A royal visit [closed]

[Imeriata]

"not if they have not broken any laws your royal highness!" Primus said as they passed through the gates and for a moment did it seem as if they were back in the forests as large trees rose up to the sky and thick undergrowth spread out in all directions in a attempt to mimic the thick scanderan forest that they had driven through most of the day even if dim lights gave this forest a more magical and a not as threatening tone.

It even brought back some more pleasant memories of his childhood that he had spent in that forest as he turned back to Sophia
"otherwise so will they be tried and punished according to federal law your royal highness so I would not worry about such knaves your royal highness!" he said

[Izzyshipper]

"otherwise so will they be tried and punished according to federal law your royal highness so I would not worry about such knaves your royal highness!"

"Well," The Queen said, "we do think it important that the people are allowed to express their opinion, but as you said as long as the conduct themselves within the confines of the law them they should have nothing to worry about."

As they approached the Palace, Sophia felt an hint of nervousness grow as she contemplated what she would find inside, and wondered whether she would be met with approval by the Imerian court, Probably not she snorted in derision.]

"Does your Royal Prince stay in the Palace, or do you have residence elsewhere?"

[Imeriata]

"Does your Royal Prince stay in the Palace, or do you have residence elsewhere?" The queen said as Primus looked back to the palace that towered up behind him where he had grown up.
"both yes and no your royal highness!" he said as the car took left the forest region of the garden and showed them the more planed gardens and roads that could be seen from the palace windows.

"While I do spend as much time as possible in the royal palace as it is closer both to the power of the nation but also the latest rumours that could be useful when dealing with other noblemen and all social events so do I have a couple of palaces of my own, three to be more exact, over the federation that could be useful on various trips and holidays!" he confessed as the car finally stopped and almost immediately did two servants rushed over to the vehicle and opened the doors as the cold night air rushed in while Primus took a step outside and looked around to see if the thing he had ordered all those hours ago were finished jet and to his relief did a fairy flew down to him with a package that seemed to weight rather heavily from the looks of how the poor creature handled it, but then again the blasted things were not known for their strength either.

He were however surprised to find out that it did indeed weight rather heavily for a dress and a quick peak did to his horror revealed that the tailor had indeed made something worthy of a queen as the long Imerian style dress were not only made out of thick purple silk that most likely were a couple of layers thick to make the dress wearable during the hot winters but as if that were not enough so could he also see that it were filled with silver decorations that would cost him a smaller fortune now that he thought about it.

"But I would have to deal with that later!" he reminded himself as he turned to the queen "My royal highness as you earlier bestowed a great gift upon me so would it only be rude of me not to return the favour so I would like your royal highness to accept this most humble gift!" he said and bowed as he extended the box with the dress in to the queen even if he decided not to mention that it would also spare him the humility to have to answer to the rest of court why the quest he brought with him were not properly dressed during her visit.

[Izzyshipper]

"Your Royal Prince hospitality humbles us most dearly, and we do hope that your Royal Prince did not strain his coffers in his choice of gift," The Queen said, gesturing to her ladies, who immediately scurried over to Prince Primus to take the gift from him. They carried the package with noticeable difficulty, causing the Queen to wonder what the young Royal had chosen to bestow upon her.

They unwrapped an small section of the package for her to see, and the Queen saw in surprise that thick folds of purple silk was revealed, with a small glint of what appeared to be silver. A dress she mused with a smile, and she had to admit that she was quite grateful for an chance to escape her present quandary.

“I thank your Royal Prince, such finery is indeed exquisite enough that any Queen could wear it proudly, and if it pleases your Royal Prince if we could procure a room to change into such an manner as tribute to your Royal Prince.”

[Imeriata]

“I thank your Royal Prince, such finery is indeed exquisite enough that any Queen could wear it proudly, and if it pleases your Royal Prince if we could procure a room to change into such an manner as tribute to your Royal Prince.” Sophia said which made Primus job even easier as it would seem as if he would not have to have brought a lightly dressed foreigner with him anyway even if some of the servant staff and the few noblemen that still had something to do outside looked in their direction some with disapproving looks.

"Certainly your royal highness so if your royal highness would be so kind as to follow me!" Primus said as the large gates that marked the entrance to the royal palace swung open as they approached while Primus tried his best to remember where the queen and her husband were supposed to sleep.

