The Princess blinked. She looked at the servant. She sighed and frowned a bit.
"...very well."
She stood up. She followed Madeline into the main hall. The lady in waiting lead the way. It, surprisingly, did not take them very long to get back to the main hall. Upon arrival, they saw the new suitor in question. They blinked in surprise and frowned when they saw that the suitor was a woman. The Princess quickly cleared her throat and spoke.

"Oh, um, welcome to my...kingdom."

Elaine listened to what Duncan had to say and when he was finally done with his large speech she waved her arms and took a deep breath. "Ok, with all do respect that was alot to say at once" she said to start with a small giggle. "Listen I understand your hesitations put upon a thief but you are worried about him for the wrong reason" she stated before taking a deep breath and sighing "he is not only a master thief he is a skilled killer and he is also the one they say found the fountain of youth, that makes him more of an asset than a danger until we know more information. As long as he doesn't steal anything we can keep our distance until which times something comes up missing. As for the magical barriers" she began rubbing her head and started making hand signs and chanting for a few moments "I have placed magical traps in front of important Aries that can be set of by anyone aside from myself and you" she said pointing between her and Duncan "with all do respect Sir, that's all I'm capable of. To hold a multitude of barriers would be impossible. I could cover the whole kingdom in an alert barrier but not singular rooms." She stated simply in hopes that Duncan would understand that though she is vastly powerful even she had her limits.

The noble stands significantly taller than the human prince at around 180cm, with soft, wavy hair and bright blue eyes. It is immediately obvious to a discerning eye that her ears seem too long and pointed to be human, jaw and fingers light and elegant; but her features are too gentle to be elven. As she turns, her eyes spark with mischief, but she seems to smother whatever impulse came to her.
“Where I am from, they are called ossifrages. It translates to “bone-breaker” in this language. Here, you’re more likely to hear them called lammergeiers or bearded vultures.” She pauses, shifting her weight as the raptor stretches its three-meter wingspan and resettles. She laughs quietly, patting it. “There you have it. Do you have a favorite species? Bird or otherwise.”

Norlanann turns towards the approaching sets of footsteps, face lighting up when she sees the princess. She notes their surprise and hesitance without much inflection.
“Much appreciated, your Grace. It is an absolute joy to meet you. I am Lady Norlanann of Auriteaux, and I seek your hand in marriage.”

The Princess nodded. She kept her voice calm as she spoke.
"Yes. And so have others."
She referred to the other suitors who had arrived. She took a breath and continued.
"Well, I am not deciding at this moment, lady Norlanann. It will take some time. As for the moment, Duncan will show you where you shall be staying while you are here."
She looked around for the man.

Duncan listened, his eyes winded as she mentioned him finding the fountain of youth. He didn't immediately share Elaines view of seeing him more as an asset. Sure short term and in battle definitely. But long term, would a skilled thief abd killer be a good ruler, like this royal family had been. Would he let his possible children rule or take the power when princess Annabelle passed away. All kind of questions that swirled through his head but he kept on listening. When she mentioned the barriers he nodded. "Of course,I understand. I have full confidence you did what is needed." He glanced at the room. "Although you might want to keep the window shut and locked." He said with a wink. "I'm going back to the princess to see if I can find the missing suitors."
He turned on his heels and walked vack to the hall. He noticed prince Keith and woman who he suspected was a noble woman. "Your Majesty" he greeted princess Annabelle. "Prince Keith." He paused as he didn't yet know who the woman was.

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Keith looked at the bird as the woman explained it. "Bearded Vukture, heard about it never saw it up close." When it strechted its wings Keith grinned big. "Awesome, but since it's name means bone-breaker I don't think I should get too close." He said still grinning."Birds are my favourite species, the way they fly and live." He thought to see which of the different kind of birds were his favourite but before he could tell the princess appeared.
He politely waited till the greetings were exchanged. When he heared Norlanann was a suitor his jaw dropped very un-prince like. He barely heard Duncan greet him.

“Absolutely, your Highness, I understand.”
Norlanann turns to the newcomer, ears reddening at the prince’s astonishment. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance, sir. I am Lady Norlanann. If I am correct to assume, you are Sir Duncan? If you would be so kind as to show me where I will be staying, I would be terribly grateful.”
She turns to the princess and absentmindedly thumbs the edge of her tall boots where her slacks are tucked into them. “I would love to rejoin you to talk things over later, Highness, but I’m afraid that I seem to have lost my carriage, and my attendant with it. Once she arrives and I am somewhat less, ah, muddy, are there any plans for an afternoon tea or a social meal?” She smiles cordially, charming façade quickly covering her fatigue.

