A Long Awaited Visit [Closed]

by **Lux Pulchrae** » Thu Jan 17, 2019 4:29 am

Royal Palace, Citta del Re

It was a nice, slightly breezy and very sunny day in Citta del Re, the skies were clear and birds were heard chirping. The Royal Palace was a usually quiet place, when it did not host events or house entire noble families on forced vacation. But today it a abuzz with anticipation, today is the first state visit to Lux Pulchrae under Cleone IV since his ascension in 2016. The visiting nation in question was the Sultanate of Kyrenaia. Servants in the palace were running around making sure everything was presentable. Soldiers from both the Royal Guard and Elite Guard made their rounds around the court where they were to stand in attention as the guests arrived. Police and military could be seen on several streets making their way near the palace. The news media awaited the arrival as well, and even some civilians stood on the side walk outside the grounds seeing what all the fuss is about. And Cleone?

Hard, loud knocks were made against the king's chamber doors. His head servant Gio and at least the two guards outside his room all attempted to grab his attention.

"Well don't you have a master key or something? You're his personal servant." one soldier asked

"No, he's very paranoid." Gio answered, worried about his king, who was apparently unresponsive. Their attention was stolen by the opening of the door, only to find Cleone still in his underwear.

"What? It's 5am! I have yet another hour!"

"Your Highness, it's ten in the morning!" Gio corrected

Cleone's eyes widened as he realized today was the state visit and the Kyrenaian delegation could be in the court as they spoke. "Well, are they here?"

"Shortly."

The two hurried in a flash to get ready. There was a debate whether to wear military style or keep it a simple suit. The latter was chosen: a dark blue suit with matching vest and white shirt along with black pants and shoes. On his chest pocket a medal from the Order of the Sacred Heart was pinned. They hurried to the lobby and out the door, scanning the scene Cleone decided he'd wait until they had actually arrived to stand by the entrance.

Grand Lux International Airport

Several miles away a greeting was awaited at the Grand Lux International Airport by the Royal Guards as well and police escort awaited them on the tarmac as well as the royal nuncio.

by **Kyrenaia** » Thu Jan 17, 2019 2:43 pm

Approaching Grand Lux International Airport.
It was not a large plane, which transported the two people, which would usher in a new age in the relations between the Sultanate and the Kingdom of Lux Pulchrae, acquaintances for now, hopefully friends in the future.
They were well known to the diplomatic circles of the world by now.
Prince Damir ibn-Razia was the third child of the Sultana of Kyrenaia and, by agreement with his siblings, the next Ilkhan of Utica. If he would become the next Sultan, that was for others to decide and hopefully far, far away in the future. He was an olive-skinned man of thirty-six years, brown haired and with golden eyes, his face made to wear a charming smirk.
He wore a suit, what one might call a Stresemann, which consisted in this case of a grey striped trousers, a single-breasted midnight blue lounge jacket above a black waistcoat, with a bow tie. He wore it excellently, although without a hat (he didn't like hats).
The other person was actually his daughter, Princess Aurelia bint-Damir, the Sultana's only granddaughter and a vibrant young woman, blonde, blue eyed, a testament to her Selkie-Mother, and olive-skinned like her father. She was well-trained, both in the art of being a Princess and in sports, seeing that she was the leader of the Haram Girls' Academy's Horsearchery Team, and well-curved. Her blue eyes, however, drew in everyone, vibrant and shining sapphires.
She wore the appropriate Morning Dress for women, which fit to her Father's dress code. In her case, she wore a knee-length skirt, a white blouse and a jacket above that, almost translucent tights and shoes, which would not kill her.
Beforehand, there had been concerns: Lux Pulchrae was strictly Catholic and not only were they Polytheists, Aurelia was also very openly bisexual, even had a girlfriend. That was enough of a problem with more conservative elements in Kyrenaia, but here...?
Who would know.
As the plane stopped taxiing, Damir smiled at his daughter, getting up. Their mission was clear, they knew, what to do, they knew, how important this was for Lux Pulchrae.
It would be alright.
Damir led his daughter down the stairs towards the welcoming committee.

by **Lux Pulchrae** » Thu Jan 17, 2019 4:58 pm

As the plane had finished landing, steps were brought up to the door and two rows of guards lined up and saluted with their right arms high. At the end of the the row stood the royal nuncio with his hands behind his back. He wore a military uniform similar to the Royal Guard, dark blue military jacket and matching pants tucked into knee high boots and white gloves. He saw as the two made their way down and the band nearby began to play Passo Romano.

