Chapter Text
It was midday. Adora was stationed in the throne room, guarding the princess as she fielded a procession of petitioners.
Since the Queen's illness had taken her from the public eye, Princess Catra had taken over all responsibilities, including this one.
Adora wasn't there to listen or judge, but she didn't have much else to do.
Princess Catra was restless. She was often restless these days.
Again, this wasn't Adora’s job to notice, but she couldn't help it. She'd only been Princess Catra's personal guard for a few years, but she'd known the princess all her life. First, at a distance, but later, once she'd been promoted in rank, she'd joined the royal guard.
She'd been honored enough by this, but then, Princess Catra had personally recommended her to join her personal guard, and accompany her majesty on almost all occasions.
Adora had never been more honored, nor so terrified to accept a duty. How she could possibly be worthy to attend the princess at such close quarters? She didn't quite understand why the princess had selected her, but she suspected it was because Adora had a reputation around the castle for being a bit of a dunce.
The princess was required to have a personal guard with her at all times. But she valued her privacy and independence. So it suited her to have Adora, the meathead, the forgetful one, the foolish ignorant one.
Adora understood where the reputation came from. She didn't always catch on to jokes at first, and she got distracted easily and missed out on crucial information, making a fool of herself later. But she wasn't stupid, not really.
She wasn't really supposed to be listening, but she paid attention to all of Princess Catra's meetings with her advisers, her council meetings, her strategy meetings. And Adora understood it all. Sometimes she felt she understood too much.
Today, a petitioner was kneeling at Princess Catra's feet, pleading for help with their struggling farm.
Adora watched the princess's face. She knew her well enough to read the expression of pity and frustration in her eyes. Catra was sympathetic to the farmer's plight, but she'd been reprimanded by her royal advisor for saying yes too often.
"We don't have the capital to fund every beggar who comes in here," Shadow Weaver had said.
"But we have enough to help most of them!" Catra had replied.
"Not if you get a reputation as a charity house instead of a princess," Shadow Weaver had warned. "Your mother left me in charge for a reason Princess Catra. Trust my expertise. No more handouts."
The farmer wasn't asking for a handout per se. He just needed a loan, but no bank would trust him since he was already bogged down in debt.
When Catra realized this, she smiled.
"Thank you for coming to me," Catra said. "I think I may be able to help."
Catra summoned a servant and asked for a roll of parchment. Then she scratched out a few words, folded the parchment, stamped it with her wax seal and handed it to the farmer.
"Present this to any bank in the city, and I'm sure they will honor your request."
The farmer's jaw dropped and his shoulders slumped with relief.
"Thank you, thank you so much your majesty," he stammered.
"Don't mention it," Catra said. "Good luck with planting season."
The farmer sensed he was dismissed, and hurried out, backing away and bowing reverently, clutching the parchment like a lifeline. It probably was.
"What did I say about handouts Princess Catra?" Shadow Weaver suddenly entered the hall, her assistant Glimmer at her heels.
Princess Catra rolled her eyes.
"It’s not a handout if some bank loans him the money... or do you need me to explain how a loan works?" Catrra said.
Shadow Weaver did not look amused.
"And what happens when he defaults on his loan and the bank comes to you for payment?"
"I'll have them all beheaded," Catra said flippantly. "Come on Shadow Weaver, he's going to repay his loan. It's not a big deal."
Shadow Weaver seethed.
"Fine," she said, bitterly. "But loans to peasants is not what we are here to discuss. I have heard what happened last night."
Catra leaned back in her throne, studying her fingernails nonchalantly.
"Oh?" she said "And what happened?"
"Clear the room," Shadow Weaver said. The various servants and guards immediately dispersed. Catra immediately sat up straight and caught Adora's eye. You stay, she said with her eyes. Adora understood immediately and stayed stock still, firmly planted at her princess's side.
"Of course your... guard may stay," Shadow Weaver said, tossing a dismissive glance towards Adora. "But this is a private matter. I want to keep it out of the servants' gossiping mouths."
"Well, what is it?" Catra asked.
"You know very well what it is," Shadow Weaver said. "Prince Seahawk left last night in humiliation- you have severed any chance we had for an alliance with Salineas."
