Ria Avalon, High Princess of Acordia, opened her eyes for what seemed to be the seventh time that night, as she lay in her cabin, aboard the Acordian Navy flagship "Deliverance". She felt too anxious to sleep, yet tired enough that she knew it was necessary to rest. After all, she was sailing to Clarines Kingdom to meet their First Prince, in an arrangement of courtship.
Ria gave a sigh of exhaustion as she slid upwards from her bed and looked at a nearby mirror. She was a little taller than normal for her age, with a fair and shapely build. Her long, curled, oak-brown hair was currently kept in a braided tail down to her waist, with long bangs over her shoulders. Her lilac eyes were glistening in the faint light, but they were weary from the voyage.
"I hardly look presentable." Ria murmured to herself, but she then shrugged. "I suppose that'll change before dawn tomorrow. After all…that's when we arrive in Clarines."
She mustered a faint smile, thankful for her father's wise decision in turning away all of her Acordian noble suitors. Some of them were pleasant enough, but others…were not to either Ria or her father's high standards. One of them spoke as if the decision had already been made in his favor, and they were already engaged.
Suffice to say, once that suitor had finished speaking, Ria had ordered him to leave immediately, and to never come near or speak to her again in such a manner. When the suitor attempted to protest, the Guards quickly intervened. Once this was reported to her father, this suitor was barred from entering the Acordian Royal Palace ever again, and was nearly censured by the Court.
Ria gave a frustrated sigh at the unpleasant memory. Above all, she longed for a partner that not only loved her for who she was, but for her heart and character. She was grateful that her father understood this and supported her wishes. Ria got up from her bunk, and decided to get some fresh air on the upper deck, hoping it would put her mind at ease.
The sailors currently on the deck of the ship saluted as she appeared, and Ria motioned for them to be at ease. Standing by the captain's wheel, she glanced up at the night sky above, which was filled with stars. Her pale pink nightgown rustled in the breeze.
"Good evening, your Highness." Said the captain, who approached and stood at a respectful distance. "If I may ask, was there something you needed?"
"No, I couldn't sleep, that's all." Ria replied. "Your vessel has provided for an excellent journey…I suppose I'm nervous about tomorrow morning."
"With all due respect, Highness, who wouldn't be?" The captain replied. "I may not know what it's like to be in your position, Princess, no offense…"
"None taken."
"…But if I were to sail to another kingdom under your circumstances, I'd certainly be nervous." He added. "If it is any consolation, I have been to Clarines before."
"Tell me, what is it like?" Ria asked.
"It's…certainly a beautiful place." He responded. "Even though I was only there for a short time, it was very memorable. For example, when I needed to purchase supplies for the crew at one of the many markets in the capital, Wistal, I found everything I needed for far less than what I had expected to pay."
"The people of Clarines are kind and welcoming, and though I didn't catch any glimpses of their two Princes, I've heard that they do many good things for their people."
"That is a significant relief." Ria replied. "Do you think I'll be welcomed in the way you were?
"Of course you will, if not better. That's not even much of a question." The captain chuckled. "It'd be shameful if they didn't, I reckon."
"I suppose so." Ria smiled. "Captain, I'll try to return to bed now. Thank you for the conversation."
"You're welcome. We should arrive in Wistal by dawn." He replied. Ria bowed in thanks, and returned to her cabin. She quickly settled into her bed, and was soon quite drowsy, to her great relief. She briefly touched a crystalline pendant at her neckline, and smiled faintly. This pendant was all she had with her when she was found and adopted by her father, the King of Acordia. It was very dear to her, and she never took it off unless she was obligated to.
As she curled up slightly under the covers and was soon asleep, the ship sailed on undisturbed towards Clarines.
The First Prince of Clarines, Izana Wisteria, stood passively at his office's balcony, his sapphire blue eyes clear and alert, despite it being quite early in the morning. To his side on a small table was the letter from the King of Acordia informing him that his daughter would arrive in Clarines in four days, as per their agreement.
Izana knew what he had committed to when he entered into the agreement, and yet, he felt as if a piece was missing from him. He had only learned of Princess Ria Avalon by her name, not by appearance, so he knew that preparation was key to their efforts.
"Lord Brother?"
Izana turned to see Zen Wisteria, the Second Prince of Clarines, enter and stand next to him on the balcony.
"Zen," Izana asked. "Is everything prepared?"
"Yes." Zen replied. "The final preparations have been made, and Princess Ria's accommodations have been seen to. Everything is in order."
"Good." Izana smiled slightly. "Tell me, Zen…what do you think of this arrangement?"
"I'm not sure how to respond to that, Lord Brother, as I am not subject to it" Zen replied. "Is there something that is troubling you?"
"Only an odd feeling of trepidation, but…I feel that once I meet Princess Ria, that it will abate." Izana sighed. "For now, I suppose I will get some brief rest. Good night, little brother."
"Good night, lord brother."
As Zen quietly departed, Izana turned to head for his chambers, with that odd feeling of missing something in his heart persisting. However, as he fell asleep, its presence was soon forgotten.
As the sun began to rise over Clarines a few hours later, Prince Zen and Prince Izana, alongside several Clarinesian Guards, Kiki Seiran, Mitsuhide Rouen, and Obi, stood at the main gate to Wistal Palace. Most were dressed in formal attire for this occasion, and Kiki, Mitsuhide, and Obi wore their Knights' robes and cloaks.
Everyone stood clearly and at attention, despite the time, patiently waiting for their guest's imminent arrival.
As the sound of carriage wheels came closer, and was then followed by the carriage itself, and the escorts. Izana breathed in to relax himself as two Acordian Royal Guards dismounted, bowed to the two Princes, and one opened the carriage door.
As soon as Prince Izana's eyes settled on Princess Ria Avalon, he felt as if the world around them came to a sudden stop.
The Princess wore a vibrant pink and white-trimmes gown with a modest two-layered skirt that was slim enough to be comfortable to move in, yet wide enough to be formal and elegant. Her hair had a white ribbon woven into it, and wrist-length gloves completed the outfit. There was a bowknot and trailing short ribbons at her waist, and the dress itself had a flower design patterned into it.
Her beauty and grace, simply put, was spellbinding, and Izana had to mentally snap himself back to reality as she approached.
"First Prince Izana Wisteria…I am Princess Ria Avalon of Acordia." She said, her voice sounding like an angel's. "It is good to meet you."
"The feeling is mutual." Izana replied. "My honor to meet you as well, Princess."
"My thanks." She smiled confidently, though on the inside, she was awestruck at Izana's appearance, much as he was to her.
"Would you care for a tour of the palace?" Izana asked, after a few brief moments. "Then, I can show you to your chambers, if that is what you want."
"Lead the way." Ria offered her arm, and Izana slowly took it, almost as if touching a glass doll. It didn't take long for them to find a comfortable grip, and as they both headed into the Palace grounds, Prince Zen and the others moved to follow.
As they walked together that moment, the feelings of trepidation and being without something dear in Izana's mind…faded in an instant. As the sun earnestly began to shine in the sky, neither Ria or Izana could keep from smiling.