When they had reached him, he bowed and introduced himself "Bongiorno Your Highness, my name is Aldo Provazzo and let me be the first to welcome you to our great nation." he motioned his hand towards the limousine that was straight down, on both ends it carried two miniature Kyrenaian flags. Two guards broke from the salute and escorted them to the vehicle, it was rather spacious for a limousine. Aldo allowed them to enter first and went in after.

Inside, he had let them settled before speaking "May I say, signore e signora, what a pleasure it is for you to be here. We don't get many foreign visitors around here. I mean, sure there's tourists and the like, but state visits are a rarity." the vehicle was on the move, with police on either end escorting them. "Don't worry, we'll be at the palace in about fifteen to twenty minutes. So it is my understanding that you two are personal friends of the king."

by **Kyrenaia** » Fri Jan 18, 2019 2:43 am

The band played the Passo Romano wonderfully and the soldiers, even while performing the Saluto Romano, looked dashing, if one asked Aurelia. The Princess knew of the Fascist Leanings of Lux Pulchrae and she knew, that this was one of the reasons, which put them at odds with some of Kyrenaia's other friends.
For example the Empire of the Scarlet Eagle.
In any case, Damir bowed his head respectfully to the guards - he did not salute in any form because he himself was not wearing a uniform. As he could only wear his Utica Metropolitan Police Uniform anyway.
Upon reaching the nuncio, both the Prince and the Princess bowed their heads in return and respect. "The pleasure is ours, Mister Provazzo.", Damir said with a small smile, "Please, lead the way."
Offering his hand to his daughter for her to climb into the car, then following her into the armoured limousine, Damir thought, that this was a good start. It promised to be a fruitful visit.
The limousine's inside was very spacious, Provazzo climbing in inside of them, and once they had all settled and strapped in, he spoke: "May I say, signore e signora, what a pleasure it is for you to be here. We don't get many foreign visitors around here. I mean, sure there's tourists and the like, but state visits are a rarity. Don't worry, we'll be at the palace in about fifteen to twenty minutes. So it is my understanding that you two are personal friends of the king."
Damir nodded, giving a small smile. "Indeed, I would say, that we are close acquaintances of King Cleone and maybe even friends. We met a few times, in Camelone, for example.", he said and smiled at the memories of meeting him, one of the few high points of that visit, "Amongst us, he is closer to Grand Vizier al-Zahir and Prince Okan."
"And Princess Dschamilla.", Aurelia added with a small smile.
"And her, yes.", Damir said with a nod to her.

by **Lux Pulchrae** » Fri Jan 18, 2019 4:00 am

"Hmm." Aldo cracked his fingers on his right hand, squeezing them with his thumb "Interesting. Are these princes and princesses related to you as well?" Aldo looked at his feet and spotted black case "Oh, I almost forgot. No offense to you but it has been noted in the collection of information, that you Princess Aurelia, have a proclivity to both sides, if I can say. As a foreign guest, we do not hold it against you and will respect that decision, but keep your nature to yourself Princess."

Opening the case he took out what looked like a lace scarf, it was transparent and white, and white elbow-length gloves as well. "It is mandatory that all women cover their heads when entering government and religious buildings and sites, such as a church or the palace. You will put it on before we exit the vehicle. When you're not in either such building you may push it back off your head, but be prepared to wear it a lot. If you forget, don't worry, you will be reminded at the door." he explained before handing it over to her and picking up the gloves "If you'd like to wear these, it's optional but fashionable among the noble women here." he said handing the gloves to her as well.

Between the airport and the capital, there was vast open space. The country side was full large patches of farmland and small towns in the distance, they were about five minutes out from the palace. "Any questions before we arrive soon?" he asked.

by **Kyrenaia** » Fri Jan 18, 2019 4:19 am

At the first thing, Aurelia nodded. She had been informed about that beforehand and she did not want to cause an incident, so she would keep her trap shut - and if someone asked, she would avoid the question, unless it was too direct (in which case it would be short and to the point).
She did not need to justify herself in front of anyone.
As he got the lace scarf out, she gave a small smile. "You could have told me beforehand and I would have brought a hat along.", she said and wore the headscarf like a veil to the Fistan Alshams, "Or dressed in traditional costume. The weather seems like it!"
She did, politely, refuse the gloves, though. She was proud of her hands.
Her father smiled, nodding as he beheld her appearance. "Seems to work."
Aurelia nodded and put it down, folding it neatly and putting it on her lap. She would put it on when entering a governmental or religious building. These people wanted her to honour their traditions when in their country, just like she wanted them to honour her traditions when they visited her country, so why shouldn't she?
"So, one important question.", Damir said, "What's the schedule?"

