Chapter Text
The court was adjourned. Every officer and advisor took their leave after they had praised their Emperor for her wise decision. One that had Suletta up and running after her Emperor, unamused by the way this court hearing had played out.
Suletta knew she was right to assume the worst for herself. She had found it very odd she had been requested to attend when she had never been invited to any sorts of gatherings unless it were celebrations or holidays. Now it all made sense.
“What’s the meaning of this?” Suletta stomped along trailing behind her sister. The personal eunuch followed a few steps behind to allow the sister’s to interact.
She wore her plain royal robes themed of white and arctic blue due to the spring heat that was notorious for overheating folks. Her eldest sister paid her no mind, which frustrated Suletta that once again she had been left out on a decision that centered around her.
Being a head smaller than her sister, Ericht strolled along her corridors with an elegant and confident stride. Heading to her study unbothered by the scene Suletta was creating as passing soldiers and maids were sure to gossip once she was out of sight.
Ericht was different from Suletta, she wore complete gold with red embroidery in her royal attire. On her back was the carefully crafted phoenix symbolizing her birthright to power and longevity, her hair tied up in her golden cap, the beads swaying side to side as Ericht beckoned Suletta into her private study. Instructing the eunuch men to stay 50 steps behind to freely speak with her sister.
“You shouldn’t cause a scene in front of everyone,” Ericht reprimanded, taking her seat at her desk, “This is why no one takes you seriously. They say you lack manners and discipline, which I don’t mind personally. I think it's great! Though this isn’t how the second prince should act in public. If you had acted accordingly, then maybe I would have argued on your behalf, but with your disruption during the meeting, what was I supposed to say?”
Suletta stayed standing, silent only out of hurt.
Ericht gave up with a sigh, when the Emperor was seated all must be seated, yet Suletta refused to follow. She was lucky that Ericht preferred having Suletta this way or else she would have been punished a long time ago.
Suletta balled her hands into fist, looking at her feet trying to find a reasonable point to make Ericht reconsider, “I-I don’t get it! First, you say I’m not fit for politics,” Suletta shifted her eyes to her feet then to Ericht’s raised brow. Feeling too intimidated to stare into her eyes, “Then you ask me to join this session and say I have to marry the princess from Asticassia. Isn’t she the first princess too? Wouldn’t it be wiser for her to marry you?”
Ericht sighed into a small smile, “I can’t marry a princess from Asticassia. It wouldn’t make sense for me to put myself out there for a planet as tiny as theirs.”
“Then why me?”
“It’s like you said. You aren’t fit for politics, but no one ever said you weren’t a good shield. Your marriage with Miss Asticassia will give us enough relations to secure their alliance.”
“Ericht this isn’t fair!” Suletta approached her desk, now on her knees begging to be released, “I have dreams too. I want to study medicine and open hospitals and help the people on the outer surface.”
“Perhaps, I’ve been too lenient with you,” Ericht loves her sister. She had since they were children playing in the courtyard of Empress mother’s palace garden. They were half siblings, but their resemblance was unmistakably similar with both carrying the royal trait of red hair. Being only half related, it didn’t stop Ericht from protecting Suletta as if they were full blooded, “Mother might have been right. I might have let you dream too big. Have you forgotten your princely duties to this planet and to me?”
“Of course not!” Suletta folded whenever Ericht took the blame for her, “It’s me. I forgot my place,” Suletta bowed her head, “Please forgive me.”
Ericht really did love her sister, “Come on, raise your head,” she leaned over to pat Suletta’s head with her fan, “I wasn’t trying to be mean. I just wanted you to understand that your engagement isn’t something I can dissolve on my own. The court had me outnumbered, there was nothing I could do without showing favoritism.”
“O-Oh.”
“You know you're the only one I can trust with this task,” Ericht smiled on playing on her sister’s need for praise, “I can’t entrust this Princess to just anyone, I need her partner to be someone dependable, strong, and pure hearted. Someone who can impress these foreigners and show them what Mercury has to offer.”
And like a simple fool, Suletta seemed to cheer up, “Really?”
“Really,” Ericht helped guide Suletta along within the conversation, “Why don’t you go back now and prepare for your bride-to-be? You can help make the palace Asticassia friendly.”
Suletta gave a shy chuckle before reality struck her again, “W-Wait a minute! Ericht you're not suggesting we live here in the palace??”
“Why not?”
“What happened to following the rules? Mother always said that once a royal sibling is married they have to be sent away to avoid a power imbalancement.”
