[center][img]https://txt-dynamic.static.1001fonts.net/txt/dHRmLjcyLmZmZmZmZi5VSEpwYm1ObGMzTWdSWFpoYm1kc2FXNWwuMA,,/ming.regular.png[/img]

[hr][hr]
[img]https://media.giphy.com/media/1d5O0wamzmhun9Iddq/giphy.gif[/img]

[sub]Mentions: [@Lord Zee]  • [@Jinxer] [/sub]

[hr][hr]
[color=silver]
The sound of birds chirping peacefully awoke the princess on this morning. The sun was shining brightly through the wide windows, the warm ray of light sitting on her face, softly nudging her to open her forest green eyes. Evangeline blinked against the morning sun, the brightness not allowing her to keep her eyes open just yet.

She felt a comfortable warmth from behind her back and something unknown draped over her stomach. Wind was blowing into her ear, it disturbed her attempt to continue her slumber. With a turn of her head she managed to escape the brightness of the day at least by a little bit, enough to be able to keep her eyes open.

Another blow of wind hit her cheek. Or rather a breath, as she came to notice. Red hair framed the harmonious looking face. Laurel was still asleep, breathing onto her skin. Her body reacted to the situation quicker than her mind could analyse it, beating her thinking mind with a warmth spreading throughout her chest area and a tingling sensation building in her stomach. It was giving Eve a mixed feeling of unease and excitement. She turned her head away from the beautiful woman and was blinded once more by the morning sun.

The warmth of her chest continued to grow into a fastened heartbeat as the tingling sensation in her stomach spread through her legs. The unease overpowered the excitement quickly and Eve rolled away from the woman, resting on her stomach in safe distance. Frustrated she buried her face into her pillow.

After lying still like this, breathing into the pillow as best as she could, her mind got control over her body again. Her heartbeat normalized, her stomach lost the tingling and her logical thinking began to kick in finally.

Today would be challenging and draining. The event of last night had to be addressed. Brave men and women had to be buried, respectfully mourned and acknowledge, whoever beat the beast would receive a grand gesture from the Exodus Kingdom, the guests and the citizens would be awaiting a formal speech from the royal family, a few words of sorrow and encouragement. There were political aspects to be considered. How did the beast get so deep into the city without an alarm having rung out much earlier? Has the tragedy weakened the rows of Earthica guards enough to cause a serious danger to the royal family's safety? Would the Kingdoms be pointing fingers, blaming, accusing, while planning in the background? Evangeline hated politics and everything that came with them. The secrecy, the lack of freedom, the possibility of everything being a scam, being a trap, being a planned out scenario to take them down, harm them, cause them trouble.

A soft knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. The princess pushed herself up from her position to take a seated one instead before she called out for whomever to enter. 

The door opened quietly and a woman in her early 50s entered through it, closing it behind herself. Her hair, tightly in a bun, was gray already, her face had an endearing youthfulness to it, she had a tiny round nose and very warm honey eyes. The lady was rather small with a round body type.

[color=82ca9d][b]"Pearl"[/b][/color], Eve exclaimed happily.

[color=0076a3]"Princess"[/color], the maid addressed her respectfully. She raised a hand to show her a note. [color=0076a3]"The events for today, I hope you do not mind me having opened it?"[/color] Eve just gave her a soft smile. Pearl has been her maid since she could remember and she had been more like a mother figure to her. It was cliche, but they shared a special bond and Pearl never shied away from treating her like a daughter, if they were alone, sometimes causing her to overstep her boundaries, which Evangeline didn't mind too often. [color=0076a3]"The tragic event must have left you shaking, my darling. How are you feeling this morning?"[/color]

Evangeline looked at the face, those wrinkles around her honey eyes so familiar to her, the softness of her arms seemed so inviting. But she restrained herself. [b][color=82ca9d]"I am indeed shaken, to say the least. Those poor souls surely did not deserve the end they found. So far away from home, protecting a Kingdom that was not theirs. And of course those poor families, broken hearted, I can not imagine. I shall pay my most respect to those fallen. If it wouldn't have been for my loyal guard, I would have swung myself at the beast alongside my men. Heaven knows they deserved my attendance."[/color][/b]

[color=0076a3]"And she was right to interfere with your impulsive plans!"[/color], Pearl scolded her, arms crossed in front of her bosom. [color=0076a3]"You would not have been any good on the battlefield, Eve. Endangering your precious life. Warriors distracted by their honest need to offer you protection. You would have caused a mess."[/color]

Evangeline crossed her arms in front of her chest, mirroring Pearl. She felt hurt in her pride. [color=82ca9d][b]"You do realize I am quiet good at what I do, aye?"[/b][/color]

[color=0076a3]"I know you are excellent in what you do, my darling. And yet, a battlefield of such is not the place for a lady of your status. A slaughter might describe the scenery better, in fact."[/color] She left a short pause, but as soon as Eve tried to continue their disagreement Pearl interrupted her. [color=0076a3]"The note states a large feast will be held during night to mourn and honor the victims of the unfortunate tragedy. You are invited to get breakfast alongside other guests and take a stroll around the Kingdom, if you wish. I urgently recommend for you to stay inside the palace walls for the day. And Princess Valeri Andora of Primfira has sent a runner to deliver you the invitation to accompany her on a walk, she would be pleased to make your acquaintance."[/color]

The news of another feast didn't go well with Eve. She had expected a ceremony to be held, in respect to the ones who lost their lives, in honor of those who fought bravely, as an opportunity to show compassion and mourn over the tragedy. But another feast, late at night as well, concerned the princess. She was not used to this kind of socializing, so much buzz. She was unsure if she could make it through another one of Exodus' feasts.

