[daikokunyo]

A 1x1 RP between me and PurpleBox. Don't post unless you're one of us. Feel free to stalk though x3

[PurpleBox]

The Kingdom of Storkall, a land of strong warriors, cold bitter winters and hidden magics, had recently been ravaged by a brutal war with another kingdom. The king and queen had two sons who they both loved, the heir and crown prince William, he was their youngest son. Their oldest son was Valerian, a sometimes stubborn boy with a fiery spirit that matched his flame color hair. Now Valerian wasn’t the king and queen's son by birth, no the couple had adopted him when they thought that they couldn't have children on their own and to this day Valerian didn’t know who his birth family was. Not that he really wanted to find out, he was happy with his mother, father and younger brother, who had been born a few years after the king and queen had adopted him. Some from other kingdoms would find it strange that the youngest prince is the heir, but those inside the castle knew the truth.

Vale, as he was called by his friends, was happy to not be the heir as it freed his time and lessons weren’t as strict for the ginger haired prince. Though this war had changed, his parents had come up with a plan to help stop another war from breaking out, they wanted to send a bride to the other kingdom, but they had no princess to send….the other kingdome didn’t know that how ever and Vale had been shocked when his parents brought in a witch to…. To change him….. To change the very male Valerian into a female.

Now days later ‘Vella’ was inside a carriage heading towards the castle of the kingdom Storkall had been at war with. Now Vale had always been on the skinny side, never able to build up more than lithe muscles from using his bow and learning to ride horses and the like. Clenching his one green eye closed Vale recalled the argument he’d had with his parents before being sent off.

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“This is ridiculous! I’m not a girl, I think that the will notice the obvious lack of girly bits!” Vale said anger in his voice, he was with his parents in his father's study. Valerian knew better than to question his parents rule inside the court, so he had held his tongue during their formulation of this plan. The ginger haired prince’s one green eyes was alight with fierce fire, the other eye was covered by a plain black patch.

His mother gently placed a hand on his shoulder, firmly but gentle. “Valerian this must be done, we do not have the resources to outfit another attack. A prince must do what he can for his kingdom.” His mother's voice was soft but held a air of finality to it as she squeezed his shoulder in hopes it would give her fiery boy the support he would need.

“Besides it’s already been arranged, as we have found someone who can help with the parts issue.” The king said before Vale could speak again. The ginger haired prince stopped, blinked and then a look of fury clouded his face as he pulled himself away from his mother’s grip. In the corner of the room under a cloak was the witch in question, she had been summoned during the court so Vale had his suspicions…. But for them to be true for once.

“You can’t be serious! This is unethical!” Vale protested, he noticed his father give a signal to late before he heard the chanting, it echoed around his head and the prince found himself collapsing to his knees as a strange sensation racked his body. He heard his mother try and step close to him but the heavy booted feet of his father held her back. It didn’t take long for a scream to tear itself from the prince's body, it was his groin changing that had ripped the pain filled scream from the prince, now princess’s throat.

When it was over Vale was on the floor still kneeling and panting, he’s bitten through his lip and the crotch area of his pants was stained with blood as well. It seemed that his newly changed body was already on it’s flow. Gentle hands helped him up and to the baths to ‘clean up’. He stared at himself in the mirror once he’d gotten a chance…. His hair was longer, still ginger and flame like, his body was slimer and shapely, what turned his stomach even more was seeing just how his body had been forced to change, gone were his hard earned muscles, replaced with soft skin and a pair of small breasts.

It made him sick, good thing he was already in the bathing room.

----------------------------------------------------

Vale shuttered at the memories, Williams had been just as furious with his parents choice. Thinking of his little brother made Valerian touch his still covered eye, no one knew just how the oldest prince had lost his eye, but they knew it had been sometime during the week he and William had been kidnapped as children and stranded in the wilds outside of the coldest region of Storkall. The patch that covered it was more decorative now as he was in girls clothing. To the once male prince the clothing was restrictive and hard to breath in, the skirt would brush the floor once he stood up, his feet had been pushed into shoes that to himself too small, even if they were the right size now.

