“There!” Ravenna grinned and handed the mirror to her, “Look for yourself.”
Mira turned the glass and examined herself. Her ruby red lips popped against her pale skin. The golden eye powder shimmered under the lights. The thick black eyeliner made her eyes seem so much bigger than they were. She tilted her head oddly as she looked at the strange woman that stared back at her. It was much bolder than the last time she wore makeup to the festival. All this pampering made her feel like a doll.
Encante chuckled and brought a memory to her mind of Calosa finding makeup and playing with it with a human woman. Mira smiled as Calosa used the powders and liquids to make war paint and the woman gasped and quickly wiped it off her face.
“Your mother was never one for paints.”
“What is it?” Ravenna asked, “You don’t really show what you’re thinking.”
“I feel beautiful,” She handed her friend the mirror back, “Thank you.”
She sighed in relief. Though the odd woman showed some emotion, she was generally stoic in all aspects.
“I still do not see why this is needed,” She looked at the palette of paints, “Encante showed me that my mother used them as war paint before. I could do that instead.”
“We aren’t at war, Mira. We are going to dinner,” She chuckled.
Mira nervously ran her hands against her legs as she stood. She looked back to Ravenna with a slight blush.
“Are you sure that you can handle Bobabano tonight?” She whispered, “I don’t want him to notice I’m gone for too long. He’ll worry.”
“Oh, we will just fill him with drinks and talk about sailing,” Ravenna played with a loose ribbon in her hair, “I’ll make sure you can sneak away.”
“Thank you,” Mira nodded and played with the large tulle skirt of her dress, “I feel kind of ridiculous in this.”
The black, strapless dress hugged her frame snuggly. Just above her waist, it trumpeted out into a fluffy tulle that bounced as she walked. It ended just below her knees. Her red heeled shoes were uncomfortable on her feet.
“I asked around. This is the modern style worn by humans,” She shrugged, “Bo already bought it. It was easier than trying to get something altered in time.”
“I did not know a tournament would require this much dressing up,” Mira played with her auburn curls, “It seems silly.”
“People with money want to meet talented warriors,” Ravenna shrugged and adjusted the heart-shaped bust of her dress, “They are likely funding the tournament and the militia that Queen Azalea wants to create.”
The two women chatted until a knock-on Ravenna’s door caught their attention. Amethyst entered, dressed in a smart suit instead of a dress. The mustard yellow against her mossy green skin was an odd combination to Mira, but she didn’t want to judge. The yellow warrior paint over her eyes is something that she would have preferred over the layers of makeup. She shot a glance at Ravenna to say this, but her friend ignored the look.
“Opal and Emerald want to meet with you after dinner,” Amethyst cleared her throat.
“Emerald?” She scrunched her face in through, “Wait, do you mean –”
“Yes, the other Blesséd Three,” She nodded and scratched at her boxed braids, “Otherwise known as the Mysterious Magnificent Em.”
Ravenna turned, “The illusionist?”
“The one and the same,” She chuckled, “He is a talented mage, but loves to entertain.”
“Very well,” Mira said, “We should head to the dinner soon.”
The three women walked from the guest wing of the palace towards the throne room. Makeshift walls had been moved to allow for more space. The elegantly decorated room glittered with gemstones and gold. It held an uncountable number of guests. At the thrones, Queen Azalea and Prince Krission greeted everyone that walked up to them. The queen wore a gold dress with rubies sewn into the decorative embroidery. The prince’s formal military grab matched his mother, with an emerald silk scarf over the shoulders. The other contestants waited near the thrones for a formal introduction. The three women walked towards the small group and found their comrades waiting.
Bobabano wore a fitted white suit with red threading. The naval seal was embossed over his heart in gold and red. He whistled as Mira approached.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“You are an immaculate woman,” He grinned, “I am the luckiest man alive to just witness your beauty.”
“T—thank you,” She blushed shyly, “You don’t look so bad yourself.”
Mira noticed the other orcs from his ship were dressed in similar suits to Bobabano, but his had many more details woven into the fabric in red and gold. He also had golden warrior paint the same as Amethyst, and the rest of the orcs had a bloody maroon. Bo kissed Mira’s hand as she joined them behind the thrones. Jonen walked towards them and paused when he saw Mira.
She drank in the sight of him. Instead of the formal Travel Knight garb she expected, he wore a stylish black suit with a silky teal shirt beneath it. The low-cut fabric showed off the muscles of his chest and highlighted a golden symbol of his alliance on a chain that was attached to the collar of his shirt. He ran a hand through his styled hair and kept the other in his pocket as he approached.
“Sir Jonen,” Bo nodded to the man.
“Captain Bobabano,” He returned the gesture before he looked to Mira and lowered his head respectfully.
She smiled, “I expected you to wear your formal attire.”
“My commander said that would not be enough to stand out,” He shrugged nervously, “She wants me to proudly represent. Even gave me the necklace to borrow for the night.”