Princess Annabelle noticed that Duncan had finally arrived. She returned his greeting with a nod. She looked back at Lady Norlanann as keith spoke.
"Duncan, this is Lady Norlanann. She is, apparently, another suitor. If you would show her to where the suitors will be staying, that would be very much appreciated."
The princess, then, resumed speaking to the female suitor in question. She nodded before she spoke, listening to what the woman had to say.
"The only thing planned for the day will be supper and dessert I am afraid. Any such things as what you have spoken of shall not be until tomorrow I'm afraid."

Madeline blinked. A female suitor? She frowned. Her worry and concern returned with a vengeance. She looked between her and the princess as they spoke to one another. She turned to look towards her side when Sir Duncan appeared. She turned red and looked away. She tried to calm herself. She did not know if the princess would approve of the potential match or not.

Elaine walked up behind Duncan and stood assessing the new arrival with pride. She was happy to see an interesting turn of events. A gmail siuter was a very interesting thing to behold what news would this bring about. Something positive she had hoped. She scanned her up and down and deduced a quite interesting turn of events. She wasn't human but she wasn't quite elf she must be some sort of tall halfling. She thought to her self in such surprise that her eyes widened and she greeted everyone "your magesty" she said bowing to the princess "Desmond" she said ofcorse to Desmond and than she bowed to Keith "you I don't know but welcome" she said with a smile "master keith" she added before standing back straight.

_____

Desmond noticed Elaine and his body shook with fear he could see in her eyes she knew he had been in her room and she could kill him here and now without anyone careing. He worried for the briefest of moments before she addressed Keith and his mind began to wonder. How does she know his name? He thought to himself swing as how she had just expressed mention on not knowing who he was

Duncan nodded in responds to Norlananns question before listening to princess Annabelle. His eyes went from the crown princess to the lady who was said to be a suitor as well. Quite surprised he asked: "A suitor?" Prince Keith seemed shocked enough for it to be true. "Very well, if everyone would follow me I will show you all to your assigned bedchambers." There where three stairs to be seen from the hall where they where with the back to the door the right stairs went to the rooms of the staff and Guards. The middle led to the chambers of the Royal Family and the one on the left led to the guest chambers. "Since there are a few suitors we will set some ground rules. No one is to enter the royal families chambers, when princess Annabelle retreats there she will be left alone. Everyone will stay friendly and civil" he said as he pointed to the second staircase. "Your belongs are brought up to your chambers already or will be brought there when they arrive." He looked at Norlanann. "There are refreshments in the parlour, prince Keith and Desmond can show you, they spend some time there already." Duncan said before he started walking the stairs and holding doors open for each suitor. The first for Desmond, the second for Keith and the third for Norlanann. "Enjoy your stay, if there are any question you can ask any of the castle staff, the castle guard or the Royal Guard. When you are all rested and had refreshed I'll show you a bit around the castle so you can all find your way."

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Keith finally realised his mouth was hanging open and quickly shut it. He grinned sheepishly and rubbed the back of his head when lady Norlanann and the princess where talking. "Yeah, no problem once you are rested I'll gladly show you the refreshments. Just knock on my door." Keith offered as Duncan suggested to show the newest suitor before he looked at Elaine. He wasn't surprised that she knew his name although 'master' was not a title he often heard before his name. Most people stuck with prince. Keith followed Duncan and was assigned the second room and noticed his stuff was placed there. It was a nice bedroom, decent sized and clean. No signs of wear and tear. Keith grinned and jumped on the bed to feel the matras and blankets.

Desmond went into his room and sighed as he shut the door. Today had been a weird day and he was very confused and unsure of how things were going to work out. Princess or not he was getting something out of this visit. He sat back looking up to the ceiling and trying to think of what to do

_______
Elaine looked to Duncan and gave him a smirk. "Is there anything else you need me for?" She asked intently "if there isn't than I shall also retreat for now" he added at the end awaiting Duncan's responce as she peered down the guest hall looking at the suiters very intently not sure who to trust and who to fear.

Princess Annabelle watched and listened as Duncan explained everything. She simply nodded at times. When they were to be escorted to their rooms, she nodded again.
"Have a good rest, all of you."
She made to be as sincere as possible when she said that.

Madeline nodded. She glanced at Duncan at times, but would quickly look away too.
Annabelle noticed this. She raised an eyebrow.

