Post by Marianne de Hyrule on Nov 3, 2020 15:18:11 GMT
A few weeks after The Knighting Ceremony....
“Apparently, the last time they applied for a membership, they were rejected,” said Eva, after consulting another book. “It was during your…. disappearance….”
The sheikah’s voice trailed off, knowing that this topic was very sensitive for Marianne, even with someone as close as her own sheikah attendant. Marianne nodded.
“Just so you know, Your Highness, I think it will be easier for us both if you let a scribe write it for you. Or let me do it, for that matter.”
“That might be so, Miss Eva. But if I don’t start training to write again now, when can I ever write again? I haven’t used these hands for so long….”
Adjoined to the Throne Room of Hyrule Castle was a small hall, connected by a set of heavy oak door beautifully carved with floral motifs. It was originally used as a storage room of sorts, or a place where a small battalion of soldiers could be stationed in the case of a planned ambush to the throne room. Princess Marianne, however, had no need of such things. A few days after the Twilight Table ended she ordered this small hall to be cleared and also for the wide table to be moved there, repurposing it as a kind of a study room. Now that the throne room was empty more often than not, with King Leon busy campaigning here and there, there was a tacit understanding among the castle populace that this room had become the unofficial center of the whole kingdom. It was to this room that dignitaries and scribes and envoys were brought to be received by Princess Marianne. In effect, the Throne had become just another room to be passed through.
Adjoined to the Throne Room of Hyrule Castle was a small hall, connected by a set of heavy oak door beautifully carved with floral motifs. It was originally used as a storage room of sorts, or a place where a small battalion of soldiers could be stationed in the case of a planned ambush to the throne room. Princess Marianne, however, had no need of such things. A few days after the Twilight Table ended she ordered this small hall to be cleared and also for the wide table to be moved there, repurposing it as a kind of a study room. Now that the throne room was empty more often than not, with King Leon busy campaigning here and there, there was a tacit understanding among the castle populace that this room had become the unofficial center of the whole kingdom. It was to this room that dignitaries and scribes and envoys were brought to be received by Princess Marianne. In effect, the Throne had become just another room to be passed through.
It was a rather pleasant room, too. Although the stony walls of the hall were bare, the hall itself was dry and warm, with the many windows up high positioned in such a way that it allowed sunlight to enter from dawn till dusk while keeping the wind away. A small fireplace was placed on the left to be lit as needed, although at present it had no fire. Dominating the hall was a massive wooden table, the Twilight Table. It was last used by Marianne’s call after almost a century of absence. During the Twilight Table proceedings, in which basically the entire government of the kingdom was summoned in one place, the table creaked with the weight of countless tomes and scrolls and parchments detailing anything from maps to kingdom’s budget. Right now it wasn’t burdened as heavily, although there were still voluminous amount of writings and books upon it to overwhelm any scholar. There were no tens of illustrious names to wade through the contents either, no. Only two people were in the hall. And there were only two high-backed chairs, one a little more ornate than the other.
Princess Marianne carefully lifted her quill pen, making lines over a parchment she was analyzing. She was making some adjustments to a set of new regulations on road width and toll taxes that was due to be announced next week. At this afternoon she wore a plain cotton gown with faded red color, embroidered with gold seams along its high neckline and in the middle of her upper arms, which was bell-shaped, accented with white lines. A pair of long gloves with complimenting color covered every inch of her arms down to her fingers, concealing some of the scars which had not yet faded. It was said that when she was found, Princess Marianne was full of bruises and her hands essentially mangled. She had been careful to cover most of her body afterwards. But even with the gown somewhat form-fitting design, it was still evident that she had been losing weight: she was a little too thin for others not to be concerned. But she was still healthy, at least, judging from her bright eyes and shiny black hair, tinged with red, upon which a golden tiara rested. Beside her was her sheikah guard, Evanidus, which had chosen to stand rather than sit like her liege, watching the princess’ effort to write with incredulity.
“Done,” the princess exclaimed, sighing with delight. As she put her quill pen back in its inkwell the sheikah took the parchment wordlessly and skimmed its entire content.
“Are you sure about the fish cart part?” inquired Evanidus, without lifting her eyes from the writings.
“Are you sure about the fish cart part?” inquired Evanidus, without lifting her eyes from the writings.
“Lowered its road tax, yes,” answered the princess, now gently massaging her temple. “Perhaps this way our Lanayru fishermen can compete with the Zora’s catch in attracting buyers. Just a plan, but we will review it as it goes.”
There was no more question as the sheikah finished her reading and nodded, putting the parchment on a stack on the right ride of the table which contained all documents that had been reviewed by the princess.
“And next is the progress on Eldin’s road, if I am not mistaken?” Marianne yawned, pushing her back to lean on her chair, relaxing a little. “Oh, are we expecting a guest, Miss Eva?”
“Let’s see….” mumbled the sheikah, picking up an opened tome, “Just one. A delegate from the Monster Research Council of Hyrule. After that we are finished for today.”
“Let’s see….” mumbled the sheikah, picking up an opened tome, “Just one. A delegate from the Monster Research Council of Hyrule. After that we are finished for today.”
“Monster Research Council?” the princess asked, now staring at the ceiling. “The name eluded me…. Are they a member of Hyrule Royal Academy?”
“Apparently, the last time they applied for a membership, they were rejected,” said Eva, after consulting another book. “It was during your…. disappearance….”
The sheikah’s voice trailed off, knowing that this topic was very sensitive for Marianne, even with someone as close as her own sheikah attendant. Marianne nodded.
“A pity. From their name they could have been useful in The Battle of Eldin.”
