Only Temporary

Make Me Sway

   The second Nanami wakes up, she's dragged to this peculiar room that looks a lot like a giant closet by a handful of maids and placed on top of a block in front of a mirror near a changing stall. She feels extremely uncomfortable as they all speak to each other in a language she doesn't understand (English, maybe? She can't be certain) taking measurement everywhere, girth, bust, etc.

   It's weird. 

   Finally, the one that seems to be in charge of the others stop directly in front of her,  saying something and shoving a bundle of fabric into her arms and pointing her in the direction of the changing stall.

   Nanami sighs but never less does as she's directed, changing before coming back out to examine herself in the mirror. This must be the dress picked out for her. 

   She has to admit, she doesn't look that bad in this shiny, magenta, strapless, Basque-waist, sweetheart ballgown. Nanami smiles to herself, giving a twirl, admiring how the skirt flies up slightly as she spins. 

   "You like it?" One of the maids asks. 

   Nanami grins and nods. This is definitely what she's going to wear tonight. 

   "Good. Good. Take it off. I clean for tonight." They continue with a heavy accent. 

   Chiaki smiles politely, nodding once more before heading back into the changing room and slipping it off. She hands it off to the same maid before heading off to locate Sonia in this labyrinth of a palace. 

-

   "Good morning, Nanami-san!" Sonia's father greets her the second she enters the parlor, his wife sitting next to her with a disinterested look on her face. Sonia herself sits across from them, smiling brightly at her, eagerly gesturing to her to sit down. 

   "Morning." Nanami yawns back, making a point to kiss the princess's cheek in greeting as she sits down. Nevermind's face heats up immediately as she grasps the gamer's hand. 

   "So," The Queen says, suddenly gazing intently at the gamer, shrinking back into herself, "you've been here for, what a day now?" Nanami nods, looking to Nevermind for reassurance. "What day are you two returning again?"

   "Saturday," Sonia answers her, "Nanami and I are going back Saturday so we'll still have a day to get ready to return to school."

   The Queen hums in a casual way that in a way also sounds forced. "I see. And what are your intentions with Sonia? Will you be proposing soon?" She demands.

   Nanami's eyes widen as she opens her mouth to speak, Nevermind beating her to the punch. "Mother, we have only been together for a few months, neither of us are thinking about that sort of thing, it is too soon! But," The princess smiles, "Nanami and I are very happy together. Neither of us have any ill intentions and we have had no improper relations."

   The Queen's eyes narrow. "You should really not put yourself out there to date a royal, especially as a commoner from another land, without already being willing to marry them!" She exclaims.

   Sonia's father finally sighs and speaks up. "Dear, you really shouldn't be grilling our precious guest-the one so important to our only daughter-I'm sure she's already nervous enough to be here."

   The gamer smiles awkwardly. 

   "You don't understand! She could become Queen one day if she stays with Sonia!"

   "Nanami Chiaki is a lovely girl, my love. She-"

   "She is a commoner! It is already humiliating enough we are announcing our daughter's relationship to a commoner of another land tonight, It's even worst that she's a girl! Novoselic has never had two queens before, it's unheard of!"