[19th July, 2023]
[Batkong; People’s Jarldom of Normand; Federation of the Southern Coast of Lapérouse]
All things considered, princess Marie officially wouldn’t ever want to move in with prince Johan before marriage however, it did have its benefits. Namely, ability to live within the capital of the once proud Jarldom of Normand, giving her far easier access to the public both politically and in the business community. Though she of course watched like a hawk by the socialist government and their lapdog law enforcement.
Her new manor, if one could call it that, was fitting to the gothic aesthetic of the 80s. It was reasonably sized, enough room for five children and themselves. Nice brick fence along the edges of their new home. Dark colors of brick on the exterior and warm chimney place for the both of them to cuddle up during the harsh winter months. They will, of course, sleep in separate bedrooms until they are finally married, something her fiance has been quite annoyed with.
The most important room, more important than the parlor or meeting room itself of the house. The office, where Marie kept herself when it came to her work. Something that the young Norgsveltian prince assumed was political in nature or perhaps more historical given how knowledgeable she is when it came to the history of the Queendom. A more clever, and socially aware man would have asked her what she did for work. Though the thought might have slipped his mind, thinking all royals and nobles simply inherit wealth or get through the state be it directly or through businesses.
The Federation of course, wouldn’t ever tolerate that and was rather aggressive in its ways. Nobles and royals in the Federation since the declaration of its existence. Had to do the one thing that all those of the former high born dread with great fear. They had to get a job. Sure the government still gave them employment in the act of performing cultural and religious ceremonial duties, but yet it was only ever enough to keep them living. Marie would never accept such weakness, and frankly had a small taste for the classical things in life.
Her office’s walls were covered in papers, connected by threads and pins. Papers showing names, ideas, hand-drawn blueprints and short-hand notes. Books opened with various things she was researching. The room is decorated with occult and dragonic decor, inspiration she calls it. The good prince never actually saw her office when she lived at home with her family and she would always keep her family out of her office less they mess up her process.
Marie was in the process of pacing around the room, writing down notes on a notepad. Her ears twitching with excitement and tail swaying back and forth. Humming herself a soft song, a song that was cruel and evil in nature. Song of worshiping Loki and his dragon army, preparing to kill a man.
She heard a knock at her door. “Come in.” She gave a chipper, upbeat tone unusual for her. With the door opening revealing her darling fiance entering her office.
“Hey I just wanted to let you know that my fa-” The Prince started speaking as he walked into the room, immediately falling quiet for a moment as he saw the… interesting decor. “Wha… Is that a man kissing a dragon?” He raised an eyebrow as he looked up at the ceiling.
“Oh yes, it’s good practice to be surrounded by what inspires you.” Marie put down her notebook, placing it on the nearby table. “Working on my next book, it’s another murder mystery but I found a unique way of providing a twist.” The Princess gave a bright smile, walking over towards Johan. “My publishers have been requesting a new one for quite some time now, and they’re paying double if I include romance subplot with it. Which is somewhat of an annoyance but I suppose the krone is good enough for us. Afterall we have a wedding to plan, and despite your big s-… Jarl of Vakrestrender assistance on the manner, I would be a disgrace if I didn’t provide for my family.” She plants a kiss on his cheek.
“Oh you’re an author! That’s nice.” He said giving her a kiss on the cheek too. He couldn’t help but find the decor familare in a way. “Well what’s your book series called? Perhaps I can be a matter of inspiration.” He gave her a small charming smile. “I can give you all the romantic poetry I know so you know just what to add in that subplot~” He gently grabbed her hand, caressing it as he gave it a kiss. All a bit dramatic but he couldn’t help having some fun with it.
