I do not own anything except the story. This story was inspired by a certain book. Please read character guide for better reading. Thanks to those who read and reviewed my first TT fic, Two Things Learned. This is for you.----
Robin as King Richard of Titania, Starfire as Princess Kori'an, Aqualad as Sir Arthur, Blackfire as Princess Flamelle, Raven as Raven the King's enchantress and sister---- MORE CHARACTER IN LATER CHAPTER.
My story is not like any other. Ever since childhood my existence has been somewhat strange. Despite my family's lines of black heads, I was the only one with ruby hair and green eyes that were considered evil as its color is unnaturally bright and fluorescent. My skin was tinted orange and it only encouraged the rumors of my birth. They say that my birth was not of a normal person; my mother died giving birth to me and I was to blame. My sister, on the other hand was everything a princess of my father's flesh should be. Black river of hair, skin of a healthy pinkish glow, an air of grace, and always better at everything she does.
My eleventh year was the last year my kingdom suffered attacks. My father's kingdom was situated in the southern side of Titania under the command of King Edward IV. Our land has long suffered the attacks of the savage Hives race. They were merely vagabonds before they were accepted in the great land Titania. The old King Bradley was known for his compassion and kindness towards everyone no matter their race or heredity. His trust was betrayed by the Hives' King and the land has been in war since.
Rumor has it that the savages were finally defeated by the royal army under the command of the Prince of Titania, son of King Bradley and Queen Elizabeth, Prince Richard. His father died shortly after the final battle and has declared the Prince as the King of all Titania. He was only fourteen. It was also widely known that the royal army would never have won the battle without the help from The Four Kings and their sons. The Four Kings was from the west, east, south, and north. Their sons had become close friends of Richard and they were Stefan the Archer, Cyrus the Swordsman, Benedict the Horseman, and Arthur the Strategist. Those five princes were a nightmare come true for the Hives clan.
My sister Princess Flamelle was quiet beside herself at the news of our victory. I have heard nothing but Prince Richard from her for months until I finally snapped and told her to keep him to herself. But during this torturous time, I had always found solace in riding in the woods with my little pony. Even at eight, I was more skilled with horses than most boys my age. Growing up without a mother has its ups as well as downs. It was a family tradition that when a daughter is of age, her father would send her to the neighboring kingdom for proper grooming. My sister who was two years older than me was the first to go. We parted with ease as she never cared much for me.
A year before my coming of age, I was wild and forever scolded for my behavior. I ran, jump, ride, and even fight with the boys. This did not help my status in the eyes of the castle's ladies at all. To them, I was unworthy of being a princess and that I would never marry. When the day finally arrived, I was acting very much like a girl. I cried piteously, begging my father to change his mind. He was reluctant to send me away for he was more attached to me than my sister. To make the parting easier, he sent our courier to inform the keeper of the stables to export a couple of ponies for my entertainment. So on my thirteenth birthday, I parted with King Ector, my father.
Life at my uncle's castle was boring enough for me to actually do as they bid me to. My aunt had taken the liberty to make sure that we learned to write and read Latin, count digits, study geography, and the worst, stitching and housekeeping. The ladies there were strict and kept comparing me to my sister Flamelle. She did not utter a single word to me unless she needed to. I was content with that and kept to myself. That is, until the news broke out that the elders had been nagging King Richard, who was sixteen to marry. Flamelle who was Richard's loyal fan would not talk of nothing else but the marriage.
'You know, little sister. The King will hold a royal gathering and let the people do the choosing for him.' she said as we stitched a quilt, a task set by the gruesome Madam Seth. I would give her the occasional nod and 'hmms' until something that she said caught my attention. 'I there's anyone who is going to marry the King, it'll be me.' I looked up from the portion I was working on, astounded at her confidence. 'How can you be so sure, sister?' She looked at me with a look of extreme smugness on her face and said, 'It was what I was born for. To be Queen of Titania.'
The council that was supposed to end in a week dragged to a whole month as no one can find the right bride for the ever so great king. The King himself did not give a care in the world and was sick to his stomach for the peer pressure he gets. People say that he would go out riding with his knight friends just to escape the council. Even Raven, the King's enchantress and adopted sister did nothing to help him. On the contrary, she seemed to enjoy herself immensely at her brother's distress.
Down south on the other hand, the castle bustle with activities to prepare for an honored guest. The young King of South Titania, King Arthur was visiting his long neglected kingdom as he himself served the Grand King. Women busied themselves with cooking and decorating while the men work long and hard to make the castle presentable to the King. I did not see the great need for such tiresome work. The castle is as good as it is. 'You do not understand, little sister.' Flamelle answered after I asked her why everyone was so exited. 'Oh? How so, sister? Surely there is no need for such rush.' She sighed at my retort. 'Don't you see, little sister? King Arthur is one of the Grand King's most trusted friends. If we impress him, he will mention us to the Grand King! And when he does, Arthur is sure to say how wonderfully beautiful I am and offer me to the King!' I nodded, seeing the true meaning behind the preparation. My uncle wanted to impress King Arthur so that he might propose my sister as Richard's Queen. The same old story.
