spookie
give 'em hell, kid.
━paradisia━
━━━━━━❦━━━━━━
•CASTLE PARADISIA, BANQUET HALL•
The day was still new and the air soft and alight with birdsong as Queen Vivienne watched over the preparations for the great farewell celebration. Her expression was serene as always, and she offered a soft but genuine smile to each maid who passed by.
Her mind, however, was not the picture of peace that she outwardly projected. Royal duty or not, she was sending others out into certain danger to all but do her bidding while she remained relatively safe behind the enchanted walls of Paradisia.
Offered rewards would of course be lavish as to make their risk worthwhile, but that would provide little in the way of comfort to any who did not survive the journey.
Though Vivienne wished deeply to believe that all would go well and that there would be no death, she was not a naive woman. Wars were nothing like what was told in fairytales, they were brutal and often ended with no sense of victory at all. Her rule had been exceptionally peaceful, and she knew that in many ways she was blessed.
Still, the heaviness remained. Closing her eyes, she recited a quiet prayer.
"Forgive me, Goddess. To die protecting your Heart is a noble passing, but if you were to have it your way, I know there would be no death at all. Guide them, o Sabelina, Mistress of Light. Banish the shadows that may cross their path, ease the burden of suffering, grant them bravery no matter what they must face... and please, keep Lucien safe. I know it is selfish to ask, but I have asked so much of him at such a young age, and if anything were to happen..." Vivienne bowed her head, voice trailing off into a whisper. Ethereal strands of light curled around her fingertips as she pressed them over her own heart, a solemn end to her prayers.
Running a shimmering finger through her long strands of snowy hair, the Queen slipped from the bustling banquet hall and moved towards the kitchen to check how her cooks were progressing. It was best to keep busy. Sabelina's will would be done whether she paced and fretted or not.
At least the lucious cakes she had requested were as lovely as had been promised. Vivienne hoped the brave souls would at least appreciate a night of celebration, high spirits and fine food before they inevitably set off early the next morning.
—◦✧◦✧◦—
Hours later, Queen Vivienne stood clothed in her finest gown as she waited in regal silence near the door. Well-wishers were already beginning to filter in, bowing deeply as they passed her and her guards. She smiled and waved at each of them, for while some royals saw such people as mere commoners, the Queen knew their value and was not shy in showing so.
It would likely be a while until the summoned adventurers arrived, but she knew Lucien would be returning from his patrol soon, and Glimmer had a way of popping up whenever one least expected him to.
Besides, anyone could be early.
Surveying the great feast as it was being set out, she sighed wistfully and turned her gaze to the towering windows that bathed each room in rich golden sunlight. It was a picture perfect day, perhaps the last one Vivienne would experience for a long time.
━━━━━━❦━━━━━━
•CASTLE PARADISIA, BANQUET HALL•
The day was still new and the air soft and alight with birdsong as Queen Vivienne watched over the preparations for the great farewell celebration. Her expression was serene as always, and she offered a soft but genuine smile to each maid who passed by.
Her mind, however, was not the picture of peace that she outwardly projected. Royal duty or not, she was sending others out into certain danger to all but do her bidding while she remained relatively safe behind the enchanted walls of Paradisia.
Offered rewards would of course be lavish as to make their risk worthwhile, but that would provide little in the way of comfort to any who did not survive the journey.
Though Vivienne wished deeply to believe that all would go well and that there would be no death, she was not a naive woman. Wars were nothing like what was told in fairytales, they were brutal and often ended with no sense of victory at all. Her rule had been exceptionally peaceful, and she knew that in many ways she was blessed.
Still, the heaviness remained. Closing her eyes, she recited a quiet prayer.
"Forgive me, Goddess. To die protecting your Heart is a noble passing, but if you were to have it your way, I know there would be no death at all. Guide them, o Sabelina, Mistress of Light. Banish the shadows that may cross their path, ease the burden of suffering, grant them bravery no matter what they must face... and please, keep Lucien safe. I know it is selfish to ask, but I have asked so much of him at such a young age, and if anything were to happen..." Vivienne bowed her head, voice trailing off into a whisper. Ethereal strands of light curled around her fingertips as she pressed them over her own heart, a solemn end to her prayers.
Running a shimmering finger through her long strands of snowy hair, the Queen slipped from the bustling banquet hall and moved towards the kitchen to check how her cooks were progressing. It was best to keep busy. Sabelina's will would be done whether she paced and fretted or not.
At least the lucious cakes she had requested were as lovely as had been promised. Vivienne hoped the brave souls would at least appreciate a night of celebration, high spirits and fine food before they inevitably set off early the next morning.
—◦✧◦✧◦—
Hours later, Queen Vivienne stood clothed in her finest gown as she waited in regal silence near the door. Well-wishers were already beginning to filter in, bowing deeply as they passed her and her guards. She smiled and waved at each of them, for while some royals saw such people as mere commoners, the Queen knew their value and was not shy in showing so.
It would likely be a while until the summoned adventurers arrived, but she knew Lucien would be returning from his patrol soon, and Glimmer had a way of popping up whenever one least expected him to.
Besides, anyone could be early.
Surveying the great feast as it was being set out, she sighed wistfully and turned her gaze to the towering windows that bathed each room in rich golden sunlight. It was a picture perfect day, perhaps the last one Vivienne would experience for a long time.
━━━━━━❦━━━━━━
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spookie
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