‘Vella’ felt very out of place in this skin, the calluses from his bow were gone from his hands and his now long hair had been pinned and plated back into a fancy bun atop his head. The garriage hit a bump in the road making ‘Vella’ groan in pain as ‘her’ body was still on its monthly cycle. That was something that horrified the ‘princess’ even more, though he know had a idea of what his mother and the female servants went thru each month. It still didn’t feel right, he’d avoided looking in any reflective surfaces since the first look in the bathing room. Vale didn’t look like himself, yet at the same time you could see similarities, his face was a similar shape, just softer, his hair was still the same color and still a fluffy mess when he woke in the mornings, and his eye and skin color were still the same.

His ears were still pierced too, though instead of the simple silver hoops that once graced his ears now he had two emerald studs in his ears, they were not small either, the gems and metal tugged softly at his ears from their weight. In your hands they wouldn't weigh much, but dangling from the thin skin of your ears they pulled, however gently still.

Peaking out of the carriage window he saw the other kingdoms castle fast approaching, it didn't sit well in his stomach... not at all.

[daikokunyo]

Torquil hated to admit it, but he was nervous. He told himself he really had no reason to be. His future wife was a token of truce. It meant he had all the power. He could disdain her all he wanted and did not have to worry about judgement from her, because she didn't matter.
But he was nervous in spite of all of that.

He paced in his chamber, dragging a hand through his hair with a sigh. He supposed it was just the thought of being tied down to someone, of them sharing his chambers, and his bed, that made him uneasy.

Alric, the pageboy and a companion to the prince since childhood, was heard outside.
"Enter," said Torquil.
Alric walked in and handed him news deferentially, that Torquil's to-be bride, the princess Vella, was on her way in a carriage with attendees. Torquil nodded a curt dismissal. But Alric didn't take his leave immediately.

"Are you getting cold feet?"
"What?! No!" Torquil surprised himself with the vehemence of his answer.
"It wouldn't be unnatural, or even irrational, my lord," said Alric in a low voice. "She is a woman you have never met, who you may never love-"
"For Heaven's sake, Alric," snapped Torquil. "I'm not marrying for love." They'd had this conversation before, and Torquil had scoffed when Alric brought up love. He had nothing but scorn for that. It was for blinded fools and idle poets. Not for him. He was ambitious. Ambitious enough that he didn't want to be distracted by anything like that.

Maybe that was why he was unsettled? By the possibility that he might actually love this woman?
He shook his head to himself. He had enough faith in the sure stability of his own mind that he couldn't be swayed by any woman. He had been promised she was beautiful, but it didn't matter. Plenty of beautiful women had been put his way and he hadn't been swayed by any of them, so why should this one be any different?

Alric was still looking at him with concern on his face. Torquil said impatiently, "I'm not straying anywhere near love, that fool's pursuit, Alric. This wedlock is eminently suitable. The Princess Vella's kingdom is one we have wanted to bring into the fold of the empire for generations. It is bordered by Beantrich, who have always been a threat to us. This alliance would really strengthen our defense. Without going through the trouble and losses of conquering the region, we would have full scope of the whole region to survey our defenses."

"You're so stubborn," said Alric, and when Torquil turned a death glare on him like now you've really crossed the line, he added hastily, "Your Highness." Torquil turned away from him with a huff and a wave of the hand, again gesturing dismissal, which this time Alric obeyed.

He stood at the window of his tower chamber, watching his subjects prepare themselves for welcoming his bride, and the subsequent festivities.
Yes, there was no doubt this was the right decision to take. And he would treat the princess reasonably well, even if she wasn't important to him. And she would be grateful for being brought from her puny kingdom into the royal family of this great empire. Nothing would go wrong, and there wouldn't be any trouble.
"It is not befitting of a prince of your stature to be so fickle of mind," Torquil told himself sternly.

[PurpleBox]

A group of servants had come with Princess Vella, many of them knew her before the spell and where also having trouble adjusting to calling the once prince by princess. Among them was the witch who had cast the spell, hidden of course as the flame haired royal would not be happy with her at the moment. Vale was taking quicker and quicker breaths as they went threw the gates and soon he had to step out, he nearly tripped over his own feet in the shoes that had been forced onto his feet, but he managed to keep himself upright and standing tall, well as tall as he could as the spell had also shrunk him from his former height.

