Patreon LogoYour support makes Blue Moon possible (Patreon)

How To Deliver Justice (with KiraMusani

Clair took notes on what needed to be done and nodded.
"Right, I can do that"

Clair agreed and continued to help Ruby with her Corset and managed to do so before Mrs. Handler arrived.

Mrs. Handler didn't seem to mind the kiss on the cheek, neither did Mr. Handler.
"It's no problem Dear"

Ruby would be mostly dressed by the time Mrs. Handler arrived.
"Hey Mom! Thanks, I'll be wearing the pantsuit"

"Heh, I'm shocked" She replied sarcastically handing over the pantsuit.
"This one has avoided dresses like you wouldn't believe" She said to Ruby before giving them a hug goodbye and leaving.
 
(by mostly I'll assume she just needs help with the necklace) Ruby fashioned her signet ring on her right forefinger and was setting her tiara on her head, but stopped to give Mrs Handler a hug when she offered, although it meant repositioning her tiara. "Some girls that like sciences sometimes don't, Mrs Handler. I mean if I wasn't born a princess, I don't think I would either. Umm, just don't tell my mother I admitted that."

After fixing her tiara, and allowing Clair to get dressed, she asked, "Your mother is so nice, Clair. Could you clasp my necklace now, please?" She held it in place so Clair could connect it around her neck.
 
"Your secret is safe with me dear, though if I were your mother I would want to know, I am sure she wants you to be happy, and to admit if pantuits made you happier then dresses." She replied returning the hug."We always taught Clair honesty is best, even if in the moment it seems the harder option, especially then actually."

Clair nodded.
"That's right, so I tell my mom all the time that I don't like dresses and prefer, well honestly I would rather wear overalls but that is apparently not an option. I would also rather stay in my shop and work on things, I have more ideas then ever, and less time then ever to work on them." She admitted.

"But in life we don't always get what we want, do we Clair?" Mrs. Handler asked.

"No" Clair pouted slightly.
 
Ruby sighed. "I can relate to not getting what I want, but I have to wear dresses and gowns for balls, and diplomatic galas, and such, because I'm a princess. Tradition. Look at Mother. The only reason she's getting away with pantsuits is she's the Queen of a country, and Gregor does leave it to our choice... If he can. Princesses must be regally presentable, traditionally. That means a dress or gown Calla lucked out, choosing to abdicate before the Yuletide Parade. Although, being newly knighted AND a hero... I mean many of our own female knights are traditionally in dresses and gowns at events like this."

When Clair helped Ruby with her necklace, it was time for this princess to be escorted and seated to breakfast in the dining room. The points for behaviours started now, before they even left for the parade route through Dunwyn.
 
Clair seemed a little confused.
"You are making it sound like no one wants to wear dresses, I thought most girls liked to wear them?" she asked as she helped with her necklace.

Clair would bring Ruby to the table, and even recall to pull out her chair for her and tuck her into the table before taking her own seat. It may of helped as she saw others doing it as they entered but she did do it in the end.
 
Ruby smirked as she looked shyly at Clair as she was seated. "I love them. I just don't like being forced to wear them because of tradition. We should all be allowed to show our individuality, not just the villagers and lower nobilities. This court season was the perfect blend of both. The pantsuits for every girl in attendance for King Richard when he visited was one of the few times you even saw me in pants, right? I'm not a fighter, nor am I always a researcher. I'm more like Doctor Aurora in a lot of ways, and you saw her in dresses a lot, too."

She sighed and when Clair sat down next to her, stated, "See, the only time I really got upset with her, was back when you got poisoned. She pushed only her medical thing, when she's a duchess, owning the Great House of Valtoria in Cordonia. She forgot how to dress like nobility whilst not losing her noble heart. Now you see why I made her wear one of my pink tiaras, as well as her house colours. To remind her. She's a duchess, she should dress like it, as well as act like it. Which reminds me,we all, you included, my dear Clair, must design our Snowflake Ball gowns. I can help you if you want, unless you want Calla, Cinnamon or Sapphire to do it?"

It should be noted, Ruby only named the more feminine princesses, although Calla was an ex-princess now. Clair would see Calla in a dress of Stormholt colours of blue and grey, which she straightened the collar of, after seating Sapphire.

Ruby looked over Clair and nodded with a smile. "First time in your new house colours. How do you feel?"

