Sorry this is so late, don't hate me!
Next chapter is already in the works, just need to find the motivation to actually work on it.
When Ruby had finished packing her things and saying her goodbyes, her father extracting a promise to write at least once a week, the royal party returned to the castle to begin preparations. Though, as Ruby learned shortly after arriving, the preparations were not so much for the wedding as they were just for her.
Apparently, some of the nobles were disgusted with the idea of a commoner becoming a queen, and had demanded that she be given some sort of title beforehand as well as be educated in the nuances of high society, lest they become a laughing stock with the other kingdoms. In the end, it was agreed to designate the island of Patch as its own kingdom (they hadn't even acknowledged the place existed before now, so what difference did it make?) and name Ruby the princess, appeasing the nobles. Then came the matter of decorum.
And so, the lessons began. Distinct levels of address, when to curtsey and how low, the proper technique for pouring tea, and so many other (incredibly tedious) lessons like this.
The next three years consisted of nothing but the lessons until the prince was satisfied with her progress, and the official announcement was made. The town square was packed like never before, subject eager to catch a glimpse of the woman who would one day be queen.
Sometime around midday, Prince Jaune emerged from the castle on a balcony overlooking the buzzing crowd. He raised his hand and at once a hush descended upon the crowd, though their excitement and curiosity was so thick in the air it was almost tangible now.
"My people! As you all know, my father – your king – is no longer as healthy as he once was. And as you no doubt also know, Vale shall be in need of a new male heir after I ascend the throne."
A restlessness grew amongst the people. Would he just get on with it and bring her out!?
"In a few months from now, Vale will be celebrating its 500th anniversary. In those twilight hours, I shall wed the Princess Ruby Rose of Patch. Citizens! Meet my bride, and your future queen!" With a quick nod to the guards, the balcony doors were pulled open and Ruby moved to stand beside him.
The past few years of strict (and expensive) care for her person had produced impressive results; her skin was smooth and free of blemishes acquired from teenage acne and a life of toil on a farm. Her hair had been brushed until it gleamed, the long strands carefully pulled into a half-up half-down style that supported the dainty tiara sitting on her head and the blue dress that flowed over her frame did little to hide the curves that the past few years of proper nourishment had reinforced. All in all, she made for a rather stunning vision.
So, you can understand the crowd's awe.
Prince Jaune gave the people a proud smile; he knew that she was the loveliest maiden to be found in this world, and she was solely his. He basked in the looks of wonderment the people gave, satisfied with their obvious approval of his chosen bride, before turning his attention back to said bride. "They've seen you now, let's go back into the shade before the sun pinks our skin." Jaune said as he took her hand, turning around to pull her back inside, but Ruby frowned and tugged her hand out of his grip.
"Why so soon? Some of these people have travelled for days to be here. Just a few more moments can't possibly be that harmful. In fact, I would like to go meet with them."
Jaune scowled in disapproval. "We do not walk amongst the commoners for any reason beyond duty or necessity. To do so otherwise is simply… disgraceful."
But Ruby was not to be deterred and waved aside his protests, claiming that, "It is my duty future queen to know those who will be my subjects" and descended into the square. The guards were baffled by her request, even more so when she asked that no escort be provided, but complied nonetheless.
At first, the crowd parted around her, almost afraid that if they got too close then she would prove herself to be nothing more than an illusion and vanish. Then a small boy, no more than at least six years old, shuffled forward; his face was flushed in shy embarrassment as he held out a single red rose. Smiling, Ruby crouched down and thanked the boy for his lovely gift, placing the rose behind her ear.
It seemed that this small boy was all it took for the dam to burst open, people rushing forward just to brush their fingers against this creature that deigned to appear before them, though they were careful to leave enough space to not completely crowd her. Some reached in hopes that her beauty might rub off on them, others to merely experience what it felt like to be able to touch perfection. For most, it was a day that they would never forget.
But there were two pairs of eyes that went unnoticed in their scrutiny.
