(Joint post with Luna and Socdyl)
“Okay that’s enough.” Olav glared down at the elf that was still hugging him.
“Just a little bit longer… Pleaaaaaaaaase~” Esta replied in a pleading tone.
The king rolled his eyes as he grabbed Esta’s hands tightly and forced her to let go of him.
She crossed her arms and pouted the Norgsveltian king. Look of disappointment on her face. Quietly muttering “You could have let me have another five more seconds…”
He simply raised an eyebrow at that and before he could make a sarcastic or insulting remark he was then interrupted by voice calling from behind them. “Olav! Esta!”
As he turned around he saw none other than his niece Estrid, who was wearing a black royal dress that fitted with her dark hair. The frown he had when interacting with Esta was replaced with a genuine warm smile. “Estrid! How have you been?” He said giving his niece a quick hug who hugged him back.
“I’ve been well! School has been annoying as always, but other than that it’s been going well.” Estrid said and her sweet smile became a teasing one. “I see you and Esta had a moment to be alone~”
The king let out a sigh and before he could get to respond Esta spoke up instead.
“He refused to give me a hug!” She walked over to her girlfriend, wrapping her arms around Estrid and giving her a long hug.
The princess hugged her elven girlfriend back before letting out a dramatic gasp. “I am oh so shocked, couldn’t you just give her a little hug?”
“She already hugged me, that should be enough.” Olav said, crossing his arms as he got increasingly irritated by the bit of teasing.
“Well, I gave him a hug but he refused to hug me back. Like we were just some strangers. We’re not strangers now are we Olav~” She gave a flirtatious wink towards him.
“Yeah, be a bit more comfortable around her.” Estrid teased as she still had an arm around her waist.
The king just sternly looked towards the pair.
“Yeah you can get real comfortable around me~” She smiles, resting her head on Estrid’s shoulder and wrapping her own arm Estrid’s waist.
“I dislike your implications.” Olav said as he gritted his teeth.
“What implications?” Estrid said once more with a teasing voice before looking towards Esta with a fake confused look. “You know what he is talking about, Esta?”
“Oh darling, the stories I can tell you about the trouble me and Olav get up to~” She kisses Estrid’s cheek. Whispering something into her ear.
“No!” Estrid said overly dramatic in response, making Olav raise an eyebrow at the pair.
“Quite, I could believe he would do such a thing to me~” Esta looks over at Olav, a flash of crazy in her eyes.
The king, though not showing it, slightly shivered at seeing that. “You two have fun talking about fake stories about me, I am going to talk with other guests.” He said, rolling his eyes.
“Who said anything about fake stories, I was simply discussing our text messages~” Esta teases the tormented monarch.
He glared towards Esta, her having sparked actual bit of anger in the usually calm king. Though before he could angrily respond Estrid spoke up.
“Oh by the way! My mother is here so I thought it would be great if both of you got to meet her.” She said, smiling brightly.
“Well! I need to give her a big hug then!” Olav said his mood having completely changed at the mention of his sister.
“Oh! Already taking me to see your parents now?” Esta teases her girlfriend, tickling her on her side childishly. “Well, you met Jørgen so I guess you just have to meet Wilan next and we’re even!”
“Wouldn’t the even thing be having her meet Carl?” The king raised an eyebrow towards Esta. While Estrid tried her best not to grimache at the thought.
Esta simply rolled her eyes at the King’s comment. “He’s too boring to meet.”
“Ah, yes that, mhmm.” Estrid said awkwardly earning a confused look from Olav though before he could ask what was wrong she spoke again. “Anyway come one! My mother would love to meet you!” She started dragging Esta with her.
Esta starts to giggle, “I wonder if your mother has any stories about Olav. I’m sure there gotta be some truly embarrassing and cringe worthy stories from his youth.”
The king simply rolled his eyes as he followed the pair. While Estrid giggled at Esta’s comment. “Oh what stories did you have in mind when saying that?~” She teased as she looked back at Esta.
“Oh, I heard a few things from his wife about his college days but I’m truly curious about when he was younger than that. Just think about how he was up too in high school or middle school. Maybe he was fun back then~” Esta mind wonders what kind of cringe Olav was up to when he was younger.
“From what I’ve heard he was very much a ladies man during his younger years~” Estrid teased, earning a sigh from the unfortunate king.
“Do you two have nothing better to talk about?” He said, crossing his arms as he continued following the two.
“Well, I could discuss our text message history instead~” She gives a wink towards him.
The king just glared at Esta.
“Oh, that look can really make a girl swoon~” Esta holds her chest, clutching her heart in a dramatic fashion.
“Well you say text message history but it’s more you talking to a wall~” Estrid said, giving her girlfriend a poke at her side as she saw her mother in the distance talking with someone.
“Well, at least Wilhelmina talks back to me.” Esta gives a sigh.
The king’s eyes widened at that. “What?”
“Well if you’re not going to text back to me, I might as well talk to your wife. She’s much nicer to me~” Esta gives a laugh. “Truly, your wife loves to gossip like Jørgen does. Wait, are you not in the groupchat?”
“What groupchat?”
“Mom!” Estrid said as she waved towards her mother who turned around to greet them with a motherly smile. Though when she saw Olav a clear sigh came from her.
Olav on the other hand had a bright smile on his face as he ran up to her with arms wide open and gave her the same bear crushing hug he had given Astrid.
“Melissa!” He said loudly as he almost held up in the air as he hugged her.
“O-Olav you’re crushing me.” She managed to say as the bone crushing hug continued.
Esta watched as Olav gave his sibling a tight hug, her face shifted into a look of longing and sadness. Though she quickly dashed those thoughts and quickly recovered to her normal act of a charming Jarlyia. She gives a half body bow towards the new group of royalty.
The king chuckled as he let go of younger sister. “I have simply missed you a lot, scaredy cat.” He said with a warm smile.
“I’ve missed you as well, bear.” Melissa said, rolling her eyes as she had a gentle sweet smile. Before turning it to a teasing one. “Sverre is down that hall if you want to give him a quick crushing hug.”