(Note for @KiraMusani : Red and Orange were the two original colours of Vescovi, there's been enough time for the Handlers to put their own spin, you can pick your own two House colours, but I'd like to see the pantsuit and (later) ball gown designs, please? Clair does have to design a ball gown for the dance at the end of the season)
 
Clair listened and nodded along with her as she explained why she wore dresses, having finished helping her put on what she needed as she spoke.
"I see, I wonder if Dr. Aurora would also want to leave her nobility behind to focus purely on her umm, medical studies. Kind of like how Calla did." She questioned.

As she heard that she would need to design their own Snowflake Ball gowns she was surprised.
"Oh! we do? And must they be dresses? Perhaps we can design ours together? Unless you have already done so."

Clair looked down at herself, wearing the pansuite of her house colours.
"Honestly, it's a bit odd, for me. It might just be what my mother calls, growing pains, but... I just have never felt noble at all, like I always felt more like I was part of the civilians rather than anywhere close to nobility."
 
Ruby looked quickly between Calla and Aurora as they were mentioned, and both saw it!

Calla, a typical teenage knight, raised her eyebrow. "What, princess?"

Aurora, about Diana's age, tilted her head to the side, "Yes? Do I have something on my face?" She did, a splotch of gravy on the right corner of her mouth.

"Nothing..." Ruby blushed, looking down, and continued to eat. She mumbled to Clair, and depending how good Clair's hearing was, may miss the almost whisper. "Youlookgoodinredandgreen."

Clair would have a chance to explain what Ruby might have seen to Aurora, and also, if she caught Ruby's mumble and word smash, acknowledge the princess's compliment. Calla looked befuddled at Clair.
 
Clair paused and first replied to Aurora.
"Huh? oh, you have a little Gravy on the corner of your mouth" She said pointing to the right corner of her own mouth.

When Ruby mumbled her phrase out Clair heard her speak but didn't quite catch what she had said.
"Hmm? Sorry, I didn't quite catch that, oh! umm, pardon?"
 
Aurora nodded, dabbed her mouth with her napkin and continued eating, being more careful eating the breakfast meat and eggs covered in the gravy.

Ruby cleared her throat and said meekly, "Um. Y-you look good in red and green." It still wasn't loud enough for anyone else to really pick up, unless they were right next to Ruby and Clair. Aurora just barely heard and she was seated across the table from Ruby. Calla, across from Clair, barely picked up too. Sapphire, next to Calla, thought she might have heard.

"Ruby, don't be afraid to compliment your friends." Kenna said, lovingly but stern. She looked at Ethel, before turning back to Ruby, "Your father isn't here to harass or slap you for being polite."
 
"Oh" Clair blushed, not realizing what she had been saying and that it was a compliment to her.

"Thank you, y-you look good as well" Clair was also rather quiet but more so due to being shy.
"Those colours compliment your eyes" she added.

Ethel returned the nod.
"Yes, you need not fear your father"
 
Ruby smiled bashfully. At both Ethel about not fearing Dom and how her blue/grey combination helped bring out her almost dark violet eyes. The combination would almost make the Cordonian Princess seem to have "bedroom eyes", but with Clair not as social as others, Ruby's eyes would just seem with more deeper colour.

Aurora, who's own eyes were probably what hooked Calla (remember, Aurora and Ruby are almost twins in hair colour and facial features, only Aurora has a different family, and enough subtle differences) did a double take between Clair and Ruby.

Dame Calla chuckled and elbowed the doctor and winked, without fully saying it was what bagged Aurora, unless Clair was smart enough to figure it out. Diana would be.

Even Kenna, looking for the signs of Calla's interest, seemed to give a nod. There could be a Cordonian union for the ex-princess and a Cordonian national.
 
Clair didn't seem to notice as she looked down at the table after saying her compliment, too shy to look elsewhere unless someone addressed her, except for a quick glance towards Ruby which made her blush before returning her gaze to the table.

Diana notice but stayed quiet to eat her food, not wanting to get in the middle of this, it was more fun to watch these sort of things.

Ethel too noticed but also didn't say anything, her goals were much more grand when it came to what peeked her interest.
 
Sapphire laid her fork she had been using to sop up the dregs of the gravy with her biscuit and finally said, meaning it to the new Cordonian Knight than at the princess. "Oh for the love of Olympus, quit flirting with her and kiss her already! Everyone knows by now you've chosen her!"

Even King Gregor , the father of the flirt, and Kenna, Queen of the Cordonian national being flirted with, stared at the Jewel Kingdom princess in shock, before both glanced at Ruby and Clair, the princess looking like she wanted to hide under the table in embarrassment, the colour of the ripest tomato one would ever see anywhere in Europe!