"Oh that?" Catra said. "Come on- it was just a joke! I didn't mean to humiliate him."
"You laughed in his face after he proposed to you in front of his entire entourage," Glimmer said, speaking up for the first time. She sounded less angry than Shadow Weaver, but she had a hand on her hip, and her tone implied that Catra had better stop playing dumb.
"Ok ok, so I humiliated him," Catra said. "So what? He was a total joke- what was I supposed to do, say yes?"
"You can not reject every suitor who comes to our door Princess Catra," Shadow Weaver said severely.
"But I'm getting really good at it!" Catra said.
Adora forced herself not to smile.
Catra had only been of age for two years, but she had already mastered the art of rejection. There was the prince who she ‘accidentally' threw a pie at. The prince who she'd promised to meet at midnight for a skinny dip in the moonlight, and sent her friend Rogelio to meet instead, and the prince who she'd promised to marry if he could conquer beast island. No one had seen him since.
Adora knew that Catra would have to marry one of them eventually, but she was glad to have that day delayed. She knew she would not be invited to join Catra's personal guard once she was Queen of some far off kingdom.
And the suitors just kept coming. Adora didn't blame them for trying. Not only was Catra the heir to the throne of the entire kingdom of Brightmoon - she was known throughout Etheria as the most captivating princess in generations-- kind, wise, generous, a brilliant strategist, prosperous, and extremely beautiful.
And Adora, thought privately, she was quite funny when she wanted to be. Most of the legends about her didn't even mention that.
"Princess Catra..." Glimmer said hesitantly. "How long do you intend to put off marrying?"
It was not a question that Catra had yet been asked so openly. Adora held her breath, nervous to hear what Catra would say.
"I don't see the point of marrying," Catra said. "I can run this kingdom fine by myself."
Adora's heart leapt. Maybe she could stay at Catra's side for her entire reign after all.
"Princess Catra," Shadow Weaver said. "It is not simply a matter of your ability to run a kingdom. I must say that with my help you have been doing a passable job at that. But this is a matter of the security of the kingdom and the assurance of your family's legacy. You must marry strategically, to ensure an alliance with one of the other kingdoms. If you do not- the suitors will keep coming, and you will alienate all our allies by rejecting them all. And you must marry so that you can continue the royal line, and uphold your mother's legacy. it is nonnegotiable. And it should not be put off any longer."
Catra's shoulders sagged at the mention of her mother. She glared at Shadow Weaver but said nothing.
Shadow Weaver seemed to accept silence as a full response.
"It is for this reason," Shadow Weaver said. "That we have decided to hold a tournament."
She nodded at Glimmer, who stepped forward eagerly to explain.
"We have invited dignitaries from every province of Etheria," Glimmer said. "Including all their eligible suitors. Officially, they were invited for the honor of competing in a Brightmoon tournament. But unofficially, it is understood that this is their chance to become acquainted with the Princess of Brightmoon, and many are hoping for the chance to court you."
Adora's heart dropped, and she saw the look of absolute betrayal on Catra's face.
"You invited ALL of them to my castle?" Catra asked. "Without my approval?"
"It was a necessary action," Shadow Weaver said cooly. "I believe you will come to see the wisdom and generosity of my actions with time. Just think- now you will have the chance to meet and interrogate all the suitors at once. You are bound to find at least one you find acceptable."
"I've also taken the liberty to create a guide to the guest list," Glimmer said. She pulled out a hefty scroll with a long list of names. "We've sorted all the suitors by rank, wealth, connections, natural resources.. and looks."
Glimmer looked quite pleased with herself, but her smile melted away when Catra stood up and shouted at them both.
"Get out," she said.
"Princess Catra..." Shadow Weaver said calmly.
"That's an order," Catra said coldly.
Shadow Weaver narrowed her eyes, but bowed silently and backed out with Glimmer.
"They can't be serious," Catra growled once they were gone from the room.
Adora knew that she was the only other person in the room, but she assumed Catra was speaking aloud to herself. She stayed standing stoically at her side, maintaining the facade that she was a mindless guard, with no thoughts or powers of observation.
"Did you notice that Glimmer's list didn't include anything about personality? Or even I don't know... hobbies?"
