“Announcing her highness, Princess Alex of Auralin!”

Olivia’s voice carried across the hall - likely from her years of experience.

Alex held her head high as she followed after the Steward - even as her eyes hungrily roved the throne room.

The wall behind the throne itself was the most striking - being made entirely of stained glass depicting seven figures. Alex recognized them as the Seven Night Lords - the founders of the Night Kingdoms; the Lich Queen, Count Vampyre, the Shade Lord, the Crow King, Star-Gazer, Pack-Leader, and Madame Damnation. Naturally, the throne - which was carved with a giant crow wearing a crown, wings spread across the top - sat in front of the Crow King’s likeness.

Alex thought it was terrible security, but it was certainly impressive.

The blood red carpet leading to the throne was flanked by tall columns covered in carved thorny vines, which came together on the ceiling to form stone chandeliers. Grand tapestries lined the walls down the hall, depicting what the princess was fairly certain was the history of the Crow Kingdom. Nobles of various ken stood between the columns, whispering to each other as they watched her progress.

At the right distance from the throne, Steward Olivia bowed, then took her place at the Prince’s side.

Alex curtsied as she reached the appropriate distance as well, catching the way her dowry trunk was set behind her from the corner of her eye. As she rose, she took in the man, “Your highness, thank you for seeing me.”

The Crow Prince was tall and gaunt - with grayish skin and deep set purple eyes. He wore finery that befit his station - but in an austere fashion with little color or ornamentation. His ears were triangle shaped, and his hands ended in short black claws. He sat properly, but in a stiff posture Alex recognized instantly as discomfort. Thrones were rarely comfortable - she would know.

“My minister says you have an interesting proposition for me, princess,” the man said monotonously.

Alex followed his glance to see Elian nearby with her friends. The vampire still had their slight smile - it made the princess feel… mischievous.

“Yes, your highness,” she said, “I came here to ask you to marry me.”

For a moment, all the whispering ceased, and no one stirred.

Then the Prince blinked rapidly for several seconds, shifted his weight - glanced towards Elian - and frowned, asking softly, “What?”

The question spurred the court to murmuring - until the Steward cleared her throat pointedly and glared them into silence. When that was accomplished, she sent the vampire minister a wry look that seemed to share their amusement - albeit disapprovingly.

“You see I have just come of age, and my father insists I must marry. Personally, I’d rather not. - but if I must, I don’t see why I can’t choose my own partner,” Alex said, without a trace of embarrassment, “I’m the fourth child, after all - I’m not inheriting the kingdom or anything.”

“Ah,” the Prince said, leaning on one of the armrests of his throne and resting his chin in his hand. He hadn’t seemed to have quite caught up to the situation yet.

The princess turned and opened the trunk, revealing the gold inside, “I’ve also brought along my dowry - to do things properly, of course.”

“Of course,” the Prince agreed, brows knitting.

“I am leaving behind a betrothed, but frankly, I can’t really stand him,” Alex went on, “And he’s the third son, so he’s not inheriting his kingdom, either. What I mean to say is I’m not leaving behind any real responsibilities - you understand?”

“I… do,” the Prince said, shifting his weight again.

“And I couldn’t go to another Day Kingdom - they’d just return me home,” the princess said, rolling her eyes, “Which is why I’m here - my father won’t risk a war with the Night Kingdoms, and you have no obligation to return me.”

“I see,” the Prince said, and paused before adding, “I also have no obligation to accept.”

“Well no - but that’s true of anyone being proposed to,” Alex said.

Olivia snorted, then cleared her throat discreetly.

The Prince didn’t seem to notice, frowning as he considered, “Why me? I am not the only eligible royal in the Night Kingdoms - nor the only eligible person.”

“I’m not in love with anyone, so I thought I might as well use protocol to my advantage,” the princess explained, holding out a hand in a dismissive gesture, “And the Crow Kingdom is closest to Auralin.”

“As sound a criteria as any, I suppose,” the Prince said softly, mostly to himself. He studied Alex, turning the proposal over in his mind.

Having nothing else to add, the princess smoothed her skirt and did her best not to hum as she waited.

