Quinn couldn't stop the annoyed expression forming on her face when the butler called her a princess. A small part was the stereotype with that title, with princesses being viewed as pretty dolls that relied on others to rescue them, to be sure. The majority of annoyance came from ignorance of the butler. It wasn't entirely the man's fault that it seemed no one outside of Ruthen knew that the kingdom does not have 'princesses' or 'princes' just children of the Kaisers.
Instead calling her a princess back at home, people say daughter or heir of the East Kaiser. Granted compared to 'Princess Quinnevere', 'Quinnevere, daughter of the East Kaiser' was a mouth full. She guessed she will just have to get used to it during her trip. The alternative of constantly correcting everyone that made the mistake would be even more frustrating.
Before she could give her reply to the butler, a timid voice spoke behind her. A young blonde haired man stood on the deck, looking unsure what was going on.
The butler peeked over the Kaiser heiress and his expression brighten up, probably glad to have a reason to excuse himself from Quinn.
"Ah, Prince Ingram of Iroldak you arrived! I'm so glad you arrived safely, and now we have everyone. Please wait here with Princess Quinnevere for a brief moment, your highness. I'll inform the other escorts of your arrival and then we'll greet the High King in the throne room."
With a quick bow to the two royals, the butler left the two. Quinn eyebrow gave a quick twitch to being call the wrong title once again. It was something for her to get over, but it was not going to be easy. Turning her attention away from the retreating butler to the new arrival.
As far as first impressions of Prince Ingram go, it was hard to believe that this mouse was to be Iroldak's King. Quinn always thought that Iroldak's ice lands were just as harsh as Ruthen's deserts. Honestly, she was expecting something.... more. Well, it was certainly not her place to question Iroldak's politics. Who knows, maybe what the mouse lacks in physical presence is made up for in another strength?
"Greetings. I am Quinnevere, daughter of the East Kaiser of Ruthen," she introduced herself, still looking annoyed. Her tone didn't help her seem more approachable. It was direct and stern, as if she was instructing a general or officer. No one ever claimed that social tact was never one of her strong suit.
Mere moments later, the butler returned as promised and started to led the two royals to the castle. As they walked, it was easy to spot the other guests as uniformed personnel retrieved them over the green landscape. The scene seemed similar to a herder trying to round up their loose camels. Though the 'camels' here were other guests and were welcomed company compared to the unfriendly smelly mammals back at home. Once the personnel lead everyone to the castle entrance, they were moving as a single group.
Quinn was a little surprised to see.... seven other guests- eight including herself. She expected it would be just her and the other three royal heirs. Then the High King presenting them their fiances in the throne room. Not only the unexpected guest number, but half of them seemed.... off. For a lack of a better term. From what she could gather, they didn't seem to be nobility by their clothing or how they carried themselves. Perhaps there was a mistake that was made? Unlikely. If it was a mistake, it would have been corrected at the docks and not inside the castle. What exactly was the High King planning anyway?
She didn't have to wait to find out. Their journey through the marbled hallways came to an end when the group come up to two guards posted outside of a giant double door. After a brief exchange between one of the escorts and the guards, both men rose a hand to their half of the door. Their hands gave off a blue glow as two runes circle appeared on the double door, but they vanished as they appeared. A loud
clank echoed as the double door slowly opened.
Being a seer, Quinn was not familiar with magic outside of her own abilities. If she had to guess, the guards were probably warlocks and the door was protected by an visible barrier? Or maybe the spell was the key to the door? Either way, it seemed to me a useful prevention measure. She'll have to bring it up to Kaiser Gregor when she returns home. To see if Ruthen could somehow duplicate the throne room door.
The High King's throne room was massive to say in the least. It was easily several times larger than the one in Castle Warwick. The floor was similar to what was in the halls with being decorated with black and white marble, but unlike the simple square tiles outside of the room. It seemed that the floor was separated into a basic black-white square title pattern with gold trim around them. Each section, be it made from black or white marble, had its own pattern with various diamonds and triangles. It seemed that the pattern within a pattern floor was everywhere except the very center of the room, where a circular old stone like flooring was. The stone had some writing on the edge of it, but it was nothing Quinnevere recognized. It also had an image of map view of the four kingdoms.
The sides of the room were supported with elegant pillars and between every set of three was a Elphanor banner. The opposite end from the door, there was a stair case that lead up to a small platform where a large throne sat. Behind the throne, the walls were windows' view was nothing other than the sky itself. Unlike when she left Ruthen, the sky was no longer bright blue. The setting sun filled the sky with reds and oranges while filling the throne room a warm glow.