“It’s my duty as the big brother of you all to do so!” He laughed warmly. “At some point all of us should go drinking as we used to.”
“You say that as if Astrid could keep up.” She rolled her eyes and let out a giggle. “Now go bother our brother, he deserves it.”
“Will do. Sorry for cutting our little meeting short, Estrid.” He said, giving a apologetic look towards his niece.
“It’s fine, we can speak with you later. Right, Esta?” She said teasingly.
She still was a little heart broken but she powered through it. “Of course, of course~” Esta joined in on Estrid’s teasing.
The king simply let out an annoyed sigh but smiled non the less. “I’ll speak with you all later.” He said as he started walking away to find his brother.
Melissa and Estrid waved their goodbyes to him.
Esta gave her own little wave to him. “Goodbye my sweet Olav~” She had to let out one last tease before the King left them.
Estrid’s mother raised an eyebrow at that. “My sweet Olav?” She said confused but was now very curious about what relationship Esta had with her brother.
“Olav is deeply in love with me but yet we must be apart, such is the cruel state of the world.” She says in an overly dramatic tone of voice, resting the back of her hand against her head. Giving a longing sigh.
“She likes to mess with Olav.” Estrid explained in a calm manner.
“Ah, yeah that makes sense.” Melissa said as she let out a small chuckle. “So, you’re the famous Esta I’ve gotten to hear all about!”
“Oh, I’m famous now?” Esta faint ignorance. She was extremely famous in the Norgsveltian right-wing media as well as a close relation to one of the most famous Norgsveltians, Jørgen Bjørn.
“My daughter does talk a lot about you~” She said teasingly, making Estrid’s cheeks flush a little.
Esta gave a smile, poking Estrid’s blushing cheek. “All good things, I hope. I would hate to get off on the wrong foot.”
“Oh she speaks very sweetly about you dear. About your shared interests in fashion, animation and the like.” Estrid’s mother continued as Estrid pouted at Esta’s poking of her cheek. “She also talked a little bit about your adventures as well!”
“Oh, I assure you that all those stories have been grossly exaggerated. As for fashion, well our styles align. Although I am wearing my official kimono for this joyful occasion, official duties need official wear and all that.” She gives a charming smile with a cold underlying feeling under it.
“That I understand quite well.” She said with a chuckle. “It is quite nice that my daughter got to meet someone fitting her gothic fashion sensibilities.”
“Look I have other fashion interests that are not just gothic-” Estrid started saying before getting interrupted.
“No you don’t.” Esta teased Estrid. “I saw your wardrobe, it looks alot like mine.”
She simply crossed her arms. “You know you’re much more fun when you tease Olav instead.”
The mother giggled at the banter the two goth girls were having.
“Honesty is the best policy darling~” Esta gives Estrid a kiss on the cheek.
The princess simply shook her head in amusement but smiled sweetly non the less. “Here I thought your best policy was teasing.” She joked giving Esta a kiss on the cheek as well.
“Well that’s a close runner up.” She looks at Estrid with a glint of happiness in her eyes. “Especially when it’s with you sweetie.”
She blushed at that. “Well you say that but I have a feeling Olav would have refuted you on that.” She said teasingly.
“Is there a reason why you mess with my brother?” The mother asked, raising an eyebrow at the Borean elf.
“I don’t really know, it’s just fun I suppose.” Esta shrugged her shoulders.
“Part of me is starting to think she has a little crush on him.” Estrid said as she shook her in a mock disapproval.
“Estrid why I never~” Esta gives a giggle, burying her head into Estrid’s shoulder.
“Well If you ever need tips to tease him it is just to ask me.” Melissa said with a chuckle, finding the whole thing just absolutely amusing.
“Oh really now~” Esta turns her head to look at Melissa. “I believe our usual routine has gone a bit stale and he’s gotten used to it. I would love some advice on it~”
_ _
Sverre took a sip from his wine glass, having luckily been able to avoid Olav for now. He means nothing bad about it ofcourse, he loves his older brother with everything in his soul, but he could do well with not having his back broken every time they meet. Seeing in the corner of his eye none other than his Vistari cousin, Marium of way too many titles. The Empress had found herself in the backyard of the palace, where most of the guests had gathered. As food and drinks were served, people waited there either for his brother to meet them personally or hold a speech.
“Marium!” Sverre yelled out waving to her as he walked closer.
“Oh! Hello there, Sverre. Apologies, I had taken a moment to appreciate the garden, so I was a bit less observant about who was around me.”
Marium gave a gentle smile to her cousin, taking only a small moment to dispel the small jump of surprise at being called on whilst she was admiring the flowers. It wasn’t often she got a chance to go abroad and just admire the gardens, so in her moment of respite it was not unbelievable for her to allow some leniency in her wider focus. Still, she knew she should’ve expected the movement to not last. It was a party, after all, and even with family she had to bear the weight of her role’s societal expectations.
“Ah, no problem! I’ve just been drinking a bit of wine while waiting for Olav’s speech.” He chuckled as he gave his cousin a small pat on shoulder with a friendly smile on his lips. “I hope your trip here was uneventful.”
“A speech? I thought this was his day off duty,” Marium replied, giving a hint of a laugh as she allowed herself to relax ever so slightly. “The trip here was blissfully boring, thank you. I sat and talked with the little ones and tried to keep Pieter from treating this as some sort of important formality he should rehearse lines for. I’m glad he has his brother with him sometimes, he has his father’s ability to stick his head in a book rather than talking.” She gave a sentimental smile as she talked about the two princes, unable to catch herself calling them “little ones” as if they were not already making their way through adulthood.
“Well it is tradition here to hold a speech at any special occasion even if he by all rights should be relaxing. But you know Olav, he rarely lets himself relax.” The prince said, taking a sip from his wine and shook his head. “Well If Olav finds Pieter, then that boy must get prepared for a back breaking hug.” Sverre let out a chuckle thinking of that.
