Part 2

Hanni was in her quarters, she knew her parents had invited a very important suitor to lunch today. That meant she'd have to make the worst impression so that the boy pulled his courting and told his friends. Hanni pulled out a murky green gown. It was quite a sight, gifted to her by the Italia Kingdom's head seamstress. It had a large sash of brown that flowed from the left shoulder to the right hip and the neck had a horrid piece of fabric sticking out like a miniature table that curled into a twist. It was ugly, to put it in a few words, it was also perfect. If her taste in clothing were reflected by this outfit, no suitor would be all in. With the help of a surprised maid Hanni pulled the dress on, the maid grimaced as Hanni twirled and smirked as the stiff fabric didn't move.

"Madame Hanni, that dress, um...how do I put it? Well, this dress won't be appealing to your incoming suitor." The maid, Sofenna, told Hanni. Hanni nodded with a satisfied smirk.

"I know, Lady Marx'' Hanni replied. "Please send word to the scribe to ask Italia's seamstress for more gowns. I'm extremely happy with this one." Hannie continued looking down at Sofenna. Sofenna nodded, stood up and scurried out of the room.

Hanni looked around her room. She saw an eccentric vase with flowers and twigs in an elegant twist. Hannie went up to the vase and began plucking twigs out of the vase. She went to her vanity and pulled her short pink hair into a small and elegant bun. She stuck the twigs in her hair, twisting them in so they would stay put. Hanni admired her reflection. She was quite the sight to see. Her dress and hair worked well together (by that she meant it looked horrible), and Hanni decided to top it off with some bland sandals. Her mother told her to make sure and wear heels at least 4 inches tall, because according to her, she must be close to her suitor’s height.

"Madame Hanni, what are you doing?" A voice asked through the closed door of Hanni's quarters.

"Getting ready for Lunch, of course," Hanni said, walking over to the door, pulling it open to see Lady Wardla. It'd been two days since Lady Wardla showed Hanni her birthday gown. Lady Wardla's eyes widened seeing Hanni's appearance.

"Madame Hanni, that outfit is atrocious!" She shrieked then quickly added, "In my personal and professional opinion of course. I mean no disrespect . . .." She trailed off. Hanni smirked. She turned and walked away letting Lady Wardla trail behind her.

"I think this outfit gives off the perfect first impression! I don't want to be seen as a fool in silly colored dresses. This dress is of deep color, rich in style and ugly like the fall to hell," Hanni explained. "It's just how I'd like to be perceived." Lady Wardla gasped and shook her head before going to Hanni's closet and pulling out a deep wine red gown. It was fitted with a mermaid tail.

"Madame Hanni, this may not be a church yet this ground is still sacred. You mustn't talk like that. I don't understand why you would want such an unappealing dress," Lady Wardla scolded. "This gown, made by your maids, is a deep color with rich style. I must admit it's very sophisticated, very much how you're parents would want you to be perceived," Lady Wardla explained.

"Thank you, Lady Wardla, but I much prefer this Italia fabric, it is soothing against my skin. I will be perceived by this suitor in this gown. I will not change," Hanni persisted. Lady Wardla sighed and shook her head.

"So stubborn, your highness, you must be serious with these suitors, they are your future. You must put forward some attempt," Lady Wardla tried again. "I must be going now your highness, please consider other outfit options." She stepped out of Hanni's closet and sighed disappointedly, brushing off her skirt and walking away. Hanni listened to Lady's Wardla's distinct clicking steps as they faded.

Taking a deep breath Hanni left her quarters and strode to the great hall. She could hear the ruckus outside. The suitor was making a fuss about his entrance. Hanni cringed. Self-centered attention hogs were not attractive to her. Hanni recalled her mothers' voice in her head. You are not looking for someone attractive and nice, you are looking for someone who can hold you down and help you lead a kingdom. The only thing Hanni wanted to do with the power of a kingdom was change opinions, but of course, she needed a prince consort for that power and that would do the opposite of proving her point.

Entering the great hall, Hanni strode quickly to her seat. Her father looked up and frowned. She dismissed his look and turned away. She could hear him sigh, so she glanced back at him. He met her gaze with the same bright blue eyes that she had.

"Hanni, I'm not going to try to tell you to change. Please go greet your guest, Kemma is already out there and I think that she may just steal one of these suitors," he told Hanni.

"You're the only father pushing his fourteen-year-old daughter to get married," Hanni said. Her father just shook his head.

"I started earlier with you, and here you are a week and a half before your seventeenth, with no long-lasting suitors, and no one to come save the day. It's not like we can crown you queen without a king for you to wed," he replied tiredly.

"Why not?" Hanni pestered him. He sighed again and waved his hand in her direction.

"We're not having this conversation again. And we will not be discussing it when a potential prince is in our courtyard. Go greet him, please," the King replied. Hanni frowned but turned and walked out of the great hall anyway.

Hanni made her way out to the courtyard, she saw the carriage first, colored teal and orange, the color of the Amezhan high house. The Amezhan wasn't an imposing house, but it was still higher than the majority of other houses. She could see Kemma in a long blue gown, smiling and laughing with the tall suitor. Hanni kept her eyes off the suitor, instead focusing on her sister.