She was looking straight at Adora, as though expecting an answer.
Catra did speak to Adora like this sometimes, like they were equals. She did it quite often actually, especially when it was just the two of them. but Adora always felt uncertain how to respond. Or whether she even should respond. The princess was such an otherworldly figure to her. Larger than life. More beautiful than the stories insisted. More alive, more powerful. And yet, so human as well. So real. It seemed incredible that the princess even knew Adora existed. That Adora was even allowed to exist in her presence was somewhat thrilling. But this, this was surreal.
And yet, at times, it even felt natural.
"I did notice," Adora said. "A glaring omission, your majesty, I agree."
Catra breathed out a laugh and smiled at Adora. Adora glowed with pleasure. It was honor enough to protect the princess, but to make her laugh or smile... that was a privilege she felt she couldn't possibly deserve. She relished it on each occasion.
"Tell me Adora," said the princess. "If you had a list of suitors laid out in front of you, what would you want to see on their biographies?"
Catra was holding the scroll that Glimmer had left behind with distaste, as though it were a dirty rag.
"I have no desire to marry," Adora admitted. "So I can't say I have any useful answers for you, your majesty."
"No desire to marry?" Catra asked. She was looking at Adora with a little too much attention. Adora felt the urge to look away to hide her blush. She should have been used to the princess showing her attention by now, but it always made her feel flustered and overwhelmed.
"I would think a high ranking knight such as yourself would be quite inclined to marry," Catra said. "It would certainly cement your status if you married a well established court official. I'm sure many would be willing and eager."
"I'm quite... happy where I am," Adora said, unable to meet Catra's eyes any longer when she said it.
"Interesting," Catra mused. "Well I'm glad at least you get to choose your future. Sadly I'll probably have to marry one of these fools who show up for the tournament."
She sounded so dejected that it made Adora's heart ache.
"You don't have to," Adora blurted out. "Your majesty." she hastily added.
"Adora," Catra said, drawing her name out in an admonishing pur. "I have told you before that you don't have to call me "your majesty" all the time. I won't have you executed, I promise."
Catra had told her this, many times. When it was just the two of them, she told Adora it was fine to just call her Catra. Adora had never, ever been able to bring herself to address her this way. But today was different. Catra seemed so sad, and... maybe even a little bit lonely. Adora wondered if Catra got tired of everyone speaking to her like she was untouchable.
"Ok, princess Catra," Adora said. She gulped. It was still quite formal, but... she'd never spoken Catra's name to her face before.
Catra's eyes widened in surprise. Immediately Adora tensed, waiting for Catra to change her mind, call the other guards to take her away for her transgression. But instead she grinned.
"You actually did it," Catra said, sounding soft and pleased. "I was beginning to suspect you didn’t know my real name."
Adora laughed in spite of herself. Catra's name was more central to her life than her own.
"Please don't execute me?" Adora said, smiling tentatively.
Catra threw her head back laughing and Adora felt like melting. The princess was so entrancing when she laughed- it was rare to see her really laugh like this, free and unselfconscious. Adora felt like the luckiest knight in all of Etheria. She couldn't believe she got to have moments like this with the princess.
"I wouldn't dream of it," Catra promised. "I'm not big on beheadings. And besides, then I'd have to find a replacement for my favorite guard. It would be a lot of paperwork."
Even as a joke, Adora felt she could die happy, knowing that Catra might really consider her a favorite guard.
"Though I might make an exception for Shadow Weaver," Catra continued. "If she keeps coming up with ways to make me miserable."
She looked at Adora as though waiting for her to say, yes I agree, you should definitely execute your royal advisor.
Adora merely grimaced and shrugged sympathetically.
A guard walked into the throne room and knelt immediately when he spotted the princess.
Catra looked annoyed.
"What is it?” she asked the guard.
"My apologies, your majesty," he said. "Your presence has been requested in the council hall."
Catra cursed. "Very well. Tell them I shall join them shortly."
The guard nodded and hurried off.
"Totally forgot about the stupid council meeting," Catra muttered. She stood up and Adora followed her as she walked across the throne room.
