A Pleasant Distraction (Private)

[Les Etats Connuriste]

The Crown Prince felt oddly at ease looking over at what was before him, a peculiar sensation for him given recent events in the Empire. He was pretty certain that most of the wider world viewed his mother as a crazy lunatic, which she was not. It was a source of frustration that even now people didn’t seem to understand that simply she was unwell. People never seemed to marginalise physical illness but the opposite was true for mental matters. And because of this he had to live elsewhere and spend less time with her, and the country was not quite the same. His peers did not view him the same. And in fairness, it was because now he was different. He was not just the heir apparent to the throne at some point in the future anymore. No, now it was just three more years and he’d have to wear the crown of an Emperor. Which made a potential escapade like this seem a welcomed and wonderful opportunity.

Because, you see, whilst his mother was an Empress no more, her influence had not waned totally. It was still up to her to officially organise such things for her son like sorting out his official imperial duties, and perhaps more importantly, she was the one meant to arrange any meetings where he could feasibly make the acquaintance of suitable royals and nobles to court. Whilst there was admittedly more of a current focus upon the Princess of Geneva, it would be unwise to place all of one’s eggs in the same basket. That was why Alice had contacted Lexi II with a proposal that she expected, and definitely hoped that the Atmoran Queen would consider - a meeting between Crown Prince Connor and Princess Alyssa.

And in the eyes of the young Prince, not much could go wrong. Even in the worst case scenario that he and this Princess did not get along, he would at least have tried his options and seen a bit of the world he otherwise hadn’t. In that sense, it was an adventure, and if what he had heard had been true, the two of them would get along, if not something a bit more. And that was why he felt like he could relax, and think about trivial matters about how tall she might be. Knowing stereotypes about Atmorans, she could even be over six ft tall, and that would be more than him, ever so slightly. Although he was still 15, and reckoned he had another two or three inches to grow. And thinking was really all he could do until his mother got some sort of reply.

[The Atmoran Diplomat]

Royal Palace, Alexandria, South Alexisburg
2058 CE
After recieving the message from former Empress Alice about a plausible meeting between Alice's son Crown Prince Connor and Princess Alyssa of Atmora. Queen Lexi II after consulting with her daughter and getting her opinion on the matter. Alyssa agreed to go and meet the young Crown Prince. Queen Lexi II contacted Empress Alice and informed her that Alyssa would be glad to meet with her son, and asked when and where the meeting will take place.

Alyssa looked out the window from her room in the Royal Palace in Alexandria, she wondered how tall the Crown Prince was and what he was like. Considering Atmora and Irav are arguably the tallest countries in the world, yet he was still 15 he could have a growth spirt and be as tall or taller than the 5'9" princess. Alyssa compared to her siblings and some of her friends she was shorter than them.

The Princess looked in her closest and started to prepare a suitcase incase the meeting would require her to leave the Confederation, picking some of favourite dresses like a yellow summer dress and casual attire.

[Les Etats Connuriste]

Alice was happy to receive a response. There wasn’t much in her day to day life that was exactly able to be called exciting, and conducting a pleasant exchange like this was reminiscent of her old role on a good day, where the politicking was not present. She informed Lexi II that the meeting could happen where and whenever she or her youngest daughter desired, for it was - in the ACS at least - expected that especially within a formal context of courting that the female involved would stipulate these things as to what would be convenient for her, unless she explicitly specified that she cared not to organise things herself.

Of course, if Alyssa (or her mother) made the decision to leave their homeland and do something in the Empire itself, the Crown prince not only had a nice and pleasant home to host her in, but would know exactly where to say for instance, take her out for dinner. But the idea of him travelling elsewhere to lands not exactly known by his mind was also an appealing one.

And once again, the ball lay in the court of the Atmoran Queen. It was more waiting for the former Empress and her son, the Crown Prince. The fifteen year old would just fill the time getting on with some schoolwork and by the time he’d got that done, he’d have his shift lifeguarding, so he was not lacking for things to do to keep him occupied.

[The Atmoran Diplomat]

Royal Palace, Alexandria, South Alexisburg
2058 CE

Queen Lexi II informed Empress Alice that Princess Alyssa would like to go to the ACS instead of staying within the Confederation and her Dominions. Princess Alyssa had her suitcase packed, Queen Lexi II and King Daral I went with Alyssa to the Alexandria International Airport where Alyssa and Corporal Stella el Bridget of House el Bridget a Royal Guardswoman board an Arco Swan Private Jet.

---

Pearsonville International Airport, Pearsonville, ACS
2058 CE

Alyssa's private jet landed in the Pearsonville International Airport, her and Stella el Bridget unboarded the aircraft. Princess Alyssa ahead of take-off and landing informed Empress Alice that she would be arriving in Pearsonville. Corporal el Bridget and Princess Alyssa waited patienly waited for a vehicle to pick them up and bring them to where the Princess and Corporal would stay, where ever that may be.

Princess Alyssa looked at Corporal el Bridget

"So this is the Allied Castarcian States, quite impressive. El Bridget I wonder how Connor is like or what he likes, hopefully he'll like me."

Corporal el Bridget respond to Her Royal Highness
"I'm sorry my highness I don't know much about him, however knowing you my highness he may grow to like you."

[Les Etats Connuriste]

It was a damn good thing that Alice I had little else to do except wait for news, because otherwise she, and by extension her son, may not have been ready at all. The common Imperial Residence was by the beachside in Sapphire Bay right on the east coast, and Crown Prince Connor had been fortunate enough to be able to catch an intercity train service to Pearsonville that was stopping at the station in the little tourist town. Even more fortunate was that there was still unreserved space in first-class, so he sat back and spent a short amount of time gazing out of the window at the landscapes that were whizzing past at several hundreds of kilometers per hour, brief pauses as the locomotive called into a few stations on the way to the capital city that was more or less in the centre of the country.

