Jordan has always strive to be as good as a person can be ever since she was young. That is by helping those who are in need or offer to tutor those who are weak in studies or even defending the weaklings from school bullies.
One day, she had to pi...
Sunny has one week left to prepare for the ball. In all honesty, she's not doing anything to prepare herself to search for a prospective husband as her mother hope. The Queen's been trying to spend any of Sunny's free time by talking about the eligible bachelors she invited, hoping that Sunny would take notice of anyone from the list.
"Sir Renald," the Queen says, tapping at the drawing of a chubby-looking guy who's probably in his early 30s. I grimace at the fact that the Queen is trying to make the age gap look like it's no trouble for Sunny. Sunny is definitely not convinced. "He inherited his title after his father retired as the Kingdom's Ambassador. Currently one of the most popular bachelor in the Kingdom."
"Popular," Sunny repeats in disdain.
"Give him a chance at the Ball, young lady! Don't forget; all eligible bachelors will sport a white rose to differentiate them from other guests!"
Safe to say that Sunny's been doing her hardest to avoid her mother.
The King, on the other hand, has allowed Sunny to shoulder some of the crown's duties. The Council is on the fence about letting Sunny pursue higher education, so Sunny is happy to do the work the King gives her. Now Sunny spends most of her time with her father in his office as they discuss a spread of a disease that's affecting a pool of Gueses in a village close to the borders.
In the meantime, Yousef takes advantage of our Handlers' spending time together to give me extra lessons on how to transform to other animals. He had mentioned that now that I've hit the third week since me being a Guardian, I should be able to shift to any form my instincts deemed appropriate for Sunny's needs. Unfortunately, I can't shift as I desire until probably the 8th week or so.
What made it worse is that I still can't talk to anyone.
That afternoon, the Queen made sure Sunny doesn't have any duties to do as she got the best seamstress in the Kingdom to take Sunny's measurement for her ball gown. I can't help but snicker at Sunny's painful face when her mother babbled about the royal family from the Wind Kingdom who will be attending the ball.
Since the Wind Kingdom has the closest tie to the Earth Kingdom and the people tend to cross borders easily, it is important that Sunny make a good impression as future Queen.
Within two hours, Sunny is allowed to leave after the tailor and her mother is satisfied. She dashed out of the hall with me on her heels.
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Another week has passed. I flat out refuse to leave Sunny alone now that there are more guests due arriving for the ball tomorrow. The guests who travelled from the Wind Kingdom and the borders of Earth Kingdom are invited by the King to stay in the guest room of the palace.
Luna and a few royal members of both the Earth and Wind Kingdom is due to arrive today. Sunny and her parents are excited to have Luna back and it can be shown during private breakfast between the family. The Queen repeatedly remind Sunny about manners and ensuring that the needs of their guests is taken care of.
This made me roll my eyes at the outdated tradition of the women being expected to cater to every men's need. Unlike the planet Earth, Oppenheim is clearly stuck in the 1800s without the rise of feminism or equality. This made Sunny more aware of the clash of culture between this world and the one she's been living for almost 7 years.
The first carriage to arrive is Luna's. The Warrior Princess is instantly greeted with pleasant smiles and being ushered to unpack by her mother. Not long after Luna disappear into her chambers, another carriage deposits a familiar couple; Alex and Anne.
"Your majesties," the couple chorus as they simultaneously curtesy at the royal couple before Alex turns to Sunny. "Princess."
Sunny abandons the royal ritual and throw her adopted parents a hug. She grew to care for Alex and Anne as parents during their time on Earth. I give them a feline smile as the pair nods at me in acknowledgement.
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I'm secretly relieved that I've changed into a panther form this morning so I can intimidate any eligible bachelors that are due to arrive soon. If they think they could win Sunny over easily, they'd be dead wrong.
Luna appear next to Sunny just when the next carriage arrives. Luna's new outfit is a dress fit for the badass princess, although I can tell that the Queen is not that impressed. From what I've learnt about Luna, she tends to wear more of her leather chainmail out of habit and she definitely knows that she's only wearing a dress now for her family's sake.
"Who's that?" Luna asks casually, nodding at the exaggerated pure white carriage with a white horse. The details look royal.
Sunny shrugs unprincess-like, gaining a sharp glance from her mother.
"That's the Wind Kingdom's crowned prince, his sister and his cousin, so please behave yourselves," the Queen warns her daughters. Luna rolls her eyes while Sunny looks disinterested. I perk up in interest.
The carriage opens and out comes a very beautiful-looking man with angelic wings on his back. I stare in awe at the Ventus Guardian while my instincts keep my body tense. I can't help but notice that all the Guardians present are warily sizing each other up.
Once the angel warrior is done with his assessment, he nods at the people in the carriage and the person to come out is clearly the crown prince. He has an arrogant face as he smirks at the princesses. I instantly don't like him. Clearly he's full of himself.
The prince's sister looks normal, yet amazed at the sight of the castle. Her golden locks reflect the sunlight, making her look like she's just arrived from heaven. Last to come out is the prince's cousin, an attractive guy with defined jaws and intense eyes. If I hadn't known better, he looks more prince-like than the actual prince.
The four step forward and bow in front of the Earth Kingdom's royal family.
"Welcome to Arbor! I am King Zanzon and this is my wife, Queen Theresa. These are my daughters, Princess Sunderlette and Luna Van der Werstein." As a show, Sunny curtsy, followed by Luna. "We hope that you three enjoy your stay at the castle and have the chance to venture out to the city of Arbor. If you have any issue, don't hesitate to tell any of the maids or butlers."
"Thank you for the kind hospitality and the invitation to the Ball," the prince says politely. "My parents - the King and Queen are unable to join us, but they have asked me to send their regards. I am Crown Prince Leonardo of the Ventus Kingdom and this is my sister, Princess Elena and my cousin, Prince Geronimo."