"I'm sorry you always have to come with me to all these boring meetings," Catra said. "This one's going to be excruciating. Entrapta wants to review the entire budget for the summer."
"It is my honor and privilege to accompany you, your majesty," Adora said. She'd lost all her courage once an outsider had rejoined them. There was no way she could call her Princess Catra again.
Catra sighed.
The council meeting was boring. Entrapta was extremely thorough, reading out the budget plans for every aspect of the city, down to the second decimal point. Adora struggled to follow most of what was said. She mostly watched Catra. Her eyes twitched from scroll to scroll, darting to Entrapta’s face to ask her probing questions, challenge her decisions, and make suggestions. Adora admired Catra's dedication to the work at hand, despite the fact that she found it boring. She'd always taken her responsibilities seriously, but since stepping into her mother's shoes, Adora had been impressed by how seamlessly Catra had accepted challenge after challenge. The kingdom had never run more smoothly.
She will be a good queen, Adora thought. If there was only a way to stay by her side forever, she'd be happy.
Catra was a generous ruler. All the servants and guards in the castle were paid far above the market rate, and they got two days off per week- a luxury that was unheard of in other kingdoms. But Queen Razz had instituted the policy when she'd taken the reins to the kingdom, and Catra upheld it strictly.
Adora was probably the only person who didn't love her days off.
She hated knowing that the backup guard Scropria was at Catra's side all day. She trusted Scorpia's competency fine, but... she simply worried about the princess when she couldn't see her. She supposed it was a side effect of being her personal guard for years. She spent five days a week thinking of nothing but the princess's safety and comfort and then on her days off she was supposed to just, turn that off? It was difficult.
Not to say she spent her days off mooning away and laying in misery. No, she was quite productive. She spent the mornings training in the courtyard with the other knights, practicing her sword work, and trying to improve her archery. Adora had always been a natural swordsman, but she wanted to be well rounded, useful in any scenario, competent in all fields.
Everyone in the courtyard was talking excitedly of the tournament that had just been announced. Adora heard several knights speculating about the various games and prizes, and dreaming of entering and gaining glory for themselves.
So no one seemed aware of the real purpose of the tourney. Well, she wasn't going to enlighten them. She wasn't supposed to know any of that anyway. But it filled her stomach with dread every time someone mentioned the tournament.
After training, she went to lunch in the mead hall. As a member of the royal guard, she was entitled to request a meal from the kitchens whenever she wanted, but she liked to eat with the rest of the guard during scheduled mealtimes.
Today she sat at the end of one of the long wooden tables, joining Mermista and Frosta.
They were of course, talking about the tournament.
Mermista was unenthusiastic at the idea of the city being overrun with visitors, and the extra work and security that would be needed. But Frosta was eager for the chance to compete.
"I hope they have a general melee," Frosta was saying. "I love a good melee- remember at the Princess's coming of age tournament? When I bit Rogelio’s ear off? I would've won if Scorpia hadn't snuck up on me. And I've been training since then- this time I'll win."
"I can't wait to watch," Adora said, somewhat untruthfully. She'd watched the melee last time, and Rogelio’s severed ear still grossed her out.
"Are you going to enter?" Frosta asked.
"Me?" Adora said. "I don't think so.. I'll probably be busy with guard duties anyway."
"Oh come on Adora, you have tooo," Frosta said. "You're the best swordsman in the city- you've gotta show that off!"
"I don't know..." Adora said.
"I'm sure the princess would be very impressed if you won the tournament," Mermista said, with a lazy grin and a sideways look at Frosta.
"Oh, yeah, she'll be totally impressed," Frosta repeated.
Adora huffed.
"Like I care?" she said. They were always making fun of her for her supposed ‘crush’ on the princess. As if the whole kingdom didn't feel the same way she did. All knights held a pure and high affection towards their princess. Adora was no different. She was committed to her duty to serve and protect her, that was the whole of it.
"Sure Adora," Mermista said. But she kindly changed the subject. "So did you hear about Prince Seahawk's dramatic exit last night?"
Adora merely nodded and took a bite of her lunch.
Mermista and Frosta gossiped about the various versions of the story of Seahawk's humiliations, each version more embellished than the last.
