Noblesse Privilege 19 (Patreon)

Noblesse Privilege
Chapter 19

-VB-

I looked at the woman in front of me in surprise.

“Princess Vivi!” I greeted with a widening smile. “You actually came!”

Before I began my voyage to Alabasta, I had been fiddling with a golden coin. It was an invitation coin, and Vivi had actually used it to visit me outside of the Levely!

Vivi smiled and gave me a curtsy. “It’s good to see you again, Tenrybito vel Monstrathum,” she greeted me formally.

I caught myself and quickly bowed back. “I welcome you to Mary Geiose, Princess Nefertari Vivi,” I replied as formally as she did. When we both rose back up, though, the formality was gone and it was just … me and her.

And our retinues, but they didn’t count in the moment!

Luponte decided to ruin the moment and snorted.

I looked over my shoulder to glare at my mentor and bodyguard. “What?”

“You know, if you two really want to get it on, I’m sure the Monstrathum Mansion has the rooms.”

Vivi blushed and I nearly barked at him for embarrassing her.

“I’m … actually here to deliver you this mail from my father,” she gulped and gestured for one of her servants to  step forward. I watched as a servant, dressed in traditional heraldry and attire of the heralds of the Nefertari royalty, stepped forward and presented a simple scroll lying atop a velvet red cushion.

Vivi took the scroll off the cushion with her delicate fingers and handed it over to me with both of her hands.

I took the scroll, wondering if it was connected to her blush.

I unfurled it.

To World Noble Geoffrey Goldman Achstein vel Monstrathum,

Greetings, O’ Celestial Dragon of the Royal House of the vel Monstrathum. I am your peer of the Royal House of Nefertari, Nefertari Cobra the King of Alabasta. I reach out to you not just as a man but a father and the bearer of the Crown of Alabasta.

Your last visit to my grand kingdom has sparked an interest in me to reconnect my Royal House back to those who live upon the Holy City of Mary Geiose. You were an exemplar case of what a World Noble must be, and our conversations of the nature of men, civilization, trade, and leadership has convinced me.

Our talks reminded me of the days of our ancestors, where my family’s records speak of as days of friendship between our two kingdoms. Our houses have intermarried with each other in the far past during and before the Void Century. They were prosperous times for our houses and our respective kingdoms.

I wish to tie our houses once more.

I give you permission and personal blessing to seek my daughter’s hand in marriage.

I send her and this letter to you.

Should you reject, then I will hear from my daughter when she returns.

Should you accept, I will find a letter in her stead to invite me to her wedding.

Signed,

Nefertari Cobra
King of Albasta, Head of the Royal House of Nefertari, Duke of Alamania, Count of Jannaba, Lord of Ugantiana
Father of Nefertari Vivi

I gawked at the scroll’s message before looking up.

Vivi stood before me in her native Alabstan dress, blushing prettily.

I wasted no time.

I handed the scroll to Luponte, who seemed to understand roughly what happened despite not having read the scroll, and pulled out the ring that I had made years ago if this dream of mine had ever come true.

I got down to a knee, surprising everyone including Vivi. I was a World Noble. I was a being whose power could ruin an entire ocean with a callous letter or an enraged command. World Nobles did not touch the soil of any other land other than that of the Holy City of Mary Geiose. World Nobles did not kneel.

But I did.

“Vivi.”

“Y-Yes?” she asked, stuttering a little in what her royal upbringing would have considered a failing manner. She saw what was coming, and I saw her response even without having heard it.

I popped out the box and opened it towards her, showing an elegant ring made with two golden twain, one representing the celestial dragon and another representing the long tailed hawk that symbolized Alabasta. What sat on top of that ring was a brilliant diamond glimmering softly in the light.

I looked up at her.

I was … honestly nervous.

Was I ready for this? Would she accept?

Despite my doubts, I popped the question.

“Will you marry me?”

I saw her eyes become wet and a bright smile popped up.

“Yes!” she accepted as she grabbed my hands and not the ring.

I myself felt my eyes get a little wet and a smile rip my face in half.