There's Going to Be a Party
Once upon a time, long ago, in a world, far away… but perhaps not much of either. There lived a princess, Her Highness Asterid Agate Bidasar, second born of King Adamas Bidasar, Sovereign of Nanshilin, Protector of the Cartazonos Forest, Potentate of the Rompot Mountains, and the King of Stone and Green. Luckily, in Asterid's mind, she only had one title that she had to end her letters in.
However her older sister, Rosidae Actinolite Bidasar, would eventually gain just as many as their father, as she was soon to become Crown Princess. Which was why, the usually steady and efficient people of Prasinos Castle were harried, noisy, and bustling. A ball celebrating Rosidae's 18th birthday and ascension to Crown Princess was only a month away. A soriée where she would gain not only a ruler's name, as was custom for their royalty, but a possible fiancée.
On this cold and frigid spring morning, Asterid sought the company of her grandmother Magnaphyta. The suite she resides in is one of the few places in the castle untouched by the furious preparations. If you could call the suite bathed in various greens and purples calm, thought Asterid. Her grandmother was, at 66, was still energetic and lively, though she had distanced herself from the politics and various fiascoes of the kingdom. Currently they were both happily situated the sitting room in front of a crackling fire, reading. Her grandmother was just starting the book she gave her for her birthday two months prior, Asterid was just finishing the one she got on her birthday last month.
As she closed the book satisfied, she looked about the room, glancing at her appearance in the mirror across the way. Today, more gray than green eyes stared back, checking upon her appearance. Straight brown hair, not auburn like her father and sister, that would reach the small of her back if it wasn't styled into a chignon, two strands stylishly loose and framing her face before going into the bun, a comb decorated with white pearls in silver flowers holding it up. Though there were times where she felt her nose was too big, at least it competed with her forehead, and her chin was stubbornly holding up her head. Her stubborn chin and brown hair were the only physical characteristics she received from her mother. Though her uncle has a nose just like hers, she wasn't too enthused with such similarity. Asterid's gaze moved to the silver and green necklace she wore. One of a set of forest themed jewelry her mother left to her on her passing. How'd she know, after only knowing her for the first few years of her life, that the trees and forest of their home was one of the things she liked the best?
Asterid smoothed the pleating of her green day dress and stood up, turning to her grandmother. "I imagine that if we don't say anything, we won't be getting any tea served in a timely matter, when everyone is so frantic. Shall I go and put in a specific order for us? I'm off to fetch a new book to read."
Magnaphyta, lifting her blue eyes from her book, merrily crinkled her face into a smile. "Sounds like the smart thing to do! Just as long as they have my favorite cookies and tea, everything else can be whatever you'd like. I was just about to say I was feeling a bit peckish." Her smile widened, "This book you chose for me is quite entertaining! Who would've thought that a person would write about romance! And even from a female's point of view!"
Asterid smiled back, and laughingly replied, "I told you, you would enjoy it! These 'novellas' are all the rage now! Ever since the Stochastic Press was invented, books have entered a revolution!"
Magnaphyta nodded, "Those rumors I have heard of young peoples taking up writing as a," her face scrunches, "profession? Seems less out of this world, especially with how entertaining this book is!" Her face smoothed out again into an amused smile. Her head tilted to her side, her snowy white hair, in a simple coiffure with a navy colored lacy cap on top her head, tilted too. "Are they the books that I've seen you voraciously reading lately?"
Asterid nodded as she held her finished book in front of her. "Oh yes, though sadly some of them aren't quite up to my standards. I imagine it's because of the surplus of people writing and publishing their own works, the amount of not so good stories out number the good!"
"Time will tell with them. Just as time will get us food! Now off with you!" Magnaphyta waved her off.
Asterid smiled again and made a small curtsy before turning about and leaving the room and eventually the suite.
As Asterid made her way to the castle library, she managed to gain the attention of one of the busy maids, having them prepare tea, with her grandmother's preferred tea and cookies and some sandwiches. The girl nodded, curtsied, and hurried to the kitchens, the other maids she was working with continuing with their jobs.