As they entered the large room with the high ceiling so did not only the so well used statues looked down upon them but also large paintings painted on the walls themselves that depicted important kings and their exploits that started with a bitter looking Emanuel the first that sat on his throne of silver and ended with Sven the third that rode on a white horse through ranks of syndicalists and rebels followed by royal guardsmen that shattered their enemies with their bayonets in what was a homage to the end of the civil war almost a century ago.

"Primus!" A more than familiar voice made him turn his head to see his mother happily coming to meet them with his wife in company down one of the stairs that led up to the higher levels of the large palace complex.
"Moder*!" Primus said and nodded in greeting to both his own mother before he gave his wife a smile and a similar nod as he turned around to Sophia.
"Your royal highness might I introduce you to her royal highness highness Helena auf Stjärnkhrone the seventh and her royal princess Aula Romulus auf Stjärnkhrone the first?" Primus introduced the two women as they both courtesied and echoed "Your royal highness!"

---

*Mother

[Izzyshipper]

Queen Sophia had been to busy admiring the beautiful paintings of the grandiose figures of the Kings of Imeriata past to notice the two women who walked down the stairs, causing the Queen to nearly jump in surprise at Primus's cry of Moder!

She guessed by the rather similar word in English that the elder woman he was reffering to was his mother, and she guessed that the young girl beside her his wife, judging by the dark hue of her skin. "Your royal highness might I introduce you to her royal highness highness Helena auf Stjärnkhrone the seventh and her royal princess Aula Romulus auf Stjärnkhrone the first?" Primus said, confirming the Queen's suspicions.

Almost immediately her entire delegation, her husband included, bowed to the Queen, and then the crown Princess, and they in turn curtseyed to her, after chanting "Your Royal Highness."

After they had finished with their curtsey the Queen gave them an broad smile, "Greeting your Royal Highness and Your Royal Princess, as I am no doubt sure you know, We are Queen Sophia of Izzyshipper, and this is our husband Prince Edward, Duke of Hernington." the Queen said, gesturing to her husband, who gave an small bow.

"May we also extend our . . . consideration to the young Princess Aula, your husband told me that you seemed to be inflicted with some ague at this time. I must confess that I fear I have bared the condition that you have found yourself in, and no doubt her Royal Highness the Queen has also, and I must offer you my most well wishes."

[Imeriata]

"May we also extend our . . . consideration to the young Princess Aula, your husband told me that you seemed to be inflicted with some ague at this time. I must confess that I fear I have bared the condition that you have found yourself in, and no doubt her Royal Highness the Queen has also, and I must offer you my most well wishes." the queen said and for a moment did Aula look at her surprised before she realised what she spoke about and a happy smile broke out over her face.

"thank you your highness!" she said even if she was a bit confused how the queen had figured out that she was pregnant as she drew her hand to her stomach in the hope that she would feel the life that now grew inside her before she quickly withdrew her hands as she were sure that the queen had better things to do than being bothered by her so she did instead gave Primus an angry look as she still were more than annoyed that he had not managed to figure out what was wrong with her while she was annoyed at herself for not building up the courage to tell him jet.

"However if your royal highness would not protest over my lack of manner so must I inquire if it would be acceptable if her royal highness Helena would be able to temporary would take over my duties as host as I do believe I have some questions to my wife that I want some answers to!" Primus then said as he determined looked back at his wife which made Aulas heart to stop for a moment as she realised that she would have to tell him now even if she still had no idea how she would do it.

[Izzyshipper]

"That would of course be entirely fine your Royal Prince, and please, do be kind,2 she said, an half smile upon her lips, and the suggestion of mirth behind the eyes. She grasped the young Prince's hand, "We do thank your Royal Prince for your hospitality, and we admit we found you to be an unique host, and we do hope that this meeting shall not be our last." she said warmly, and she found herself meaning it. The prince was opinionated and incredibly harsh, but she also found it rather refreshing in an surreal way.

She then turned her attention to the prince's mother, Helea VII, the consort to the High King. She was Erathian, if she remembered from the Izzyerian ambassador, who had an reputation if she remembered for being rather improper among the Federation. To be honest Sophia was quite keen to find out if this was true, "Your Royal Highness, I must say it is an pleasure to meet you at long last, Primus has said a lot about you."

