Princess

After a few hours of hard work, the stage had finally been set up in a way he could work with. A few pieces hidden under the initial stage were attached to a generator underneath, ready to spring to life at the pull of a lever hidden in the drapes of the current stage. Then, hidden inside the designated area for spectators were a few more pieces of tech to work with his holograms. With his systems in place, the boy was ready to put on the spectacle of a lifetime. Most of the students probably wouldn't notice until he hit the stage, but Kamvex was proud of his work with Colbert. The older gentleman seemed to be fascinated by the designs and technology he had, and wanted the captain's input on his own inventions. "Another time," Kamvex had promised, "preferably when things are not going crazy."

It was about four in the afternoon they'd finished, and the princess was scheduled to arrive soon. So with that, everyone disbanded to get themselves refreshed and redressed for the arrival of their majesty. For Kamvex though, that meant the trudge back up the stairs to Louise's room. He huffed as he got to the top.

"I need a bath..." he mumbled softly. "A proper one. With soap, hot water and time to relax-" once again slightly stressed he began to mumble at talk to himself before reaching the desired door. "I'm back."

"You're late," Louise said, brushing her hair. "Honestly, how long were you planning on pushing things Kamvex?"

The familiar sat in one of the chairs heavily and sighed. "As long as it took. I don't want this to be half-assed in any way." He then let a grin take over his features. "It's going to be a hell of a show Louise, I can promise you that!"

The pinkette looked at him through the mirror. "I should hope so. I expect nothing less from you."

"I'm looking forward to it," came the clinking from Derflinger. "It's been actual Ages since I last saw a performance. I think."

"Well then, I best not disappoint either of you." Kamvex chuckled. Then he stretched and stood by the window. "Honestly, I hope that the servants can take a break for at least my performance. I'd rather perform for everyone I can on campus."

"You're too kind partner. But unless you can talk to the princess herself, I doubt you'd be able to get that plan moving."

Louise nodded. "Derflinger is correct, Kamvex. Only she would be able to make that decision."

Kamvex's eyes squinted in thought and disappointment. He'd caused enough trouble in the month he'd been here. So doing anything else, regardless of if the princess was an old friend of Louise's was ill-advised. "Pity. They probably would have loved it." He rolled his shoulder and turned to the rest of the room. "Ah well. Who knows, maybe we'll happen across a chance to ask her. In the meantime, Louise, do you know where I can get a bath? Magic can only do so much, and I'd really like to get properly cleaned." It was true that some of his magic and gear kept him clean by the standards of Tristainian society, but it was far from the cleanliness he was used to.

Louise thought a moment. A more permanent solution could be found later, but now she had few options. *I can't send him to the noble's baths. Another student would probably be in one of them, and I don't need him getting tossed out. I wonder if the servant's have a bathing area for themselves...* Subconsciously, she made a few hand movements before her lips and ears began to glow. "Siesta. Do you know a place for Kamvex to bathe?" she whispered. A moment later she heard a reply in her mind.

*I do. Meet me in the courtyard.*

Louise smiled before looking to her familiar. "Gather your things. We'll be going from your bath straight to seeing Her Highness' arrival."

[One Hour Later - Academy Entrance]

Finally clean to his standards and in his Servant Garb, Kamvex was lined up behind Louise awaiting Henrietta's arrival. With servant's on the other side of the entrance way than the students and faculty waiting at the doors, everyone looked like they were ecstatic to see the princess, but none more-so than Louise. As they looked to see the line of horse-drawn carriages appear, his mistress' face lit up in recognition. He smiled softly and and stood at attention as they approached.

Nearby, taking the position of the usual Captain of the Guard, was Duchess de la Valliere in her full knight regalia. She had decided to keep a close eye on the next few days to see how her daughter acted and more importantly, how much respect her familiar had. While she was willing to give some credence to Louise's new studies, she did not like how close she was to her familiar. It was nothing like a Master/Servant relationship and more like that of close friends. She was slightly impressed that he could come to attention when the princess was arriving, and she moved her eyes forward, first to the Royal Herald, and then to the emerging princess herself.

"Announcing, Princess of the Kingdom of Tristain, Her Highness, Lady Henrietta has arrived!"