Adora sulked. She shouldn't let it get to her. But she hated that princess Catra was such a subject of gossip and speculation. She knew that was just a part of any royal’s life, but it didn't seem fair. Sometimes Adora felt like no one remembered that Catra was a real person, not just a figurehead, a story to tell.
After lunch, she went to the stables to visit Mara and the horses.
It always calmed her to talk with Mara and help her feed the horses. Afterward, she took her favorite out for a ride around the grounds.
The sun started to set, she headed back for dinner.
The princess was dining in the mead hall today. Adora noticed her the second she arrived. She was sitting at the head table, Scorpia standing dutifully behind her. Seated to her left was Entrapta, and to her surprise, Glimmer. The three of them were clearly engrossed in conversation. Adora wondered what they were talking about. And when had Catra gotten back on good terms with Glimmer?
This was another reason Adora resented her days off. She felt like she got such a close personal view into Catra's life, but if she missed something, she missed it. She couldn't just ask the princess to catch her up on her interpersonal drama with her assistant adviser.
She knew Mermista would laugh at her if she noticed, but Adora deliberately chose a seat for dinner near the head table, so that the princess was easily within her line of sight. Adora was soon joined by a group of rowdy nights, in from a long day of training.
They were a loud bunch, and Adora saw the princess notice and glance towards them. She caught Adora's eye and smiled, then went back to her conversation.
Adora wondered if she'd imagined it. It was so quick that she doubted anyone else had noticed. She was glad. It felt... inappropriate for the princess to greet a mere knight with such familiarity. Adora felt unworthy of such recognition. At the same time.. she glowed at the memory for the rest of her days off.
-----
The tournament was an elaborate affair. Glimmer and Shadow Weaver had truly invited everyone, and they all showed up and brought friends. The opening ceremonies and feasts took two entire days. During that time, Catra was in constant scheduled meetings with various dignitaries, and Adora was at her side the entire time.
No one had outright proposed to her yet, but several had made strong hints that they would like to, hints which Catra either pretended to not understand, or if the suitor was particularly odious, shut down completely.
By the third day, Shadow Weaver had heard inklings of these conversations, and she was not happy.
"Princess Catra, I do not believe you are making an effort to entertain the notion of marrying a single one of the many eligible suitors we have brought to you," she said.
Adora noticed the way Catra's shoulders tensed, and her jaw stiffened. She hated seeing her so unhappy.
"I'm trying ok?" Catra said. "I wasn't mean to all of them- just the really awful ones."
"You need to choose someone," Shadow Weaver said. "In the next three days."
"Or what?" Catra said.
"Or I will take the choice out of your hands."
And she left the throne room without being dismissed, leaving Catra and Adora alone.
Catra leapt up from her throne, and started pacing. Adora wished she could hug her. She looked so worked up and angry- emotional in a way that she never showed openly in any public setting.
"This is so fucking stupid!" Catra shouted to the empty room. Then she stopped in her tracks, unclenched her hands, took a few deep breaths. She turned to Adora.
"I'm sorry," she said, in a hoarse voice. “Can you... do me a favor?"
"Of course your majesty," said Adora.
Catra's shoulders slumped, she seemed, almost... disappointed. Deflated.
"Can you... tell me something to distract me?" Catra asked. "I need to get my mind off how angry I am or I'll start actually beheading people. Can you just tell me something about the latest gossip among the guards or the servants or something?"
She continued her pacing without waiting for Adora to respond. Adora racked her brain for something to talk about.
"Most of the talk is centered around the melee tomorrow," Adora said. She figured talking about the tournament wasn't the best distraction, but it was the truth. And she didn't want to tell the princess about the latest pregnancy scandal among the kitchen staff. It seemed a bit too salacious. "Some of the guards are placing bets on each other."
"Oh yeah?" Catra said, still pacing, eyes far away. "Who is your money on?"
"I don't gamble," Adora said. "But if I did, I'd bet on Frosta. No question."
"Frosta the ear eater?" Catra asked, one eyebrow raised. "We still employ her?"
"Um..." Adora sair.
"Are you competing?" Catra asked suddenly.
"Oh, I- no, not in the melee, your majesty," Adora said.
"Well what about the other games? Archery, joust?"