“You should be honored to make it past the first round,” Amethyst grinned, “You did great.”
“Well, if Mira hadn’t stepped in –”
“The man was unfairly attacking you,” Bo interrupted, “He lacked honor and has been dealt with as such.”
“Bo,” Mira narrowed her eyes, “What did you do?”
“Do not worry, my mermiana. He is still alive,” He wrapped his arm around Mira’s shoulder and pulled her close to him, “He tried to kill your friend. I must set an example to anyone that might overstep.”
“Thank you, Captain Bobabano,” Jonen cleared his throat, “I know we have not seen eye to eye… but I appreciate your help.”
He snorted in return and waved a hand casually, “I told my men to back off. Many orcs outside of them will likely do anything to get my favor. Now that they understand my mermiana is mine, they are less likely to kill you to impress me.”
“The whole bloody city knows she’s yours,” A soft voice chuckled behind them.
The chocolate skinned smiled softly and curtsied to Mira. She wasn’t wearing anything extravagant or attention getting, which is much what Mira would have preferred. The woman outreached a hand with a small note in it.
“Aisling,” The woman introduced herself, “Bragnoun sends his warmest regards.”
Mira slipped the note between her breasts to read later, “Thank you.”
“Know that we will concede when the time comes,” She winked as she stepped away from them, “Until then, I’ll be around.”
The dark-skinned woman smiled proudly and quietly sunk back into the crowd. Mira knew that the note would likely give her a sliver of information she wanted.
As the rest of the advancing contestant winners arrived, Mira felt the tone of the room shift. It was no longer friendly chatting and bravado. Now, they were the spectacle to behold by the upper echelons of Zrud’s society. She tried to sneak back against something to at least protect herself a bit in case a fight broke out. She bumped into Bo until he placed his hands on her shoulders to steady her.
“You can relax. I will have your back,” He whispered before he kissed her cheek, “As will Amethyst. There is no need to fear the crowd.”
“I do not fear the crowd.”
“No. You just want to be prepared,” He chuckled, “There is no reason to fight here. There are too many capable warriors. I doubt he will show.”
Mira physically relaxed as he calmly explained that her former master would not appear. She searched for him throughout the city but was yet to find him.
“You’re right,” She whispered, “I just don’t trust this.”
He squeezed her shoulders and pulled her closer. Bobabano knew she wouldn’t fully relax, but he wanted her to have some semblance of fun.
“Good evening, everyone!” Queen Azalea stood from the throne, “I joyously welcome you to the dinner! The competitors moving forward are currently behind me and will join us momentarily. Please, I encourage all of you to sponsor your favorite contenders and offer whatever you are willing to our cause.”
“At the end of the night, your donations will determine the next round of competition,” The prince grinned and stepped to his mother’s side, “Now, welcome our honored guests and let’s show them what Zrud has to offer our best warriors!”
The mumblings of the crowd quieted for a moment, then thunderous applause erupted as they walked into the room. As Mira felt herself panic, Bobabano grabbed her hand and pulled her forward to stand next to him. She scanned over the crowd for any potential threats, but all she saw was fancily dressed people of varying races – though mostly the dwarves native to the area. Mira and Ravenna were the least modestly dressed of the entire room. Her face turned a deep red as she suddenly felt embarrassed.
“You are here to be seen, Little One,” Encante chuckled, “No need to be shy now.”
After a few tense moments, the prince cleared his throat, “Please, competitors, join us in dancing, drinking, and general merriment. Enjoy what we have to offer to your hearts content!”
Bobabano grinned and wrapped his arm around Mira, “Praise the Goddess for that!”
The room laughed and Mira shook her head. He thrived under all the eyes. Perhaps it was because he grew up in a palace, or he just felt natural with all the attention on him.
“Dine with me?” Bobabano winked at Mira, “You promised.”
“I did no such thing,” She shook her head, “But I will.”
She watched Jonen look away sadly as they walked towards the numerous tables centered in the room. Bo kept one hand on her waist to guide her around and keep her c close. Each table surface was decorated with velvet cloth, golden goblets, utensils, and other fancy tokens. He pulled out the chair and pushed her in gently.
“Ravenna says you wanted some time alone tonight after all the attention,” He and sat in the chair next to her, “I will still remain close by.”
“You don’t need to do that,” She shook her head as he sat next to her, “You deserve to get some restful sleep.”
“I can stay in Tiero’s room,” He whispered, “I don’t want to let you get too far away from me. Amethyst has been busy with the other side of your business here.”
“It has taken a lot of her time. I’m grateful that you’ve been there.”
“Are you now?” He grinned as he wrapped his arm around her chair proudly, “It seems you will finally accept me.”
“Bo—”
“You will one day,” He winked, “The entire world will know you love me.”
“You know that—”
“It doesn’t matter if it’s not true,” He sighed helplessly, “I will at least get to brag.”
“You are an odd one, Bobabano.”