Ericht sighed. That was one rule she didn’t mind overruling though Suletta didn’t seem to budge on this one, “I guess I can award you some land and have your residency built,” she was a bit annoyed by the task, “But you don’t have to, Mother isn’t here to say anything about it.”
“No! I can’t ignore such a rule,” Suletta could be stubborn on the weirdest things, “Even I know that staying here could be seen as a challenge to your authority. Now that I know you're placing your complete trust in me, I have no choice but to help the best I can.”
“Suletta-”
“I will go right now!” Suletta stood back up, “I’ll study as much as I can about Asticassia culture! I won’t let you down,” And before Ericht could insist that they talk more, Suletta was off to the palace library.
“That girl,” Ericht sighed.
Her curved lips dip into a fine line at the annoyance of having to use Suletta as a pawn to her game. If she had it her way, Ericht would keep Suletta by her side forever. Unmarried and free to live life however she dreamed. That was the idea at first, but ever since a few distasteful assembly men had gotten the idea of rebelling, Ericht couldn’t afford to look weak. She had to play their game for now, while simultaneously reaping them from the shadows.
Taking a few seconds to return to her imperial persona, Ericht grabbed an oil lamp and placed it on the window frame. Its metallic blinking system turned on as it flashed a few times before turning off. A few minutes passed before knocking was heard and Ericht’s spy entered from a hidden door.
“You called your majesty,” Came the figure covered from head to toe in black. Kneeling down before her Emperor as she awaited instructions.
“I have a new mission for you,” Passing along the microchip, Ericht made her first move. Afterall, she wasn’t going to leave Suletta unprotected, “I needed you to keep an eye on her. I also want you to keep tabs on her bride-to-be,” Ericht wasn’t an idiot. She knew the risk in accepting this political engagement just as much as her courtly traitors. It was no secret that Asticassia was allied with the Kingdom of Zenelli. Their 100 year old treaty was definitely something to be wary of before she entered negotiations with either of them.
“Understood!” Giving her courtesy as the black wearing figure disappeared with her assignment.
Ericht sighed once alone again. Every part of her wanting to go bother Suletta and give her a big hug, sadly that wasn’t an option. She had too much to do before allowing herself to goof around. The toughest on her list was getting Suletta that land and home built before the wedding. Groaning to herself as she began the paperwork.
She really didn’t want to do it.
Across the massive property, Suletta ran towards the gates of the massive library hidden within the Emperor's garden forest. The guards who were present at the large gates for show, recognizing Suletta and allowing her to descend. The door’s magical barrier only ever allowed the royal family access.
Suletta traveled alone, the stairway lit up by balls of energy floating along to guide the members to the main chamber. Arriving Suletta was greeted by the flow of water imprinted on the ceiling and floor. The liquid solid and glowing bright white to illuminate the whole area as if there were lights. Tree’s and veins grew among the pillars and shelves as Suletta searched for the books she needed.
Taking a few books on Asticassia, Suletta went to a wooden table and began to read. At least she tried, but quickly found that her heart couldn’t commit. Even though Ericht was depending on her, Suletta still didn’t like the idea of marrying someone she didn’t know. Even worse, they were from different planets. Suletta couldn’t imagine sharing her life with a stranger: What if they didn’t like each other’s customs? What if her bride hated it here in Mercury? What if Ericht sent her to live in Asticassia instead?
Suletta didn’t want to think about it. Nor on the dreams, she was more likely to lose thanks to this arrangement. But what could she do? It was obvious Ericht wouldn’t dissolve this union and Suletta would never go against her sister. So she had to study, she had to learn all she could about Asticassia, to love her bride right away so they could have a joyful marriage.
She had to. Suletta sniffed, rubbing her nose as she cried within the isolation of the library, she had to be strong for her planet. She had to show Ericht that her trust was well placed. Suletta had to accept and find joy within Ericht’s world.
…
Across the galactic space, there resides a small planet made of machinery and star power. The small man-made planet of Asticassia that rotated upon Jupier’s orbit. This metallic sphere known for its never ending lights and technology, was preparing to send off the second princess. Servants packed the space carriage, soldiers readied their weapons and armor, gold and jewels were stashed away as an offering to the Mercurian Emperor, Dell Rembram taking it upon himself personally to assure everything was ready.