Marium nodded, giving a small sigh as she wondered just how many speeches the two had been obliged to make in the last few months alone, “Honestly, sometimes it’s more difficult to find days which do not have at least some special occasion going on. Still, I’m glad that even Olav and I can find place in our traditions to get a day with family - even if I definitely heard Hendrik warn his brother about those very same hugs when he thought I wasn’t listening.”
“Especially since it wasn’t a long time ago Olav was on a royal tour across the Crown Realm, he was very busy. He deserves a good break now.” Sverre let out a sigh as well before a small smirk formed on his lips. “Good thing he was warned, I personally tried to avoid my older brother. I rather want to keep my back intact please.”
Marium smiled, nodding as Sverre remarked on the need for a break, “It felt like only hours since I had returned from Noord-Valerosa myself for some ceremonial duties, it seems a lot of us could really do with a break with how much we must juggle at a time where everything moves so quickly. Though, speaking of your brother…” She gave an almost slightly mischievous smile, one that was not often seen outside of the girl she was in her youth, as she moved her head to look over Sverre’s shoulder, “Happy anniversary Cousin. You know, your brother and I were just talking about you!”
“Thanks, Tulips! I am very glad you could make it.” Olav spoke up behind his younger brother with a bright smile on his face, though Sverre just let out a deep sigh.
“Fuck.” Was the only thing he said before his older brother had his arms around him to Olav’s typical bear hugs. Even slightly Sverre up as he did so despite the two being of similar stature. The prince simply gritted his teeth in pain as it happened. Though once let down he could finally speak. “Hi, you damn bastard.” Sverre bending slightly down not being available to stand up straight.
Olav let out a laugh as he gave his younger brother a pat on the back. “It has become tradition! I have to give you those hugs!”
“Damn your tradition…” Sverre mumbled.
Marium laughed much louder this time, the more polite wall she placed around herself dropping to appreciate the interactions between brothers, not to mention a little pride in her contribution to the little prank that reminded her of a time long before she wore a crown. Just Marium of Oeverland, playing with her siblings and cousins to pass the time as the adults talked politics or gardening.
The king continued to chuckle before smirking a little bit as he turned his attention towards his cousin. “Now, that tradition also includes you, Tulips.” His arms already spread wide.
“That’s Her Most Gracious Imperial Majesty Tulips to you, Mister Beerarmen!” She said through laughter, as she gave an enthusiastic hug to her Cousin, “I’m glad I could make it too.”
Olav rolled his eyes at the title before giving his Vistari cousin a tight hug as well and held her bit up as well bit higher then he did with Sverre simply out of her lighter stature. After so placing a hand on her shoulder. “It just wouldn’t be the same without you, and I am grateful you didn’t say all your titles.” He joked.
“Do not test me, dear cousin, we both know I can list them off by heart.” She joked back, finding one advantage to hearing them every single day, “Still, this is your special day, I am inclined to spare you for now. Though, seriously, I really am happy we do get these days to celebrate, especially in the times we’re in. Let us both be sure to make the most of it, besides your clearly important job of crushing the back of every leading figure you can find.”
“We all really could use more time relaxing. I am really glad my wife could do most of the work organizing all this. I’ve been more busy with greeting guests or in this case, crushing the back of guests.” He said with a small smirk, earning an eye roll from his younger brother.
“It will be one hell of a journalist piece against you if you end up hurting someone when doing that.” Sverre said as he finally was available to stand straight again letting out a small chuckle.
“‘Foreign Leader hospitalized after being crushed by Norgsveltian Arms, does have quite the strong impression, if you will excuse the pun.” Marium chimed in, having picked up on what joke of questionable quality it felt the God-on-Urth himself had designed this conversation for.
The king simply let out a chuckle at that. “Well, I will make it up to you two if you’re up for drinking after the party?” His eyes had a small glint of excitement at the idea. “It’s been a while, afterall. Just the group of us you know? Astrid seems up for it.”
Sverre gave a hearty laugh as he placed arm around Olav’s shoulders. “Now you are speaking my kind of language, Bjørnmann!”
Marium gave a cheerful nod, “I would have to let Hendrik and Pieter know before I let myself be carried away at the promise of alcohol, but I am sure the Act for Standardizing Letters of Reminder during Tax Season can be without my hand for long enough to spend some quality time with you two. Besides, I hurt my writing hand from shaking hands earlier,” She gave a small laugh, making it slightly unclear if she was joking about that or simply laughing the pain off.
Olav let out a warm laugh. “Then it’s a deal! I’ll go find Melissa so I can tell her about this as well!” He said as he started walking and gave Sverre a pat on the shoulder. “Hendrik and Pieter could probably drink with Ingrid and Jørgen if they decide to have fun tonight!” Sverre let out a small chuckle at the idea.
“We’ll see, I suppose. They’re old enough to salt their own earth, as it were,” Marium gave a small laugh as well, waving as she began to make her way to find the Princes, “Give no mercy to Liss on that hug for me, Beerarmen!”
_ _
Jørgen finally was able to drag his Prime Minister away from the Nystatinne with the help of Ingrid. Directing the Valkyr to the Norgsveltian Prime Minister, he firmly believed such an experienced politician like Wilhelm Kirkeland would be better able to defuse the fiery PM. Surely he can give the perfect politically correct response to them. He moved over towards the window where he was brutally attacked by a short Norgsveltian princess giving him a hug. Apparently she takes after her father in that regard.
“Hello Princess Amanda.” Jørgen said with a bit of pained expression as she squeezed him. “Can you let go now?”
“Nah.”
“Please?”
“Fine.” The Princess let go of the Jarl. “How are you, Jørgen?”
“Jarl Jørgen.” He corrected her, trying to at least keep some level of formality.
“Jørgen.” She sharply replied in a smug tone.
“Jar-” He tried to correct her again.
“Jerkgen.” Amanda refused to give in.
“Fine, Jørgen it is.” He gives a defeated sigh. “How are your classes going?”
She rolls her eyes, “Come on, you can start a conversation better than asking about my classes.”
