The princess Irene was reading a book sleepily in the library, she had just finish her lesson with the high priestess and are now instructed to read for the next lesson. The high priesstess just shook her head in amusement seeing the princess struggled to stay awake, "Milady how about you go back to your chamber and rest now..you, the king and queen are going to long journey to Kingdom Ares tomorow for the second prince, Mars coming of age ball." The sleepy princess become alert at that reminder and groaned.
"I'm definitely not looking forward to that arrogant and perverted prat" putting the book she was reading back to the shelf grumpily and then turning to hug the high priesstess and curtsy "have a nice evening Lady Esmeralda".
"You too Lady Irene" Esmeralda chuckles and waved as Irene heads out back to the main palace.
On her way to her room, she met Alexis who just got back from training the new recruits of knights. "so we are going to Ares Kingdom tomorrow?" her friend ask in disappointment.
"Unfortunately, especially since you're technically the head knight and if I suffer you have to suffer too..I wish it was Andrew who come with my parents but he have to handle the kingdom in my father stead" Irene scowled, crossing her arms as she pout. Alexis laughed at this "There's nothing we can do is there? we just have to survive 2 days of a horrible perverted flirty prince...it's not that bad". Hearing this Irene look at her with a horrified face, seeing this makes Alexis sigh "okay...maybe it is bad..but..it's for the sake of the country peace..we already made an enemy on the kingdom of O'siris and Raika..making an enemy on Ares is not good especially how victorious they are everytime they are at war". She moves to open the chamber door for Irene, gesturing her to go inside while bowing.
Princess Irene giggled then pull her knightly friend inside "you know I can open the door myself do you? just because I'm a princess doesn't mean you have to treat me like one..we grow up together, you're technically my sister!" a knock came after that and she rush to the door before Alexis can, revealing the royal seamstress standing with her tools. "Perfect Madame Kingsley, you came right in time...please measures and inquire Alexis first..we don't want her to escape so fast!".
Alexis paled when she heard what Irene said "y-you call me before not to hang out with me but to have me measured for dress?!" she waves her hand in rejection "no no I don't need a dress, I'm going to wore my ceremonial armour anyway".
Madame Kingsley just smiled at her assuringly "don't worry my dear it'll be alright I will make a knee length dress that is light for you too move around and would also go with you ceremonial armour, I even make a sketch of it already!" as she said this, she showed Alexis a paper with a drawing of said dress and ceremonial armour. After countless assurance (and threat from the princess Irene) she finally relented and madam Kingsley quickly measures her before the stuborn knight woman change her mind.
it was the day that they departed to Ares Kingdom and the king was busy giving instructions to his eldest son and crown prince while Irene is jittery. "Don't worry father, it's not like its my first time handling the kingdom and you'll only begone for 3 days anyway" Prince Andrew reassures his father.
Meanwhile a certain Princess Irene seem to grow more nervous making her mother, butler and friend to be confused "My dear Irene stop this jittering what's wrong with you?!" her mother finally ask after 5 minutes seeing her daughter weird behaviour.
"I just realise mother...Quinn and Terrence will be there! Quinn's a king now, and he will never go out of the kingdom without Terrence...what am I going to do when I saw them. I look exactly the same like how they know me" Irene finally revealed, still pacing around and jittering.
The queen sighed and grab Irene in a hug "there there dear...if they saw you tried to act clueless..but if they still persistent then invite them to come to our kingdom some days after the ball..they deserve to know too my dear". The king then usher them to the carriage as they are about to take off with him riding on a horse with the knights.
Alexis refused to get on the carriage and instead ride along on the horse with them. "I am the head knights of my group sire..so I need to be outside too.." She explained.
The king tired of her stubborness, relented "alright Alexis..I know your a strong knightwoman..equal to the male knights but I think of you just like my daughter and prefer if you are safe and cozy inside but I understand..you're dutiful knight" patting her shoulder twice before mounting his horse. Alexis and the other follow suit.
As they started to move, Irene poked her head out from the carriage window and spoke "Father, Alexis...I have cast a strong protection ward around our groups to hide us from bandits or any ill-intentioned people just please don't stray far from the carriage..oh and don't worry about my energy..I have truly grown stronger this past few days..Lady Esmeralda even said I'm almost on her level".
"Thank you my little goddess..and congratulation on you power growth, I knew my daughter a genius" the king praises making Irene glow in happiness.
Alexis was looking at Irene amused then turn to the king "Sire..don't praise her too much or else she might glow brighter than a fire and possibly burn".
The king laughed at this while Irene pout and whine "Mou! I am not going to catch on fire..what am I, coal? just a little spark and fwoosh, on fire" as she said all that her hand was animatedly moves up describing the 'fwoosh' sound. The king, Alexis and even the queen who were listening inside laughed merrily while the knights are all smilling in amusement. It's safe to say that they have a really joyful journey to Ares Kingdom despite it took a day to reach there.
scene: The capital of Ares Kingdom, Polemistis.
Colourful streets, carriages of every designs with symbols of their own countries followed by their escorts of knights and soldiers with their symbolic colour cape. Irene popped her head out of the carriages and look at the scene in fascinations, the people who saw her pass by were at awe at her beauty.
