(Joint post with the chaos neko, aka Luna)
27th May, 2023
Royal Palace, Osfjord, Norgsveldet
Olav took a sip of his Eyjarian coffee as he looked over some documents that were given to him. It was getting late but he only had a bit more work to do before he could finally go to bed. Wilhelmina had tried to drag him to bed earlier but a king can’t be caught lacking in his duties now. Luckily it was mostly just matters of cultural events he needed to be held aware of and with occasional NCIS reports coming his way. Though as he was about to finish his work he heard the office door start opening making him let out a small sigh.
“Sweetie, I am almost do-” He said looking up thinking he was going to find his wife at the doorway, but instead he saw his eldest son. Wearing a far lighter outfit than he usually does. “Oh, Johan! Was not expecting you, how was the trip to Sayyed?” He asked, giving his son a warm smile. He hasn’t always gotten along with his son, the boy having been a bit too… difficult at times. Though he remembers the time they spent reading about Lapérouse culture and history together fondly.
The prince smiled at his father, something which is quite unusual for him, almost as strange as his outfit. One would say, it looked down right royal but not quite Norgsveltian Royal. He takes a seat across from his father, his tail swaying back and forth. “Sayyed, was fine and all but I wanted to tell you about what my girlfriend got me plus my trip to the Federation.” He was eager to show off his new present.
“You got a girlfriend?” The king said looking at him surprised before a wide proud smile formed on his lips as he stood up from his chair. He heard about his son’s history of flirting around, so hearing the boy might finally start settling down more? Well he couldn’t help but be happy as he walked up next to his son placing his large hand on his shoulder. “Well now you gotta tell me about her! This is the first I heard about this! Did you find someone in Sayyed?”
“No no, she’s from the Federation of Lapérouse.” He says with a bright smile at him, not even recognizing he is using the rather, nationalistic and Pro-Queendom way of saying the country’s name. “She’s a right and proper princess too, very strict and traditional but in the Lapérousian way!” Strike two, using the wrong demonym. “And she got me this!” He reaches into his pocket, trying to fish something out.
Alarm bells were starting to ring off in Olav’s head but he waved them away. Sure his son’s terminology might not be, well, correct in the Federation but he rationed it as his son simply had a slight lapse in judgment. He was well knowledgeable about the Queendom but not as much about the Federation. So it can happen. There were also several Princesses in the Federation through the different Jarldoms, it is perfectly possible his son was not talking about that one. Right?
He finally finishes out the gift, it was a perfect white mask with golden edging along the edges and eye holes. It was only to fit over the eyes, neither a half mask or a full mask which is so common in the traditions of Lapérouse. Rather only covering one’s eyes tends to be a rather extreme show of bravado and strength. The carvings on the mask were a symbol of design, but the way it was arranged was rather complex. He holds it up to his father, “See! It looks so cool, just like the one in those history books we used to read together dad!” His tone was cheerful and excitable.
Olav’s hand fell from his shoulder to his side as his eyes widened at realization. He recognised the symbol, it was the design of the most important Royal house in the Federation. Not only that but a member of said house just gave his son a mask. He walked back to his desk, he drinked up what was left of his Eyjarian coffee and poured himself another cup. As he let out a heavy sigh, he looked into his son’s eyes. “Please, my son. Tell me that you did not get that from Marie-Noëlle.” He said acting completely calm while still having a smile on his face. If it was any of the other members of the house then this could be fixed.
He gave a stupid lovestruck smile, “Oh did you meet her?” He tilted his way in a joyful fashion. Holding on to the mask with both of his hands, as if it was the most important thing in the world.
“…It was actually her, wasn’t it?” The king asked as his smile dropped.
“Yeah!” He looked up at his father, not tracking why the king’s expression looked like it dropped. “She’s very nice once you get to know her.”
Olav just slammed his head against his desk, with some pens falling over and his coffee cup almost spilling. After a very muffled scream, he looked up towards his son. Before he could speak he heard his phone ring, which he just let out another tired sigh. Not answering it. “You have absolutely no idea what you agreed to by accepting that mask? Did you?” He said, giving his son a glare.
“Of course I did, I became her long term boyfriend.” He said, rolling his eyes, crossing his arms. Preparing for another fight with his dad.
“It… It means something far more than just that, boy.” Olav said, gritting his teeth as he stared down at Johan.
“Oh, you’re just mad because I’m not dating a Ulvrikian or an Akuanist.” He gives a stare back to his dad. “It’s not a big deal. It’s just dating each other.”
“No you fucking idiot.” Olav said angrily as he stood up and let out a deep sigh as he breathed in and out to calm down. “What you just agreed to, is what can be considered an engagement before the actual engagement.” He glared down at his son. “You been marked as hers and you’re gonna tell me how this all happened!”
“Don’t yell at me!” Prince Johan yelled back at his dad, standing up to him.
“What is going on here?” A feminine voice spoke up behind the Prince. Revealing to be a tired and sleepy Wilhelnina wearing a nightgown.
“Our son is a damn idiot.” Olav gritted his teeth as gestured to Johan.
“I didn’t do anything but accept a mask!” He shows his mom the mask he received. “It’s not a big deal!”
Wilhelmina raises an concerned eyebrow at Olav. “It was given to him by Marie-Noëlle.” The king said, taking a sip from his coffee cup to calm his nerves.