"Hanni!" Kemma called to her. Hanni began walking faster but still leisurely to make her entrance unforgettable. She does not want this boy to forget his waste of time. When Hanni reached Kemma she focused solely on her, yet to even glance at the suitor. "Hanni, a dear sister, meet Barnabe Amezhan, he's asking to be called Zhan." Finally, Hanni turned to the boy, Barnebe. Such a foolish name. The boy had pale brown eyes with wavy brown hair thrown onto his head. It looked like he tried to control his hair but had failed horribly; a few strands were gelled back but most of it stuck out left and right.

"Nice to meet you, Sir Amezhan," Hanni said curtly. Barnabe smiled at her, and it sent chills down Hanni's spine. His perfect teeth, the glint in his eyes as if he felt he already knew she'd choose him.

"Call me Zhan, I insist," he replied, but Hanni shook her head shortly.

"No, I insist you will either be Sir Amezhan or Sir Barnabe, and to be honest, I assume you prefer your surname," Hanni answered.

"You've got me there, your highness," he replied easily. It made Hanni uneasy how comfortable he was.

"Now, Sir Amezhan, I will be called Madame Hanni. My parents are the highnesses and I am above a majesty, there is no need to make me more or less than I am. Thank you very much," Hanni told him. Kemma watched their discussion. Her sister was such a hothead and was so stubborn that she was rubbing this easygoing, hard-to-bug man the wrong way.

"Now, Hanni, Zhan, join me in the great hall. Our meal awaits, let's not let it cool," Kemma cut in. Zhan shot her a grateful look over his shoulder, while Hanni sent her an eye roll aimed for Zhan. "Now, Zhan, in front of our father I suggest not attempting to receive your preferred title. He is the King for heaven's sake." Hanni sighed and sped up her pace, leaving Zhan and Kemma in her dust.

"Her outfit was atrocious, do I still compliment her on it?" Zhan asked Kemma. Kemma smirked, knowing Hanni and what she was up to why not lead Zhan into the snake's nest. He is the first one, pretty lowly housed compared to us. There would be more suitors.

"Knowing my sister, don't lie to her. But that doesn't mean to voice your opinion. She would love that, be different and let her be surprised. Do not pester her or reply to her in defense," Kemma fibbed easily. Hanni would not approve of a sudden change in attitude nor an entirely silent boy who questioned none of her opinions. She would love someone to listen so easily but she couldn't have that and she would know that.

"Oh, thank you for the advice," Zhan said. Kemma nodded slightly, joining her sister at a quick pace. Zhan, seeing that it'd be rude to be late for lunch, followed.

Kemma almost felt bad for lying to Zhan, he thought he had a chance to be prince consort of Vetiti, but seeing the look on Hanni's face she knew his attempts were hopeless anyway.

Hanni held anger and frustration within her directed towards the foolish boy who thought he could win her over with a smile. No one could win her over in the first place, no doubt this lazy boy had no plans beyond his looks.

Struggling to keep up with the quick-paced princesses, Barnabe was overwhelmed and nervous. These princesses were so pristine and he tried to remember everything his uncle ever told him. His uncle had married the King’s cousin, 8th in line for the crown until Hanni, Kemma, and Bhen were born. Now his aunt was 12th in line for the crown. He gave him advice on how to sway a royal but that opposes what Kemma suggested.

"Sir Barnabe Amezhan, welcome to the royal palace. The royals will enter the great hall once you have already been seated. Royal etiquette is taught in schools but here is a reminder. The royals will walk in, you will stand when they sit, you will bow and will not move until the king says you may stand, and then you may sit once he gives a discrete nod. Do not speak unless spoken to, respect them, don't question them. They are above you," a royal guard told Zhan as he neared the doors to the great hall. Zhan nodded silently.

The doors to the great hall swung open and Barnabe entered. He walked in proudly, only to cower at the sight of many apprentices of the King and leaders of the high houses, none of which were his family members. Bowing his head in shame, Zhan sat down silently. There were 23 high houses, the Amezhan high house was in 9th, they were ordered by the king in which held most power and value. The top five houses were part of the king's select group of people that made the peace committee. They made sure the townspeople were happy, 9th place was fairly high but not high enough. The Amezhans could barely scrape together a nice job, so Zhan's uncle was very lucky to catch the King's cousin.

"Sir Barnabe Amezhan, here to begin his courting of honorable Princess Hanni," a guard by the door announced. Zhan turned to see the meal being brought out. Hanni turned and looked as well, she knew today’s meal would be different. A challenge for the headhunter of course. What she didn’t expect was the extravagance her parents were wasting on this first suitor. It made her realize that maybe her parents didn’t plan on a large group of suitors, maybe they only had a few left. Hanni would keep on going, though. She would reject every single one of them until there was no willing bachelor in the kingdom left.

Hanni had fallen into her own head and had not realized her father had started conversation.