The news of Princess Valeri asking for her company surprised her though. It seemed only logical that a princess like Valeri would want to stay away from the bad reputation that surely surrounded Evangeline, if any. But then again, it would be politically important to meet all Kingdom's royalty on such an occasion and attempt to gain a sort of new knowledge about them. Valeri, upon having seen her for the first time, did not give Evangeline a comfortable feeling. Something about the woman had warned her to not let her guard down. She would have to be careful. Another aspect of politics that Evangeline greatly disliked.

[color=82ca9d][b]"Be so kind to send someone to let her know I will be meeting her in the garden in two hours. I am looking forward to our walk."[/b][/color] A short moment of thought passed before she spoke again. [color=82ca9d][b]"And have you, by any chance, heard from my parents? I am sure my father has a plan for the day already. He must be furious with the loss of men we have to face today."[/b][/color]

[color=0076a3]"No, princess, no words from your parents. Although the tragedy has cost our Kingdom many good men, we still have to offer the one man that slaughtered the beast in the streets and ended the nightmare for us all."[/color]

Eve looked at her warm honey eyes with surprise. She had somehow expected the conqueror to be an Exodus warrior or perhaps a Primfira one. The thought of one of her own men having struck the beast filled her with a certain pride, but also with concern. She couldn't help but feel there was something odd about the entire situation. She gave Pearl a nod to acknowledge the information she had shared with her. Later in the day she would have to speak with him and show him her respect.

Pearl ended the conversation by waving with her arms and saying, [color=0076a3]"Now hurry to your bath, young princess. You shall look fine on this very day."[/color] Hurriedly the maid walked to the bath to prepare it for Evangeline.

The princess gave her sleeping friend a soft smile before allowing Pearl to get her ready for the day.

[hr]
One bath, one elegant dress and an up-do-hairstyle later Pearl was happy enough with Evangeline to let her go. The princess had allowed the maid to put her into a dark gown for this day, to show respect. Eve had figured that today of all days was the wrong one to be stubborn. The dress, which Pearl must have organized for her, knowing Evangeline would not have an appropriate gown in her repertoire, was of black color. It had a very low cut out backside and a slim fit that showcased Evangeline's hips perfectly. There were a few golden elements worked into the gown, that made it look very elegant, but still humble. The real eye-catch, making any accessories unnecessary, was her fiery red hair, shining even brighter in the contrast to the black dress. It was done in an elegant up-do, held by a gorgeous piece of golden jewelry that neatly matched the golden aspects of the gown. Evangeline looked nothing like the wild thing with a messy red mane, dirty boots and short pants that she was yesterday. She had been transformed into a stunning woman with eye-catching flaming hair, make up that made her deep green eyes stand out even more and a dress that didn't hide any of her curves. Pearl had done an impeccable job.

The whole thing had taken slightly less than two hours. Evangeline was already running a little late for her walk with Princess Valeri. Nonetheless Eve did not hurry in the slightest. She took the time to check up on her friend one more time, tugging her in as best as she could and giving her hand a soft squeeze. [color=82ca9d][b]"It pains me to not be here when you wake up. Rest well. You do need it."[/b][/color] She turned away from her friend and left the room. Two Earthica guards were positioned in front of the door with orders from the princess to let absolutely no one other than herself and Laurel inside. They had orders to guard Laurel and not take their eyes off of her for a second until told otherwise. A job that none of the men were happy about. Laurel was about as easy to guard and watch over as Evangeline herself. She would not make it easy on them.

Walking through the palace the princess received more than a few looks, most of which came from Earthica men and women. The sight of Evangeline in a dress was rare enough, but the princess having her hair up and done neatly and accompanied by two guards following her was quiet an unusual sight.

The princess calmly made her way to a wonderfully decorated room, art pieces across the walls, mahogany furniture with impressive details, food on tables everywhere. The latter being the most interesting part to her, obviously. Evangeline, although very hungry, only ordered a servant to make her a piece of bread to take with her, along with an apple. She waited standing while food got prepared and took the wrapped up provisions with her as she continued her way to the garden. She arrived only a little late for her walk with Princess Valeri.

Although the garen being a big place, Eve had no trouble finding the woman quickly. Her white hair was easy to spot from afar, the pale skin seemingly reflecting the sun. As Evangeline approached the princess she put on a soft smile. [color=82ca9d][b]"Princess Valeri, please excuse me for keeping you waiting. I do hope it has not been too long?"[/b][/color] She did not feel the need to give her an explanation for her late arrival. [color=82ca9d][b]"It is so lovely to finally make your acquaintance." [/b][/color]

Her first impression of Valeri from up close was distracted by the unique, special dress she wore. It looked a lot like a costume to Evangeline. But perhaps that was ordinary attire for royalty in Primfira. Other than her abstract dress, Evangeline noticed the way she held herself. With so much pride, confidence and ease. Her chin slightly upwards lifted, her facial expressions hidden beneath a mask of royal formality. Undeniably Valeri was a gorgeous woman, hard to read and hard to get behind her carefully build up walls. Evangeline wanted to peek behind them, take a look behind the curtain, she wanted to get to know the [i]real[/i] Valeri. She doubted that she ever would.

[/color][/center]