A Tale of Three Princesses
By Chiharu Tanaka
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Author's Notes: Thank you all for the encouraging reviews! I'll try my best to update frequently, but you know...life comes first. Without further ado, I give you chapter 2!
Disclaimer: Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy don't belong to me. They belong to Disney and Square-Enix.
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The story so far: Either Naminé, Kairi or Xion is going to have to marry Prince Riku of Radieux to unite the two countries. Kairi and Xion object in their own way, but Naminé is willing to accept the marriage.
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Chapter Two: Arrival
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The sound of footsteps against metal resonated as a young man of twenty walked across the deck of the S.S. Leviathan, the most powerful and fastest machine-powered ship in Radieux; capable of transporting its passengers from Lumina, the industrial capital city of Radieux to Asper, the port city of Destin in a matter of two days what would normally take a week or two. Silver hair billowing in the wind as the ship approached the port; the youth smirked as he spotted the welcoming committee waiting for him at shore. The port was a stark contrast compared to the one in Radieux; what with their simple yet sturdy wooden jetties and the port filled with fishmongers, merchants and sailors alike. Some more powerful machinery fleets hoisting the flags of Destin were most probably for military use – as Radieux had sold them those vessels for their protection against the Empire of Vide.
"Your Highness," said a voice from behind him. He turned around to see the Royal Guard who was an inch shorter than him, with beautiful long black hair, dark eyes and fair skin. She was dressed in a rather masculine outfit consisting of an elegant black vest over a long-sleeved white shirt and a pair of black trousers; despite her attractive feminine features.
"Ah, Tifa," he said to the woman two years his senior. "It's nice to know that Destin hasn't really changed much since I was last here."
Tifa smiled; a small curve of her lips at the Prince's nostalgia. "Captain Cid sent me here to inform you that we'll port in another ten minutes," she relayed the ship captain's message. "Also, Sir Leon is asking if you would like to go sightseeing around Asper or head directly for the castle."
Riku, the Crown Prince of Radieux and only child of King Cecil and Queen Rosa smirked as he turned back to the ocean. "Sightseeing can wait," he said. "After all, the sights I really want to see are those three princesses."
The brunette's smile faded, suddenly reminded of the Prince's true behaviour. Sure, the youth was good-looking and was pampered his whole life, but Tifa assumed it was exactly that which turned him into the cocky, overconfident young man he was. "Very well," she said, not the least bit taken in by his charming smirk as she had already spent a few years being his Royal Guard. "I shall take my leave, Your Highness."
She then left the Prince to continue admiring the ocean, and the Prince merely leaned against the railing of the deck, his gaze now fixated on the towering castle at one end of the shore. He knew well the reason of his trip to this neighbouring country, and since he couldn't care less of any of the young maidens he left heartbroken in his homeland, he agreed to this deal; knowing that he would probably ascend to the throne and control both countries someday. But for now, he was more curious about how the three daughters of King Ansem had grown since he last saw them as mere children.
Today, after twelve years – we will all meet once again, won't we?
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When word of Prince Riku's arrival at the port was relayed to the castle, Naminé was already opening the door to Kairi's bedroom, Xion following behind her. Once they stepped into the messy room, with clothes tossed everywhere – they found Kairi sitting on top of her bed, arms crossed and her hair tousled; which was very unlike her. "Kai, what's the matter?" asked Naminé, picking up the blouses and skirts one by one.
"No matter how much I think about it, this is nonsense! I can't believe Father would be so...heartless as to marry his daughters off like this!" she screeched, slamming a fist into a downy pillow.
Xion helped Naminé picked the clothes up and together they set it on the table for the maids to fold later. The youngest princess was silent because she felt the same way, but Naminé remained patient as she sat down on Kairi's bed. "Xio, Kai, I have a solution," she said. "You don't have to marry Prince Riku. Just let me do it."
"But how?" asked Xion, sitting on the other side of the large bed. "I mean, Father said that Prince Riku will be the one to choose."
Naminé pressed her lips together. "It won't be a guaranteed method, but basically I would have to catch his attention and hold onto it tightly so he won't think of marrying you or Kairi."
Xion still frowned, but Kairi's blue eyes lit up before wrapping her elder sister in an embrace. "Nami, you're a genius!" she said, with a smile on her face for the first time since the day before. "Why didn't I think of that?"
