And we're back on track! This chapter is part of a 2-chapter "midseason finale" revolving the Silver Bell Ball. No, this is not the halfway mark of the fic, but what happens here has HUGE ramifications going forward for the rest of the story. Enjoy!
P.S. Thanks for the wedding wishes! Everything went well!
The day of the Silver Bell Ball descended upon the Butterfly castle with the fury of a mountain blizzard. Servants scrambled to finish the final preparations before the arrival of Mewni's esteemed guests. They cooked meals, cleaned linens and utensils, and dusted chandeliers until their hands cracked and became raw. Everything must be perfect for the annual gathering of the royal houses—spotless as a pig-goat presented to be sacrificed. Orion could feel their restless energy through the bathroom floor high above them, and it made him antsy and annoyed.
In the grand scheme of things, their part—while strenuous now—was easy. Once the sun set and the crisp evening wind shuddered in the bare trees, most of them would be dismissed to celebrate in their private quarters out of the public eye. For princes of courting age, such as Orion, the real work began. He was expected to be on his best behavior in hopes of attracting the praises of the older royals, who could perhaps find a highborn daughter somewhere in their family for him to marry. Although the expectation of getting arranged during the Silver Bell Ball was no longer present, the pressure still lay on the young royals. The burden, however, fell heaviest on Andromeda and Dante, the direct heirs of the two most powerful kingdoms on Mewni. No one knew quite what to make of Orion yet, and the only other true princesses in attendance were his kin anyways.
"They'll notice me this year," Orion hunched over the bathroom counter and exhaled a wreath of steam that still wafted from the shower.
Mewni had to this time. No longer was he the princess's shadow—the lesser of Star's two firstborns—because Mewberty had changed him too. He noticed it in the mirror. Blond hairs curled on his broadening chest and a light layer of scruff flecked his chin. His scrawny, boyish frame filled with natural muscle, transforming into the squarish one of a teenager on the verge of becoming a man. A king.
His phone rang over the tinny music playing from his father's boombox, and Orion answered, "Hello?"
"Hey, Bug Boy," Mia greeted him. "I hardly recognize you with your new voice."
Over the past few weeks, the great change permeated in Orion's voice too. It was fuller and deeper, no longer cracking in awkward places or when he laughed. Now, it churned in his chest like thunder building on the horizon until it rang clear from his throat. Star said he had his father's voice, which resounded full of authority from the throne.
"Uh, thanks," he was unsure of her compliment. "Are you ready for tonight?"
"You know I am. I've never gone to a ball with a real prince before."
"Ah, it's nothing special—I promise. All we gotta do is look nice, act polite, and socialize when expected. It's kinda boring."
"If you say so. Anyways, I can't wait to see you all dressed up."
"Really now?" Orion raised an eyebrow, detecting the teasing in her tone.
"Yeah, I bet you're going to look cuter than usual."
"Did you just call me 'cute?'" he squeaked.
"Maybe…anyways, bye!"
She just said I was cute, he was so caught up on her words that he forgot to say "bye" before hanging up. Was he cute? Orion studied himself in the mirror again and wondered. His mother certainly thought so, but all mothers say the same of their sons. It felt different when a girl said it, and even more so when Mia did. Warmth pooled in his chest, making him bizarrely giddy.
He turned up the music and sighed, imbibing the spirit of machismo his father's old Día de los Muertos cassette imparted. She thinks I'm cute, Orion hummed along to the words he only half understood while taming his golden hair. Human blond hair was slippery and thin, running through the fingers like the slender stems of wheat, but Mewman hair, regardless of color, was thick and gnarled like sheep wool. Part of him considered blasting his face with magic, but Orion knew the risk of accidentally setting himself on fire. He had to continue looking cute for Mia—whatever that meant.
"I'm really gonna show her today then," he purred.
"Show her what, dear nephew?"
"Uncle! I'm in a towel!" Orion jumped when Marco Jr. barged in.
"Whatever, sobrino, we both have dicks," he shrugged. "I gotta take a leak before I put those stupid cuisses on. I swear they pinch my balls when I walk. Guess most knights aren't studs like me, huh? It's gonna be a long night of standing around."
"At least you don't have the entire kingdom wondering who you'll marry," Orion said. "I've had to listen to Etheria's lecture on preserving the bloodline ten times since we got back from the quest."
"Who cares about that ol' windbag? She'll be worm food long before you bone a princess…unless my ears deceive me." Marco Jr. placed his hand on Orion's shoulder. "Congrats on the date, Rye."
"I—I don't know what you mean."
"Rye, I wasn't born yesterday. You've got a date to the ball. No need to be embarrassed."
"She's not my date!"
"Lying is a sin in Catholicism," Marco Jr. laughed. "Now, if you excuse me, I've got a date with Lady Porcelain over there. I'll talk to you after you get dressed." He gently shoved Orion out of the way and slammed the door shut.
