That morning, Marianne was actually looking forward to having a pleasant, relaxing day. Not only did the meeting with Potter’s Guild and Taskforce for Great Library Renovation cancelled today, she had also managed to finish her appraisal of Rupee Valuation Act one day earlier courtesy of pushing herself hard yesterday. So today she only needed to submit it to Ministry of Finance and let her ministers decided the final draft. After her daily fencing and archery training, the princess actually had time to spare until her dancing and calligraphy lessons later this evening.
So, she sent an invitation along with a few mounted escorts to her distant cousin slash big sister’s house, asking whether she would like to have a late-morning tea with her. She returned from her fencing match delighted. Selene had arrived, and the tea room in the Royal Compund had been prepared for them both. This delightful little room, with wide open arches overlooking the Inner Courtyard was the favorite room of her late mother The Queen, and her preferred room for non-official reception. Marianne also faintly remembered that this was the room where she first met Lady von Brandt. In the center of the room was placed a small, round table tea made of fragrant wood. It was around this table that Marianne and Selene sat, having small talks while accompanied by bits of freshly toasted biscuits and a pot of Marianne’s favorite rose-infused tea for company. It was a pleasant morning.
***
“As I said before, big sister Selene,” Marianne continued, pouring tea on Selene’s empty cup for the second time,
“I would like nothing more than to formally announce you and your siblings to the realm. It would certainly allow us Royal Children to delegate some responsibilities to you. And, honestly, I think the reason I keep being short is because of the weight of my responsibilities!”The princess cut a relaxed figure as she let out a small laugh and picked a biscuit after putting the tea back on the table. She wore an airy, loose dress colored faded red today, accented with a golden sash. Her knees were kept close, while her legs slanted a little to her left with her feet crossed near the ankles. She took a small bite out of the biscuit, taking care to properly swallow it before continuing.
“However, I am under obligation to clearly tell you the repercussion of such revelation, especially for you and your immediate circles. While you will certainly receive preferential treatments in accordance with your status, it also means that far more will be expected of your conduct and behavior. Also your language- wait have I promised to enroll you in an etiquette class before, big sister?” The princess frowned a little,
“I have to remember this later. It will also mean that you will have your schedule laid out for you and official duties to attend which really eat up the time to do what you want, unless you sacrifice some sleep, like you know I do.” She smiled cheekily, knowing full well Selene knew already of her ‘
going on an errand’ tendencies.
Taking a sip from her cup, Marianne resumed.
“And then you will have to live in the castle, not in Sir Josh’s ranch anymore. To have a permanent cadre of Royal Guards in Ordon just to guard you would be harsh on our budget. On the same grounds letting you without protection is also out of the question. Once your status as Royalty is known, there will always be unsavory people and factions to take advantage of you. Especially with our kingdom being in a strangely dangerous times like now. I don’t know what I’d say to Aunt Theia in the afterlife if I let you get kidnapped because-“"F-forgive my intrusion! But there's something you need to see!"
***
The princess’ eyebrows visibly raised. One of the guards hurriedly came in. And not just some guards. He was actually one of The Royal Guards privy to the secrets of The Merrows lineage.
“Calm down, Brady,” Marianne replied, gracefully putting her cup of tea and unfinished biscuit on a small plate on the table, “Let me see that poster. Please, take a seat.”
It was the mark of Marianne’s attentiveness that she remembered the names of all her Royal Guards, and then some. Some of the populace viewed her as rather aloof, due to her strict personality when in duty, very much unlike her sociable brother and sister. But to those who knew her, she was actually a very caring person, personally making it her mission to know all those who served her on personal level and help them out whenever possible.
And when she did go out to socialize with the masses, she went incognito so skillfully that few even recognized her as the princess.
She read the poster in one glance, expression neutral, before giving it to Selene and turned her attention towards the royal guard.
“All I can say is that they are not very professional. That is not how to demand ransom. There is no mention of time limit, for one. And to apply pressure, one usually send bits and pieces of the hostage-“
“Such dark thoughts, Your Highness.”
Marianne turned around and nodded. A black dressed Sheikah entered the room, as if in a well-rehearsed scenario.
