Moonstruck

| Chapter II |

"Okay, before we go to the Princess, I have to show you the Dining hall, The courtyard, and The Library. But I'm sure Taylanie is in the Courtyard with Ms. Tanna and Samantha is always in the Library, so I'm just gonna show you the Dining Hall before we go to guard." Ash says, approaching the large opening of the castle. Envy trails behind looking at the beautiful display. The floor was dark brown wood with a silky red rug running up the twin curved stairs, of which had a gold railing and candles hanging above them, held up by chains. Where the two staircases met above, a large Chandelier lit by various candles and shining glass. The ceiling and upper walls were carved into what Envybelieves to be historical figures in loose clothing while the lower half of the walls are smooth and flat. The room had a faint aroma of citrus, strangely.

Ash begins to ascend the stairs with the shorter tailing him. "So- Who's Ms. Tanna?" Envy asks, stopping to look at the blown-out candle melted onto the wall, wax dripping against the structure. The Head Knight stops to turn and look at the younger. "She's the Princess of the Vianna Kingdom." He quints, "Do you have a thing for children Princesses or something?" Envy flinches with a stutter- "NO? I just didn't know who she was I- Wait why is she here if she's a princess?" Envy asks, almost tripping on the crimson rug that lies on the stairs. Ash rolls his Russet brown eyes at her stupidity and adjusts his Chestplate as he answers. "Her kingdom sent her to Keljamt so she could learn how to be a proper princess." Envy's face twists into a mixed emotion of slight shock and confusion. "That's a bit harsh.." Ash nods as he continues to climb the stairs, the tips of his fingers grinding against the golden railing. "Well, if she's a Princess, why call her Ms? and you said she's a child?" Envy asks, hopping her way up the steps. "Oh, um- I tried addressing her politely once, but she told me she'd feel guilty if I addressed her as a superior. So I settled with Ms. Tanna. She still feels guilty about it, not sure why though." He shrugs, reaching atop of the staircase, leaning against the gilt railing. "And yes, she's a child. I believe she said she was a decade and 2 years?"

"Oh, she's not that young," Envy commented, treading behind Ash. The Knight pauses and turns to look at the younger with a disgusted and disappointed look. Immediately defensive, Envy responds with "NOT LIKE THAT." Ash mutters a "you are so..strange-" before loudly introducing the next room. "This is the Dining Room. When the sun begins to descend, dinner will be served to the King, Queen, Princesses, and Guests." Ash says, pointing to the table. The lengthy table had a red table cloth that doesn't reach the sides of the table yet spills over the ends of it. Steel plates pre-placed on the table with 10 wood red padded chairs at the sides accompanied by a chandelier that hung above the table with at least 60 candles lit, 15 on the first level, 20 on the second level, and 30 on the last level, chains hanging off of each bar holding them up. 12 large bowls reside at the side of the room, 6 filled with water and 6 filled to the brim with a lump of unknown red-ish meat. The walls are a charming white, with family paintings hung accordingly. Envy gulps. What were in those bowls?

"When we guard the Family, you will not speak, until spoken to, Move until told to or refuse when given a command. All of those can and will get you either sent home or sent to the dungeon." Ash explains, a limp hand gesturing to the well-kept table. Envy nods, a bit overwhelmed. "Also, be wary of the dogs. None of them are very friendly." The younger blinks in surprise and slight fear. "Dogs? They have Dogs?" Ash just nods and smiles as if he'd known what her reaction would be, which is annoying. To Envy, at least. "Now let's get going, we still have a ways to go!" Ash says, softly leaning his forearm against the handle of his blade as he goes back towards the stairs.

"I have another question," Envy says, speed walking up to Ash, not sure if she should go past him. "Not surprised, go ahead and ask." Envy huffs at the backhanded statement but continues. "Why this kingdom specifically? For Princess Tanna, I mean?" Ash takes a moment to think, his walking pace slowing down causing the younger to stride next to him. "Well Prince Josh, the Prince of the Vianna kingdom comes here to visit our Jester quite often, so he might've told the King and Queen about our Manor." Ash finishes, scratching his elbow awkwardly. The Fourth Knight, quizzed, asks "The Jester? Why the Jester?" Ash turns his head and smiles a bit as if a fond memory of his has resurfaced his mind. "They've recently been engaged! Very sweet couple, they are. I'm very proud of her." Ash says firmly, turning a sharp corner. "The Jester? Have you known each other?" Envy asks, intrigued by the new information she was getting. "Yes, we've known each other for a while now. She's a sweetheart, you really should meet her." Ash says, his soft grin growing. Envy, put off by the sudden change of aura Ash was emitting, nods.