Jørgen tilted his head at the little shit. “Well, you certainly grew to be more…”
“Wonderful? Adorable?”
“No, none of those things.” Jørgen replied with a smug tone. “I was going to say, rude.”
Before Amanda could respond a hand went down to ruffle her hair. As the two royals look towards who’s hand it belonged to no other than Princess Melissa who had a teasing smile. “Bullying your sister, Jørgen?”
“It was an act of self defense I assure you.” The young Jarl replied with a smile. Still wondering why the Norgsveltian royalty are still insisting that he is part of the family despite not being remotely related.
“Oh was it?” Melissa said looking down at the pouting kemonomimi that she was still ruffling the hair off.
“I have never done anything wrong in my life.” The princess assured her aunt. “I simply gave him a hug like how dad gives hugs.” She says with a smug look.
Melissa shivered at the thought. “I see, well that explains a lot then.”
Jørgen gives a laugh, “I have been spared from his crushing hug so far. I have been successful so far by being around Esta of Lapliszna.”
“Well… don’t count your blessings then.” Melissa said with a sigh as she gestured to Jørgen turn around as she saw Olav was walking up towards them with a wide smile.
Jørgen looked at Olav with a bit of fear. He used his hand to push forward Princess Amanda as the sacrificial lamb to Olav’s spine crushing of a hug. “Ah, hello again your highness.”
The king simply put his arms around both Amanda and Jørgen giving them the crushing hug at the same time. “The tradition is kept alive!” He said and let out a joyful laugh.
Melissa couldn’t help but let out a small chuckle as Amanda and Jørgen were being crushed.
Jørgen gave a pained groan as Olav possibly shattered the poor elf’s spine. “Can you let go please. I can’t breathe.” He said gently tapping Olav’s shoulder.
Meanwhile Amanda, who is used to her dad’s painful hugging. Simply hugged him back, “Happy anniversary dad!”
Olav chuckled warmly as he put down the pair. “Thank you, dear.” He said and gave her forehead a kiss. Before giving Jørgen a heavy pat on the shoulder. “I finally was available to give you a hug. You really should try hiding behind Esta to avoid my hugs.”
He took a deep breath and fixed his tie. “I have, sadly I lost track of her.” He scratched the back of his neck.
“Oh that lass! I spoke with her earlier. I gave her some tips, she has been asking so much about Olav.” Melissa said, teasing smirk on her lips as she glanced up at her older brother. Mainly to get back at him for the crushing hug earlier.
The king simply gave a small glare towards his little sister. “You better have not.” He crossed his arms.
“But I did~” She teased with a mischievous smirk on her face as she poked Olav’s side. “I feel like I could relate with her in a small innocent way~”
“The spirits work in mysterious ways.” He gives a smirk at Olav. This is revenge for crushing his spine once more. “Princess Melissa, are you in the group chat? The one with Esta, Estrid and Wilhemina?”
“No, I’m not. But if you ever see your friend, ask her to invite me in.” She continued her teasing of her older brother. Who was simply glaring at the jarl with a simple message behind it.
‘Don’t you dare’
gave a chuckle at the King’s harsh expression. “Well, I’m the one who made the group in the first place. I can invite you in.”
“Can I join it too?” The princess asked, looking up at Jørgen.
“Absolutely…. not” Jørgen stretched out the sentence, seeing Amanda go from a smile to an annoyed looking pout.
“Jerkgen.” Amanda muttered under her breath.
Olav let out a tired sigh. “What kind of stuff did you talk with Esta about?” He said sternly.
Melissa chuckled in response. “Oh but Olav, that is details I can’t say with the children around~” As she gestured to Jørgen and Amanda.
“Old enough to be a Jarl, host events for the international world and much more than that. Yet I’m still too young to hear details that Esta will forcibly make me listen to later, anyway.” He shakes his head, mostly playfully but partly annoyed. Despite everything he’s been through and done, most people still call him a child or just a kid. Something that greatly annoys him. He’s 28 years old damn it.
“Oh! What details did she give?” Melissa said in an innocent tone as she placed her focus on the Jarl.
“Things that I wish I could bleach from my mind and none of which could be expressed in polite company.” He gives a longing stare outside of the mirror before shaking his head. “Ah, it could be worse I suppose than to hear her imaginative machinations.” He gives a small smile.
Olav just sighed. “Alright, enough talk about that… she-devil.” He said with a frown. In which his little sister smirked at.
“Oh, Olav so harsh words about your favorite fan girl!” She gasped, placing a hand in front of her mouth acting shocked in an over dramatic fashion. Which earned her another cold glare from her ever loving older brother.
“He’s just being a tsundere.” The Jarl says with a shake of his head, smirking while he does so.
“What’s a tsundere?” Amanda took out her phone to search it up, despite just asking what it means a few minutes ago.
Both Olav and Melissa just looked confused at the elf not sure how to respond to his joke when neither had any freaking idea what he meant by that.
Amanda on the other hand, burst out laughing. Though it was a bit delayed, the elven jarl still gave a hearty chuckle, saying “Don’t tell your father what it means.”
Before the king could ask his two children what ts-un-de-re was, his shoulder was tapped by a maid that wanted his attention. After whispering into his ear the kemonomimi maid quickly walked off. Olav let out a small sigh. “My attention has once more been called after, so I have to unfortunately go soon.” He said, giving an apologetic smile.
“Here I was hoping you would finally explain my two most burning questions.” The Elven jarl gave a smile, “Though I understand you have to go.” He still wanted to know why everyone in his family keeps calling big brother or nephew and why he had so many kemonomimi maids. Like surely he has some human maids or servants somewhere right?
“I’ll answer them eventually, oh I almost forgot. Liss?” Olav turned his attention towards his little sister who raised an eyebrow at him. “I got Sverre and Marium into the plans afterwards, you in?” He had a small smile on his face.
Melissa simply let out a gentle chuckle. “Alright, alright I will. Though you know for certain me and Marium will do some kind of mischief.” She said with a wide smirk. Making Olav roll his eyes.