"Are you sure that's going to work?" asked Xion, doubtful. "After all, playing cupid isn't easy..."
Kairi clicked her tongue as she let go of Naminé. "Who said anything about playing cupid? All we have to do is look plain, and all I have to do is make Nami look fabulous! And of course, Nami, you have to do your part by being as flirtatious as you can."
A tinge of red flared up on Naminé's cheeks. "F...Flirtatious?" she stammered, astonished at the preposterous idea.
Kairi got off the bed to look for a suitable dress to change into. "Yes, and don't give me that naïve look," she said while searching through her closet. "You do know how to be flirtatious, don't you?"
Xion gave a small laugh. "Nami...flirtatious? That's about as likely as Ol' Ed being nice to Hayner and the rest."
"I'll give you tips, then, Nami," Kairi said as she picked a dress. Pulling the foldable screen sideways to change, she continued talking. "First, eye contact. It's very important that you look at him, but not too long that he thinks you're desperate. Just long enough, and when he looks your way, you look elsewhere. Next, is conversation. I don't know what Prince Riku might like to talk about, but that's your forte, isn't it? And then there's the smile. Sultry doesn't really work for you, so your normal smile is fine, I guess..."
Naminé pressed her fingertips on her cheeks as they burned. Xion raised a sceptical eyebrow. "Kai...did Rikku teach you something extra during training sessions?" she asked, referring to Kairi's Royal Guard and instructor, the blond-haired, green-eyed lady named Rikku.
"How else do you think she scored so many boyfriends?" Kairi asked, her head poking at the side of the screen. "It's not my fault Paine teaches you too many boring stuff, and Yuna only teaches Nami magic."
"For a second there I thought you were talking about the Prince," said Naminé, giggling. "She's going to need a nickname if the Prince decides to stick around."
"Well, her current boyfriend called her 'Sunshine'. Maybe we could try that," said Kairi, finally emerging from behind the screen in decent clothing. She walked right up to the dressing table to comb her hair and put on some light makeup.
"Sunshine, hmm? Well...when you're done getting ready, we'll be going to the tailors. They've been calling us to see the gowns for tonight's ball," said Naminé in her soft-spoken voice.
Xion turned to Naminé, speaking up as she fiddled with her fingers. "Nami...do you really have to do all that for us? I mean...if you're not willing to marry him..."
The blonde smiled as she patted her sister's head. "I've made my decision. I promised Mommy that I would take care of both of you in her place, and since you're both too young to be wed, I will do it in your stead." Xion's eyes turned away from her sister's as she bit her lower lip.
You're right, but this isn't fair for you, too...
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The amount of people gathering at the port to welcome Prince Riku's arrival was astounding, even if the King never intended for such a grand celebration. There were music, streamers and a whole horde of spectators divided into two large crowds by the patrolling officers at the port to give way for the entourage. The people of Destin were excited to see the Prince, and as Riku stepped down from the ship, followed by three elite Royal Guards that accompanied him on this trip, as well as a few personal attendants; young girls were waving and swooning excitedly at the sight of the handsome prince.
Fitting his narcissistic nature, he shot a wink at one of the girls, which made her blush furiously whilst feeling faint; and Tifa shook her head in disdain while Yuffie, the youngest member of the team of Royal Guards rolled her eyes sardonically. Leon, the captain of the dispatched Royal Guards team sent to accompany Riku paid no attention to this and was flipping through a book as he was doubling as a personal assistant – at least, until they arrived at the castle. "The ball will start at eight p.m. sharp, and I'll have the servants prepare your clothing beforehand. Before that, His Majesty King Ansem wishes to have an audience with you," he mumbled in a low voice, before continuing with the rest of the schedule.
Riku was only nodding, but he wasn't really listening to Leon as the four of them climbed into the carriage prepared by the castle. Yuffie crossed her arms as she sat across the cocky Prince, before uncrossing them and playing with her short black hair, and then readjusting the bandana tied around her forehead. She later fiddled with the hem of the shorts she was wearing – of which was much to Leon's disapproval. In contrast to the fidgety Yuffie, Tifa sat completely still, looking out the window at the charming, classy streets of Asper City.