The third princess was confined to her room after her third attempt to escape. Her personal maid kept her company as the rest of the castle readied for her departure. Miorine paced back and forth with frustration: The window being too high up to survive the leap, her door locked and guarded, her hidden escape paths blocked off with welded metal. She had no choice, but to obey or consider taking her life. Neither being a sound option as her maid laid out a few dresses on the bed for her.
“How about this one, Miss Rembran?” Nika tried to help distract the other, “Wouldn’t it be nice to greet your betrothed wearing this one?” she picked randomly.
“Be honest with me,” Miorine hissed, “I’m right, aren’t I?”
“W-What do you mean, Miss?”
Miorine could laugh at how bad her servants were at lying to her, “I’m going to die over there aren’t I,” she asked, but it was more of a statement. Miorine knew she was a sacrificial bride. One they would need to die while in Mercurian custody for Zenelli and Asticassia to have a valid reason to invade.
“Y-You’re wrong!” Nika tried to distract her again, “Let’s drop these conspiracies and focus on how you are going to impress your husband.”
“What’s the point in trying to impress a prince from such a backwards country? Putting aside the fact that I'll probably die on my wedding night, I have no desire to provoke any sorts of emotions from such barbarians.”
Nika gasped at her ruthlessness, “Miss Rembran! You’re not going to die, why would you say that? His Excellency, would never put you in harm's way!”
“Don’t give me that bullshit. My father never cared about me and suddenly it’s ‘Give her whatever she wants’ hah! If that wasn’t enough evidence, my sisters have been incredibly tolerable to my demands and they hate my guts!”
Nika exhaled this distasteful topic, “Miss Rembran, those are simple things to explain. Can it be that your family is expressing their own grief from sending away their princess?”
“Yeah right,” Miorine went to the window. Staring down below to see her bridal escort was almost ready, “I heard them too,” she whispered. Remembering hearing a few guards talk about mutiny once the first blood was spilled. Apparently not wanting to be part of the first patch of soldiers to ring the bells of outrage once Miorine was found dead.
Nika didn’t catch her murmur, “What was that?”
“I said the Mercurians hate us! Why would they agree to have me?”
“Times are changing, we have to accept peace when it's offered.”
“What a childish dream,” Miorine thought about jumping. If she was going to be killed it would be better to do it on her own terms.
“Enough,” Nika pulled her back, “You’re not going to die. I promise,” she led her to the selections, “I’ll be there with you. So if they want to murder my lady, they have to kill me first!”
Miorine rolled her eyes, a bit comforted by the idea of Nika buying her time, “Alright. Fine. I’ll stop with my conspiracies,” she looked at the dresses. Not really liking any of their designs or colors, Miorine was about to dismiss them when a wooden chest sitting on the counter caught her eyes, “What’s in there?”
“Oh, that’s just some Mercurian clothes that were sent over with the foreign affairs officers. A gift from their Emperor, but you don’t have to worry about it. It was just for show.”
Miorine wasn’t listening. Opening the container to see a beautifully crafted long sleeved embroidered butterfly Mercurian attire. The silk-like material felt cold to her touch, “It’s pretty.”
And Nika closed it, “And light, not bridal material. For your first appearance it’s important to look the part of a bride. So which dress would you be wearing?”
Miorine had a thought, “And what would Mecurians consider wedding clothes?”
She wouldn’t die. Not so easily, Miorine would play her role as bride and win over her simple minded groom. Striking first before they could kill her. Screw her father and the old men of Zenelli’s plan to make her the catalyst of their war, she would make it the Mercurian Prince instead. Though how she would escape their planet once the prince was slayed, Miorine would leave that to her trusted aides.
“I’m sorry, Miss Rembran. But I’m a bit arrogant about Mercurian customs.”
“Who would know?”
“I don’t understand, wouldn’t it be better to show them how radiant you are wearing your own planet’s clothes?”
“No, I need to show them I can assimilate,” Miorine thought long and hard. Playing the obedient daughter for now, “You said it yourself, Mercury will be my new home. So I better become the best diplomatic representative for our planet to impress my in-laws and groom-to-be. And what better way than to show them we care about their customs.”
“This is never going to work,” Nika dismissed it, “We’re better off sticking to our own culture. You could start an international war by insulting them if you do anything wrong!”
“So we better get it right.” Pulling out the holographic encyclopedia and searching up images of Mericuran wedding clothes. Miorine scavenged their arcades for easy designs to mimic as she got to work with what fabric she had in hand.
“Miss Rembran!” Nika tried to fight her, but Miorine was determined.