The first was Prince Jaune. He could hardly believe his fiancé's boldness; all those years with the tutors, and she still did not show the proper caution amongst the common rabble! Countess Cinder had warned him since he was a child of the villains that could be found in the lower people, and had explained to him that it was because they were jealous of his superiority, so he needed to distance himself as much as possible. Yet this girl blatantly ignored Cinder's teachings! It would certainly serve her right if… if… Ohhh, now there was a thought.
It was obvious that the people had warmed up to her quite quickly, adored her even. They would be most upset if something were to happen to her… Maybe even call for war… And just like that, a plan began to take form in his mind.
As plans were made for the unfortunate soon-to-be bride, the second pair of eyes glared from the darkest corner of the square. Black boots and breeches along with a black shirt and black gloves ensured the mystery man's form was kept hidden in the shadows, though neither his mask nor his hood could completely conceal the flash of his eyes. They shone in the little light that managed to reach them, cold and deadly; when he moved to leave, the few people he brushed past would swear up and down they flashed a pale red.
In the days that followed the announcement, the castle was nothing short of chaotic. Servants were all running to and fro cleaning and redecorating only to be told by the queen or some other person that they didn't like it and wanted the room changed again. What was worse for Ruby was that they were dragging her into it.
Dress fittings, floral arrangements, food tasting; everyone wanted her approval on everything. Only it never mattered. The prince was the one with the final say, and if he wanted the halls decorated with 'his' hunting trophies, then no matter what she said the walls would be covered in severed animal heads.
Her only respite was found in her evening rides. She had brought her horse with her when she left home, and relished in the moments where she could just ride away from the towering stone walls and just breathe.
On this particular afternoon, she had ridden quite a distance from the castle, the queen's comments on how she needed to 'be more mindful of what she ate' and 'watch her figure' were rather trying on her nerves, no matter what her tutors said about ladies and their tempers. So, she'd simply turned around and stormed out before she said or did something that she might regret.
Ruby slowed her horse to a walk a short distance from a river, the sound of its current rushing over the rocks calming her upset even more. She found herself remembering a creek near her old home, of hot days swimming under the cloudless sky and splashing around. How she would try and get him from behind and the look on his face when she –
'Stop it,' she scolded herself. 'He's gone and he's never coming back.' Yet she still couldn't help but think about happier days and the ever taunting 'what if?'
A polite cough yanked Ruby from her thoughts. She turned to face the source and found the strangest group of people she had ever laid eyes upon.
An orange-haired man, who seemed to have been the one trying to get her attention, wore a white jacket over a black shirt and breeches and was casually leaning on a sleek black cane with a silver handle. Flanking him were two women who were quite dissimilar to one another.
The woman on the left was quite petite, sharp lines and pale complexion (even her hair was white!) making the phrase 'snow princess' come to mind, only for the thin rapier sheathed in the belt of her blue saberist gown to dissuade onlookers from thinking of her as anything close to 'gentle.'
Her companion on the right, however, was anything but straight lines. A towering figure with wild golden locks, a tight brown leather bodice and lighter brown pants emphasized her already impressive curves (Ruby had to resist the urge to look at her own bust in comparison. Blondie was not good for her self-esteem). With her arms bare save for leather bracers around her wrists, her well-developed muscles were put on display to make an intimidating image.
The man swung his cane onto his shoulder and strode up to her, removing his feathered black archers hat to give her a rather extravagant bow.
"Greetings, milady" he said. His smile seemed polite enough, though it was also a bit… condescending. As if he were addressing a child. "My companions and I have been separated from our circus caravan. Would there, perchance, happen to be a village nearby?"
Circus members… that would certainly fit with the smaller woman's appearance and the man's theatrics. "There is no one out here but us; the closest village is a few miles north."
The man raised a hand to his chest, his look of sympathy so mocking it stunned her with surprise. "Oh dear, well then it seems no one will be able to hear you scream."
Faster than she could react he swung his cane at her head, fear and panic flooding through her before pain overwhelmed them both, then… black.