Leon combed through his shoulder-length layered brown hair once, which was messed up by the ocean wind, before checking the area outside and around the carriage out the window for any signs of assassins or rogues intending to attack the carriage with the steel-cold blue eyes of his. The Prince yawned once, elbow resting against the windowsill and watched as they neared the castle.
Once they arrived, there was a whole row of butlers and maids prepared to greet him with a bow. The King had appointed an attendant named Sebastian to take care of Riku's needs as well as to inform him of the ball's itinerary in more detail than what was earlier sent to Leon by pigeon mail. As Sebastian went ahead to greet the prince and his entourage, he began briefing the Prince in the same way Leon did, only in a more annoying voice; while leading them into the throne room.
The two rows of maids and butlers bowed as he entered the grand doors of the castle. Once they all stood back up, Selphie elbowed Olette who was standing next to her. "Oh my gosh, did you see that hunk of a Prince?" she whispered at Olette, as Martha and Edward were still observing them. "One of those lucky three will actually marry him! And you say I'm stupid for wanting to be a princess." Olette merely sighed as she shook her head, though she had to admit to herself that the Prince was good-looking.
Pence, a short, chubby young man with short brown-black hair stood in between Hayner and the newbie Roxas. "Man, look at those clothes. It just screams 'Prince'," he mumbled under his breath. Hayner snickered at his best friend's remark. Roxas had heard of the news the night before at the servants' quarters and was surprised to say the least, as Pence told him that any one of the three princesses could be the bride of the silver-haired Prince.
'And that includes Xion...isn't she way too young for that?' he mused as the Prince and his small group disappeared behind the throne room doors, and Edward began rounding them up to prepare for the Prince's belongings (and of course, his followers' things as well) that would be coming by carriage shortly. Roxas shook his head, putting aside the thought and focusing on his task ahead.
The moment Selphie finished her job (or rather, snuck away from her task and left poor Olette to do her share); she picked up the hem of her knee-length maid-uniform skirt and raced up the middle tower to find Kairi. Finding them missing, she asked a passing guard, who pointed her towards the tailors' workplace. She was breathless when she slammed open the door to the tailors.
"Why, I never!" said Flora, the eldest of the three tailors, with grey hair pinned in a bun and wearing an orange dress. "Selphie, didn't anyone teach you how to knock?"
Selphie stood up straight after catching her breath to see Xion standing on the round podium being fitted for a dress, pins sticking out from her dress at various places as Merryweather; the youngest tailor – a plump, black-haired woman – adjusted it. The dress was made of white satin, with two long sleeves and a rounded collar exposing her clavicles and the corset of her dress was made out of glittery silver material and white pearls. Several layers of chiffon sky-blue fabric with tiny pearls wrapped the dress from her waist downwards until the end of the dress. "Sorry, Madam Flora," she said quickly as she stepped inside. "Goodness, is that you, Xion?"
Kairi chuckled as she stood beside Fauna, the second tailor, who was a little taller and thinner than the other two and wearing a green dress, admiring her handiwork. "I know, surprising, isn't it? I was shocked too when Xion said she wanted this dress for the ball. It's far more feminine than what she always wears."
"You can say that again," said Selphie, looking up at the blushing Xion as she stood with her arms open wide. "I mean, you always pick out the plainest, or anything with black, and force the three Madams to snip any ribbons or laces off."
Merryweather nodded in agreement as she finished her job, beginning to remove the pins. "I'm happy you chose this one, Princess Xion, because I was thinking of you when I made this one. I was hoping you'd wear it, and here you are!" she said, clapping excitedly.
"So, what'll you be wearing?" asked Selphie, turning to Kairi. The redhead pointed to Flora, who smiled as she was tending to Kairi's dress. She held up the dress for Selphie to see, and the young girl gasped slightly. Although it was pink and made of tiers of satin, it lacked the external black cross-cross laced bodice Kairi usually wore, and it was high-collared and halfway sleeved, unlike the sexy off-shouldered dresses that Kairi usually wear to parties. "You're wearing that? A little more conservative than usual, don't you think?"
"I'm trying to get the attention away from me this time," said Kairi.
Selphie slapped her forehead, suddenly remembering her purpose of finding the three princesses. "Oh silly me!" she exclaimed. "I came here to tell you three that Prince Riku is here! Like...in the castle! And he's drop-dead gorgeous!"
Kairi scoffed, flipping her shoulder-length red hair in the process. "So what if he's handsome? I'm not marrying him, and that's that."
