"I choose. Shadow"
"Shadow?"
"...Me?"
"Yes. You heard me right. I choose Shadow to spend time this week"
Shadow and the rest of the people were a little confused as to why the Queen would choose her personal ninja, of course not all of them are confused, there is an exception to two.
"I am so proud of you, sister!"
"Congratulations on finally choosing"
With her sister and Penzilvana's prompt on clapping their hands.
The rest of the people also clapped and congratulated Shadow and the Queen.
"It looks like you won the time with the Queen. Shadow, make the most out of it," Ouran says with a wink.
Shadow was blushing furiously. After the announcement, they relaxed in the garden.
"My Queen"
"Hm?"
"Why did you choose me out of all the suitors? Wouldn't it be more appropriate if you have chosen someone that you are not familiar with? So that you can get to know them more. My queen?"
"I want you to be my first. You are also the one longest with me, that is why you are the most familiar with me"
"The first...?"
"The first to spend time with me"
"I see..."
"Why are you even asking Shadow? Are you not happy with my decision?"
"No! Of course, I am! I am just baffled by your decision, that is all"
"I see"
"I do apologise if I will disappoint you, I am also fairly new to this"
"Just be yourself"
"I will try, my queen"
"Lady Penzilvana!"
"Shouting...is not what a proper lady does"
"Oh, hey, it's the noble what was her
name? Luna!"
"My name is Luna Orion Grace! Know your manners!"
"...Yeah, whatever lady"
"Hahaha"
"Queen Maculata, this girls' impertinence!"
"We are not in a formal setting Luna, be calm"
"Yella. Maise. That was fast, you have learned and mastered it already?"
"Yes" both said in unison
"Show me"
"Alright then"
"Come with me for a sec"
"Pardon us, your majesty"
"My queen, I beg your pardon but, they cannot do that to guest and nobles such as myself"
"They can do whatever they want as long as it is not a formal setting, Luna, besides-" She stops her words.
Luna does not know that Yella and Maise are one of the important things in the Veritus Kingdom, because of her lack of information and knowledge, she tends to step out of line without knowing anything…
"Luna...both of them are a very important figure, in the Veritus Kingdom, you must learn these things as well"
"...They are? Your majesty?"
"Yes"
"How come I have never heard of it?"
"Why don't you ask your mother, once you return?"
"Mother doesn't share any information regarding things that happen in the Palace, although, I know a few things, it is only limited."
"Luna, I suggest you stay here for a little while longer and learn some things, that you wouldn't normally be thought at the Grace Manor"
"I'd be honoured! But I have imposed-"
"I am the one that will teach you"
"Really...?"
"Yes"
"I...I apologise for being a nuisance, your majesty"
"You are not a nuisance, and I am also your childhood friend, I am just going to give you pointers"
"I-I see"
"Are you not happy?"
"Of course I am! I am very grateful"
"Hahahaha..."
'I wonder how I should approach her majesty? I am not adept in social interactions...I also cannot leave her side, since I am chosen to be with her today, unlike the last time, when no one is chosen yet'
Shadow was lost in his thoughts, on the other hand, Maculata had something in mind that she wanted to experience for the first time with him.
'I must abide to my queens, rules and stay with her today and tomorrow- wait I will be with her for three days since the start of the week is also assigned to me'
Shadow had a blush spread through his face, luckily no one could see it.
"I'm back! What did I miss?"
"I wanted to ask you something, in private later, Penzilvana"
"Alright, you look serious though?"
Maculata was just silent, Luna and Peachy were animatedly talking when Peachy diverted her attention to Penzilvana.
"How did the two kids go with their lessons?"
"It was half assed, I told them to correct it and show it to me again"
"Such vulgar words..."
"Oh sorry, what I meant to say is, they were inserting minimal effort on what I asked them to do"
"HMP"
"Still putting up airs, Lady Luna?"
"Of course!"
"Ease up a little, your pale"
"...I cannot do that, I must always be presentable and formal, besides, Prince Calcifer is also here"
"Oh? Are you trying to impress him? Do you have a thing with him?"
