Remnants of Empires (Meillur|IC)

[Kingdom of Derita]

Princess Mamela flinched that the sudden crack of lightning. Princess Alara smothered a gasp as she and the other ladies looked to the windows as the storm rolled over the palace and the city. They had been told that it rained with some great frequency in Londres. There was a great deal of rain in Derita, much the country being classified as a temperate rainforests, but that rain was often condensed into a a few months, rather than a constant state of natural affairs.

Princess Alara saw the Queen whisper something to the King and tried to salvage the situation. It seemed quite apparent that the Queen would be a difficult person to win over during their stay in Londres. The King at lease seemed to be giving them a chance. Alara had barely had time to look at their sons, the princes. Even know she focused her veiled gaze on King Arthur.

“It seems even the weather conspires to bring us closer together.”

[Great Hyruke]

Queen Mary’s glare sharped at the words of the Deritain princess. She would never admit it, but that was a swift witted way that she had tried to flip the unabashed negative symbolism one could see with ease the darkness that the storm represented. With monarchs, with the entire institution, symbols were important, perhaps the most important thing in the grand scheme of things. The individual who wore the crown was often times less important than the crown itself and what it meant to people.

The Queen’s thoughts were interrupted by the sound of laughter. It was a low, deep laughter that rolled through the throne room. Despite its depth, it was light in tone as it washed over the crowd of nobles, who, after a moment of hesitation joined in. The Queen was horrified to realized that the laughter’s origin came from her son. The Prince Royal was chuckling deeply into his fist from his seat in front of his mother. When he finally stopped, he looks up at the princesses, grinning brightly to the pair of them.

“That was well said. I hope the rain never stops.”

This time a laugh came from Prince Charles’ brother, Prince Louis, who snorted.

“Come on, we live in Londres, that’s already true.”

[Kingdom of Derita]

Princess Alara tried for a light laugh, thankful fit the Prince Royal’s breaking of the ever growing tension in the room, but she couldn’t help feel that it didn’t reach her heart. Mamela couldn’t even do that much. She felt moments away from fainting. As the sound of rain and laughter swirled around them, Mamela retreated and would have fallen over if not for the dreading hand of Lady Marie, who touch her shoulder in the lightest way and yet the strong grip.

“Steady yourself,” Marie whispered. “Princesses do not waver.”

“I am in agreement,” Princess Alsra said to the Prince Royal. “Friends who laugh together stay together.”

[Great Hyruke]

“They also dine together,” King Arthur said, rising to his feet. He offered his hand to his wife, who took it gracefully. The King of Great Hyruke then turned to the Princesses and the rest if the assembled nobility. “Please, let us retire to the dining room.”

At their father’s direction, the Prince Royal and Prince Louis stood up and crossed the floor to Princess Alara and Princess Mamela, the two young men offering their arms. Each, to their respective counter part offered, “My I have the honor of escorting you?”

[Kingdom of Derita]

Princess Alara looked up at the Prince Royal and nodded her head, taking his arm. Next to Lady Marie, Princess Mamela swallowed and pushed forward by her friend, did so as well, looping her arm around Prince Louis’.

“The honor is all mind,” Alara said.

“It would be a pleasure,” said Mamela

[Great Hyruke]

The King and Queen lead the way to the palace’s great hall, where long rows of tables had been around to accommodate the massive guest list. The Princes and Princesses followed suit behind the sovereign and the many nobles falling into step behind him. The King and Queen sat the head of the table, positioning theirs guests and their sons to their right. With the absence of the Deritain Princess Imperial a seat had been removed and everyone shifted slightly.

“It really is a pleasure to have you here,” Prince Charles said in a whisper, barely auditable a over the movement of the room, as he pulled opened a chair for Princess Alara.

[Kingdom of Derita]

Princess Alara smiled and sat down in he chair. The youngest of the emperor’s daughters look up at the eldest of the King’s son.