"You're not? I thought he could choose either one of you?"
"Well, Xio and I are going to make sure Nami gets chosen," said Kairi confidently, her hands on her hips. Xion stepped down from the round podium as she twirled around in her dress as instructed by Merryweather, getting claps from the tailors.
"How are you going to make sure of that?" asked Selphie, curious of the plan. The sound of the rings holding up a curtain whooshing aside was heard, and Kairi pointed towards the dressing room Naminé had been changing in. The young maid's mouth hung open and gasped as she took a step back as Naminé emerged with bright red. Xion was also staring at her eldest sister in disbelief, as Kairi had picked the gown for her while she was being fitted and could not move. The three tailors merely smiled and clapped at the sight of their masterpiece on the eldest princess.
Selphie regained her composure and took a closer look at Naminé's dress. She then smirked, turning to Kairi. "I think I'll tell Ol' Ed to standby with a pack of ice, because the King will have a fit when he sees Naminé in this dress! Maybe I should tell the Prince to ready himself a handkerchief too, just in case...oh, y'know, he can't handle the sexiness of this dress..."
"Selphie!" Naminé chided, slapping her arm. "But I guess you're right. Kairi, isn't this a little too...provocative?" she asked, feeling uncomfortable with all the skin she was showing.
Kairi approached her and patted her on the shoulder. "Aw, c'mon, Nami, you look fabulous. And Prince Riku won't be able to take his eyes off you, I'm sure of it!" Xion shook her head, while still wondering why she felt like going for something more feminine this time around. Naminé sighed, fiddling with her blond hair.
At least, that's what I'm hoping for, Kai...
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Saying that she had butterflies in her stomach would be the understatement of the year, Naminé thought as she walked with her two sisters towards the ballroom. It felt more like the butterflies were gnawing her insides with every step she took. She suddenly stopped in her tracks, which made her two sisters turn around to face her. "Nami," said Kairi, a hand on Naminé's gloved arm. "What's wrong?"
"You don't have to do this, you know," Xion said, looking at her eldest sister worriedly. "I know you promised Mommy and all that, but..."
"No," Naminé said, cutting her off. "I have to do this. I've made it this far, I have to go through it."
Kairi nodded. "I can't even begin to tell you how much I love you for doing this for us. Really."
Naminé smiled. "I love you both too," she said. "Just...pray for me, okay?"
The two sisters nodded, and they resumed walking, this time hand-in-hand as they headed for the ballroom. Once at the entrance, the guards announced their arrival and the crowd below the grand stairway stopped to look at them. Even King Ansem, who was sitting at the throne area, which had been re-furnished to accommodate a seat for their special guest stopped talking for a moment, greatly surprised as his daughters approached him.
Although he was glad that Kairi was wearing something a little decent for once, and that Xion was wearing something other than black, Naminé's dress almost gave him a heart attack. It was a halter-neck pastel cream dress with pearl and crystal embroidery, with a plunging neckline ending at the end of her sternum – showing a significant amount of skin. She wore a pair of white gloves that reached the middle of her forearms. The back of her gown was mostly bare, and the skirt of her gown was the same length as Kairi and Xion's. Her face was adorned with a little more makeup than usual, making her look like an angel that descended from the heavens.
Ansem merely coughed, making a mental note to query rather than chide her choice of attire that evening, as it was the first time his eldest daughter had dressed so provocatively. "So, Riku," he said, turning to the young man sitting beside him, dressed in an elegant black suit with a dark blue and gold vest beneath the coat; his long silver hair tied into a low ponytail with a black ribbon. "You haven't seen them in a while...my three daughters, Kairi, Naminé and Xion."
Riku stood up and smiled. "Truly, a pleasure to meet all three of you once again," he said, before bowing slightly. The three princesses gave him a curtsey as he did so. The other two turned to Naminé to do the talking.
"Yes, it is," she said, holding out her hand. Riku took it and gave it a brief kiss on the back of her gloved hand, and he looked up to her to see her still smiling sweetly at him. He then proceeded to do the same to Kairi and Xion, and they all sat at their assigned seats. King Ansem stood up and gave a small speech, welcoming Riku and his entourage to Destin, and then the party began with a slow tune from the orchestra.
Riku stood up and offered his hand to Naminé. "Would you like to dance, Princess Naminé?" he asked.