She isn't my date! Orion wanted to counter, but the sound of sloppy, loud peeing drove him to his room across the hall. He absentmindedly stumbled over Barco Diaz Jr. as soon as he walked through the door. "Sorry," he muttered when the puppy whimpered. "Just a little distracted."
Mia still wasn't his date. He only asked her to the Silver Bell Ball because he needed someone to dance with besides his sisters and second cousin. She also wanted to see Mewni too and constantly begged him to take her to the castle. They were just friends. A teenage guy can have nonromantic girl-friends. And besides, he couldn't marry a human commoner, especially not one born outside of the kingdom. Etheria always talked about the dangers of courting lower-class girls. That was why she arranged him to dance with one of the princesses from St. Olga's last year—a shallow relationship that lasted only a few weeks before dissolving into nothing. Why was he listening to Etheria's advice when Star, the Queen of Mewni herself, took Marco as her husband?
"I'm losing it," Orion sighed as he shuffled through the red hoodies hanging in the closet—relics from when Marco inhabited the room years ago—in search of his royal outfit. He slipped into the heavy clothes once he found them and straightened his Blood Moon cufflinks until they sat squarely among the stars embroidered on his jacket sleeves. "There," he set his father's prince crown on his head and turned to the laser puppies. "What do you guys think?"
They stopped running in circles around Sirius and stared in seeming awe.
"Bet I look cute, don't I?" he joked.
Then came a knock on the door. "I bet you look precious, Rye," Marco Jr.'s laughter was muffled by the wood.
"You think so?" Orion asked while letting him in. "I wish I had a ton of medals and cords like Dad. My shoulders feel so bare."
"You'll get your honors in time just like I'll get mine. One day, all mortals will bow before Sir Marco Ubaldo Diaz Junior, the Best Damn Knight There Is!"
"Aunt Higgs has no patience for long titles."
"True. But I mean it, Rye, you look really nice. Hell, that suit makes you look like a king."
Orion smiled, "Thanks, Uncle Marco."
"It's what uncles are here for. Gotta look out for my nieces and only nephew. It's a tricky world out there—one I know like the back of my hand. And speaking of tricky worlds, I'm here to talk to you about girls."
"Do we have to?" the prince groaned.
"Yes, we do. Now, pop a squat next to your ol' uncle," Marco Jr. patted a place next to himself on the bed.
As reluctant as Orion was about suffering through more relationship talk, he loved hearing his uncle's stories. He squeezed into the tiny space Marco Jr.'s large build left. All of the Diaz males, aside from Marco, were giants of men.
Marco Jr. slipped a flask out of his jacket pocket and tossed it to Orion. "Brandy from the cellar. I gotta get through tonight somehow."
"Thanks, I need some liquid courage," Orion took a few gulps.
"Yes, you do," his uncle began. "I know exactly what you're thinking, Rye. You think that you and this chick are just friends and absolutely nothing is going on between you. Welp, that's a bunch of bullshit. We all see you disappearing to Earth for hours each day and coming back smiling like a damn fool. Something's up."
"No there isn't," he objected. "Plenty of guys hang out with girls platonically."
"Your parents used to do that, and now look at them. They can't keep their hands off each other," Marco Jr. playfully scoffed. "You were playing the mixtape and blushing like a damn schoolgirl. All signs point to there being some interest on your part."
"No…"
"Tell me three things you like about her."
"Easy," Orion closed his eyes and smiled. "She always smells of wildflowers—like the little small ones that bloom in late summer fields. I can't tell if it's the shampoo she uses or if it's her natural pheromones—not that I know what that smells like or anything. Her laughter is just adorable too. If something's really funny, she'll snort and—" He slapped his hand over his mouth. Shit, did I just say that?
Meanwhile, Marco Jr, laughed, "Fuck, you've got it bad. You're definitely Marco's son—a hopeless romantic."
"It still doesn't mean anything!"
"Bruh, you got poetic describing her. Poetic. Meanwhile, I just describe girls by the size of their tits and asses."
"You were pretty poetic about your last girlfriend."
The confidence drained from Marco Jr.'s face, and he grew misty-eyed. "You got me there," his voice cracked.
"Sorry," Orion forgot that he wasn't supposed to bring her up.
Although Marco Jr. tended to bring home a new girl each month, Orion never met his last girlfriend or heard mention of her name. Their relationship hardly lasted three months, but everyone knew Marco Jr. practically worshiped her existence. He stopped skipping school, started cleaning up his record, and quit partying. The transformation from rabble-rouser to gentleman scared the family. Yet his relationship ended suddenly, and Orion always wanted to know why.
After silently mourning, Marco Jr. sighed, "You wanna know why, Orion? Because I fucking love her. I always will too. She made me realize my true potential—that I was more than a womanizing loser. I was her hero—the one who took her in when no one else would. That's why I came here to become a knight. I need to be that person for her again. Girls have this amazing power over men. I don't just mean their smokin'-hot bodies, Rye. I mean the right girl will bring something you didn't know existed outta you. You'll see forever in her eyes, and you'll do anything to have it. I don't know what's gonna happen between you and you totally-not girlfriend tonight, but don't be afraid to take things to the next level."