Kamvex smiled as he watched a few young maids come out of the lead carriage and move to the next, more fancy one. He had to admit, it was something befitting the highest royalty. Out of the pure white carriage, helped by her retainers, was a young woman with short purple hair and teal eyes wearing a long purple cloak around her long sleeved silken dress. atop her head lay a platinum crown with three emeralds inlaid in it. She gazed out into the crowd of students, initially betraying nothing with her gentle features. But he saw. As she turned her head right to left, she was searching, and found something that turned her smile ever so more upward. And for that brief moment, she had stared right at him. Or more accurately, at his Mistress, her longtime friend. "Called it," He muttered happily.

Louise turned her head slightly at the comment after Henrietta had passed, but seeing Kamvex still standing at attention she moved her gaze back to her friend. Perhaps he could explain what he meant later. But she was surprised when her friend spoke to the kneeling staff as she approached.

"Sir Osmand," Henrietta started with a light, airy voice, "I apologize for this sudden, selfish request." As she stopped, she was flanked by her magic knights, there more for show than the thought that anything could go wrong.

Osmand bowed a bit deeper as he spoke. "Not at all, Your Majesty. The students and I have all been eagerly awaiting your arrival."

She nodded slightly, "This one year, I really wanted to see the exhibition with my own eyes."

"Is that so...?"

She closed her eyes and smiled. "It's a personal matter." She then looked over to Karin and smiled. "Lady Valliere, I had not heard you were coming to see the festivities as well."

The former knight-Captain bowed, "I apologize, You Highness. I too came on personal business, and just arrived last night. Otherwise, I would have sent a missive to you."

Henrietta just shook her head. "There is no need to apologize. I feel that such a message would not have arrived regardless until we appoint a new messenger."

"Quite."

[Nightfall - Louise's Room.]

"So, do you have everything set for tomorrow then, Kamvex?"

He smirked proudly, "Of course. I'm still not entirely happy with what I've got for the first song, but I'll work with what I've got."

"I'm sure whatever you have will work out," the mage sighed. "Will three songs really fit into the fifteen minute time frame?"

"It should, just barely," he answered. "I want to give them the best show they've ever seen. We're going on last right?"

Louise nods. "It was surprisingly easy to get the slot. I would think quite a few would desire the spot."

"Well, it shows that Osmand has good taste. I wonder if Colbert suggested it..."

~knock knock knock~

Both members of the room turned to look at the door. "A guest? At this hour?" Kamvex looked to Louise, clad in her nightgown, who motioned to the door. Silently, he stood and made for it, opening it slightly to see a hooded figure. Narrowing his eyes he fling the door open with his left hand, bringing his laser pistol out of his arm and leveling it at the intruder's head. "Who are you!? And how did... you... oh dear..."

"Kamvex? Who is..." Louise's blood ran cold at who was staring up at her familiar.

Before him was the now obvious form of Princess Henrietta, staring down the barrel of the weapon, eyes transfixed on the metallic arm. The adventurer cursed and flicked the weapon away before stepping aside. "Please, come inside so I might apologize properly."

Henrietta moved slowly into the room, teal eyes kept watch as the arm of her dear friend's protector opened up to allow the firearm back inside it. "Amazing..."

"Princess... Henrietta..." came the voice of the woman she'd come to see.

She smiled, one of the few genuine smiles in quite some time. "Louise Françoise." She rushed toward the pinkette, throwing her arms around her friend and hugging her almost desperately. "It's been so long, my friend."

Louise was shocked still a moment, nearly pushing her away due to Henrietta's station. but then remembered something Kamvex had said but a few days earlier.

~"Actually, from how you spoke, you may be the only friend she had her age, other than possible family."~

So with a slight huff, Louise surprised her old friend, and returned the embrace. "It has been far too long, Princess." She pulled away smiling before kneeling. "What brings you to my humble abode this evening? And alone no less?"

Henrietta couldn't believe it. She expected her old friend to be as she was a few years ago. Quiet, soft spoken, and far too respectful to their class difference. And while all of those things were still present in a way, there was a new gentleness that she felt, as well as... mischievousness? Was that a smirk she had down there?! "Louise Françoise... are you teasing me amidst these formalities?"

