(Yeee)
“I need to choose my future king? I have no choice in this matter! The marriage is arranged, is it not? I have to marry who you tell me to and that’s that.” Savannah tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, clearly frustrated. “And that’s the problem! That’s the primary reason why I’m upset about the situation.”
Georgiana quietly placed a hand on Savannah's arm. If you want to win an argument, you must keep your temper, she thought urgently.
Caspian's eyes twitched as he resisted the urge to roll them. Lillian saw the subtle movement of his face, and placed a hand over his before he could say anything. "Alright, so, maybe when I said 'choose' I didn't mean…choose. But, Savannah, I assure you that we've picked only the most eligible for our daughter." She looked up at Caspian, willing him to say something kind for once.
The king closed his eyes for a moment. "Yes, of course. We wouldn't have some degenerate running our kingdom." Lillian frowned and pinched the back of his hand, making him flinch in surprise, but he kept his posture. "I mean…ahem…only the best for our future queen-" Another pinch. "Daughter. Only the best for our daughter." He snatched his hand away from his wife's and rubbed it, avoiding her gaze.
Lillian sighed, turning and gently running a hand through the girl's hair. "You must understand where we are coming from, Savannah. The importance of an event such as the marriage of two royals…"
Damian had almost forgot what he looked like under all that hair. But when he looked in the mirror, he saw the Prince said of him. "You're lucky I found you in time. A ball is coming-" Damian held a hand up and Margery quieted down. "It's not a ball. It's a engagement party, isn't it?" All Margery could do was look at the floor. She knew he always wanted to marry someone he loved. Damian was a kind Prince that took care of his country, helping those in need. "I'm sorry. Your parents will be arriving tonight, so you should clean up a bit." Margery walked out and decided it would be best to leave him be for now.
“Yes, I’m aware it’s important. It’s just… why so early? Neither are you are about to die or anything. Why must I take over so young?” Savannah sighed, looking down at her hands. “I’m not sure I’m really ready for it yet.” She knew they were going to hit her with a ‘nonsense, you’ve prepared for this your whole life’ speech, but she didn’t much care at this point.
"We've been preparing you for this since you were old enough to read, Savannah, so do not speak such nonsense." Caspian said, unable to hide the slight annoyance in his rumbling voice. "No, your mother and I are not facing death anytime soon, but that does not exempt you from your royal duties. Not only will we be allying ourselves with another kingdom in the most sacred way, but Lillian and I have much more work and traveling to do in the near future, and it is wisest to have someone to take our place while we are away."
"Okay, love, stop before you-" Lillian tried, but her husband didn't listen.
"Besides, do you honestly believe that you are the youngest to be given rule? Your mother and I were your age when we were betrothed, and I could name three kingdoms right now that were once left in the hands of heirs younger than yourself."
"Caspian, please."
"But of course, they were much more experienced and prepared than you. They knew what they were doing and their kingdoms thrived in the hands of children. How will our kingdom see us when you act this way, Savannah?"
"Caspian."
Lillian stoop up and reached for his hand, but he swatted her away.
"Sit down, Lillian; your coddling will only fuel her rebelliousness."
Then, the queen, with her sharp golden eyes, tilted her head upwards and presented her regality in a way that even the king couldn't rival. "Your harsh words and judgement are what fuel her, Caspian." She spoke lowly. "I am not going to object to having Savannah married, for it is not my place, but you will not stand there and berate our daughter for speaking her mind. There is nothing we can do about the marriage but help her, and this is not helping."
The king inhaled, as if he was going to say more, but let out a shaky breath and diverted his eyes from hers. Lillian turned to look at Savannah and Georgiana. "Apologies, my dears."
Georgiana flitted her eyes to the ground, startled by the king's words. She knew it wasn't the first time the king had acted like this, but yelling of any kind made her blood run cold.
Savannah's heart was pounding in her chest at this point, and she had gently grabbed Georgiana's wrist during her father's rant. A couple tears rolled down her face, but she ignored them. "F-Father… just because other kingdoms have left the reins in the hands of people younger than me doesn't necessarily mean it's right, does it? I'll obey, father, I just ask that you try a bit harder to understand my situation. Of course I love the kingdom, but I love other things too! The one thing that our subjects have that we don't is real love! I am to marry for necessity, but our subjects… they can marry someone they truly love."
