Before I explain where the prompt is from, some backstory on Princess Aria. She is the sister of Prince Rielle (who according to the TW lore is supposed to be the same age as the Octo Trio, but correct me if I'm wrong). Though Rielle is next in line for the throne after their father, Aria is the pearl of the Coral Sea, having the merman swoon over her for her hand in marriage. Azul had always had eyes for the Princess of the Coral Sea, and his dreams was to improve his "on-land" abilities and his magical prowess, so he could get his chance for Aria to notice him, much to his mother's disapproval. In their story, when Azul is going from junior high school to high school at Night Raven College, Aria gets into a terrible seahorse carriage accident. Azul saves her life by taking her away from the sea and having his cohort help remove as much damage as he could. Afraid that scandal will arise from this accident, Aria has not returned to the sea for three years until she gets the message that her father had passed away, so in the next few days, Rielle will have is coronation. Aria, though partially disabled from the accident and unaware that the public things she tragically disappeared, gains assistance from Azul and the tweels, and she literally has no idea that these three helped saved her from dying three years ago.

In context to this prompt, Azul and Aria are already together, Aria finally reestablished her place in court, and this takes place a few months after the events of their story, when Azul, Jade, and Floyd invite Mika, Grim, Ace, and Deuce to the South Castle in the Coral Sea territory as guests for the weekend. This is not the full one off story because it's gonna take too long to get to today's prompt topic, so I only added what was necessary. Even though Azul, Jade, and Floyd were in the same schools as Rielle, Rielle is still referred to the King and His Majesty at this point because it's rude to refer to him by his first name unless it's Aria speaking, since the two are siblings.

Link to original post: https://old.reddit.com/r/TwistedWonderland/comments/xe5lzy/twstober_prompt/

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“Ace…Deuce…am I dead?” asked Grim, his eyes slowly shedding tears.

“I don’t think so,” Deuce replied. “Why?”

“Because why am I sitting in front of the most heavenly feast I’ve ever seen?”

The clock had struck six and the royal dinner had been prepared in South Castle’s lavished dining room. The table stretched seven men’s lengths from the west to the east end, where the family and the weekend guests sat. The surface held the most decadent meals the crew had ever laid eyes on. The aroma of freshly cooked chicken, duck, turkey, roast beef, vegetables, sweet potatoes, and sauces invaded the nostrils of every diner and servant in the room.

“I’ll take your compliments to the chefs later,” Aria responded, giggling in between words.

“My, my, your Majesty,” said Jade, “The duck looks like it could melt in your mouth.

“Yeah, but I can’t wait to get my teeth into that roast beef,” added Floyd.

“Now, now, settle down, everyone,” King Rielle replied. “You will all get your portions soon. There is one more dinner surprise.”

“A surprise?” exclaimed Grim. “You’re gonna kill me with all this goodness already.”

“Sit down, cat,” scolded Azul. “Don’t act a fool at the table, please.”

“Who you callin’ a--”

“Grim, please,” Mika, Ace, and Deuce all hissed, which led Grim to silence himself.

The doors from the hallway that connected the dining hall to the kitchen opened once more for one of the serving butlers to push the serving cart to the dining table. What sat on top of the cart was a beautiful rainbow display of fruits and desserts.

The guests “woah”ed in pleasant shock.

“This is the best surprise ever!” Grim cheered.

“Everyone, please enjoy,” the king announced.

Just like that, everyone reached for their desired dinner foods, using each respective serving fork to transfer it to their plates. The only person to overstuff their plate was the hungry one himself. Ace and Mika glared at him, and Grim stopped plucking food, so everyone could have their fair share.

“So how was everyone’s time at the beach?” the king asked. “Was the weather to your liking?”

“Oh, we had a blast,” Ace answered joyfully. “You should’ve been there, your Majesty.”

“Thank you for letting us use your beach front for the hour,” Jade said.

The King coyly tucked some of his red hair behind his ear. “It is our pleasure. Throughout your stay, I encourage you to use the property’s activities to your enjoyment.”

As her brother engaged in conversation with the foreigners, she leaned over to Azul, who sat in the chair on her left. “I’m so happy you’re eating our food, Azul,” Aria complimented her fiancé. “I was a little worried you wouldn’t.”

“Aria, please. Who do you take me for?” Azul responded. “Who am I to be so picky over this delicious feast?”

Aria chuckled.

The banquet was all smiles around the dining table. All conversation was polite and friendly. Laughter and cheers filled the room. Halfway through the meal, Mika was struggling to pick up her right arm to continue eating.

“Mika?” asked Deuce, “are you okay?”

“Yeah, you’re looking kinda stiff,” Floyd pointed out.

Mika dropped her fork and opened her arm. Right in her inner elbow was a burnt patch of skin.

Grim spat a piece of chicken back onto his plate before he choked.

“Goodness me!” exclaimed Jade.

“Mika, that’s one nasty burn!” said Ace.

“Yeah,” Mika seethed. “Must’ve forgot to put sunscreen there.”

“Goodness, do we have burn cream or aloe somewhere?” said Aria, calling for a servant to bring something to help the painful guest.

“Fear not.” Azul searched his bag and pulled out a flat container. “It is rude to reach over the food. Mika, hold your arm away from the table.” By the time Azul got to her, Mika’s arm had been presented behind the chairs. “This may sting a little, but it should heal in the next few minutes.” He scooped up a slab of the cream within the container and gently slathered it across Mika’s sunburn. She flinched, but the relaxing coolness took effect soon after the pain. “Feel better by any chance?”

Mika looked down at her burn, which already began to soothe back to her normal white skin. The burning sensation withered away. “Much so. Thank you, Azul.”

“My! I have never seen a cream like this before,” the King interrupted. “Where did you get it?”

Azul confidently replied, “I once made it for a Potionology assignment. I thought since we were coming here for the sun, I’d make a new batch for first aid purposes. You never know about these things, you know.”

“Why, Azul!” exclaimed the Princess. “How thoughtful of you!”

“Preparation is key for a trip, my love.”

“Thoughtful, huh?” muttered Grim.

“If this was back at school,” grumbled Ace, “he’d make us pay for just a swab of that stuff.”

“So the fact of your Potionology genius continues to reign true, Azul,” the King said. “I’m relieved to see you continue with this passion.”

“How could I not, your Majesty?” replied Azul. “Potionology has been my favorite subject ever since I was in middle school. My stepfather once bought me a Potionology set for my birthday, and I haven’t stopped using it since.”

“I believe that set is in your room?” Aria questioned. “Wasn’t it in your photographs from school?”

“Oh, the very same, my dear. You never know when you’ll need it.”“Well, it is quite a relief, Mika,” Jade said, glancing over to Mika’s healing inner elbow. “I never would’ve thought of this instance occurring.”

“Yeah, because we don’t burn,” added Floyd.

“Because you’ll literally turn into bait,” Ace replied aloud.

“Ace, please,” Deuce hissed.

The King and his daughter chuckled. “Your friends have quite the sense of humor, Azul Ashengrotto. I hope we hear and see more of it.”

Azul felt the teardrop sized lines of sweat slither down the back of his neck. “Of course, your Majesty. We have the whole weekend to see that.”