"I was considering entering the duels," Adora said. "But..."
Catra stopped pacing.
"You duel? How did I not know this?" She asked. "Well you have to compete! Why wouldn't you?"
"Well I'll be on duty that day, your majesty," said Adora. "And I'm not- it's not important, I wasn't even really planning on it."
"I insist you duel," Catra said. "I want to see you fight."
Adora was glad that Catra had stopped pacing, and seems to have forgotten her anger, but... she wished she'd just brought up the pregnancy scandal after all.
Sure, she had considered entering the duels. But when she realized it conflicted with her duties as the princess's personal guard, she'd been quietly relieved. She knew she was skilled enough to place highly in the tournament, but she didn't want the attention and pressure that came with that. And... she hadn't even considered the fact that the princess would be watching her. That was way too much pressure.
"I'm sorry," Catra said- she seemed distressed by the look of panic on Adora's face. "I shouldn't have ordered you around like that. If you don't want to compete, you don't have to."
It was the second time Catra had apologized to her that afternoon. Adora wondered why the princess thought she had to do that. She felt the absurd urge to remind Catra that she was the princess, and Adora was her subject. She didn't have to consider her feelings, or apologize to her. She could order her to do whatever she wanted. And Adora would do it.
"Your majesty I..." Adora started. She wasn't sure what she wanted to say, but her voice left her.
Catra stepped forward, and placed a hand on her shoulder, catching her eye and smiling reassuringly.
"Adora, it's ok," Catra said. "I overstepped. I... guess I probably do that a lot. I know that puts you in a difficult position."
She was standing close. Very close. Adora should have felt panicked, but she felt... safe. reassured. Catra really was kind. Kinder than even the most hyperbolic stories gave her credit for.
"Come on," Catra said. "Let's go get dinner."
Adora nodded, not trusting herself to speak with the princess's hand on her, and her face so close to her own.
Catra led her not to the mead hall, but to her private quarters. There was a guard standing outside her room at all times, and today, it was of course Mermista. Just Adora's luck.
Thankfully Mermista knew her etiquette, and said nothing when the princess led her knight into her private chambers. But she did catch Adora's eyes, and gave her a very surprised look. She knew she’d have to answer Mermista's burning questions tomorrow, but for now she ignored her.
"Adora, take a seat," Catra said, gesturing at a decadently soft looking couch by the window. Adora obeyed, feeling very out of her depth. She was not used to sitting in the presence of royalty. It felt so wrong.
Catra rang a bell, which summoned a servant instantly, and asked her for some dinner.
"Just whatever they're cooking for the mead hall," Catra insisted. "And some mead. And don’t tell them it’s for me!"
The girl hurried off and Catra plopped herself down at the opposite end of the couch and made herself comfortable.
"They always spend an extra hour trying to make me some exquisite meal if they know it’s for me," Catra explained. "It's not that I'm paranoid about being poisoned or anything."
Adora forced herself to smile. Inside she was screaming. I'm in the princess's living room, sitting NEXT to her on a couch, about to dine with her.
"Are you alright?" Catra asked.
"Yes, your majesty," Adora answered at once. “Thank you, your majesty."
Catra smiled ruefully.
"I’m just Catra here," Catra reminded her, gesturing around the private room. "You do remember my name, don't you? Cause I'll be offended if you don't."
She grinned, and Adora felt a smile creeping onto her own face. Catra was so... warm, beautiful, funny. Adora reminded herself that this was the kind, thoughtful princess she’d adored all her life. She could trust her. Maybe even be herself around her. She didn't have to stand on ceremony for her.
"Of course I remember your name, princess... Catherine," Adora said.
Catra's eyes widened, and she burst out laughing.
"Oh that's close enough I suppose," Catra said, through cackles of laughter. “If you were anyone else, I’d exile you for that!”
The servant girl returned, lugging a cart of food, and two jugs of mead.
Catra thanked her and she started serving them, placing two plates of food on the couch in front of them, pouring Adora a large goblet of mead.
Catra brought her own cup up between them.
"Cheers,' she said.
Adora hastily clinked glasses with the princess and then drank when she drank.
Clearly the servant had told the kitchens it was for the princess, because it was the finest mead Adora had ever tasted. She wondered if Catra knew this.
