Clover Kingdom
Noble Realm
Coral Peacocks Headquarters
Kirsch Vermillion's Bedroom

Kirsch stared at himself in the mirror in his bathroom. Today was the day of the Esmond Dinner. Today was the day that he was going to meet his future wife. He normally had nerves of steel (except when it came to Zora), but this event was going to be his future wife's first impression of him. If he messed up, it could set the tone for their relationship and make things difficult for the Vermillion Family, if the Esmond Family got insulted.

"Kirsch, you're stalling, come on," complained Mimosa, who stood at the door of the bathroom. She was dressed in a fancy off-purple floral gown since it was a formal dinner. She looked beautiful and it was a pity that her boyfriend Langris didn't get to see her in this dress. "Mother and Father are waiting!"

"Does this suit me," asked Kirsch of his own outfit. His style was normally much more colorful and exciting. But he toned it down a ton, going with a much more conservative burgundy and black combination. It was also a lot less flowing.

Mimosa gave him a pinched look. "You look like a proper gentleman. I didn't know you owned clothes that dark."

"Oh, God, I look weird. I'm changing," said Kirsch. He rushed past Mimosa out of the bathroom to his room's closet. Mimosa, however, wasn't having it. She grabbed him before he started rummaging through his closet.

"Kirsch, you're fine. We need to go or we're gonna be late," said Mimosa. She gave him a bright, earnest look. Even though it wasn't even lunchtime, formal dinners like these were a whole affair for like six or seven hours. It was why Kirsch had to clear his entire Sunday just for this dinner. "Let's just get this over with, okay?"

Kirsch pouted, half-joking but also not joking. "I'm beautiful, right?"

"I'm gonna punch you, don't tempt me," said Mimosa. Becoming the Vice-Captain of the Golden Dawn gave Mimosa a confidence boost and made her no-nonsense side come out more, something that she and Kirsch both inherited from their mother.

Kirsch smiled at his little sister. "Okay, okay, no need to get violent. Let's get Mother and Father."

Mimosa and Kirsch headed out of his room. Since the Coral Peacocks' Headquarters was maze-like in its construction, Kirsch led the way. Guests were always put in the tea room, so it was where they found their Mother, Lady 1st Class Senior Magic Knight of the Blue Rose squad, Nickole Vermillion, and their Kingdom-wide famous poet of a father, Lord Sazerac Vermillion. Several of Kirsch's juniors had provided tea and biscuits for his parents, just as it should be.

"Looking sharp, son," said Sazerac, their father. His vermillion hair was long and straight, the color identical to both Kirsch and Mimosa's. Their father was clean-shaven and dressed in a classy bespoke white suit and a top hat. Clearly, their father didn't get the memo to tone it down a bit.

"Thanks," said Kirsch, pleased.

"Changed your mind yet," asked Nickole, their mother. To his surprise, their mother put some effort in her appearance—making her normally straight hair to wavy curls, and wearing a little make-up. Her dress was an amazing silver dress that was made with ease of movements in mind, just in case of an emergency.

"Mother, Father, Mimosa," said Kirsch, sternly. "Best behavior tonight, okay?"

"Fine," chorused his parents and sister.

Neutral Territory
Poppy Estate
Poppy Castle

"You owe me," said Finral.

"And I promise to pay you back by funding three dates with Finesse," said Zora, as they arrived via one of Finral's portals near the Poppy Estate.

"You'd better!"

The Poppy Estate, ran by the Prospekt Family, was a place for travelers and lost souls. Just recently, it was the site of the Summit of the Great Four Monarchs (Spade, Diamond, Clover, and Heart). A place of neutrality, any battles were prohibited on the estate grounds, Zora had stumbled upon the Poppy Estate as a boy who lost his father, trying to find a way to get stronger.

Lady Prospekt, back when Zora knew her, had been a woman in her twenties, unmarried and had no children. She had given him guidance when he had none. She was the closest to a mother figure, he supposed, which was why he bugged Finral to take him out here. Zora needed advice and he knew that Lady Prospekt wouldn't tease or mock and take it seriously.

