Adrian looked at both his mother and his brother. Adam had started conversing pleasantly with Emily. The Queen had also started talking with Amelie. She introduced her new handmaiden to her old one and asked Amelie to be oriented by Alisa regarding her preferences. 

[i]At least, she's prettier than the two,[/i] Adrian thought idly as he finished his tea. He had no plans of chatting with her the way the queen and Adam did with their own handmaidens. What he wanted done will be commanded, there was no need to talk in between. He stood up, excused himself and made his way out of the balcony and into the castle's hallway.