Legend Of The Empire

𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 3

Artic

Artic left the Aira and Aero in the hallways and went to the kitchen, she walked to the side of the kitchen and grabbed a tray from one of the counters and picked up her personal favourite meals from the variety of different main foods. She then strolled over to the sweet section while humming a tune in her head as she grabbed a few plates of cakes and desserts and put them on her tray, walking to the hall. Her wings were slightly spread open to help her balance her tray since she was already used to the habit of it. She caught something moving from the corner of her eyes, curious, she turned her head to see what it was, and then she saw what or, actually who, it was.

The Albatross Queen and the crowned princess.

Artic was awestruck, eyes wide open, as she watched the princess strode over to another one of the custom buffet tables. Artic examined the princess from head to toe and noticed every single detail about her. She had extremely long chocolate-brown hair that fell to either side of her face, the locks slightly blocking her ivory-coloured pupils. The colour of her eyes was warmer than pure bright white and yet featured a yellow or beige-tinged white. Her mighty curved wings perfectly fit the size of her body. They were ivory with dark brown-laced primaries, imploring the vivid dark brown of the rich earth. In large quantities of the feathers, the wings could seem vast and empty, like an enormous desert devoid of any living things. The ivory is a warm neutral colour that worked nicely with the various shades of dark brown. As a warm neutral, for a relaxing and comforting atmosphere, the deep dark browns such as chocolate looked luscious with ivory feathers.

Her name found its way into her mind. Serena, she remembered. Artic quickly tried ( and failed, ) to compose herself and made sure the food was still in good condition, after confirming the conditions she then walked into the hall hoping she still knew how to act right.

She hurriedly placed all the food she brought onto one of the tables for the guests and subtly tried to sneak away from the coronation hall, however, she bumped into Aira and Aero who were on their way to Aira's table. She ignored them and continued walking. Then she realised what she did, but by then it was too late. Aira and Artic had told each other they would talk whenever possible because they weren't supposed to, and they would take every chance possible to do so. But Artic had forgotten and something in her mind was blocking it out.

Then, suddenly, it hit her. Artic then knew exactly what she was facing. She had fallen in love with the albatross's crowned princess, Serena. And she had fallen for her, hard.

Moments later, she had to serve the albatross's table. Panicking, she paced the hallway, thinking about what to say or do when she had to go there. Glancing back at the albatross table, she saw the princess smile and that was the one time Artic did not know what to do. Panic more? Run away? Artic had no idea what to do, however, things usually did not go her way. Much to Artic's displeasure ( and excitement. ), she was called by the head chef to serve the albatrosses as she was the most experienced server and one of the only ones that had stayed for a long time.

Her nine years of social experiences and work in the kingdom did not prepare her for what was to come next. All those interactions and talks over the years were not that awkward. As Artic had never seen someone with such..

Glowing Ivory eyes.

Artic hurriedly took some of her favourite desserts from the counter, tucked her wings close to her body and went over to the albatross's table hoping she wouldn't mess up. She walked over to the table and curtsied slightly, "Would you like some desserts, Your Majesty?" Artic asked as politely as possible without messing up.

"Ah, yes, place them here, thank you." Queen Cordelia said as she stared at Queen Anastasia while she waved her hand dismissively towards Artic. Then, Serena interrupted by asking, "I would like one buttered blueberry scone, if you have that in your castle, of course." Serena quickly asked, with a smile.

Woah, her smile is so...Oh my gosh, her smile.

Were probably something along Artic's internal thoughts when she saw that smile, she couldn't focus well as she stared into the other's eyes before replying. "Of course we do, please wait while I get them for you," Artic said as she repaid the princess with a smile of her own, realising and then started immediately silently scolding herself after.

Why, WHY DID YOU SMILE LIKE THAT? AIRA ALREADY TOLD YOU THAT YOU LOOKED SLIGHTLY SILLY WHEN YOU DO, AGHHH.

Artic didn't see Serena's face before she practically ran out of the hall. Artic left the hall after continuously scolding herself mentally as she went to go get the scones from the kitchen. She saw a few more plates and took them as well, adding them to her tray. She tried not to drop the food or tray as she thought about the princess from the albatross kingdom. She wondered what Aira would tell her, what she would think. Aira had told her not to worry when Artic had admitted her secret, Aira said she wouldn't judge her. Of course, this had relieved Artic, seeing as the princess herself didn't judge her.

Artic had gotten to the entrance of the banquet hall when she saw Aira at one of the tables in the hall. She made a mental note to go serve there after talking to the princess of the albatrosses first.

She walked up to the table not seeing Queen Cordelia there, curious, she idiotically asked Serena, "Excuse me, but where is your mother?" right after she said that, she wanted to smack herself on the head. How could she be so dumb? Serena would think she was prying into other people's business, or something worse!

"My mother went to the bathroom. Are those the blueberry scones?" Serena asked politely. "O-Oh! Yes, they are, would you like some?" Artic asked hesitantly, offering the plate to Serena who took the plate from her hands. Their fingers touched at the bottom of the plate where nobody could see. They both stared into each other's eyes, not knowing what to do next as if one small move could scare the other away.

Artic then let her hand go and watched as Serena didn't move for a

second, then placed the plate down on the table and adjusted her dress a little. Artic then looked back, her cheeks showing off a tint of pink. Artic then stood there for a second before pulling out a black marker and taking a napkin from the table, she opened the marker and started to write on the napkin as quickly as she could without smudging it and keeping the handwriting at least something decent.

I would love to hear from you if you would kindly write back.

~ Artic

She slid the napkin over to the other side of the table where Serena was sitting, her face unreadable. Artic then thanked the princess for her time and left, a small smile playing on her face as the princess read what she had written. Artic thought about what she did before heading to serve more food to Aira and her mother, she was thinking about it too much. So much so that she didn't even spare her friend a glance, just placing down any food she had left on her tray. Well, that was until she remembered about the coronation. Only then did she look at Aira who had her brows slightly scrunched up, Artic could always know what Aira was thinking and right now Aira was most likely stressing about the coronation that was going to happen. Artic walked over to one of the small, dark corners and stood there. Not long after, the music in the background suddenly stopped and Queen Anastasia clapped her hands to get everybody's attention.