Duncan had kept his eyes on her and he noticed her being a bit insecure. He loved how she bit her lip though. He didn't know when he first noticed Madeline but he did know she was growing on him fast. Disappointed that there was work waiting for him he gently let go of her hand. "I should go to my office and do some boring paper work. Would you walk with me there? Or do you prefer to stay in the gardens?" he asked, hoping she would walk with him so they would have a few more moments together. It was a good thing she was on her own anyway so he could ask her personal opinion about the suitors but for now he just enjoyed some time with her.

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Keith noticed Desmond was being evasive over his homeland and he wondered why. If someone would have asked him anything about his homeland he would have given an eloborate answer that would show how proud he was living there. Keith decided to let it slide. He definitely didn't want to rub anything the wrong way right now.
"We don't need her military, besides maybe some techinques and tactical intelligence, but she does need ours and our weapons. We need free trade of goods and services and we need some of their cheap products and services, escpecially of certain products that are scarce in my homeland, we also want some scholarships for our people so they can study here in fields we don't have. Like some magic fields." Keith paused. "Knowledge is power sais my father all the time and to gain a whole country full of knowledge we don't have is very tempting to father as bonus on top of the cheap import for stuff we need. He looked into the matter and felt the advantages were bigger then the disadvantages of marrying into a kingdom that is at the threath of war." Keith filled his glass again but didn't drink from it. He looked at Desmond. "Did you volunteer or got ordered to go like I was?" He asked

Madeline blinked. She noticed that he had let go of her hand. She heard what he said. He had to leave already? She frowned a bit at the knowledge and the thought. Anyway, she nodded. She took a breath before she spoke.
"Alright. I will follow you."
She did her best to faintly smile, at least. She would walk with him as he headed to his office and such. She had a feeling that was what he desired at this moment anyway. It would be nice to spend a little more time with him also, she thought. Duncan was nice. She was surprised Annabelle had not grown more fond of him. If he were a prince, he would have been perfect. Of course, she did not care if he was a prince or not. She...cared about Duncan. She had grown quite attached to him and everything.

Desmond blinked in confusion as he looked to Keith. The idea of being forced to do something was not akin to him he always forced others to do things but that was not how things had ever been for his. He was a leader and always took charge. He looked Keith strait in the eyes "I chose to come here. If someone had tried to force me to do something their throat would have been slit." He said with a grin. His words sounded venomous. And he ment them truly he would have killed his own father had he said he had no choice in this matter, but he did not realize what effect that would possibly have being heard by another. He was here by choice for the princesses hand in marriage but he also chose to come in search of an artifact said to be in this area that he had only remembered just now that he thought about it. There was a sorceress on the royal guard who held an artifact that could give anyone magical powers, but since her disappearance no-one knows what happened to the artifact. His eyes narrowed as these thoughts came to his mind and he stared off into space almost forgetting about Keith entirely

Duncan felt a pang of regret when he saw Madeline frown and the faint smile, he would much rather stay and walk the gardens with her but it were busy times with suitors arriving. He didn't want to risk people go look for him while he was walking pleasantly around with a beautiful woman.
"Wonderful." he said with a big grin as he started walking, but rather slow in comparison to his normal stride Duncan was stalling as much as he could. "I am sorry I am cutting this short my lady but unfortunately with the suitor arriving we have a lot of work to do." he looked at Madeline. "I promise to make it up to you this evening when Princess Annabelle doesn't need you anymore." he said looking hopefully at Madeline. He hoped she would say yes.

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Keith frowned, he didn't feel at ease with Desmond. His actions and words made him feel uncomfortable. Keith looked as Desmond seemed to started stared off into space. Keith looked pensive at Desmond. He was clearly nothing like Keith and Keith felt that might be out of his league competing against this man. Keith may have been ordered to go but he was glad they had make him go. The Princess was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen and he was ready to go up against Desmond, Desmond was evasive and dangerous and Keith wasn't sure if staying clear or befriending was the best course of action.
Keith didn't want to know more about Desmond at the moment though, the glimpses he had seen were unsettlin and he figured it was a waste of time finding out. Keith realised that his steering away from potential threath and coat things with friendly conversation didn't always work in the world but he didn't want to go head on with Desmond right now.
"Well my father has his good sides so I didn't feel inclined to slit his troath over it. Besides eventhough I was ordered to go I definitely don't mind they send me. Now at least, after meeting her." Keith said. "But I guess it is up to her to decide, I wonder what she is going to base it on."

