The Empire of Lunaria is a land of demi-humans located between the mortal and divine dimensions. a nation so in tune with nature that the land itself was teeming with life, with rivers and lakes so clear you could see the crisp pebbles and sand at the bottom and fish swimming to and fro. The trees are so tall and wide that the interior is carved out and used for homes and stores. In the distance, upon the flattened peak of a plateau, sat a stunning pale silver castle made from polished marble with stained glass windows depicting legendary tales long forgotten. Suddenly the scene shifted to rubble and ash in place of what should have been the Lunarian capital city, Celestina. The grim imagery lasted only a moment before it reverted to normal.
On the veranda of the palace, overlooking the empire's capital. A demi-human kitsune girl, bedecked with frills and bows, with a skirt made of tulle A color combination of silver and gold contrasted her stunning pink hair with the Stirling silver tiara that sat upon her crown, adorned with brilliant sapphires that signified her birth month. Her pale skin was unblemished by the radiant sun or the scars of battle. Eyes reminiscent of a kaleidoscope, shifting colors with the scenery and disposition, were currently narrowed and stormy gray. Although it was her sixteenth birthday, she had a grim expression on her face.
"Are you alright, my lady?" The butler, who had been hidden from view until then, spoke up, having just stepped out of the shadows. His brow furrowed with concern, and his cat-like ears, denoting one of the Nekomata race, were twitching with unease. He approached the young woman he had served since she was a baby. He had never seen the princess with such an expression. Realizing she wasn't alone, she hurriedly put her concerns in the back of her mind to ponder the vision she saw. She smiled serenely at her butler and spoke. "I am fine; however, there is something that concerns me that I wish to check on." "I do hope that I am wrong." "If what I saw does come to pass, not just our beloved nation but also the nations of our realm will be at risk." Solomon, her butler, then pondered the dire warning his princess had given. "I see, so you had a vision of a grim future ahead of us." "Very well, I shall relay what you have told me to Knight Commander Victor." "For the time being, please try to relax; after all, it is your special day." He bowed respectfully and turned to leave, but just as he reached the door, "Thank you, Solomon, you've been a wonderful butler. I will try to relax as you advised." She turned back to look out over her beloved Empire with a soft smile. I will protect my people if it's the last thing I do. She thought as her butler bowed again and exited the terrace. Kanade E. Oliviè, the crown princess of Lunaria, is well-liked by her people.
Several months prior, in the nation of the elves, Uryion was surrounded by a seemingly endless expanse of forest. The elvish royal capital, Olènsandra, sat amongst the trees near the edge of a cliff face. A massive fortress stood on the opposing bluff, with a wooden rope bridge spanning the ravine. A large, slender high elf stood on the opposite precipice from the fortress, wearing a hazel-colored cloak. A young woman of about 17 stood behind him, his daughter, wearing a similar mantle covering her sylphlike figure. On the opposite side of the bridge from Olènsandra stood the Empire of Lunaria's envoy; behind the envoy stood a few knights and then a dispatch of the Lunarian royal guard. Behind them stood the emperor of Lunaria. This was one of several meetings in preparation for the engagement of the crown princess of Lunaria, Kanade E. Oliviè, and the princess of Uryion, Kaede L. Willowgrave.
The Lunarian delegation prepared to cross. "I don't care how often we have to cross this rickety bridge; I don't think I will ever fully trust its ability to hold us up." Tybalt, a dwarf knight captain, says in jest, "Though it is blessed with nature magic that enhances its durability, I know it's safe." He says this after noting the nervous energy of the knights under his command. "Don't let the commander hear you express fear, Tybalt; you know he would put you through the wringer again." Cedric, the nekomata vice-captain, teased back. A few knights chuckled in bemused laughter. "Attention!" As suddenly as the knights broke into laughter, they leaped to attention with a silent Lunarian salute. Their feet were shoulder-width apart, their left arm across their hearts, and their right hand set upon the hilts of their swords. They turned to face the vice commander of the royal guard, Raelyn 'The Shield' Thornhold. He then spoke to address his underlings: "We are here to stand guard for our liege, who aims to broker an alliance with the elves through a political marriage." "Be on guard for any threats that may seek to impede any developments." While lesbian marriage is widely accepted in today's day and age, the alliance in question would form an undeniable bond and a powerful relationship between the two nations. The knights knew of the potential risk, so they hurriedly raised their voices in unison, "Sir, yes, sir!" They moved toward the bridge to inspect it thoroughly in preparation for their lord.
"How are the preparations?" the emperor asked his butler. Who responded: "The preparations are in order, your grace; we are ready to cross with the gifts in tow." To which the Emperor smiled and said, in a relieved tone, "Good, thank you, Edmond; then let us cross." They approached the Knights, who had finished inspecting the bridge a moment ago. "The bridge is intact, my liege," said Tybalt formally to his king. He was saluting respectfully. "Thank you for inspecting the bridge, captain." Hekima the Emperor returned in kind. The knights moved swiftly to stand guard on both ends of the bridge and the caravan of gilded chariots. The Emperor and his butler boarded the royal carriage with grace. Tybalt gave the signal to move forward. They crossed the bridge carefully, noting the wind and the gentle swaying of the bridge. As they approached the end of the overpass, a troop of elves stood as an honor guard for their guests. A graceful-looking elf, the advisor to the king of the elves, Aranel, bowed respectfully. "Welcome back to Uryion, your majesty. His highness, the king, awaits you at the top of the hill with the princess." Then he added, "though first, a tour of the grounds is in order."
As they crested the hill, the stunning marble mansion of a noble slowly came into view. The mansion stood tall and vast against the skyline, with large trees engulfing the grounds. Aranel guided them across the manor grounds, giving them an explanation of its construction and history. The sun, which was high in the sky at the start of their journey, now shone brilliantly from the peaks of the snow-capped mountains in the distance. The knights, who stood at a respectful distance behind them, now spread out to exchange words with the guards of the estate about shared duties, leaving two of the royal guards to their duties as their guard detail. "The chefs should be about finished preparing dinner. We should make our way to the grand hall." Aranel spoke up and bowed, beginning to guide them in that direction.