"Thanks, that's really deep, uncle," Orion almost grew emotional himself at Marco Jr.'s words.
Marco Jr. wiped a few tears on his jacket sleeve and sniffled, "You're welcome. By the way, I've got a present for you." He fished in his other pocket and tossed Orion a small, tinfoil square. "Add it to your stash."
"What the fuck?!" he shrieked.
"Don't act like you don't know what a condom is, Rye. Always have one on hand."
"I'm fourteen!" Orion continued to exclaim.
"So was I once," Marco Jr. said wistfully and took another sip from his flask. "Not pushin' ya or anything, but here, just take one. It's still good for the next few years—just keep it out of the heat. Oh, and don't poke holes in it. Star's too cool and young to be a grandma."
"Aww, is that your first anti-baby square?" Star suddenly appeared in the doorway and giggled. "My little prince is growing up so fast!"
"Mom!" Orion shoved the condom in his jacket pocket and bristled. What was she even doing here?
"I'm here to take you to meet your carriage," she answered his thoughts aloud. "I think it's admirable that MJ is teaching you about protection. There's a spell that works way better from Festivia's chapter. I started using it because your father really hates condoms and prefers to—"
"Mom! We don't need to talk about it!" Orion cringed at the thought of his parents having sex and covered his eyes in an attempt to banish the mental picture. Marco Jr. only laughed.
"We Mewmans aren't shy about the dragons and the warnicorns," she said. "Humans have always been weird about sex for no reason. Yeah, it's a private act, but no need to act disgusted about nature. Babies gotta come from somewhere."
The bond reacted strangely at the mention of babies, and Orion's embarrassment ebbed into curiosity. His mother bore a wonderful secret—he could sense it. "Come with me, and we'll talk," she smiled.
"I'll see you tonight, Uncle Marco," Orion stood up.
"Can't wait to meet your woman, sobrino," he waved.
Orion followed his mother down the hallways and stairs towards the entrance, reflecting on what he felt through the bond only moments ago. Star wasn't one to keep secrets. They snuck into a small corridor that connected the throne room to the ballroom, and the queen relaxed the bond between them. And the second she did, he knew. So that's what he sensed within her…a baby! His parents were having another baby!
"Mom…that's incredible!" he cheered. "I can't believe it!"
"Shh," Star playfully put a finger to her lips. "I had a feeling you'd be the first to figure it out. I sensed him on the quest a few days ago."
"Him? I'm going to have a brother!"
He always wanted one but settled for a sister when Jupiter turned out to be a girl. Finally, he had someone to wrestle and take on warnicorn rides. Finally, he had someone who would look up to him and follow his footprints. Finally, he had the perfect ally against Jupiter and Andromeda during games. His sisters' reign of outmaneuvering him during snowball fights, hunts, and Racing Rage XX was over!
"Does Dad know yet?" Orion asked.
Star shook her head, "Not yet. I plan on surprising him during our dance. You better not spill, buster."
"Prince's honor," Orion swore and crossed his heart. "My lips are sealed."
They continued towards the entrance, and a fleeting thought crept into his mind: who would bear his children one day? It was a question he contemplated only every now and then, especially right before the Silver Bell Ball. As prince and co-heir to the kingdom, the expectation was for him to marry a royal and pass his regal lineage and magic to the next generation. The whole purpose of the ball was to help him find a proper match, but when he imagined the kind of wife he wanted, he saw Mia.
"Rye, are you in there?"
"I'm here, Mom!" he dismissed the fantasy and saw her shake her head.
"You sure are something, my son," she sighed. "I was saying that I arranged a ride for you. I don't want my draava walking in her nice clothes."
Daughter. Star already claimed Mia as family before even meeting her first. "Whatever you say, Mom," Orion pretended not to hear the last part.
She kissed his forehead, "Anything for my gentle prince. Now, go have a kickass time with your date."
She left him with the royal carriage, which was parked along the castle stairs. Orion figured she would have gotten the Diazes to drive him to New Echo Creek in their minivan, but the teens were going to ride in style. The pretty, white carriage was pulled by a pair of proud lion-dragons. Their scales gleamed like polished ruby as they shuffled impatiently in their traces, growling at the squirrels chattering at them just out of reach. The driver, who sat on his perch on top of the carriage, tugged on the thick, green lines to prevent a fight.
"Easy," he calmed them. "No need to be disgruntled." Then he turned to the prince and raised the cap off his head, "Good afternoon, Your Highness. Her Majesty hopes the carriage suits your purposes well."
"Thanks, it does," Orion replied. The formal address caught him off-guard. Usually, he was just "Orion" to the castle staff.
Another servant, the footman, opened the door and ushered the prince to his seat. "Where to, Your Highness?" he asked.
"I wrote down the address for you," Orion handed him a slip of paper. "It's in New Echo Creek."
