Caterina Frenandaz Versini.
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''I know, ma. I have known for the past couple months.'' Caterina said, hinting at the marriage arranged-- or rather assigned-- to marry as she watched Zoron; Her well-trusted servant zip up her fourth bag that had her heels, flats, and any extra makeup, or toilette necessities. ''I know honey. I am asking for your opinion about it.'' Her mom, Queen Chloe asked as she settled at the end of her daughter's queen sized bed, crossing her legs gracefully. Although the woman was almost in her fifties, she wore her age well. The slight eye wrinkles at the side of her eyes and smile wrinkles just added more personality to the beautiful fair skinned woman with long brown hair, similar to her daughter's. Caterina glanced at her mom and gave her a gentle smile, but it barely flattened her full, pink lips.
''My opinion? As Caterina? Or as future queen?'' Caterina asked, her heavy, Sveariken (Swedish) accent made the words roll off her tongue sounding a little too foreign, although she had been speaking English ever since she was four along side Sveariken.
''You know your sister never thought of herself as two different personalities. You are a future Queen. You are one and the same, Tina.'' The older woman said, her tone softening yet it had an underlying feel of scolding. Caterina took a sharp turn to stare at her mother as she merely signaled for Zoron to go.
''Do. Not. Call. Me. That.'' Caterina warned as the common name rang in her ears.
''I know how and what Amelia was, Ma. Amelia is-- was the queen, but I am not.'' She turned away from her mother, packing some of her vanity things into a backpack.
''Caterina Frenandaz Versini was not born for this.'' Caterina said, her voice slowly turning flat as it had always been.
''But Caterina Frenandaz Versini will be the queen you want her to be. I don't mind an arranged marriage, hasn't life always been arranged for us?'' She said, taking immense pride in her name this time as she slowly turned to her mom, with the same autocratic smile she always wore.
Chloe sighed and got off the bed, knowing that once Caterina took the defensive route there was no way out. She headed to her daughter and slowly wrapped her arms around her daughter's shoulders. Something that did not happen often. ''You will be fine. You are strong.'' She said softly as she pulled back and rubbed her daughter's arms and then held her hands.
''My daughters were both raised to rule.'' Chloe assured with a confident, gentle smile.
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The flight from Svearike to the great Aciras took roughly nine hours. Throughout the long flight, Caterina had kept to herself. Although she was surrounded by Zoron and the rest of the jet's staff, she wasn't talking or even responding much. She knew what was to come during the upcoming three months; Lots of questions about Amelia whether spoken or not, she knew what she saw in everyone's eyes around her. It was either pity or distaste; however, she took it upon herself ever since she was fourteen that she would prove everyone and anyone wrong. She was made to be Queen as much as her sister was. During the extensive thinking, she may have fallen asleep for a couple of hours as the long flight seemed to pass a little quicker than she had anticipated. Caterina had never been that far from Svearike, but she had visited almost all nearby kingdoms, including Anduin, where Prince Nikolai Johanssen was from.
She was escorted out of the jet, dressed in black skinny jeans and a simple black chiffon blouse as well as basic white sneakers, her hair pulled up in a high ponytail. She took her sunglasses off, enjoying the soft sun as they slowly dip into winter. Zoron, a fourty five old man with a fit physique and a light beard, smiled down at his Princess. ''You have always loved the sun, haven't you?'' He said with a light grin. Caterina looked at Zoron and smiled with a little nod.
''Who does not.'' She mumbled as she was lead into the black, sedan, elongated car. With her was another black sedan and a significantly bigger car that held her gifts to the royalties of Aciras.
Caterina was first led into one of the biggest hotel of the country, in order to get ready. She decided to get no help for this do-up. Her entrance was going to be dramatic enough as it was planned, so she kept it simple and nice for her look. She slowly slipped on her dark crismon dress that hugged her small curves in all the right places; It stopped right under her knees. She put on her black stilettos that had multiple intertwined crisscrossed designs on her feet. The dress dipped in slightly to showcase enough cleavage, yet it left enough to the imagination. Caterina felt a little exposed with the show of chest and arms with her spaghetti straps, so she threw on a chiffon, black, loose, moving cardigan. She slipped on her dog tag, letting it slide under the dress, for it to look like a simple silver necklace around her neck. She also kept on her usual promise ring that consisted of two little diamonds meeting each other in between the white gold metal wrapped around her ring finger on her right hand.