“I apologize Miss Eva. My thoughts seemed to turn to darkness more readily these days….” That… rang truer than it should. She still shuddered thinking about how she almost killed two men in cold blood a few days ago in front of that Kokiri…. “But that is the modus operandi of the Shade’s Gang. So we know these are not them, at the very least.”
“And not the Silver Fangs, too,” Miss Eva commented, after glancing at the poster from behind Selene’s shoulder, “So either a new group, or an old but obscure one.”
Marianne’s eyes glinted. Despite her being seemingly unperturbed, she was actually quite concerned. “I’ll list the general principles first, then.” And Miss Eva, knowing that her charge was already formulating a plan, crossed her arms and waited. The Royal Guard, sensing he was a little out of sync with these two great minds also kept quiet. “One. We will provide the 100.000 rupees in four sacks. Two. Either you, Big Sister- “ at this she looked at Selene, “-or someone else have to bring the rupees to the agreed meeting place. I cannot be seen, for once they realize they are dealing with The Royal Family they will surely demand more. Or worse. Three. The one bringing the ransom will be in a considerable risk, so he or she will be accompanied by four Royal Guards proficient in defensive spells, disguised as the carrier of the four sacks. Four. We will not let these people get away with this. So, once we secure Miss Merrows the younger, we will wipe them off the face of Hyrule. A small cadre of Royal Guards should do the deed. Any questions?”
There was a strange, almost scary expression on the princess’ face as she said the last few words. But Marianne herself did not seem to notice. She knew full well that her question was just a formality, not expecting to be questioned when she was this spirited, and Miss Eva and The Town Guard seemed to wordlessly understood. Miss Eva, however, seemed to dislike the implications of 'Royal Guards'.
“So, that leaves us with the probable scenarios,” she continued. Her fingers were connected on her lap forming a triangle. “First-case scenario, they will take the money and return the hostage as agreed. Judging from their amateurish threat, I am inclined to think that this is the course they will take. So, after we secure the hostage, we will move to apprehend the kidnappers. Done.”
The princess cleared her throat. “Second-case scenario. They will take the money and renegade on their promise to release the hostage. In this case we will follow their representatives in secret, find their hideout, and ambush them when the time is right and secure the hostage. Done.”
At this the princess lowered her tone, as if a little concerned. “The third-case scenario- and this is the worst outcome possible. Is that they decide to attack our representative and try to kidnap him or her too. If it comes to this, our representative must hold out as long as possible while the other squad try to secure the hostage as fast as possible before entering the fray. Needless to say, the hostage can be killed at any time in this scenario….”
There was a slight pause as the princess seemingly mused to herself. But soon, her gaze fell towards the Royal Guard. “Which is why I’d like to have words with your scouts before we commence this operation. The sooner we can locate where the hostage is being held, the better. Miss Eva, is Chaska available?”
The Royal guard muttered, "It will be done, Your Highness." while the black-dressed Sheikah raised her eyebrows. “I’ll look into it. Your Highness, surely you do not intend to come yourself?”
“I do have time,” the princess shrugged, “And I like Chaska. She doesn’t talk much, but she gets things done. I’d feel safer entrusting big sister -or myself for that matter- in her hands.”
She really kept her composure, the princess. One would think that she faced dire things like this in daily basis. She almost looked insultingly nonchalant about this whole affair. Although the very fact that she was sitting here drafting their plans showed that the princess took this personally. She smoothed the edges of her dress.
“So! That leaves us with the timeframe. It is not mentioned in the poster, so the onus is on us. It will take some time to get the rupees and other preparations underway, and I don’t want to make them suspicious by seemingly being too eager to meet them.” She tapped her chin.
“It is either late this afternoon, when the darkening day provides advantage for our stealth but hinder our search, or tomorrow morning, when the condition will be reversed. It will also mean we are leaving Miss Merrows for another night…”
Slowly, her eyes turned towards Selene. She could feel the gaze of Miss Eva and The Royal Guard fell upon her also.
“What do you think, Big Sister?” she asked, smiling.
Selene Merrows Eosine Merrows There will be another round of explaining who is in the squad, if Selene agree to bring the rupee, and Marianne's few advice to Selene. But they can get in action soon!