"Thank you Helen," Catra said. The servant girl blushed, and bowed, leaving the room again.
"So," Catra said, turning back to Adora and giving her full attention. "Now that we're drinking, you can tell me the real juicy gossip, right?"
"I could," Adora said. "But I'm sure that the princess would rather not know the sordid details about the people who are cooking her meals."
Catra leaned forward and took another swig of meade.
"On the contrary, I would love to know. No one ever tells me anything they think I don't want to hear. Well, except Shadow Weaver and Glimmer, I suppose."
Adora pursed her lips. She shouldn’t… but that did sound frustrating. It must have been quite isolating, always being spoken to like royalty, never let in on the messiness of real life.
"Ok," Adora said. "But you didn't hear this from me..."
Catra listened attentively to the various bits of gossip and interpersonal drama of the servants, the kitchen staff, and the guards. She asked follow up questions and laughed at all Adora's jokes. Adora almost forgot that Catra was the princess of Brightmoon for a full hour. And then Glimmer walked in.
"Princess Catra, I’m sorry to interrupt- Gladus told me you were dining in your rooms, so I-"
She stopped short when she noticed Adora. Adora went red. She felt like she'd been caught in a forbidden act. Sitting in the presence of the princess technically was forbidden. But it was more than just that.
She immediately stood up, alert and on guard, like she was employed to be. But it was obvious that she'd been lounging, getting tipsy on fine mead, and the empty plate with crumbs on it was evidence enough.
"Please sit Adora," Catra said. "It's ok. Glimmer, please join us, sit."
She gestured at a smaller couch, opposite the table from Catra and Adora. Glimmer blinked twice, looking Adora up and down like she’d never seen her before. And then she smiled, and acted as though she thought the scene were completely normal.
"Sorry again, for interrupting," Glimmer said. "But I have some news."
Again she glanced at Adora, as though waiting for Catra to dismiss her, and send her away. Adora wished she would. But at the same time, she wanted to know what this news was.
"Well?" Catra said. "What is it?"
"It's Shadow Weaver," Glimmer said. "She has been telling the suitors that... you are going to select a husband from among the winners of the tournament."
Catra growled and rolled her eyes.
"When will she give it a rest?" Catra said.
"I'm sorry Princess," Glimmer said. "She seems quite determined. I... brought an updated list, and I have added personality information, like you asked. If you want to look over it tonight."
She held up a scroll of paper.
Catra made no move to take it from her.
“How about, you have a drink with us, and tell me who the best ones are?"
Glimmer looked like she would have liked to tell Catra off, but she held her tongue, and poured herself a drink.
"Cheers," Catra said, clinked her nearly empty goblet against Glimmer’s. She took the opportunity to refill her own glass, and Adora's as well.
"So who's the least terrible?"
Glimmer took a gulp of mead and then started speaking very fast.
"Ok, so they're not all terrible, but a lot of them are. I've narrowed down to the 5 best options- thought of course this is all based on my own opinions after meeting them for a few meals. It's really up to your taste, so you’d have to meet them yourself to really--"
Catra shot her an annoyed look.
"But anyway," Glimmer continued. "After spending time with most of the best options, I've narrowed it down to these 5..."
She talked for a long time, describing the suitors in minute detail, from their heights and the amount of gold in their treasury, to their temperaments, and what kind of clothes they wore. Adora watched Catra's face as she took it all in. She wished she could read her mind. None of the men described seemed good enough for the princess, in Adora's opinion. She wasn't sure there was a man alive who could be worthy of her.
"And finally, my personal favorite choice," Glimmer was saying. "He's not the richest, or the most connected, but he's decently wealthy, respectable, lord of the whispering woods, quite handsome, and very sweet. He seems like a genuinely good hearted man. Oh, and he's a master archer. And he seems very smart as well, he was telling me that he re-engineered the entire aqueduct system in his city, and improved the efficiency tenfold."
"He sounds like a nerd," Catra said. " That was your favorite?"
Glimmer crossed her arms.
"No one's going to be perfect, ok?" she said. "But at least he's kind. You could do worse."
"Hmmph," Catra said. Also crossing her arms.