Caspian sighed, rubbing a hand along his face. He cleared his throat, and stared at his daughter silently for a few moments before walking over to a window. Lillian shook her head at him, then sat back down and spoke softly. "We…I'm sorry, sweetie, that this is how things are. You're right, it- it's not the best system, but it's how kingdoms stay in order. It's how they make sure that they are led by only the most capable - those who are trained to be so." She pulled Savannah closer, rubbing her back. "But…who is to say you won't come to love this prince once you meet him?"
(When is the ball?)
(We could say it's the upcoming weekend and time skip?)
Savannah brushed away her tears. "I… I-I don't know, mother. Technically it's possible, and I'm sure I could find some way to be happy either way… I'll… I'll figure something out, I suppose. That is what rulers do, after all, isn't it?" She sighed quietly and looked back down at her hands.
Lillian hugged Savannah, squeezing her tightly and kissing her head. Caspian turned to watch them, then sighed quietly. "I'm sorry, Savannah." He said, moving closer. "I know this is…difficult…and I should not have snapped at you."
She nodded. "It's alright… you're just trying to do what's best for the kingdom. Isn't the masquerade ball this Saturday?" Savannah asked. She'd been looking forward to it for a while, and she already had a dress for it. ( https://i.pinimg.com/736x/ef/c7/dd/efc7dde5f1737f2f64113cb041b6f7bf.jpg )
Georgiana smiled at the thought of the ball. She loved watching the people in their fancy outfits doing a dance as if they'd known it their whole lives. If she got to serve food and drink, she might get to talk to a prince, even!
(woah that's heckin' beautiful)
"Yes, it is." Caspian said. "That is when you meet the prince."
"Not to put anymore pressure on you." Lillian added quickly. "Tell me you're looking forward to meeting him, at least?"
(Hey guys I'm going through some things right now, so I probably won't be back on tonight. But tomorrow I should be back.)
(Is everything okay?)
(I hope everything's alright)
"I suppose so… I mean, at least I'll be able to see who he is before we, you know, rule the kingdom together and all." Savannah curtsied a bit before exiting the room to go to her own chambers. She sat down on her bed and looked out the window thoughtfully. I should do some reading so I'm better prepared to rule, I suppose. She rummaged through her shelves until she found a suitable book and began to read. (Should we time skip to the masquerade?)
(I'm good with that)
Marcus watched the princess walking to her room. After she disappeared, he glanced at the other guard. The up coming ball would be interesting…
(I’ll go ahead)
Savannah finished readying herself for the ball, adding the finishing touches to her hair. ( https://content2.latest-hairstyles.com/wp-content/uploads/fancy-hairstyles.jpg ) She smoothed down her dress and careful put her mask on before leaving her room. She greeted the guards and went to where she was supposed to be announced. When she walked into the ballroom, the announcer called out, “Princess Savannah of the Oakslan Kingdom!”
The king and queen, who were already seated in their thrones at the front of the room, smiled as their daughter made her way through. The ballroom was near silent, with the soft music and faint chatter as patrons awed at their princess.
Caspian didn't have to look to know that his wife was already slightly bouncing in her seat, so he placed a hand on the excited woman's arm to still her before anyone could notice.
(lol just realized I totally forgot about Riverpaw, what do with her?)
(Oof. Perhaps Riverpaw and Marcus could have an encounter because I need something for my poor guard boy to do other than stand around and look handsome)
Savannah smiled softly at all the people, just trying to get through without being crowded too much. She noticed some professional photographers on the side of the room taking pictures of her, but she didn’t think too much of it. There’s so many people here… which one of them am I supposed to marry?
Caspian hoped Savannah wasn't too nervous as he motioned for her to join them on the throne pedestal. Lillian, ignoring her husband's sigh as well as the surprised looks from the people standing nearby, happily stood and went down the small set of stairs to meet her daughter with a hug.
Outside, Riverpaw shook slightly as her friend Eleena led her and her sister down the regal hall towards the ballroom. There were too many people around, and she knew that, but she had insisted that they attend the event. So much for "staying away from humans", but this was a chance for them to see royalty up close. Sky wasn't too keen on the idea - royalty shouldn't matter to a couple of wolf shifters who live in the forest - but she wouldn't let her little sister go alone. Or, rather, alone with a human she didn't fully trust like her sister did. Riverpaw sighed as she subtly scratched at her side - she wasn't used to her human form, and she was definitely not used to dresses.
(Oof. Perhaps Riverpaw and Marcus could have an encounter
because I need something for my poor guard boy to do other than stand around and look handsome)
(I was gonna have my character pretend to be doing work, like taking invitations, just to see the rich people, and she could talk to Marcus? If you wanted? Idk.)