The footman handed the slip to the driver and climbed onto his warnicorn to guide the carriage. He sliced open a portal, and they ventured forth into the bright sunshine of New Echo Creek. From the start, the bustling city held its breath in anticipation as the procession rolled down its streets. Cars drifted out of the way to let the smart carriage pass, and children smushed their faces to the glass to catch a glimpse of the Prince of Mewni. Farmers stopped working and climbed on top of their combines, and everyone walking about on the sidewalks paused in their tracks. Orion knew many of the people staring at him, and although they'd seen him a thousand times, this was different. Today, he represented the royal family, a fairytale in flesh. Star relaxed many of the traditional rules, but he was still His Royal Highness Prince Diaz-Butterfly—the kingdom's most eligible bachelor on the eve of the Silver Bell Ball.
At last, the carriage slowed to a stop in front of a humble, red-brick house, and the footman dismounted his warnicorn. "Hear ye, hear ye!" he cried after the blast of a trumpet. "Please welcome His Royal Highness Prince Orion Diaz-Butterfly!"
The humans bowed when the door to the carriage swung open. Light and heat flooded the red velvet cave, and Orion found himself exposed in front of hundreds of eager faces. At first, it all proved overwhelming—the scents, cheers, and flashes of cameras—and part of him considered fleeing. But then, he heard a voice over the clamor.
"Orion? Is that you?"
Mia! The world shrunk into a dim tunnel, focusing solely on her standing on the other side of the walkway. Her blue ballgown leapt out of the darkness with the twinkling of a star, and it put even sapphires to shame. How worthless were the many jewels in the queen's crown compared to her! Neither agate could dare hold the fire in her brown eyes, nor could jasper capture the richness of her curly hair. The gloves cloaking her strong arms were whiter than fresh snow on the mountains, matching the toes of the boots she wore underneath her dress. Orion had seen her every day since they first met, but now, he saw her with new eyes. She looked like a goddess—like a queen among stars.
Sheer joy buoyed him as he strolled towards her weightlessly. By the time he stood in front of her, he was utterly speechless.
"How do I look?" she asked. "I hope this isn't too much."
"You look…beautiful," Orion breathed with the last bit of air in his lungs.
"Nah, this is just an old thing from homecoming. You, on the other hand, are beyond cute. You look so handsome—like I can't believe it's you, Orion."
She rambled on, but Orion had heard enough. She thinks I'm handsome, he nearly fainted.
"So, my baby girl really did snag a prince," a large man came to the doorway and bowed. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Your Royal Highness."
"Nice to meet you too, Mr. Albertson," Orion replied and shook one of his catcher's mitt-sized hands. "I look forward to spending the evening with your daughter."
"Of course. Something tells me that I'll be seeing more of you in the coming months." He grinned at Mia. "Between you and me, Your Royal Highness, I like you way more than her last boyfriend."
"Dad…" Mia groaned.
"I expect her home by midnight," said Mr. Albertson. "Oh, and I trust that no funny business will go on between you two…"
"Dad!"
Orion felt the condom shift in his pocket. "I give you my word as Prince of Mewni," he vowed.
A smile cracked on Mr. Albertson's face, "Good. I just don't want a repeat of homecoming."
"We're not talking about," Mia muttered. "Bye, Dad, don't wait up."
"You know I will!"
Orion lent his arm to Mia and escorted her to the waiting carriage. Once the footman shut the door behind them, he let out a sigh of relief and Mia did the same. "Man, that was intense," she said. "I know you're a prince and all, but I wasn't expecting a carriage."
"Me neither," he replied. "It was my mom's idea. If it were up to me, I would've played it more lowkey."
"I don't mind though. You're lucky you're such a dashing prince."
"Dashing?" He raised an eyebrow.
"You're a real Prince Charming, Orion. You're wearing shoulder tassels." She ran a finger through the jingling fringe. "I'm impressed."
"But nothing compares to you, my princess." He noticed the redness forming on her cheeks and smiled.
"Easy there, we haven't even made it to the castle yet."
They fell silent and watched New Echo Creek pass them by. The nervousness that gripped Orion's heart earlier eased, thanks to her presence, although their closeness in the carriage made him restless in a new way. His Mewberty wings twitched under his shirt every time they accidentally brushed against each other. He both wanted to move closer to her and scoot far away from the temptation of her scent. And yet his mind wondered about homecoming and her last boyfriend—the two things she only mentioned in passing around him. What exactly happened to them?
When he couldn't bear his curiosity any longer, he asked, "Hey, Mia, I hope this isn't a sore subject, but what happened during homecoming?"
Many emotions swirled in her clear, brown eyes, and she sighed, taking his hand again. "That was when I broke up with my ex," she said softly. "We were very close and very serious until I found out…things about him. I won't go into detail now, but after hearing them, I had to reconsider our relationship."
Orion saw her eyes brim with tears, and he gave her a hug. "Hey," he whispered. "You don't have to say anything more. I won't let anyone hurt you like that again. I promise."
"Thanks," she snuggled into his arms.