“Very typical of you.” He said, shaking his head before turning his attention back to Jørgen and Amanda ruffling their hair again. “Now you two, behave.”
“Absolutely not, we will act out and behave poorly.” Jørgen said in a sarcastic tone, giving his charming best charming smile.
Amanda gave a nod in agreement with the Jarl. “We’re going to talk to Esta.”
“No.” Jørgen was quick to put a stop to that.
“Hmmm, I could go talk with Est-” Melissa began saying before getting interrupted by Olav.
“Absolutely not.” He responded quickly giving his sister a poke at her side before he started walking off giving the trio a wave with a warm smile on his face.
“Come on brat, let’s go get some ice cream.” Jørgen ruffled Amanda’s hair.
“I’m not a brat, I just know what I want.” She gives a pout, “You’re a brat.”
He gives a warm smile, switching his attention to Melissa. “Ah, I believe we will bid you farewell as well. Esta is out in the gardens with her girlfriend.” He gives a half body bow.
Melissa had a mischievous glint in her eyes once more. “Wonderful news, I have more advice to give after all~”
_ _
Jørgen walked and argued with Amanda to the ice cream bar, he saw a familiar face. “Alright go get your ice cream.”
“You’re not getting any?” Amanda looked at the tall elf, with a questioning tone in her voice.
“I’m too old for ice cream.” The jarl straight out his tie and suit jacket.
The smug princess simply replied, “You already had some didn’t you.”
“Yes.” Jørgen quickly replied, giving one more ruffle to the pouting Kemonomimi.
She mumbled, quiet enough for Jørgen not to hear. “You never spend time with me.”
“Well, head in the book in the middle of a party. Wonder who that could be?” The Jarl gave a bright smile and in a chipper tone of voice.
Pieter had made a poor effort of standing in the shadow of his older brother as his eyes affixed themselves on the Vistarian-Norgsveltian language guide. He had made some nebulous promise of just enjoying the party, but he hated thinking how he might sound speaking disjointed formal Norgsveltian. He was no failure at linguistics, nor confused by the language as one that was not too far from his own, but his interest in the subject had only made him more concerned about how easily he could mess up trying to adapt to native speakers.
He remembered Hendrik talking to him earlier, “It’ll be fine,” he reassured, doing up the buttons on the younger brother’s navy blue jacket, “You’ve heard Mother’s Norgsveltian, and she carries a conversation well enough.” Yet even that didn’t reassure the young prince. He didn’t have the charisma of a leader, nor the wealth of experience that came from being so close with the Norgsveltian royals for as long as his mother. Most of all, he certainly didn’t have the confidence which Marium carried with her, something which he knew all too well was only a trait picked up by one of her two children.
“Ah hello, Jarl Bjørn of Vakrestrender,” Hendrik said as the Jarl came closer, speaking in a kind but slightly stuffy formal tone - one which came out of meeting a person for the first time in such a setting, “I am pleased to meet you, seeing as you have only met my mother and Pieter before. I hope you will excuse him, his head only pokes up ever so often.”
Jørgen gave a respectful half bow to him as a greeting. “It is an honor to meet you Prince Hendrik van Koersland and Prince Pieter van Oeverland.” He raised himself back up, “I trust you been keeping well Prince Pieter?” He switched his tone from the more cheerful one to his more formal tone.
The prince did, as prompted by his brother, poke his head up from the book and sheepishly close it, slightly embarrassed by his continued need to use it, “I am as well as ever, Jarl Bjørn, thank you. Apologies if I am a little less fluent in the language as I would have liked, but as you can see it wasn’t from a lack of trying.”
Pieter gave a small, quiet chuckle to himself as he acknowledged the book he now gripped firmly to his side. In reality, he spoke Norgsveltian much more naturally than Hendrik, if not with less confidence, and did not suffer from the textbookish air in which Marium’s formal tone often imparted on the language, but it still didn’t sound… right to him. Perhaps it was simply his nerves after all, which still allowed themselves to show in his nervous laugh.
Hendrik smiled, giving his brother a playful nudge as to lighten the mood, “Pieter never really was one for parties, something I cannot really fault him on. More of an effort to enjoy yourself when it is something you have to do to keep up appearances. Still, he spoke well of you when he came back from his visit, so I hope you do not take it personally.”
“Ah, I think nothing of it. It’s not often when one gets guests to the castle who prefer the library over the private beach, royal animal sanctuary, the theater and the ballroom.” The jarl gives a smirk, “Though I thought he would finish the book by now.” He tilts his head to the side, “Ah, my apologies it’s a newer addition.”
“Ah, right! This is the 2022 Edition that was only recently published at the North Concordian Press last month. Our university has an agreement with the Press, and I had reserved this in preparation.” Pieter said, with an uneasy cheer as he held out the book to show Jørgen its pictureless, academic-style plain cover, “Well, it is more interesting than it looks, at least.”
“To be cliché, a lot has been said for not focusing on a book’s cover.” Hendrik added, seeming to allow himself to step back now that Pieter had found himself more comfortable in the conversation, “In all honesty, I would not be surprised if he turned out to live in the library rather than at the family’s accommodation at the University.”
“Well, I offered him a different selection of books but it appears he is still sticking to the faithful textbooks.” Jørgen gave a smirk, remembering how he tried to get Pieter into reading some manga the Jarl thought he might be interested in. Instead the boy stuck with the same Norgsveltian textbook, though Jørgen sent him home with several books of ’This Commoner Cannot Be This Cute’ Partly to see if he would read it or not.
“I remember, it was interesting to see how different styles of literature emerged, especially with the use of right-to-left as a distinct carryover from the Nys’tat’en language!” Pieter smiled, regarding the time his younger self had spent with those books as a nice distraction from the festivities. He knew he still had those manga somewhere in Schemoer, amongst the collection which neither went on display at the Palace Library or joined him to University. It was the thought that counted, anyway, “Though, guilty as charged on being a shameless academic. Having access to so many wonderful libraries across the Commonwealth and world, I find it hard not to.”