[Imeriata]

"I do have the same hopes your royal highness!" Primus said as he bowed before Sophia as his mother steeped in and led the queen away and left him alone with his wife.

"Your Royal Highness, I must say it is an pleasure to meet you at long last, Primus has said a lot about you." the queen said which made Helena raise an eyebrow as she wondered what he had said about her
"ohh did he your royal highness?" she said as she lead the queen away from the entrance as her daughter in law hissed something towards Primus which he most likely deserved as the boy could be rather thick some times, but then again most Imerians were so it was nothing out of the ordinary.

"I do however hope that he did not bore or irritate your royal highness too much during your journey!" Helena decided to apologise as she knew that her brother and sisters from the eastern parts of the continent had a tendency to look down on everything different no matter how small the differences were.

[Izzyshipper]

The Queen let out a small laugh at Queen Helena's comment, "Bored your Royal Highness? no, irritated? Perhaps. I am afraid our tongues clashed when upon such topics as Imperialism and Slavery," Sophia explained, then shot the Queen an sly look, "and Parenthood, funnily enough. I dare say however that His Royal Prince may soon find that particular topic most interesting in the near future, no?"

[Imeriata]

"and Parenthood, funnily enough. I dare say however that His Royal Prince may soon find that particular topic most interesting in the near future, no?" The queen said which caused Helena to chuckle.
"Your royal highness is most preceptive!" Helena said as she looked back to the hall were she could hear the young couple arguing "I must sadly say that your royal highness is much more preceptive than our son as he seems to be none the wiser!" she added as she suspected that the queen would have to inform the young man himself as neither her nor Aulas hints seemed to have gotten through.

"I must however ask your royal highness if your royal highness would like to meet my husband first or if your royal highness would prefer to see your royal highness sleeping accommodations before that!" she said as the stair that she would have to use to reach the room that were set aside for their royal guests.

[Izzyshipper]

Sophia could almost laugh at the young couples heated arguing from the other side of the corridor, and it did not seem they were any closer to resolving their conflict. The Queen mentally resolved to have an quiet word with the young man, if only to see his reaction when the news was broken.

"I think I would like to change before meeting with his Majesty, your son was kind enouugh to gift me an rather fine dress and I feel it would do him great justice to wear it."

[Imeriata]

"He did now did he?" she said as it did indeed seem as something her son would do and as so much else did he take after his father so he would most likely indeed be a great king when it was his turn.
"I do hope that your royal highness did not take offence but I would imagine that the choice of that specific gift had something to do with your attire and I would like to apologise on his behaves!" she said as she finally took a step up for the stairs that led to the higher levels of the palace were a suitable room had been put aside.

[Izzyshipper]

"No offence is taken Your Royal Highness, In truth I am a little grateful for his intervention, for I do fear that the eyes of his companions at the aero-port were far too shocked and prying for my tastes, and I fear that the Imerian court shall be as equally shocked." The Queen explained, her breath slightly short as they ascended the stairway. Upon finally reaching the top, she took an moment to catch her breath, addressing the Queen as she did so, "I am happy to say Your Royal Highness you are far more liberal than your son."

[Imeriata]

"I am happy to say Your Royal Highness you are far more liberal than your son." Sophia said as which made her smile as it seemed to be a nicer way to say what most Imerians used to bash them about as their own culture was often seen as the worst of all Scanderans because of their somewhat more liberal culture on some points.
"It comes with being Erathian your royal highness, after all we are not as... strict as the Imerians on all issues!" She finished explaining before she with a smile added "quite the contrary so have we no trouble running around almost naked with our wrists and ankles for the world to see your royal highness!"

[Izzyshipper]

"Well your Royal Highness we would hesitate to call in nakedness, but we understand your pin" She said, half smiling, and frowned when there was a small thump from the floor. Turning, she saw her ladies had dropped the package containing the dress that they had been carrying behind the two Queens, causing the Queen to frown.

"Do be careful! We do not wish for damage to be taken by that dress, and we assure you that you will suffer the consequences if there is such!"

Shaking her head in irritation, Sophia turned to Queen Helena, "Sorry, your Royal Highness but is this room near, I do fear our Ladies are unequipped for this simple task."