His Mewberty wings buzzed, but Orion ignored them and held her against his chest. Her heartbeat lulled him into a trance, and he almost forgot where they were going until night suddenly fell around them.
"We've crossed into Mewni," he said.
Sunny California passed into memory as the carriage rolled through snow-kissed fields. It was only three o'clock, but the sun was far below the horizon and replaced by winter's darkness. Yet not even Ooag's chill dampened the spirit burning bright in Mewni, lit by torches resting inside of homes and by outdoor fires where commoners gathered and shared stories over mulled wine. It was not uncommon for Mewmans and Monsters to stargaze on clear nights, despite the cold.
"Whoa, I've never seen so many stars," Mia breathed in awe, pressing closer to Orion to keep warm.
"We have electricity, but we keep the lights hooded and dimmed so the stars can be seen," he said. "We believe that the stars and planets are our Sisters and Brothers. They're kindred spirits who watch over us on behalf of the Holy Three—the ones who created the universe. Not being able to see the night sky would be sacrilegious."
"I wish people on Earth cared so much about light pollution. So, where do you live?"
"Over there."
Butterfly castle rose like a snowy mountain above the town, glittering with frost. Her royal blue banners waved triumphantly in the light breeze, stirring loose snowflakes on the mushroom-domed roofs. The gates were opened, providing a glimpse of the many carriages parked along the entrance.
"Alright, that's a castle," Mia could hardly peel her eyes away.
When the carriage came alongside the stairs, the footman helped Orion and Mia down and wished them well during the ball.
"Man, this puts a five-star hotel to shame," she remarked. "Hey, Orion, tell the driver I said thanks."
He nodded and relayed the message in Middle Mewnian—the common tongue of the dimension, "*Thanks for the ride. You did a lovely job.*"
The driver tipped his hat, "*The pleasure is ours, Your Royal Highness. You two were very quiet.*"
Orion frowned, "*What do you mean?*"
"*Well, if I may speak candidly, Your Highness, your parents make…quite the mess in there on long trips.*"
"*They do what!*"
"*We cleaned the seats—don't worry.*"
"Are you okay, Orion?" Mia tapped his shoulder. "You look like you're about to puke."
"I'm fine," he insisted. "We were just talking about the weather. Let's go."
There was still another half hour to go before the start of the ball, but many of the royals were already here. Orion saw Kelpbottoms, Pigeons, and Spiderbites gathered by the fountain in the front courtyard. In the distance, Johansen carriages came from the west, and he knew the Avariuses and Pony Heads wouldn't be too far behind. There were so many people Mia needed to meet, but Orion wanted her to get acquainted with the castle before the endless socializing began.
He took her hand, "Wanna sneak in the bootleg way?"
"As long as it gives us a break from the fanfare," she nodded.
With the wand, he summoned Cloudy, and they flew towards the central tower. When they approached a window, Orion toggled the latch and helped Mia squeeze inside. Her eyes grew wide at the majestic warnicorn salient against a blue field of stained-glass. Its light rested on her, and she glowed like the Evening Star.
"Let me guess, unicorns are the symbol of your family?" Mia asked. "I thought it would be butterflies."
Orion laughed, "You'd think, but warnicorns have always been closely associated with the queens. They're like unicorns but taller and stockier for queens and knights to ride into battle. I have a lovely black mare named Scourge if you ever want to go for a ride one day."
"I've never ridden a horse," she smiled at the idea. "A motorcycle, yes, but that's it."
"Motorcycle? You never struck me as the dangerous vehicle type."
"I used to ride with my ex—he had one," she sighed. "We went all over the city on that deathtrap. The world would rush past us at a thousand miles an hour, but I always felt safe with him."
"You must have really loved him…" What a stupid thing to say! Orion became annoyed at his behavior. She was allowed to talk about other guys, but the idea of her riding around with another male made him anxious in a way he hadn't felt since Mewberty.
Mia's cheeks turned red for a moment. "I did once. I really did. We were such an odd couple: this arrogant football player and me. When I first moved to New Echo Creek, people teased me, but they stopped when I was his girlfriend. No one ever messed with me again. And underneath that gruff, rugged exterior was this big sweetie. You'd never imagine he'd have such a gentle side to him." But then, the smile descended into a frown, and she gazed deeply into Orion's eyes. "But that was then. I have so many fond memories of him, but it wouldn't have worked out. I thought I wanted a guy like him—a cool, bad-boy, protector kinda guy. But not anymore..."
"What kind of guy are you looking for?" Orion couldn't help but ask.
"Someone with a heart of gold. Someone who makes me laugh and takes me to places I've never been to before. Someone who's noble and brave." She moved closer. "Someone like—"
"Oh, my corn! Orion brought his girlfriend!" Jupiter shrieked and raced past four Kingsguard standing with drawn swords.
Ugh! Orion sighed and glared at his little sister. "*She's not my girlfriend, Jupe,*" he corrected her in Mewnian. "*We've been through this.*"
"*And Mom's not the Queen of Mewni,*" she rolled her eyes. "*Why are you so embarrassed? She's pretty, and I like her.*"
"Jupiter!" he hissed.