Madeline followed along. She noted that Duncan was walking rather slow. Was he delaying the inevitable? She wondered that much. Anyway, she looked at him when he spoke to her. The lady in waiting heard his apology. She nodded once at that. Then, she heard his promise to make it up to her later, when her Majesty, and her closest friend, did not need her anymore for the evening. She nodded once to that as well. The young woman noted the hopeful look that Duncan seemed to have in his eyes. She took a breath and finally spoke.
"..very well."
She managed not to blush, frown, or anything like that. Instead, she faintly smiled at him again. She fought the urge to hold his hand as they walked.

......

Annabelle was waiting for more suitors to arrive. However, she was starting to doubt if any others would show up. She sighed a bit. She frowned and moved a loose strand of hair out from in front of her face. She looked lonely at this point. She didn't regret her decision to dismiss Madeline for a while though. She knew Madeline, her lady in waiting and closest friend, would need a little time from her current duties and such. Annabelle was soon lost in her own thoughts.

Desmond shrugged his shoulder "doesn't matter what she bases it on. Could be anything

Duncans grinned big. "I am glad to hear that." He opened different doors then the ones he had entered the gardens through. He walked in and held one door open for Madeline. his office was in a corridor to the left and he glanced in it, noticing a few of his royal guard already waiting at a door almost half way. He sighed. "Seems work is waiting for me." He paused as he got an idea. "Lady Madeline, if you have a moment, would you like to go into my office with me and discuss your opinion of the suitors?" This way he could spend a little more time with her combined with work. He was planning to make a report on couple of suitors present and eventhough it was in the end up to Princess Annabelle he wanted to be able to provide advice if she would ask for it.

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Keith nodded. That was true and it would be futile to break his head over it now. Besides that would just give him a headache.
Keith walked around in the room. Eventhough he didn't mind friendly conversation he was starting to get bored. So far he had seen the entrance hall and this room comfortable as it was. He browsed the cabinets. "We could play a game of chess." he offered. "Or we find someone of the castle staff to give us a tour of the castle." He looked out of the window and noticed a grass field. "Or we find some entertainment outside, I'm sure the castle has some sports of games attributes." It was that or read on of the books in the bookcase but Keith longed for some excersize. Walking around inside the castle or outside on the castle grounds or a friendly game of some sort. Maybe if they were lucky the princess herself had time to show them around. He had no idea how many suitors would suppose to be coming and how long the Princess would wait for them.

Madeline walked alongside Duncan. She noticed his green. He seemed happy to hear that, she thought. She watched as he held a door open for her. She gave a nod and walked inside. She heard him say something about work already waiting for him. She sighed a bit. She blinked and looked at him when he said he had an idea and she listened to what he suggested after that. She could tell that Duncan was just looking for an excuse to spend more time with her. She tried not to smirk at the thought. Anyway, she nodded once.
"..alright."

Desmond shrugged unsure of how to respond he wanted to tour the castle that would be fantastic but who would they ask and going outside seemed fun but this other siuter did not seen the type to be interested in a duel. He pondered for a minute than looked up at Keith "well" he said scratching his head "I'm not sure they would give us a tour, or who to even ask about something like that" he said chuckling a little. "I'm not even sure we are allowed to leave this room before the event starts" he added after really thinking about it. It seemed they were supposed to stay put until told otherwise "you got any ideas?" He asked Keith while looking around for a vent somewhere so he could possibly escape this room unseen

Duncan was glad Madeline agreed. He showed her into his office and pulled a chair back for her to sit on. His office was very neat and tidy. Nothing was out of place. Duncan liked to keep it orderly. "Would you mind sharing your thoughts on the suitors present in the castle?" he asked as he sat down. He wanted to know the opinion of the lady in waiting and valued it high as she was a trusted confidante of the Princess. That it helped him spending a bit more time with her was defintily a plus. He hadn't made up his mind entirely. They all had their flaws, some more then others, and their history.