[Imeriata]

"Sorry, your Royal Highness but is this room near, I do fear our Ladies are unequipped for this simple task." Sophia said which was something that Helena could understand as good servants were hard to come by now a days.
"Ahh yes your royal highness, it should be just around the corner!" she said and lead around the corner were two guards stood motionless in the blue, yellow and white of the high guard even if their faces were obscured by the silver masks that were worn by the guard as one of the faries that often found themselves as servants hovered nervously beside them, some thing that were quite understandably as the small creature was maybe only half their size and looked rather tiny and frail by comparison.

The creature jumped a bit in the air as it saw the delegation with its deep black eyes and opened the door as quickly as it could before it silently landed behind the doors to wait future commands.
"I do hope your royal highness accommodations will prove to be to your royal highness satisfaction!" Helena said as they finally entered the rather large and costly room that simply ended in a giant window that allowed a excellent view out over Imerbürg even in the darkness of the night as expensive looking furniture in the same overdecorated style that the rest of the palace seemed to be so found of with equally grand paintings in the romantic style that the Imerians seemed so obsessed with depicting both federal heroes, things out of the holy chronicles and simply places all over the world painted by the best painters the federation had just as most other paintings they had seen so far as two doors led both to the left and right of the room.

"To the left so do your royal highness have the bedroom and the right will hold the bathroom your royal highness!" Helena explained which were by now something that she knew more than well as it was she who had decorated and readied the room which she was rather proud of and she had tried her best to get it ready for the visit, which after all were her job as the mistress of the household.

[Izzyshipper]

The Queen admired the finery of the room before her, while it was not of the Izzyerian style, which preferred more understated designs focusing on elegance and light, she could appreciate the care and quality that had gone into the room's preparation.

Her ladies left the package on an nearby table, happy to be relieved of its burden. They began their hasty unpacking of the various cases and trunks they had brought with them, all containing the Queen's belongings. Flares of colours burned bright as various dresses were thrown out the trunk onto an nearby seat, and racks of jewellery glittered as various ornaments of the Queen's regalia was placed on tables.

"I thank your Royal Highness for her gratitude, if you would be so kind to wait here momentarily as I change in the bedroom." she said, inclinig her head at the woman, before turning to her Ladies, "Come!" she commanded, gesturing with her hand to the room. They hurried to follow her, and inside the proceeded to take off her now slightly damp dress.

Moments later they had fitted the purple dress of Primus's onto her, and brought forth an mirror for the Queen to examine her. The dress was exquisite, the Queen had to admit, but she disliked how tight and concealing it was of her.

"I look like an nun," she muttered, shifting slightly to make herself more comfortable, "When we go home in Izzyshipper we are to have this dress recut, especially around the neckline, and definitely at the wrists. Goodness knows I've tried to look young, damn it that I am to cover it up!" she instructed her maids, before allowing them to place the small crown she had first worn upon her arrival back on.

She returned to the main room where Queen Helena was waiting, "There you go Your Royal Highness, much better, now shall we progress to your Husbands throne?"

[Imeriata]

"There you go Your Royal Highness, much better, now shall we progress to your Husbands throne?" The queen said as she revealed her new dress that was something that Helena had to admit was rather expensive looking so it should be something that would be well received in court.
"Yes that should perhaps be the wisest thing your royal highness!" Helena said as she nodded for the queen and her servants to follow her as they once again passed the two guards outside even if the fairy decided to stay as the small group walked through the corridors again as cold white marble reflected their shadowy reflections in the blank surface where once and again the fossils of ancient creatures looked back at them.

"Might I however say that your royal highness do look lovely in her royal highness new dress, if I didn't know better so would I almost say that your royal highness were a daughter of fändereslandet herself!" Helena said as a complement as her own white dress in a similar cut were out to shame in regard of the colour even if she compensated for the cheep colour with both gold and jewels sewn into her own dress.

[Izzyshipper]

"Why thank you your Royal Highness, indeed purple and blue hues are among our favourite for dresses, as well as sapphires and amethysts. I must also compliment your Royal Highness on your own appearance, which is radiant. Although if truth be told I fear I would not make an great subject of the fändereslandet, as being a ruling Queen for too we do find it hard to prostrate ourself." The Queen said, admiring the pristine white marble of the floors, something her own palace lacked for the sheer expense it would incur. She supposed the King whose Empire was vast, could afford more the luxuries and opulence of such finery.

