Chapter Text
Princess Katherine hurriedly opens the front door of her house and pushes her seemingly unwanted guest out, making him stumble on her short steps and fall face-first on the brick floor of the alleyway.
"I love it when you do that," the man says, sending her a flirtatious look as he gets on his feet.
The princess sticks her tongue out at him and then throws a small bag at his face, which he catches and laughs.
He pats off some dirt that clings to his vividly colored cloak and gives a smooth bow to the fuming lady.
"I shall be off now, Katherine, my love-!" His cheerful voice is cut off when another bag, simpler looking than the first, is hurled at his face; this time, he isn't able to catch it.
"Feisty as always," the man chuckles, running a hand down his brown hair and winking at the princess, who only rolls her eyes at him, but there is a small smile gracing her lips.
The man then slings the bags over his shoulder. "See you in a month or so" he bids her goodbye and waves as he walks away.
Katherine huffs lightly, waving. "May the winds and sea be at your travel's favor" she whispers.
"May your paths be cleared of danger, and may sickness never come near you."
"I can't believe you still pray that" a voice interrupts the lady who was following the other with her eyes as his figure faded from sight.
"Of course I still do; everyone I know was never in danger whenever I pray" she smiles softly.
Xisuma, Pearl, Lauren, and Wels all smile back.
"Hey, Kath" Lady Lauren greets when the owner of the house widens the opening leading to her house and gestures for them to enter.
"Long time no see, Lauren" she gives Lauren a side hug and pats Wels on the shoulder when he walks past.
Princess Pearl this time gives a proper greeting and hugs the other princess tightly; the two laugh fondly before parting.
"I told you-know-who and a few others about you-know-what" Pearl says in a sing-song way, batting her eyelashes at the flabbergasted Katherine.
"Pri—Pearl! I'm tired of guests" Princess Katherine scrambles for words Lady Lauren grins.
"Oh, no one's going to visit nor bother you, don't worry," Pearl shrugs and joins the two others.
Katherine groans, Xisuma gives her a comforting smile then lightly laughs when Katherine does not return the smile.
"SoOo...this is where you've been huh?" Lady Lauren asks as Katherine serves them tea and muffins they've brought.
"It's what I've always wanted, you all know that" the princess reminds them, to which the lady agrees.
Princess Pearl contently smiles and folds the dress she ordered and stuffs it in the bag Katherine included.
Knight Wels then remembers a certain letter from the Evo royal family and searches the bag of the princess and Lady Lauren.
The two agreed to share a bag so that they may not be bothered with their visit, much to the joy of them both.
Knight Wels offers to carry it for them.
Wels holds a rather thick letter and presents it to Princess Katherine, who, after so long of receiving no mail, is so thrilled that she completely abandons the muffins she was unpacking and goes to receive the envelope.
"Ah! It's been so long, I hope it's gossip" she gasps, tracing her fingers over the waxed seal of the royal sigil.
Lady Lauren gives her a smirk and a nod to which she cheers once more.
Xisuma lifts lifts his cup of tea and blows at it softly, eyeing the letter with curiosity.
Katherine then goes back to the muffins and serves them at once, her guests all chatting and enjoying each other's company.
"Hey, Katherine? Was that the pirate earlier" Xisuma says casually, and takes a sip of his tea.
The other three slowly turn to look at the mentioned princess, who nervously smiles and pours herself a drink.
"Y-yes, actually, he just came to pick up an order" she tucks a stray hair behind her ear.
Princess Pearl lets out a disbelieving noise and gives Lady Lauren an 'are you seeing this?' kind of look, to which the lady widens her eyes as if to say 'are we thinking the same thing?'
Knight Wels cracks a silent laugh as Princess Katherine sips her tea and contemplates her life choices.
"Wait! Is he the reason you left?!" Pearl shrieks, and Lauren gasps and holds a hand to her mouth, eyes alight.
"WhaAat?! No" Katherine lets out a surprised laugh.
"There's another one?!" Lady Lauren speculates excitedly, nudging Princess Pearl, who giggles at the possibility.
"Is it the witch lady" Pearl grins and wiggles her eyebrows at Katherine, who cringes momentarily before the words register.
"She's not a witch! She's an alchemist" Katherine stresses, both because she admitted it and is tired of the two, which makes all of them burst out laughing, except Katherine, of course.
The princess covers her face with her hands as she takes the form of a tomato.
"I KNEW IT" Pearl cheers.
"Nice catch, Kath" Lauren laughs and winks.
"Ugh, I hate you" Katherine says, dropping her hands to her lap, her cheeks still tinted red and a pout on her mouth.
The men with them share a toast with their teacups as the three women continue to bicker.
"Kath, spill the tea," Pearl says, leaning in with a mischievous grin. "What's the deal with the pirate?"
"and the witch" lady lauren adds
"She's an alchemist! Gosh get it right"
"potatoe potaeto, you're changing the subject" princess pearl points out.
Katherine rolls her eyes, trying to play it cool. "Nothing, he's just... an acquaintance."
Lauren raises an eyebrow. "An acquaintance who makes you blush and an absolute mess of goo?"
Katherine's cheeks flush, but didn't offer anymore explanation.
"Come onnnn, don't tell me he's just some customer, you obviously care for the guy" pearl scoffs at katherine but there was no heat behind it
Xisuma chuckles. "A customer who gets thrown bags at his face?"
The group bursts out laughing again, and Katherine throws a muffin at them. "Shut up!"
Wels, still smiling, intervenes.
"I'm starting to see a pattern regarding the identities of those she finds interest in"
Pearl gasps. "Ooh, I wonder whyyy?? Is it related to her wanting to be a 'monster hunter'? " recalling the other princess' childhood dream to be.
Katherine's face turns tomato-red again. "Just drop it, guys." she groans as the others laugh.