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Keiths spirit tempered a bit when Desmond said they probably weren't allowed to roam the castle freely and he had to agree that that might be true. Keith thought a moment before he opened the door and looked around but he couldn't see anyone around. "Excuse me, can we go see the gardens?" he asked into the empty corridor. He grinned as he turned back to Desmond. "Those who stay silent agree." he said with a mischievous glinster in his eyes. "I'd say we can go take a look outside." Keith went inside the room again and opened the window, he enjoyed the fresh air for a second. "I'd say that grass field is still within the castle grounds." Keith said as he looked as if he wanted to climb out of the window. He really needed to feel some fresh air.
"They didn't forbade us to go out." He added thoughtfully, it was only not very polite and probably not very prince like but Keith had always enjoyed to test the boundaries and just have fun. "We also could go the princess and let her know we want to walk around a bit and in the mean time see if any others have arrived." That would be a bit more polite. Not as polite as waiting till they were summoned but a better then sneaking out.

Desmond looked out the window and smelled the fresh air and he gave a small grin back at Keith as he sat on the window sill "if no-one is around than what are we waiting for?" He asked as he leaned back and slumped out the window to the ground below "I don't know about you but I'm not waiting for permission" he said pulling his tattered cloak back around his body as he walked away

Madeline followed him into his office. She sat down when he offered her a seat. She looked at Duncan. She heard what Duncan asked her. She paused as she thought about the suitors.
"I am not entirely sure what to think about them."
She took a breath and continued.
"I was intimidated and such at one point. Then, it felt strange at another point. one seemed...nice enough. but it is not up to me. it is up to Annabelle...I mean, her majesty."
Madeline sighed a bit.

Duncan nodded. "Yes it is up to her majesty but in case she would be in doubt and asks for advice I want to be able to give advice properly. It may be that it is unneeded but good to have in case of." he said. Duncan sat back. "To be honest I have some doubts about Desmond Arkenstel and I'm not too sure about Keith Sormard either." There was little to say about the Angel, it was hard to imagine what were the reasons there. Desmonds reasons were not very clear but Keiths were pretty straightforwzrd. He knew about the kingdom and the Royal family there. "But since they chose to court the Princess it'll have to do. I hope that all of them show us why they are worthy to be wed to our princess."

Keith grinned big and jumped out of the window right after Desmond. Keith quickly caught up with Desmond and adjust his pace. "Much better." Keith sighed. Keith looked around interested. He noticed it was well kept. It was nothing new for Keith to disappear from a room, even as a small kid he escaped official meetings and boring parties this way. He was glad to find some common ground with Desmond. Eventhough they were competitors to try and gain the Princess her affection or agreement to the deal he rather not they would spend all the time hostile and distrusting each other. Not that Keith had much to hide. It was well known he had shunned his duties more then once and that he rathered partied and have fun then to do boring regal things. But Keith was willing to change that, he felt it was time to mature and be everything Princess Annabelle needed.
Keith looked back at the castle from this angle, counting the windows and examining the walls, before he looked back over the field. "It is well kept, that is a relief. Means they aren't poor and that the threath of a war hasn't made the people flee. Which either means it is too distant or they love their Royal family so much they stay with them no matter what." Keith glanced back once more. "I do hope my room has a nice view."

Madeline took a breath. She nodded once. She looked at Duncan and spoke.
"Of course. That is but one of your duties to her majesty."
She listened as he spoke about his doubts. She had some of her own but was afraid to voice them aloud.
"We can only hope that they treat her with respect and with proper care, should any of them be given the chance."
She frowned and sighed. She felt great unhappiness at the thought of the princess being unhappy, hurt, or both. Madeline took another breath before saying another word.
"Are you...concerned...for her majesty?"