Olivia, next to Ethel, looked at Calla and Aurora, and then Ruby and Clair. Both Cordonians looking ready to dive under the table and die of embarrassment. Calla suddenly found the rest of her breakfast plate, almost empty, extremely fascinating.

Cassandra didn't realize, when she stuck her foot in her mouth with poor etiquette and diplomacy, she would actually lighten the mood. "Damn, Princess. And I thought I needed more etiquette lessons!"
 
Clair too froze other then her eyes who looked around, she still had yet to connect who was was talking about but was sure if she looked at everyone else's gaze she would find out who was being addressed.

Ethel raised an eyebrow and remained silent as well, more curious on how others would react to the sudden statement.

Diana also looked between the four girls to see their reactions, would any of them give in to the demand or would they all retreat into their shells. So far the latter option seemed to be the one.
 
Calla seemed to be mulling things over, including what Princess Sapphire had said, glancing quickly at Clair, and seeing how frozen she even seemed to be. It had only been clear to Calla, that Ruby was torn between her and Clair.

She glanced at the newly commissioned physician, who had saved both Clair's and her own life, and looked ready to join Princess Ruby under the table. Why was Aurora blushing? Surely, Sapphire was taking to either her, (Calla), or Ruby! She wondered if Clair even knew how to flirt, being so new to social settings, little alone court.

Cinnamon, who had accepted the honour of being the crowned princess of Dunwyn, cleared her throat and dabbed her mouth. "Sapphire? Can I have a few words with you? I would like a third party as a mediator. Either Ethel or Olivia. Someone who knows both Cordonian and Jewel Kingdom laws of proper behaviour." She looked to the King, "I apologise Sire, and Queen Kenna, that although this was poor etiquette on the part of Princess Sapphire, I feel she knows more about both her own laws and Cordonia's, which warranted the outburst. If I may be excused to perform my duties as an ambassador to Dunwyn?"

Olivia looked puzzled at first, before a light went on. "Of course. Cinnamon only knows the bare minimum of the traditions and laws of Cordonia and the Jewel Kingdom. This is a learning process for her as well. Even Calla wasn't that versed in Jewel Kingdom, as far the last twenty or so years, it faded into legend until this court season. Calla chose her successor well, even the asking of me, a diplomat for another country, or you, a mercenary with no political ties, but acting as King Gregor's advisor because of first, Laird Princeton's declaration of war, and then the headache with Dominic Hunter, to mediate between her and Sapphire. Sapphire wasn't declaring war on the countries, but traditions that prevent Calla or Ruby from declaring they've reached a decision. It's obvious they both have."

Clara Princeton spoke up next. "Beggin' th' new princess's pardon, but ye lef' oot another possible mediator in either Diana or Cassandra. 'M certain th' Amazons cull deal wi' wadin' thru th' malarkey o' traditions o' Cordonia an' Jewel Kingdom." The Scot met the glare of Kenna. "No offense, ma'am."

Kenna's visage softened. "I'll look into making it easier for some one who has decided during court, to make it public before the season ends instead of having to wait until the final ball, signalling the actual end of the court season."

"As I, but until that time, the traditions stay as is." Gregor stated. "However, I will grant Cinnamon this, as she does need to learn traditions and laws of Dunwyn's allies. Have the meeting in the throne room, and good luck. Ethel, Olivia, decide among yourselves who will help the new princess sort through this mess caused by our traditions."

Points would be given to the mediator, who would miss the opening pomp and circumstance of the ceremony before the parade. Regardless, the parade couldn't start without Princess Cinnamon. A perfect opportunity for Ethel to skip some more boring speeches.
 
Clair had no idea how to properly flirt, she didn't even recognize when she was being flirted with if it was subtle in any way. On top of that, she was not great at reading social situations via body language, she was still more confused about what was happening then anyone else seemed to be.

Ethel looked toward Olivia and nodded as one of them was asked to mediate.
"Well I would be glad to, but in all fairness, Olivia likely knows modern law better than I, I am more of a history buff with that stuff, so may mistake old laws for current ones, which could slow the progress of the meeting" She admitted.

Diana nodded to Clara as she had spoken up for them to also have a shot to help, though it didn't end up getting through.
 
Kenna smiled. "It doesn't seem to be our laws, per se, rather the traditions we have turned into unwritten laws." She caught Sapphire's look of disdainment. "Oh, don't sit there with that look, princess, I'm sure your country is no better, and why the Dunwyn Princess needs to speak with you." She looked back to Ethel, "By being a study of history, you might actually be the better pick. After all, nobody except Queen Amalas¹, who isn't present, is going to know much about Jewel Kingdom current laws."

