[center][h2][color=FF0000]Mai Mei of Liang[/color][/h2][/center]

Mai smiled politely in response to Elizaveta's words, returning the Grand Duchess's nod as she turned to speak to her betrothed. Then, Princess Raven, their host, proposed a slumber party.

[i]A slumber party?[/i] Mai thought incredulously, though her expression remained unchanged. [i]Goodness gracious. Are we a group of thirteen-year-old girls? Is a slumber party not rather...improper, for women of our standing? What would the nobility at court back in Liang say if they learned that I had attended a slumber party? Would they themselves label it improper and use it as a weapon to denounce my uncle's rule?[/i] 

To an outsider, the thoughts that ran through Mai's head could have been taken as a sign of her haughtiness, but in truth, Mai was very much concerned about how others perceived her. Could her actions-attending or not attending a slumber party, in this case-potentially threaten her uncle's precarious hold on the throne? [i]If I do indeed attend, I will most likely be labeled as 'un-royal' and maybe even unfit to rule. If I do not attend, I am not certain of what the Liangii nobility will think, but I am almost certain that the royalty present in Aciras will think that I feel somehow 'above' or 'superior' to them. That is not what I want to be doing.[/i] Mai carefully weighed her options before answering Princess Raven.

[color=FF0000]"I would love to attend the slumber party, Princess Raven,"[/color] answered Mai in a pleasant voice, a soft smile gracing lipstick-coated lips. [color=FF0000]"Please, do provide some more details. I would love to know what time and where we shall be meeting for the slumber party."[/color] Mai figured that the slumber party would be as good of a time as any to observe and analyze the other princesses. If both Elizaveta and Caterina were attending as well, perhaps she could properly determine what the relationship in between the two was at this point in time. Maybe the information would come in handy sometime in the future. As much as Mai hoped that nothing would come of the potential conflict in between the two, she could never be sure. [i]If it comes down to Caterina against Elizaveta, who would I side with?[/i] Mai wondered. [i]I would most likely remain neutral, but I think that if I were not a princess, I would side with Elizaveta. After all, Prince Nikolai is her betrothed, and Caterina is betrothed to somebody else. In any case, I suppose all I can do is simply hope that nothing happens where I would have to pick a side. That would be a nightmare. [/i]

Just then, Prince Henry of Elaniel wandered into the dining room, still in his pajamas. Mai would have gaped at him in disbelief if she was not so used to keeping her face neutral. [i]Oh my heavens. What is he doing? Why is he not...dressed?[/i] Mai glanced at Princess Feora of Wulfswinth out of the corner of her eye, gauging the other princess's reaction. She looked...dismayed? Surprised? Maybe just a tiny bit embarrassed? As Mai watched, Princess Feora abruptly turned her back to him. [i]If that was Zhou, I would have done the same.[/i] Fortunately, Mai's cousin was not present at the moment to make a fool of himself. 

"H-hello," Prince Henry greeted as he passed the knot of people standing near the door. Mai greeted him with a polite smile, though it did not appear like Prince Henry saw. Instead, he headed straight for the food. Mai imperceptibly arched an eyebrow, her expression carefully arranged in one of slight amusement as Prince Henry progressed across the room.

Mai's mild surprise transformed into downright disbelief as he finally noticed what he was doing and grabbed Princess Feora by the hand before dragging her out the door. [i]Goodness gracious. I do not know how Princes Feora will react to that. Not very well, I assume. She doesn't seem like the type to be pushed around by anybody, let alone her future husband.[/i]

Mai sighed inwardly and turned back to the other princes and princesses. Many interesting things had already happened, and it was only day two. Who could say what events would transpire over the course of the next few months?