[Queen's Paradise: Prologue - The Queen of Queens]

[13:26] <!Emilybroshoujo> [Queen's Paradise: Prologue - The Queen of Queens]
[13:27] <!Emilybroshoujo> The palace bustles as Hilda rushes to and fro cleaning up messes only she would notice as the servants prepare everything for the official start of the peace talks after the Monster Queen arrives.
[13:28] <!Emilybroshoujo> A conference room with a large circular table and over 40 seats stands empty save for the young queen.
[13:28] <!Emilybroshoujo> Lucia runs her fingers across the table as light shines in through the stained glass windows that depict images of humans and monsters living peacefully.
[13:29] <!Emilybroshoujo> She smiles and takes a seat in the seat that will belong to Aldeas during the meetings.
[13:29] <!Emilybroshoujo> She sighs.
[13:30] <!Emilybroshoujo> "How far can you see from here, my love?" She asks nobody as she looks out across the table and imagines the various queens in their seats.
[13:30] <!Emilybroshoujo> She too will sit at this table standing as an equal to the Monster Queens.
[13:31] <!Emilybroshoujo> Aldeas sits in his throne, no servants have been allowed to enter the throne room, Aldeas ordering them to be content with cleaning and preparing the rest of the palace.
[13:32] <!Emilybroshoujo> In his deep eyes swirls a torrent of apprehension and doubt, but it's all washed away in an instant as Lucia enters the door meekly.
[13:32] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Is she here yet?" The small queen asks.
[13:32] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Yes." Aldeas says.
[13:32] <!Emilybroshoujo> There's a knock at the large double doors.
[13:33] <!Emilybroshoujo> The doors are pushed open and a girl enters.
[13:33] <!Emilybroshoujo> She's... short.
[13:34] <!Emilybroshoujo> About 4'11", short brown hair is curly and she looks amazingly human.
[13:35] <!Emilybroshoujo> Her eyes are heterochromic, one blue and one crimson red. The latter framed in some sort of ornate black eyeshadow. It's impossible to tell if it's a tattoo or a natural marking.
[13:35] <!Emilybroshoujo> Her bangs hang messily over her face, the expression of which is somewhere between confused and excited.
[13:36] <!Emilybroshoujo> She smiles a sly smile as she sees Aldeas and Lucia and steps forward.
[13:36] <!Emilybroshoujo> Her ears are pointed like an elf, but she has a second pair of ears on her head... like a catgirl.
[13:37] <!Emilybroshoujo> Her bare feet have long toenails and are somewhat clawed but still quite human-like.
[13:37] <!Emilybroshoujo> A tail swishes behind her, almost wagging.
[13:38] <!Emilybroshoujo> It's cat-like and ends with a tuft of purple flame.
[13:38] <!Emilybroshoujo> The dress of the girl is quite simple, a white T-shirt and brown shorts.
[13:39] <!Emilybroshoujo> Visible on her claves and arms are black runic markings indicating her royal status.
[13:39] <!Emilybroshoujo> Her exact species is impossible to determine as she seems to posses a random assortment of traits from various other races but her appearances is actually quite underwhelming when compared to many other queens.
[13:40] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Hey, are you Aldeas?"
[13:40] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I am." the king says as he stands.
[13:40] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Cool, I'm here for the peace conference thingy." She says with an earnest grin.
[13:41] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Your not what I expected Queen Mythra." Aldeas says with a bow.
[13:42] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Dude, we're both like... top of the food chain. Don't be so formal and just call me by my name." She says shaking her hands as though to perish the thought of her superiority.
[13:43] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Also, if you want I can turn into a giant flaming cat dragon or something." Mythra says with an expression that doesn't really show if she's kidding or not.
[13:43] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Please don't." Lucia says with a guarded smile.
[13:43] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Kay." The queen giggles.
[13:44] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I'm glad you've arrived but... I was honestly expecting some form of conflict."
[13:45] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Mom's corruption and anger didn't really pass down to me I guess. You're old man and her pretty much toasted each other completely."
[13:46] <!Emilybroshoujo> "You think my father's final stand had an effect?" Aldeas says with a look of genuine surprise.
[13:46] <!Emilybroshoujo> Mythra shrugs.
[13:47] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Maybe Granny Lilly's bad mojo just keeps getting weaker over time, either way I'm ready to make up for all the crap we've put you through if you're willing to do the same for us?" She says as she holds out her hands.
[13:47] <!Emilybroshoujo> Aldeas takes her hand and shakes it with a smile. "I look forward to showing you just how serious I am about this."