“So, young Amezhan, what do you think of the meal?” Hanni’s father asked Barnabe. He looked up and was surprised that he was being acknowledged.

“It’s great your highness, I’ve never had anything like this. If I may ask what type of meat is this?” Barnabe replied.

“Oh this is just some guineafowl, we cooked it with some minced garlic that is probably the unusual flavor.” The King replied. Zhan nodded appreciatively before continuing.

“Where did you find that?” He asked, his questions were so simpleminded, Hanni thought, if he had any brains he’d be asking about the kingdom’s economy by now.

“Well our head huntress found it in the forest for our meal specifically.” Hanni perked up hearing that their head hunter was female. Barnabe was quick to reply now.

“May I meet her?” He asked. The King looked at him for a second before answering.

“Meet who? The huntress?” The King questioned as if he couldn’t believe his ears.

“Yes, I’d like to see who you’ve trusted to feed your family.” Hanni raised her eyebrows at Zhan’s nerve.

“I don’t understand,” The King scoffed. Zhan opened his mouth but the King continued. “Very well, call Miss Floreign here.” He told a guard by the door. The guard nodded and left.

“Barnabe, why do you want to meet the huntress?” Bhen asked. Bhen Lucas was the youngest royal child, his parents had kept his life discreet. Nothing like the elder sisters who were showcased for the suitors. Hanni knew her parents would likely barter him off and have him marry a foreign princess to gain alliances with other kingdoms. Hanni thought about how her little brother didn’t realize his future and how she would never do that to her own child.

“Ahylia Floreign, Headhuntress of the Vetiti Kingdom.” The same guard had returned and now announced the presence of another important person.

✾֎✾

Ahylia was cleaning her weaponry when Nowah, Aberahm’s boss, came to collect her, saying a special guest requested her presence. Ahylia had assumed there would be some sort of guest today because they requested a special bird for the meal. Ahylia followed Nowah silently, Aberahm followed the pair bringing up the rear. Nowah led her to the great hall. Ahylia hadn’t even realized it was mealtime until now. Sometimes Aberahm would remind her when it was a meal time but usually he felt it wasn’t his place to. Ahylia felt bad for withholding him from human needs. Usually they followed her schedule which was always changing, always being modified for her tasks.

“Ahylia Floreign, Head Huntress of the Vetiti Kingdom,” Nowah said as they stood outside the great hall. Nowah stepped aside and Ahylia walked in stoically.

First, her eyes met with the deep blue ones of the king she had the privilege to talk to daily. Her eyes next met the queen’s deep brown ones. The queen was rather small and frail side by side with her husband. Ahylia’s eyes passed her quickly. They continued on in a motion seeing the usual high house members and the apprentices, then she noticed a seat that wasn’t usually placed, taken by a young adult male. His easy going smirk and wild brown hair had no place in this great hall, so Ahylia skipped over him quickly. She smiled slightly at Bhen, then she saw Kemma, someone she never spoke to but was acquainted with.

Finally, Ahylia’s eyes landed in the one place they’d longed to be. On the beautiful blue eyes of Princess Hanni. Ahylia had never gotten the chance to meet Hanni but her fantasies were enough for her imagination. Hanni looked at her with wide eyes and Ahylia’s heart fluttered. She released a small smile before turning to the king.

“Your majesty?” Ahylia asked, looking at the king, asking in her few words why she was there.

“Today we have a suitor from the house of Amezhan, he’s requested to see you and your skill.” Ahylia sucked in a breath. Had the moment come already? The moment she’d lose her job?

“State your age name and occupation Sir Amezhan, I don’t speak to just anyone,” Ahylia stated. She glanced at the king and he had a satisfied smirk. The suitor looked taken aback. He opened his mouth but it took a second for his voice to come out.

“I’m twenty years old and my name is Sir Barnabe Amezhan of the Amezhan high house, I’m currently unemployed seeking a job in law,” the suitor, Barnabe, said, Ahylia could see that this was this boy’s flailing attempt to be impressive. He obviously had no intention of seeking a job in law, he expected to be chosen Prince consort of the kingdom.

“Very well,” Ahylia scoffed in her sophisticated few words way. “Speak your curiosities although I do not promise to indulge in your faults.” Ahylia heard a cough. She looked to see Princess Hanni trying desperately to stifle a chuckle. This made Ahylia smile, but she quickly made it a smirk and turned back to Barnabe.

“How long have you been hunting?” Barnabe asked.

“No, you will not ask me questions like this. This is an absolute waste of time and if you want to see my past, read my resume although I’m not looking for a new job. Your majesty, may I return to the weaponry? Tomorrow’s supper is yet to be shot,” Ahylia stated. The king nodded with the same satisfied smirk.

“Yes you may Ahylia, thank you for your time,” he told her. Ahylia nodded curtly then ducked out of the room. Ahylia started breathing quickly, was that a good impression as a first for the princess? Then her chest deflated as she realized it didn’t matter.
✾֎✾
Song for the part is Skinny love by Birdy.
A humongous thank you to my amazing beta HP_Always_THG
Tell me what you think about the story so far please!