Few things in this universe could thoroughly frighten Marni,being the Queen of Darkness (and Borbs) and all, but it seemed that PrinceEdward’s birthday was one of them. Charles Castle had been bustling withactivity for weeks, with everyone preparing everything to make their CrownPrince’s special day nothing short of perfect. Normally, Marni would be besideherself making her own preparations for Prince Edward’s birthday, but this year,the occasion was something different.
This year, they would be celebrating as an officiallyengaged couple.
As a public figure, it wasn’t a surprise that the entirenation would want to celebrate with their beloved monarch. But a person wasstill behind the title, so it was understandable that Prince Edward secretlylooked forward to the private birthday party he knew Louis and Marni werepreparing. That was, until the actual day of his private party came.
Doing his best to hide his disappointment behind his showyexpressions of surprise, Prince Edward greeted guest after guest as theyparaded inside Charles Castle. It seemed that Marni had invited their closestfriends.
Normally, Prince Edward didn’t mind entertaining people,especially loved ones. But not today. Today was supposed to be his special day.A special day to spend with his only beloved.
But the guests continued to flood in, and he could donothing but graciously accept them along with their gifts.
He greeted the confident King and Queen of Liberty, withKing Keith Alford ostentatiously handing him a large, flamboyantly-decoratedbox. “Just put it down somewhere, it’s probably a dressing robe with too muchfur,” muttered Queen Kay. “Don’t worry–I snuck in a large bottle of organic plantvitamins in there for your roses, so your gift’s not a complete disaster.”
He greeted the striking King Yakov with the shy Queen Joanna.The king took his proffered hand in a strong grip then turned to his wife. Queen Joanna gave the prince aquick hug before handing him their present. “It’s a portrait of you and Marni,”she said, smiling warmly. “I hope you like it!”
He greeted the lively King and Queen of Altaria, who bothhad no qualms in hugging and kissing him in public. “Eddy!” King Roberto shrieked excitedly, crushing him in a friendly hug. “I gave you a book about roses. Makesure to read the notes I scribbled! Oh, and I also included a few bottles ofAltarian champagne, and chocolates, and, oh! There’s a tie that I think Marni-parni would love—“
Queen Xiao cut in and gave him a kiss and something that hecould only call a “huggle”. “Make sure to share these with Mar-bear,” she murmured,grinning mischievously while slipping a smallish box into his hands. PrinceEdward saw that it was a box of roasted chestnuts and chocolate-coveredraisins. “It’s kind of a birthday present for myself, too,“ she explainedat seeing the puzzled look on his face. “Happy birthday to us!”
He greeted the stately Prince and Princess of Shaharazal.Prince Aslan shook his hand warmly then stepped back to let his lovely wifePrincess Alicia embrace the birthday boy. She handed him a tastefully-wrappedbag. “I hope you like it,” murmured the woman, tall in her platform heels. Shesuddenly stopped Prince Edward’s hand from opening the bag. “You know what,better wait until tonight before you open our present.” The couple exchanged aknowing smile before walking on.
Lastly, he greeted the strict and straight King and Queen ofDres Van. The formidable King Joshua greeted him perfunctorily before beingshooed off by his even more formidable wife Queen Amy. She kissed Prince Edward’scheek before airily declaring, “I didn’t bring you any gifts because my presence here is all the gift you could ever want.” Prince Edward managed a laugh.
“That’s a joke, of course,” said Queen Amy, warming up witha smile. “Jan’s bringing in a box. Where’s my baby girl Marni?” she asked, looking around.
Prince Edward sighed. The truth was he hadn’t seen hislovely dove the entire day, and he had been looking forward to spending the daywith just her. Queen Amy gave him a sympathetic pat on his hand before glidingaway.
The party came on full swing shortly after that, with maidsand butlers going around to serve and refill food and drink. Everyone wasmilling around in the cozy garden, with Prince Edward walking about them,ostensibly looking for his fiancée. He shortly found her engaged with the tinyQueen of Altaria. Queen Xiao was flailing her arms as Marni ground her knucklesagainst the top of her head.
Prince Edward joined them. His hand naturally sought outMarni’s, his fingers lacing with hers. Her short jolt of surprise puzzledEdward, but he shunned it aside. “My dove, where have you been?”
Marni opened her mouth, but quickly closed it again. QueenXiao promptly shot off complaining that Marni had been snooping around the gifts table,causing her to see the Queen’s gift earlier than she had hoped. The otherguests were laughing at the Altarian Queen’s antics, but Edward’s eyes wereonly seeing Marni’s own. What he saw in them had him surprised. Was he seeing…fear?
The party went on. The Altarian monarchs led the fun andgames, of which the Dresvanese monarchs took great part in, and Queen Kay andPrincess Alicia led the songs, which were cut short because of a certain king tryingto strangle everyone who wanted to hold the microphone. Prince Edward laughedand showed great enthusiasm, but his eyes couldn’t hide the disappointmentbeneath; after all, he only had to look at the empty seat by his side to remindhim of what his true feelings were.
When it was time for everyone to go home, the Queen of Dres Van pulledPrince Edward aside. “Go find her. I’m sure she has a reason.” Queen Amy gavehim an encouraging smile, and the prince found the strength to seek her out.
He found her in his room, curled in a corner, looking like alost hatchling in a nest of Edward’s bedclothes. Prince Edward sat beside herand asked why he missed her all morning. With a hesitant sniff, sheadmitted what he had known all along: she was nervous of this day.
Marni was afraid that it was his birthday. That it washis first birthday as her husband-to-be.
Edward laughed and gathered her in his arms. He had an ideawhy Marni invited more people to his private birthday celebration when he hadmade it clear to her that all he wanted was for the two of them to spend sometime alone. He told her that she need not be afraid, that while she knew whathe wanted, he would not impose himself on her if she wasn’t ready.
Marni gave him a weak smile. Edward offered her his hand andshe took it. But as he guided her to their favorite divan-like couch at thefoot of his bed, Marni shivered and thought to herself, “It’s not that I’m afraid of what you’d do to me when we’re alone. It’sthat I’m afraid of what I’d do to you, you sexy piece of man-flesh, you, now thatwe’re finally alone.”