by **Lux Pulchrae** » Fri Jan 18, 2019 6:10 am

Aldo checked his watch and answered "Well, it is almost noon. You will meet His Majesty, obviously, and have a small lunch. After that, an introduction and a little 'meet and greet' as they say. At night there will be a dinner. But to be honest I'm not aware of the entire schedule, so in between now and the dinner, I am rather ignorant. I am merely a greeter." As he finished the limo entered the city and was about to reach the the palace gates. Stopping at the gates where four guards stood, one approached the car and opened the door. "Allow me to exit first, you will walk behind me across the court and I will present you to His Majesty. I know you know each other, but it's for formality's sake. And I suggest you put your mantilla on, Princess." Aldo said as he got out of the car and waited for the others.

Once past the gates, the nuncio commenced his walk with the Kyrenaians behind him and two of the Royal Guards behind them. The court was full of soldiers in attention, saluting. The band was playing again but this time it was also sung by children in mini-uniforms, they sung at the behest of their choir composer. They sung "Duce! Duce!" as the Kyrenaians made their way across the court. At the end was Cleone standing by the entrance along with his brother the Grand Duke Marcello, Princess Isabella, and their parents King Abdicate Cleone III and Queen Mother Valencia de los Lagos.

Finally arriving Aldo bowed and stood to the side, announcing the guests and their host loudly "Your Majesty may I present to from the Sultanate of Kyrenaia, His Lordship Prince Damir ibn-Razia and his issue, Princess Aurelia bint-Damir. And to our guests may I present to you His Most August Majesty, Divinely chosen by the Grace of God, Absolute Sovereign of the KIngdom of Lux Pulchrae and Grand Duchy of Amaglione, His Highness Cleone d'Angeli IV!"

by **Kyrenaia** » Fri Jan 18, 2019 2:36 pm

Aurelia barely had enough time to fix the mantilla to her head before she was helped out of the car by her father.
Smiling, they followed the nuncio across the courtyard filled with soldiers and a children's choir in mini-uniforms. Aurelia smiled and Damir thought of them as too adorable! It reminded them both of the Cherries, the first years of each of the Old Academies, and them singing for important guests.
It didn't happen too often, that guests of state found their way to the Old Academies, but sometimes, it happened. The Sultana visited HGA and TBA more often, which was logical considering, that the two Academies were sponsored by the Ilkhana of Utica.
In any case, during the introduction, both Damir and Aurelia bowed their heads in respect, for the abdicated King (even if such a concept did not exist in Kyrenaian Royalty), for the Queen and, of course, for Cleone.
When the introductions were finished, they rose their heads again and Damir spoke in a loud and clear voice: "May the breeze carry cool winds and water to this Kingdom - thank you for your warm welcome, Cleone-Malik." Malik was the closest thing the Kyrenaian Language had to the title of a King, so it was usually used for Kings. "We bring with us the greetings and best wishes of Razia-Sultana Umm Albilad, the Lady of the Five Deserts, who wishes for peace and friendship between our Great Nations."
They had more greetings in their lugguage, but those were of a more private nature, so not exactly suited for the official reception.

by **Lux Pulchrae** » Sun Jan 20, 2019 12:09 pm

Cleone smiled and ushered them inside "Damir, son of the Sultana, it's wonderful to see you again and Princess Aurelia, glad to see you too, and you look really lovely in that." Cleone greeted "Hope you didn't eat on the plane cause we're headed to lunch, but if you want to rest a little that's understandable, you have rooms upstairs. Either way we'll have you luggage brought to you rooms."

The rest of the family had dispersed, either to the dining hall or other areas to attend their own business. Standing in the foyer of the palace it was rather large and roomy, the walls and floor were red against a white ceiling decorated with frescos. It had more of a lounge feeling with comfy red leather chairs, tables, paintings, candles and lights lit up the room. It had a staircase leading upstairs that split left and right where most of the quarters were. There were corridors past either side of the staircase and on either side of the lobby. The left corridor led the dining hall and the right corridor led to a more recreational area such as the palace library and study, a theater, ball room and more. The ones by the stairs led to one of the palace gardens.