“Princess Vella of Storkall!” Someone announced and it echoed in Vale’s mind. Everything looked unfamiliar and he found himself missing the forests of Storkall, sparse as they had become in past years. The walls around this palace where so strange to the flame haired ‘girl’, with careful steps ‘Vella’ was able to keep ‘herself’ moving forward. One of her bodyguards was right behind her offering silent support, as they had been the youth guard since Vale had been a babe. This guard had taut Vale how to use his first bow, and had volunteered for this ‘mission’.

Vale’s heart was still hammering away in his tightly corseted chest the closer they for to the room where he’d meet the other prince… the prince he was suppose to marry…. The thought made him a bit sick, mostly because he was in this body, it had been in his younger teen years that Valerian had found himself more drawn to the other men around him. Seeing as he wasn't the heir apparent any more there was little issue, as long as it didn’t spread beyond the castle, his father had a reputation to uphold.

A single green eyes scanned the final room once they arrived, the green orb landed on the royal family of this empire. Vale hadn’t really paid much attention in geography when his tutors were prattling on about the other kingdoms and lands, he’d been more interested in learning about the forests, deserts and cold wastes. Now he was regretting it a bit, he set his face into a neutral mask as he wasn't going to show more gratitude than needed…. He had after all not wanted to do this….

“Princess Vella and her attendees, your majesties.” a announcer said from the door behind them. Vale was still not used to hearing his girly nickname being used as his proper name… He’s once dressed up as a young lass to ferret out some corrupt guards within the castle… he’s called himself Vella then aswell… but that had all been pretend, he hadn't truly been a lass than…. His gut twisted in pain as he was reminded again that he wasn't a lad any more.

Vale gripped the skirt around him and curtsied with gentle motions, coping the way he’s seen his mother and the other ladies of court greet each other. “Your Grace.” his voice was soft and angelic, something akin to a songbird in spring, nothing like his voice before, even if he could sing like a songbird before, he was to afraid to even try in this body.

The witch Maria watched the ‘princess’ from under her cloak her head bowed respectfully like the other servants around her. Maria regretted her decision to change the prince moments after she had cast the spell… but it was for his own good, for the good of Storkall… maybe… she could set things right after the wedding ceremony…. When things wouldn't be able to be dissolved to easily….yes….

[daikokunyo]

Word reached Torquil the moment the carriage from Storkall had crossed the gates of Neurmark, the capital city, the pride of the Istalian empire. Court was summoned immediately, and Torquil took the throne with the aged king by his side. His mother had long since passed.
"That your mother could have lived to see you married," sighed the old king, "It would have been a proud moment for her."
Torquil bowed his head, and made no reply to his father. He was aware of Alric, standing aside, ready to be of attendance, and he felt a qualm once again, but was quick to quash it with his prince's resolve.

"Princess Vella of Storkall!" The announcer's voice echoed through the court, and Torquil's head snapped up. He watched as the Princess took slow, dainty steps into the court with her escort.

"Princess Vella and her attendees, your majesties."
The princess dropped a graceful curtsy, and finally spoke. "Your Grace."
Her voice lilted and trilled like musical notes. Torquil'd breath hitched for a moment.

Dutifully, he stepped down from his throne and walked towards her, to greet her properly. His heartbeat had quickened though. The expression on her delicate features was as though she was closed off to him- and that made her lovelier to him, more coveted for being difficult to win. His measured steps felt like they weren't taking her that much closer to her. His eyes scanned her, evaluating her as he approached. She was rather slender and sylph-like, not very curvaceous. Her bosom seemed flatter than was common, but then she must be quite tightly corseted.

He bowed, and took her hand, planting a butterfly kiss on the pale, slender fingers. "My princess," he murmured. He considered it beneath him to call her "Your Highness". She was a princess. And she was his. So this addressal was perfect in his mind.

[PurpleBox]

When the prince of the Istalian Empire came up to him and kissed his hand, Vale had to still his heart for a moment, the other prince’s features taking him off guard a bit even though he was able to keep his neutral and closed off mask up. He held back a huff when the other prince called him ‘My Princess’, by all standards it was a perfectly acceptable greeting, though it rubbed Vale the wrong way to be referred to like a possession.

