Anointment
”One thing I’ve observed is that Katherine goes out of control at the most ridiculous of moments.” ~Elizzel, Faunel of Freedom and Consequences
Kristel clicked her tongue. “I really don’t want to wear this.”
She was staring at a headless mannequin, currently wearing a gown with a long skirt that was approximately twice her height. The sleeves were riddled with frills and patterns that flowed elegantly, but got in the way of movement. Not to mention the cape that came with it, along with the layers that gave even more volume to the dress.
Unwieldy could only begin to describe the entire… apparel.
“How so?” Monarch Denis asked. “During your mother’s time, she wore something similar to this almost every other night.”
“Poor mom,” Kristel and Scuti said at the same time.
The Second Princess had recently arrived, grimacing at her own proposed clothes. They weren’t as drastically embellished as the monarch’s gown, but her exasperated face was too twisted for someone who was only suffering from Art fatigue.
“What did you do all morning?” Monarch Denis asked, noticing the slight smoke coming from her back.
“Lessons with the Visitor,” she answered. “He made me run around the cloudbark while Milling and Gathering.”
“Until Art fatigue?” Kristel asked this time.
“That was my choice.” Scuti examined her gown closely, shaking her head all the while. “Can’t we get something less bulky?”
“I can propose some alternatives,” Frill said. Her voice was salvation delivered from the door she stood near. “I do not mean to overstep, Monarch Denis. But I believe we must cater this occasion to the celebrant first and foremost.”
The Monarch rubbed his chin in contemplation. “I dare not question your expertise in fashion, Frill. Frankly, you set the trend all the time. My only request is that you keep the regality of their attire. Not a jab at your idol fashion, mind you.”
“Of course.” Frill bowed and reached into her Spatiera. From within, she produced a small flower. It was surrounded by pure meiyal, providing a crystalline effect that obscured most of its features.
“I designed this battle gear using my Quiet Loom. I made it in such a way that it can be integrated rather than used as a medium for Meiyal Arts.”
“Integration?” Monarch Denis inquired. “You can make meiyal-charged materials now?”
Frill was quick to deny. “I don’t think I’m capable of doing something like that without becoming a Deitar. But since the base of my design is this Drop Oasis, which is already meiyal-charged, I discovered that I could incorporate its properties instead of limiting its potential with my designs.”
“Discovered, you mean…?” Kristel asked this time, letting her implication do the talking.
Frill followed along easily. “Yes, Katherine provided two Drop Oases, and I used the first one as an experiment. Xiv monitored my integration.”
“Can we see the design, then?” Denis asked.
“Of course, but I should make clear that the gear I did for myself is simple compared to what I made for Kristel.”
“But the basis is the same, right?” Scuti asked. Frill nodded.
“I’m curious, too,” Kristel said, noticing Xiv’s proud smile from behind the Aria. “Now, I’m really curious.”
The First Princess observed as Frill began to Draw. She noticed the significant difference of invested Milled meiyal compared to the other battle gears that she knew. It was tripled. Even more than just tripled, actually. The Aria was investing four-meiyal.
Not that Kristel’s observation Meiyal Art had determined it for her, but her experience with the near countless instances of Frein using numerous meiyal resources whenever he Drew his Arts made her sure of it.
I’m still lacking in this aspect, she admitted. Bonding her Destiny with Brymeia’s created a tremendous increase in both her power and confidence to the point that she almost felt like a different person. But she couldn’t pursue the next step without meiyal-charged materials. Without the world’s help.
I need to find my own materials.
“Delolera,” Frill invoked. It caught everyone’s attention. Much like an echo Meiyal Art or an observation Meiyal Art, a Drawn battle gear didn’t possess an Art name.
Meiyal surrounded the Aria. It took the form of a knight’s breastplate, creating a distinct feel of metal, cloth, and leather combinations. Cloth made out of her Milled meiyal floated above her shoulders and elbows to resemble her trademark fish motif.
Her skirt was opened, acting more like a hip scarf than a complete skirt. Instead, tights with flowing wave patterns wrapped her legs, while the hip scarf flowed like a full, curtain tail that covered her back from the waist down to the ankles. As if to emphasize this part, a ribbon of crimson meiyal accompanied the scarf.
Her greaves matched the metal theme of her breastplate, as well as her gauntlets, completing the feel of a knight’s armor.
The general color scheme of her battle gear was red and black. Kristel knew right away it was to pay homage to Liona, who had been supposed to get her own gear as well.
“Where’s the floral part?” Scuti asked.
“It appears when I Display my Exhibit,” Frill explained while she demonstrated.
The Aria’s Exhibit bloomed a circle behind her while her armor manifested layers to mimic the petals of a flower, rather than creating actual floral shapes or patterns. Shoulder plates materialized and connected with her gauntlets while her greaves extended the armor to protect her lower extremities.
Frill’s hip skirt bloomed as well, with the meiyal strand separating in four distinct parts. The flowing cloth on her shoulders and elbows extended to match the overall transformation.