“... very well, I accept,” the Prince said at last, rising.

“Excellent,” Alex beamed.

“Your highness?” Olivia asked, stumbling in surprise.

The Prince shrugged, walking past, “She makes a sound argument.”

“I did think it was rather well thought out on my part,” the princess agreed.

“Elian put you and your companions in the Autumn Suite?” the Prince asked, offering his new fiancée his arm.

Alex took it without hesitation, “They did.”

“If it is to your liking, you can remain there while preparations are made,” the Prince said, escorting her back out of the throne room. He waved at the trunk as they passed it, and servants once again retrieved it.

“Oh it’s very much to my liking - it’s gorgeous!” the princess grinned, “If a bit unexpected.”

“My great-grandmother was considered an eccentric,” the Prince explained.

That was all the silence they got before the court erupted into conversation. Alex giggled at the uproar, and held out her freehand as Boudicca jogged to her side.

When they were in the main hall, doors closed behind them, the princess introduced them, “These are my companions - Boudicca and Juni, the fairy.”

“You must be loyal friends, to come this far,” the Prince remarked - it seemed he was naturally soft spoken.

“Very loyal,” Boudicca promised with a growl.

Juni bravely flew out from the dire wolf’s fur, to flitter in front of the Prince’s face, “I still don’t trust you,” but that as the extent of thon courage. Thon flew back into hiding immediately.

“I see,” the Prince said.

Alex giggled, “Tell me, your highness - do you have a name?”

“No,” the Prince replied, “But you can call me what you wish.”

“Is there no other reason you accepted my proposal?” the princess asked.

“I do not have a betrothed,” the Prince replied slowly, “But I do tire of the other Night Kingdoms’ attempts to rectify the situation.”

“Ah, convenience,” Alex nodded, “At least it will be a highly traditional royal marriage.”

The Prince took a few moments before replying, “In that regard, I suppose.”

They walked in silence after that. Alex hummed as she waved to random servants and nobles that looked at them in surprise. She noted before that her fiancé was tall - being on the short side herself at five feet exactly, she only came up to his chest. This didn’t bother her - besides, the gargoyles had all been at least a head taller.

“You must have had a long journey,” the Prince said, stopping before the Autumn suite. He bowed as he stepped back, “Please rest - we can discuss planning tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow morning or tomorrow night?” Alex asked, clasping her hands behind her back.

“... tomorrow afternoon,” the Prince said, splitting the difference. He hesitated before adding, “Sleep well, your highness.”

“You can just use Alex,” the princess said, “Since we’re engaged and all.”

The Prince nodded, turning and stiffly walking away.

“Are you really sure about this?” Boudicca asked.

Alex yawned as she walked back into her temporary suite, “I think he’s sweet. A little shy, maybe, but that’s not a bad thing.”

“If you say so,” Juni scoffed, flying out and darting about the room, checking nothing was out of place.

The princess wasn’t concerned, finding two wig stands in her bags and taking them to her room. She placed the stands on the vanity to hang up her current wig and her travel wig, running her fingers through her short red hair and mussing it.

With Juni’s help, she slid out of her dress - and decided that hanging it was a problem for tomorrow. As was hanging her petticoat. Deciding her shift was more than enough to sleep in, Alex wiped off her make-up and crawled into the very soft, warm bed.

Boudicca jumped up to lay at the foot of it, “Good night, Alex.”

“Night,” the princess said, smiling as she curled around a pillow and fell asleep.

Alex woke to Boudicca nuzzling his face.

“There’s a servant here to see you,” the dire wolf said, jumping off the bed as the prince stirred.

Alex yawned and stretched, “Ah, right. They can come in.”

Boudicca padded out of the bedroom, and shortly returned with a corvyd woman.

“Good afternoon , princess,” she said, curtsying.

“It’s prince today,” Alex said, rubbing his eyes as he slid out of bed. Considering he and his companions had arrived some time after the middle of the night, he wasn’t at all surprised he’d slept until the afternoon.

