"Hrmpf" said Vladimir as his son, Aleksandr, took a seat, next to Nadia no less. Why Aleksandr was suddenly spending more time with Nadia he did not know but he was uneasy thinking about the possible reasons.

"Hello Alexi" Nadia greeted him with a smile as he said hello to everyone else. She looked at him for awhile before looking back in front. She wondered if he was angry at her about them sneaking out and then their father finding out. Luckily Erik was there to help out, Erik always seem to be able to find reasons to get them out of trouble.

Erik slipped through the doorway for the Royal Lunch making little effort to keep his tardiness hidden -- he'd made such a regular habit out being the last one to arrive, that he'd long since passed the threshold where he felt that excuses were required.

"Your highness." Erik gave a curt bow to the Queen who he had yet to see that day. "Uncle." Erik's gesture towards the king had lost some of the zeal that it had possessed for the queen. He settled into a seat opposite Nadia and Aleksandr, his hands find their place in his lap. "I have half the mind to prove your father right..." Erik muttered to his cousins from across the table, his voice low as to not be overheard. "I almost find being a drunken half wit to be endearing when it comes from him." He gave a warm grin, as he peered down at his uncle for half a second, before looking back to his cousins.

"Hrmpf" Vladimir said as Erik sat down. When Erik was younger he enjoyed the little bastards company but as he grew older Vladimir came ever increasingly disgusted by his behaviour as Vladimir never liked drunks or morons especially when they where part of his own family.

Nadia smiled at Erik. "Hello Erik, thank you for today" Nadia said, loud enough so only Erik and Alexi could hear it. The voices of her other siblings would've covered up her voice as they were talking to one another. "Don't disturb father for now, it's bad enough he found out that I sneaked out" She said calmly and glanced at Alexi for awhile before looking at Erik again. "Are you two free after lunch? Tear and I will be baking. Ocgnoton will be there as well, tasting the baked goods" Nadia said, smiling at them.

Aleksandr felt uncomfortable hanging out with Erik. He was great with manipulation... But for Nadia, he would not mind another outing. He knew better. The two were both mischievous. A part of him became slightly jealous of Erik. How could he be so brave or... able to be so rebellious. He could lose his rights! And Nadia would prefer such a thing from a man, would she not?

She was so playful.

Aleksandr found himself agreeing to meeting up with Nadia, Erik, and Ocognoton after lunch was finished. He wasn't sure how Nadia could persuade him like so, but she had, with out much effort on her part. He couldn't leave her alone with Erik, anyways. He didn't trust Erik...

"Yay!" Nadia said happily and smiled at Alexi. Maybe he wasn't angry at her anymore. He did agree to come and join her after lunch.

Vladimir observed his children with narrowed eyes, and intrigued about what mischief they may be up too he inquired "Hmm... and what are you three talking about?"

"I'm going to do some baking later, father" Nadia said to her father, smiling at him

Vladimir folded his arms disapprovingly for he never liked Nadias insistence on liking and spending time with the common folk for that was no way a princess should act. Vladimir sighed "Nadia... Why do you insist on doing such activities?"

"I'll be baking in the castle, father" Nadia said with a slight frown. "The only other 'common folk' as you refer them as would be Ocgnoton, unless you'd consider Tear a 'common folk'" Nadia said, looking at her father calmly.

Vladimir deftly avoided the subject of Tear "It is not just who you are doing it with but the activity itself! How could any prince want to marry a girl with hardened bakers hands?"

"Father, I have not done it for quite a few months already, which is why I was thinking of doing it today" Nadia said, looking at him, blinking slightly. "And who wouldn't want to marry a person that can make beautiful cakes, cupcakes or sweets such as those?"

Vladimir narrowed his eyes further still "Because it is so... Unregal..." He looked at his daughter and decided that she will learn the consequences of her blasphemous actions, he stood up and said "Bah! If no prince wants to marry you then don't come crying to me, for i will only approve of the consequence!" With that he walked out of the room.

Tear stood behind a pillar hearing the conversation, it hurted her soul hearing the king would say such terrible things to the princess, however there wasnothing she could do

Nadia hung her head low, wondering why doing such activity like that would displease her father so much. If it was true that no prince would marry her because of doing things such as baking, what kind of person would those princes be. She sighed sadly, looking down on the table. It was shameful for one to make the king so mad as to leave the table. From where she was sitting, she could hear the whispers from her siblings.

"princess,,," was the only thing Tear said before hugging Nadia tightly and caress her head, Nadia was like a daughter for her
"Dont be upset, you shall find someone that shares your hobbies"

Aleksandr refrained from making any comment towards marriage. It would have been inappropriate. He really was not sure what to say. He was not taught very well on how to comfort his sister, so unnoticeably to people around, he slid his hand from his lap and placed it on her thigh. Turning his head to Nadia, "Nadia, do as you please."

He quickly withdrew his hand. He figured his comment was shallow, she always did as she pleased, but the pouting made things difficult for him to admire her delicate attributes. They looked so unnatural when saddened.

Nadia felt Alexi's hand on her and turned her head slightly to look at him. Hearing his words she gave him a small smile and then looked back down again. She slowly stood up from her seat with Tear still hugging her and tugged on her sleeve, signalling to her that she wanted to leave the room. "P-Please excuse me everyone" Nadia said with a slight bow before leaving the dining room with Tear

Aleksandr's cheeks rosened. He was not expecting her to abruptly leave the table. The other siblings were too busy chatting to notice him redden. He quickly excused himself, pushing himself from the table. He wanted to be there for Nadia. He found that this was a silly thing to fight over. Just listen to father. . she had such soft hands, even for having been baking for over a month, now . .

"Excuse me, everyone. Lunch was delightful, as always," his voice was stoic as he gave a less than blessed thanks, but it sounded sincere, nonetheless. Aleksandr had given many Thank You's in situations that he deemed torturous.

He quickly walked after Nadia, calling her name, "Nadia, Tear," he said. He was nervous with Tear around Nadia, but she had been spying on them the whole time. He should loosen up around her. She seemed to be in the best interest of the children. . and perhaps, kingdom. Was he right to follow his father's orders so strictly? He pushed that thought from his mind. Right now, thinking more about Nadia's mental well-being.