True enough, when the Arthur arrived, my sister was looking her best and every inch of a queen. I, was never been given much thought was dressed in a simple pale gold gown and a necklace. I must admit that the King Arthur truly impressed me. His hair which reached his shoulders were tied with a dark blue ribbon, his body was slender and did not look like a man of war as they said, his eyes was dark and warm with youth, and his manners was simply charming. My sister, who had eyes only for Richard, was not moved at this sight of handsomeness.
'King Arthur of South Titania,' my uncle's voice silenced the cit chat. 'I welcome you to my humble castle.' He bowed and rose swiftly. 'I'd like you to meet my nieces, Princess Flamelle and Princess Kori'an.' My sister and I made low reverence and was greeted by his laughter. 'Why, my dear Edmund! I did not know you had such beautiful roses in care! Surely you weren't thinking of hiding them forever!' Flamelle smiled with satisfaction while I stared at Arthur. Roses in did!
Arthur stayed for over a week. In my life, I had never met anyone as fun as Arthur. He would not leave anyone in peace and always managed to make even the moodiest soul in the castle to laugh. He had a way with women as well; as far as I know, none of the women in the castle had managed to say 'no' to the King. Even the ever so strict Madam Seth fell for his flattery. He laughed when I pointed this out to him one day as we rode along the beach. My sister did not accompany us as she had 'other things to do', which also means that she's trying to show how lady like she is. 'I must thank you for your compliments, my dear lady. But surely you are exaggerating!'. I flushed crimson at this and Arthur, who had seen my face laughed harder. 'Begging your pardon, milady. I did not know the tough Princess Kori'an was capable of blushing at all!' I turned my horse around to face him, my eyes cold. 'Just because I am naught but a fourteen year old (I celebrated my birthday earlier that month) Princess and you a sixteen year old King, does not mean you can insult me so. Why don't you go and court my sweet sister instead?' Feeling satisfied at the dumbfounded look on his face, I whirled around and galloped all the way to the castle. Little did I know that this simple display of anger and teasing would soon bring forth the fate I'd never in a million years believed.
The night before his departure, he practically dragged me all the way up to the northern tower that overlooked the open sea. I stood facing him, my arms crossed. 'What is it?' He shifted uncomfortably and cleared his throat. 'I wanted to.. apologize to you for my behavior. One would think that by being king, I might at least outgrow my taunting ways. But it seems that I ahh.. grew more taunting after my kingship.' My hands drop to my side and I stared. I suppose there was some good in him after all. Even so.. 'I suppose you found what you were looking for, my lord?' The question clearly took him off guard for his solemn face turn into shock. 'How did you.. when.. what are you..' I smiled as he stammered on and on, finally settling on a question. 'How long have you known?' I shrugged and answered. 'I always known you came here for a purpose. There were a few that might do, but since the King was in such distress, its logic for you to come all the way here to find him a bride.' Arthur's jaw fell open at my explanation. Whatever he expected for me to answer, this wasn't it. 'Besides,' I continued. 'all the other divisional kings went back to their kingdom, visiting every castle with maidens of proper age.' Arthur continued to gape at me but I ignored him. 'It's quite obvious, really.'
Arthur, at long last, managed to get a hold of himself and smiled as he reached out to hold my hands. 'Indeed, I have found my candidate for the King. I am sure that your sister would be pleased to know once the King sends out a proposal.' I gently remove my hands from his and twirl my ruby locks. 'I am sure she will. But the other kings-your friends- would probably have their own candidate as well.' A thoughtful expression crossed his face. 'True..' he began. 'but, I have a solid reason why he should accept the candidate I offer him. So solid that he wouldn't have a way around it.' He finished with a confident smile on his face. For my sister's sake, I prayed that he was a man of his word.
Arthur departed for the Gotham Fortress where the Grand King's castle dwells early in the morning. Leaving behind a highly satisfied Flamelle with her fantasy of being the King's bride, and a terribly shaken me, praying that the King choose my sister over the other candidate to save me from her endless wrath.
That's it for the first chapter. This is somewhat an experiment and i'll update as soon as i get a decent amount of reviews. The plot will thicken and i promise scandal and love triangle. I'll put upanother character guide for the next chapter as more of the TT characters will make their appearance. Point of view of the story will switch from time to time. But its still Star's life story. So sit tight ya'll.
