Rifiuto: Non Miriena
A/N: Written: 2015, Found: 2018- Licia
It was decided that the pair would stay in Palmarneae until the second week of classes- Raven had let the school know that 'important state affairs' had come up, that would delay her return until the second week of classes, which would give her enough time to decide if she truly wanted to go back, and also meant that by then, they'd know the board's decision on the petition in regards to Mika's situation. It also meant that her friends had to go an entire week before they knew anything in regards to whether Mika would be returning to teach Hero Training or not.
So it was three days after arriving at Crystanillia that Raven found herself in royal court dress, standing patiently as Mashka, one of the young maids, gently settled the black diamond tiara into her hair. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Mika talking with his sisters- all three wore similar court dress to Raven and Vankaela, the only difference was that the girls had traditional headpieces on- shimmering diadem crowns with sheer veils attached called polinska- signifying their place in the family. Both Mika and Targyn were in traditional Palmarneaeian military dress, and were deep in conversation with their sisters about something. "You're all ready, Your Majesty." Raven nodded silently to the maid, who curtsied and quickly hurried away before she stopped, reaching for the pendant around her wrist.
Raven pulled back. "Please, don't. Leave it." The maid nodded, hurrying off, and leaving Raven alone. The young queen squeezed the pendant in reassurance, feeling the soft glow pulse steadily, before making her way towards the others.
She had forgotten that it was the two hundredth anniversary of Palmarneae's founding, when she broke away from Marberly to become her own country, with her own monarchy. Without missing a beat of the conversation, Mika slid his arm around her waist, pulling her into him until she was flush against him, his arms wrapped snugly around her waist; he pressed a kiss to the bare skin of her shoulder left exposed by the off-the-shoulder cut of the dress, before resting his chin against it.
Eventually, the photographer nodded towards them, and slowly, Mika released her, moving to join his siblings. Raven looked up as Devistan and Vankaela joined her, for the photographer wanted to focus on the family first, before bringing in their spouses. "I'm glad you've finally married." Raven turned to Vankaela as she leaned towards her. "Targyn was starting to worry that you had found someone else. I had to remind him that this was you, that you love Miks and that he loves you." Raven giggled, unaware of the photographer having turned his lens to the trio of in-laws for the briefest of moments, capturing the moment in time.
Finally, after several frames, he beckoned the three to join them. Raven followed Vankaela and Devistan, watching as the others settled beside their significant others. She held back however, biting her lip, unsure of where exactly she belonged in this family tree now that she was actually a part of it. "What's wrong, Auntie Raven?" Caysian asked, from his place beside his brother at his grandfather's feet. The young queen didn't say anything, just shook her head. Mika stood from where he'd been seated beside Kili, going to her, but she turned at a hand on her arm.
"Queen Ravenna?" The photographer studied her briefly, before pulling away. He knew the protocol in regards to the Marberlian royals- unlike the Palmarneaeians, it was an unspoken rule that one was not allowed to touch the Marberlian royals unless given permission. As the court photographer, he'd taken hundreds of photographs of the royal family; he'd taken the photographs of Raven and Mika at the announcement of their engagement, as well as the engagement photos of Raven's parents. He was a well-known Marberlian photographer, and had been suggested by the Marberly royal family to the other houses of the six kingdoms. He remembered taking formal portraits of Raven as she'd grown up, and had taken her coronation portraits as well. "I'm sorry, Your Majesty, I didn't mean to-"
She held up a hand. "It's okay, Master Wilhix. I have known you my entire life." She licked her lips, glancing over her shoulder at the others before leaning close. "I'm sorry, but... I don't... exactly know where I belong. I... have not had a... a family portrait to fit into since I was six-years-old." He nodded, glancing back at the others before holding out a hand.
"If I may, Your Majesty?" A moment passed, before she set her hand in his, allowing him to tug her gently away from the others, towards a chaise settled by the window. The others got up, following, curious. "If I remember, it always took me a few solo shots for you to get comfortable being before the camera before you would join your parents." Raven nodded, glancing towards her in-laws, hoping they wouldn't be angry with her. Baxiana slid her hand into the crook of her husband's arm, resting her head against his shoulder, a small smile on her face. "Please, Majesty, if you'd be so kind." Raven glanced at her mother-in-law, before slowly taking a seat on the chaise. "When was the last time you had a royal portrait with your father done, if you don't mind me asking, Majesty?"
Raven thought a moment, waiting for the flash to fade before speaking. "Not since my coronation."
He nodded. "And you and Prince Mikalos have since married-"
"Little under a week ago." Mika replied, causing Raven to look up at him, as Master Wilhix captured the moment in time. The photographer glanced back at the prince.
"Perhaps it's time for a new set of formal portraits with your father, Majesty." He turned to Mika. "Would you mind, Your Highness?" Mika shook his head, moving to join Raven on the chaise. "Do you mind, Your Majesties? I know this is a little out of order, but I have photographed Ravenna since she was a babe in her mother's arms-"
"You know how she works." Pál replied and the photographer nodded. The king chuckled. "Go on. It's nice, being on the other end of the camera for once. Besides," He glanced at his son and daughter-in-law. "They need this." Raven blushed, turning to duck her head, and Mika reached out, brushing his knuckles against her cheeks. It was a series of candid shots that followed- beautiful images that made it very clear the love between the young couple. At one point, Mika leaned close, wrapping his arms around Raven's waist and pulling her to him; his mouth found hers, in an image that was reminiscent of an image Pál and Baxiana had had taken not long after their engagement had been announced.
Slowly, Mika's siblings joined them; Kiraneleia- Eleia as the family called her- settled on Raven's other side, while Targyn, Zariegh and Kili and their significant others gathered around the back. The boys and Kili's daughter were soon added, and after several shots with them, finally, the king and queen joined them. In one shot, each took a seat on either side of Raven, while Devistan and Vankaela on either side of them, the five siblings behind the chaise, in birth order, with their grandchildren on the floor at their feet. Eventually, the photo session turned to the children, before Baxiana decided she wanted a few shots of her and her daughters- including her daughters-in-law. Seated in the center of the chaise, she had Raven and Vanae, as the family called Targyn's wife, on either side of her, with her daughters behind them.
"Are you feeling better about this, Your Majesty?" Master Wilhix asked after a couple more hours- in which they had all changed from traditional court dress into formal clothing, the men in suits and the women in long, beautiful beaded dresses, and heels. Raven had, at one point, taken her hair down, and it tumbled down her back in beautiful, contained curls that Mika couldn't resist running his hands through. More than once, the other members of the family insisted Master Wilhix focus his camera lens on the couple, and some of the family's favorite shots from the shoot were of Mika and Raven, for the images were candid and honest in nature.
Raven nodded with a giggle, feeling Mika wrap his arms around her waist from behind. He pressed a firm kiss to her head. "I am. Thank you, Master Wilhix."
He shuttered his camera lens, and then bowed before her. "It's my pleasure, Your Majesty. Congratulations on your marriage."
Once he was gone, Mika spoke up, pressing another kiss to her head. "Don't you ever doubt your place in this family, Nevermore. You have always had a place within it, and you will always have a place." He kissed her temple. "And it will always be in my arms. I promise."