looks on dumbfounded as you get to the top as easily as walking! "The best part about owning a garden like this in your backyard..."
You perch on the highest branch, pluck two of the juiciest apples you can find, and with one in your mouth, you climb down one-handed. You jump the last feet to show off; Chloe jumps with an 'eep!' as you land in a crouch, then get up while holding an apple out to her, as you bite into yours. "...you can eat fresh food whenever."
Chloe looks at the apple. "Uh, Sirikins? Is it... safe to eat that without, like, washing it first? Not a single servant cleaned it!"
"Aw, relax, Chloe! You can't live in a gilded cage forever! The rain cleans 'em plenty!" You drop the fruit into her hands, and she holds it by the stem as far from her as possible. You roll your eyes. "Ok, you want them clean? Just rub them like this!" You show her by rubbing what's left of your snack on your sleeve, some juice getting on your sleeve.
Chloe wrinkles her nose at that sight. "But - but this is silk! I-I can't..."
You sigh as you swallow another bite. "You know, Mom hates it when I climb these trees." The mention of Queen Moon catches Chloe's attention. "She's worried I'll fall and hurt myself one day... but even she's not worried about eating fresh apples. I even bring her one once in a while. I just lie about a servant getting it for me." you shrug, then throw the apple core over your shoulder.
Chloe seems a tad less hesitant, as she holds the apple normally. She looks to you then back at the fruit. Swallowing thickly, she slowly raises the fruit to her lips and takes a tentative bite. The blonde chews slowly, like expecting retch any second. She swallows her mouthful, pauses for a moment... then has another bite.
You smirk victoriously. "Good, right?"
She looks away, haughty. "T-this is okay... I just prefer pears!" She has another bite anyway.
"Well, I'm sure there's a pear tree around here somewhere... Let's find it!" You run off down one of the rows of trees, grabbing Chloe's free hand to drag her behind you. You proceed to spend the next few minutes running around and regaling your guest with all the stories you have about the orchard, most of them chipped teeth or 'fun' bruises, and occasional facts about the fruits hanging around.
As you take a breather on an old stump (clearly being preserved for the holidays in the next eight months), you look over at Chloe, who seems... thoughtful, or more likely just pouting.
"Not used to the outdoors, Chloe?" you cheese at said girl.
Chloe grits her teeth to glare at you! "Hey! Like, what's the big idea!? We've been alone for a while now... and you haven't made a move on me once!"
She crosses her arms and turns her back to you. "Not one lingering hand, not nearly enough wandering eyes..." Chloe turns around, jabbing a finger at you! "What gives!? You a eunuch, or something!?"
You scratch the back of your head. "Well, you are cute and all, but I'm just not that kind of guy. You must have been dealing with real tools if that's your measure of a guy's interests."
Chloe glares at you, then huffs as she sits on the stump, too upset to care about getting dirty anymore it seems. "I... you..." She spent about a minute trying to find something to say as you languished in the sunlight. Finally, she says, "A true lady's worth is measured in the broken hearts left in her wake. That's-! That's what I know..." She looks at you and sniffs. "You're just not much of a true man!"
Okay, that's... pretty messed up. "Hey... are you okay?"
Chloe blinks at you with slightly watery eyes, before whipping her head around. As her ponytail gets you in the eye, she whips out a tissue (seriously, a parade could be hiding in there!), and dabs her eyes. "'m fine. It's just... um... allergies." She sniffed thickly. You sniff in disbelief.
You get up to go to the other side of nature's bench and look at Chloe eye-to-tearful eye. "Okay, seriously, what's wrong? Are you really that sad about me not drooling over you?"
"No! I mean, yes! No, I mean – argh!" Chloe turned her head, muttering about ruining her makeup.
You stand up. "Look, that is a really messed up way to value anybody!" The girl stays silent as she wipes her eyes. "There is more to life than how many men you can get pinning after you, you know."
Chloe finally looks at you, eyes red, and looking no less upset and confused. "That's ridiculous! Utterly ridiculous! A lady should always be the most experienced in the room!" She gets up, making to walk away. "I can't stand next to her otherwise!"
That raised your eyebrows. "Stand next to who?" you say as you catch up with her.
Chloe growled – literally growled! Guess she figured you wouldn't follow.
"Because," You continue, "if someone's telling you being like that is cool..."
"Stop."
"...then I think it's them..."
"Enough!"
