
When Orion approached, Rainier turned to him fully. “Could be the end of our world…” Rainier repeated softly, then let out a gentle, breathy laugh. “Darling, I’ve had bad hair days that felt like the end of the world.” His smirk tugged up, but his wings drooped just a little behind him.“But this?” He looked back toward where the Queen had stood.“This is real. And terrifying. And bigger than any of us ever imagined.” He said, sounding sincere. “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared.”
Then Rainier tilted his head. “But,” he whispered, “if something awful is coming… I’m glad I met you before it got here.”
He gave a wink. “Now,” Rainier added, straightening with a little flourish,“I need to pack… which for me means deciding which outfits I’m willing to possibly ruin on a life-or-death quest.” He nudged Orion’s arm lightly. “Try not to miss me too much on the walk home, Handsome.” He stepped backward, wings giving a slow flutter. “See you soon. Don’t die before I get back. I hate wasted potential.”
—
Rainier stood dramatically in front of his wardrobe.“What does one even wear for impending doom? Something that says ‘tragic, but well-dressed…”
He flutters from outfit to outfit: a sparkling blue robe with water droplet accents, a sheer top covered in embroidered clouds, a glittery tunic that probably violates multiple laws of physics. At one point he holds up a floor-length cape covered in reflective sequins and frowns. “Too bridal. I’m not marrying the apocalypse.”
Behind him, his bed is covered with a bunch of stuff. Satchels, boots, accessories, a full makeup compact, emergency snacks, etc.
Eventually, he manages to narrow it down to two satchels. “Okay,” he whispered to himself. “Time to go.”
—
And then when he got back to the meeting point, Celine just… dies… For all his dramatics, Rainier had never seen something so cruel.
“She was supposed to send us off,” he murmured. “Not… fade away before we even left. Not like this.”
He looked up at the others, his eyes shimmering from tears.
And still… Rainier was Rainier.
“She would hate to see you crying in public, you know,” he whispered.“She’d want us all defiant and dramatic and shining like the stars she believed in.”
“Let’s make her proud,” he said, turning to face the others fully. “Let’s show this Bog or curse or whatever it is that it picked the wrong kingdom. That we are not fragile little things, waiting to turn into dust.” His voice trembled. “And when it’s over,” he added, brushing a tear from his cheek, “I’m throwing the biggest party this realm has ever seen. Celine’s honor deserves that.”






