The Peacemaker Queen

“It’s been five years. Are you truly so surprised?” Sanaki had to stifle a laugh at the woman’s expense, leaning back and tapping some fingers against the table. “I don’t expect they will be too upset you missed it. There was only a handful of us there in the first place - some members of the Holy Guard, a handful of the others around…we tried to convince Mia to come, but I think she saw through the trap for once. We’ll get Alondite back one way or another…”

She trailed off, frowning a little and shaking her head. “Tanith wanted Micaiah to attend, but we eventually decided it would be better not to risk the fact she’s my elder sister leaking out to the general public. But yes, let’s get to business.”

She tossed a few papers onto the table, leaning back and keeping a firm look on Elincia’s eyes. “Yes. Killed. Such unfortunate…tragedies those were.” She wondered exactly how much of her actions in Begnion’s political sphere the Queen was familiar with. “Surprisingly expensive tragedies, I’ll admit. Who knew firemen drove such hard bargains?”

The Queen giggled. “Oh, well, that does make me feel better... though I don’t think Mia really saw through the trap. Apparently she finally puzzled out that Lucia was her rival from the fortune she’d gotten, and the wedding was around the same time as they nearly killed each other in their first duel. I... don’t think wooden swords were meant to move so fast.” She looked over the papers, maintaining her composure. “Yes, I’m well aware of those bargains. Did you know they’ll charge just to hold a conversation? Apparently Bastian gets a discount, but I don’t know if that’s a friendship thing or simply a bulk purchase arrangement.”

Was it too late to ask for a one-piece instead of a two-piece? She wondered to herself. Nephenee just felt too exposed like this, though hearing the Queen’s words made her happy, the farmgirl wasn’t sure she could honestly wear this swimsuit to the beach. “That’s…that’s mighty kind of ya to say, yer majesty.” Somehow, despite her reddening cheeks, and obvious embarrassment, at least this wasn’t as bad as the beauty treatment she got from Calill. “Are ya’ll…Ah mean… are you sure it’s really…me though?”

Tagged by: Just stole it

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“Surprised, are we? Not that flattery will get you anywhere.” Sanaki let a slight smirk flicker across her lips when she saw the older woman get caught off guard. She’d always had her suspicions about how close Elincia and her friend Lucia had been - looked like that little tidbit of gossip was confirmed. Sanaki shrugged as she adjusted herself in her seat a little bit, leaning forwards and resting her chin on tented hands as she raised an eyebrow.

“Tea would be nice.” She said lightly, doing her best to at least attempt and put on a more mature air than she normally did. “You’re right, it has been a long time. I’m afraid the last war may have left Begnion in a far worse state than it did Crimea - I’ve been busy. Then my damned prime minister got married, that put my schedule back another year…you know how it is.”

Nephenee’s blush just intensified, being reminded of the time she was given ‘lady lessons’ from Calill. Remembering when Calill gussied her up like a doll, caking makeup on her, and then trying to teach her how to walk and talk.

Of course, she knew Elincia was not like Calill, and Nephenee trusted Elincia’s judgement on this. “A-Alright… Ah can do that…”

The blush returned to Nephenee’s face. “But Ah, er, I… I can’t show off like that.” Hands are raised over her chest. “I mean, I don’t know if I’m the right build for swimming.” Slowly, her accent returns. “Ah’m not sure anyone would find mah figure all that fetchin’, Ah’m not pretty like you are, Ms. Elincia.”

“But Ah… Ah haven’t got a bathin’ suit, less ya count mah mall clothes, but ah… I couldn’t strip down t’ mah skivvies in front of all these folks.” Nephenee blushed, taking off her helmet, and the accent slowly returning.

Mostly because she was distracted by all the ‘distractions’ walking around her in swimwear, even the Queen.

“By the Goddess–Elincia–erm, tarnation–Ah mean—” Nephenee almost immediately snaps to attention when the royal walks by.

“Y-your highness, that is to say, no, I have never been to a beach before. I used to swim down by the river with the other village children why I was smaller, but we mostly wore small clothes and a shirt.” She said, without the accent or drawl