The women of Storkall were not treated like objects, they owned land in the kingdom and the head blacksmith at the castle at the moment was a hardened older women, heck even knights could be women in Storkall, and the royal line ran mostly threw his mother as she had been the princess of Storkall till she had married her husband, the second son of a merchant lord from across the sea where the merchants were the rulers, so he was technically a second prince in his birth land.

Vale mentally shook himself to bring himself back to the present.

‘Princess Vella’ looked up at the taller prince with her one green eyes shining brightly against ‘her’ flame colored hair and pale freckled skin, ‘she’ could still feel her heart hammering against her corseted chest. On the hand that the prince had kissed rested gloveless fingers, slender and looking like they were built to play music, rested a pale blue sapphire ring with the symbol of Storkall’s royal house. It was a treasure, one that ‘Princess Vella’ had gotten on her fourteenth birthday. The almost clear stone reminded ‘her’ of the sunny and cloudless days where ‘she’ would go to a field close to the castle with ‘her’ brother.

The design of the ring wasn't very feminine, it looked liked it had been intended for a prince, one could just assume that it was a parting gift from her brother. ‘Vella’ felt a little lost for words, that much was clear even with ‘her’ closed off look.

Vale well trained ears caught some hushed whispers when a few of the court finally noticed the eyepatch. He was able to roll those hushed comments off his shoulders as he had long since stopped feeling felt conscious about the wound, he’d gotten it defending his younger brother, so he was proud of it. He heard the armour of his body guard clinking, he knew that the man would have heard these whispers aswell, yet was too well trained to just go and abscond the offender with violence.

In Storkall, a scar was a badge of honor, more so if it was earned in a battle of the defence of someone. They told a tale, every one of them a page of an adventure if a person's life. Though with this fancy and decorated eyepatch you couldn’t even see any scarred skin around the eye, let alone the hollow and gnarly knotted socked.
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The introductions had taken longer than Vale would have liked, though he was happy to be out of that room now, he was currently pacing the temporary room given to ‘Princess Vella’. The princess had been lead to the room shortly after the introductions to be giving some times to recuperate from the journey and all that mellocky. “You’ll wear a rut in the rug, Highness.” His bodyguard said only slightly amused to finally see some of the boy the princess used to be. Vale stopped to give the male a small glare that had little fire in it.

“It helps me think Garrett, you know that better than anyone. I’m also trying to get the feeling back into my feet while I can.” Vale said, he’s taken those pinchy shoes off soon after being left with his attendees in the room. The ladies maids were getting another outfit ready for the dinner later that evening. For now ‘Vella’ had changed into a loose A line gown colored a light spring green with pink and bird egg blue highlights and accents. ‘Her’ long flame colored curls were hanging loose around ‘her’ shoulders and mid back. Pale toes wiggled against the soft carpet briefly before reluctantly slipping into a pair of soft slippers that one of the maids handed ‘her’ after a few more goes at the pacing.

Not that Vale was thinking much other than the round about thoughts and bound to fail plans of how to get out of this without starting another war. He rubbed his scarred eye that was now covered by a more simple eyepatch. Even in the body of a female, Vale felt and looked more my himself like this, not all draped in finery and the like, plus he was very happy to be free of the corset, it had left a imprint on his ribs, proving that the corset had been laced to tightly on his now even more slender frame.

The prince turned princess was not looking forward to this dinner, the dress was once again one with a corset, as it was the favored style at the moment, he hoped that this time the maids would remember to not completely bind him in, he liked breathing a lot thank you.

[daikokunyo]

Torquil couldn't take his eyes off the Princess Vella, while she proceeded with the rest of the introductions and ceremony of court. Not because her beauty was so captivating, although her delicate features and build were certainly stirring, but because she was... intriguing. Not like the women he had met until now, and he had come across many of the finest women of the land. Unlike all of them, she was actually interesting. There was something mysterious about her.

Take that eyepatch, for instance. It was highly decorative, so maybe that was its purpose? That was very doubtful, though. He wanted to see what was behind that eyepatch, what he would see when he took it off. For some reason that thought seemed rather intimate to him and he blushed involuntarily.