[13:47] <!Emilybroshoujo> Mythra materializes a bag out of thin air.
[13:48] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I got all my stuff here, so where do I sleep?" She asks.
[13:48] <!Emilybroshoujo> "That isn't very much luggage." Lucia says innocently.
[13:48] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Yeah, well it's all the stuff I need."
[13:49] <!Emilybroshoujo> "You'll be staying in the royal throne room after the peace talks officially begin tomorrow. Tonight we have a nobleman suite prepared for you at the Inn in town."
[13:49] <!Emilybroshoujo> "You'll have guards on standby at all entrances of course."
[13:50] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I don't really mind it but, just out of curiosity why can't I stay here tonight?" Mythra asks with a grin.
[13:50] <!Emilybroshoujo> Aldeas smiles and closes his eyes as Lucia turns cherry red.
[13:51] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Oh!" The Monster Queen says with a smirk.
[13:51] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Right right... young newlyweds finally get some time to themselves, gotcha."
[13:51] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Sorry to intrude." Mythra says with a bow to Lucia.
[13:51] <!Emilybroshoujo> She pouts and covers her face.
[13:52] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Too cute." Mythra says as she pats the young girls blonde hair.
[13:52] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Are the living accommodations alright with you? I thought there we be some decent symbolism to the leaders of our two races literally sharing a bed."
[13:53] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I get it, it's fine by me. Though I've never had sex so if you're hoping for surprise rape you'll be disappointed." Mythra returns.
[13:54] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I'm only slightly disappointed." Aldeas returns with a charming grin.
[13:54] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Well maybe if you lead me on." The monster queen jokes.
[13:54] <!Emilybroshoujo> "It doesn't really matter what kind of conditions you had set up for me anyway."
[13:55] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Why's that?" Aldeas asks as he retrieves a small bottle of wine from the hidden vault behind his throne.
[13:55] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Because I destroyed my palace." Mythra says casually as her cat ears perk up when she sees the wine.
[13:56] <!Emilybroshoujo> "... You what?" aldeas asks with a look of confusion that says he's not sure if he actually just heard what he heard.
[13:56] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Yeah, I thought it would get peoples attention." She says as she points to the bottle. "can I have some?"
[13:57] <!Emilybroshoujo> "... Of course." Aldeas says as he pours a bit of the wine into two glasses and passes one to Mythra.
[13:58] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Aren't you worried about the backlash of such a bold-" "It's my castle, dude." She shrugs before sipping the wine and making an adorable face as bitter sweet taste hits her tongue.
[13:58] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Well yes, but it's just a bit... rash."
[13:59] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Say's the man who plans on impregnating the 40 most virile women on the planet." Mythra says as she narrows her eyes.
[13:59] <!Emilybroshoujo> Aldeas releases his glass and it hangs in mid air as time is frozen for all but the two of them.
[13:59] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Nice trick." The king says with a smile.
[14:00] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Thanks." Mythra replies earnestly, her gentle expression returning after her brief moment of intensity.
[14:01] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I don't actually mind your scheme but your cute wifey is getting kind of shafted don't you think?" Mythra says as she unfreezes her glass from her spell and continues to drink.
[14:02] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Yes... I had to make a choice between being a good king and a good husband. Producing an heir in each kingdom ensures that all the monster races have equal political strength in the future when vying for the throne."
[14:02] <!Emilybroshoujo> Aldeas says as he takes a seat next to the time locked Lucia and brushes her golden hair from her eyes.
[14:03] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Why her? You really love her, I can see that, so why put her through it?"
[14:03] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Because no matter what I know she'll stand by my terrible selfish decisions... and then forgive me for them."
[14:04] <!Emilybroshoujo> "She's just that kind of woman."
[14:04] <!Emilybroshoujo> "My one and only Queen." Aldeas says with a wide smile.
[14:04] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Poor thing... probably has no clue what a monster she's in love with."
[14:05] <!Emilybroshoujo> "And you do?" Aldeas asks as he turns to the Monster Queen.
[14:05] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I didn't exempt you from my spell." Mythra says.
[14:05] <!Emilybroshoujo> Aldeas chuckles to himself.
[14:06] <!Emilybroshoujo> "You're terrifying, King of Men." She says as she closes her eyes and tilts back her head finishing her wine.
[14:06] <!Emilybroshoujo> "My father had one good quote in all his speeches that I have always found inspirational."
[14:07] <!Emilybroshoujo> "It is simple to lead a pack of beasts, it's much more difficult to lead a kingdom of men."