"Hey..who is she?" one man asked her friend with a hushed voice. the other around them repeating the question, an old librarian look at the king, his soldier and flag before answering "they must be from kingdom of Solar Gardenia..that must be king Vincent Von Solari' and the beautiful lady must be his daughter, Lady Irene Von Solari'". the people that heard them feel sympathetic "she had the same name as the evil sorceress...such a beautiful, curious and kind princess to be named the same as that villain..." unbeknownst to them the princess heard them clearly with her sharp hearing. She had to force herself to not react and still keep her excited and awed face. Although, Alexis who heard it cast a fierce glare at the whispering crowd making them all cowered in fear.
Not far from their group is King Quinn group all on horses. Terrence who had been sitting quietly on his horse was listening in on the crowds whispers using a spell, he was checking too see if there is a magical threat that had been happening in the kingdom without his knowledge but instead overhead them talking about the princess Irene of S.Gardenia and HIS Irene making him gripped the horse rein tightly to supress his anger 'calm down Terr...they don't know the truth about my Irene. Though it makes me wonder who is this princess Irene of S.Gardenia...stories had been spread about her being involved in a prophecy as a powerful warrior, supposedly good in sword and magic but noone except the people of S.Gardenia themself that had seen her face..I would like too see the prophecised princess' sighing tiredly before cancelling the spell as they arrived at the gate of Ares Castle.
The Ares castle looks more like a fortress than a castle although it look like any other castles in every kingdom, except for the battle themed decorations. Armours set lined the hall, head of boars and any other large wild animals including the magical ones(which causes the guests to cringe, mistical creatures nearly extinct so it sad to see). Fortunately, the ballroom has less battle themed than outside with grand and expensives decorations, the proffesional maestros, the buffet on the side and the sparkling elegant chandelier, servants walking around with trays of refreshments. As soon as all the guests gathered in the ballroom, the king of Ares followed by his two princes enter from another door, the crown prince Hercules and the second prince Mars. A few choice of words and then the kings or princes(and princesses) lined up to give their present to the second prince.
Quinn was looking at the front line and saw a familiar blonde before his view was blocked by a knight, he keep craning his head trying to see the lady when Terrence nudged him "what are you doing sire.. stop before people notice your weirdness".
The king just glared at him then explained "I thought I saw Irene.. ".
Terrence sighed and adjust the hold he had on the box "I miss her too Quinn...she would love to come with us and get all the attention..Although I heard the King Vincent had a daughter named Irene too.. let's meet them later". Quinn look surprised at this but agree, it's known to the whole kingdom that the princess of S. Gardenia never see her face except for the Ares royalties and another royal family that are in close alliance with them, for her to show her face in this ball means that its the first time she even went on public.
Irene was glancing around the ballroom searching for her mother when Alexis went near her, holding the box of present "get ready Irene....it's nearly our turn".
"you know...if you keep spacing out.. you'll fall and cause a domino effect" Terrence teased the distracted king. "Don't tell me you still thinking about that someone you said looks like Irene..? "
King Quinn glared at his smirking friend and sighed "sometimes it doesn't sit quite well for me when I heard people talked bad about Irene.. I mean I know that they don't know the whole story but it's just.. " he sighed then look up front. "oh, it's our turn now". He approached King Heracles of Ares with a smile and a handshake "it's great to see you again king Heracles".
The king laughed loudly and pat his shoulder "no need for formalities my boy.. just call me uncle like you always do. Congratulations on your coronation Quinn and I'm sorry for your loss.. "
Quinn shakes his head in dissmisal "it's alright and thank you uncle but I'm not here to talk about me am I, I'm here for Mars coming of age.. we brought a perfect present for you". Quinn turned to Terrence and nod making him open the box to show the sheathed dragon hilted sword. All three royals widen their eyes when they see the sword.
"This is beautiful! a masterpiece!.. thank you Sire, I will used your gift wisely" prince Mars bowed and accepted the gift, beaming with awe.
King Heracles laughed and pat Quinn shoulder again which he internally flinched too "my boy.. your weaponsmith are really the best weapon smith in Remnis.. I swear! "
"you flatter us uncle.. I'm sure there is other best weapon smith out there" Quinn sheepishly chuckled.
Terrence internally snorted at that, knowing how proud his friend is when it about their weapon smith.
After a few word spoken, the maestros played the waltz and everyone approach their partner and dance.
Princess Irene and Alexis was conversing on a lone corner near the buffet. "Can you believe that perverted prat, I swear if it wasn't for father and king Heracles is there I might throttle that sorry excuse of a prince until he's dead" She fumed. Her voice is no more a whispering so that other guests won't overhear them.
"At least there is one decent man in the family, Prince Hercules look sincerely ashamed at his younger brother and even apologized for him" Alexis pointed out.
Irene nodded her head "yes you're right unlike their father who seems to condone Mars behaviour". She was fuming in secret when the second prince boldly and haughtily tell her how sexy she is infront of her father, his father only laughed like there's nothing wrong clearly showing where Mars got his behaviour from meanwhile Prince Hercules looks like he would rather die than acknowledge his own brother and father.
They looked up as they were approached by a Knight who requested Alexis a dance. After a moment of hesitation, she went to dance with the knight while Irene stay as a wallflower.
Terrence was walking along the buffet table trying to see any food that he might like when he see a familiar blonde haired princess. "Irene?" He gasped, approaching the princess. She turns as she heard her name called and her eyes turn surprise and panic for 2 seconds before it gone and replaced with confusion. If it wasn't for the fact that Terrence had taught himself to recognized people emotion fron the eyes, he might not seen it. "Irene.. it's you.. It's really is you... " he hold out his hands as he approached her.
Irene panicked internally and back a step "umm... ", feigning confusion. "I... "