“Ah, I will spread the word,” the woman said, nodding, “Would like me to draw you a bath? After you’ve prepared for the day, servants can unpack your baggage for you.”

“Yes, thank you,” the prince said, moving to the main room to pick out his outfit for the day.

“I can’t believe you two were able to sleep,” Juni complained, yawning from the mantle place.

“You just worry too much,” Alex laughed, finding what he was looking for. Black and silver weren’t his usual colors - but it might help everyone if he contained at least some of his personality. At least in the beginning.

When he was bathed and dressed - no wig today, he found he only liked short hair as a man - he found his fiancé waiting for him outside the door.

Alex grinned, “Good afternoon!”

“Good afternoon,” the Crow Prince said, blinking a few times as he took in the change in appearance. After a few moments, he held out an arm, “I thought I might give you a tour of Shadowpeak.”

“I’d love that,” the prince said.

His fiancé nodded, and clasped his hands behind his back as he led the way, “It’s… probably best to begin in the Entrance Hall.”

“It usually helps to start at the beginning,” Alex agreed, nodding as he followed.

They walked in relative silence for a few minutes - relative because Alex hummed as they went along, seeming comfortable despite the unfamiliar surroundings. Juni was safely snoozing in the inner breast pocket of his tunic, while Boudicca walked beside him.

The Prince cleared his throat, “Did you… sleep well?”

“Oh, excellently,” Alex said, “The bed is very comfortable.”

His fiancé nodded, “That’s… good.”

“And you?” the prince asked.

“What?”

“Did you sleep well?” Alex repeated brightly, smiling up at the taller man.

The Prince blinked a few times, then nodded once.

“That’s good,” his fiancé said, then sing-singed, “A good rest is always the best~”

“Good afternoon, your highness,” Minister Elian said, appearing on the Crow Prince’s other side.

“Good afternoon, minister!” Alex said, leaning forward to greet them properly.

“I thought, if it wasn’t too much trouble, I might join you,” the vampire said, “Since I more or less sponsored your audience.”

“I don’t mind,” the Crow Prince said, in a tone which said ‘please.’

“The more the merrier!” Alex said, “Croby-”

“Pardon?” the Prince interrupted.

“It’s a mix of crow and baby,” Alex explained with an impish wink.

His fiancé considered this for a moment, then nodded, “Continue.”

“Croby was going to give me a tour of the castle,” the prince finished.

Boudicca huffed, but didn’t comment further.

“A good place to start,” Elian said, smiling themself at the ridiculous nickname.

They arrived in the Entrance Hall just then, and found Steward Olivia waiting for them.

“Your highnesses,” she said, bowing.

“Olivia,” the Prince said, inclining his head.

“I have had a meal laid out in the garden,” the Steward said, “Perhaps you wish to postpone your tour until after you’ve eaten?”

“Yes,” the Crow Prince said sheepishly, “Thank you, Olivia.”

The woman nodded, gave Alex a cursory once over, and led the way outside.

Even in the afternoon light, the shadow of Crooked Mountain’s twisted peak kept the castle and its grounds dim. It was a short walk to a small stone table laid with relatively simple fare, gargoyles flying overhead rather than patrolling the grounds.

“Do you know of the history of the Night Kingdoms?” Elian asked, drinking what looked like wine but mostly likely wasn’t.

“I know the basics,” Alex replied, digging in with gusto. Travel provisions were well and good, but they couldn’t beat a proper meal, “As much as anyone does, I suppose. The seven Night Lords and the seven Day Lords fought for centuries and centuries before forming the Twilight Concordant, agreeing never to go to war with one another again by forming the Night and Day Kingdoms.”

Deciding all was well, Boudica had elected to hunt for her break fast, leaving the three on their own.

“That is the gist,” the vampire nodded, “And what do you know of the Crow King specifically?”

“Not much,” the prince admittedly, looking over at his fiancé.

The current Crow Prince ate sparingly - admiring the plants around them as he ate. He didn’t seem particularly interested in the table conversation.

Elian arched their brows in amusement as Alex looked back to them, “Would you allow me to recount the story for you?”

“Please,” the prince said, eyes shining with his own amusement.