DISCLAIMER: The fellow VTubers in this story may not be depicted accurately and only a perception created by the author.
“Her Royal Majesty Queen Acanthus!” the usher announced. “Her Royal Highness Princess Serenity!” The two women moved forward to greet King Talamaar.
“Acanthus, my friend!” He kissed her hand. “It’s been too long.”
“I’m always happy to visit,” Acanthus replied. “I’m excited to finally meet this admiral of yours.”
“Right after the ceremony, I’ll introduce you! And speaking of introductions…” He trailed off as he looked at Serenity. She curtsied.
“This is my sister Serenity. She’s been traveling but came for a visit just in time for me to drag her along,” Acanthus explained.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty,” Serenity said.
“The pleasure is all mine.” He kissed her hand the same as her sister’s. “Allow me to show you to your rooms.” They all fell in step as Talamaar led them from the throne room to more of the castle. Serenity felt as though she was intruding on her sister’s and the king’s company. They spent most of the walk catching up and teasing each other. She was grateful when they reached her room and she could leave them alone together. She waved happily at the flirtatious couple and went inside.
Serenity walked through the modish suite, heading straight through to the bedroom. She smiled at her luggage sitting neatly at the end of the bed. Palace servants could always get luggage to the rooms long before their guests arrived. Serenity unlocked her trunk and pulled out a few gowns and jewelry boxes. The promotion ceremony for Admiral Hraesvelgr Melromarc was a formal event with a ball to be thrown immediately after.
Serenity smiled to herself as she sat in front of the vanity to style her hair and makeup. She was the only one who knew why King Talamaar was going to the trouble of such an event. He was worried about his most prized naval officer being snatched by one of the most notorious pirates on the seas. And the ball was merely an excuse to invite other dignitaries, specifically Queen Acanthus. A small laugh escaped Serenity’s lips as she painted a black line over her eyelid. Those two could barely keep their hands off each other. She continued to smile to herself as she applied a few strokes of mascara to her eyelashes and a touch of blush to her cheeks.
Shortly after she had changed into the dress Acanthus had packed for her, a servant arrived to escort her to the ceremony. She was directed to sit in an ornate chair in the front row next to her sister. Slowly, the room finished filling with guests of all kinds. Serenity clenched her fists on her knees as she saw other naval officers taking their seats, laughing with other militant officials. A few other royal dignitaries such as a duke and a viscountess were also in attendance.
Acanthus lightly placed her hand over Serenity’s fist. “Don’t worry,” she whispered. “You know how to be a princess just as well as a sailor. No one’s going to suspect you. Even if they did, they wouldn’t dare accuse a royal of being a mere pirate.”
“Shh!” Serenity hissed back but she laughed. Her sister was right. She had no reason to worry about being caught. But she was more anxious about what might happen after the ceremony and how Hraesvelgr would react when he saw her.
Suddenly, a trumpet blared through the throne room followed by absolute silence. King Talamaar was announced and he took his seat in his throne, looking quite regal. The anticipation in the palace was suffocating until the double doors at the end of the hall banged open and Hraesvelgr Melromarc strode in confidently. Just before the dais, Melromarc stopped. “Rear Admiral Hraesvelgr Melromarc presenting, Your Majesty,” he said confidently and firmly.
“Approach,” Talamaar replied, rising from his throne. Hraesvelgr moved up the three steps and knelt before his king. Talamaar looked toward his guests. “To all gathered here, we recognize the courage of this man before you as well as his long and honorable service to our Royal Navy. This man has served and protected our beautiful kingdom for many years and it is time we show our appreciation.” A servant brought out a black hat embossed with gold on a red cushion. The king took the hat and presented it to the man kneeling before him. “Rise now Hraesvelgr Melromarc as Admiral of my Royal Navy!” Talamaar’s voice boomed out the last sentence and applause erupted throughout the hall. Melromarc stood, taking the hat and tucking it under his arm. He shook Talamaar’s hand and stood beside him as the ceremony ended.
“Now presenting King Talamaar and Admiral Melromarc!” Applause filled the ballroom as the king and his new admiral entered. Once the doors closed behind them, the music started again and guests began dancing. Serenity and Acanthus stood beside the food table, sneaking snacks as they talked. Talamaar dragged Melromarc over to them, snatching two glasses of champagne on the way.
“Good evening, ladies,” Talamaar said, handing each of them a glass. “May I introduce you to Hraesvelgr Melromarc?” He grabbed Melromarc’s elbow and dragged him forward. “Hraesvelgr this is Her Royal Majesty Queen Acanthus and her sister Her Royal Highness Princess Serenity.”
Melromarc bowed. “It is a pleasure, Your Majesty.” He kissed the back of her hand just as Talamaar had and then turned to her sister. “It is indeed a pleasure.” He stared into Serenity’s green eyes as he kissed her hand. “Would your highness do me the honor of a dance?” Serenity smiled in response and he led her away to the dance floor. “Were you going to tell me you were a princess?” he asked as he placed his hand around her waist.
“I wasn’t even going to tell you I was a pirate,” she responded teasingly. “But you seem to have a way of dragging information out of me. I assume that has something to do with you being an admiral.”
“I can think of more fun ways to drag information from you than by accident,” he joked. He spun her around, her dress twirling about her. “Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?”
Serenity blushed. “I think you got a little hung up on the princess thing but thank you.”
“I was simply making conversation. The things I want to tell you aren’t appropriate for polite society,” he whispered in her ear. A chill ran down her spine. He trailed his fingers up her back. “How would you feel about getting out of the palace with me?”
“Would your king approve of the guest of honor disappearing from his own party?” Serenity chided.
“I think he’s a little preoccupied.” Melromarc spun her around again to show her Talamaar and Acanthus dancing and getting a little too handsy with each other. The music ended and he whispered in her ear, “Meet me at the inn in an hour.”
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