She scanned herself as she started working on her hair. She slowly made into a soft bun with her long bangs falling on her face, complimenting it. She added a dab of matte, soft nude lipstick as well as a hint of nude eye shadow and thin eyeliner that framed her caramel eyes beautifully. She grabbed her simple, black clutch that held her lipstick and phone. She gave herself a look before announcing she was ready.
Caterina's face looked natural, youthful and soft. The dress and cardigan showcasing her slim physique yet covering it up. Her steps in the heels she wore showcased confidence, elegance, and sophistication. She knew she carried herself well, and she was not afraid to show it.
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Through the ride from the hotel to the castle, Zoron had helped Caterina review the royalties that were to attend.
''Raven Willow, a people's person, smart, and caring. She is of course the princess of Aciras.''
''Shawn Hunter, a twin to Zachary Hunter, him and his brother are both known for being pranksters. Shawn is--nerdy, yet confident and good looking. He is--- The one. They are the heirs of Avalon.''Caterina said, with a slight hesitation.
''Nikolai Johanseen, of course Prince of Anduin. We met before; I should keep good connections with him. After all, we need to cherish the peace treaty.''''Elizaveta Romanova..Mai Mei.. Zhou.. Niklas.. Feora.. Isobel...Ariel..Henry..Cara..Casimir..Sade..Edwin..Liviana..Leonardo..Raven.. Yu.. Talya..'' Caterina easily recalled each and everyone of the royals that were to attend, along with a trait or two about them, and how she would come in contact with them.
Zoron smiled and gave her a goofy thumbs up. ''Good job!'' He said before he turned in the passenger's seat and left the princess to her thoughts for the remaining fifteen minutes in the short drive.
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The first black car that held her two bodyguards in slim fit, black on black suits stopped in front of the entrance door. They stepped out and announced the arrival of
Princess Caterina Frenandaz Versini Of Svearike.
At the mention of her name, Zoron stepped out and opened the door for his princess. Caterina took her sweet time stepping out of the vehicle, leaving her clutch in the car for now. She stepped out and took swift, flaunted movements closer to the stairs, the swift air letting her light cardigan fly back, showcasing more of her formal, yet appealing stance. She smiled at the royalties that were outside, including King, Queen, Princess of Aciras, as well as, Prince Niklas, and she could spot Dutchess Elizaveta in the back with Prince Nikolai. Her eyes could see a trace of who she assumed were Henry and Cara by the sweets buffet.
''It's such an honor to have your majesties have me here.'' She said, her accent was obvious and attractive to the normal ear, but her voice didn't quiver or lower, yet it held this soft tone. She gave them her best autocratic smile. She took the few steps to be closer to the Royalty of the Aciras.
''I am afraid it is only I for now. The King and Queen send their regards, and they hope to be able to make it by the time for the grand ball.'' She said with a slight, apologizing nod.
''Zoron.'' The Princess mentioned as she barely looked back to her loyal servant. Zoron nodded and mentioned for the five hefty men to unroll the carpet they held. The carpet was handwoven, with only the most extravagant materials. The carpet was obviously heavy and quite large to fit at least a small hall.
''It is our pleasure to gift you, one of the best art works of Svearike, made especially for your majesties. This piece had been in progress for over six months with over sixty of our best maidens working on it, designed by only our elite designers. We really do hope you put it to use.'' She said with a slightly bigger smile of pride. She mentioned for the men to roll it up and carry it into the castle with the help of one of the attendants.
Caterina personally shook hands with the King, Queen, and Princess Raven. At the last one, she covered Raven's hand with her other hand.
''I can not wait for us to have tea together and get to know each other better.'' She said with a smile before heading toward Prince Niklas.
''A pleasure to meet you, Prince Niklas.'' She greeted with the same smile, as she shook his hand and then moved on after her quite dramatic entrance.