They soon arrive at a big, dark wood door with small dashes of sunlight shining through the gaps and holes of the door. "This is the courtyard. Remember, do not. be weird." Ash says finally, opening the door.

fwooosh

A flying arrow soars past Envy face, followed by an apologetic "oh.. um-" from an unknown voice and a "That was a bit slow, are you okay today?"

A girl who stood guilty with a bow in her hand, answered, "Uh- I saw the door was opening, but I already let go. Plus I have books on my head." Her voice was smooth and neatly sounded, with a small rasp at the end of each syllable. "Ahh, but it was very impressive, nonetheless Princess!" A smaller, VERY high pitched voice responded. Envylooked down to see a very visibly excited girl who stood about 4 feet tall and some inches.

"Thank you, Tanna. I appreciate it." The talker said with a soft smile. Ash made a small "pff-" noise and walked up to the two. "Y'know, you could've killed her with that." Ash teased, a smug expression on his face. The girl, who Envy can only assume is the Princess, pursed her lips and loaded her bow. "If I'm being honest, it wouldn't be the first."

A gold small crown sits snug on her head, the sunlight bouncing off the crown and onto her umber coils. Her eyelashes cover the top half of her hickory iris's, lips pulled into her mouth in focus. The ends of her dress folded against the grass, making the frills at the waist of her dress a bit lopsided. Her puffy off-the-shoulder sleeves showed off her collarbone and the heart-shaped necklace hanging below it. her skin was a golden brown, a small scar lying on her left shoulder, and a birthmark on her collarbone. Envynotices her soft hands gripped the long strip of wood with the focus once of an eagle, fixated on, where her target used to be.

Envy really can't process what's going on right now.

Why was Ash being so casual with, not one, but TWO Princesses? Why does one of them have a BOW in their hands? Why is the older Princess very attractive- Why is...Why is Envy on the floor? When did-

"Are you okay?" Without Envy realizing it, the much younger, the high-pitched-voiced princess walked over to the discombobulated Knight and offered a concerned hand.

Her two hair buns brought out her oak eyes full of concern and button nose as well as her long hair falling over her shoulders a bit, touching the huge pink bow tied around the waist of her light pink dress, the straps of the dress thick and the white shirt under showing off her slim arms. The flower crown on her head gave her appearance a carefree, innocent aura, matching her heart-pulling smile. "I hope you didn't get hurt-"

"—aHM SORRY ABOUT THAT I CAN GET UP IM FINE THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONCERN PRINCESS OF VIANNAKINGDOM." Envy shoots up from her fallen position, hurriedly going into a deep bow. "u-um..." The princess awkwardly looks at the brunette, a bit confused. Ash, slightly embarrassed, sighs and walks up to the pair. "Haha, sorry about her, she's new." He says, raising an apologetic hand. He then quickly turns around and grabs the Knight by the ear, resulting in a yelp from the younger. "I specifically told you not to be weird."

"I WASN'T?" She exclaims in pain. "Yes you were, now go say sorry! Don't be over the top." Ash harshly mumbles, snatching his fingers away from her ear as he uses his other hand to slightly push her toward the concerned pre-teen. "U-um- Sorry about my previous behavior, Princess!" Envyjitters out, gripping the sides of her pants.

An apologetic smile stretches across the Princess's face, a bonhomie aura coming from her. "It's alright. And um, just Tanna or Ms. Tanna is fine." Tanna says softly, nodding a bit for reassurance. Envy stiffly nods.

"Can you guys close the door? My target is on there." The archer says, picking up a book from the floor. Ash kicks the door closed and walks over to the Princess, the two younger women following loosely. As the Head Knight passes the Older Princess, she mumbles, "Who is this?" Ash turns on his heel, almost toppling over, but recovering shortly. "She's my new apprentice." Taylanie's expression remains neutral, "So, target practice?" she responds. Envysends a very worried glance toward the Head Knight, in which he responds with a not-so- reassuring grin. Envy wonders if she'll make it out of this castle alive.

"She's a lot more jittery than I remember."