"...that don't deserve to stand next to you-!"
"SHUT UP!" Before you could even respond, Chloe, completely shattering her mask, turned around and slapped you! Ow! Even bit your tongue! "Don't talk about my mother like that!"
Almost immediately, Chloe gasps, the red leaving her face, as she goes pale white. You stand there, not moving as a trickle of blood leaks from the corner of your mouth. "Oh... oh no! I-I-I..."
"Your Majesty!" Almost out of nowhere, two guards came running from between trees. "We heard a scream! Is everything..." Their words die as they take stock of your injury. One of them notes the red smear on a pale Chloe's hands. She squints at Chloe suspiciously. "Hey... did you see who struck the Prince?"
Chloe actually went paler. Gone was the lady who surveys all from down her nose. In her place was a 13-year-old girl who was scared of serious consequences. "I... I..."
"...heh...hahaha!" All three people turn to you, laughing and smiling like you weren't bleeding. "Guys, I'm fine! I just fell out of a tree. Musta been a weak branch! Hahaha!"
The accusatory guard blinked. "Your Majesty-!"
"Chloe screamed because I scared her! Guess she thought I was dead or something." You take Chloe's cloth from her clenched hand and wipe at your mouth. "She was about to give me something to stop the bleeding. Good thing it's all on the inside, where it belongs!"
Chloe looked at you like a three-headed oddity. As she tried to say something, you cut her off. "Hey, Gertrude, can you and this guy" you snap your fingers at the other guard, "go get me some ice? I think I bit my tongue, boy does that sting!"
The guards trade looks. Gertrude just shook her head and led the other guard to vacate the area. You continue to wave as they leave the area until they're out of sight.
Chloe's eyes never left you; she looked like someone who had just seen a two-headed monster. "I... you... why?"
You walk over to her, returning her handkerchief to her. "You were angry, I kept pushing. It's understandable. Plus, I want to talk about what you said."
Chloe, no longer putting on airs, stands there looking very much like a kid instead of the flirt she pretended to be. She looks at the ground, grabbing her ballroom skirt in bunches. At last, she sighs, the tension leaving her body, like a surrendering army. "You... have the right to ask now, I guess..."
She sat down in the dirt, clearly giving up her façade, and leaned back on a tree. You sat down next to her; Geoffrey would complain about grass stains, but Sir Lavabo could clean anything anyway! "So, your mom's making you do this kind of thing?"
Chloe sighed, playing with her nail file. "That's not... exactly right. Back home, Mother is known as the Most Beautiful Woman in the Dukedom. There's a competition every year, and she sweeps all comers off of the board." She smiles, a real one this time, wistfully. "When I was a kid, I wanted so much to be like her: powerful, respected, flawless. She was never wrong, never weak.
"Every day, I strive to be like her... I always keep falling short though... 'To be the best you must be unobtainable, utterly unobtainable.' That's the only advice she's ever given me?" Chloe's smile grows a little watery. "Isn't that just, like, the worst?"
You nod. "Yeah, she sounds stupider than my old lady." Chloe hits you again, but it's the shoulder and with less force. Still stings though... "Ow! What was that for?"
"For insulting Mummy, of course!" A little of Chloe's fire sparked, but not enough for a flame. "She's not stupid! And should you really be talking about Queen Moon like that!?"
You grin and lean back on the tree. "It's not like she doesn't know." When Chloe's jaw drops, you explain. "I call Mom Old Lady, Old Hag, all kinds of names! But it's not like she cares... unless I do it in front of company!" You grin sheepishly at that memory.
You continue, "If you can't casually insult your own family in private with no-one's feelings getting hurt, then they don't deserve to call themselves your family! That's the way I see it." You shrug. "Also, you should stop trying to be like your mom! You hitting me earlier, giving me this," you gesture to your bloody lip, "That was more 'you' than you've been all been all day... it was awesome!"
Chloe just looks at you, dumbstruck, before looking away and down, blushing. "T-thank you..."
You both sit there for a while longer, but eventually, Gertrude comes out with your ice. When she does, Chloe excuses herself, but she still thanks you for the walk. As she's walking away, she keeps tripping over the roots in her heels. While Gertrude laughs and looks back to check on you, you notice Chloe... taking off her shoes and walking down the path, barefoot.
A/N: So, thoughts? Also, if you're hungering for more, please see my profile for my other stories. One has pirates in it!