And then the way she carried herself. It was pride, but it was true pride, it seemed to come from a place of integrity, and it didn't debase into haughtiness. She didn't seem to be aware of her own charms- and that, he really hadn't ever come across in a lady. Others, they fluttered and preened while trying to seem not to, do their dignified manner was a sham, otherwise they were so modest they put themselves down even if they had the potential to charm, their dowdiness due to the way they carried themselves.

But this Princess Vella, she seemed one of a kind.

After he retired to his chambers, she was still running through his mind. Well, that was excusable; he was to be married to her. Only natural that he go over every impression of her. That ring she wore... it was an unusual design for a princess to wear. It had the crest of Storkall, but... the women of the royal family of Wilsinghe had insignia specifically designed to be light and elegant. He recalled suddenly that once married into the royal family of Wilsinghe women weren't allowed to wear the emblem of their old house; and they must have one of Wilsinghe made specifically.

He wondered what Vella's reaction would be when he told her. He'd seen a spark of fiery spirit in her that told him she might sometimes not be very easy to deal with. Well, she could still keep the ring from Storkall mounted in a case with high honour... so she shouldn't see it as disrespecting her house...
But she had seemed rather proud, so there was no knowing how she'd react. Wryly, Torquil laughed softly to himself.

Tomorrow, he and his bride-to-be would pass through the kingdom with much pomp, greeting the citizens and receiving their good wishes. He sighed as he got into bed, tossing in the satin sheets. It would be a long, tiring day.

[PurpleBox]

Valerian's hands fidgeted against the arms of the chair he was basically forced to sit in while his ladies in waiting did his hair and a very light amount of make up. Subtle hues and more natural colors where used to accent the beauty that the 'princess' held. The ladies that had come with 'Vella' here knew that the royal had been a looker well before the spell. Though they only had to apply it to one eye and chose a decorative eye patch that held a gold and green spiral pattern, to match the gown that the 'princess' was to wear to the evening meal.

The gown was a forest green silk thing, it held a full skirt and was of course corseted in style. The bodies held some golden accents and the free sleeves shared that design. Begrudgingly Vale let himself be strapped into the gown, feeling weighed down by the fabric, even though it was a dress meant to dine and dance in. The ginger haired royal was thankful that the ladies in waiting did not bind him in so tightly this time.

Room was left to allow movement and comfort this time. Last the ladies pulled the 'princesses' hair up into a half
up and half down style. They used a jeweled flower band to cradle the back of the head, and finally they helped 'Vella' into a pair of appropriate foot wear for the evening. "I don't know how women wear these pinchy things." 'Princess Vella' said scrunching up her face a bit, trying to wiggle her toes in the shoes, there was little room, the shoes where made for support weather you where sitting or standing, and had short thick heels giving the 'princess' a small boot in height, not enough to rival the prince, 'she' would still be on the shorter side.

With a deep breath to brace himself for this dinner, Vale left the room with his head held high as it where, Garrett close behind as a escort and protector to the 'princess'. A few ladies in waiting followed aswell, as was their job.
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Vale really wished he had kept his ring on.... the ladies had persuaded him to not wear it as it was designed for a man and it woudl clash with the dress, he didn't want to give a bad impression, after all a princess was supposed to be one of the most fashion forward in her kingdom.... and that though there had Vale blanching a bit, part of the ginger haired royal refusing to believe that this was forever.

'Princess Vella' had kept her face and tones neutral, but if one looked deep into 'her' green eye they would see the fire inside, the distaste for all this pomp and circumstance. 'Vella' rubbed her ring less finger out of habit.

'She' was seated beside Prince Torquil. 'She' kept her face as closed off as possible during the meal, eating lightly and not touching 'her' wine goblet, instead she sipped from a small cup of water. As much as Vale wanted to get wasted to just forget this whole mess.... he knew that his family's future was on the line.

So Vale put on the face of the dutiful princess, stiff upper lip and all that lot. Gingerly 'she' lifted one of her hands upward to tuck a loose strand of vibrant ginger hair behind her ear after it had fallen out of place. The sleeve fell a bit, for a split second the tip of a faint scar could be see wound around the wrist, before it vanished when the sleeve fell back into place. Despite the change in gender, Vale still had many of the scars he had obtained over the years , they were just faded some.