"Aw, Orion, is this your little sister?" Mia cooed. "She's adorable!"
"Why thank you," the princess curtsied. "That's my job."
Sir Jackie sheathed her sword and smirked, "Aren't you going to introduce us, Orion?" Kelly, Chloe, and Darrion all shared excited glances.
He nodded, "Right. Mia, these are my aunts. The blonde one is Aunt Jackie—she's also my mentor. The one next to her is her wife, my Aunt Chloe. The squire is their son, Darrion, who's a super cool bro—"
"—'Sup," Darrion waved when acknowledged.
"—And that's Aunt Kelly, who's my twin sister's mentor. They're all Kingsguard and protect the castle and royal family."
"And you're lucky we caught you and not Captain Higgs," Kelly said. "She wouldn't take kindly to the prince sneaking around with a girl."
"I know…" Orion ducked his head in embarrassment. "Do you know where my parents are, Aunt Kelly?"
"In the ballroom getting ready for guests." Kelly added in Mewnian for his ears alone, "*I lost the bet with your mom.*"
"*What bet?*"
"*Whether or not someone would find you off somewhere with your date.*"
Orion made a face.
"What did she say?" Mia watched him scowl.
"Oh, nothing at all," he groaned when the other knights started to laugh. "C'mon, let's go meet my parents."
They entered the ballroom through the back to avoid the attention of the royal criers and trumpeters. Everything was ready for a long evening of formal entertaining. Petite, round tables, covered with delectable finger foods and tiny cups of wine, hugged the walls around the sandstone dancefloor. Orion's nose drank in the scents of heavy meats, light hors d'oeuvres, and delicate candies, making his stomach growl. Besides the tables, there was no other furniture in the room, save a few chairs in the corners for guests to rest their feet. In the old days, there was a platform of thrones that sat high above the rows of chairs where the young royals waited to dance. Star abolished the practice when she became queen, citing how the pressure of performing for the older royals led to rash relationship decisions. Now, they all mingled together—young and old.
Yet even with the changes, expectations were still expectations. While the other members of the royal house helped the servants with last-minute preparations, Andromeda stood in the corner with Etheria, who vigorously spoke to her. Her brown eyes were dull with misery—both at the known expectations of the night and her great aunt's words. Old traditions die hard, Orion knew the kingdom wanted her to court princes, especially the Prince of the Underworld. Star was thirteen when she started her courtship with Tom, and some of the more conservative royals, Etheria included, never forgave her for choosing Marco over him.
But Orion knew there was something else going on inside his sister. He sensed it even without the Blood Moon bond, which he now missed terribly. What's she hiding? Curious, he tried to reconnect the link between their minds, but a tap on the shoulder broke his concentration.
"Earth to Orion, are you still in there?" Mia giggled.
"I'm here," he shook his head. "Anyways, my parents are over there, so let's say hi. Oh, and don't be shy. They'll love you." Especially my mom, he almost added.
Jupiter had already joined them, whispering excitedly in Star's ear. Mia sent Orion a nervous glance, "I've never met a queen before."
"Mom isn't like other queens. She's super chill," he said.
But he understood Mia's feelings. Despite her own relaxed nature, the presence of Queen Star Butterfly often proved overwhelming. She was the face of Mewni: Sovereign of the realm, Protector of the dimension, and Slayer of her greatest foes. Her magic, amplified and refined through generations of genetic succession, was beyond measure. And she was beautiful. Star still turned many heads when she appeared in her full royal attire. Her dress rippled with blues deeper than the sky and embroidered with a fine red butterfly on the skirt that fluttered with her every movement. On her head, nestled between her signature devil horns, was a crown of the purest gold, adorned with the finest jewels found from the four corners of Mewni: sapphires and rubies and precious pearls among them. Yet titles and responsibilities never diminished the true spirit of Star Butterfly—a lover of fun and freedom for all. When Mia tried to bow, she stopped her and gave her a hug.
"There's no need," Star said firmly after letting go. "The honor is mine. Welcome to Mewni, Mia."
"T-thanks, Your Majesty," she smiled.
"Please, just call me Star. I have no need for titles. And this is Marco, my husband. I know you kinda met us before during the whole Mewberty thing."
Marco adjusted his Blood Moon Ball suit jacket and said nothing about the fateful day. Instead, he shook Mia's hand, "Don't hesitate to ask if you need anything. I know how overwhelming royal occasions can be if you aren't used to them."
"Thank you," she politely dipped her head.
Soon, other Butterflys gathered around to welcome Mia with warm praise. Eclipsa loved her instantly, River begged her to ride along on a family hunt one day, and Uncle Heartrude invited her to the family's Stump Day celebration. Orion remained on standby to translate back and forth, but he loved watching Mia among his family. His little cousins begged her to play with them later.
Aunt Felicity pulled Orion aside, "*I think she's lovely, Rye. I had my reservations since she's not a royal, but I certainly dismiss them now.*"
"*Thanks,*" he smiled.