[14:08] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Lying, twisting words, extorting, even downright threatening to get what I want... that's what I have to do as king."
[14:08] <!Emilybroshoujo> "What if what you want isn't what's best for the kingdom?" Mythra asks.
[14:08] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Then the people will stop me."
[14:08] <!Emilybroshoujo> "If they can't?" She asks again.
[14:08] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Then I was never wrong." Aldeas says with a smile.
[14:09] <!Emilybroshoujo> Mythra's arms are covered in goosebumps as she makes eye contact with the king and he sips from his glass that should be locked in temporal stasis.
[14:10] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I thought you and I were both a lot alike, the reckless go with the flow types." Mythra begins to say.
[14:11] <!Emilybroshoujo> "But I was dead wrong, we're terrifyingly different."
[14:11] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Either way I'm glad you invited us all here for these talks."
[14:11] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Why is that?" Aldeas asks setting down his empty glass.
[14:12] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Because we'd have lost the war either way." She replies.
[14:12] <!Emilybroshoujo> "After meeting you I can honestly say there's not a soul on this planet that could ever touch you."
[14:14] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Mother made me into a master tactician, but in the 700,000 ways I can predict these peace talks working out all of them have you as the winner, whether by total annihilation of the monster races or total integration with your direct descendants ruling every civilization within the next few hundred years."
[14:14] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Even if your children betray or turn on one another for the right to the throne it won't be able to undo what you're about to set in motion, just flashes in the pan of history."
[14:14] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Every fight, every war, all of them will be fleeting and meaningless if you're successful."
[14:16] <!Emilybroshoujo> "You are truly the greatest King to ever rule over Man." Mythra says as she steps up to Aldeas and touches his cheeks with both hands.
[14:16] <!Emilybroshoujo> Her eyes water up.
[14:16] <!Emilybroshoujo> "But you're fourteen, sweety." She says as she trembles a little.
[14:17] <!Emilybroshoujo> "What made you like this?" She asks as her voice cracks and all of Aldeas' thoughts rush into her mind through her telepathy.
[14:17] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I blame my parents." Aldeas says with a smile.
[14:17] <!Emilybroshoujo> Mythra hugs him.
[14:18] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I... will beat you. Somehow."
[14:18] <!Emilybroshoujo> "You may not have to." Aldeas says as he pats the Monster Queen on her head.
[14:18] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I do have a weakness." Aldeas says with a leading smile, his thoughts suddenly unreadable even to Mythra.
[14:19] <!Emilybroshoujo> Mythra composes herself and time resumes.
[14:19] <!Emilybroshoujo> Lucia's hair falls back into place.
[14:19] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Eh?... did you feel a draft?" She asks as she looks up to Aldeas.
[14:20] <!Emilybroshoujo> "It was just the wind, love." Aldeas says as Mythra picks up her bag.
[14:20] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I'm gonna go to that inn suite and get some sleep, we have a big day tomorrow your highness." She says as she looks back.
[14:21] <!Emilybroshoujo> "That we do." Aldeas returns with a smile covering layer upon layer of deception, ambition, and psychotic self confidence.
[14:22] <!Emilybroshoujo> Meanwhile, far across the kingdom, between two mountains machines whir and whistle as fire and smoke belts into the sky.
[14:23] <!Emilybroshoujo> Aleira stands looking of her city of war, face still covered as High Engineer Gored. A huge man with a metallic jaw and a cannon for his right arms approaches behind her.
[14:23] <!Emilybroshoujo> "The War Machine is progressing quickly, the air fleet will be ready for launch within the year My Lady."
[14:24] <!Emilybroshoujo> "We've just begun testing on a new-" "Spare me Gored." Aleira cuts him off.
[14:25] <!Emilybroshoujo> "I don't care what weapons we have, when the time comes to strike I expect you to do so at a moments notice." She says as she turns slightly and looks at the massive mountain of a man out of the corner of her eye.
[14:25] <!Emilybroshoujo> The ice cold stare sends a chill down the riveted steel reinforced spine of Gored and he bows.
[14:25] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Yes... My Queen."
[14:26] <!Emilybroshoujo> Aleira redirects her stare outward again... not at the city but far beyond it, far beyond the mountains, far out of sight, towards her true goal.
[14:27] <!Emilybroshoujo> "Tick tock, baby brother." She says with a slight smile evident beneath her face mask.
[14:27] <!Emilybroshoujo> [Queen's Paradise: Prologue - End]