Keira let out a gentle sigh as she watched the passing buildings. They were almost there, she had been travelling for over a week and was exhausted. She was tired of the road, her lady had kept her mostly comfortable, she was used to being inside a palace, with access to a hot bath and more. She had travelled light for a princess, she would be given anything she wanted once she was queen.

She turned her attention to the small mirror inside her carriage, looking into her own deep green eyes and the flawless pale skin that looked back at her. She was as pale as the moon, and her long black hair made her look even paler. Her hair was kept tidy with red ribbons and black pins adorn with griffin heathers She carefully reached up, her perfectly silken smooth fingers drifted over the black feather like pendant that hung from delicate black chains that crossed just above her breasts and around her neck. The pendant itself rested against the exposed cleavage before small ruffles of blood red fabric covered her breasts forming a v before moving down into a black dress that was embroidered in black thread. A silk black shawl rested over her shoulder trimmed with four simple white lines.

Keira was a dainty thing, a doll to many to be put up on a shelf and looked at but not ever touched. She was raised from perfect breeding, to be the perfect princess, and outside of that, there was little known about this princess.

Finally the carriage had reached the gates of the palace. Being escorted and expected, they were not stopped at the gates. The horses kept their steady trot right up to the palace stairs. On each side of the stairs water poured from great canals into beautifully crafted water ways. Then a grand courtyard stood, guarded by great dragon statues and two more small courtyards decorated in stunning flower beds and round water fountains. It was all perfectly symmetrical.

After the courtyard, the doors to the palace were wide open. From those doors the great king of the dragon riders strode out, accompanied by two guards dressed in silver chain armor and pale sky blue tabards. The tabards matched the blue of the rooftops of the palace and towers, complimenting the grey stone that palace had been built from. Gothic arches and more dragon heads decorated the great palace and even the towers had dragons of their own. But those statues and carvings were nothing like the dragons soaring overhead. Keira’s eyes gazed up at a few of the dragons, it took a great deal of discipline to contain her interest in them from the safety of her carriage.

Keira was carefully helped from her carriage, she was a stark difference from the bright colors that surrounded her, yet all of it only made her look like a perfect rose standing before the king. She released the hand of the carriage hand that had helped her down from the steps and gazed at her future husband, letting her long black dress fall from her hand and cover her black dainty shoes.

The king, Roderic Skyhold, had a kind but slightly aging face. He was a good 10 years older than her, if not more. The difference was hard to tell when the girl had been so perfectly done up for this meeting and her body had curves to draw any man’s eye along them. He had kind and gentle eyes despite having been hardened by combat. His brown beard had been peppered with gray and white as had his short kept hair. He had a strong jaw and cheekbones that sat firmly defining his beard without jutting out and making him look sickly. He stood nearly a foot and a half taller than her. His broad shoulders dwarfed the princess, but despite it, she stood tall and gazed up at him with a knowing of the power she had. “Princess Tavadon.” He said softly, offering his hand that she smoothly placed her own in and he kissed just above her knuckles, bowing just slightly. She bowed her head and just ever so slightly bent at the knees to return the formality.
“Highness,” She replied with a smooth and rich honey voice.
“You must be tired from your long trip. My men will bring your things in, and your ladies are ready to take you to your rooms.” Roderic continued, gently pulling her hand to his arm, guiding her up the stairs and towards the palace doors. “You may join me for dinner if you are not too tired, your father will be joining us.” He smiled kindly at her.

Keira moved like she had been on his arm a thousand times before, gliding as she walked along. Her dress sat just barely above the ground with her steps, so she used her free hand to carefully lift the skirts only enough so not to trip as she drifted up the stairs. Her eyes wandered over the men and women that had gathered outside to greet her, guards, peasants and nobles had gathered along the streets and inside the courtyard. Once inside, she was guided from the grand entryway and back into her rooms. Once the door shut and there was nothing but her ladies in waiting she closed her eyes, fighting tears, but one managed to slip down her cheek.

Duchess Elizabeth, her highest ranking lady approached her and gently dried her tears. She was simple compared to Keira but still well kept as a lady that served such a treasure. “Princess, it’s alright. We will draw you a hot bath, you can soak away the days and we will have you ready to see your father again in no time at all.” She spoke soothingly, knowing how hard this trip had been on her, what she had left behind to give her father the riches he needed to continue the war.

The barrel of water sat in front of Artus, scooping up the liquid and giving his face a rather cool, splash. He stared at the small mirror in front of him, fixated on his reflection. He rotated his head around, examining the scar over his eye, pale in colour against his somewhat swarthy skin.

“If you ended up losing that eye, you’d still look good with an eyepatch. I promise.” A voice joked, walking past Artus as he brushed slightly next to him. Simply another guard making jest of him, it had seemed many of the other guards were also prepping themselves in anticipation for the Princess. It was a big day, and Artus needed to make sure he looked presentable. He stared in the mirror once again, inspecting himself. His facial hair was shaved, however, he needed to make sure his hair was presentable. Grabbing a wooden comb nearby, he began to stroke the black strands repeatedly, until they were all uniform and tucked at the side. He wasn’t a fan of messy hair, however, he often kept his hair short enough where he wouldn’t need to wake up with a bed head, but also able to style it to his preference.

~

Artus stood composed, his stance at attention and arms by his side. In his standard guard uniform, he proudly positioned himself next to the many other guards, as the princess revealed herself upon King Roderic. “Princess Tavadon…” Artus mumbled to himself, gazing upon the princess. She was just as beautiful as the rumours had stated, however, seeing her in person - even from a distance, Artus could tell she was quite the sight to behold. The elegance in her steps as she took the King’s hand in her own, was indeed an indicator of high nobility. Her future husband was a lucky man, there was no doubt about that. However, Artus knew ultimately it was a political move, and a smart one at that.

