Chapter Text
“Please join us in celebrating the union of Crown Prince Malphis the Second and his beautiful bride Princess Iofi. A toast to the happy couple, may their marriage be blessed with happiness and prosperity”
Cheers rang through the reception hall as glasses were raised in honor of the newly wedded couple.
Nerissa, third princess of the Ravencroft Kingdom, took a sip of her champagne before swapping it out with something more pleasant. It was no secret that the princess was not much of a drinker.
“I can’t believe our little brother is now married” Aradia commented from her left. They were all seated at the table designated for the royal family. Her parents, sisters and their partners all spread across a lavishly decorated table.
It was decadent, the platters of expensive food placed throughout piled high with meats, cheeses and so much more. Items that had been splurged on for the sake of status.
“Yeah, it was only yesterday he was hiding on the battlefield playing with his ballistas because he had missed their anniversary and was too scared to come home” Her father chuckled, patting her brother on the back hard enough to make him wince slightly.
“Dad, you know it wasn’t like that. Those ballistas are important and need to be upkept.” Her brother responded, knowing no one would believe him. Luckily his bruised ego was soothed by his bride who kissed him on the cheek.
“Now all that’s left is for our darling sister to get married” Malpha joined the conversation steering it in her direction. A teasing sisterly grin on her face.
“Hey now, this isn’t about me” She defended holding her hands up. “Today is about my brother as the beautiful woman he somehow convinced to marry him”
It was an easy deflection; the pair were truly glowing with the happiness that only comes with finding the love of your life.
Nerissa envied them. She was 25 and still single. Her dating prospects ranging from people after one of three things: Her money, her status or her beauty.
You would think holding an attraction to both genders would have increased her chances of finding love but sadly so far it has only brought more trouble.
Tonight wasn’t the night to dwell on it though. She was welcoming a new sister to her family. Iofi was actually her friend before she was her brother’s partner, so it thrilled her when the two had started dating.
She stands up and gives Iofi a big hug “Welcome to the family sister” it’s punctuated with a kiss on the cheek.
“Thank you Nerissa”
The reception continues for another two exhausting hours. Nobles and dignitaries making a point to grab her attention as rounds were made. The awareness that she was the last available princess of this kingdom rewarding her with thinly veiled interest and more than a few inappropriate remarks.
She could not be more relieved when her father finally gave her the ok to leave.
Instead of making her way to her private chambers she headed down a different path as she still had one mission to complete. Looking around to make sure no one was watching, the mischievous princess snuck into the kitchen and greeted the staff who were cleaning up.
“Your highness” the instant she was spotted everyone paused their tasks to pay their respects. She waved at them sheepishly in greeting, uncomfortable with the sudden attention.
“I just wanted to stop by and give my compliments to everyone for their hard work tonight. All of the food was delicious. You have all outdone yourself” She praised, enjoying the way their faces lit up at her words.
“Thank you, princess, we are honored” The head chef told her.
“Make sure you take some of the leftover’s home for your families, I have already cleared this with my father. Everyone earned it making sure my brother’s big day went off without a hitch”
“We couldn’t possibly, your highness” One of the cleaning staff protested meekly.
She smiled reassuringly “Of course you can, if you don’t it will only go to waste. I would much rather it go into the bellies of the people keeping this kingdom running”
As if to prove a point she picked up a grape and placed it against the young woman’s lips, watching her blush as the grape slipped past her lips.
“Cute!” She thought to herself watching the girl fluster as she ate. The room had fallen silent watching the unusual interaction.
Remembering herself and her status she took a step back and gave one final thank you before exiting the same way she had entered.
Thinking she had gotten away with her secret mission, Nerissa was surprised to find a figure standing in the hallway as if waiting for her.
Familiar blood red eyes boring into her curiously.
“Captain Bloodflame” She greets politely. It was entirely uncommon for the captain of knights designated to foreign affairs to seek an audience from her.
“Your highness” The knight bowed politely, stoic as usual.
When she didn’t say anything, further Nerissa found herself growing impatient. She was tired and it was no secret that Elizabeth Rose Bloodflame was not a fan of hers.
“Can I help you?” The princess asked, her tone clipped.
Elizabeth seemed surprised by her question. Her posture straightened even more so than normal.
“Ah, no your highness. I was simply waiting to escort Lady Ollie back to her room. I apologize if I have intruded in any way” The captain responded ever so politely causing a spark of irritation to flow through her.
As if on cue Lady Ollie Kureiji’s voice could be heard coming from the ballroom. Within seconds the zombie noble had approached their location, smiling when she spotted Nerissa.
Rissa liked that Ollie only dipped her head slightly in respect before allowing herself to be pulled into a friendly hug. The zombie an ex of hers who she had parted with on good terms. One that she now considered a really good friend.
“Hey gorgeous” She greets her with a grin as they pull apart, ignoring Elizabeth who was just standing there observing but saying nothing.
“Hey there yourself princess, looking mighty beautiful tonight” Ollie looks her up and down with an exaggerated look that makes them both laugh.
“We really must catch up while you are here” She tells her.
Ollie was from the same lands as Iofi, in fact that was how she had met her newest sister. The trio shared a love of art and music, which had resulted in them attending the same academy growing up.
Unfortunately, the distance meant they didn’t get to see each other as often as Nerissa would have liked. It was her hope now that Iofi had moved here, Ollie may visit more frequently.
“We really should, let me know when you are free girly. I know your schedule is probably packed with all these people in town for the wedding” The sweet zombie tells her.
“I will have Cecilia check my schedule and arrange a high tea for us” Nerissa promises, making a mental note to tell her assistant to schedule something in.
“Sounds good, now I don’t want to keep Elizabeth here waiting so I shall take my leave. Goodnight Princess.”
Nerissa watched them walk away with a sigh. The two retreating figures are clearly comfortable in each other’s presence.
Was it wrong for her to feel slightly disappointed that Captain Bloodflame hadn’t been waiting for her.
The pair had known each other since they were 13 years old. Back then things had been different. Before they were old enough to understand their difference in status, before Elizabeth had taken her oath as a knight of the kingdom.
Overnight the goofy friend that brought her roses she had “borrowed” from the royal garden and snuck her candy disappeared, replaced with a stoic straightlaced knight who only responded in overly polite tones and kept her distance unless absolutely necessary.
Elizabeth’s change had been the first reality check for Nerissa that no matter what she did, people would always see her as nothing more than a princess. A tool used for the betterment of her kingdom.
Unwilling to continue down that train of thought on such a joyous night, she shakes her head and continues making her way to her room.
The demon princess had plans early in the morning that she wanted to be well rested for.
Once in her room, she stripped off her suffocating dress. She took a shower, careful not to get her hair wet and slid into her ridiculously comfortable bed.
Within minutes she was out like a light.
The light knock on her door the next morning woke her up. Cecilia’s tired voice on the other side of the door.
Despite having her own key, the automaton had learnt early in their relationship that Nerissa didn’t like sleeping with clothes on, so she always waited for her to slip on a dressing gown and unlock the door herself.
It made Nerissa grin every morning that Cecilia wouldn’t meet her eyes until it was confirmed she was decent.
“Good morning CC” she greeted cheerfully despite still waking up.
“Good morning princess” Her assistant greeted her, clipboard in hand. It was clear the automaton had come prepared with an agenda of items for her to perform today.
Rissa ducked behind her divider, pulling on a dress before going to brush her teeth, listening as Cecilia ran through her appointments.
It wasn’t as bad as she thought it would be. A morning tea with some visiting nobles before her favorite part of the day.
Nerissa had a guilty pleasure. She loved stories of Princesses falling in love with their chosen knights. The romance novels on her shelf filling her head with fantasies of meeting a noble knight who would swear to be by her side forever.
That fantasy had been responsible for a monthly event her father had approved of where she would join the soldiers from within the castle to observe their training session and hand out meals of thanks which she had prepared specifically for them.
Her presence was good for morale; she had been advised. The knights training harder than ever to earn her approval. She loved it.
There was even a couple of handsome men she had her eye on, not that she would admit that out loud.
The morning flew by in the blink of an eye, full of sweets and tea she made it on time to her personal kitchen to start cooking the meal for the 30 knights she would be seeing today.
Their commander Kronii had let her know it would be a smaller group today as most knights would be assigned extra patrols with so many important people in town. It was a shame but their wasn’t much to be done about it.
After the meal she would have to rush to see her father anyhow so it was probably for the best.
Nerissa had decided on home made sausage rolls and potato salad. Something that was easy to make in bulk and generally enjoyed by most people. Preparation was completed an hour later.
Thankfully Cecilia had arranged some staff to help her carry the goods down to the training grounds. So she loaded up two trays of potato salad and started walking towards her destination, leaving the rest behind to be transported.
To her surprise, for the second day in a row Captain Bloodflame appeared, eyes sweeping over her in calculation. Before approaching and holding out her hands.
“Please Princess, allow me to carry those for you” Eyes expectant as they looked at the trays in her hands calmly.
Taken aback, Nerissa didn’t even object. Hands reaching forward to answer the request automatically. Elizabeth took the items without saying another word and walked by her side.
Nerissa snuck looks at her from her peripheral, trying to understand why the knight was being so helpful. No answers came though as Elizabeth’s gaze was steadfast on the path in front of them.
The silence was broken when they arrived at their destination “Where would you like these placed?”