When music began to play Vale found himself gently swaying back and forth, barely noticeable from a far. That single green eyes barely looked around the hall, as if 'she' was trying to escape into the music while still seaming to stay where 'she' was. 'Vella' was unsure if it was acceptable for women to dance once the supper portion was over, in Storkall it was always like a party, lost of dancing, singing and some friendly arm wrestling matches among the nobles and sometimes the the king joined in aswell.

Vale remembered his mother teaching him to dace at one of these, he had placed his smaller feet atop her dainty feet and had him follow the steps.
-----------------------------
The dinner was over quickly, well at least it was for 'Princess Vella'.
The king took her quite air at the table as her still being tired from her journey and had allowed 'Princess Vella' to leave early. So with a almost monotone manner, thanks was giving and the 'Princess' had swept back to her room.

Vale had scrubbed his face free of the make up himself as the ladies in waiting had hung up the dress, and fetched night wear for him. He had tried sleeping in the silk sheer night dresses and wound that he felt to exposed,
so the ladies chose a light tunic and some easy to move in bloomers every night after that.

Pulling the covers over himself once he had striped off every trinket from the supper attire, and pulling his ring back on, Vale fell into a fitful sleep.

[daikokunyo]

He had been mentally prepared to have to get up from his short nap to attend dinner, but physically it took him a forceful effort of will. He'd been stressed, and his body was suffering symptoms of fatigue as a result. Well, he still had the night's rest before him to recuperate.

Once the attendants were done with him, however, he looked magnificent and refreshed. His attire was satin edged with gold needlework, light and comfortable yet grand to look at.

He wanted to converse with Princess Vella during dinner but knew it would not be proper to until they had finished eating. Manners and custom. She was wearing an eyepatch again- a different one this time, to match with her dress. It was too much of a coincidence for it to be merely decorative, no matter how deviant Storkall's fashion for women may be. Vella had to hide that eye.

He'd thought she was prideful without hauteur, but now a chill had crept into her reserve, as though the circumstances annoyed her. She raised a hand to tuck a bit of hair into place, and he glimpsed- what looked like a scar... it was covered again before he could be sure of what he'd seen. Well, he'd hold his curiosity a while longer. He had a strong urge to catch her wrist and trace over whatever it had been. Once they were wedded every intimate detail of her would be his.

Quickly, as though to chase away the embarrassing thought, he took a long draught of wine. What was he thinking? He wasn't falling for her, surely. It was just her air of mystery that was captivating. Just that he hadn't unraveled her yet.

When he could finally retire for the night, he wasn't sure if the wine had done much to calm his nerves. But at least it sped up the settling of sleep.

[PurpleBox]

Vale woke late into the night when the pains from his changed bodies flow hit him again, he groaned as he rolled to the side of the bed, sitting up gingerly. The messy ginger hair stuck up at odd ends and looked like a curly rats nest... not to different from how his original hair looked.... it was just longer.

Standing on shaky legs Vale made his way to the door that lead to the small side room that his ladies in waiting where sleeping, she stumbled a bit in the dark till he found a bed and gently shook the shoulder of the girl within it.

The girl blinked up at Vale threw blurry brown eyes.... and was able to guess why her 'princess' was waking her up. "I shall fetch the herbal tea and a hot water bag." was spoken with a sleepy but clear voice and Vale smiled and sighed thankfully.

These girls sympathetic to the newly turned 'Princess'. They had years to get used to their bodies functions... but 'she' had barely had a month. The 'Princess' had complained about the daily routines a lady had to go threw to just get ready.... and 'she' had been very hesitant to not wear a eye patch around the ladies, so most of the time 'Vella' kept her eyes closed used a lock of long hair to cover the empty socket.