"Just call me 'Naminé'," she said, taking his hand shyly before they both joined the crowd of dancing nobles. Kairi grinned excitedly and turned to Xion, who was watching them anxiously.
"He looks like he's interested!" said the redhead. "This is a good sign."
Xion bit her lower lip. "Well, I hope so. But I kind of feel bad for Nami...she shouldn't have to go through this. She should have the freedom to choose whoever she wants to marry too."
"I know," Kairi said with a sigh. "But I guess we should feel lucky that we have such an understanding sister."
The brunette rolled her eyes. 'You're so selfish,' she thought, one hand on her chin as her elbow rested on the armrest, and when she turned sideways she noticed Roxas, holding onto a tray of drinks and serving them to the nobles who were sitting down around round tables. Their eyes met for a moment, and Xion quickly turned away, her heartbeat escalating as she realised what she was wearing.
"So that's him?" asked Kairi, which almost made Xion jump from her seat.
"H...him? Him who?" asked Xion nervously in return. Kairi merely smirked and pointed to the young butler.
"That blond-haired one...he's the new guy, right? Selphie told me about him. He's kind of cute," said Kairi as she observed him. Xion felt her heart drop to her stomach. Between the three sisters, Kairi was obviously the most attractive, and she could make any guy fall and worship at her feet. Suddenly her heart felt like it was boiling, and she had a desire to cover Kairi's face with the long sleeves of her dress so she couldn't see him any longer.
"Too bad he's not really my type," Kairi finally said, which Xion suspected that her 'type' meant being rich in addition to being good-looking. Kairi turned to look at Xion, who was still looking at her. "You look like you're going to eat me. Are you hungry?"
Xion relaxed her facial muscles, surprised that she had been holding such a fierce expression for so long on someone that wasn't her opponent. Or maybe in that case, Kairi was her opponent until she said Roxas wasn't her type. The youngest princess clutched her forehead, suddenly attacked by a headache that came out of nowhere. Kairi could sense that she didn't look too well, and proceeded to wave at the young butler, beckoning him towards them.
"Yes, Your Highness?" Roxas asked, completely forgetting Xion's earlier statement at the presence of the King. Xion's head shot up as she heard his voice near her, and blushed as he shot a glance at her and smiled.
"A glass of cold water please. No, make that two," Kairi said, feeling thirsty herself. Roxas gave a small bow and took his leave, leaving Xion at an even more befuddled state. "You seem to really dislike this party, don't you? I know you're not much of a party person, but you look even more stressed out than usual. Is it Nami you're worried about? Or is it someone else?"
Xion pressed her lips together. She didn't know whether or not to tell Kairi, but she knew Kairi had a lot of experience in these kinds of things. Perhaps it was time for her to seek advice from her less 'clever' sister. "I'll...tell you later, when the party is over," she said, barely a whisper.
Kairi winked. "It's a promise, then."
Meanwhile, Riku and Naminé were already twirling around the ballroom, the other guests dancing around them in a waltz. Naminé felt her cheeks searing from the gaze he was giving her – so much so that she probably didn't need the powdered blush on the apples of her cheeks. Whatever it was, Selphie was right – the young man standing before her was handsome, even more so than she could have imagined.
But still, it did not mean she was in love with him.
"You've really grown," said Riku, a smirk across his lips, looking at the way her blond hair was tied back into an elegant bun with some falling curls, showing off her large dangling diamond earrings. "For a moment, I didn't recognize you. I would've come much sooner had I known how beautiful you've become."
Naminé felt flattered, but her experience dancing with many young lords and listening to their praises made hearing his words a little uninteresting. Still, she was here to make him like her enough to want to marry her. What would Kairi do in this situation? Think, Naminé, think! "Oh my, you're too kind," she said with a giggle, her blue eyes directly gazing into his aquamarine ones, remembering how Kairi used to flirt around the ballroom. "I would've come to the port myself had I known you were this handsome."
In reality, Naminé felt embarrassed to say the words out loud; especially to a Prince she has not met in twelve years.
"You've gotten a lot bolder, I see," Riku said again, glancing down at the amount of cleavage she was showing. He had to admit to himself, she had a nice body as well as the looks to go with it. Naminé tried hard to keep herself composed and refrained from slapping his cheek with her gloved hand for even indecently looking at her bare skin – but that was her fault, really. "I guess time really does change a person. Why, the last time we met you were a shy little girl."