"NO! I would never mingle with the Queen's suitors"
"You do know that everyone here is being casual, of course except for the maids and butlers since they are on duty right now, but other than them, the people here are all relaxing"
"I do not see, Sir. Shadow relaxing, however"
"!!!"
"That's right, sit down, Shadow"
"No. I cannot, I must be alert at all times my queen, I do apologise, but even though I am your suitor. I am still your personal ninja, a protector to you...I cannot rest and I need to keep watch"
"See?"
"Let her be, Penzilvana"
"By the way, congratulations. Sir. Shadow! Please take care of my sister"
"Of course, Princess Peachy"
"Do everything that you can to make her happy, maybe you'd see her legendary smile"
"That is a bit excessive to say. That I have a legendary smile"
"When you smile, it is like there is impending death around you"
"I see..."
"Not that It's anything bad! Sister!"
"Its rather cute"
"Right?! Shadow?!"
"Whatever expression my queen makes, she is beautiful"
"Ehem"
"WAIT HOLD ON!"
Penzilvana had a look of disbelief, she was in front of Maculata, so her face is exposed to her, Maculata immediately frowned at Penzilvana's actions.
"WERE YOU BLUSHING?!"
"No"
"She was blushing! I know my eyes aren't playing tricks with me"
"Penzilvana tone your voice down"
Penzilvana had a teasing funny expression on her face, Peachy just laughed and Luna was staring at Maculata.
'I did not see it?' Luna thought, she did not see the tint of pink, on her cheeks.
"Alright, I'll stop"
"It's almost sun set, let us head inside"
"Yes, My Queen"
"I bid all of you a good evening"
All of them went back inside the Palace, Maculata then talked to Penzilvana about a private personal matter inside her room, the blush from earlier returned, and she was laughing.
"Can you please stop laughing? I feel humiliated!"
"I'm not used to seeing you blushing, since forever!'"
She continued laughing until she calmed down, Maculata had no choice but to wait for her to calm down.
"Are you done?"
"Yes."
"I want you to provide a dress for seduction...or temptation"
"...Wait what?!"
"Y-You heard me...!"
"Don't tell me...that you were serious about the intimate touching?"
"Do I take anything as a joke?"
"NO. But still, is this a good idea for you? That means you want to get intimate with Shadow?"
"There is no emotion behind this, Penzilvana, I am exploring my curiosity"
"Hm...interesting choice of words"
"I am stating to you what I desire, and my desire is to experience, intimate touch"
"Are you even comfortable-"
"He has been with me for a long time, Penzilvana, do not worry, I think of him as a person under me, serving me, nothing else, I do not see him as a member of the family, of some sort..."
"That would be creepy and weird if you think of him as a family member, huh?"
"Yes"
"Alright, but what if you get pregnant?"
"I will not get pregnant, Penzilvana"
"You know you can't really say that, when two humans have an intimate time together there is bound to be a fruit in the actions that they have made"
Penzilvana looked directly at Maculata with a knowing look.
"Trust me, Penzilvana"
"Bold words for someone who hasn't experienced IT yet," the Queen blushed.
"Penzilvana!"
"I'll give you what you want, but I need a word with Shadow"
"...That would be embarrassing!"
"You aren't embarrass at what you want?"
"..."
"If Shadow is uncomfortable with the idea, you shouldn't push it, okay?"
"Of course"
"You need to respect Shadow as well, this is also his first time with this courtship"
"This courtship wouldn't even occur in the first place-"
"Alright. Alright"
"I understand what you are saying"
"That's good"
"I'd also give him advice"
"But...you aren't human nor have experience this"
"Maculata, in my line of work, do you really think, I wouldn't have the knowledge of what people rather humans do?"
"Right..."
"I'm also very old already, so I know what I am, talking about"
"The pranks...?"
"The pranks are just a side hobby, I can also be serious"
"Alright"
"Go. Change and-" She produces a lingerie "Wear this"
"But-"
"It is designed to be like that"
"I...see..."
She was blushing profusely, but accepted, Maculata was very determined to know, what intimate touch is. She is in the proper age to marry and have a husband already. But she refuse to do so.
So she still lacks knowledge in the area of romance and intimacy.
"I'll talk to Shadow first, you can go ahead and bathe then change, I'll sleep in Peachys' bedroom to give you privacy"