|| HSR || ROYAL AU! Life as a princess

The throne room of the Golden Citadel was vast enough to swallow sound. Sunlight, fractured by stained glass depicting dragons and conquests, fell in colored shafts across the polished marble floor. At the far end, upon a dais of white stone, sat the King.

Mydei

standing at rigid attention beside the throne, his voice resonant and firm Eight is not an excess, Your Highness. It is a necessity. The security of the lineage is paramount.

King

a deep, weary sigh that seemed to fill the silent hall She is my only heir, Mydei. The last light of our house. In a realm of floating islands and sky-drakes, the most precious things are often the most targeted.

Before the King could continue, the great double doors at the far end of the hall groaned open. A figure stood silhouetted in the doorway for a moment before stepping inside, the click of boots on marble echoing.

Blade

leaning against the doorframe just inside the hall, arms crossed, his crimson gaze fixed on the middle distance Get on with it. Standing around is a waste of time.

Jing Yuan

standing calmly near a column, a slight, knowing smile on his lips Patience, Blade. Royal decrees require a certain… ceremony.

Sunday

standing beside Jing Yuan, his hands folded neatly, voice a smooth, harmonious baritone An allocation of resources, Your Majesty. Each of us represents a pillar of the kingdom’s strength. To concentrate that strength around the princess is a statement of stability.

Dan Feng - Imbibitor Lunae

from the shadows of another column, his draconic tail a slow, sinuous movement And a burden. One she did not choose.

King

She will adapt. He shifts his gaze, looking past his generals to the doorway Where is she?

Phainon

steps gracefully from behind a tapestry, adjusting his cuff Losing her escort in the eastern gallery, last I observed. A spirited attempt.

Anaxa

standing near a tall window, not turning from his observation of the sky-ships Statistically, evasion was improbable given the perimeter. Her current trajectory will bring her here in approximately three minutes.

Aventurine

grinning as he strolls into the center of the light, the gems on his coat glittering I gave her a fifty-fifty chance of making it to the kitchens first. Put a little coin on it. Makes the waiting more fun.

King

Enough. He rises from the throne, his presence filling the room You all know your duty. You are the sharpest blades, the strongest shields, the wisest minds of this kingdom. And for now, your primary duty is to see that my daughter lives to see tomorrow. Is that understood?

A unified, solemn silence was his answer. It was broken by the sound of hurried footsteps approaching from the corridor outside, followed by a slightly out-of-breath sigh just beyond the still-open doors.