Naminé smiled (albeit nervously). Truth be told, Riku, I am still an introvert of sorts. But you don't have to know I'm doing this for my sisters.
"So, what have you been doing all afternoon? I didn't get to see any of you three until just now," he asked.
Naminé thought for a while, formulating a reply Kairi would answer. "Oh, I've been picking out my dress. Tonight is a very special night, so I must look my very best," she answered. "And then I was helping my sisters pick out their dresses. You may not know it, but we put in a lot of effort to look beautiful."
Riku raised one silver eyebrow, amused. "And all that takes a whole afternoon?"
"Why yes, of course!" Naminé replied in her most Kairi-like voice (which isn't annoying, just dripping with girly sweetness).
He raised his hand holding hers and she twirled beneath their joined hands, before resuming their original dancing position with the most seductive smile she could make. And for Naminé, it was no easy task. Their ten minutes dancing felt like an eternity to her, and she had to withhold her sigh of relief when Riku turned to see the throne and said, "I can't make your sisters jealous now, and I'm sure you must have many others who would like to dance with you."
Riku escorted her back to the throne, where he planted a kiss on the back of his hand and she giggled with her fingers touching her own lips ever-so-slightly. Naminé sat down one seat away from her father (in between them was Riku's empty seat) with a sigh, as Riku turned to ask Kairi to dance with him. Ansem said nothing as he observed his eldest daughter's behaviour, and her change of manner from being flirtatious like Kairi to her usual self as she sat down next to him and asked a passing maid for a glass of water.
Kairi confidently walked hand-in-hand with the Prince towards the dance floor. You are going to think I'm the plainest Jane to ever dance with you.
"So, Kairi," said Riku once they started dancing. "I guess pink's your favourite colour." Kairi merely nodded shyly, averting his gaze. "I guess time's changed you too," he said with a smile. "You were so...chirpy when you were young."
Oh boy, you have no idea how 'chirpy' I still am. Kairi smiled a little, and nodded again. "Time does change people," she said softly. "I see it has changed you too."
"Yes, it has..." he mumbled, looking down at her. Her straight red hair was tied simply into a half-up, half-down do and she was wearing only a ruby necklace and a matching ruby bracelet. She appeared a lot less striking than her elder sister was, but there was something about the way her eyes shyly averted his that made her look sweet. She was a lot more natural, too, with less make-up than Naminé had.
"Is there something on my face?" she asked, her eyes finally meeting his. Riku gulped unconsciously, because her eyes were a sparkling shade of indigo-blue under the ochre light of the grand chandelier. He found her attractive, but he was a playboy – and playboys do not get their heart stolen at any instance.
"No, not at all. You're just too pretty, that I can't take my eyes off you."
Kairi resisted the urge to roll her eyes in disgust. Although she would normally giggle and come up with a flirtatious reply, the mere thought of being married to this man (no matter how handsome he was) sickened her. Instead, she smiled bashfully and looked down at her feet – like an innocent maiden. "Oh no, I'm not..." she mumbled, in the impression of denying. Deep down she was glad that he found her beautiful despite her 'unusual' attire.
"Say, what do you like to do in your spare time?" he asked, just to start a conversation.
Kairi hid her smirk. She had anticipated this question before the ball began. "Oh...I do a little bit of cross-stitching...a little bit of painting...a little bit of this and that. I like arts and crafts, and reading, too." Hah! See if you don't find me boring now!
"Really, now..." he mumbled off. "You don't go outdoors?"
"Oh, sometimes I garden, too. My late mother loved roses, so I wanted to take care of them."
Riku was mildly surprised. The spoiled little princess he met twelve years ago was this perfect example of an ideal woman? What happened to her tantrums and tears? Suddenly she was this grown-up, mature and ladylike woman?
"I think I'll give the others a chance to dance with you too," he said, before escorting her back to the throne. Kairi curtsied politely and pretended to be blushing silly as he kissed her hand, and sat down beside Xion. She watched as Riku then asked Xion to dance, who appeared nervous and glanced backwards once towards Kairi as he pulled her towards the dancing crowd. Kairi gave her a thumbs up before leaning back in her seat, sighing.