by **Kyrenaia** » Sun Jan 20, 2019 4:04 pm

Damir smiled and followed Cleone, his daughter blushing at the compliment.
"Lunch sounds wonderful!", he said with a wide smile, Aurelia on his right as he had Cleone on his left. "We never eat before or during flights, so we are a tad bit hungry."
Aurelia nodded before looking towards the ceiling and the frescoes, admiring them. She would have to look at them more closely when she had the time, but so far, the artists were on par with those of the Azure Hall, if one asked her.
Damir's attention was more focussed on Cleone. "If I may ask, what's for lunch?", he asked, then leaned closer, whispering: "Then we can also relay to you the more private messages we were tasked with bringing to you."

by **Lux Pulchrae** » Sun Jan 20, 2019 5:22 pm

Cleone scratched the back of his head “Well, nothing special. We don’t tend to eat lavish meals. Today is pasta, bread and salad. If you like salmon the kitchen can whip you up some, how you’d like it. And for drink, we have wine. But as the Spanish say “Mi casa es su casa. My house is your house. Anything you’d like you can get my friend.”

Walking towards the dining hall, one would notice the corridor was stylish. Again the walls were red but only halfway down a doors length, the rest was what to the floor. Several painting of scenery littered the walls on either side, and spaces that weren’t covered by a painting showed sprawling golden vine and leaf patterns. There were also rooms in the hall but they were seldom used and of little importance.

Stopping, Cleone turned around “Princess, if you want you can go ahead to the dining room. The first left should bring in front of a very wide doorway. That’s the dining hall, I might have a niece or a cousin your age you can talk to. If me and your father can speak privately.” allowing her to go ahead to speak to Damir.

“So what are these ‘private messages’ you were dashed with Prince?”

by **Kyrenaia** » Sun Jan 20, 2019 5:35 pm

Aurelia bowed her head, recognizing the polite offer as an order, moving to quickly peck her father on the cheek before she departed - as instructed, first left.
She was absolutely fine with pasta, bread and salad, but she might ask for water. Wine and Aurelia did not mix well...
In any case, she looked into the hallway and smiled, entering.
Well, here we go, she thought to herself and entered with a self-confident grin.
That would be fun, she thought.

Damir nodded to Cleone.
"Most are not as grave as you might assume, Cleone-Malik.", he replied as soon as his daughter was out of earshot, "Certainly not grave enough to send Aurelia ahead. First of all, I am to relay greetings from both Grand Vizier al-Zahir and Prince Okan to you. Both regret not being able to come themselves, but they wish you the best and the best to the Kingdom. Especially al-Zahir." He let a beat pass. "Princess Dschamilla, kept home by family business and regretting not being here herself, asked me to give you a hug and a kiss from her, but I hope you don't mind me not fulfilling her wish to the letter."
He grinned at the latter - soon, that grin would be gone, for those were the three most pleasurable messages.

by **Lux Pulchrae** » Sun Jan 20, 2019 6:35 pm

The dining hall was just as grand as the rest of the palace, although it could be noted that it was older than some other parts of the palace as the walls were stone as opposed to wood like the rest. On one side were tall windows with even taller curtains open, letting in massive amount of light, though again, candles decorated the tables.

Adults were seen at the table, men and women alike. They sat well dressed, but they had put their suit jackets on the back of their chairs and rolled up their sleeves. Among them were all the d’Angeli men: Cleone III, Grand Duke Marcello Maria, Prince Pietro, Marcello’s son Gian and Lord Bourbon. Among the women sat Queen Mother Valencia, Princess Isabella, Valencia’s sister Maria and her daughter Lourdes. They all wore mantillas as well and dressed rather conservatively.

They were all eating and conversing amongst themselves whil children ran across the floors giggling and screaming to the chagrin of the servants who put made stern faces but dare not speak. The Queen Mother was in a conversation when she noticed Aurelia, so did everyone else “Oh, Princessa! Come in! Please tell me you weren’t waiting long, please sit down. <Get her a plateful now, please>” she ordered “What do you like to drink Princess?”