As Cinnamon thanked Gregor and arose from the table, she nodded to Kenna. "Yes ma'am, that about sums it up. That comment came more from frustration with our traditions," she glanced at Sapphire, "and perchance a few of your own?" She looked at Ethel. "And, I'm afraid Laird Clara is correct, but Sapphire and I do need to wade through Dunwyn, Cordonia AND Jewel Kingdom traditions to get to the root and what our laws actually say."

When they would reach the throne room, they would see the princess throne, off the dias and onto the floor, sitting across from another well ornate chair, facing each other, with a third chair sitting so the person would be between the two without in front of the two. Amethyst and Tuxford dusting off all three chairs and Sunrise off to the side surveying the surroundings. He was Ethel's right hand man until the king could release her from her advisory role.


1-Queen Amalas runs Millicent's country, Monterisso, the spy country of Europe. Medieval and present day.
 
Last edited:
Ethel crossed her arms.
"Well I still think Olivia is the better choice, but if you insist I will do it" she agreed.

Clair meanwhile just sat and listened to what everyone was saying, it was nice for her not to be the topic as that always made her anxious.

Diana too simply listened, this didn't really have anything to do with her so she was just a spectator at this point.
 
Cinnamon thanked Ethel also, whilst Sapphire just gave her a curt regal nod. Sapphire showed by her body language, that being a warrior princess meant she shouldn't have to explain herself. At the same time, she was here as an ambassador herself, and like Cinnamon, Ruby and the Amazon sisters, so decorum had to take precedent; she was also mad that Cinnamon had read her so well. It was traditions that were keeping Ruby from just admitting to Clair and Calla from admitting to Aurora their feelings.

As they got to the throne room, she dropped into the ornate chair as Cinnamon took what was basically her throne now and not Calla's. She let Ethel sit before getting started.

"Being in this position is going to take some getting used to, I'm afraid." She sighed, "My chair shouldn't be any fancier than either of yours."

Sapphire raised an eyebrow, frowning. "Why? Because you weren't born a princess? That's rubbish. Well, let's get on with it."

Cinnamon sighed. "I feel like you're kinda proving my point. This being about traditions, and you're upset about something traditional you have to deal with when you get home."

Sapphire got up and paced, folding her arms across her chest, and Cinnamon glanced at Ethel, shaking her head, let her. she mouthed. Apparently, as the Baron's daughter, she had seen this a lot. It was how some people vented, and Sapphire wasn't the first lady Cinnamon had seen do this. Sapphire began, "Princesses have to do such and such and cannot show feelings obvious until the appropriate time. Appropriate time for whom? It's definitely not the princess! Neither one of you can sit there and not tell me you can't see how much Ruby likes Clair or Calla likes Doctor Aurora! And before you start, Cinnamon, Calla abdicated before she was knighted, she can't unlearn in a day, what was drilled into her head since she was about six! Also, as a princess, tradition, which is used as the law of the land, says that the king or queen picks who their daughter marries and it's never for love! It's for the betterment of the country, not her!"

Cinnamon nodded. "And you're sick of tradition being treated as unwritten laws. Or is this because in your country, this is the written law, and you actually love someone else."

Sapphire nodded, arms still folded. "Damned right! And I have yet to meet the prince of this foreign country. Guy probably doesn't love ME either! Another thing, we've been having battles with this country for hundreds of years, before even my father was born, but since it's tradition..." She threw her hands up, before taking her seat.

Cinnamon sighed. "Let's break this down. Is it actually written down as a LAW that you have to be okay with this arranged marriage?"

"What if this prince is another Duke Igthorne?!" Sapphire blurted.

"Princess! Focus, please! Do your laws actually have in writing you have to go through with the arranged marriage?"

Sapphire looked like she was reading through the laws herself, although she had no tome in front of her. "No, but traditions, good for the country, make peace. Bullshit like that." She was starting to sound a bit like some of Ethel's gripes. "And let's be real and honest, here. Word got to Jewel Kingdom about Cavin's behaviour towards Calla that courting season nearly five years ago, and how she exiled herself for nearly a year. We all know the reason this was all females courting this season. The princess HAD to find someone, or the king would choose for her. Does Dunwyn really have a law on the books, saying that the princess must have a mate by her 18th birthday? Or is it like the Jewel Kingdom and it's only adamantly implied?"