[Imeriata]

"Why thank you your Royal Highness, indeed purple and blue hues are among our favourite for dresses, as well as sapphires and amethysts. I must also compliment your Royal Highness on your own appearance, which is radiant. Although if truth be told I fear I would not make an great subject of the fändereslandet, as being a ruling Queen for too we do find it hard to prostrate ourself." Sophia said and Helena smiled over the compliment.
"Thank you your royal highness and I would have to guess that your royal highness is correct in that regard!" she said even if she were not sure what the queen meant about having to prostrate herself as that were only something the Muslims in the federation did.

"I do however believe that your royal highness would be more interested in this that talking about dresses!" Helena said as they went down another stair and rounded a corner to find the hallway not covered by the statues that so often had been built into the walls themselves but high guardsmen, not that the difference were that obvious as they did stood motionless with their faces and hands covered either by the silver masks that they wore or white gloves.

It was however at the end of the corridor where the real thing of interest could be find as two silver covered doors were quickly opened to reveal the entrance to the massive throne room that laid on the other side and even from here could the throne in the same material that towered above the rest of the room be seen as tables flanked it where row after row of noblemen could be spotted in the same colourful even if somewhat dark colours and style as her son had worn with the hight pants, the knee height leather boots and the tunics on the men as well as women in similar dresses as they themselves wore even if there where some exceptions as the various representatives from other parts of the federation that wore cloths more common in their homelands as people from most human races looked interested at the crowd that walked towards them.

[Izzyshipper]

The Queen's mouth opened as she witnessed the revealing of the Throne Room of the High King of the Absolute Imerian Federation, the seat of power of the empire, the diamond of the great Imperial Crown that was the embodiment of that nation, and in the centre, the apex of such an marvellous gem, was King Oskar Rex Ceaser II, sat atop an throne of silver, it's shine glittering off the candlelight.

Her, Queen Helena and the delegation walked towards the Imerian patriarch, all of her servants gazes were averted, but the Queen kept her head high, an steely glint held in her eye as she was determined to show the Court of Imeriata what she was made of, and by extension that Izzyshipper was to be contended with.

She approached the grand throne, tilting her head upwards to look the King in the face, an rather clever move in the Queen's opinion, an design no doubt to humble anyone who dared approach. The entire Izzyerian delegation bowed low, with the woman curtseying almost to the ground. Sophia however, merely bent her knees slightly, lifting the hem of her skirt ever so slightly.

She held that pose for a few seconds, before returning upright. She gazed at the King, and it occurred to her that the man was only a few years younger than herself, but to the Queen he looked much older. She wondered, if it was perhaps because he cultivated an look of seniority, and trait admirable in an Patriarchal archetype. She on the other hand, made herself look as young as possible, as for an woman to rule she had two options, don the guise of a man and rule like any other, or to highlight her feminine aspects, become an mother and a wife to her people. For her she had chosen the latter, and an pretty and youthful visage helped sustain the illusion.

""it is my honour to meet you your royal highness Oskar rex Caesar II by the grace of the gods high king of the absolute royal federation, the descendant of the first Imerian high kings especially and foremost Emanuel the first, the carrier of the royal sword first carried by the demigod Belrion son of Bel, the protector of the federal crown jewels and patriarch of the noble house auf stjänkhrone and protector of the free city states of al-Jzr al-Khḑrā as well as defender of Hungary and her regions and the realms as king of Imeriata, Vedian, Erathia, Northern Taranakan and Andervel, but also the righteous and lawful king of New felandia and the duke of Sydvinland, Northern Venezue, Sthalinge and Salywa, The Shah of the crown states of al-Jzr al-Khḑrā and the Padishah of all of al-Jzr al-Khḑrā, The lord regent of the colony of Nova Imeriata, Imerian Africa, Angland and of the two peninsulas of Tvaude and lastly Jarl of the free city of Rickasborg and Salywa also by the right of his birth high marshal of the royal guard"

The queen took an deep breath, it had taken her an week of preperation to memorise the full title of the Imerian Monarch, but she was glad now that she had seemed to do it correctly, "I am Her Majesty, Sophia the First, by Grace of God, of Izzyshipper, Sophiana, Queen, Lady Governess of the Sevri Islands, Lady Protector of Strath, Keeper and Defender of the Land, Most Just Upholder of the Law, Matriarch of the Most Noble House Maddox, Duchess of Hernington and do bring my most honourable greetings!" she finished, replacing the traditional wording of humble, in regards to her position.

