The spider forest was aptly named. It housed many species of spiders. In fact, the whole ecosystem stemmed from those little critters. Star wasn't afraid, but she much preferred her own spider with a tophat. You could hardly see a single branch that didn't house a spiderweb.
The castle walls stood at an impressive height. It was an unusual capital of a kingdom. It had no outer walls and instead used the forest itself as a natural defense. Point in case being right now as a single big spider the size of a horse jumped from a tree and landed on the carriage housing Princess Star.
"What was that?!"
"Be at ease, Princess Star."
Mannfred stood protectively in front of the door to the carriage. Star sat with her wand ready to blast anything out from the window to kingdom come.
"Mannfred I want to fight whatever had just jumped on top of us."
"Absolutely not. We can't have you getting dirty for when you meet the royals of the spiderbite kingdom."
"But Mannfred! I've done nothing but get my ass sore for the past few days. I'm inching-"
"Princess Star, Mind your language and no. It's an order from Queen Moon that I see to it that this all goes well."
Outside the escorts made quick movements as they instantly located the creature. The driver slowed the carriage as a pair of the knights following from behind jumped from their horses onto the carriage.
"Get off her Highness transport you eight-eyed freak!"
They landed with their spears first intent to kill the overgrown spider. The sound of the weapons hitting the durable carriage rang loudly to the dismay of the passengers. The carriage was unharmed even if a knight in full armor had hit it with his weight and strength. It was truly a thing worthy of royalty.
The spider raised its front legs and boasted its large fangs. It struck with a speed hard to see for the human eye, but the knight that was in danger wasn't human and easily blocked the fangs. Unafraid he made a free hand and grabbed one of its fangs as venom dripped from the tip.
The knights who flanked the carriage joined the fray with a jumping attack and pierced the spider from its side forming an X in its body. In a last-ditch effort, the spider jumped from the carriage with only the two knights who had stabbed it clinging on.
"It's not dead yet!"
"Quiet. Give it a few seconds."
And a few seconds was all its last strength could muster.
"Clear!"
The knights that weren't partaking in the threat secured the perimeter. Out of the carriage did a girl's head pop out. "BUUU! I wanted to fight that gross-looking spider."
She was promptly pulled back in by the none-too-pleased Mannfred.
The castle itself had a sizeable wall but it was mostly to protect itself from unwanted people. Normally the castle would protect the nearby houses for the civilians with walls but they would be ineffective as spiders would simply scale a wall no matter how tall. They instead opted for many patrols which was clear to see as the short way from the beginning of a clearing they had seen multiple soldiers patroling.
"This is just ridiculous at this point! How many do they have patrolling?"
"Star, it's unbecoming of your standing to shout uselessly like that. That said your statement is true, however, the many patrols are simply a show of military might. Worry not, we are close now."
Reaching the gate it opened swiftly and the guards watched as they all passed. The defenders sized up the escort and the escort did likewise. Knights were naturally very competitive especially when it came to other kingdoms' knights.
It was all good and fine as long as the royals were on good terms. The only problem that could arise was if a sir knight got in a conflict with another knight of equivalence. Star didn't know what the elite knights of this kingdom were called like her kingdoms sir knights.
What mattered to her was when it would be dark and only a few had to stand guard the rest would join the barracks in food and drink. It would be easy to imagine arm wrestling and other physically competitive activities to happen.
Star really wanted to sneak out and see the competitions. Perhaps even join a few of them. However, Mannfred had been an impossible object to avoid.
"Mannfred! How did you know I was here!"
Mannfred was currently holding Star by the shoulder at the foot of the tower where she had her sleeping quarters. She had climbed down from her balcony and after feeling the dirt under her feet she turned around and there was Mannfred not looking too pleased.
Another time she turned herself invisible and made a little trapdoor to crowl out of. Yet, not long after she ran into Mannfred. He had been waiting in ambush.
"Princess Star, I would suggest that you cease your improper behavior. I've been ordered by Queen Moon to keep your eccentric behavior down for the duration of this trip. I will contain you in your chamber if necessary."
"Surely you jest."
"Excellent reply, but I'm afraid not. Please don't make me watch you all night, Princess Star."
"Fine! Just take all the fun out of this."
"Must I remind you that this isn't a trip of vacation, but of work. I already told you the significance of this diplomatic visit. It isn't just to reestablish trade and confirm our relationship, but for you to grow closer to the princess who will be the Queen of the spider-bites."
"Yeah, yeah-" Star quickly changed her response seeing Mannfred. "I. will. go. to. bed." She said defeated.
The ones who were responsible for the iconic bites that plagued the Spider-bite kingdom's people were of a bloodsucking kind. They were basically a mosquito version of a spider. Unfortunately, they are still spiders, and their venom, while much less potent than others, leaves the iconic bite marks. The biggest advantage they possess is a high level of intellect compared to other bugs. It's why they were such a problem, however, they were no match for the mosquito net that Marco had prepared. An Item that one princess couldn't help being impressed by.
