As Royal Duty Demands

[not_a_prize]

I have to go...

[Peola sounded... depressed to say the least.]

Some of the things my father said. They stuck in my head, I've been having trouble sleeping because of it.

I sent him a message that I'd agree to the wedding...

[There was an immense grimace on her face at the thought.]

Turns out those nobles didn't recognize my 'non-existent' choice... I don't know if its because they don't care about Earth, that she wasn't around or because Kliiment talked them into not caring...

But... I guess that's what I get for running away from my problems and punching them in the face isn't it?

... They're holding the wedding on Earth... my father's invited you all... figured since we all fought together you guys should be there.

I guess that's it... thank you... all of you for being good to me.

[Peola lowers her head in a modest bow.]

[For those of you who wish to speak to her before she has to leave she's at the hangar. A small troupe of Royal Porters were quickly shimmying off with her belongings to a rather ornate looking shuttle outside, its entrance flanked by a pair of mecha. Regalis Filia itself was carefully being moved into the shuttle by another pair of them. The Princess is tremendously listless about the whole matter and is spending the whole time fidgeting. Notably rather than her usual security uniform or just some simple clothing she's clad in a flowing gown that seemed to have an almost ocean like sheen to it, looking tremendously formal and out of place.]

Comments

[herodrawing]

Ha... ha... wait!

[Izuru runs into the hangar - and stands to catch some breath.]

Are you really okay with this?

[not_a_prize]

...I'm not...

But I don't have a choice at all anymore. If I keep running from this it'll make things worse.

[herodrawing]

But... you're sacrificing yourself for the sake of everybody else! There's gotta be some other choice, right? One that'll make everyone happy, including yourself...

[not_a_prize]

... I really wish there was... because I really don't see it.

[herodrawing]

Your dad looked reasonable, I'm sure he'd...

...

[Izuru falls silent for some reason.]

[actuallyselfish]

"No." Dido says, fixing Peola with a glare.

[not_a_prize]

Dido... its this or putting my brother or Ourania on the spot.

You remember what my father said about Harunn... and Ourania...

[Peola shakes her head.]

Ruling wouldn't be for her... she'd hate it... not to mention she'd get saddled with someone like I was.

[actuallyselfish]

Dido stares at Peola, then rubs at her nose.

"You..." She says. "Of course. Both you and your dad completely missed what I said earlier."

Dido breaths deep. "You are the best candidate to rule your Kingdom after your dad, Peola. I think you should take the throne."

She pokes Peola's shoulder. "But you shouldn't have to marry to make your authority stick, Peola; this is messed up, and you know it!"

[not_a_prize]

But I don't want to be queen!

[Peola's voice lowers to a hiss so that the people carting her things away wouldn't hear her. She looks quite frustrated at this as she moves Dido's poking hand away.]

You've never met my brother Dido... he did so much and earned the Kingdom's respect but he never let it get to his head. He was always kind but could also be firm when he needed to. Everybody on Magnolys wanted him to be king...

I didn't do anything to get anyone's respect back home... this is messed up but what else am I supposed to do?!

[booty_chaser]

[Ashe is on the way, giving the porters a look that is making them go WAAAY around their shortest route, because nobody wants to be near Ashe right now]

Want me to crash the wedding?

[not_a_prize]

Ashe I don't think its going to work... and even if you did...

Earth has enough trouble as it is without doing something that'd get the noble houses and my father angry.

[Peola tries to smile a little.]

I won't mind if you cause a little trouble though...

[booty_chaser]

You know me, Peola. I don't deal in "little" trouble. [If I was the wedding planner, I would be severely concerned right about now. Her smirk soon fades though, and her face goes serious once again]



You know this is stupid, right?

[not_a_prize]

Believe me... I know exactly how stupid this is. Its why I ran in the first place...

But I'm out of options and if I try anything now it might cause problems for everyone.

[brought_it_back]

[Eva walks over briskly, just short of running.]

Don't.

[not_a_prize]

What else am I supposed to do? Just run away again?

[brought_it_back]

I...don't know.

[not_a_prize]

... I don't either... but I know just trying to run again might make it worse.

[a_centered_mind]

Pardon me.

[A young woman, who might be recognized as one That Other Thing's acquaintance, now stands before Peola, frowning.]

I know we haven't spoken before, but it's hard not to know about your situation after your father's visit.

I'm sure you've gotten your fair share of people telling you not to do it if you don't want to, too. So, I'd like to say something else, if you'd hear me out.

[not_a_prize]

You're Willis' friend.

[But since she and Elys never met Peola wouldn't know her name.]

... Alright... what is it?

[a_centered_mind]

I've experienced something similar to what you're going through - even if it doesn't look like it, I'm still bound to my own duties now. It isn't on the scale of a country, let alone an entire planet, still...

That your father's words are having that effect on you, and you realizing that 'running away and punching your problems in the face', as it were, wouldn't do...it's natural - it means you've awoken to your responsibilities, and you shouldn't feel that bad about it.

Anyone who's willing to come to terms with that has my respect. Just...

[not_a_prize]

That's...

[But is anyone ever really prepared or actually experienced being put into the position of responsibility of an entire planet this unaware? At the very least though Elys knew somewhat how she felt and Peola could accept and acknowledge the words.]

Thank you. I appreciate it... really I do. But I'm guessing there's more?

[tiger_ken]

...I know we haven't spoken much of late, but...

Do you really think this is going to be the best answer to all of this?

[not_a_prize]

...I don't know... but I just can't run away again.

If my brother's that bad off he can't ever take his spot back I don't have a choice...

I'm not going to have my sister put through this and worse just because I don't want to...

[tiger_ken]

So instead you have your hand forced into a marriage with lesser nobility - angering everyone who didn't make the cut even more than they already have been, and making it look like you're a Queen who can't make her own choices.

[not_a_prize]

Well what am I even supposed to do when the blasted nobility are the ones that picked him out in the first place?

I just... I'm already a princess who ran away from her responsibilities. If I don't do this it'll just be me running away from them in a different way.

I'm damned if I do this and damned if I don't.