Kristel found herself speechless. This form of Frill’s battle gear easily rivaled the Forged Armors of Vyndival. And Xiv’s admiration, well beyond his fondness for the person and more from his fascination towards the brilliant design, was all the proof that anybody needed.
“And mine’s supposed to be more extravagant than this?” she asked, feeling the armor with her hands. Meiyal thrummed around the gear as soon as it made contact with foreign Siffera. Kristel felt like her hand would fly off if she were to lose focus even for an instant.
“Yours have less of the floral aspect and more of the golden and white colors of the High Palace. I also made it a point to make your skirt be part of the design rather than serving an actual function.” Frill produced the Drop Oasis once again, showing it to the Princess first before presenting it to the Monarch. “Oh, and I’ve no intention of wearing this today. I’m joining the maids, and Xiv will join the butlers, as per the original plan.”
Kristel understood. It was a bit of a shame, but they had their jobs to do. She turned to her father. “Any thoughts, Father?”
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He nodded once. “Magnificent. But this will require you to integrate, yes?”
“I cleared it of any malicious Nightmare Influence,” Frill reassured. “Katherine helped me out.”
Monarch Denis turned to his first daughter. “Then, this is all up to you, Kristel.”
“I’ll integrate with it,” she said without any hesitation.
“Wait!” Scuti interrupted in such a way that Kristel had to restrain herself from going into combat mode. The Second Princess was looking at Frill with a desperate face. “What about my clothes?”
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“Well. I guess we’re both wrong,” Frein said. He and Katherine were on a balcony of the newly repaired hearing hall, observing the grandiose gathering for Kristel’s anointing.
The impression he had had regarding this place’s restoration had quickly become an afterthought. People of different races and species entered the hall, dressed to impress and challenge the monarchy to wear the best they could.
Gowns, suits, floating ornaments, mystical add-ons; they were all there. Frein suddenly felt a little bare. All he had for a celebration like this was a gray blazer jacket on top of his most pristine, plain, black shirt. He didn’t have the jeans to match the outer garment, but he tried to carry his outfit with as much confidence as he could.
“Yeah,” Katherine agreed. Her arms crossed while leaning on his shoulder. “That’s a battle gear.”
She, on the other hand, was dressed extravagantly just like everyone else in the room. She wore a black, strapless, off-the-shoulder gown layered with silvery white lines, and her prismatic Milled meiyal to impress as much emphasis in her full skirt that had a large tail end to the side as possible. It was as suggestive and confident as a person of her status could be without stealing the spotlight.
Frein was receiving all the signals from her as plainly as if she was whispering next to his ear. Even Elizzel from within his Mind Palace couldn’t escape the Lady’s suggestive looks.
Seems like we won’t be sleeping tonight.
“If you keep staring at me like that, I might just pull down my clothes,” Katherine whispered this time around.
“Look, Kat. I love you, but you don’t have to do things like this to impress me, alright?”
She lightly tapped his face. “It’s not always about you, pretty boy.”
“You’re saying you like this sort of thing?”
Katherine simply smiled.
Frein received the assignment without another word. “Fine. After the ceremony, then.”
The Lady of the Void leaned closer to his ears. Her lips pressed lightly on his earlobes. “Thank you.”
His hand failed to accept any of his desperate commands to stop and quickly moved to pull Katherine by her waist. Flashes of inappropriate exhibitionism crossed his thoughts, and Elizzel joined them willingly. It took all of his self-restraint to stop himself, to the point that his stoic façade lost all composure. The Lady enjoyed his struggle, but she was also fighting hard to keep herself in check.
“You started this,” he said, as he placed Katherine in front of him, putting her against the ledge. The crowd surrounding them provided such risky cover, heightened all the more by the fact that they were all looking at the Princess at the stage of the hearing hall.
Katherine read what he was thinking and relaxed, leaning her butt against his groin. She aimed perfectly and snuggly, and the comfort of her soft flesh made him harder.
Frein acted quickly. He surrounded Katherine with both arms and held the ledge of the balcony, making sure that she was properly covered on all sides. He could only hope that their outward appearance portrayed a sweet couple cuddling together at this esteemed celebration. And while that was still considered inappropriate, it was far more acceptable than whatever else was going on in their minds right now.
Distracted as he was, he still focused on getting everyone’s libido under control.
“I said, after the ceremony, Kat.”
“Mmm…” Katherine fully leaned on him comfortably. “Yes. Let’s stay like this for now. Don’t worry. I won’t move if you don’t.”
Relieved, Frein sighed and turned his attention back to the actual reason they were here.
Advisor Kento was giving a speech, something about the explanation regarding the Monarch’s challenge and why Tryvinal was no longer qualified to join. Just from a quick scan of the people around, most of which were—Frein assumed—important people, they looked relieved rather than confused.
A good sign.
He simply absorbed the gist of the speech. He was already too distracted with Katherine, but he couldn’t take his attention away from Kristel’s outfit as well.
