In a different time and place...
Today was the birthday party of the princess of Fae. It served to celebrate not only her turning ten, but also to announce her talents for politics, magic and all her other studies, as well to announce that she was officially the heir to the throne-well at least until her brother was old enough. This had huge implications, as this meant, in the sudden demise of his and her majesty, the King and Queen; she would become the effective ruler.
Everyone here was a part of the upper echelons of the kingdom, from famous craftsmen and knights, to nobility and ministry. They of course came to see this new “Jewel of Fae”, to see her talent and beauty, but to also make some internal judgments about her personality and intelligence. There would be no point buttering up to an irrational princess, but a stupid or naive one might be easier to manipulate and a smart one would value your help and talent.
The main host, Princess Sarritina was nervously welcoming guests as they came.
“G-good, ahem, wel-lcome Sir Arnold.”
“How do you do princess? It is an honour to meet you. Might I later introduce you to my son, who will be of course inheriting the family house?”
“-Of course. I would-d be pleas-sed to meet him.”
The princess was acting really nervously, and other people behind were shuffling him, so the gentleman got the message and decided to move on. Thus the event continues per norm.
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However this ordered atmosphere ended the moment a brave childhood friend of the princess entered. He had always secretly had a crush on her, but the love was one sided, and thus miserable for him. The princess saw him as a cute little brother, though she was supposedly only a few hours older.
“My princess, I have held this in too long, please accept this love and devotion of mine. “
“I-“
“No! Think about my feelings and love first. I would be willing to do anything for you!”
At this point every single man and woman had his or her eyes on this play. The stares seemed to make the princess blush, though the boy seemed unabashed. A few that knew the backstory, quietly informed their less informed neighbors in quiet whispers, and soon the rumour mill was running. Everyone was wondering how she would deal with this situation, but secretly, everyone came to the general consensus that she would definitely reject him, albeit politely.
“-I…I accept…”
“EH!??!?!??!”
The crowd entered uproar at this statement. Their noise was so loud; the guards outside came in to check what was going on. Even some of the sentries near the outside sent one or two in, and when they heard what had just happened, they quickly entered shock and despair, before quickly running outside to tell their friends and fellow comrades. Quite a few guards secretly admired the princess in their hearts. Of course all this noise drowned the quiet mutter by the girl of “..if you’ll accept me for who I am.”
“What is all this ruckus? QUIET PLEASE! HIS MAJESTY THE KING IS ENTERING.”
And then the king entered, the crowd quieting down, though the mutters and whispering continued, half the crowd’s eyes, still looking towards the princess rather than towards the King. The king quickly seeing his girl, walked towards her, while flanked by his secretary and two royal guards.
“What was all the ruckus before Sarra...wait, …Ava, is that you? Where’s Sarra?”
Question marks floated above the crowd’s head.
“Your majesty, the princess was sick and is currently bedridden. She could not attend, so she made me attend in her stead.”
“Huh…that girl…. what does she think a body double is for?!”
Meanwhile, in her bedroom, lying on her double bed, the ill princess was continuously sneezing since a while ago.