The Princess and the Commander
Chapters: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
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Title: THE PRINCESS AND THE COMMANDER
Author: ulyferal
Rating: T
Warnings: Some sexual innuendo.
Disclaimer: “SWAT Kats: The Radical Squadron,” its characters and concepts are copyright to Hanna-Barbera Cartoons, Inc and are used without permission.
Chapter 9: The New Royal Residences
He woke blearily to the sound of the alarm. He always awoke before his alarm, but, lately, he was lucky he didn’t sleep past it even though he was certainly tired enough to. Yawning, he sat up only to realize he wasn’t in his own bed. Looking down, he saw his fiancee laying next to him.
For a long moment he stared down at her, a tender look crossing his normal severe face. Well, there was an excellent consolation for all the hassles his life was lately, and she was the best part of it.
The past few days had been a whirlwind of introductions, parties, meetings, work, and stolen moments of intimacy. He just learned yesterday that they wouldn’t be officially getting married for at least a year. That had stunned him, but when she explained all the arrangements necessary for a royal wedding, he paled. He definitely was not looking forward to all that pomp and circumstance, but it was too late to back out now and he’d never dream of it.
Sighing in resignation, he leaned down and kissed her gently. Her eyes opened sleepily.
“Morning already?” she murmured.
“Yes, unfortunately, and I’m still tired too,” he commiserated with her.
“Don’t forget we have that breakfast meeting with my parents. They leave today and have a few more things to tell us,” she reminded him as she pushed herself up, preparing to get out of bed.
Groaning in annoyance, Feral grumbled and climbed out of bed, heading for the bathroom. Smiling in sympathy, Zulara followed him.
Breakfast was a little strained but finally closed with a moment of sadness. He politely left the dining room so that Zulara could have a few minutes of privacy with her parents.
Checking with his personal assistant, a smart and very efficient siamese male named Jiro Aki, Feral found he could slip away and get some work done at his office. Jiro would call him when it was time to see the King and Queen off at the airport.
Giving Zulara a quick kiss and farewell, he left the hotel. At least he didn’t have the guards in his car this time. They followed him, staying close. It was definitely going to be hard to get used to being under guard at all times.
When he arrived at headquarters, he wanted to just head on in but knew he would only upset his royal guards, and it was rude besides. He waited impatiently inside his vehicle until his guards parked, then came to stand near his car. Sighing inwardly, he climbed out and briskly strode up the steps surrounded by his royal guards. Many eyes followed him as he made for a, thankfully, empty elevator for his offices. Once through his office doors, he was finally alone. His guards were parked outside. One advantage them being there was Steele would be stopped every time he wanted to see him. Eventually, he would stop trying to see him at all, and that was a good thing.
He worked steadily for a good two hours until his personal cell phone rang. Sighing and glancing at the time, he had a good guess who was calling.
“Feral.”
“Your highness. This is your warning call to meet the Princess at the airport,” Jiro said politely.
“Right, thank you, Jiro. Tell the Princess I’m on my way,” Feral said. Hanging up, he quickly organized his work. Some went into his out basket and the rest were locked in his secure drawer. He quickly went to the door and grabbed his jacket on the way out. As he was buttoning it, he paused at his secretary’s desk.
“Going to the airport, Grace,” he told her as his guards got ready to follow him. She nodded, and he was off to the elevators. One of the guards had already stopped a car for him. He had to admit sometimes it was nice to have things greased along for him.
In no time he was being driven to the airport. They drove to the private corporate jetway where the King and Queen’s transport waited. The royals had just arrived and were being given farewells by the Mayor and Ms. Briggs when Feral walked up to the side of his fiancee. When the Mayor and Ms. Briggs stepped back, Feral and Zulara stepped forward and were hugged tightly. Last minute whispers of endearments and warnings were given, then the royal pair were climbing the stairs to their plane.
Feral and Zulara watched quietly, holding paws as the jet taxied out of sight. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close.
“You’re going to miss them and be homesick very soon,” he murmured in her ear.
Instead of biting his head off, she mutely nodded and kept staring at the plane’s gradually disappearing form.
He comforted her for several minutes until he felt her sigh and gradually pull away. He casually released her but still retained her paw in his.