"I would never, Your Highness. But if I did I would place blame on my familiar and his devil may care attitude." She raised her head and glanced to the left. "Speaking of that which brings nothing but trouble..."

"You love it," He said cheekily.

Louise gave him a flat stare. "I will actually bring out the riding crop. Now introduce yourself and apologize."

Kamvex cringed at the thought before turning to Henrietta and giving his deepest bow. "Greetings, Your Majesty. I am Kamvex Zamfi, member of the Starfinder Society, Captain of the starship Sunrise Maiden, and Familiar of Louise. I do apologize for the gun to your head, but you came to my Mistress' room near the dead of night with a cloak covering you. I assumed an assassin of some sort."

Henrietta nodded. "It is understandable. I am pulling much of the security staff to my own person just being here."

"Lot of good that's doing if you can just escape like that."

"Kamvex!"

Henrietta shook her head. "No, I just knew my guards patrol tendencies. I slipped out in the middle of their shift." Looking at the man, it was obvious he was less than impressed. "I don't want to work them too hard. They have been trained as such since before my time, an I wanted to take the first chance i had..." Eyes beginning to well up, she turned back to Louise. "I've wanted to see you all this time."

The pinkette rose and faced her friend. "Princess..."

"I'm sorry," she began, wiping her tears. "Ever since Father passed away, I haven't had anyone that I could open my heart to. I would have sent word to you, but with our messenger... indisposed... I did not think it well to do so."

Kamvex chuckled nervously, coming to Louise's side. "Yeah, sorry about that. That must have been a lot to deal with."

Once again, she shook her head, "Not at all Mr. Familiar." She looked upon the two with a gentleness most royalty just didn't have. "All is well in that regard. I had wished to meet you as well. I wondered what kind of familiar could push my dearest friend to confronting a man such as Mott." At a confused sound from Louise, she smiled. "Rest assured, Louise. It caused quite a stir within the Palace, but there will be no punishment."

Louise looked shocked at this revelation, "Then... Princess, you...?"

"Don't you remember, Louise Françoise?" The princess asked. "I promised you long ago that I would help you when you were in a bind." Once again, she smiled, "I am a princess for now, you know."

"Princess..."

"Told you."

Finally, it had earned her ire. "Enough of your smugness!" Louise elbowed him in the stomach to get him to bow, before doing the same and returning her attention to her firend. "There's no way I can thank you enough!"

"That hurts, you know," Kamvex complained. When he was met with a glare, he knew she'd had enough. "Right. Backing off now."

Henrietta giggled, bringing their attention back to her. "Louise, it seems you've summoned a splendid familiar."

She smiled gently. "You're right, Princess. He can be an annoyance at times, but since the time after we played together as little girls, he's been the best thing to enter my life."

"Aww, you're making me blush."

~《Explosion》~

The princess covered her eyes as some smoke cleared after the familiar was sent over the bed, Louise standing annoyed with wand in hand. "And then there are times like this..."

"Worth it!" he shouted from his position on the other side of the room. "You were being to stilted in front of your friend!"

"Be silent you!"

Henrietta just giggled. She was happy to see that there was no real malice between master and servant. Eventually the two calmed down, and the three of them spoke further, the girls catching up with each other after all the time they had been apart.

Kamvex watched over them with a critical eye. For the most part, he watched Henrietta. Had he not been expressly told that this woman was set to be Queen, he wouldn't have believed it. The kindness and gentleness were great, but he could see the burden that the role was going to take on her. If people kept her at arms length like he assumed Louise might have, he guessed she would fall apart, a jaded mess. There was something he was missing, but he wasn't sure what. After an hour, The Princess stood at the door, ready to leave.

"This was the most fun I have had in the past few years," she began, hands clasped with Louise. The two came together for another hug, "Thank you, Louise Françoise."

Louise tighten her embrace on her friend in return. "The same goes for me, Pri..." she shook her head, "no... Henrietta."

Just the utterance of her name threw the royal for a loop, and she almost burst into tears. Instead, she smiled, releasing her friend before turning to her servant. "Mr. Familiar. Please do your best tomorrow."

