Princess of the Silver Ocean - Chapter 48

With that, they sat inside the purple carriage, and it began to leave. Yoshito and her walked to the white carriage and sat inside. Ai followed. They set off for the festival, everyone secretly feeling excited about it for their own reasons.

“I cannot wait to show everyone my paintings,” Ai stated, placing her hand on her heart, excitement radiating from her.

“I’m sure they will be sold out in seconds,” Yoshito praised her, nodding his head.

Ai shook her head vigorously. “You give me too much credit, big brother.”

“I’m telling the truth, though,” he said, raising an eyebrow, “but maybe they will not be sold out in a few seconds.”

Ai and Astoria laughed simultaneously.

“However, they will be sold out,” Prince Yoshito assured his little sister.

Ai was beaming, rubbing her hands together and unable to sit still. She was anticipating today. The Festival of Paint was a festival that she absolutely loved as she showcased her art to a larger audience, mainly tourists from other kingdoms.

When her art was bought, she would use that money to purchase potion ingredients and supplies. After all, she wanted to become a potion maker. You might be wondering why she needed to buy those things for her potions since she was a royal princess? I mean, don’t the Kuba royal family have immense wealth?

Yes. Yes, they do. However, her father, king Takeshi, did not support her desire to be a potion maker, so he would refuse if she ever asked for money to buy materials and the sort. Don’t worry, though. He will come to accept it eventually. Her mother, queen Natsumi, supported her daughter’s dream, though much to her husband’s dissatisfaction. She would secretly slip her a few Gnaxiza (the currency used in Chesrops) notes to buy whatever materials and supplies her daughter needed.

“I hope they will,” Ai said, crossing her fingers.

Meanwhile, the king and queen sat silently in their carriage, hands entwined. Queen Natsumi was elegantly dressed in a dress that covered her shoulders almost entirely and flowed down into an elegant court neckline. It was a relaxed fit, making the dress pleasant to wear and look at. Her arms were covered all the way down to her wrists. The sleeves were a tight but comfortable fit from top to bottom, allowing enough movement while still looking stylish.

The dress’ waist was broad, but it was a comfortable fit. A bow was wrapped around her and rested gently on her belly. Below the waist, the dress fit snugly around her and had a wrap style. The dress reached just above her knees and was the same length all around. She was wearing kitten heels, which added to the simplicity and elegance. To top it off, she wore a simple but stylish necklace and several elegant bracelets.

On the other hand, king Takeshi wore a smooth shirt and buttoned it up entirely to support the elegant tie he was wearing. On top of the shirt was a stylish vest with five buttons. It had a narrow v-line, making the top visible even when the suit’s jacket was buttoned up.

The jacket fits him like a glove, a tailored glove. It had an intricate rope-stricken pattern which made it look stylish and graceful. The five buttons of his single-breasted jacket were all buttoned up, except one. It added a casual touch to the elegant look. The jacket was longer at the back with a vent. There was a single pocket on one side, and a breast pocket left empty.

He wore pants that had the same style as the jacket. They complemented each other perfectly, and they perfectly complimented his shoes. He wore a great pair of brogue monk straps, and to top it all off, a fancy belt which was accompanied by a tie clip.

“Did I mention how absolutely stunning you look?” he asked her, smiling with his eyes and mouth.

She shook her head yes. “Yes, but I think I need to hear it one more time.”

He touched her hair which was left open, and pulled her closer to him in a flirtatious manner. King Takeshi ran his finger down her spine, his claw gently brushing her skin. This caused her to part her lips softly, and his pupils dilated. King Takeshi was known as a very loving and possessive husband for his queen.

“You’re absolutely stunning, my queen,” he whispered in her ear.

He found Natsumi to be more beautiful than any woman he had ever met. More beautiful than any Goddess. He always thanked the kitsune gods for sending her to him. She was a reliable, calm, and talkative woman who was not born into a royal family. She lived in peace until she was about 50 years old. At that point, her life changed, and not for the better. Her parents and older sister had been slaughtered by bounty hunters.

Why, you ask? Her family was part of a resistance movement created by the Pacifism Movement political party. Their aim was to bring peace between the two kingdoms, Crouvia and Otrawen. They had constantly been at war more than a hundred years ago. The bounty hunters were dispatched by the Otrawen Kingdom to annihilate anyone who resisted their king’s rules.

The king of Otrawen even massacred some of his own people. It was a horrible time for her, and while trying to escape, she had fainted along the way. Thankfully, she was met with King Takeshi’s great grandfather, who, together with other warrior kitsune’s, were deployed to assist the Crouvia kingdom.

That day, she was saved and lived in the palace as a maid, meeting King Takeshi in the process. Years later, King Takeshi’s father told him to pick a bride for his time as king of Chesrops was almost up. His son needed a woman who would stay by his side and lead the people and kingdom with a steady and loving heart. He picked her, a mere maid with no family or royal background.

He had picked her because he was in love with the kitsune she was. He wanted to cherish her and make her forget all her hardships and misfortunes. Two years later, the king had passed on, and he became the new king of Chesropis, with Natsumi by his side as queen. They had a family, and now, here they were.

She wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. “And you’re absolutely dashing.”

He smiled, returning her hug. He lightly and longingly kissed her mouth and gave an enigmatic smile when he sensed her face heating up. He pulled away and moved some loose curls behind her ears. She was in a dazed state as she looked up through her lashes and bit her lip, her body overcome with desire.

“If you want more,” she heard him say, a glint of desire in his eyes, “you’ll have to wait for me to ravish you tonight.”

She just sat there, unable to move. Her gaze was fixed on her husband. A few seconds later, she smiled, placing her head on his sturdy, broad shoulders.

“I wish it was night already,” she breathed out.

When Astoria arrived in the middle of Yuudai city, she stared at the number of citizens dressed in royalty. They all looked so elegant. It almost felt like it was Halloween because some were in their kitsune’s forms while others were in human form.

“Wow,” she said, “Everyone looks and feels like royalty.”

“I know, right,” Ai giggled, standing next to her with Yoshito.

King Takeshi and queen Natsumi were greeting some citizens. The city was bustling with noise. There was a podium set in the middle, and the king and queen walked towards it, causing the citizens and tourists to gather around. Everyone was chatting excitedly. The king cleared his throat, causing everyone to quieten down.

“Welcome,” King Takeshi roared, “to Chesropis’ great and awaited Festival of Paint. I wish everyone an enjoyable time. To those who will be offering their goods and services, I wish you all a successful transaction.”

The crowd began to whisper among themselves, excitement radiating off their bodies.

“Let the Festival of Paint begin!” King Takeshi exclaimed, holding his arms out.

The citizens roared in excitement and began to walk to their shops. Tourists and citizens made their way to the shops they wanted to look at and purchase items.

“Nexi, you’re with me,” Ai proclaimed, holding her hand and pulling her towards where her stall was situated, not giving her time to react.

“Um, see you later, Prince Yoshito!” Astoria yelled and waved at him as she was being dragged away by Ai.

Yoshito chuckled and waved back, watching his sister drag Nexi away. He met up with his parents, and they looked at him with raised eyebrows.

“Where’s your sister and Nexi?” Queen Natsumi questioned.

“Ai was in a hurry so…”

“They left?” the king finished, to which Yoshito nodded.

Queen Natsumi burst out in laughter. “Typical Ai, she must be very excited.. You both know how much she loves showing off her paintings to everyone during this time.”