Cinnamon had studied the law books for business. "I haven't had access to the royal laws yet, I just became princess, Sapphire, but if the noble laws are any indication... No. It's only implied." She looked pleading towards Ethel, so far this was more about an arranged marriage, that didn't sound legal even by Jewel Kingdom books of record, then Calla's innocent flirting with the physician or Ruby making 'googily eyes' at Clair.
 
Ethel had prepared to just listen before she got the look from Cinnamon.
"Okay ladies, the thing about laws, they are constantly changing, and in my experience have not need apply to at least the royal men. That and my current profession have made me see most laws as simply, guidelines" she leaned back.

"Being royalty is worlds different from peasant life, different laws could apply, and based off what you have all been talking about, neither of you really know what is what." Ethel knew she had to be careful with what she said and how, she couldn't admit to having been royalty before it would be far to complicated to explain it happening in her current lifetime.

"Finally, as the top brass, don't you have say, or at least will have say on what the laws are, can't you change them to be more open on these kinds of things?" She asked.
 
Sapphire huffed whilst crossing her arms, yet again. "You said it right there. Not for the royal MEN. Sure, I can suggest, but until I'm actually sitting on the throne, and even then it's for the husband to decide, not me."

Cinnamon nodded to Ethel, before turning to Princess Sapphire. "If you have a good rapport with your father, you can make those changes, Sapphire. Ethel is Gregor's advisor. That's going to carry a lot of sway for me, and he already changed Dunwyn's traditions from male or prince, to include any noble of either gender. Any. If Calla hadn't abdicated, she could marry or at least take as her mate, the Cordonian physician. It for the good of country and her. Merchants are the lowest from of noble, below Baron which is the lowest heritage noble. Cordonia would win with Ruby choosing Clair, because all the countries the merchant is connected to, is tied in to the Union with the Royal. Kenna would even have a say in approving other business with countries."

Clearing her throat, she said, "I digress. This is about an unwanted marriage alliance, because of your countries' shared history, innit? Then explain that to your father and give him an alternative that is on the lawbook, whilst also reminding him the law and traditions are different, and traditions aren't mandated by the very law he's sworn as king to uphold. You're military, right, use that without being overbearing yourself, something like, As a warrior, I have firsthand knowledge of the books, as well as the law in action. Where is it written that...? and explain your issue. Your recent battles with this country, and arranged marriage would be a good start."

Sapphire frowned and looked at Ethel, "You're Gregor's advisor. Is this really the best way? After all, I'm the crown princess of the Jewel Kingdom, not actually on the throne. I have less say than you think, but at the same time, maybe just enough. I DEFINITELY want out of this arranged marriage to a country's prince that has always done what the country wanted, including starting most, like 90% of those skirmishes."

Cinnamon made a painful looking grimace.
 
Ethel rubbed the back of her head.
"Well this is a complicated situation, we need to look at the consequences if each action, then you need to decide on what needs to be done. What happens if you refuse this marriage, compared to if you consider it" she asked.
 
Sapphire sunk a little into her chair. "Bad news, I'm not holding to tradition and our Eastern neighbor could use it as an excuse for war. They have to have their way. Good news, if it's a feasible excuse... Like the fact they would look for any excuse, and I can give a better alternative than a nonloving marriage... At least I won't be shot for treason?"

Sapphire looked at Cinnamon's wide-eyed expression. "Yes. I said SHOT for treason. I'll be put against the wall and be pumped with so many arrows, many countries, including Drakovia, the other country in question, would consider it overkill. Jewel Kingdom eliminates traitors and makes double sure they're dead. Igthorne is lucky he's in England. He'd face the arrow firing squad." She gulped, gripping her throat. "They DON'T miss."

She sighed. "We can't prove Drakovia has a tyrannical king, because they do treat their people well. It's the current King and his spawn, are warmongers. They'll use any reason to start something militaristic with the Jewel Kingdom. Plus... Obvious loveless marriage. I've probably faced the prince on the battlefield and don't even know it."

Cinnamon knitting her brows, nodded. "Tell King Topaz exactly that, then. That's what I mean. Use your experience fighting the battles to get you out of the tradition. You said yourself. It isn't in the law, so you can't be accused of treason."

Sapphire sighed, head bowed. "I can be disowned and have only my military training to fall back on, then my sister will be forced into the unwanted marriage."

"Not if you prove, with the book, that marrying the princess to a country you're at odds with, is ONLY tradition." Cinnamon commented before leaving Ethel with any final words before the three went to the parade route.
 
Ethel crossed her arms and took a deep breath.
"That certainly is a predicament. What of a sort of on paper only wedding, no need to live with or ever even see the prince again? Outside of that I have no idea what solution there could be"
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom