Miraculous: Rapture - Chapter 1 - Not Prepared
A knock came from the door. A pair of tiny creatures with small bodies and large heads raised their heads. They watched the door as it opened and the handmaiden, Rose, stepped into the room. She smiled and waved at the creatures before she threw back the curtains and let in the early morning light.
“Rise and shine, your Majesty!” Rose sang.
Rose threw open more curtains as the sun’s rays hit Marinette’s face. Marinette groaned and pulled her blanket over her face. Rose giggled and ripped the blanket off of Marinette.
“Now, now, your Majesty, you mustn’t go back to sleep. Today is a very important day. Surely you haven’t forgotten, have you?”
Marinette huffed and yawned. “Of course not. What… what day is it?”
“What other day, your Majesty? The Diamond Gala starts today.”
Marinette sighed and rolled back over. “Ah, yes. The Diamond Gala.”
Rose stood and waited a few seconds before Marinette sat up with a frantic expression.
“Oh no! It’s the Diamond Gala!”
Marinette scrambled and fell off her bed as she fought to get to her feet. She ran around the room while Rose made up her bed, then headed into the bathroom. She ran from bookcase to bookcase as she collected a stack of books. She dumped them onto her desk and disturbed the creatures. They flew up as she took a seat and scoured them.
“Marinette, what are you doing?” Gimmi, the creature with a white body and cicada wings, asked.
“Studying. I have only a few hours, if that, before the bulk of the nobles arrive. Then, even fewer hours before I’m presented before them. Then I’ll be expected to mingle with them,” Marinette blurted.
“But you’ve mingled with nobles before. This isn’t that different,” Vana, the creature with a colorful chameleon body, commented.
“But it is different! I won’t just be mingling. I’ll be courting! I’ve got to flirt and… and other stuff! And I’m not ready!”
“Oh, come now, it’s not that hard. It’s just like talking,” Gimmi reassured.
“No, it’s not. At least, not according to all my books,” Marinette whined.
“Marinette, those are trashy romance novels made for cheap arousal,” Gimmi commented.
Marinette gasped and hugged a book. “How dare you! These are works of art.”
“Yeah, I’m not dealing with this. Vana, she’s all yours,” Gimmi remarked and vanished.
“Oh, Vana, what am I going to do? I’m not ready. I need more time. I need more books. Rose, sweetie?”
“Now, hold on. You’ve read plenty of these books. You have an idea of how courting works, right?”
“And you’ve been educated on how this works from Sabine, right?”
“That’s all you need. Besides, you also have us. You have nothing to worry about.”
Rose poked her head out of the bathroom. “And me! Don’t forget me! Oh, and your bath is ready, your Majesty.”
“Go on. Relax and then we’ll go meet with Sabine.”
Marinette nodded and stepped into the bathroom. Rose undressed Marinette and left the room as Marinette stepped into the bath. She washed herself with the oils and gels that Rose selected. She smiled as she took a deep breath and inhaled the intoxicating scent of roses, jasmine, and vanilla. She sighed and reveled in them. She lounged as she played with the bubbles and thought of the day ahead of her.
Marinette would be participating in her first Diamond Gala. She had seen others and participated in few others, but this one would be different. She had seen twenty-one summers and was of age. It was time for her to find her royal consort and prepare to take over the empire. It was her duty as all others before. A duty she embraced, but she feared what was to come at the Diamond Gala.
Given Marinette’s inclusion and purpose, the Diamond Gala this year would be a month-long affair instead of the usual week. All eyes would be on her as every noble from the kings and queen to the barons and baronesses would do everything to win her approval and her heart. If this gala were like all the others, she’d be eager to participate. It was the highlight of the year for her. To meet the nobles from far and wide. To learn from them personally about their kingdoms, customs, everything. It was something she could never get from her books, and she loved it. However, with her needing to choose a consort, everything would be different.
Marinette took a sharp breath as she fought the oncoming nerves and thoughts. She could just enjoy a simple conversation and tea with a noble. Every move, every word, every action would have a motive to it. She would be the jewel to every power hungry noble her mother, Sabine, had warned her to watch out for. Sabine taught her what to look out for, but what if there was something she missed? What if there was something that Sabine didn’t know? Would she fall victim to such a noble? Would she be played for a fool?
Marinette’s mind spiraled and her heart pounded. Each new breath came harder as she envisioned ravenous snakes and wolves that nipped at her heels, all too eager to devour her. She brought her knees to her chest as she vividly imagined every possible trick they’d use to fool and deceive her. She took deep, hallow breaths as the snakes and wolves closed in on her, lost in inescapable darkness.