He blinked before putting on a cocky smirk, "Well, we are saving the best for last, you know." Then slightly under his breath, he says "Though I hope even the servants get the chance to see."

She giggled again, "Well, there is an encore performance from the winner."

"Wait, you mean I have to have a fourth trick up my sleeve?"

Eye twitching, Louise pushed him back into the room. "That is more than enough brashness for one day from you! Such behavior in front of the Princess!"

"Come on, I have to show my confidence before tomorrow don't I?"

"No you do not! That's disrespectful!"

The princess just watched as the two argued, noting the playfulness between them, even if Louise did seem slightly upset. after a moment, sad eye turned away, as she put up her cloak. "Freedom is the best treasure, after all." The two stopped and she stepped out, wishing them a good night.

Kamvex let out a breath from his nose as he crossed his arms. "So that's what it is."

"Hm?" Louise looked up inquisitively.

"She's feeling trapped. By circumstance and duty alike, I'd say." He turned his gaze to Louise. "Do you know anything?"

Louise sat on her bed to think. "Not much. Only that she is the acting Queen." She looked down while recalling the last year for her friend. "It was summer of last year when King Henri died, though no one has been privy to how. After only a few month, Queen Marianne began to shut down, and Princess Henrietta stood to take the burden off her mother's shoulders. Rumor has it that the Queen hasn't left her room since the beginning of this year."

"I see." Kamvex turned to his bag and picked it up. "I think I'll be pulling an all nighter, Louise."

"What are you talking about?"

He smiled. "I've got a song in my heart and I MUST get it down. Now..." His eyes sharpened as his smile became toothy," You wouldn't happen to know where there's a piano, would you?"

[The Next Day, Afternoon - Courtyard]

When the students had gotten to the Familiar exhibition, there was a cloth draped over a large object that they were told not to interfere with. To the direct front of the stage was the seating area for the students. To the left was a smaller section for the staff. To the left of them, was a small tent that housed Henrietta, with Osmandon her right and Duchess Valliere on her left. Each second year took their turns performing, most of them not even using much of their allotted time, save for Guiche posing alongside Veroandi for ten minutes. The standouts being Kirche and Flame for their fire dancer routine, and the current top prize being Tabitha and Sylphid currently performing multiple aerial maneuvers.

As they flew, a multitude of servants began to gather and stand behind the students. Princess Henrietta had made an announcement earlier, saying that any staff that wished to could come see the Familiar Exhibition. Many declined to see the first few performances, but curiosity always won out in the end, and by the time Syphid landed, there was a great amount of applause for the duo.

Inside the tent next to the stage was a worried Louise and a very tired Kamvex. "Ooooh. I knew staying up last night was a bad idea! What are we going to do Kamvex?"

He groaned slightly before fumbling around in his bag. "I got... Just the thing for this..." From the bag, he pulled out two containers, one clearly filled with water, and the other looked metallic. "This'll keep me up at one hundred percent for about for about an hour or so. Afterwards, I'm gonna crash hard for a while."

"And what about the meeting afterward?" She questioned. "That you set up by the way?"

He turned a vaguely annoyed look her way as a loud hiss and pop came from the container. "That's why I'm drinking it now and letting it work while you introduce me, rather than twenty minutes ago." he turned to bring the fizzing drink to his lips and chugged it down quickly. "Ohhh, sweet nectar! It's been too long."

Louise raised her eyebrow at the action but let it go for now. She could hear the applause for Tabitha now and was awaitin-

"Finally, next up... Miss Louise de la Valliere!"

And there it was. "Here goes," she sighed. Kamvex merely gave her a thumbs up as he drank some water. The two of them made their way up to the stage, before standing in the center. Louise took a large breath before beginning. "Allow me to introduce you." She brought her arm out to gesture to him, while also checking on him. "This is my familiar, Kamvex Zamfi." He was at least starting to look better, more attentive. She needed to stall a bit more. "His type is... a um..." Louise looked down, brows knit together. She didn't know if she wanted to let the whole academy know yet.

"Go for it, Louise the Zero!" One of the boys yelled from the back, causing an outcry of laughter from the student body. The only ones not laughing of them were the preoccupied Tabitha, the annoyed Kirche, and the contemplative Guiche.