He and Finral entered the grounds and headed to the Castle where Zora had spent a couples of years after his father was murdered. They reached the big door and didn't even have to knock as it opened immediately to reveal the beautiful and ethereal Lady Prospekt.

"Zora Ideale, Finral Roulacase, welcome, would you like to stay for lunch," she asked, without even asking why they were there in the first place.

"Yes, thank you," said Finral, brightly.

Zora and Finral entered the Poppy Castle, following Lady Prospekt through the halls that ached with old magic. Zora knew that she and her family ate lunch in the sun-room. So it was no surprise to enter the sun-room to find her husband and two children already in the room.

"Ah, we have guests," said Lord Prospekt. "Welcome, Magic Knights of Clover."

"Thanks for having us," said Finral. "It's pleasure to be back here without all the danger."

"Isn't that the truth," laughed Lord Prospekt. "Come and sit, boys." Zora and Finral took seats at the table.

Zora knew that every table in the house always had room for other people. The lunch spread was delicious looking. The best thing about this place was that there were no servants and despite its outward appearance, everyone was equal within the walls. The Prospekt family came off as mysterious but they were really just wizards who had a legacy to uphold—to be a place for lost souls.

"Zora used to be a guest here before I got married to you, dear," said Lady Prospekt, sitting down at the head of the table. She nodded at her children and the kids started serving themselves food.

"Is that so? Then, welcome back," said Lord Prospekt. "Please enjoy the berry tarts, our little miss over here is getting much better at baking."

Lunch was a quiet yet relaxing affair, giving Zora time to think about what he wanted to ask Lady Prospekt. It was a stark contrast to meals at the Black Bulls place, which was always chaotic and exciting. Zora liked both types for different reasons. Finral chatted amiably with Lord Prospekt, who was curious about affairs in the Clover Kingdom since the incident from months ago. The Young Lord and Lady questioned their mother about the weird man Zora.

Once lunch was finished, Lord Prospekt and the two kids took Finral off on a tour of the castle, leaving Zora to speak with Lady Prospekt alone.

"So, are you lost again, Zora Ideale?"

"A bit."

"I'll lend you an ear, and some advice, then."

Clover Kingdom
Noble Realm
Esmond Estate

"Welcome, Lords and Ladies Vermillion," said the butler of the Esmond Family Estate, bowing as he gestured for them to enter the castle. There were four maids standing before them. "Please follow them to the sitting room. Please enjoy your stay."

Kirsch grabbed his mother's hand in warning before she made a comment, as they followed the maids to the sitting room. The Esmond home was surprisingly austere inside. The grounds surrounding the castle were filled with gardens of various flowers from all over the kingdom, it was a truly impressive sight. Inside was a letdown in comparison.

The sitting room was very comfortable-looking in the very fake way. There were some books on shelves and a built-in bar. There were leather sitting chairs and couches. The presumed Lord Cornelius and Lady Priscilla Esmond sat together on the couch while a younger gentleman lounged in another chair with a bored look on his face.

"Lord Sazerac Vermillion, Lady Nickole Vermillion, Lord Kirsch Vermillion and Lady Mimosa Vermillion have arrived," announced one of the maids. The maids quickly scurried away.

"My Lords and Ladies, please take seats, we are waiting for both our daughters," said Lady Esmond, not even getting out of her seat to great her guests properly. "It's quite usual for our Clarity to be late, but Prudence is never late, so she must have gotten caught up at work."

Kirsch immediately pinpointed the easy dismissal of Clarity, but excusing Prudence. This was going to be a tiring dinner. Thankfully, his father, Sazerac, was the most personable person of the family. His father said, cheerfully, "Not a worry, young lady. Tell us is this your son, Lord Aaron, he's grown so much!"

Lady Priscilla giggled, "Yes, Aaron, do introduce yourself properly to your sister's betrothed and his family."

Lord Aaron Esmond stood up and bowed. "Please to meet you, Lord Kirsch, Lady Mimosa and Lady Vermillion, Lord Vermillion." He sat back down and shut up.