Jørgen gave a smile, he wasn’t going to push to see if he actually read the books. He’s not in that kind of a mood to harass the shy boy. “You are always welcome to visit Bjørn Castle, I had several books from the first travelers to Vakrestrender isles renewed by the colleges there. Time was taking a toll on them so it was only a matter of time before they had to be reprinted, though they are still in Nys’tat’en of course. I could have a copy sent to your local university.” Jørgen himself couldn’t officially have the works translated, to translate a story or a book from one language to another is the closest thing to heresy Akuanists have. Translations have always been a bit controversial for Akuanists, with more than a handful seeing it a form of destroying the story as many of the Nys’tat’en words and expressions simply do not carry over to other languages. Thus changing the story from its original meaning to something completely different.
“It would be appreciated if possible, I have the contact for the Imperial Vistara Archives, which are one of the most equipped libraries for something like that. Hendrik did show me an interesting pre-colonial history book relating to the West Cerenerian, mostly focusing on the Kingdom of Segalora and its cultural exchange with Segalovia.” Pieter gave a warm smile as he talked about the Imperial University of Port Molebaai’s adjacent chartered library, expressing its status within national pride - though the lingering of such pride is often limited to stuffy academic types.
Hendrik nodded, taking a moment to remember those books he had found for his brother to keep him entertained, “In all honesty, I was surprised he could read them. Father was always interested in all the histories of the Empire, so when I found some misplaced in Molebaai that were, excuse my colloquial term, old as dirt, I thought they might have once been his.”
“I had a similar experience with my father, I found an old notebook abou-” Jørgen was cut off by a certain Borean Elf, walking towards the group. He muttered something in Nys’tat’en, and then spoke up as she arrived while his tone appeared to be joyful, his eyes said anything but joy. His eyes reflect a level of seriousness his tone simply refused to carry towards her. Still speaking in the ancient tongue of Nys’tat’en. “Ah, forgive me for being rude. This is Jarlyia of Lapliszna, Esta the Protector.”
Esta gave a respectful bow towards the pair. “It is an honor to meet the princes of Vistaraland.”
Pieter gave a polite nod, “To you the same, Jarlyia,” It seemed what energy he brought into the earlier conversation had retreated back and the stiff, nervous formality had returned to greet the Borean. He had heard enough about how this year had been in regards to Borea, and found that any topics of conversation that could be brought up probably should stay firmly on the freezer shelf.
Hendrik, for his part, gave a small but slight bow in kind, showing respect to the foreign leader, whether she actually led her country or not besides the point. “It is a pleasure, Jarlyia Esta. I hope you have enjoyed yourself so far.”
Esta gave a smirk, ignoring Jørgen’s words from earlier. “Well, it certainly has gotten more enjoyable since I met two charming princes.” She gives a wink to match Jørgen’s stare at her.
Hendrik gave a polite smile, acknowledging the tone of the gesture yet not reacting in any strong way towards it, the subtle notion of ‘I have a fiancé who I am quite happy with’, but without the more passive-aggressive impoliteness expressing such would entail, “Well, that is always nice to hear. I hope it continues to be so, then.”
The younger brother was less used to such a type of conversation, and gave an awkward smile with more of the desire to not seem rude than any appreciation for the comment, “Yes, um, thank you Jarlyia. Your words are… very kind.”
‘Ah yes, there was always a weak link,’ Esta thought to herself, while Hendrik would prove to be a boring person to play with. She had at least a nice little shy princeling to toy around with. Meanwhile Jørgen simply angrily stared at her in the same manner a brother would to his sister ignoring his words of advice. She tilted her head slightly, reading the title of the book. She gives a heavily Nys’tat’en accent when speaking, despite being able to speak perfect Norgsveltian already. “Ah, working on your Norgsveltian?” She gives a smirk, “Perhaps you can help me with mine. I do have trouble with some of the longer words.”
“Well…” Pieter looked sheepishly down at his book, placing it in front of him so as to be reassured by the cover, “I do not know if I would be the most qualified teacher, really. Though, the system of compound nouns in Norgsveltian is not too difficult a process once you get the hang of it, especially coming from an East Borean language which has a considerable amount of compounding as the norm.” Though something a bit more in his ballpark, Pieter was still showing a lack of confidence in his ability to teach the language, no more eased into the conversation by being previously thrown off, despite being more or less oblivious to the change in accent or suggestive intonation.
Hendrik looked away from Esta and gave a slight but apparent sigh, before looking down to his brother with a smile, it wasn’t within his intent to break etiquette by noting the accent shift or his desire to call any attention to the… unique manner in which Esta presented herself to other royals, so rather he focused on his socially-unprepared sibling, “You would be fine teaching Norgsveltian, Pieter. You have read enough to write a paper on its dialects, for Ademar’s sake.”
“Right, you do have a point…” Pieter quietly affirmed, still somewhat fixated on the book in front of him as a source of familiarity.
Esta gave a small giggle, covering her mouth as she did so. “Well, your Norgsveltian is far better than mine. I’m sure a handsome man like you could teach me so many things.” She gives a wink.
Meanwhile the long-suffering Jarl of Vakrestrender simply sighed, muttering something in Nys’tat’en. To which Esta gave a smirk too, nudging him in the side. He finally spoke up, “As your brother said your Norgsveltian is more than fine, and Esta can hire a tutor rather tha-.”
Esta cut him off, “Oh I don’t need a tutor, just a little refresher course. Something I’m sure the good prince is more than able to do.”
Pieter’s head moved further into his book, a sort of unsubtle defence mechanism from uncomfortable social interaction, to which he increasingly considered this a prime case of, bow that the conversation had firmly squared on him and the skill he was self-conscious about. He tried to form a reply to the words, finding his own slippery and easy to fumble over,
“W…well. I don’t think being handsome would have much to do with it but I er, appreciate the sentiment. Though, erm, tutors do offer quite good refresher courses if that’s what you’re after. It really depends on what teaching style suits you, -though I’m not adverse to helping if you do think I am capable of it.”