“Thank you Your Royal Highness. I hope that our visit to Yoyr country is long and more enjoyable than our rocky start. Please don’t be too disappointed in my sister Amélie’s absence. My sister Mamela and I are quite grateful to be your guests.”

[Great Hyruke]

Prince Charles only smiled Ashe settled into the seat next to Alara. The foreign princess was well spoken and had a decidedly non-offense way of speaking, always gracious and grateful. It was impressive. His own mother rarely maintained such a manner for very long. The Queen had, for as long as he could remember always been frightfully up front and bluntly cruel when it came to those she took a disliking too.

“I am not so sure my mother would agree with you, Your Imperial Highness, but dare I say I have not been known as one to agree with my mum. Tell me. What do you think of our court so far?”

[Kingdom of Derita]

Princess Alara titled her head from side to side in a non-committal way. She and her sisters had be told to be gracious and Alara first opinions were a bit less than so. Queen Mary seemed abrasive and so far she’d looked large, physically and metaphorical over the Hyrukian court in a manner that was not the slightest bit welcoming.

“It is rather grand,” the princess said. “Much more so than I was expecting.”

[Great Hyruke]

Charles seesawed his head as he playfully mimicked Alara. He probably should have expected no less than such a neutral response from the woman that could defuse his parents. He let out a laugh, the deep sound rolling over the dining room as the other members of the the nobility settled down into their seats. Several glanced over to the two royals, though even more stated flatly at them, deeply interested in what was going on. Charles, if he noticed this, paid it no attention.

“I think I’ll choose to take that as a compliment. A lot of hard work went into making sure that your arrival was as grand as possible. Lots of pomp and fluff. I think that’s why mum is so miffed at the Princess Imperial’s absence. I’m sure that it will all blow over. Just like the storm.”

As Charles spoke servers came out and began setting down glasses of wine before the guests in fine crystal cups.

“Antiques,” Prince Louis said, motioning to the glass Ashe sat next to Princess Mamela. “We never take them out. But it is fitting. You’re the first royals to visit great Hyruke in half a century. Though this must seem modest compare to the Celestial Court where you come from, hmm?” Louis asked the finally question, marking it with a sip from his cup. He’s eyes flitted over Princess Mamela. Why did the Deritains wear veils he wondered. They were strangely exotic, with a charming mystique to them.

[Kingdom of Derita]

“Yes,” Alara said. “Who knew that Hyrukian lightning had such a wicked sense of humor, and such perfect timing. Though I admit that I hope it doesn’t stay for an encor. I think I’ve had enough of the weather’s sense of irony. As for your mother’s effort, it was nice of her, though in all honesty, between you and me, the Celestial Empire’s court’s opulence is mostly confined to the pages of history books these days.”

Mamela forced a smile, only to remember that she wore a veil, and was suddenly thankful fir it. The Prince had thrown a lot of sentences and questions fast at her and she was struggling to find the words. Words and words. She was dependent on words here, and they all had to be perfect and words had never been her thing.

“I... I think the glasses are quite nice.”

[Great Hyruke]

Louis blinked at Mamela and half-snorted, half-laughed. “My, what a riveting opinion.”

“That’s a pity.” Charles said to Alara. “Though I’ll be honest that that is a bit of a relief. Your country has a reputation for being a bit intimidating. It is nice to know that you don’t dine on thrones of gold and with diamondware.”

[Kingdom of Derita]

Alara laughed.

“No, no, of course not. Gold thrones and diamondware are far too cumbersome. We prefer to take our breakfast on simple platinum and silverware like everyone else.”

“Oh.” Mamela said softly. Clearly she had made some sort of misstep. “I...I... I haven’t had much time for developing opinions on glassware.”

[Great Hyruke]

Charles joined the princess in her laughter. As he did so the servants came forward and began setting down small plates of salads before each of the guests and going off filling up the glasses of the wine so they were topped off.

“Well, tonight we get to fine on fine porcelain. Selected of course by dearest mum. Only the best for the best.”

Louis took another sip from his drink.

“No, I’m sure you haven’t.”