On said throne sat an elderly man, nearing the end of his years. Despite his old age, the man still had an imposing presence. There seemed to be a powerful air of dominance surrounding him. It was almost years of experience of commanding was the very atmosphere of the room. It was just as bit as awe inspiring as it was terrifying. There was no doubt they were in the presence of the High King himself.
'Now this was a spirit of a ruler', Quinn admired as an escort gave a bow to the man before the escort turn his attention back to the group.
"Introducing, his Majesty Nicodemus Dreyar, the High King." Quinn gave a respectful bow. It was apparently what was expected from her or anyone in audience of the High King, according to her grandfather's advise from years ago and from Gregor before she left. Honestly, it was easy to show respect for the man. It was obvious that he knows the power of his position and how to use it.
With his job announcing the High King done, the escort and his co workers left the throne room. Leaving only the High King, Quinn, and the other seven guests. Once the doors closed, Nicodemus cleared his throat. Catching anyone's attention that were watching the escorts leave.
"Greetings, Prince Jonah von Heliospect of Gai, Prince Ingram Hanson of Iroldak, Princess Serafina Renelle of Tibolt, and Quinnevere Pheros, daughter to Ruthen's East Kaiser."
About time someone on this floating rock got her title right.
"And I welcome you Anton Erland, Kavos Tyr, Genevive de LaCroix, and Seras Oxbaren."
It seemed that Quinn was right about the four other guests not being a mistake. Still it was more than a little odd that none have titles. Even lesser noble homes still announce their title at every opportunity. Which once again brings up the question, who exactly are these four? She didn't have much time to ponder the answer before the High King continued.
"Let me start on thanking all of you for coming on short notice. As many of you are aware, the reason I summoned the eight of you here is because I decided to arranged the marriages of the kingdom's heirs."
Yes, yes. She already knows this. Can we just skip to the part where she meets the poor soul that is betrothed to her? Then the two can return to Ruthen, where she can go back to work.
"I will admit that this is a bit of unconventional, and probably bordering on being unorthodox, that I not only arranged your marriages but having the future rulers of the kingdom being betrothed to commoners."
Huh? Was this some kind of joke? Sure, in Ruthen, it was not unheard of that the winner of Grand Tournament chose the marry the son or daughter of the Kaiser they represented. It was always one of the younger children, while the oldest or chosen heir choosing a partner with political ties. He was right that this was ordeal being unorthodox.
"I assure you that I have my reasons, and I do believe this is for the best for everyone. For the individual arranged pairs, that will be announced at the ball, in honor of the engagements, at the end of the week. After ball, you will not immediately go back to your kingdoms. Instead, you all will spend the upcoming year together and experiencing each kingdom's unique culture. So after your stay in Elphanor is finished, you all will begin your journey to Gai- Prince Jonah's and Kavos home."
So much of going home and doing something productive. Instead the High King is setting them off to a sight seeing vacation for a huge year. It isn't like the Grand Tournament is approaching, and she has to make sure to chose a champion for said tournament. Nope, she had nothing but free time and zero responsibilities. Why wouldn't she just adore sight seeing and becoming besties with everyone?
No matter what problems with the High King's plan, it was not like she can object. Even she knew that it was not her place to question his decisions. His tone and delivery of his words were clear that there was no room to negotiate. Like it or not, she'll have to go along with it.
"Now, I know you had a long day and are probably weary from your trip. Rooms have already been prepared for you. I do hope you enjoy your stay in Elphanor."
With the High King's permission to leave, Quinn didn't waste a heart beat hesitate to take him up on his offer. With another bow, she exited the throne room. She didn't look back or care to notice if anyone had the same idea as her or if everyone else was introducing themselves to each other.
She could already hear her father correcting her actions. Likely pointing out that she should social with the others. Make sure she was seen in a positive light and not someone that was difficult. Get information about the other kingdoms and perhaps even getting hints of their defenses and military strength from the other royals- if she was lucky. Maybe even finding out how her betrothed was and then plan accordingly.
She just had enough and wanted nothing else to go to bed. That wasn't the truth, truth was that she wanted to stab a training dummy repeatedly and she would have if not for the long travel. The next best thing was sleep.
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The first rays of the morning sun filled the empty room, the bed already made and nothing was out of place. The presence of the Ruthen royal long gone. Instead sounds of slashes and stabs echoed through the training grounds. Even though she wasn't home, it was no excuse to slack off or get off her routine. The routine starting an hour before dawn with a blade and a unfortunate dummy.