“Rose!” Marinette screeched.
Rose burst into the room and up to Marinette. “What’s wrong? Allergic reaction? I told the Queen those oils would be bad for you! Let me get the good ones.”
“Rose, what am I going to do? The gala starts today! The nobles will be here today! And they’ll all want me. Oh, what if I make a mistake? What if one plays me for a fool? What will I do? I’m not ready for this.”
“Oh, well, uh, oh! Just look for the ones in your books.”
“That’s right. The dashing, charming, and super attentive women that would worship the ground you walk on.”
“Women and men. Actually, thinking on that, shouldn’t I choose a male consort? I’d need to produce an heir and-.”
Marinette stopped mid-sentence as she paled. Rose opened her mouth but was cut off by Marinette.
“Rose! What if the nobles want to… to… you know… with me? Mom said it’d be ok, and I’d be protected from unintended consequences, but am I ready? Every book I’ve read has ended with such a momentous act, but have I read enough to know what to do? What if I forget? What if I make a fool of myself? I’ll be the laughingstock of all the courts!”
“Your Majesty, please, you’re working yourself up. Try to relax and not worry about it.”
“How? It’s in a few hours and then I’ll be thrown to the wolves!”
“I won’t? What do you mean?”
“You’ll have me, Mari. You know you’ll always have me at your side. Only death can take me away, but even I doubt death can keep me from you.”
Marinette smiled. “You’ll be there? You’ll keep me safe?”
“I always have, Mari. No one has ever or will ever harm you so long as I’m here. And I’ll always be here.”
“What would I do without you, Rose?”
“You’ll never have to worry about that. Now, let’s get you ready. I have your gown selected and everything.”
Marinette nodded and got out. Rose dried Marinette off and got her dressed. Marinette and Rose headed towards Sabine and Tom’s sitting room with Gimmi and Vana. They all stepped inside with Marinette, Gimmi, and Vana approached Sabine and Tom while Rose stayed at the door.
“Oh, look at you. All grown up. My darling girl,” Sabine said.
“How you feeling, kiddo?” Tom asked.
“Nervous. Very nervous,” Marinette answered.
“Well, we have the first day all planned out. We’ll do a quick introduction in the throne room, present you, and have you escorted to the private gardens. We had Vana and Gimmi set up a nice little area for you and some of the other nobility to mingle. You know, give you a chance to see what’s available,” Sabine explained.
“I… I won’t be alone, will I?”
“Not at all. You’ll have Rose with you. She’s-.”
“But not just Rose. Your old man managed to get you a little extra security. Vana, Gimmi, bring her in,” Tom interrupted.
Gimmi and Vana opened a portal that cut off Sabine. They all watched as a short woman with wild, spiked red hair and bright, pale blue armor stepped through. The knight flashed a smile and fell to her knees in a bow.
“Pleased to make the acquaintance of the royal family. I am Ser Alix, at your service.”
Marinette’s eyes widened as she grinned. “Ser Alix? As in the Ser Alix? The wandering knight known across the realm for their valiant, selfless deeds that have saved countless people?”
Alix rose and winked. “The very same, your Grace.”
Marinette squealed. “You must have so many stories from all your travels. You must tell them to me. I want to hear all about your glorious deeds.”
“Oh, excellent! I’ve heard many things, but it’ll be amazing to-.”
Sabine cleared her throat, interrupting Marinette. “This can wait until after, Marinette. First, business.”
Marinette nodded and stood up. Sabine called on Gimmi and Vana. The pair phased into light and vanished into Sabine. Marinette watched Sabine’s hair bloom into a prismatic mane, two additional sets of eyes open, and an ethereal, prismatic tail flowed behind her. Sabine held out her hands and created a white circlet with an angelic glow. Sabine placed it on Marinette’s head.
“This will keep you safe for the event. No poison shall fall you, no blade shall pierce you, and no bastards.”
Marinette’s face flushed as she looked away. She glanced back as Vana and Gimmi left Sabine who reverted to normal.
“Alright, the nobles will have gathered in the throne room by now. Are you ready to be introduced?” Sabine asked.
“As ready as I can be,” Marinette answered.
Sabine smiled and cupped Marinette’s cheek. “You’ll do well, my darling girl. Never forget what I’ve taught you. And always trust your heart.”
“I will. I won’t let you do.”
Marinette beamed and kissed Sabine’s cheek, who returned the gesture.
“Come. The nobles await us.”
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