"Guards! Fetch Geneviève and bring her here immediately! It's urgent!"
An older man sat on a golden throne in the throne room, his scrawny fingers tapping against the armrest as he waited for the guards to leave the room. His dull grey eyes watched as the guards scrambled to get out of the room to fetch the woman that he asked for. A golden crown with rubies embedded into them sat on top of his salt and peppered hair. His cheeks are slightly sunken from the years of his aging. Everyone fears that he won't be lasting much longer, which would in return cause his daughter, the Princess, to rule over the kingdom since the Queen passed away years ago. Many knew that she would be a great ruler, yet, she lacked the ability to make logical and rewarding decisions, which is why the courts made a decision behind his back.
The wooden doors at the end of the room opened forcefully to reveal a woman. Her hair was pulled back in a braid that came over her shoulder with two pieces framing her heart-shaped face. She wore a navy blue off-the-shoulder long sleeve shirt, having noticeable freckles spread across her shoulders and chest be seen. Black pants hugged to her hips, having a pair of shiny black knee-high boots to finish off the look. She is usually in some sort of armor, but considering the attire she is wearing, she was summoned when she was off-duty. A sword hung at her waist, having her hand rest on the hilt in case she has to draw it out at the last minute and for her comfort in general. Her footsteps were light and precise, having them barely make a sound in the quiet throne room. Her heterochromatic eyes flickered around the room, a slight furrow on her face as to why she was called here so suddenly.
She stopped before the King and knelt before him, waiting for him to tell her she can rise. As much as she hates royalty with a burning passion, this royal family isn't too bad. If anything, she knows that the King almost considers her as his daughter. She listened as he ordered everyone out of the room before calling the Princess in. This only caused her furrow to grow deeper as to what the meaning behind this meeting could be. She doesn't remember the last time that the King called her into the throne room with the Princess and ordered everyone out. Actually, this has never happened before. What in the world could be happening to where he doesn't want anyone but them to hear what this meeting is about?
"Rise, Geneviève." He said, his voice worn out from the years. A string of coughs started to rack his body for a few moments before they settled down. He seems to have only gotten worse since the last time she has seen him.
"What's so urgent that you called for me, Malik?" She asked as she rose to her feet. She only ever used the King's name whenever they were in private without anyone else around. She looked over at the Princess, seeing that she is just as confused as she is. "I mean, I hope it is urgent considering you actually ordered people out of the room to talk to us about whatever this topic could be. Oh, and I was also having a lovely time off before you called me in for duty."
"It is an urgent meeting that will be put into action as soon as this discussion is done." He said as he stood up, grabbing the silver cane that was leaning against his throne next to him. He wobbled slightly as he walked down the steps. He motioned for his daughter to follow him, having her quickly come down the steps till she was standing right next to them. "The courts made a decision behind my back, thinking it will be a great investment. I do have to say that it is an excellent investment too." He explained, causing both of the girls to raise their brows at this. "An arranged marriage between Kiera and Prince Caspian has been made."
Her whole body went rigid when Malik spoke those words. She wasn't sure she heard those worse right, but when she looked at Kiera, she knew she did. She had the look of utter shock on her face, her jaw hanging wide open. Geneviève could only shake her head before she started pacing. She wasn't going to let the Princess and her best friend get married to the enemy, let alone one they have been at war with for years. Sure, she understands that the court probably did this to end the war, but that didn't mean that an arranged marriage had to be made. For god's sake, she has heard nothing good about the other Kingdom for years. She isn't going to let them get their hands on what she considers to be her sister.
"With all due respect, Malik, there is no way I'm going to agree to send Kiera over there, let alone have her marry that god-forsaken Prince." She growled, her pacing seeming to only quicken the more she talked. She wasn't going to mention that she used to be part of that Kingdom before she came over here. She has kept that secret for years and there is no way in hell she is going to be revealing it anytime soon. She will be taking it to her grave no matter what the actions that must be taken to keep it that way. "Malik, you must reconsider this." She pleaded as she finally stopped pacing. She needed to come up with a plan if she didn't want to send Kiera over to enemy lines.