“Ah, over there should be fine” It was awkward, the false pleasantries. Elizabeth simply nodded and followed her instruction.
“Is there more that needs to be collected?” The knight asked when she returned. It felt like she was in the twilight zone, this was the most conversation the pair had had in years, and it was over potato salad.
She shook her head “No, Cecilia arranged some other staff to bring the rest down. They should be here shortly”
“Understood, then if you will excuse me” The captain nodded before walking over to some of the junior knights who were setting up for training.
Would Elizabeth be participating today? She wondered. It certainly seemed so.
“ALRIGHT” Elizabeth commanded, her voice carrying across the whole field “GATHER UP EVERYONE, ITS TIME TO START YOUR DRILLS”
It was impressive watching each knight react to her booming voice. Nerissa had only seen Liz in captain mode a few times but each time it was certainly a sight to behold.
The woman dubbed the “Scarlet Knight or The People’s Knight” had earned both titles through dedication and a lot of hard work. Despite their relationship now, Nerissa would always admire the woman she had become.
Even if that woman irritated her sometimes.
“Good day your highness” A young knight by the name of Garret greeted her with a charming grin. Her dark locks curling over his face, slightly damp from sweat after an intense training session.
His looks were both boyish and handsome. The sparkle in his eyes and dimples on his cheeks made him swoon worthy and Rissa was not immune.
“Good day Sir Garret” She returned his greeting, making sure to add an extra serving of potato salad to his plate. A gesture that was noticed if the slight blush on his cheeks was anything to go by.
She giggled as she handed him his plate, encouraging him to eat so he could grow even stronger.
Everyone was fed in record time, that was except for Elizabeth who was still looking over the equipment they had just used for their training session.
It made her sigh. In the entire time she had been doing this, Elizabeth had never accepted a plate of food from her.
For months she had tried, even going as far as cornering the woman and demanding she ate with the others.
The knight captain had simply reminder her that it was improper for a captain to eat amongst her subordinates.
When questioned about what protocols enforced that dumb rule, her former friend had looked her in the eyes and simply told her “There is no rule, but it would be hard for the knights to relax and enjoy the food with their leader around”
Nerissa had wanted to argue but it wasn’t her place. Instead, she had conceded defeat and offered to keep a plate of food aside for her which had been politely rejected with a promise she would eat something later.
It bothered her but unless she wanted to use her royal authority, there was nothing that could be done about it.
She left the clean up to her helpers reluctantly as she had to rush to get ready for her meeting with her father.
Bidding farewell to the grateful soldiers, she rushed to her room. Having a quick shower to wash off the smell of the kitchen before putting on a freshly cleaned dress and fixed her hair.
Her father was waiting for her in the throne room when she arrived. Head bowed in respect for his official standing. When they were in this room he was more than just her father, her was the king.
His personal guards Calliope and Kiara stood either side of him whilst his advisor Ina stood off to the side looking through a stack of documentation. Her mother was not present.
“Your majesty” She greeted respectfully. He smiled
“Father is fine for this meeting darling” Her father told her warmly, dropping the pretenses and formalities.
“Of course, father. I understand you have something you wish to discuss with me?” she asked curiously.
“I do, please come closer” he gestures for her to come closer. When she does, he begins to speak.
“As you are I’m sure aware, your brother got married yesterday. Making you the last of my children to get married.”
Her stomach dropped as the feeling of dread started to seep in. She nodded.
“I am not the type of father that would force his daughter into an arranged marriage; however, I do feel like it is in this kingdom’s best interest that considerations are taken to ensure your future happiness.”
She chooses to say nothing, wondering where this is going.
“With that in mind, I have been receiving offers from other kingdoms. Each offers their own selection of potential suitors for your hand. What I would like is for you to travel to these kingdoms and spend two months getting to know these candidates in the hopes that at the end of 12 months you will return to us having found someone to settle down with”
The request isn’t unreasonable; her father knows it and so does she. Failing to find her own match within the kingdom had left them with little room to reasonably refuse the requests of external suitors without risking the chance of offending their allies.
So instead of trying to find his instruction, she accepts it with grace.
“As you wish father”
“Excellent” Her father gives a nod of approval and respect. “I have put together a team that will accompany you on this assignment. A group specifically designed to help you navigate foreign kingdoms.”
Oh know. The realization struck her hard at these words.
“This team will be known as Justice. It will consist of 4 participants. First your assistant Cecilia Immergreen as your expert in linguistics and customs. Roara Panthera, who will be heading up surveillance and Gigi Murin as your secondary guard and intelligence gatherer”
Her father pauses and Nerissa knows what name is coming next.
“Leading them and your primary guard will be Captain Elizabeth Rose Bloodflame”