[Kingdom of Derita]

Alara felt her face gear up beneath her veil. She was flattered by the Prince Royal’s words and couldn’t help but blush as she at her salad from beneath the veil.

“You are too kind Your Royal Highness.”

Mamela took a breath as she felt like she was only making things worse with Prince Louis. She lifted her glass but spelt the scent of wine and raised her finger. “Is there an alternative? The Celestial Empire is a dry nation.”

[Great Hyruke]

“No,” said Charles lightly. “Only the truth. I saw what you did for your sister. I know my mother can be intense, especially with other women. You are all so strong, and she wants only the strongest for us and our family and our country. You were quite brave to stand up and help your sister.”

Meanwhile Louis rolled his eyes.

“I wasn’t aware you came from such a dull country. Alcohol is one of the few great universal pleasures of humanity after all. Everyone everywhere has come up with some type of it in one form or another.”

Nonetheless Louis gestured for one of the serves to come over and take away Princess Mamela’s glass, replacing it with one filled with water and sliced strawberries.

[Kingdom of Derita]

Alara shrugged her shoulders but felt her face go red. “That is what family is for. It was nothing, I’m sure you would do the same for your brothers.”

Mamela smiled a small weak smile as she lifted her glass. Prince Louis was an abrasive man she realized with growing dread. His words were sharp and cold and cut to the bone. And he had so many of them, they made her dizzy and feel ill. She lifted her glass in a mock toast.

“Thank you, Your Royal Highness,” she said. She lifted her veil enough to drink and made a sound of approval. “My. What are these in the water?”

[Great Hyruke]

“I would,” Charles said with a shrug, “though I’m not sure if I could say the same about my brothers. I think Philip would have a mind to, but he is the littlest of us, and I can expect him to really do much. He is in mercy of more protection than anything else. As for Louis, well, he has never needed much protection.” More likely protection from, but Charles didn’t say that.

Louis laughed. Then stopped, tilting his head in surprise. “You are serious? They don’t have strawberries in the Celestial Empire?”

[Kingdom of Derita]

Mamela shook her head. “I do not believe they are native to the Celestial Empire, and most of the fruits that we enjoy are from within our own borders. They have a marvelous taste to them though. I like them very much.”

Alara nodded her head solemnly. “ I can understand that. My relationship with my brother has never been the most... fulfilling emotionally. He is so much older than us, I think he finds it hard to see us as siblings.”

[Great Hyruke]

Charles frowned at Alara’s words. He was lucky he realized to have siblings so close in age to himself. He and Louis were often thought to be the same age, and for a few months that was true, so close in age they were. Even Philip, though several years younger, was far from being born decades after Charles.

“Well, I hope that we will get to better understand one another.”

[Kingdom of Derita]

Princess Alara smiled at Prince Charles. "I hope we get to better understand one another as well."

[Great Hyruke]

Prince Charles returned the princess' smile. He liked the Deritain princess. She had a lovely air that seemed to hang around her and a way with words that was soft, kind and straightforward, which Charles, so used to the double meanings of his father's court, enjoyed very much. She had also proved herself to be good on her feet in times of nerves. And her love of her sister was something he couldn't help but admire.

"Your Imperial Highness, may I ask you something?"

[Kingdom of Derita]

Princess Alara nodded her head. The Emperor's youngest daughter was, likewise enjoying the conversation with the Prince Royal.

"Of course you may Your Royal Highness."

[Great Hyruke]

Prince Charles found himself blush as he leaned closer to the Deritain princess. He suddenly felt a bit silly, but at the same moment he felt a warm feeling bloom in his chest.

“Could... could I ask you out. Like... on a date?”

[Kingdom of Derita]

Princess Alara blushed deeply beneath the fabric of her veil. Alara, unlike her older sisters had not had much chance of having dalliances with the members of the Celestial Court. Of course such relationships had never been expected to result in anything of note, even if Alara had engaged in them.

“Yes,” Alara said. “Yes, I would like that very much.”