"What is done is done, dear." He said with a small sigh. He wished it didn't have to come to this, but it was the only way for the war to stop and so Kiera didn't have to rule while a war was still going on when he passed. "Though, I have an idea." He saw how this perked both of the girls' interest, knowing that he has their attention. Well, at least Geneviève's for now. "I don't want her going over there as much as you do, Gen. So, I'm going to propose something. What if you posed to be Kiera since they haven't seen what she looks like since she is always behind the castle walls?"
Geneviève blinked slowly, her insides recoiling at the thought of posing as royalty. "You want me to do what now?" She asked slowly and incuriously. How could he suggest that she of all people who hate royalty have her pose as the Princess? She viciously shook her head, stray strands of hair falling out of her braid from the motion. "Absolutely not! There is no way I am going to pose as royalty!" Her voice was raised to show that there was no way she was going to go through with this proposal. "Have you not met me? I'm the opposite of Kiera. She is this sweet and bubbly person and I'm this hardcore merciless Knight that eats bones for breakfast." She said, making the last part of her sentence sarcastic. "There is no way I will be able to pass as her. Can you really see me as a bubbly and sweet person?"
"She has a point, father." Kiera said, knowing that her friend won't be able to pass as her. "Gen is far from being sweet and bubbly. I don't think I remember the last time she was so bubbly with someone besides us." She explained, hoping that her father sees reason as to why they can't send Geneviève to pose as her.
"I have no choice to send Kiera over there then. I don't trust anyone except for you, Geneviève, to pose in her place." Malik explained, hoping that will tip the boat on having Gen agree to play the part.
Geneviève grumbled under her breath, her arms crossed over her chest as she looked away from the pleading eyes of the King. She certainly doesn't want Kiera to go over there, even if she went with her. She just doesn't want to put her best friend potentially in harm's way. Sadly, the only way to prevent that is for her to go in Kiera's place, much to her dismay. She groaned, her head shaking that she is actually going to be agreeing with this. After all these years of hating royalty, she is going to end up posing as one. How much more ironic can that get? Rather, why must she have such a weakness to these two?
"Fine. I will do it. But-" She stopped mid-sentence, her gaze flickering between the both of them. "I can't promise I will be good because it is far from my nature. I don't even consider myself being a lady since I don't even act as one in the first place, but I'll try my best." She then remembered one thing, hoping that she doesn't have to do this as it is only going to be torture for her. "Can I not wear dresses?" She asked, hopeful that the King will say yes. She despises them and just hopes she doesn't have to wear them.
"No. You must wear them as that is what being a Princess is." He said as he turned around and slowly made his way up the steps. He stumbled for a moment but caught himself with his cane. He took a seat once more on his throne, seeing how displeased she is that she must wear dresses. "You also can't be carrying your sword around considering Princesses aren't allowed any."
Her jaw dropped to the floor as her grip on the hilt of the sword tighten. He did not just tell her she can't have the one thing on her that will protect her over there. Sure, she is going to have guards, but they are useless and aren't as skilled as she is. She is already agreeing to pose as a Princess and wear a dress, but now she can't have her sword at her hip at all times? "What the hell? What else do I have to give up to be this 'Princess'?" She asked with air quotes and her words just dripping with utter sarcasm. "Do I also have to walk with grace?" She said as she moved across the floor and mocked how Kiera walks. She walked with an exaggerated sway of her hips and her head held up high with her chin tilted up as if she is the most important person in the world.
Both of them laughed at her, knowing she is only trying to make herself feel better about agreeing to this. "Of course not. Just be yourself. Though, do try and be somewhat nice and approachable. Have a smile on your face. It makes people like you and actually approach you instead of that sullen look you always have. Do this for our kingdom. Do this for Kaeldris." Kiera said, having her father nod his head in agreement.
She groaned, knowing that being nice is far from any word in her vocabulary. She doesn't even remember the last time she was nice to someone that wasn't either Malik or Kiera. "You better be grateful for this as I'm not happy." She grumbled as she turned around and started to head towards the doors. "I'll pack and get going then. Have the guards fetch me some gold so I can actually buy dresses and stuff. I'll write when I can to you guys. Take care, both of you!" She threw over her shoulders as she pushed the doors open and exited the throne room.
What exactly did she get herself into?
Summer Month: 1 
Day 
Earthquake