Ansem leaned sideways to speak to his second daughter. "I have no idea what you girls are up to," he began, suspicious that Xion herself was wearing something more...colourful for a change. "But I sure do hope for your sake and mine that you aren't pulling a prank on Prince Riku."
Kairi smiled as she turned to her father. "It's nothing serious, Father. And it's not a prank...it's a diversion of sorts."
The King frowned, unsatisfied with her answer. Either way, he was going to have to marry off one of his daughters by the next season, so he decided to watch their plans go along.
"I don't believe you were even able to remember me," said Riku as he felt Xion stiffen at his touch. "You were what...three years old?"
Xion nodded; her face still neutral as she looked at him. She, like Naminé, agreed with Selphie that the Prince was indeed handsome. Nonetheless, the thought that he might (in the crazy instance that he fancies short-haired tomboys like her) choose her as his bride daunted her. "I remember you used to be so attached to the late Queen, bless her soul," said Riku. "And now...here we are."
Xion's blue eyes turned away from him momentarily, thinking about her mother. "I'm sorry," he said. "I didn't mean to bring up such a sensitive subject."
"No, it's alright," she said and looked at his apologetic face. "I mean...I miss her, but there's nothing I can do about it."
Riku released his right hand from her waist to cough, before putting it back to change the subject. "I heard from your father that you're good with a sword. What made you interested in swordsmanship?"
Xion looked up and was beginning to feel at ease with him. "Well, three of our Royal Guards are proficient in different skills. Yuna, Court Magician Braska's daughter, is Naminé's guard. Rikku...I don't mean you, her name has a double 'k'...she's Kairi's guard. And Paine is my guard. Before she became my guard, I've seen her in a sword-fighting match. I was smitten by the way she fought and I asked my father if she could be my tutor. That's pretty much the story."
"Interesting...not many girls are sword-users. How long have you been training?"
Xion paused for a while as she looked up at the ceiling. "Since I was...eleven, I believe. That makes it four years."
"Four years, that's good. I was wondering if you're not too terribly busy, would you be interested in a match with me? I'd like to see your skills in person," he asked, fascinated by this young fifteen year-old and the way her unusual short black hair framed her cute face appropriately.
She looked genuinely surprised, which he found adorable. "Well, I guess that can be arranged," she stammered. "I won't go easy on you, though."
"Oh, please don't hold back," he said with a smirk.
Xion smiled, and as she twirled, caught a glimpse of Roxas standing at one end of the room, watching her dance. All of a sudden she felt self-conscious and quickly turned back to Riku. She didn't have to wait long for him to end the dance; however, as he felt tired from dancing with all three sisters and both went back to the throne to sit down. Xion breathed a sigh of relief as she sat next to Kairi.
"So, how was it?" asked Kairi, whispering to Xion.
Xion turned to Kairi with a small smile. "It wasn't so bad. He's kind of nice. We talked about swords and stuff."
"Does that mean you're willing to take Nami's place?"
Xion narrowed her eyes. "I feel sorry for Nami, but no. Not in a million years."
Kairi smiled, suppressing her laughter behind her lips. "Let's just hope our plan works, then."
Meanwhile, on the other side of the throne, Naminé felt nervous again as she smiled at Riku when he sat down. He returned the smile, and King Ansem turned to Riku to ask, "What do you think of my daughters?"
"They're very beautiful, and lovely. You must feel very lucky, Your Majesty, to have such wonderful daughters," Riku replied.
"I hope one of them is to your liking, Riku," said Ansem.
Naminé, Kairi and Xion peered to look at him as he nodded. "Of course," he replied, a knowing smile etched on his lips. "But I'd like to spend more time with all three of them before I make my decision."
Naminé and Kairi sighed in their seats, while Xion looked apologetically at her two elder sisters. Sure, she had been herself this evening, and she was pretty sure that Riku was not as (romantically) interested in her compared to her two more attractive sisters. With a hand on her throbbing forehead, Naminé bit her lower lip.
So we'll have to keep up the charade until he chooses...
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To be continued...
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A/n: I do realise that the princesses (and sometimes Ansem) don't talk the way royals should talk in a classical-style fiction. Unfortunately, I am not an expert (not even a novice, I daresay) in writing classical English, so just bear with it. Besides, I think most of you would prefer dialogues that you can understand easily so that you won't have to read it twice, am I right?
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