Hendrik gave a look of slight skeptical curiosity towards Esta, though was still of the resolve to make no word of it beyond his own internal monologue. There was something he found almost sinister about her, in a way which made her supposed charms seem even further disingenuous. More-so than even the nation she represented, there was something in her demeanour Hendrik found difficult. Though, ever the diplomat, he was silent on the matter. “I am sure the good prince could find you someone to suit your educational needs if that is what you want. Though, personally, at the moment all I could do with is a drink.”
Jørgen gave a nod, “I can agree to that, though it appears the only bar here serves ice cream.” He puts his hand to his chin, then gives a smile. Though he wasn’t nearly as mischievous and deviant as Esta, he still had a bit of a troublemaker in him. “Well, if we want a drink, I believe I still know where our good and kind host stores his private stash.” He raises an eyebrow to Hendrik.
Esta meanwhile, gave a smirk of her own for different reasons. “I’m sure you can help me Pieter, after all. You seem well versed in languages, perhaps I could share a few words from my own people’s language.” Which earned a sigh from Jørgen.
Hendrik gave a look to Jørgen, seemingly mulling over the proposition with a little more caution than seemed to be present within the two foreign royals, “I suppose, if there is a convenient way in which to get to Uncle Olav’s personal provisions… I will not tell so long as you will not.” He looks towards Jørgen, then noticeably to his brother as to gesture his slight concern of what will occur should he be left to his own devices alongside Esta. Pieter was not one to be left to conversation freely when uncomfortable, and with her, Hendrik wasn’t sure if there was potential for more unfavourable outcomes than a trailing rant on linguistics.
Pieter took a second before giving a hesitant nod to Esta, looking a bit up from his book as his embarrassment was only slightly visible at this point , “If that is what you want, Jarlyia, well… I guess I would be happy to do my best. Though, er, you will have to bear with me with Nys’tat’en words, I really can’t promise it’ll be a quick thing.”
Esta gave a cold smile, towards Pieter. “I’m sure it will last all night if not longer than that.” She gives a wink to which Jørgen nudged her side. “It will be a four person job to get into his stash, if you don’t mind Pieter. Esta go ‘distract’ Olav, Hendrik if you are willing to be the lookout at the door. Pieter and I can… liberate a couple bottles from his stash.” Jørgen spoke with a bit of a smirk. Having Esta go talk to Olav was mostly so she stayed away from the bookish prince while they three go get the liquor. He can retrieve her from Olav after they succeed in their mission. Not to mention, he would want to spend a small moment alone with Pieter to warn her about Esta’s unusual habits and personality.
“Ah- well…” Pieter paused for a moment, clearly unsure of the proper course of action as he looked to his brother for reassurance, to which Hendrik responded with a nod, “I haven’t really ever done… well, um, anything like this before but I’ll be alright! As long as Hendrik has the door, I suppose there’s nothing to really worry about.”
Jørgen gives a happy clap. “It is a plan then, Esta Olav is by the entrance to the garden. Do your thing.”
Esta eyes give a shimmer of happiness, finally Jørgen is letting her harass him instead of always ruining her fun. “Right away Major General Sir.” She gives a lazy salute to him. “Right you three, this way to the good king’s personal stash.”
“Er, best of luck, Jarlyia. We will see you um… in a bit.” Pieter gave a small wave to Esta as she began to leave, Hendrik giving Jørgen a knowing look as he made no attempt to offer any well wishes to the strange woman as she almost-too-eagerly moves to distract - whatever that entails - his uncle.
Esta tilts her head as she walks away, giving him a small wink and a wave. “I see you soon, my little prince charming~” Then nods her head as she skips towards Olav’s general direction.
Hendrik gave a long, equally relieved and annoyed sigh which he suddenly found to be one in unison with his Valkyr counterpart. It would have almost been something to laugh about, the fortunate timing of the expression, but Pieter was too embarrassed to make much of it and the other two had their focus more-so on the cause than the effect.
“Well, no time better than the present if you wish to lead the way for us, Jørgen. You can go behind me if you’d like, Pieter.”
Pieter didn’t say a word before moving to his brother’s side, head in the book and not intent on making any further comments - which had seemingly so far arose as solely detrimental to himself - that were not strictly required of him.
The elven Jarl led the way of the group, walking with a level of confidence he rarely has. He is an Akuanist on a mission, mission to get a decent drink at this party. The few guards patrolling the palace only gave him a nod instead of stopping him. His closeness to Olav is somewhat well known in the public given how many times the man has tried to crush his spine with his alleged hugging in front of the cameras. As such he is freer than most to walk around the palace than most guests would be able to.
“Alright we’re afwlmost there, any questions about what we’re doing?” He asked, mostly to make sure the prim-and-proper royalty was completely fine with stealing from the king.
“Which of Uncle Olav’s alcohol do you recommend?” Hendrik asked, almost sarcastically, to signal a common understanding here, “Not that I am the one choosing, but it will give me something to hope for as I wait.”
Pieter gave a very quiet hint of a laugh at his brother, though otherwise he just slightly shook his head, presuming that in the case where he didn’t, he could copy the Jarl either way. Besides, asking a stupid question would not help his confidence come back to him in the slightest.
Jarl gave a small chuckle, “We’re going to be securing his whiskey, the man has fine taste in it. His wine leaves something to be desired, assuming he didn’t get it as a gift from me of course.” He said in a smug tone. Walking up to a heavy dark oak door, he looks around before reaching on top of the door and picking the key that lay up top. “Ah, he never changes.” Looks towards the Vistari giving a nod and unlocking the door. Giving Pieter a motion inviting him inside the room.
Hendrik put a hand on Pieter’s back, gently pushing him forward into the alcohol storage as he took a position to the left of the door, standing straight like a soldier watching for the enemy. It was partly just his nature, the type of stuffy discipline that he Vistari admired in their male royals, but also partly as a way to reassure Pieter - to show the brother that didn’t meet such standards that he had someone watching behind him.