"Princess Star! This net is amazing. I haven't gotten a single new bite this night."
Penelope was ecstatic to say it mildly. A sentiment Star couldn't share. She just wasn't a morning person.
"I'm mighty happy to hear that, but I'm craving some breakfast."
"Of course, I'll get a servant right on it. In the meantime, you better freshen up."
Honestly, Star wanted to tell her off. Penelope had woken Star up by inviting herself in and then had the nerve to tell her she should freshen up. Penelope walked out of the room and then came Manfreed with a look that Star had unfortunately learned too well.
"Isn't it impolite to eavesdrop?"
"Star I didn't eavesdrop. I'm trained to have an ear out. It's for your protection. Of course, you can rest assured my lips are tight if caught in an intimate-"
"Okay! I don't need to hear that."
Mannfred effortlessly stated, "If you desire privacy you could always just soundproof the room."
"I can do that? Isn't it like irresponsible to use my magic like that?"
"Hahaha... Goodness, you aren't joking?"
He took a serious expression, well more serious than what it always is. She could swear that no royal had their nose as far up in the air as him or more rigid either.
"Princess Star, your privacy is of utmost importance. If you are having an important topic of discussion then I would say it's mandatory to ensure that not a single word leaves your room without your knowledge."
"And what counts as an important topic?"
"Princess Star, that is up to your discretion, but I suggest only you use it if necessary. I won't be able to protect you if I don't know you are in danger."
"Alright, alright. Anyway, I'm starving."
"Famished... Use the word famished or use a neutral word like hungry. Starving is..."
Blah, blah, blah was all Star began to hear as she rolled her eyes. She was already being lectured so she just opted to use a quick spell to freshen up and get out of the pajamas. Which earned her another lecture... Corn, she wished to have Marco back.
They were currently in an inn near a silk farm. The Spiderbite kingdom was the only kingdom that produced silk. The only other way to procure silk was to trade with merchants from other dimensions. The highest quality of silk was literally worth 10x their weight in gold. The only spider that could produce such silk came from the Yellow Death.
The name came from the fact its victims would turn into yellow goo from its venom. It wasn't the largest spider, but it was the deadliest. The reason why it was so expensive and why it was hard to mass produce.
The books Marco had gotten for her had been quite helpful in impressing Penelope in her pre-known knowledge of their kingdom. Mannfred had complimented her for it a few times, she had a feeling that was the reason he hadn't been more overbearing, not saying that he wasn't. It just wasn't as bad as it could be.
"Princess Star I just must know where I can get one for myself."
Penelope had her hands clasped together to which Star only could apologetically explain she didn't know.
"My squire was the one who got them for me."
"Oh, I see. It makes sense that you wouldn't procure such things yourself."
Star gave a strained smile. The visit was soon to be at an end. If Mannfred was here and not preparing the carriage, he would have told her nonstop how unprincess-like she had talked this whole morning. She couldn't wait to come back and make Marco her squire again. He would have made this whole diplomatic visit a lot more bearable.
"Princess Penelope, why don't I gift these two nets to you?"
"I graciously accept your gift!" A bit too eagerly and loudly she embraced Star's spontaneous gifts.
A lot more boring silk farm showcasing later she finally saw the light as they headed back to the castle. At dawn, she would be on her way home with lots of silk sheets, she had gotten "a little gratitude" from Penelope. The travel home was worse than coming as she had to hear the complaints her guards had about the nasty bites they had suffered on their week-long stay.
"Princess Star, I will say that this visit has been quite adequate. I'm impressed with your preparation."
"I always have to do that much, yeah?"
"Yes and no. You already have the minimum general knowledge of what's expected of a future queen of a foreign kingdom. You will only need to be aware of the future development of the spider-bite kingdom."
"That doesn't sound too bad."
"Right... In any case, most of the work is taken care of for you. With our current information network, we get a weekly report of the other respectable kingdoms. It's important that you at least skim through them and save the more important ones."
"More paperwork? Will you teach me that?"
"Nononono, I'm not qualified for those papers. Queen Moon will be the one to personally teach you. After all only the the queen can lead the kingdom forward. It would be downright treason for anyone but the royal family to guide the kingdom."
The long travel home couldn't have ended sooner if you asked Star. She had just entered the outer walls and saw the common folk pausing to see the extravagant carriage. The surrounding houses were beginning to look done. It had been two long months, but the kingdom finally seemed to look like its former self.
Knights and soldiers did manual labor to increase the effort to reconstruct the many destroyed homes. The peasants also seemed more at ease. It showed as the people waved to Star as she looked out the window.
It was a relieving sight as the time after she killed Toffee the people had a scrutiny look about them. It was understandable. They had failed them when Ludo stole her kingdom and ruled with fear.
"I will never fail like this again," she seldomly promised herself. If Mannfred heard he didn't show it.
The impressive gate to the castle opened as they approached. River was there to greet her, "Hello! Star. Come here." He picked her up in a crushing hug. One that Star was happy to reciprocate.
"Are you hungry? Do you have any bites?" He worriedly looked over Star.