“And I thought you didn’t have eyes except for Katherine and me?” Elizzel said, a hint of breathlessness in her voice.
“It’s just specifically the outfit,” Frein said, trying to convince the faunel. “And calm down. Why is everyone suddenly in heat right now?”
Frein shook his head and compared Kristel’s battle gear to that of the Royal Knights and Guard Knights that were currently present in the newly repaired hearing hall. They were evidently far apart in comparison to the design.
Even the Sky Knights, led by Ashtine and Smyl, in their more elegant armors, barely touched the grace of Kristel’s royal garments.
A sudden lull hovered in the air as everyone became quiet to provide Monarch Denis the silence for his formal announcement. He stood from his throne and gestured for his daughter to accompany her.
“This year marks the end of my reign. While I wish to serve all of you for far longer, it is apparent that my illness will not allow me that honor. Twenty-seven years feels painfully short, and I regret that they were not enough to prove myself a worthy leader.
“And so, I trust my next of kin, Kristel Irista, to bear the Crown and continue the Iristan legacy. I pray all of you will be patient with her as she learns the path of true leadership. Let it be known, that when the calendar turns for the new year, it will be the beginning of the prosperous reign of Monarch Kristel Irista.”
Applause filled the crowd. No cheers, no whistles. All seemed too normal for a declaration of a new era, as far as Frein was concerned.
“They’re waiting for her speech,” Katherine said, reading his mind without even bothering to look.
As she had predicted, Kristel took the center stage while Monarch Denis returned to his throne. Silence filled the hall once more.
Frein found himself leaning closer, and Katherine doing the same. Neither of them cared how their bodies currently intermingled with each other. The naughty thoughts and signals were gone, for now, replaced by the anticipation of the First Princess’s anointment speech.
He saw Kristel take a deep breath, her eyes looking around while she waited for the silence to take place. Then when she found them, she smiled.
At that moment, Frein and Katherine were in sync and smiled and waved back at her, hoping that it would give her courage. Of course, the ledge was enough to hide whatever else they were doing in the middle of the ceremony.
At the same time, however, something felt different with that smile. There was something off-putting, something unsure.
The synchronization between Frein and Katherine prolonged, as they realized together what Kristel had prepared for today.
“She’s going to tell them about the Incursion.”
The new Monarch began to speak.
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> My friends, citizens of Irista Nation, I hereby accept this charge: to be your leader, your protector, your guardian.
>
> Under my rule, your safety will be my utmost priority, while my council will help me make sure our lands remain prosperous for all. Under my rule, life will be encouraged to grow.
>
> I am sure, all of you are aware of the dangers lurking outside our territories. The Nightmare and its hideous Influence. We will not let it take our lands. We will push back! And we will succeed!
>
> If there is one thing I can promise you all today as your new Monarch. It is this: before my rule ends, we will free Brymeia of the Nightmare, and restore our world to the glory it once had.
>
> Our charge is to protect the entire world, not just our own country. Engrave this onto your hearts, my friends, citizens of Irista Nation. This is our world, and we must save it.
>
> I know, this is too much to ask. You all expected a grandiose speech of a new monarch who will cater to all of your agendas and plans for the future. But I implore you all to unite now, abandon your short-term desires and think of your children’s children.
>
> The Nightmare is closing in on us. If we do not fight back, if we let this chance slip away, there will be nothing left for our future.
>
> I will not let the Nightmare consume us. I will fight, even if I have to do it alone. But I’m confident that you all will join me in this endeavor.
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Frein felt a surge of meiyal as Kristel Displayed her Exhibit. Her armor transformed, providing her with meiyal strands that acted like wings.
She looked like a floral paladin, a templar, or whatever other kind of knight of light and glory that Frein had in mind. The amount of power coming from her battle gear was enough to make everyone gasp in awe, filling the hall once again with applause. Cheers and whistles accompanied them this time.
The next moment, Kristel removed her Exhibit. She glanced towards their way again and gave a quick sign of apology.
“Well, I didn’t think it’d be like this,” Frein admitted. “I suppose it’s better than what we thought.”
“Yeah,” Katherine said. “And it looks like she won the crowd.”
Frein observed said crowd. He found it difficult to believe that people would simply accept a speech coming from a new leader, telling them to fight for her. But he was quickly proven wrong.
Excitement was in the air. And then it clicked for him.
These were people who had suffered from the Nightmare Lands one way or another. They all had motivations to help them fight against it. And now they had found themselves a leader prolific enough to take charge, and one strong beyond their imagination.
Frein couldn’t help but smirk. “Well done.”
“Frein,” Katherine whispered. She was squirming a little. “They’ll be busy for a while with the party. I can’t hold it much longer.”
He didn’t take any chances. He pulled her by the hand and slipped away from the gathering to find someplace open but isolated.
The moment they turned the corner however, Katherine pushed him inside what seemed to be a powder room. She locked it while Elizzel manifested out of his Mind Palace.
The two ladies were hungry, and he was more than happy to provide.