Pieter entered the room behind Jørgen, looking around at the room filled with various quantities of alcohol, not being quite sure of which each one was which, or what kind of thing they were looking for, but deciding to just follow orders rather than get too worked up over everything and make things worse.
Jørgen gave Pieter a pat on the back. “Alright you hold the ladder while I climb on top to where he stores his personal bottles.” He rolls the old ladder over to a special spot near the middle. “Alright make sure you don’t let go, this old thing will fall over if no one is holding it.” He pats on the ladder, climbing up it as the Vistari princeling holds the bottom of the ladder grabbing it firmly. He reaches all the way above the shelving, reaching into the far back. Taking his other hand to hold onto the shelf edging.
Pieter simply nodded, quietly focusing on his admittedly simple but important job of holding onto the ladder. He reflected on if this was really something he decided of his own volition or if he had just folded easily to peer pressure. He supposed it didn’t really matter, he wasn’t much for alcohol but it was something to help out, he guessed? Pieter wasn’t the type to know what to do with himself if he had time to think about it, and he knew too often he allowed himself to be dragged into whatever.
As Ingrid walked down the hall she couldn’t help but notice Hendrik standing in front of the door of the alcohol storage. She raised an eyebrow at that as she walked up to the prince, crossing her arms as she gave him a curious glance. “Well, it is interesting to see you here, Hendrik. How do you like the party?” She said being immediately suspicious on how he got to this part of the palace.
Seeing Ingrid, Hendrik took a more natural, relaxed stance beside the door, “I could say the same for you Ingrid, but you have to stand somewhere I suppose,” He gave a warm, slightly more laid-back than normal smile towards his second cousin - one who he had known well enough to know on a first-name basis yet notably not enough to go far beyond that, “The party is going well so far, thank you. Though, knock on wood it will just be a needed break from the Upper Chamber.” To illustrate his point, seemingly, Hendrik knocked on the heavy oak door a couple of times, looking towards Ingrid cheerfully, “How about you?”
There was a loud clash and a brief yell coming from inside the room. As well a few swears in Nys’tat’en coming from an extremely familiar voice to Ingrid’s ears.
“I know Jørgen is in there.” Ingrid sighed before shaking her head amused. “So please move.”
“Well… I didn’t…” Hendrik said slowly as he looked to the door, in what was at least a more convincing lie than trying to deny the obvious, gesturing that he was already clear of blocking the door, “Well, after you.”
Jørgen was hanging from the top shelf of the liquor shelf, his legs swinging in the wind. One hand still holding on to the whiskey bottle and the other holding on to the shelf. Seeing Ingrid and Hendrik walk into the room. “Oh, hey Ingrid, how are you doing Hendrik?” He asks in a tone that does not fit a Jarl hanging onto a shelf for dear life. “Need anything while I’m up here?”
“You do know the maids are serving drinks right?” The kemonomimi said with a small smile on her lips finding the situation amusing.
Hendrik said nothing as he entered the room behind her, looking towards Jørgen as he precariously held on to the shelf, a genuine look of complete and utter disappointment further selling a lack of knowledge on this - though it was rather directed at the Jarl for different reasons than Ingrid would first guess.
“Eh, Olav’s stash is of higher quality now, isn’t it?” He says, calming after almost losing his grip on the shelf. “So, why are you here then? Did you just miss me and went looking, or?”
Ingrid simply rolled her eyes, placing a hand on her hip. “Esta told me where I could find you, so I knew you were up for something.” She looked around the room, only to notice a pair of feet standing out behind a curtain. “Come out of your hiding.”
The Vistari prince sheepishly wandered out of the curtain, moving behind his brother and giving Ingrid a wave, “Right, er sorry, it was… really not my idea.” Pieter mumbled, unconvincingly as Hendrik gave a deep sigh at his brother’s inability to choose even the most rudimentary effective hiding spot in a room far from empty.
“I’m just surprised you two were even dragged into Jørgen’s and Esta’s mess.” She said letting out a small chuckle.
“Oh Pieter? I didn’t know you were here.” While the Jarl could lie very well, there wasn’t really anything he could do in this situation to actually make the lie believable. “Well, you see Ingrid, my buddy, my old pal. I could easily explain everything if you could put that ladder ba-” He loses his grip on the shelving as he fell, he wrapped his body around the bottle of whiskey like a true Akuanist. Never one to spill his drink or ruin a bottle of perfectly good liquor. His back slammed into the hard wooden floors below, he gave a pained moan and swore in Nys’tat’en, which odd because he rarely if ever swears at all together. He lifted the bottle of whiskey and held it in the air. “It’s safe…”
“I think I got a good understanding of the situation.” Ingrid gestured to the trio to get out as she let out a sigh. “Why did you give Esta the wrong directions anyways?”
Jørgen laid on the floor, “Do you really think I would sick Esta on Olav?” He wanted to laugh but his back was hurting too much. “You know, you finally are tall when I’m on my back shortstack.”
“Well I gave her the right directions to find out where you are.” She said, giving a small smirk before gesturing to him to stand up. “Now come on, don’t want you to start becoming part of the floor, peacock.”
Jørgen rolled his eyes, getting up from the floor. He spoke in a soft tone, speaking in Nys’tat’en to Ingrid. “So you wanna drink with us or do you require Esta and Estrid to get you to have a bit more fun?” He gave a charming smirk as he looked at her.
She let out a small quiet chuckle. “After the party.” She responded back in Nys’tat’en. “Now all three of you out, come on.” She said in Norgsveltian as she led the three royals out of the storage. Snatching the whiskey from Jørgen, much to his annoyance.
“Well, any lessons learned then, Pieter?” Hendrik said cheerfully, giving a small laugh as he nudged his embarrassed brother.
“Er… yeah, definately. The maids here do serve alcohol.” Pieter hesitantly responded, before joining in the now louder laugh from Hendrik as the two walked together, following Ingrid and Jørgen out from Olav’s storeroom.