"*But fair warning, while we all like her, Etheria will be a hard sell.*"
"*I know…*"
She placed a hand on his shoulder, "*That wasn't meant to discourage you, Orion. Sometimes the best things in life must be fought for. I've certainly wrestled with my own prejudices in accepting your father, and I regret the years of animosity I held towards him. He's a lovely king and father—the likes I hope you'll be one day.*"
They watched the king practice waltzing with Jupiter with her standing on his black shoes for height.
"*Lastly,*" Aunt Felicity said. "*No matter what Etheria says, know that my brother and I represent our late sister, Moon, in our regards for Mia. Your grandma would've been the first to fawn over her.*"
"*She would have,*" Orion said wistfully.
Suddenly, thunderous fanfare ripped through the ballroom to announce the arrival of the other royal families. They processed in order from newest kingdom to oldest: Musty Mountain, Avarius, Pigeon, Kelpbottom, Johansen, Spiderbite, Pony Head, and Lucitor. The room swelled with their splendor, and Orion made sure to stay close to Mia, who quickly found herself surrounded by fantastical creatures. For the most part, they focused on Andromeda and the crown princes, egging a pair of them to complete the First Dance and open the Silver Bell Ball. It gave Orion and Mia the chance to steal away for drinks.
"I've never met so many people in my entire life," Mia took a sip of wine. "Also, is this alcoholic?"
"There's no drinking age on Mewni, and we Butterflys love our alcohol," Orion downed a cup in one gulp. "And this is only the start, Mia. Wait until the dances start. Then it's going to be a lot more conversations and jockeying for position. See all of the princes over there? They bear the responsibility of representing their lines and finding princesses to marry."
"Already?"
"Yeah," he replied ruefully. "Once you hit puberty, you're old enough to start courting. At sixteen, if all goes well, you get betrothed, then you can marry anytime afterwards. Most royals don't immediately jump into it, but the pressure is always there."
"Then why aren't you out there?"
"My position is weird. I'm counted as the queen's firstborn, but Andromeda is more the rightful heir than I am. My mother treats me like the crown prince though. I dunno…Mewni never really notices me." He sighed and reached for more wine. As much as Orion hated the idea of everyone watching him, he also wanted the kingdom to recognize him.
Mia studied his face and smiled, "Then do something that'll make them notice you."
"Like what?"
"*Hey, you two should dance!*" Uncle Grunt shouted at them. The Johansens took up the chant, causing an uproar to swell over the graceful chamber music in the background.
Orion rolled his eyes and continued drinking.
"What are they saying?" Mia asked.
"Tancen means 'dance,'" he said sheepishly. "They want us to dance."
And it wasn't just any dance either. There was an old superstition attached to the Silver Bell Ball, which said that the couple who danced first was destined to be together forever. Very few believed the tale yet Mewmans, being a superstitious bunch, never tempted Fate. Regardless, the idea of Mia swaying in his arms made Orion's Mewberty wings flutter. What's the worst that could happen? He glanced at her. She's just my best friend.
He drank more wine and dabbed his chin with a napkin. "*Alright, you guys can chill,*" he muttered to his kin. Then in one motion, he took her hand and kneeled before her in invitation. "Mia Albertson," he asked in his politest voice. "May I have this dance?"
The Johansens whistled as she blushed, "I'd love to, Your Royal Highness."
He gently led her to the dancefloor, ignoring the surprise of the other royals. The musicians switched from general background music to something softer and more intimate as the prince and his mysterious partner began to slowly dance. All eyes fell on them, but the ones Orion felt the most were the pale ones of Etheria seething in condemnation.
"Eyes on me, Orion," Mia turned his head.
"Sorry," he muttered. "When this is over, be prepared for questions. All of Mewni knows you're here now."
"So? This is our moment." She then frowned. "I can feel you holding back."
"What do you mean?"
"Orion…" she placed a hand on his chest. "What are you afraid of?"
Falling in love with you, he bit his lip, knowing it was too late. He knew better. They were from two different worlds, had two different lives, and she just broke up with her last boyfriend only a week before they met. Only a desperate, horny vulture would hit on a girl the second she became available. And what if his feelings ruined their friendship? They'd only been together a few months. Even if things were aligned, were they ready for a relationship?
Don't be afraid, he remembered his uncle's words. Give in and see what happens.
He sighed in response, "It's kinda embarrassing, but you're right. I won't hold back anymore."
"Good. I came here to dance with a magical prince." She stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek.
Boldness rose within him, and the whole room filled with his magic—a swirling array of pinks and blues and electrifying yellows. Throwing all caution to the wind, he pulled her in close, letting his hand slide to her waist as their awkward-teen slow dance morphed into a passionate waltz with low dips and wide twirls. His cheekmarks started to glow, and red tendrils of magic shadowed their movements. This is incredible! Orion hardly believed the joy radiating from his soul. He never wanted to stop dancing with her, and he could tell that she felt the same. When he gazed into the wonder dazzling in her eyes, he saw forever in them. He caught a glimpse of himself as a grown man resting his head contently against her swollen belly. That was what he wanted more than anything—even more than being king. He wanted to be hers forever. The vision for his life suddenly became clearer than glass.