Vale and the girl he had woken where soon both sitting by the window with just the moonlight filtering into the room. The girl hesitantly asked what her 'princess' had left when the spell had been cast. "Betrayal...." Vale has said quietly and that feeling had mostly been towards his father... the man was prideful.... to prideful sometimes as some memories flashed before Vale's green eye.
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'Vella' had soon fallen back asleep after finishing 'her' tea and her lady in waiting had helped her back into bed. Soon morning filtered threw the window and 'Vella' was woken by 'her' ladies and was sleepily helped into the days outfit...a seamstress would be by later to fit the wedding gown, it had already been sized loosely back in Storkall.... but this had to be perfect apparently.

The 'Princess' was dressed in a thankfully looser light blue dress with gold accents and a under-bust corset, 'her' hair was braided in a fashionable style with matching blue ribbon and a few jeweled hair pins dotted about the ginger locks.

'Vella' still felt weighted down with the corset, 'her' body had a natural waist that didn't need help with the shapely pieces of leather, cloth and bone.

Vale did feel a bit proud that he was getting better at walking in women's shoes, he didn't trip or stumble once as his little group walked to wards the dinning hall where breakfast was to be served.

[daikokunyo]

Torquil was already seated for breakfast, waiting for Vella to be presented so they could eat together as courtesy decreed. He didn't feel hungry though, nervousness suddenly knotting his stomach. He had no doubt that the citizens would receive Vella well, even if she was unusual, she was quite how a princess should be in looks, manners and bearing. He didn't know why he still felt stirrings of faint misgivings.

When Vella entered, Torquil's breath hitched for a moment. He didn't expect such a pale pastel colour as her light blue gown to suit her so well with her flaming hair, but it hugged her slight frame and pale skin, making her look more delicate.

"Good morning, my princess," said Torquil gruffly. "We shall be taken by palanquin through the capital today, to greet the citizens. I hope you won't find it too tiring."

He watched as the servants placed fruit and flower-infused tea on her plate, and raised his own cup to his lips.

[PurpleBox]

“Prince Torquil…..” ‘Vella’ greeted the Prince as ‘she’ took ‘her’ seat, her dress had ¾ sleeves and her wrists were adorned by bracelets, covering the area that held the pale scars that covered both wrists, as it something had once constricted to deep around both wrists. Picking up a cup the cup of tea the flame haired ‘princess’ sniffed at it delicately, judging whether or not ‘she’ should drink it.

“It shouldn't be to tiring….” ‘Vella’ spoke softly, Vale wanted to say how he was rarely tired from small things like that, but he had a part to play now. Vale was a big fan of fruit and vegetables. The lanky prince could always be found eating apples and pears at random times. Raising the cup to ‘her’ lips ‘Vella’ took a small sip of the tea, she placed the cup down again after a moment. The tea tasted fine but it was missing some sugar, it wasn't sweet enough. The lone green eyes looked across the table, trying to find the sugar, while still trying to keep the reserved feminine image that had been ingrained into ‘her’ in such a short time.

Clearing ‘her’ throat delicately ‘Vella’ spoke more directly to Prince Torquil for the first time. “Could you please point out the sugar to me, your highness.” A very faint pink had colored the ‘princesses’ freckled cheeks, ‘she’ was a little embarrassed that ‘she’ could not tell what container held the white powder that would sweeten ‘her’ tea.

It appeared that ‘Princess Vella’ liked sweet things, and wasn't afraid to admit it. Most girls even back in Storkall that were part of the court often refused sweets, trying to keep their figure, or something like that, Vale had never truly paid their ramblings mind, seeing as his tastes ran more… masculine.

[daikokunyo]

Torquil was surprised to see a Vella blush slightly when she asked to be pointed out the sugar. Surprised and a little smug, although it probably meant nothing more than her Princess' propriety making her self-conscious. He made a small, swift gesture with his hand, and a servant brought the sugar canister, white porcelain inlaid with tiny flecks of crystal to bring to mind the appearance of sugar, held in both palms to Vella's side of the table. The canister was uncovered and a pair of silver tongs placed so Vella could take as many cubes as she wished.

So, Vella had a sweet tooth. After all, the tea was already quite sweet, infused with small amounts of nectar as well as the delicate fragrance of lavender and jasmine. Torquil himself liked strong flavours, and had spices and condiments traded from across the sea in return for the detailed, decorative weaves of Istalia.