The distance between Sapphire Bay and Pearsonville was not great, and especially not when utilising the high speed rail services that criss-crossed the country. Alighting at Grand Central station, he was met by a literal couple of Imperial Knights who drove him the short length between the city centre and the Imperial Palace that lay just outside the outskirts.

Upon arrival, he quickly showered before changing into something more suitable for meeting a Princess for the first time, taking special care to guarantee that his clothing lacked any sort of creases or specks of dirt, and polishing his shoes as to ensure their cleanliness. The opposite sex, and even his own if he were that way inclined, tended to appreciate a smart sense of style, even if only it was really the first time they met - at heart the Prince was a far more casual boy. Thankfully he still had plenty of time before Alyssa was due, which gave him the opportunity to style his hair pleasantly, moisturise his skin and apply a small amount of expensive cologne. He imagined that Alyssa would take a similar level of pride in her appearance, as she was very pretty by default, although the lengths women went to in order to make themselves as presentable as possible stereotypically surpassed that of men.

Meanwhile, as the Crown Prince occupied himself checking the watch on his right wrist, a vehicle approached the Atmoran private jet. It was a sleek black four door design and the engine growled and rumbled slightly as it came to a halt. The driver came out, opened the rear doors for the pair of women and bowed in front of the Princess.

“Your Royal Highness, the Crown Prince is eady and waiting for us at the Imperial Palace. He wishes you had a safe and pleasant journey?”

[The Atmoran Diplomat]

Pearsonville International Airport, Pearsonville, ACS
Spring of 2058 CE

Pearsonville was a bit colder than Alexandria however the temperature difference didn't affect Princess Alyssa or Corporal el Bridget much, however for el Bridget she was wearing the Atmoran Royal Guardsmen Uniform which kept her warm while the Princess was wearing a long blue dress with a jacket it helped keep her warm. Princess Alyssa liked the Royal Guardsmen uniform however she wasn't the biggest fan on the Guardsmen hats.

A sleek black vehcile pulled up to the Princess's private jet, the driver of the car pulled up and opened the door to the vehicle. The Princess smiled towards the driver
"Thank you sir"

Princess Alyssa entered the vehicle first, followed by Corporal el Bridget. Before el Bridget got into the vehicle she surveyed the area around them one last time making sure there was no threat to the Princess and got in. The black vehicle went on it's way to the Imperial Palace, during the ride Princess Alyssa pulled out her phone and told her parents she arrived safetly and also looked up some images of the Imperial Palace, Alyssa was quite impressed by the Imperial Palace and couldn't wait to see the Palace in person instead of on a phone.

[Les Etats Connuriste]

The Atmoran Princess didn’t have to wait long to have her little wish fulfilled as the International Airport that resided eight or nine miles from the proper city centre itself was not far from the Imperial Palace, which also lay a similar distance from Pearsonville, although in a slightly different direction. The vehicle made good time as it drove through the relatively quiet roads of what was bordering on countryside for a few short minutes.

It wasn’t long at all before the building came into view, and made its way down the long driveway before coming to a halt near the front. There were several members of the Imperial Order of Knights around in all directions - it was one of their duties to maintain the safety and security of the Palace - but also protecting any VIPs, although that mostly came down to them shadowing the Imperial Family. In the doorway, the Crown Prince had his pleasant blue eyes fixed upon the car as the driver got out and opened the door for what was his own guest. It was an odd sensation to not have his mother behind him, but she had not made the journey with him. It was probably for the best, for both of them. She would benefit from therapy et cetera, and he would not have the feeling of being awkwardly watched by his own parent as he essentially courted a girl.

[The Atmoran Diplomat]

Imperial Palace, ACS
2058 CE

As the vehicle came to a full stop the door opened and Corporal el Bridget helped Princess Alyssa out the vehicle, once Alyssa was out of the vehicle her and the Corporal started walking up towards the Crown Prince when they both reached the Crown Prince. Princess Alyssa bowed while Corporal el Bridget gave him a salute. Corporal el Bridget spoke first and Alyssa following

"Salutations your imperial Highess!"

[Les Etats Connuriste]

The Crown Prince thought it odd that Alyssa chose to bow instead of curtsey as was normally expected for women. Maybe it was an Atmoran thing, although not that he particularly cared for such formalities, having a preference to conduct himself like a common man would. He was quick to notice that she wasn’t as tall as he might have expected, even to the point where if they were the not the same height, then he would perhaps have an inch or two over her, but he couldn't quite tell. He wasn't sure what to think about it. Girls who were taller than him had a tendency to almost intimidate the Crown Prince, but he sort of liked that fact… and they often had a brilliant set of legs.

Of course, that was not to discount all girls who were not taller than him from having such a quality. He was just on about stereotypes.

He made his own small bow before speaking.

“It is a pleasure, Your Highness. Could I interest you in any food or drink or anything of the sort?”

[The Atmoran Diplomat]

2058 CE

Princess Alyssa looked at Crown Prince Connor

"Thank you for having me, I'll glady accept your offer for a drink"

Crown Prince was indeed handsome and she didn't mind the fact that Connor was shorter than her, considering the fact that she is older than Connor by a few years. Alyssa compared to some of her peers and family she was short yet can be considered tall in certain places in the world.