Upon reaching the library, she found her sister Rosidae and her retinue at a desk within. Those arraying around her sister were her ladies in waiting and various young men who held some bureaucratic position in the castle. Sitting in the middle and glowing from their regard her sisters beauty seemed to sparkle. Rosidae's maid had apparently decided that simple was the order of the day as her sister's hair done in a marcel wave coiffure, gold flowers with ruby centers placed artistically in it. Pearl earrings and necklace competing against her skin, with a rose pink day dress. She gained their father's eyes, nose, and his brow as well, but somehow, when put with their mother's chin, the mixing turned out extremely well. A great beauty. Also highly intelligent. The great hope and future of their kingdom. It's well and good Rosidae enjoys the game so much, and loves her people and family. Asterid wouldn't know what they would do if her sister wasn't so… magnificent.
Eye contact was made. Asterid walked further into the room and Rosidae stood up and walked to her.
"Aster dear, I knew I'd see you eventually if I set up camp here." Rosidae's eyes smiled, "Let me walk with you as you find your next book to conquer." She waved her retinue to stay, and Asterid was whisked into the library's stacks.
"Rosie, you could have sent for me and I would've come to you!" Asterid found where the book she had finished should go and went to the book cases for newly arrived books.
"Nonsense! I won't send for my sister like I would for anyone else! It would make our family look bad, and you are definitely not anything less than royalty. Act like it!" Rosidae kept up with and quietly scolded her. "Anyway, it'll do those trying to curry favor to educate themselves and learn patience."
Asterid sent a wry glance at Rosidae, and continued looking through the new arrivals. "You know that I'm very aware of being royalty, but please, I really don't want to do anything more as a princess. Having to behave and socialize is horrible enough, don't ask me to play politics."
Rosidae sighs and rolls her eyes. "Fine, I know, books and long walks for you. You don't know what you're missing, my sweet Aster." She pats Asterid's shoulder and starts to head back, then stops. "Oh, by the way, you have fittings that need to be done. My ball won't just be for me to find some handsome fellow, but you too."
Asterid grimaced, and pulled out a neatly bound and stylish book. "Oh hurrah, prospective partners. Anyone I should stay away from in particular, other than the handsome boys and old men?"
"No? Though, just recently we received a letter saying that an unmarried prince from the Indivedic Empire will be attending with their envoy." Rosidae tapped a well manicured finger against her cheek.
"Would not such a connection be better for you than me?"
"Who knows? See you at supper then?"
Asterid nodded, "Of course, it's one of the few times we get to have to talk with father."
Rosidae headed back to her people and Asterid made her way back to Magnaphyta and tea, book in hand.
Now wearing a cream colored evening gown, Asterid sat next to her grandmother, who sat across from Rosidae. King Adamas sat at the head of the table. His auburn hair was slowly turning iron gray, and as the years passed, his eyes more tired. This once a month supper that only had their family, was a happy occasion for all of them.
Adamas smiled at his daughters and spoke to Magnaphyta on his left, "They do look very pretty, don't they Mother? I'm almost loath to share them with the world! Let us cancel Rosidae's ball and just throw all the men out."
Magnaphyta's royal blue fan hit his arm, "Don't you dare! All this money put into this soriée, and all the guests!"
Rosidae laughed, shimmering in her apricot evening gown, "And it's not like I'll be leaving you! You'll have to deal with me even after I marry. The one you have to hide away is Aster. Though with the way she hides herself, perhaps you needn't worry."
Asterid smiled, "If you don't want me to go to the ball, I'm all for obeying your wishes."
Rosidae pointed her fork, "Don't you dare sneak off! You're going!"
"Don't play with your silverware, Rosidae. You aren't an unmannered child."
"Yes, Grandmother. Just making a point, as Aster isn't a child anymore either."
"Rosidae is right." Adamas sighed. "Asterid, don't just hide in the corner, please try to socialize a bit more. If you want to find someone you like, you have to talk to more people."
"You mean more nobles." Asterid calmly continued eating, "When have I ever acted inappropriately and hidden myself away?"
"You might not have hidden yourself away, but by your attitude and quietness, you have effectively shut many people out." Magnaphyta took a sip of her wine, "And a princess does not marry a commoner."
Rosidae and Asterid shared a look, mouthing to each other, "Oh, horror of horrors!"
Adamas chuckled, and then sighed again, still looking at his giggling daughters. "Marriage…"
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ijustwannareadpls self edited, and slow going in the writing process
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