Norlanann locks her door behind her. Turning to face the room, she notes the armoire, bed, vanity, and a door off to the left -- a bathroom? She sits on the bed, letting her vulture settle onto the footboard, and re-laces her tall leather boots, grimacing at the crease they left on her mid-thigh. She unpins her cloak and makes her way to the armoire, hanging and closing it back up. Norlanann checks her reflection in the mirror, adjusting her earrings and pulling her hair back into a gentle crown braid. Finally, she stands, neatens the tuck of her top, and stills. A deep breath in and out seems to clear her mind.
The suitor unlocks the door, heads back to the main hall. It’s been about two-thirds of an hour, give or take, so her servant might be nearing the castle. Outside, she meets the castle attendant with her horse and dismisses them, throwing her leg over the saddle and relaxing into the stirrups. Nothing in mind, she begins to meander the castle grounds.

The Princess was ready to head to her room soon. She needed to get some rest. She wanted to get some rest. She looked at Madeline. Then, she looked. sir Duncan as he left. She would start to head to her chambers after that, with an escort of course.

When Duncan saw all the current suitors accomodated he went back to Elaine. "Sorry to keep you waiting." he sighed. "I just need some advice and then you are free to retreat. Do you think we should go to code yellow? increase the number of guards and guard more spots. Monitor more closely incoming mail and goods and so on. Discretly ofcourse. I am fairly sure none of the current suitors is a spy or something but we are in a vulnerable time between trying to get an alliance and actually sealing it and he might take advantage of it."
Eventhough Duncan was fairly sure that they all came with honest intentions, more or less for some, he wouldn't trust any of them for 100% for the time being. He was rather safe then sorry? Discretly ofcourse, he didn't want to scare them away.

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Keith wasn't tired but it was good to be in the room. He was lying on bed for a while just enjoying doing nothing, he thought he heard one of the doors open and close again but didn't bother getting up just now. After a while he got bored again and he sat up. With a jump he was out of bed and headed to the window. He opened the window and looked outside while he enjoyed the wind on his face. He looked around and noticed a figure walking the castle grounds. It looked like the newest suitor, Norlanann. Keith stretched and he walked to the door.
"Desmond, I'm going downstair and probably outside." he said through the closed door before walking down the stairs at ease and in no hurry.

Elaine sighed and looked at Duncan. Everything he said was correct, that's why he was the leader of the guard. "Your absolutely right" she said nodding "we defiantly need to be more vigilant. A code yellow may be in order but with one issue I have in mind" he said taking a deep breath "what exactly are we supposed to do about the siuters? Don't you think they will notice the heightened security?"

_____

Desmond heard nothing as Keith snuck out. He had already passed out for now. He was exhausted from all the hustle and bustle especially the effects of all the adrenaline wearing off from his dangerous jump from the sorceresses window earlier

Duncan thought about Elaine's question before he shook his head. "I don't think so, they don't know what is normal and what is heightened security. And if they do I hope they think it is for the reasons the princess wants to wed off." Duncan looked at the stairs. "If we would tail them and shadow their every move then they woukd notice but that is not necessairy." He looked at Elaine again. "I'm going to make a round before goung to the office to set up a roster. Care to help out? One of us can do inside and the other outside. That's quicker. I obly need a report if something is wrong or out of the ordinary."

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Keith walked outside and looked around to see if he could spot the female suitor. He still had a hard time believing that he'd have a female to compete with. Keith glanced over his shoulder but he didn't see Desmond yet.
He started whistling a tune as he more or less walked in the direction he had spotted Norlanann. He was curious and wanted to socialise. They would spend some time under the same roof and he did prefer it in an amiable way and not hostile.

Madeline was soon alone. She had since escorted the princess to her room and returned. She sighed a bit. She was lost in her own thoughts. She thought about everything that happened. She was rather quiet as she did so.

Elaine nodded "I can conjure a few crows to check the further and harder to reach areas of the land around the castle. And if the need arises I can activate the castles eyes to keep a closer watch on everyone" she said happily. The castle eyes of course was nothing more than a metaphor referring to the small animals and creatures that roamed the castle

Norlanann looks down at her horse's ears, as they've been pointed backwards for some time now. She focuses her own ears, and hears whistling. It's too far away to tell who, but whoever it is seems to be in no rush, and they clearly aren't worried of being seen. She relaxes and slows the pace.

Madeline sighed. She continued to roam about. She was all alone. She headed down the hallway. She thought about heading to her own chambers after a while. Soon after that, she let out a yawn. The sound echoed a bit.