"Dad, I'm fine. No bites, I'm as awesome as always."
"That's my girl." He clapped her back, "Now let's get you in here. Moonpie will want to see you."
River dragged her even before she could answer. He was more giddy than usual. But Star wasn't going to question it. Her mother properly wanted a report on how it went. Mannfred was undoubtedly going to give her one too, but maybe she just wanted to hear it from her mouth.
"Mom." The room she was in could only be described as boring. Star knew the room as a perpetual torment chamber where paperwork reigned supreme. Now if Star wasn't so biased she could properly admit that the furniture was elegant even the books that were sitting in the bookcases were pristine.
Moon was reading a piece of paper with a feather pen in her hand. "A moment my dear."
She crossed something on the paper but turned it upside down before Star could skim what the paper was about.
"So how were your first actions as a diplomat delegation?"
"My first? Did you forget I've been to the Lucitor kingdom? Mom I've been-"
"Star, I mean on an actual delegation. We both know that your visits to the underworld have been nothing but a vacation."
"WHAT! Pfft, no... I've been doing my duty seriously in the underworld." She didn't look convinced and if Star turned to her father then she would see that he wasn't either.
Not willing to continue debating she gave a quick report. There wasn't much interesting to tell. The delegation was simply a show of closeness and for the common people to know that the royal families were friendly. It was all for appearance's sake. The extra many patrolling guards were done just like sending 30 elite knights.
"Very good. I'm happy that it all went so well. On that note, maybe hear if Marco could procure more of these nets." Moon turned her head down and continued her work.
"I will Mom. Anyway, since we are on the topic of Marco. I will just let you know that he will be my Royal Squire."
"Sure, my dear. But you do know that you can't just change people's jobs on the fly? I will make an exception this time. Now off you go, I'm sure you're tired coming home from your trip."
Not too elegantly she urged Star to leave. A thing Star was all too happy to do. Unfortunately, she wasn't too quick about it as Moon called out for one last thing.
"One more thing. Tomorrow you will continue learning administrative work with me. So rest up."
Not letting a groan out she swiftly left and closed the door. If work was what she had to look forward to she would definitely spend the rest of the day relaxing. She could tell Marco about his promotion later when he was done squireing for the wash.
Squireing for the wash, was a funny thing when she thought about it. Weirdly enough it had such an innocent name but it was anything but that. She didn't know what it entailed but when she had first found Marco on her bed she had been dead worried.
Fortunately, he seemed okay. She smiled a little to herself when she thought about how he instantly fell asleep on his bed when he was only supposed to try it out. She couldn't bring herself to wake him up and just healed him and let him sleep.
Getting into her room she told the mirror "Call Tom," as the mirror was calling she fell onto her bed. She was missing her boyfriend and also just wanted to speak without worrying about being a proper princess.
"Hey Starship-"
"I think I'm going to die if I have to wake up tomorrow," Marco was currently slumped on a large bench.
"Quite the dilemma cause if you don't wake up tomorrow you have likely also died." Eclipsa quipped as she clipped a few roses at the stems of them. She was currently gardening. The taming of the overgrown roses was a challenge but an enjoyable one.
"That sounds nice right now. Not gonna lie."
"That's a funny phrase "Not gonna lie". That said if you so desire I could try to lop your head like a rose." She in quick succession snipped the air creating cling sounds emphasising her offer.
"No thank you, I quite like my head attached to my body."
Continuing her work she eventually threw a 2 m-long rose over her head. Seeing the thorny vein he groaned as he got up from the bench and relocated a cardboard bag meant for biomass. The rose landed perfectly on the half-full bag. The stem still towered half a meter over the bag.
Using his nails he pinched and began to twist. It was stubbornly not breaking and he increased his effort. Moisture escaped from the stem over his hands and when he finally broke it, he was rewarded by getting multiple thorns into his palm. He cursed to himself as the liquid on his hands stung his prickly wound.
Deciding that now would be a fine time for a small break she turned to her company. She sat down on the bench and watched Marco being extra careful with the thorns.
A little smirk found itself on her, "I find this rather amusing not gonna lie."
"What, my pain?" He said slightly offended.
"Yes, but mainly this is the 5th day in a row you are visiting me. Not that I mind the company of a Strapping young man." She teased followed by a dark smile, "For all you know, I have already brainwashed you."
Getting a proper look at her he saw her hands raised threateningly. Smiling he challenged her, "Worry not O'fear-inducing Queen of Darkness. I'm as sane as ever. I'm here simply out of a lack of options."
"Well isn't that just sad, but for my sake please keep struggling. I have no other way to procure snookers otherwise."
"You don't have to worry about that. Until Star comes back I'm pretty much stuck with you."
"Well, aren't you just lucky?"
"So fortunate. Who wouldn't desire to have a naughty, teasing woman all to themself." He mockingly added.
"Oh? Got all my good traits, hmm?"
"Shit," he had just let her change the direction to an area he couldn't fight her on. Throwing in the towel he stopped her before she could start.