[Imeriata]

The high king sat immobile on his throne as the queen that now were his guest finally approached followed by his wife even if Primus were no where to be seen for some reason as the court started mumbling between one another and some even exchanging approving nods over the whole entrance as they rose up as she entered.

"I am Her Majesty, Sophia the First, by Grace of God, of Izzyshipper, Sophiana, Queen, Lady Governess of the Sevri Islands, Lady Protector of Strath, Keeper and Defender of the Land, Most Just Upholder of the Law, Matriarch of the Most Noble House Maddox, Duchess of Hernington and do bring my most honourable greetings!" she said as she curtsied as he nodded in recognition as he had to admit that it was rather nice to meet someone that actually had the same rang as himself on the social hierarchy for once, the court did to his mild surprise shared his feelings as even more approving nods and words were exchanged over her correct and proper +-

"We do bid you welcome your majesty Sophia the first, by Grace of God, of Izzyshipper, Sophiana, Queen, Lady Governess of the Sevri Islands, Lady Protector of Strath, Keeper and Defender of the Land, Most Just Upholder of the Law, Matriarch of the Most Noble House Maddox and Duchess of Hernington!" he said as his voice filled the room in the same loud and unnatural way that it did thanks to the various enchantments that had been put on it over the years by high kings that wished various advantages in the more heated debates that the court normally engaged in and the voice one was one of the more useful one.

It was in fact only second to the rather smart one that removed all problems that the throne itself caused on the sitters spine that one of his ancestors had ordered to be put on the large throne in a rather smart way.

"To our court, our lands and our palace!" he finished and it would seem as if he had managed to get her titles right after all even if he would have imagine that it would be harder for her as his own name was rather long, more than twice as long when he thought about it as he rose up to approach the queen in a show of respect as he tried his best not to step on his red cape with the white polar bear fur that decorated it.

"We must however wish that your royal highness journey was not too long and bothersome!" he said as he took the final step and let his second leather boot hit the ground bellow the height difference between the pedestal were the throne where placed and the rest of the throne room.

[Izzyshipper]

The Izzyerian delegation arose after the King spoke, although many kept their heads lowered. Her husband walked forward to join her side. The Queen waited until the King had finished removing himself from his throne before answering.

"We do thank His Majesty for his concern, and we do assure your Majesty that His Royal Prince Primus does make for an interesting and interactive host, despite perhaps an occasion diversion of thought and opinion. May we also extend to your Majesty our thanks for your wife, Queen Helena's hospitality, and we do enjoy her company very much so. May we introduce you to our Husband, His Royal Highness Prince Edward, Duke of Herrington." she said, and her husband once again gave a short bow.

"I thank his Royal Majesty for his hospitality in admitting us here." Edward said, after straightening himself from his gesture of respect.

Sophia gestured to the Duke of Faranay, one of the many nobles that had came with her, and he stepped forward carrying a box of polished mahogany.

"To show both his royal highness and the noblemen that have gathered here on this meeting that our well intentions is directed towards his royal highness and his realms do I have the honour of giving his royal highness these gifts from one of his royal highness most well meaning friend to his royal highness himself. She said, adapting the speech from the traditional ceremony to present gifts to the King.

The box was opened, revealing six golden cups, with an Imerian eagle engraved at the base.

"They originally belonged to Queen Mary II in the 17th century, your Majesty, although we had the Imerian engraving added especially for this visit."

[Imeriata]

"They originally belonged to Queen Mary II in the 17th century, your Majesty, although we had the Imerian engraving added especially for this visit."
Sophia said as the king looked at the rather exquisite and surely priceless cups that must have been a national treasure back in their own nation even if he were forced to smile at the mention of his son as he himself remembered how it was to be young and needing to protect what was dear to oneself and wishing to do nothing but good.

"For that we do thank you your royal highness and we do echo your royal highness words of friendship and hope that the friendship between the absolute royal federation and the kingdom of Izzyshipper is as eternal as the ruling dynasties that now rules them!" The king said as he respectfully bowed his head as a servant carefully took the box of the cups presented to them.

"We would however need to ask your royal highness and your royal prince, gentlemen and ladies if you wished to continue in the dinning hall as we would assume that your royal highness would be quite hungry after the journey?" he asked as he would have been that in their case.