Marie gave a soft chuckle, loving the way her fiance is finally shaping up properly. “It’s less of a book series and more of a shared universe. Though I do have a book series, Detective Dagon.” She started to walk towards a bookshelf, full of various books she had written over the years. “The books that were published are on the top shelf, the other are half-written or I didn’t think it met my quality standards.” She reached up and pick out a Sage-length book, with book covering art of a dragon consuming itself with a nude laid man in the middle of it in the fetal position. “This is my most well-sold book, it was a nightmare to get the cover approved through the censors in the Federation but it was worth it to capture the imagery.” She gave a warm smile, flipping through the book. “It is also my longest written book, but I just adore writing about the town and its characters.” The book name translated ‘Town that Loki Remembered’ being about a town of Loki cultists being investigated by the government and religious authorities. Pain-stakingly detailed investigations, journal entries and blueprints of the town itself all included. “I’m told it is quite popular in the Norgsveltian Crown Realm, perhaps you read it?” She gestures with the book towards her husband.
It took a moment for the prince to process what she had said and what she showed him. It wasn’t that he didn’t like it, in fact it did feel almost gothic to him. Which was, well, always a plus. No rather was the fact he had heard the name, she wasn’t just an author. She was an extremely popular author. In fact his father’s favorite author. “Oh, I don’t have too much knowledge about it, I’m afraid. But I remember seeing a lot of your books at the bookstores in Osfjord.” He kept his charming smile despite him completely lying through his teeth. He gave her a peck on the lips. “Though you know what, how about we read your favorite one together tonight? I can even try to put forward my voice acting ability.” He was only relatively good at it because of him having spent time with Jørgen to give best impressions of their favorite anime characters. Which in those cases was Jørgen hiring the voice actors to help them with the voices.
Marie gave a soft laugh. “Oh we would be at it all night and day, if those Valkyr audiobooks are anything to go by. I’m glad my work is popular, even though I have to use a pen name to disguise myself.” She places the book back onto the shelf. “We can watch one of the movie adaptions though, if you could excuse my annoyance with how they change things.” She looks towards the window, seeing the sunlight find its way inside. “I’ve been thinking about going public with my name, not using my pen name any longer. Originally I did it because people would just assume just because I’m not afraid to be correct in politics that they would reject my work.” She looks back at him. “I believe we’re in a position that the quality of my work won’t be questioned by the masses now. We could go on one of those book tours even, given we can finally travel around the Crown Realm.”
“All that sounds lovely sweetheart.” He kept smiling though internally he was panicking a little bit. He has to tell his father about this rather than having Marie just reveal it out of nowhere. “Though keep it hidden for a bit longer, there was quite a shock after all when our dating became revealed to the public by that… empress?” He forgot which influencer monarch revealed their relationship without their consent, nor does he care too much. “You wouldn’t want to give people an heart attack by revealing you are the famous Madame XYZ, right?” He kept gently rubbing her hand with his thumb, being his roguish and charming personality.
“Then I won’t, my darling rogue.” Marie pulled him close, giving another kiss to his cheek. “Now please be off, I must return to my work and I don’t do well with distractions. No matter how charming they are.” She stepped away from him, returning to her desk to pick up her notepad. Smiling along the way.
“Of course darling. Have fun, do not get too distracted by the thought of my kisses.” He gave her another peck on the lips, then another on the cheek. All before finally leaving the occult draconic office of his fiance, keeping his charming smile as he gently closed the door. Not even telling her about the call from his father. Letting out a sigh he walked away from the office and down the hall, ensuring he was far away enough from the office before he pulled out his phone to call up his father.
“Johan? We just had a conversation not so long ago. Is everything oka-”
“Marie is Madame XYZ and her entire office is based literally from the Detective Dagon series!” He said quickly as he possibly could.
“…This is a joke right? Since honestly you should do better.” His father’s voice said in a more joking tone even letting out a small chuckle.
“No, I’m really not.” The Prince mentally prepared himself to hear his father’s angered tone that he knew would come out.
“What?!” His father said angrily through the phone causing him to winch.
“Sorry dad, can’t explain any further! Bye bye! Tell mom that I love the two of you a lot!” He said in a nervous tone wanting rather to keep his ears intact.
“What do you mean you can-!” He ended the call just as his father’s voice increased in its already loud tone. He had to let out a sigh shaking his head.
“…I still think that penname is a bit stupid.”