Chapter Text
The day started like any other. I got up, got dressed and went to work. I went about my daily business as usual, nothing too exciting happened. A few clients walked in, I sold a couple of things… overall everything was like it normally went down, and to be honest I thought it was pretty uneventful. That is, until I finished up and headed back home.
The clouds were gray and thick as usual, the scenery as depressing as ever. I have to admit though, I think I’m starting to get used to all this.
“Only 16 more days until the wedding. That Joseph guy hasn’t come back, though! How am I supposed to marry him, if he’s not even here?” I mumbled to myself.
Suddenly I heard a slightly familiar voice. “Your Highness, is that you…?”
I turned around, but no one was there. “H-huh? Wh-who said that?”
“It IS you! I thought so! I’m down here, your highness!”
I looked down at the ground and saw a small purple cat with a waistcoat and glasses. He seemed vaguely familiar, but I just couldn’t put my finger on it. “Wait… who are you?” I asked, confused.
“Y-y-your Highness…!! You really don’t remember me!? It’s me, Alix! I’m your father’s personal servant! We don’t talk much, but you’ve at least seen me before, right?” the cat exclaimed, offended.
Oh, yeah, now I remember. He was always walking by my dad and discussing with him the plans for the country’s economy, or something. He was also the one that usually scolded me on what I should or shouldn’t do. He’d busted me and Lewis trying to sneak out of the castle on many occasions. Suddenly a yell pierced the air and interrupted my thoughts.
“ALLLLLLLLIIIIIIXXXX!!”
We both turned our heads in the direction of the sound and saw Lewis running straight toward us. He passed me like a hurricane and glomped the poor cat. “Alix!! You’re okay! Thank goodness!”
“L-Lewis, my boy! Put me down!” Alix demanded, barely drawing his breath and my servant was finally brought back to his senses.
“Ah, sorry…!” he said and let him go. “So, what are you doing here, Alix?” Lewis asked, still looking overjoyed with the meeting.
“I actually came to look for you two. I’m glad that I’ve finally found you, though, I’ve been spending the last couple of weeks going from kingdom to kingdom.”
“So then King Sakka and Queen Lilla are safe too, right?” Lewis interrupted.
“Yes. All thanks to some help from another kingdom,” Alix responded calmly.
Lewis and I exchanged glances. “A-another kingdom?” my friend inquired.
“Shortly after the invasion started, an army came out of nowhere and fought off Cesathis’s soldiers. I have no idea who they were or what kingdom they were from though,” Alix said.
Some army showed up from who knows where and they don’t even know which kingdom it’s from? Lewis didn’t seem too bothered by that fact though and immediately looked at things from the positive perspective.
“So our kingdom is safe then?" he said. "Ah, thank goodness. Wait, does that mean that we can go back home now?”
My heart skipped a beat. Can we really go home? So soon? I mean, not that I didn’t want to and it’s great that I don’t have to marry that jerk, but I was just becoming accustomed to life here! I made some friends, I had a job, and I felt like I was finally doing something on my own. Unlike back home, nothing was handed to me on a silver platter and no one backed down for me here. And…. I did meet new people… I wasn't sure I’m ready to say goodbye yet…
“Unfortunately, no. It’s still too dangerous. Finding this kingdom and you two would’ve taken a lot less time if I didn’t keep on getting captured by soldiers,” Alix said, snapping me from my thoughts.
“You were captured!?” Lewis gasped.
“A few times, yes,” Alix said nonchalantly. “But I’m small and sneaky. Escaping was never that hard, but the two of you should stay here until the war ends. Anyways, I’m going to head back home now,” he added and turned to leave.
“Already? Can’t you stay around for a little bit longer?” Lewis asked longingly.
Alix turned to look at him with sadness in his eyes. “No can do, my boy. The king and queen are waiting for me. I’ll come back to visit when I can. Just take care of Princess Rose, all right?” he said and disappeared into the woods.
“A-ah, be careful, Alix! Please have a safe trip home!” Lewis yelled after him as our eyes lingered on the spot where his silhouette vanished.
Wow, I had no idea Lewis and Alix were so close. I guess I never really paid that much attention before. Sure, I’ve heard Lewis talk about him, but honestly, I always associated him in my mind with political business and thought he was kinda dull.
“There he goes… Well, at least we know that our kingdom is safe, right?” Lewis said, trying to sound cheerful. “You… still have to marry Joseph though,” he added in a low voice. “It might be another year or even two before the war finally ends.” I looked at the ground angrily. So I don’t get to go home AND I still have to marry him? “Well I better get going, Milady, I’ll be in my house as usual if you need me,” Lewis said and left me alone.
I resumed my walk, but as I was passing by the castle, I spotted guards by the entrance. “Guards? Does that mean…” I mumbled to myself and approached.
When I got to the castle gates, one of them extended his spear in front of me.
“State your business,” he said coldly.
“I’m here to see King Joseph. My fiancé,” I explained.
“Name?” he asked again and shot me a glance.
“Rose Urwin, Princess of the Lunar Kingdom. Now let me pass!” I demanded firmly and he finally complied.