Shh" Desmond tackled Keith behind a bush as he watched Duncan and Madeline pass. "Thats the head of the royal guard and the lady in waiting" he said his hand held over Keith's mouth to shush his speech. As soon as he was sure they were past them he turned back to Keith and realized how awkward of a position they were in. The were in a very compromising position and Desmond jumped back "wow" he said feeling slightly embarassed "despite how awkward that was it was nesecarry" he stated still whispering "if they had seen us we might have been in big trouble" he added as his heart rate slowed back to normal and he raised the hood to his cloak as he peaked through the bushes

Princess Annabelle had since moved to the garden for some peace and quiet. No more suitors had arrived at the moment. It seemed like there would be no more arriving, or so she assumed. She sighed a bit. She sat on a small garden bench. She stared at the tiny little garden pond in front of her. A breeze passed by. Her hair flowed in that breeze a bit. The princess was all alone at the moment. She was silent since she was not really talking to anyone. There was no one with her to talk to anyway.

Duncan nodded before he grinned. "That is my job in the first place, but yeah I'm concerned. Drastic times call for drastic measures but you never know what kind of persons would respond and there are some freaks out there, not to mention spies." Duncan sighed. "At least I'm sure none of them are spies or assassins. So that is a positive." It was nice confinding in Madeline. Of course he had went over this with the Royal Guard but with Madeline he felt he could be totally open and honest with her.

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Keith didn't know what happened when he got tackled and found himself pinned down and silenced by a hand covering his mouth. His eyes widend in shock and his heart rate went up. He was about to summon wind to blow Desmond away when he heard him talk as who he saw. Desmond was right, it would not do both of them good to be spotted by either of them out here. Keith was relieved when Desmond jumped off him. "Only a little bit akward." Keith responded but he could see the humour of the situation now. Had anyone seen them like that there would have been some explaining to do.
Keith rubbed some painful spots from the tackle before he glanced through the bushes while he nodded. He couldn't see them anymore he did however spot someone else at a garden pond not too far away. "The princess, she is sitting on a bench right over there." he whispered as he pointed. Keith thought, if they would jump out of the bushes that would raise questions if she'd see. Discretely he put some more strenght in a breeze and used the gust of wind rustle bushes at the far side and knock over a bucket standing close. When the princess looked over there they could jump up and pretend they just got there.

Madeline nodded. she agreed with him. It was nice to know that there were no spies among them. However, there was still something that weighed on her mind. It was her worry and concern for the princess mainly. Anyway, she looked at Duncan and continued to listen to what he said to her as he spoke. She frowned for a moment when she heard him sigh.
"I'm concerned about her too."
She was tempted to reach out towards him, perhaps hold his hand in hers. She wanted to but she knew that she should not. He might not be comfortable with it, Madeline thought.

…………………………………

Annabelle sighed. She frowned. She was lost in her own thoughts. She remained quiet as she sat there. Her eyes remained on the little garden pond in front of her. She took a deep breath at one point. She moved a loose strand of hair from in front of her face after another moment or so. She was thinking about, well, everything that had happened up until then.

While the princess was distracted and Keith was busy trying to conjure up wind Desmond saw his opening and he swooped in and tapped the princesses shoulder "what's got you eaten up insidr?" He asked her with general concern. He spoke to her with common words. He wanted to speak on equils footing as humans not beings of royalty. "You seem quite distracted. Everything ok?" He asked her sitting down on the bench beside her "I can relate. There is alot at stake. Who knows what is supposed to happen"

Princess Annabelle blinked and gasped. She had been caught off guard. She was startled. She looked to her side and saw who it was, who had her arm around her like that. She thought it to be inappropriate.
"oh, um, greetings, your...majesty?"
She was not sure if he was a true prince or if he just led a clan. She could not remember all the details. Anyway, she took a breath and sighed.
"it is...all too much."
That was all she could think of to describe it.
"i...i am simply....thinking."