Back in the hallway Cleone stood with Damir, nodding his head at the news “Well, it’d have been better to send her off anyways. It’s sad that they couldn’t come, but your company is just as welcome Prince. And as to the hug and kiss, you can keep them, but I’ll acknowledge it. May I ask what family matters Dschamilla is dealing with?”

by **Kyrenaia** » Mon Jan 21, 2019 1:51 am

Aurelia smiled as she entered the dining hall, the tall and large windows reminding her of the large and open halls of the Azure Hall or of the Baed Palace. The architecture differed as much as apples were different from pears, but the effect was the same.
She smiled as a group of children ran past, laughing and giggling.
"Oh, Princessa! Come in! Please tell me you weren’t waiting long, please sit down.", Queen Mother Valencia said as she spotted Aurelia, before adding something in a different language, "What do you like to drink Princess?"
Aurelia bowed her head in gratitude and joined her side.
"Thank you, Valencia Al'umu Almuejabin.", she said politely, Al'umu Almuejabin meaning something along the lines of 'Honourable Mother', the term with which Queen Mothers were addressed (including, technically, Aurelia's own Great Grandmother). "A cuppa tea, if it's not too much of a circumstance.", she said with a small smile, not wanting to be inconvenient anyone. "And I haven't waited too long. Father and Cleone-Malik are talking about matters of state in the hallway."

Damir's grin went with the last sentence.
"You may, but it might dampen the mood.", he said and shook his head, "Her younger brother, Prince-Sergeant Atif, is a man of the Police Special Forces. Apparently, something went wrong during training and he was heavily wounded. That was the day before yesterday." He let a beat pass. "Dschamilla hurried home to see to him and to support her mother and her other little brother, Prince Karim."

by **Lux Pulchrae** » Mon Jan 21, 2019 9:43 am

"'Your Highness' will be just fine dear." she said almost sounding like a correction, just then a servant came with a plate of pasta and a bowl of salad. The pasta was simple fettuccine bathed in tomato sauce and chunks of sausage, the salad included lettuce, tomatoes, shredded carrots and avocado. On the table was a basket of bread rolls, salt, pepper and olive oil.

"<Your tea will be ready soon>" the servant confirmed in Italian. Valencia translated for Aurelia and continued eating before turning to her "So, what's Kyrenaia like?" she asked with a heavy accent, as they all had. Some don't even dare speak it, some like the Abdicate King Cleone III or Valencia's sister, Maria.

"It's a Sultanate" Marcello answered "So that goes without saying."

"What goes without saying?" Pietro asked

"Well, she should be used to wearing a veil, is all I'm saying." he shrugged

"They're not muslim, stupid!" Isabella corrected from across the "If you looked them up like he asked you to."

"I can confirm." Lourdes added "I met one of them a couple months ago, forgot her name though." she said scooping some of the pasta up "Era una Arabessa como esta."

"I loved visiting North Africa." Lord Bourbon joined in but went mostly ignored as an old man

"They're not Arabs either...I think." Isabella disputed Lourdes, then turned to Aurelia "You're not Arab are you?"

Valencia gave a look to her husband, and he sighed, slamming a hand on the table "Basta!" he ordered, quieting the table and went back to eating and talking with Lord Bourbon.

"<Stop it! She's a guest and I don't want our first state visit in years being described as uncomfortable.>" the Queen Mother ordered her children and niece. "Sorry Princess, they might seem intimidating but they don't mean any harm." This was true, not for them but for Lux Pulchraeans in general. They tend to lack almost any self awareness in what they said, which may come across as rude to others, even more so with these people who had a high opinion.

"Oh shit." was uttered from Cleone's mouth "Hope everything is okay. What exactly happened?"

by **Kyrenaia** » Mon Jan 21, 2019 10:31 am

Lux Pulchrae wrote:"'Your Highness' will be just fine dear." she said almost sounding like a correction, just then a servant came with a plate of pasta and a bowl of salad. The pasta was simple fettuccine bathed in tomato sauce and chunks of sausage, the salad included lettuce, tomatoes, shredded carrots and avocado. On the table was a basket of bread rolls, salt, pepper and olive oil.

"<Your tea will be ready soon>" the servant confirmed in Italian. Valencia translated for Aurelia and continued eating before turning to her "So, what's Kyrenaia like?" she asked with a heavy accent, as they all had. Some don't even dare speak it, some like the Abdicate King Cleone III or Valencia's sister, Maria.

"It's a Sultanate" Marcello answered "So that goes without saying."

"What goes without saying?" Pietro asked

"Well, she should be used to wearing a veil, is all I'm saying." he shrugged

"They're not muslim, stupid!" Isabella corrected from across the "If you looked them up like he asked you to."

"I can confirm." Lourdes added "I met one of them a couple months ago, forgot her name though." she said scooping some of the pasta up "Era una Arabessa como esta."

"I loved visiting North Africa." Lord Bourbon joined in but went mostly ignored as an old man

"They're not Arabs either...I think." Isabella disputed Lourdes, then turned to Aurelia "You're not Arab are you?"