Adora felt extremely awkward. It was always strange hearing the way Glimmer spoke to Catra. She couldn't believe she could be so disrespectful, and Catra just shrugged it off like it was totally fine.
Maybe it is fine? Adora wondered. Catra seemed to prefer when Adora spoke to her more informally. And she seems happiest when Adora said something totally insubordinate. But it was hard for Adora to resist years of training and ingrained reverence.
"Ok," Catra said."I'll consider him."
Glimmer didn't seem satisfied or convinced by this response, but she didn't argue it further.
"Thank you," Glimmer said. She hesitated. "And I am sorry, you know that you have to do this at all. I wish there was another way. I know you don't want to get married."
Catra signed.
"It's not that I don't want to get married," Catra said. "I just... want it to be my choice... and with someone I actually want, you know?"
Glimmer smiled sadly.
"Well,' she said, putting on a fake cheery voice. "Maybe you'll find that someone this week!"
Catra rolled her eyes.
"Alright, that's enough of your willfully ignorant optimism sparkles," Catra said.
"Alright, alright," Glimmer said. She stood up to go. "I'll see you at the tourney tomorrow."
They said goodbye and Glimmer left the room.
Adora felt herself relax slightly at her absence.
"Are you scared of Glimmer or something?" Catra asked. "You didn't say a word the whole time she was here."
Was I allowed to? Adora wanted to ask. It had not occurred to her that Catra had expected her to join in the conversation.
"I wondered what you thought of her descriptions of the top 5 contenders," Catra said. "They all sounded boring as hell no?"
"Well,” Adora said. “If you really want my opinion-"
"I do," Catra said earnestly.
"None of them sounded worthy of you, your majesty," Adora said.
Catra smiled mischievously.
"You flatter me!" she said. "I'll have to give you another promotion if you keep that up."
"In that case, I won’t do it again, your majesty."
"Wait, why not? I love flattery! Do it more!"
Adora laughed, Catra was bouncing indignantly pretending to throw a tantrum.
"I don't want a promotion," she said. "I like my current position too much. "
She met Catra's eyes as she said it, and no-- she must have imagined it, but she almost thought she saw Catra blush , before blinking and looking away.
"Yeah?' Catra asked, taking another sip of mead. "Can't imagine why anyone would enjoy sitting through all my boring meetings with me and then helping me calm down from my temper tantrums. "
She turned back to Adora, fixing her with an earnest look.
"Thanks for that by the way. It's really not in your job description to listen to me shout and complain. But talking about other things... helped, a lot. I feel much less likely to execute someone now."
"That's good," Adora said. '"I'm truly glad I was able to help, in any way. It was- I mean, I'm always happy to do so."
"Listen," Catra said. "I know you never said you wanted to compete in the duels, but I'm going to give you the week off, just in case you want to, or you decide you want to do the melee, or the mud wrestle, or.. really anything...and you don't have to. But I just want you to have the option to enjoy yourself."
Adora was touched by her thoughtfulness. She would have liked to tell Catra that she would much rather spend the week with her. Maybe it was the mead, but she felt like she really could be honest with Catra. But maybe not that honest. Instead she chose another truth.
"Thank you... your majesty. "Adora said. "You are too generous. And I won't insult you by refusing your generosity. The truth is... I do want to compete, but... I would rather not have my name connected with my victories or failures. I don't want the scrutiny or attention. I know that might not make sense."
"No, that makes perfect sense," Catra said in a rush. "Trust me- I get wanting to be anonymous sometimes. But this is an easy fix!"
"It is?" Adora asked.
"Yes of course! I'm the princess! I will talk to the organizers and get you entered under a false name- there's so many no name princes around here- you'll blend right in, just keep your helmet on and no one will have to know that you're actually my loyal knight Adora. It's simple! We just have to come up with a fake backstory for you- what do you want to be the prince of?"
It was a simple idea, when Catra described it- but Adora would have never considered it without the princess’s approval.
They spent the rest of the evening coming up with "Prince Adrian's” backstory, and Adora left Catra with the night guard, head buzzing with mead, excitement, fake stories about a fake kingdom that Prince Adrian ruled, and a steady, painful, aching in her heart.