Never Meant to Stay - chap. 2
Royalty!au - princess!cait x noblewoman!vi
Synopsis - Caitlyn is tired of the endless suitors, playing princess, and arranged relationships. Vi is a noblewoman trying to move up in society. When given the offer of a life time - tame the stubborn princess for a place in the royal court - Vi accepts. Can she stay focused on the task at hand, or will she begin to find courting princess Caitlyn to be more than a tool to success?
Note; Not proofread, WC = 1176
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Vi stepped out of the meeting hall, running her hand over her hair and letting out a sigh. If she was to secure the first major alliance for her newly formed nation she had to work quickly. She was only in the Kiramman estate for 2 weeks, and that was just going to have to be enough time win the princess over.
Snapping back into thought, Vi stepped into motion and walked down the hall scanning for a sign of someone. She heard a door click and turned abruptly.
"Hello?" she called as she stared, she saw the curtains move slightly and squinted. She walked over and stared at the door, peaking through the small barred window into what looked to be a training room where she saw none other than Princess Caitlyn. With a smirk and a deep breath she turned the knob and stepped in.
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Caitlyn focused on her movement as she recalled the warm up movements she'd observed the knights perform before their rounds. She kept her movement fluid as she pushed into a lunge, reaching her hands to either side of her and leaning back slightly. Doing her best to to keep her footing and balance she pulled back quickly onto one leg, she wobbled as she stood center and felt a hand on her back as she began to lean.
"Your movements are too jumpy," a woman's voice said.
Caitlyn jumped and pulled back, putting distance between herself and the pink haired woman.
"Who are you," the princess demanded.
"Counselor Vi of the newly formed Zaun," she said with a bow, "and you are?"
"A counselor foolish enough to ask the princess who she is," Caitlyn sneered, unmoved by the counselor's charm.
Vi cleared her throat, "My apologies, I just wanted to be polite, princess," she said, nearly purring Caitlyn's title.
Caitlyn scoffed and turned away, brushing off her gown and walking to the door.
"Leaving so soon?"
"I am not allowed the grace of doing what I want counselor, I'm afraid I have duties to attend to."
"Surely one of those duties is training? Your left leg is weak, that's what causes your jumpiness."
Caitlyn scowled and promptly left the training room.
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"-creates a better balance that way... Caitlyn!"
The princess shook her head, falling back into focus, "Yes, I'm paying attention."
"Then what did I say," her instructor fussed.
"Square my shoulders, lift my chin, never cross my legs," she trailed off.
"You are impossible! I cannot teach such a lady manners," the lanky man cried, "You do not pay attention!"
"I am, Leonard!"
"No! You hear what I say, but you do not listen! If you did, we would not be here! You are near 21 years princess and you are unmarried! All of my hard work has wasted."
"Perhaps I don't want to concern myself with endless suitors," she grumbled.
"Perhaps you will remember what your mother said."
Caitlyn scowled at the memory of her mothers threat, if Caitlyn did not choose a suitor by her 21st birthday, she'd be sent off to an arranged marriage of her mother's choosing, and idea she detested more than the courting process itself.
"I... I'll try harder," Caitlyn sighed.
"I should hope so," Leonard huffed, "You are to attend the welcome banquet this evening."
Caitlyn groaned and leaned back in her chair, already dreading the evening ahead of her.
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There was a knock on the door as Vi lounged on the velvet arm chair in her room.
"Enter," she called as she sat up.
A short and stout woman entered with a dressing cart and two younger handmaids behind her.
"Lady Violet," she said with a slight accent, "we are here to prepare you for the banquet this evening."
Vi cocked her head as she checked her stop watch, "That's not for another 4 hours."
The head maid laughed at the woman's words, "You humor us! You must be bathed, groomed, dressed, and powdered, madam. We need all of those 4 hours."
"P-powdered??? No ma'am, I believe you have me mistaken I don't wear-"
"Tsk! And this mop! So short," she fussed walking over to vi, scanning her, "I suppose Giselle can do something with this. Marina, draw the bath!"
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After 4 hours of fussing, plucking, and fluffing Vi was able to get ready for the banquet, negotiating only a slight blush to her cheeks and a rich velvet waistcoat as opposed to the gown the maids had brought. She followed the two officers who arrived to escort her to the banquet.
Large golden double doors were opened as Vi stepped into the large banquet hall. The table was adorned with royal blue runners on silk table cloths, fabrics richer than some of the suits Vi owned in her own home. A small orchestra played quietly in the back of the room, setting a lively tone for the guests as they entered. Vi scanned the room and caught sight of the princess tucked into a corner. She cut her way through the small crowd and strolled smoothly to the princesses side, bowing.
"Good evening, your grace," she smirked.
"Stand up," Caitlyn hissed, "Do not-" she looked around before pulling Vi out onto the balcony behind the throne display, "Do not draw attention to me like that, ever."
Vi stood up straight grinning, "Apologies, princess. I wasn't aware of Piltover's customs."
"Customs," Caitlyn shook her head pinching between her brows, "It's not customs. I do not like attention."
"A princess who doesn't like attention," Vi cocked her head, "There's a first."
Caitlyn scowled, "What do you want from me, counselor? You've been incessant since you've arrived."
"Do I need reason to be in company of you, princess," Vi purred, stepping closer.
"At this moment in time, you do."
"So there may be a moment where I do not?"
"Answer my question first, counselor."
"As you wish. Let's see," Vi began looking up as to mock thinking, "Well that's right, my reason tonight is I'd like to know what dish you recommend off of the banquet menu."
"You can ask the help for recommendations," Caitlyn scoffed walking back to the door, pausing as Vi reached out grabbing her arm.
"You seem to have an affliction for walking away from me, princess."
"Release me."
"Humor me," she sighed dropping the princess's arm.
Caitlyn crossed her eyes examining the counselor before speaking, "The creamed spinach pasta, that's what I usually request."
"Wonderful! So you can engage in conversation."
"Watch your tone, counselor. You've not yet fallen in my graces."
"Apologies. I do believe I answered your question, however," she smiled stepping closer, leaning on a wall to block off the door, "Might you be as kind to return the favor?"
Caitlyn scoffed fighting off a grin, "Work on your charm, counselor. Perhaps I'll indulge in your company when you can drop that swollen head of yours."
Vi let out a chuckle; Caitlyn seized the opportunity to move to the door, "Enjoy the banquet, counselor. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the pasta."