Ms. Briggs cleared her throat gently behind them. Feral turned with Zulara doing so reluctantly.
“Commander… Princess… I’ve found a prospective place for your new home and a possible office for you in town. Do you have time to see them now?” she asked politely.
Zulara sighed then looked up at her consort questioningly.
Feral shrugged. “If it fits your schedule, my love, I can take the time right now,” Feral said, gently caressing her paw with his thumb.
“Very well, Ms. Briggs, let’s see what you’ve found,” she said, managing to smile wanly at the blond she-kat.
Smiling sympathetically, Callie escorted them to the Mayor’s limousine that she’d borrowed for this trip. Everyone got aboard, and the chauffeur set off for the property in question. The Princess was in no mood for conversation and was grateful that Callie understood and simply started working on things in her briefcase quietly.
Zulara laid her head against Ulysses’ shoulder and closed her eyes to take a much needed break and to allow herself to be a bit moody about her new life. She was very happy to have won the love of her life but sad too about being away from those she had loved.
Ulysses leaned down and rested his head atop Zulara’s lightly, offering her comfort from his presence. He half closed his eyes and stared out the window, letting his mind go blank and take a much needed break himself.
They traveled some forty-five minutes before arriving at an immense gate with a guard house. Two of the princess’ personal guards were the ones Ms. Briggs had requested to be there when she showed the house to Zulara. The limo pulled to a stop and waited for the gates to open. One of the guards checked with the driver then waved to the other to open the gate. They swung silently open then they drove up a long, winding road toward an impressive mansion.
There were many trees, gorgeous landscaping, and huge manicured lawns. The front steps were white marble with huge marble pillars on either side of the huge double oak doors.
It was modest actually as mansions go, only two levels and twenty-five rooms. At the front door waited Zulara’s second in command.
Zulara climbed out of the car followed by Feral. She walked up to her second, Ruelen, who came to attention and nodded at her. She cocked her head at him in silent command.
“The grounds and house are safe, your highness. It is easily defensible and private. A high quality security system is already in place. An excellent choice if it meets your approval as a new residence,” he finished his report.
“Well, that’s good. I guess we should see if it will suit our needs. Come, my love, let’s take a look around,” she said, turning to Ulysses, who nodded and followed her through the door Ruelen had opened for them.
Ms. Briggs followed up behind them.
The foyer was imposing with a huge chandelier hovering over their heads. Gold and white tiles graced the floor. Zulara decided to see the upstairs first. They headed through a right hand archway and up a thickly carpeted, broad staircase. At the top, the landing split into two hallways. She went down the right hand one. There were at least five rooms widely spaced. She peered into one and was impressed by the wallpaper and ornate wood trim, beautifully dressed four poster bed and heavy oak furniture.
They went back to the other hall. Here there were only four rooms with a huge master at the end. A pair of heavy gold leafed french doors lead into a gorgeous master bedroom. There was no furniture in here as yet. There was a sitting room as one stepped into the living space. Zulara continued on through another set of curtained glass french doors that lead to the bedroom proper. Heavy drapes covered the windows and a thick Persian carpet was underfoot. A large ceiling fan graced the ceiling. The bathroom was a feast for the eyes. A huge jetted tub was hidden in a private enclosure. There were his and her closets, a walk in double shower, double sinks and private toilet. There was even a sauna.
“This is breathtaking!” she exclaimed in pleasure.
“It is that,” Feral muttered, a little taken aback by the excessive show of wealth. This was something he would have to get used to.
“Let’s see the rest!” Zulara said eagerly as she led the way back downstairs.
She was taken with the study, ballroom, dining room, library, kitchens, servants quarters, drawing room, the beautiful gardens at the back of the house and the sparkling blue pool with waterfall and hot tub. There was a forest at the back of the property as well.
The last thing they checked was the store rooms, basement power facility, security system and guard rooms. She was especially pleased by the sight of an emergency generator and the state of the art security system. Feral was impressed as well.
Finally, they were back at the foyer once more. Zulara turned to Ms. Briggs with a pleased smile on her face.
“Ms. Briggs, this is perfect. May I call you Callie?” she asked
“Oh certainly, your highness,” Callie said with a warm smile.