After a brief exchange with the King, she was ushered into her quarters for the day and evening, instructing her to relax and that all the royal servants and employees would take care of her - Artus included.

“Go, grab her things.” A voice suddenly pushed Artus, prompting him to go aid a few of his other guardsman in grabbing her travel belongings, and taking them up her room.

Without hesitation, Artus took hold of several smaller satchels, and a larger pack filled with what seemed to be clothes. Following the guards into the palace, they weaved through the corridors in a single line, disciplined as they completed their task at hand. Upon reaching the door, Artus placed a bag onto the ground outside, knocking on the door as the other guards stood behind him. “Your highness?” He asked, somewhat loud. “We have some of your belongings. Do we have your permission you put them inside of your room?” He asked.

Keira looked towards the door as the knock came, startled a little by the rudeness, yet almost cherished that no one just came barging into her room. She carefully dried her tears and waved to one of her ladies to answer the door.

Elizabeth didn’t leave her side, instead a much younger lady went to the door, she was perhaps 14 and went by the name of Penny. Her copper brown hair was braided and kept up as a young lady should be. She had a plain face but clean and healthy, and her eyes brightened as she opened the door to look up at Artus. She blushed, trying not to stare herself at him. The men here looked so different than back home, many of them with kinder faces, even if they were a little battle worn. Elizabeth gently cleared her throat and Penny instantly straightened up and she quickly moved out of the way.

Keira was sitting on the small bench in front of a vanity. Her hair was already down and she was covered in a robe that folded on the floor. It was as black as her dress had been, with hidden patterns in black that showed as the fabric moved with her. She smiled just slightly watching Penny, rising to her feet to direct Artus.
“Highness,” Elizabeth spoke just before Keira began to speak. “You have had a long day, please allow me.” Elizabeth moved to Artus, pointing him over to a small corner. “Have her highnesses things left here.”

Keira stepped past Elizabeth and stopped in front of Artus. She looked up at him and tilted her head just slightly. Elizabeth made a step forward, but that move was met with a sharp glance. “That bag..” Keira spoke softly, gesturing to one of the smaller bags that looked to be designed to sit over a saddle. “Could I take it?”

Artus stared straight ahead as the door opened, expecting to see someone a tad taller - only to find himself lowering his gaze at a younger woman. Brown hair, with a braid, she stared up at Artus and caught a glimpse of what seemed to shyness. “Oh?” He muttered, upon gazing at the young girl. She quickly moved out of the way, and Artus took a better glance at the inside of the Princess’ quarters. Another woman sat near the Princess, who sat ontop of a vanity. His lingered at the woman for a tad longer than he expected, admiring the beauty of Keira.

His train of through had been derailed, as the voice of the Duchess known as Elizabeth gestured for him and the other guards to unload the Princess’ belongings into a corner of the room. “Right away, ma’am.” Artus responded, turning to the other guards. “This way, gentleman. Be careful carrying her Highness’ belongings.” Artus muttered, as they began to walk over to the corner in almost an orderly fashion.

However, the princess suddenly approached him, stopping in his path. His eyes met here, as he titled her head and observed him. What did she want? Artus’ eyes widened slightly upon overthinking the situation, until she mentioned she wished to take the bag that Artus was carrying. Taking a brief moment to process what had been asked of him, he finally he held the bag out for the princess to take.

“Oh, you wish to take this, your highness?” He asked, gesturing for the Princess to it off his hands. “You can absolutely have it.” He said, smiling ever slightly at the lips, trying to maintain composure.

Keira smiled and carefully slipped the bag from his hand. She fingers just brushing against his, they were smooth as silk. By the look of her this close up she had never seen a hard days work in her life. "Thank you." She gazed at him, studying his face. In truth she wanted to remember every new face should would interact with today, it was a tall order as there would be many, but those that entered her room could not escape attention. She like Penny had already noticed the difference in the men here, but it made her wonder why, and if it was something she could let her guard down around.

She pulled her attention away from his face and carefully opened the bag, inside was a vary carefully wrapped rolls of paper and paint brushes and several long griffin feathers. Guarded by leather and canvas. She smiled looking rather pleased that everything appeared to be undamaged. She hadn't really brought much, two large chests, bags perfectly packed of ribbons and pins for her hair but no paint. She had a few furs but nothing excessive, no her new husband would be expected to provide all of that for her instead of wasting the energy to bring her things here, beside the styles here were different than what she had and she needed to be current for the people she would soon rule.

Carefully she tucked the things bag into the bag and held the bag out to Penny who quickly took it and set to finding it a safe place among her drawers. "I am quite happy those made it, and your name sir is?" Her eyes met his again. This princess wasn't quite ready to free him of her attention even as the men worked around them. She stood still as if she was a great tree set firmly in the ground despite her petite stature she didn't waver like a weak little girl. Quietly she bit her tongue to keep a blush from her cheeks and her mind quiet from the struggle of being the perfect princess. Her father expected it of her, and while he was still here she didn't dare slip up. But no one had prepared her to be in close contact with men that didn't look like they were only resisting putting their hands on her because they knew what would happen to her if they did. These men were not hungry for another fight or a woman to bed, and this one in particular she found rather dashing, despite his scar. She bit her tongue harder, trying not to wince when she caught herself with a bit of pain. 'Don't blush, you only have eyes for the king,' she reminded herself fiercely.