I walked in the big entrance hall and looked around, like the first day I set foot in it. It looked a lot more beautiful now, and not as ghostly and empty. Servants walked around, some of them staring at me curiously as they passed. Magnificent paintings hung from the walls and it was much more welcoming. I walked straight into the throne room and as I expected, found my husband to be sitting on his throne with a bored expression.
“Are you back, or am I imagining things?” I said instead of a greeting and walked closer.
“I can’t guarantee for your mental health, but yes, I am back now,” he replied rudely.
My eyes narrowed and I remembered why I don’t like him. “And where have you been?” I demanded, abandoning the pleasantries.
“Nowhere important. It’s none of your business,” he said. I sensed my blood boil.
“How can you just leave like that!? You’re the worst!” I almost yelled.
“Whatever you say,” he said indifferently.
And I have to MARRY this guy!? I’ll never survive it. Or he won’t. The last one’s more probable.
“Nice dress. Did that servant of yours get it for you?” he asked, because I was too busy glaring at him to say anything.
“Are you making fun of me?” I snapped.
“No. What made you think that?” he said calmly. I was so surprised at the way he said it, I couldn’t answer. “It looks good on you. I actually kind of like it,” he said, still a bit nonchalantly, but hey, at least he made me a compliment. That’s a first for him.
“Yeah, I don’t really like the colour, but I guess it’s alright,” I said hesitantly. Why was it that I expected him to say some snarky remark and come off as a jerk again at any second?
“So I’m the worst… what makes you say that?” he inquired again. He honestly doesn’t get why I think badly of him?
“Why? Did I hurt your feelings?” I said.
“Nope.”
I stopped for a second and eyed him suspiciously. Can’t he hear the words when they come out of his mouth? “You left without saying goodbye. That’s why,” I finally answered, though that was only a part of it.
“But I just met you. I don’t have to say goodbyes to a stranger,” he replied simply.
If we’re such strangers, why are we getting married? Clearly he didn't care enough to tell me goodbye.
“So… am I nothing to you?”
“Wrong. Right now you’re my fiancée. Did you forget?”
This guy wasn’t making any sense.
“Even if we’re strangers, it would’ve been nice if you said goodbye.”
“Geez, Princess. There’s no need to make such a fuss over something like that,” he said, as if I was the one acting unreasonable.
“You don’t have to call me by my title. Since we’re betrothed, you can address me with my name,” I said, feeling that since I’m stuck with him, I have to at least try and make nice.
“Right… what was your name again? Oh, you never told me, did you?” he remarked sarcastically.
“Well I didn’t tell you, because you never asked!” I exclaimed angrily.
“Calm down, will you? Do you get worked up over everything like this?” he said, making me want to smack him over the head with a brick.
“Why does my name even matter if you don’t care about me,” I said in my defence.
“Who ever said I didn’t care?... Because in fact I do,” he said, sounding offended, but I wasn’t sure if I should buy it.
Joseph seemed… weirder to me now, somehow. Initially I thought he was just a big jerk, but now… it seemed like he didn't even know he’s a jerk. What’s wrong with him?
“You’re a really weird guy,” I said. I never was one to hide my true opinions.
“I suppose I might be.”
“And you seem… less cranky now.”
“You think so? Maybe it’s because I’m feeling better now that I’m home…” he trailed off and didn’t say anything else.
“So what are you going to do now?” I asked to break the silence.
“I don’t know. I’m tired. Maybe I’ll take a short break. Oh, and before I forget…” he said and pulled on a string, hanging from the wall.
“You called, Your Majesty?” a middle aged woman said, coming in the throne room.
“Yes. Martha, bring the princess her dress.”
“Yes, Your Highness.” The servant bowed and exited.
“I’m holding an engagement ball here tomorrow night,” Joseph said, turning to me. “I bought you a dress, so you don’t have to come in tatters. Though, now that I think about it, this one would’ve done fine… Ah, well. I’ve already bought it anyway,” he added, just as the servant returned.
“Here you go, Your Majesty,” she said, handing me a bid rectangular box. “Will that be all, Sir?” she inquired toward Joseph and he made a gesture to show her she’s free to go, and with another bow, she left the room.
“You’re holding a ball?” I asked, examining the box in my hands.
“Yeah. My advisors said every King must hold one a few weeks after the engagement. I’ve already sent the invitations. Every nobleman from the kingdom will come, and whoever makes it from other kingdoms will attend too. Your servant is also welcome, as the only representative from your kingdom, aside from you.”
“Can I… invite someone from the village?” I asked hopefully.
“No,” he cut me off. “This is for noblemen only. Peasants won’t fit in, anyway. Now if you don’t have anything further to say, leave. I need to take a nap,” he said and got up from his throne.
I swallowed another rant against his behaviour and escorted myself out.
So he threw a party for us without even asking me? This marriage isn’t going to be a picnic, is it? Just out of curiosity, I took a peek inside the box. He chose what I should wear too, huh? If he thinks I’m just going to be a goody little queen and go along with everything he plans without so much as a squeak, he’s DEAD wrong! Betrothed or not, I’m not going to let him order me around!
… But the dress is pretty nice.