“You are an idiot then.” Wilhelmina said with a small sigh. “Try to keep your voices down, people are trying to sleep.” She started walking back to her bedroom shaking her head.
A faint voice from down the hall, “Mama!” Could be heard by the two before Prince Johan could close the door. He looked at Olav, “I don’t get the big deal, she’s just a princess.”
“You also know nothing about Marie as well then.” Olav let out a sigh as he picked up his phone showing his son who was calling him, showing Pierre’s name. He then showed his son the text messages from her, which was just a series of ‘passionate displays of describing his son’s inaptitude using creative and colorful language.’ “Now you’re gonna tell me what happened, step by step. Before I make you talk with Pierre.”
He gave a look of sheer terror at his father. “Hey now, let’s not be too rash about this.” His own phone starts ringing, he reaches into his pocket and pulls it out. “Oh, it’s Alexandra.” He gives a weak smile at Olav, “This is probably unrelated to all of this right?”
“Answer it.” Olav said in a calm and serious tone.
“Ha. hah.” He gives a nervous chuckle before answering the video call. On the other side of the screen was his big sister. Before Johan could even open his mouth, she spoke in a harsh tone to him. “You are a fucking idiot.”
“Well, hello to you too Alexandra.” He gives a sheepish shrug looking up at Olav for guidance. “Is that Dad in there? Bring me to him, I can’t get through to him because of Pierre.”
"Yes, I’m here.” Olav said with a deep sigh before he gestured to his son to turn the screen so his daughter could see him.
The idiot turned his phone so Olav could see the screen. “Dad, I just want you to let you know I had no idea they were dating. We only met once at a party and we just talked, I have no hand in this idiot’s adventure.” Alexandra spoke in a desperate tone.
“I know, I know.” Olav said, shaking his head in small amusement before speaking seriously. “Though I need you to call Pierre and explain to her that I am going to talk some sense to your brother. Try calming her down.”
“Um, about that.” A familiar extremely angry woman’s voice came from the background. “Gotta go! I’ll try my best dad!”
The king just let out a loud sigh as he ended the phone call before he sat down on his chair, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “Just… explain what happened, what caused all this.” He said looking up towards his son with a very tired look.
“Only if you first explain why it’s just a big deal I’m dating some princess, I didn’t think it would be this much trouble. Why is Pierre even caring about this?” He looks at his dad with a confused expression on his face.
“Fine, I’ll explain it briefly.” Olav said as he took up one of the NCIS reports that was under his desk opening it so he could show his idiotic son. “Marie-Noëlle Frida, Princess of Normand. Her house was the same dynasty that led the old Lapérousian Queendom. While her mother, the head of the Frida Dynasty tow the Federation line, Marie does not.” The king turns another page showing a picture of the Princess in a meeting with what Johan must assume is local politicians.
“So what she doesn’t tow the socialist line, I don’t tow your line.” The prince gives a scoff, crossing his arms and rolling his eyes.
“Are you going to listen to my explanation or do you want to talk with Pierre?” His father said, raising an eyebrow at him.
He gave a shudder, “You can keep going on.” Based on what he heard from the other end of Alexandra video call, Pierre sounded above average angry like someone just told her Vistaraland and Norgsveldet are forming a personal union kinda anger.
“She met with several politicians from the Party for the Restoration of the Queendom of Lapérouse. Specifically the reactionary members of said party, whose entire goal would completely change the face of the Federation as we know it.” Olav said with a sigh as he turned another page, showing the kemonomimi princess at a cultural event wearing her unique white mask, similar in design as Johan’s new mask. “Those masks have cultural significance for the aristocratic class in the Ulvrikian areas of the Federation. It represents your religion, rank and noble house.” He closed the report file, and put it back in one of his desk drawers. "And with the matriarchal nature of the Hjørdist branch of Ulvriktru, it is a way for women to signify of who they planning on marrying and marking that man as theirs.” He looked his son in the eye with a glare. “I seriously hope you understand now.”
He sits quietly for a few moments, “So, I should prepare a wedding suit then?” He looks up at his dad, trying to play this all off as a big joke.
“Just tell me how you got into this situation before I have to send you back to her.” Olav groaned as he rested his head on his hands.
“Have to send me back?” He looked a bit confused at that statement, save the constitution and the parliament no one can force his dad to do anything he doesn’t want to. The reality of the situation started to dawn on him. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, “Well, um it started at a party in the Federation on um, I think it was the 8th of May? Yeah, the 8th and well.”
“You got into this mess within less than three weeks?” His father interrupted as he raised an eyebrow at his son.
“In my defense, I was not quite thinking it would cause all of this-” His phone started to ring. He checked his phone again to see it was Alexandra. He gave a curious look at Olav before answering it. A furious flood of Frakanic words screamed out of the speaker, and not one of them being polite. In fact, one would suggest that the speaker is quite upset at him in particular, given how often his name came up. He quickly disconnected from the call and looked back at Olav. “I-I um…” His tone was a little shaky, “I don’t think my Frakanic is good enough to understand Madam Pierre, when she is speaking like it.” He gives a weak smile towards his dad.
“Be glad that you don’t.” Olav said simply taking a sip from his cup. “Now, please continue on.”
“Well, I think the party was for the charity event for the terrorist attack in Kaldrbuth.”