But here’s the marecolt

I was on both knees before her, at the bottom of the seven wide steps that led up to her rather plain-looking throne. The townsfolk were right to call her "the pale Princess," though never to its face. Something told me she didn't mind the nickname, but would have to show distaste befitting her station were she to hear it. Her actual title, The Princess of the Black Rose, was more fitting. Something beautiful, impossible, and delicate.

She was flanked on her left by one of her advisors, a girl in an amber gown with silver hair, and a tail. A kemonomimi.

I, on the other hand, wanted to be a girl of mystery. I was not as fair as the princess, though we shared the same eyes and hair, from the looks of it. A knight without plate was not unheard of, yes, but my demeanor was more befitting of another class.

I looked up to the princess and met her brown-eyed gaze before responding.

"I need no plate, your highness. My form requires no protection if I am never hit." A bold claim, as I had been hit in the past, and quite badly. But armor of any sort was expensive, and I was out of funds just to repair my sword.

"I suppose that would make sense..." The princess rested her upper lip against two curled fingers in thought as her eyes wandered. "Many others have applied, but you are the first one I've liked..."

Were I a kemonomimi like one of the royal advisors, my ears would have perked up at that. Said advisor was looking at something on a smartphone, and her snow leopard ears did indeed perk, probably because she caught my glance. I cast my eyes to the floor, the burgundy carpet I was kneeling on. It looked well-worn, probably from the Princess's many daily petitioners from her townsfolk. And now, myself. I heard the Princess clear its throat and looked back up to her.

"You are from outside my kingdom, aren't you?" She was no longer leaning on her hand, and she was sitting up straight. Despite how delicate I thought her earlier, I could feel her imposing aura. I did not waver.

"Your highness, I am not from these lands. I have journeyed far to come here, and have faced many trials."

I wanted to beg her to not disqualify me for not being one of her subjects, but held my tongue. I needed this position. I needed a place to call home that wasn't with... him.

"Hm. There are chairs in the back, please go have a seat. I must confer with my advisors."

I got up and almost jumped, suddenly noticing the girl standing next to me. She wore a grey shawl, and for a moment I could swear I saw the familiar glow of embers through it. She did not move, and merely held her position, kneeling next to me and gazing up at the Princess. The Princess, in turn, gazed back, smiling slightly.

"Ah, Ashes. do join us."

The girl stood, her gaze fixed on her Princess. I could hear her whisper something the moment the Princess looked away.

"The king."

I did not know if it was her own musings, or something meant for me. There was no king in this kingdom, only the legend of the false king. I shook my head to clear my thoughts before standing, curtseying, and heading to the back of the hall to take a seat.

-/\|~~|\/-

The Princess-

A cutlass! She carried a cutlass! An interesting choice, sure, but it didn't feel entirely right for such a girl to be called a knight. At least this one was a girl- all the prior applicants had been boys. Not that I minded, but I was still dealing with the mental fallout of getting rid of the false king yet again. Hopefully for the last time.

So yes, no boys.

I hadn't put it on the notice. I was a little drunk when I made the notice, to be quite honest, which made it surprising that the notice was as coherent as it had been.

Regardless.

A cutlass was an interesting choice. It made her seem rougeish, and the more I thought about it, the more I liked it. But did my advisors like it?

I motioned Kaede, the snow leopard kemonomimi, and Ashes, my prophet, to come closer. Kaede spoke first, in a loud whisper.

"Princess Midnight, she has a cutlass. Nyat a shortsword, a longsword, or some other double bladed weapon. Not really knightly, nyo?"

I tilted my head slightly before responding "We're not totally medieval here, Kaede. She sounds capable. And we really just need someone to fill the role of knight. I'm tired of the other princesses calling me 'knightless!' It's embarrassing."

"Meow, that was when Serafina fought that knight, I remember." Kaede rubbed her chin. "If my sister was here she'd say that we should test her. A little quest. Probably good to make sure she's nyot useless in a fight, nya?"

I took a deep breath and let it out. "We can do that. Ashes, you've been quiet this whole time, what's on your mind?"

The prophet stood stock still, her hands clasped and her eyes closed. When she spoke, it was as soft as falling ash.

"A quest. I agree. If she can pass, Astraea will make a fine knight for you, my Princess." Ashes opened her eyes and looked into mine, smiling slyly. Today, her eyes were the color of a stormy sky. "You will not be disappointed."

I clapped my hands together. "A quest it is. To the bog for the blue apple. Not so easy that a mere peasant can do it, and not so impossible that I'd have to send Serafina. Oh and, uh," I bit my bottom lip, "Ashes, what was her name again"

"Monika Estelle Astraea." The prophet bowed her head. Kaede was back on her phone. No matter.

I stood from my throne and spoke loudly, "Miss Astraea! You are under consideration for the position of a knight under Her Majesty, Princess Midnight of the Black Rose! Which is I! Come forward!

Monika stood and walked towards the base of the steps up to my throne. Once she was no longer outside of normal talking range, I continued speaking.

"To prove your worth and gain my favor, you must complete a quest for me. I will provide details after you accept, if you so choose. You are free to decline."

She responded without hesitation, "I accept."

"Right, then. To the south, well, south-south-south west, to be precise, there is a bog. In the middle of this bog is a special tree, which produces a single blue apple every few years. Such fruit is said to provide a divine boon to any who eat it and are worthy, and one apple can be made into many potent healing elixirs. I need it for the second reason.

"The journey is about a day to the bog on foot. Half a day on a horse, though please do not bring a horse into the bog. Not good on their legs. I digress! Bring me the apple in four days time and you shall be knighted."

Monika didn't respond for a second, and her face was as unreadable as a stone carving. "I will do this. Must I procure my own rations?"

"Tsk. A fair question. My people will provide what you ask in return for a favor. Coin is only good for outside trade."

"Thank you, your highness. I will return in four days time, or sooner." She curtsied gracefully. "May I go now?"

"You may. And good luck, miss Astraea."