"This is incredible…" she breathed in awe. "I've never shared a dance like this before."
"Me neither," Orion dipped her again and pressed his forehead to hers.
"And you know what?" Mia smiled and gripped his hand tighter. "I like this…I really do."
"I do too."
They shared a kiss as the last of the music faded into the air with his magic. When they broke apart, the lights returned to normal, and the room exploded in applause. Did that just happen? Orion's lips trembled with delight. It all seemed like a dream. There was no way he shared a kiss with Mia, his best friend. I guess this makes her my girlfriend.... he smiled contently as she leaned against his chest.
"Wow," she laughed in his arms. "That was amazing, Rye."
"I hope you don't mind," he blushed.
"No, I'd never want to share a moment like that with anyone else." She gave him another peck on the lips, and the world spun around Orion.
"*Get a portal, nephew!*" Aunt Janna jokingly yelled in Mewnian, causing an uproar among the other royals.
"*Fine, I will,*" he countered boldly and led Mia off towards the corner of the room. The Johansens, in particular, demanded that Orion return with royal babies, but the prince rolled his eyes.
Once away from the public eye, he relaxed and pulled out a couple of chairs for them. "So," he began after catching his breath. "I don't wanna rush anything, but—"
"A Díos Mio! Mi corazón ha regresado!"
It happened so quickly that Orion hardly knew what was going on until Marco Jr. had Mia pressed against the nearby wall. "Will you get off of me!" She protested strongly and tried desperately to shove him off.
"Not so fast, babe," Marco Jr. smirked, pinning her wrists. "You're as beautiful as always. Oh, and I see you're wearing the dress I like so much. It really flatters your complexion. So, what brings you to Mewni, sexy? Are you here for some midnight magic?" When she continued to resist, he tilted her chin. "C'mon, gimme a kiss."
Her distress drove Orion into action, and he yanked Marco Jr. away by a fistful of his mail shirt "She said 'back off!'" His voice became the thunder of a thousand storms.
Never before had Orion felt so much rage in his body. Magic boiled in his blood, causing his cheekmarks to glow so brightly that the other royals noticed. Pony Head laughed maniacally, but the other royals gasped in horror. There hadn't been a fight over a girl since River knocked the stuffing out of Count Mildrew over Moon. Orion stayed close to Mia, keeping his gaze firmly on Marco Jr.
The squire blindly reached for his sword but stopped when he finally saw that his opponent was Orion. Hurt and confusion glinted in his eyes. "I-I don't understand…" he staggered backward. "You were talking to a boy… How could you, Mia?"
"MJ, we've been through this," she argued. "We broke up a while ago! I'm free to see whoever I want."
"But you're still mine. You'll always be mine!"
"You never told me your crazy ex was my uncle," Orion whispered harshly to Mia. "How long did you know?"
She narrowed her eyes, "I pieced it together a few weeks ago, and don't get mad at me here. I wanted to tell you sooner, but there isn't an easy way to tell you that I used to sleep with your uncle."
"Fair point," Orion released his anger. Turning to Marco Jr., the prince sighed, "Look, uncle, Mia and I—"
Heavy footprints stomped their way, and Captain Higgs's green eyes were livid flames when they spotted Marco Jr. "You bozo!" she smacked him on the side of the head. "Stop wasting time! We have a castle to guard! As Kingsguard, it's our duty to—"
Suddenly, the lights went out, and the ballroom shook.
"Captain Higgs!" Katrina shouted over the confusion. "We need you—there's a demon's coming this way!"
Review Roundup
Chapter 7:
viceversa96- Duty always calls with Star Butterfly. If y'all think she's just going to retire, then think again lol. You will see generational parallels between the old and new gen, but it won't always be 1:1. But do watch out for how things develop romantically. The next two chapters will really jumpstart the romantic subplot for the twins. Also, yes, Orion and Andromeda aren't just carbon-copies of one parent. I hate it when Starco kids are clearly clones of one parent. Orion and Andromeda are mixtures of both parents, and out of that you get to see them develop independently as their own character.
Cure Orchid- #4 is coming!
Starco4everr- Yep! They've always wanted a large family.
Alfonso sparda- Thanks! Our heroes face yet another challenge they must overcome to save the world. It's going to be like something never seen before! Star and Marco are having another kid, who will play a part in the story.
Aldal- We'll get more lore about it, but yes a Butterfly-Lucitor war would be very near the end of the world. Both families are insanely powersful, so imagine all the magic used to try to destroy the other. This version of Meteora has a lot on her plate. She's the future High Priestess of the Blood Moon, and her family knows about her past but haven't told her about. We'll have to see about MJ and the Silver Bell Ball! And yes, go Marco! He got his wife pregnant again!
Lyger 0- You ain't see nothin' yet about the Silver Bell Ball!