*Hm*/*Was that really how I was?*/*Give us a beautiful show, Kamvex*

Louise looked across the students, before her eyes met her mother's. They were calculating and a bit cold, but there was a fury Louise could see bubbling under the surface, but it had no real direction. The pinkette sighed and kept her gaze moving. In stark contrast, Henrietta sat there with a gentle smile, not a judgmental bone in her body. Louise smiled at that before turning to her classmates.

"His type is unknown, but what his is, is not. He is an adventurer and hero. A slayer of all matter of monsters and madmen. But these are not the skills he has decided to show today. He-!"

"Probably doesn't have any!"/"What are you even saying?"/"Overcompensating much Zero Louise!"

The crowd keeps laughing and jeering at her, to the point that she shut her eyes. *Rule of Steel, Rule of Steel. You can't let them get to you now, especially with mother and Princess Henrietta here...* In just a single minute, the confidence she'd been building had been swiftly destroyed. Or it would have been.

"Enough! Shut your mouths this instant!" Kamvex placed his hand upon her quivering shoulder to steady her and show his support. He then looked to her with gentle eyes. "We'll show them how you've grown when your ready. Until then..." He slung Derf off his shoulder and placed it in her hands, "Take Derfinger and enjoy the show."

"Kamvex..."

He turned to the tent. "Master Osmand. Might I trouble you for another chair for my mistress to sit on?"

Osmand looked upon the two troublesome youths, stroking his beard in thought before nodding. "I can't promise it will be the most comfortable thing, but i shall." He tapped his large staff twice before an earthen chair rose from the ground between the tent and the faculty viewing area.

As Louise made her way down, the bronzed captain spoke, "I can fix that," Picking up the cloth, he pulled it off to reveal the grand piano from the ballroom. whipping it around his hand, the boy flung the cloth to land near perfectly on the earthen chair, covering and cushioning it for Louise. A few Oohs and Ahhs came from the servants in the back, but nothing came from the students. Louise simply turned around and nodded her thanks before sitting.

Now that he started to have their attention, it was time to truly bring them in. "Ladies and Gentlemen, today I have a performance of three songs for you, each a different in style and sound, and two the likes you've never heard." Murmurs of disbelief rang out amongst the students, while excitement started to ring out from the servants behind them. Good. He had their attention. "Along with these songs, some pieces of equipment that I use to record different instruments and show new spectacles. But for now, something simple. First, for our honored guest: Princess Henrietta." He strode to the piano, playing a few keys before addressing her again, leaving her speechless.

"Let me sing for you, a song of freedom."

~{Speechless - Caleb Hyles}~

*~Here comes a wave
Meant to wash me away
A tide that is taking me under
Swallowing sand
Left with nothing to say
My voice drowned out in the thunder

But I won't cry
And I won't start to crumble
Whenever they try
To shut me or cut me down

I won't be silenced
You can't keep me quiet
Won't tremble when you try it
All I know is I won't go speechless

'Cause I'll breathe
When they try to suffocate me
Don't you underestimate me
'Cause I know that I won't go speechless

Written in stone
Every rule, every word
Centuries-old and unbending
"Stay in your place"
"Better seen and not heard"
Well, now that story is ending

'Cause I
I cannot start to crumble
So come on and try
Try to shut me and cut me down

I won't be silenced
You can't keep me quiet
Won't tremble when you try it
All I know is I won't go speechless
Speechless

Let the storm in
I cannot be broken
No, I won't live unspoken
'Cause I know that I won't go speechless

Try to lock me in this cage
I won't just lay me down and die
I will take these broken wings
And watch me burn across the sky
Hear the echo saying I...

Won't be silenced
Though you wanna see me tremble when you try it
All I know is I won't go speechless
Speechless

'Cause I'll breathe
When they try to suffocate me
Don't you underestimate me
'Cause I know that I won't go speechless
All I know is I won't go speechless
Speechless~*

A/N: Hi! I'm back with another one. It is far too late right now, but the writing juice is strong right now. Hopefully i can do the same tomorrow, and that these song choices make sense. I'll put a Note at the top of the next one to kind of explain my thought process on the hologram tech Kamvex set up so it's fresh. Anyway, catch ya later!