He seemed…dull in Kirsch's opinion. Mimosa and his mother took their seats. Mimosa looked nervous and their mother Nickole had a steely look on her face, stoic as ever in front of people she didn't know. Kirsch prayed to God that his father would be able to hold the conversations, so his mother didn't get irritated and do something impulsive and reckless.

Kirsch went over and shook Lord Cornelius' hand and then went over to Aaron to do the same. He also took Lady Priscilla's hand and kissed it like a gentleman.

"Thank you for having over your lovely home," said Kirsch to the Lady of the House, who usually ran things in noble and royal houses.

"You're just like your father, aren't you," cooed Lady Priscilla. "Lord Sazerac raised such a wonderful gentleman son."

Trying not to grimace at the shot at his mother's reputation for being a troublemaker, Kirsch smiled thinly. "Father, why don't you tell them about the time you visited the Heart Kingdom?" Changing the subject was the best idea, before his mother started to get mad.

Thankfully, his father launched into his story about his jaunt into the Heart Kingdom for some literary event there. Unfortunately, it left Kirsch sitting next to Aaron. Kirsch was really trying his best not to call this whole thing off and run away. He would much rather be spending time with his juniors at the Coral Peacocks or visiting Zora.

Aaron began speaking about something but Kirsch wasn't listening, just nodding here and there to feign interest. He wondered what Zora was doing. Since they returned from Grimmtowne, Kirsch hadn't picked up enough courage to visit and have a proper talk with Zora. Zora didn't dare set foot in the Coral Peacock headquarters, only because it's too bright, so he claimed. And knowing Zora, he probably disappeared to go and do something or another without telling anyone again.

"I am sorry I'm late," said Clarity Esmond, entering the sitting room. She was dressed in a bright sundress and her hair was up in a fancy bun. She bowed politely at everyone. Kirsch spotted that her hands had ink smudges on them, so he guessed that she got caught up doing her art. It was very much like Clarity.

"It's no worry, dear," said his father, going over and leading Clarity to a seat, though it looked like her parents were going to say something.

Kirsch traded looks with Mimosa. Both he and Mimosa had worked with Clarity before and she was a nice, artistic young woman, one of the few people that could keep up with Rill's insanity for art. Kirsch didn't want her to get in trouble with her family.

"Supper will be soon. Hopefully Prudence will arrive by then," said Lord Cornelius. "She's very busy preparing for the new semester at the University. She's very intelligent and gifted, so that she's reliable to the senior Professors."

Kirsch wanted to go home and bang his head on the table because it was now time for the Esmond couple to brag about their daughter. Kirsch's hand in marriage was valuable to nobles, as he was a Vermillion and a decorated and accomplished Magic Knight. He wondered if Fuegoleon had to suffer things like this, as the Esmond parents spoke of all of their daughter Prudence's accomplishments.

He tuned them out, when thankfully, a maid showed up, "Supper will be served in five minutes. Lady Prudence also messaged that she will be here shortly."

With that conversation ceased so that Kirsch and his family were led the dining room. The food was sitting on the tabletop. Everyone seated, when a maid announced that "Lady Prudence had arrived."

Kirsch's stomach went to knots immediately as this was the first time he would be seeing his future wife. Mimosa, thankfully he was seated between his sister and mother, took his hand in hers for support.

"Terribly sorry I am late, there was a major dispute over class schedules," said Lady Professor Prudence Esmond. She had long flowing black hair and blue eyes. She was only a year older than Kirsch but she looked rather severe, as if she never laughed. "Lords and Ladies Vermillion, it's an honor to finally meet you."

Putting a charming smile on his face, Kirsch stood up and shook hands with his future wife. "Hello, it's an honor to meet you, Professor Esmond." Since she and her family were proud of her academic status, Kirsch went with her Professor title instead of her Lady title.

The slight narrowing of her eyes, as they shook hands, told Kirsch that she was appraising him too. "Vice-Captain Vermillion, your reputation proceeds you. The honor is mine."

Kirsch knew this was going to be one tense evening.

~to be continued