Valencia gave a look to her husband, and he sighed, slamming a hand on the table "Basta!" he ordered, quieting the table and went back to eating and talking with Lord Bourbon.

"<Stop it! She's a guest and I don't want our first state visit in years being described as uncomfortable.>" the Queen Mother ordered her children and niece. "Sorry Princess, they might seem intimidating but they don't mean any harm." This was true, not for them but for Lux Pulchraeans in general. They tend to lack almost any self awareness in what they said, which may come across as rude to others, even more so with these people who had a high opinion.

"Oh shit." was uttered from Cleone's mouth "Hope everything is okay. What exactly happened?"

Aurelia took the correction in stride, nodding, then watched as, around her, chaos erupted.
People talked over each other, were ignoring what others said on the matter, until a hand hit the table and a tidal wave of Italian came to stop it all.
"Sorry Princess, they might seem intimidating but they don't mean any harm.", Valencia apologized to her after all was finished.
Aurelia tried to supress a loud laugh, but after a bit of struggle, she failed, most likely looking all but dignified as she giggled into her hand, raising the other to ask for a moment.
It took a bit more then a moment before she stopped, still grinning widely, her eyes positively shining as she bowed her head.
"My apologies, Your Highness.", she said, "I did not and do not mean disrespect. However, please allow me to remark, that if I would leave this beautiful country with a negative opinion, something that is very unlikely, it will not be because of a bit of chaos at the lunch table." She let a beat pass. "And amongst us, for my family, dinner looks just like that." She smiled at the assembly. "I know, that you all have a lot of questions and I would love to answer them all to the best of my abilities, but please, one after the other."
She took her utensils and began with the delicious pasta, small bites, as it was appropriate, ready for the first question.

"That...", Damir said, "...is a very good question. They are calling it a training accident and I am inclined to believe them. A Board of Inquiry will be formed as well, mainly because two other officers were not so lucky."
He shook his head.
"Bloody mess that was...", he added.

by **Lux Pulchrae** » Mon Jan 21, 2019 12:49 pm

"So you're royalty, who's your king?" Marcello asked as he sipped his wine

"They have a Sultana, a queen." Isabella answered

"I'm asking her. Is your name Aurelia?"

"No but I do my research." she smirked, sticking her tongue out

"<A sovereign queen? Ha!>" the elder Cleone chuckled along with Lord Bourbon

"Papa!" Isabella scolded

"How old are you Princess?" Lourdes asked

Just then a tea came "<Ginger root and honey>" the servant informed her, with Valencia again translating for Aurelia. A loud metal clanging and glass was heard hitting the floor followed by a child crying. Some turned their heads, Marcello and Pietro stood up and looked. Pietro sat back down while Marcello grabbed Gian and went to help the servants. Coming back, Marcello carried two little girls, his daughter Aurora and Pietro's daughter Giuseppina, the latter calling for her father.

"They're fine, they just went where they weren't supposed to. Ahem" Marcello explained as he cleared his throat and handed Pietro his daughter. Marcello sat back down and handed Aurora over to Gian "Gian, go walk around with your sister. And don't wander too far capisci?" Gian nodded and took his sister away.

Cleone chuckled and raised his brows "Yeah, 'training accident'. If they gave me a tract of land for every time I've heard that, I'd have Russia." Hearing a faint crash coming from the dining hall, Cleone changed focus "Well, let's 'put a pin in it' as they say and have some lunch."

by **Kyrenaia** » Mon Jan 21, 2019 1:16 pm

Aurelia smiled.
"My name is indeed Aurelia, although with full title, I would be Aurelia-Amira bint-Damir, Mulazim min Alramat Alkhialat lil'Akadimia. Translated, that would mean Princess Aurelia, Daughter of Damir, Lieutenant of the Mounted Archers of the Academy, with which of course the HGA's Horsearchery Team is meant. I head their training and selection." She let a beat pass. "Our King indeed is not a King, but a Sultana, a female sovereign, who, if you allow me the bias, indeed does her job very well. She's also Ilkhana of Utica." Letting another beat pass, she looked to Lourdes, thinking, that she was most likely the woman, who Princess Dschamilla had met shortly before someone found it fitting to ram a knife into Princess Fara, all of that in the land of her at-that-time boyfriend. "I'm now seventeen years old... although I prefer the phrasing, that I am of Seventeen Springs."
She asked herself, how far that research had indeed gone.

