Royal Arrangement || Porco Galliard x Reader

Chapter One

The sound of the sea was a deep, calming noise with a slow rhythm. Waves crashed against the shore, and seagulls cried from above. On quiet nights, the only noise that remained was wave after wave hitting the sand, a gentle crash of freedom and peace.

Your eyes were trained on the intricate gold detailing of the captain's crisp, clean uniform
as you waited for him to give you permission to board the ship. His broad smile and sunny disposition only encouraged you to trust his and his crew's capabilities. Next to you, your mother started wringing her hands, anxious to board the ship before the rest of the royal court arrived. You tore your eyes away from the captain's uniform to look behind you. In the distance, you could see the Queen walking towards the dock along with a knight, her other ladies and one of her lords. Once the captain caught sight of her, he gestured for your father to follow him aboard the ship. You and your mother walked behind him.

The second your mother stepped foot on the ship, she grabbed into your arm to steady herself. It didn't matter that your family has made this trek every summer for the past twenty something years, your mother has never grown accustomed to the sway of the ocean. The journey had always been your favorite part of the trip. It was the destination that you dreaded. Okay, it wasn't exactly the destination. It was who would be waiting for you when you finally arrived at Marley. Your face soured at the mere thought of him. Prince Porco Galliard. Just his name alone was enough to set you on edge. Since the time you could walk, your family made the journey every summer to Marley to spend it with King Matisse and Queen Caterina and their two sons Prince Porco and Prince Marcel. The latter of the two boys was kind and considerate but his older brother was stubborn and arrogant. Prince Porco knew exactly which of your buttons to push to rile you up. He had done this since childhood and you knew this summer would be no different.

King Matisse and your father were friends. They met when His Majesty, King Rod Reiss, would visit Marley for trade negotiations among other things, and your father would accompany him. The two remained close so every year, your father tries to visit him even now that Queen Historia sits on the throne. Unless the crown has royal business, your family usually traveled alone. That was not the case this year.

Queen Historia boarded the ship with Lady Ymir Bodt and Lady Sasha Braus on either side of her. Right behind her stood Lord Marco Bodt and a knight, Ser Jean Kirschtein. The Queen wore a blush pink carriage gown adorned with simple lace detailing. She was small in stature but mighty in power. Lady Ymir wore a powder blue carriage gown that made her skin look even more sun-kissed than usual. Lady Sasha's dress was a periwinkle gown that complimented her honey brown eyes. Ser Kirschtein was the best knight Paradis had to offer. His piercing amber eyes and sharp features only added to his intimidating appearance. He stood at six feet three inches and wore navy blue trousers with a cream long sleeve shirt underneath a navy blue vest fashioned with embroidery. In his scabbard, he had his sword. As the knight assigned to guard the Queen, he had access to only the finest weapons. The only thing sharper than his sword was Lady Ymir's wit. Lord Bodt was Lady Ymir's twin brother. He stood an inch taller than Ser Kirschtein but his warm dark brown eyes and gentle smile made him look much less intimidating and much more welcoming. He wore black trousers and a beige long sleeve shirt underneath a long black coat adorned with gold embroidery.

You and your mother greeted the Queen with a smile and a quick "good morning your Majesty." You extended your greeting to the others as well. The Queen went to get settled in before the ship left the dock and Ser Kirschtein followed her. Your mother excused herself to speak with your father.

"The weather is quite agreeable today. I hope it stays this way until we reach land," Lord Bodt smiled softly.

"It is nice but it's not the weather that troubles me," You responded with a small sigh.