"Alright, girl meeting starts now!" [Diana]
"But I'm a man" [Adnan]
"Then pretend to be one or something! I don't care! We have to make sure that Kara and Mara can say no when the prince proposes to them!" [Diana]
"Calm down..." [Kara]
"I am. That is why I am bringing everyone here so that we can help you both! [Diana]
"I don't know how I can help, but I'll do my best" [Neloufa].
"This will either end in laughter or utter failure, and I will see to it till it ends" [Tio].
"Tio! Don't say that! I'm with Diana on this. I can't believe what I just heard" [Marianne].
"Our dearest mother will definitely say no, so just calm down all of you" [Mara].
"Of course Aunt Amleth will say no. But what if both of you suddenly collapse under the pressure and say yes!" [Diana]
"You wouldn't, would you?" [Neloufa]
"That's why we are here today!" [Diana]
"I see. Then I will roleplay to become the Prince of the Empire! Princess Kara. Princess Mara. Reject me" [Adnan].
"Hahahahahaha. Adnan, are you really serious? All right, I'll be the judge to see how good the rejection is" [Tio].
"Hey now. Be serious... Although it might be better than nothing" [Marianne].
"Not you too..." [Kara]
"Meow" [Fie]
"Why did I feel like Fie was telling me to be strong" [Mara]?
"Because he is" [Diana]
"Alright Fie, play with Hopper while you're at it, ok?" [Tio]
"Meow" [Fie]
After the shocking revelation that the Empire might be extending their "warm" and "generous" hand to place their own princes with Kara and Mara, I can't just do nothing, so I gather everyone else and burst into their room while they're least expecting it. I'm sure Kara and Mara will be busy studying or doing something important later, but this is even more important! I don't want them to leave our side and go to the Empire just so the Empire can have a good relationship with Amleth. I'm sure Auntie Amleth will say no, but, I keep thinking, what if either Kara or Mara suddenly say yes, because of the princess trope common in novels and stories. The princess sacrifices herself for the sake of the nation... Those two fit the bill perfectly.
While Fie is playing with the rare grasshopper golem that Tio found when she was in Emas, Adnan keeps extending her hand to Kara and Mara, he tried to say marry me dear princess but
"M...Ma....Marr... Ma... I can't... I can't do it..." [Adnan]
"What are you, a girl?" [Diana]
"Princess Kara and Mara's whole life is at stake and you have the nerve to be shy! Say it! Say it now Adnan" [Tio]
"Guys, please go easy on Adnan" [Neloufa]
"Thank you Neloufa" [Adnan]
"We told you to "flirt" with Kara and Mara, not Neloufa!" [Marianne]
"This is getting ridiculous..." [Kara]
"All right, all right, I'll just go along with it. NO! I will not accept your hand in marriage!" [Mara]
When Mara suddenly says no, it shocks us all, but we are ready to comment, starting with
"There's no seriousness in it. 5/10" [Tio].
"What do you mean we, can't you see that Kara didn't say anything! You should say we! 3/10" [Diana]
"You see, Princess Mara, if you're going to refuse, you might as well do it elegantly. Show your confidence. Throw in a napkin while you're at it! Make some fierce eyes! 3/10" [Marianne]
"Neloufa, comment as well!" [Tio]
"Huh... Well... Um... At least you say no... 6/10" [Neloufa]
"You guys are really criticizing me" [Mara]
"All right, Kara, it's your turn" [Diana]
"Adnan, do it again!" [Tio]
"Huh?" [Kara, Adnan]
"Do it! We will make sure that both princesses can say no with confidence!" [Marianne]
"I promise I won't laugh in front of you" (I'll laugh when you're not here though) [Tio]
Again, Adnan mumbles and stumbles, but he forces his way through, and as for Kara, she replies
"It's an honor for us, but I have to decline, both for myself and my sister" [Kara].
"What do you mean it's an honor? They're clearly trying to use you! Be more ferocious! 1/10" [Diana]
"I... I'm with Diana! 2/10" [Neloufa]
"Even Neloufa thinks it's bad. 2/10" [Adnan]
"Why did you join in all of a sudden, but again, you're too nice! Be even stronger and more confident when you say no. Don't hold your hand together like you're a shy girl! There's nothing to worry about! Everyone will support you for sure! 3/10" [Marianne]
"It's like everyone else said, I'm not convinced. In fact, if I am a perverted prince, I will move more. 2/10" [Tio]
"Such a low score... Fine! If that's how you want it, I'll try my best!" [Kara]
"Umm Kara..." [Mara]
"I'm not backing out! Not with such a low score!" [Kara]
"That's the spirit! I'll be the Prince Attandee, that way it'll be more realistic " [Tio]
"Let's do it Mara!" [Kara]
(She gets weirdly excited when she gets a low score...) [Mara]
We practice and practice until Kara and Mara can confidently say no. One thing leads to another, Neloufa suddenly brings up an interesting point, what if they have hypnotized Kara and Mara. What if they're using something to make Kara and Mara say yes subconsciously? This gives us all a chill, so I quickly take them all to Brokkr, our country's best blacksmith, who can make anything. I'm sure the magic department can make something as well, but I just felt like going to Brokkr was the right choice. That blacksmith dwarf will surely do something. I am ready to unlock all his castles as usual. Last time there were 108 locks to unlock, but this time the door is already open and we see
"What are you doing here?" [Merlin]
"Causing trouble for sure" [Brokkr].
"Even the two princesses" [Princess Siti].
"Well, we are here for..." [Diana]
I explained what we had done. Master Merlin simply nodded and then said
"I can make a pendant for it instead of asking that dwarf. Still, while you're here, how about helping me gather some material for Brokkr? I want him to make something that will definitely give us an advantage during the meeting with the prince" [Merlin].
"I still can't believe you brought me a damn heck of fine blueprint. You're a witch through and through" [Brokkr].
"Something to give us an advantage?" [All]
I wonder what it is?