"That sounds like a plan.", Damir said, grinning. Officially, he was inclined to agree with the 'training accident' part, but old instincts told him, that it might as well not have been as accidental as it seemed. That was, what the Board of Inquiry would be for. "I take you have a large family?"

by **Lux Pulchrae** » Mon Jan 21, 2019 2:07 pm

"Seventeen and a lieutenant? Wow, really ahead in the service aren't you?" Pietro teased

"Seventeen Springs eh? In that case I'm thirty-three summers of age." Marcello smirked "Someone tell Cleone he's the king of twenty-eight springs. Add another title to his introduction." causing some at the table to laugh.

"So you're not Arabic? Could've fooled me. But what do I know?" Pietro raised his brows, taking another forkful of pasta while offering Giuseppina some as well, to which she shook her head opposing it.

"Apparently not much." Lourdes joked, causing another round of laughter

Valencia stood up and put out her arms forward, reaching for her granddaughter "Pass her over please." with Pietro much obliging, Giuseppina smiling as she was given to her grandmother and began tugging her mantilla, much to Valencia's disturbance

Isabella took a sip of her wine "So Aurelia, you're a princess, any princes? Or in the works?" she asked with a smile

"Large family? Immediate? Somewhat, definitely not by Latin or even royal standards . Two brothers, a sister and parents. Oh and a couple of nieces and a nephew. Extended? Too many to. Can't begin to tell the number of cousins, second cousin, uncles, aunts great aunts/uncles, offspring of cousins. I'm pretty sure I haven't met them all. But you're family is quite large as well I take it. I can't tell who's your cousin or who's your nephew over there." After about a minute they entered the dining hall. No one really turned their heads as they were too busy in their 'interrogation' of Princess Aurelia. Cleone pulled a seat next to Marcello and invited Damir to sit next to him. Normally he'd sit at the head, but his father took that position, and who was he if not a good son.

by **Kyrenaia** » Mon Jan 21, 2019 2:28 pm

Aurelia did not notice her father entering either, but she laughed along with Valencia and the others.
It was a free, merry atmosphere.
She smiled at Guiseppina as she was handed over - a cute little girl. She would become one pretty woman in due time, and one graceful, too, if she looked at her peers at the table.
"So Aurelia, you're a princess, any princes? Or in the works?", Isabella asked with a smile after she sipped of her wine.
Aurelia raised a finger to ask for a moment to swallow her bite - it was impolite to speak with a full mouth, after all. Plus, she needed the time to formulate a response.
Once she did all of that, she spoke: "I'm indeed in a relationship... with the most beautiful, kind-hearted and wonderful person the world has ever seen. I love that person a lot and we already began courting each other."
All of what she said was true... only that she wasn't talking about a Prince, but a Duchess.
Damir motioned for Cleone to please not announce his presence for the moment, simply because he wanted to know, how that bluff ended. That, of course, delayed his reply about his own, comparatively small family, especially by Kyrenaian Standards.

by **Lux Pulchrae** » Mon Jan 21, 2019 3:18 pm

"Oh, sounds like a wonderful man." Isabella smiled

Marcello looked next to him to see Cleone sitting down with Damir in tow "Oh look who's here to join the party. About time."

"Well, I was discussing state business, more or less. Anything I miss?"

"Only that in Kyrenaia you wouldn't be twenty-eight years old, you'd be twenty-eight springs old."

"Oh, interesting calendar you people have." he said to Damir. Soon a plate of pasta and bowl of salad was place before them as well as two glasses of wine. Other servants walked around collecting plates, almost everyone was done, save for the elder Cleone and Lord Bourbon, who talked more between themselves than schoolgirls.

Bouncing Giuseppina on her lap Valencia and teasing her. She'd stand Giuseppina on her atop her lap and point to the others asking her what everyone's names were. She only got about half of them right. Valencia gave her a big kiss and handed her over to Isabella, "Sabella take her." She took her niece as the queen stood up as did her sister Maria. Turning to Aurelia she made a small bow "Princess, it was a pleasure meeting you and I hope to see you soon. We have plans to keep up with." with that the two excused themselves and left the hall.