“You must call me Zulara. I think you and I will become good friends. You have found me the perfect home, and I’m ecstatic. Thank you very much,” she said, grinning happily.
“I’m so glad. It took me a while to find just the right place, and I’m happy my first choice was yours as well. I hope your new embassy will also meet with your approval,” Callie said with relief.
“I suspect it will be, but let’s go take a look,” she said, hooking an arm through her fiancee’s and heading for the limo again.
“Certainly,” Callie agreed as she climbed in as well. Her second also joined them.
Soon, they were out the gates and speeding back to the city.
“Callie, how soon can we close on the house and have my household move in?” Zulara asked.
“I can have the realtor and your personal assistant handle the details and let you know as soon as possible, Zulara. I wouldn’t be surprised if you could move in a week or two,” Callie told her.
“Good, that’s perfect,” she said, nodding in satisfaction, then she turned to Feral. “My love, I’m sorry; I did not ask your opinion.”
“I’m happy if you’re happy. I willingly admit I was very impressed by the security as well as the amenities of the house. I have no complaint about it being our new home. I will have to get used to living in such a large place though,” he admitted ruefully.
“Ah, love. It will be quite a change for you from your small apartment,” she said, leaning close and giving him a peck on the cheek.
“It will that,” he agreed with a sigh.
They talked a little about the changes Feral would have to endure being consort to a Princess on the drive to the possible embassy.
They were soon pulling up to the front of an imposing, older brick building. It had a black, pointed high fence around it and fancy gates leading to an underground parking area. The front of the building sported a pair of huge black and gold doors. There was a small apron of yard and gardens surrounding it inside the fence. It was five stories high.
Guards were here too and opened the gate and main entrance for the entourage. It was done in old Victorian style with deep carpets, chandeliers and elegant furniture. Expensive paintings graced the walls. There were many rooms that served as offices and on the top floor were bedrooms for those that had to stay when working late.
Security was, again, state of the art. There was an emergency generator here as well. A good sized and efficient kitchen existed with a beautiful dining room. There was a huge ballroom, library, drawing room and on the second floor there was a corner room that had a view of the bay. This would be the Princess’ office. There was a pass through door leading to a slightly smaller office/waiting room for her secretary and staff. It was perfect.
“This is very good, Ms. Briggs. It’s in a good location, not far from Enforcer Headquarters but is off the beaten path for some quiet and privacy. I especially like the security features,” Feral said in approval.
“I agree, Ulysses. This is perfect. Another good choice, Callie. Thank you for making this as painless as possible. I’m relieved to have this taken care of so soon after my parents departure,” Zulara said with relieved pleasure.
“I’m so relieved everything is to your liking and so quickly. I’ll make sure all parties get together and close these properties rapidly so that you can take possession soon,” Callie said, feeling triumphant at her success in finding the perfect places for the new royal couple.
They stepped back outside again. “Where would you like me to have you and Commander Feral dropped off?” Callie asked, waiting to load aboard the limo once more.
“Well, I’m certain I have work waiting for me at my desk, so please drop me off at our temporary quarters,” Zulara sighed.
“I know I have a heavy load of reports on my desk that I must get to, so I would appreciate a drop at Enforcer Headquarters,” Feral said.
“Right,” Callie said and gave instructions to the driver.
Ruelen got in behind the royal couple. He would go with the Princess. In very little time, both royals were deposited at their desired locations.
Callie went on to city hall. Walking into her office, she peeked into the Mayor’s adjoining office and saw he was actually in for once, playing golf on his carpet.
“Mayor Manx, the Starvos Mansion and the Tiegwah Building have met the approval of Princess Zulara. I’m going to make arrangements with the realtor to close the properties as quickly as possible so that the royals can take possession within two weeks,” she reported to him.
“Excellent news, Callie. Good work. This is going to raise the revenue for our fair citae to have a bona fide royal couple residing here. Get that paperwork done fast. I don’t want anything to sour this. See to it personally,” he ordered her.
“Of course, Mayor,” she said, leaving him to his game and gave a private snort to herself. ‘Of course I’ll take care of it; don’t I always!’ she thought in disgust at the redundant orders.
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