Torquil put down his cup, dabbing at his mouth. He generally breakfasted light. "As soon as you have taken your fill, we will have to set off," he said, wondering why he sounded mildly apologetic. Vella hadn't betrayed any aversion to it. He himself didn't exactly look forward to the frivolity of it, but it was in no way objectionable, and it had to be done.

[PurpleBox]

'Vella' gave the servant a quite thank you, aswell as one to Torquil,'she' carefully stirred a extra three cubes of the sugar into her tea, sipping afterwards and a small content smile graced 'her' face. Sweetness always helped the Storkall royal start 'her' day, 'Vella' had to turn her head fully to see the prince clearly, to her the motion was second nature with the eye patch and all.

"I suppose it is best to get these frivolousness things out of the way first thing..." The words were spoken softly with a small sigh towards the end, letting any one who was really paying attention that 'Princess Vella' was not a frivolous girl by nature. Despite the elaborate gown she had shown up in, 'her' style had toned down quite a bit compared to that first dress.

A few servents wehre whispering when they where out of ear shot that this more natural style suited the princess, she wasnt as stiff even if she had nto opend up.

It did not take long for 'Vella' to finish her tea and a light breakfast, Vale was still not used to having to eat less, the prince trapped in a princess's body had to force himself to not eat like he was used to... bigger portions and all that. 'A Princess might eat lightly, your aunt Imogene is the exception because o of her profession.' Vale remembered his mother gently 'scolding' him the morning after his forced transformation.

Gently dabbing her lightly colored lips with a napkin 'Vella' was finished her meal, gently tucking fire colored hair behind her pierced ears she rose from her seat with grace. It was getting easier to move in this alien body... Vale still missed his normal form. The thought that he'd never be himself again caused a string of sadness to wash over him, his face closing off again and becoming neutral and unreadable as the prince and 'princess' left the dining area.

[daikokunyo]

Torquil caught himself staring at Vella as she ate, at her delicate lips and the way her throat bobbed when she swallowed. He blinked and looked away, hoping she hadn't noticed. He needed to get a grip. She ate birdlike, which accounted for her slender frame, he supposed.

As they left the dining room and walked through the halls, heading for the entrance where all the retinue awaited, Torquil offered Vella his arm.

In the stretch of land from the palace to the gates of the city, there were uniformed soldiers to lead the parade, a grand palanquin with veiled curtains like layered gossamer for Vella and a couple of attendants to be seated within, and bearers to carry them through the city. For Torquil, there was his favourite steed, and some accompanying knights.

He stopped at the palanquin, resting on the ground, and turned to Vella, opening his palm. "May I?" He intended to help her into the palanquin before mounting his steed. Then the bearers would hoist it up on their shoulders, and they could set off.

[PurpleBox]

Vale hesitantly took the offered arm on their journey outside, at the site of the palanquin 'she' was a little bewildered at the contraption....but none the less 'Vella' accepted prince Torquil's hand once again to help 'her' up into the palanquin. The fiery haired 'princess' had kept 'her' face neutral during all this as best 'she' could.

'Vella's one green eyes looked towards the horse that the prince mounted with ease and part of Vale inside felt envious...since the transformation Vale had not been allowed to even groom his own horse, Ava, and the grey mare was back in his home kingdom. Quickly pushing the feeling away and schooling her face, 'Vella' mentally prepared 'herself' for this little trip.

When the men hoisted this thing up onto their shoulder 'Vella' almost yelped because it felt so weird, she discretely garbed the hand of the closest lady in waiting who just smiled calmly and squeezed 'Vella's' hand back.

When they had traveled by carriage from Storkall to this place Vale had barely looked out the windows, to far in his inner turmoil to enjoy the beauty of another kingdom. Now it was like he was seeing this place for the first time, the buildings, the people and the colors where all new to the fire haired 'princess'. Even the smell's from the baker shops where new, more sweet and less hardy then the baker shops in Storkall.

'Vella' wasn't to sure if she was to wave at passer's by or not,
'She' couldn't help but smile at a few children who were pointing and waving enthusiastically. A pair of boys that they passed reminded Vale of his little brother and himself...as one of the boys had the smaller one on his shoulders. It sent a small stab of homesickness through the 'princess'.