"So Prince Damir," Marcello spoke up "What brings you to Lux Pulchrae? Besides the invitation? I heard there some courtship between my brother and one of you, she's a lucky woman to miss this." he laughed, at his brothers expense.

by **Kyrenaia** » Mon Jan 21, 2019 4:44 pm

Aurelia rose from her seat as Valencia rose, replying to her bow with one of her own. "The pleasure was all mine, Your Highness.", she replied to her farewell, "May the winds bring us together again."
That done, and the two women going, Aurelia sat back down with a happy smile.
One could guess, that it was because now she finally could focus on eating, not on being interrogated, or it was because the food was good, and both assumptions would be correct... only that they missed one thing. She was glad, that her little ruse had not failed.
Marcella was, after all, many things, but a man? No. She would know that.
Her Father, on the other hand, smiled at Marcello with a note of sadness.
"Princess Dschamilla bint-Fadi excused herself despite her will to come.", he spoke, nodding to Marcello, "Urgent family matters kept her at home, though I am afraid, that it's not at my liberty to tell you more." No need to mention, that his brother had a clear information advantage. "As for why I am here, you are right, it's not only the invitation. I wanted to visit my friend Cleone and teach my daughter a few things about the world, and... The Sultanate is very interested in pursuing a closer relationship with the Kingdom, in politics, economics and, that must be said, personally as well."

by **Lux Pulchrae** » Mon Jan 21, 2019 5:42 pm

"Well" Marcello smiled "We can talk politics in a moment. Once you both've finished your lunch. Me and Cleone are like the two ears of politics around here, without either if us, it's hard to hear."

Lourdes and Isabella looked at each and to Marcello, Isabella palmed her face, "You feel proud about that? That must be one of the dumbest analogies I've ever heard." They tried to hold back their laughter, Lourdes covered her mouth with her hand

"Where is your husband, so he can shut you up."

"He is meeting with a client so I run my own mouth today." Isabella stood up and stuck her tongue out again, Lourdes did the same and they bothed laughed. "Pietro I'm taking Giuseppina with with us. Princess, would you like to come?"

"Fine by me, just don't let her go. And don't let her grab things either. You have a stroller?" Pietro questioned, lifting the fork to his mouth.

"She's three and a half, she can walk just fine. Besides, I can make a guard carry her." she answered "So Princess, wanna come?"

Marcello turned to Damir once more "Prince, please don't tell me your women are as mouthy as this one? Cause that ruins all my hopes of ever visiting."

Cleone pushed him away and apologized for Marcello's unusually crass demeanor today "Apologies Damir, he's usually not like this, probably had one too many a glass. But once we're done here, we can go talk in private." picking up his glass and taking a gulp.

by **Kyrenaia** » Tue Jan 22, 2019 7:01 am

"If you think this is mouthy...", Aurelia said with a smile as she rose, turning to Marcello, "...you should see me, when I get going!" She turned to Lourdes and Isabelle, nodding, her father agreeing with her words. "So, where are we going with this little angel?"
She smiled at Giuseppina, even bowed down to smile at her - if need be, she herself would carry her, no need to bother a guardsman with it.
Once the women were gone, Damir smiled, nodded to Cleone, before he turned to Marcello.
"It's her Selkie-Mother, which makes her mouthy.", he said with a grin, "But, if you ask me, a woman with fight and spirit is all the more worthy of being conquered! And believe me, Marla was worthy of any trouble and way more."

by **Lux Pulchrae** » Tue Jan 22, 2019 11:28 am

The two girls looked at each other and back to Aurelia with Isabella answering “We don’t know.” she shrugged “We just go wherever.”

“What would you like to see Princess?” Lourdes asked

“Preferably somewhere we can pull down these mantillas.” Isabella suggested as they began walking towards the entrance, stopping at the lobby.

Back at the table Marcello and Cleone nodded “Interesting philosophy Prince. Be careful that she isn’t too rowdy. The longer the leash, the freer she thinks she is.”

“Didn’t mom have a saying?” Cleone wondered, finishing his glass

Marcello thought for a moment, their mother had a lot of sayings “Oh! I think it was something like: ‘A free woman is a desperate woman.’ I don’t know, something like that.” he waved the idea away.

“Don’t let Isabella hear you. She’ll rant your ear off.” Pietro commented, his plate and glass carried away

“Enough about women then, we can all agree they’re great. End of conversation. We’ll speak about other things in your office.” Marcello stood up, Pietro did as well

“Why my office? Plenty of places to sit and chat. Go to the west lounge, we’ll meet you there. I’m not asking either.” The king commanded. The two did a short bow and went ahead.

The two were on their own again save for a few staff that were on hand, collecting debris and plates “How’s the food for you Damir? It’s no falafel but..”

A Long Awaited Visit [Closed]

A Long Awaited Visit [Closed]

Who is online