Is this still on the table?
jetipster Member
Not all those that wander are lost
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The Evil Among Us - The Mysterious Village of Elderford
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5 yrs ago
Forum: Advanced Interest Checks
After that first evening, the young Hellenican prince had thrown himself into his work. He was going to impress both his family and his hosts with his new political responsibilities and impress he did. He made daily media coverage with his visits and had revelled in his chance to experience the natural beauty available in Aciras. From riding bareback with cowboys to promote prairie re-wilding to working with schools on urban greening projects in the capital, he was suitably distracted during the daytime. It was in the evening that he was distracted.
Staying at the palace, rather than in the city, meant that he was frequently with his fellow royals, especially for dinner and any other evening entertainments. Thankfully, the newly formed Coven (as he had started to fondly refer himself, Cass and Cat as) had kept him suitably distracted, and plied with spirits for a few of the evenings. He’d obviously spent time with Leo and had even spent an evening exploring the library in the company of Erik, whom he found far warmer than Belle’s words suggested. He’d successfully avoided Henri, but upsettingly by proxy also Gen - seemingly his shadow after that initial evening. He’d had friendly conversations with everyone else including Ali and Phillip. There was definitely something going on there with the way they looked at one another. Ali treated Chris as though they were standard family friends - apparently, childhood best friends and then years of learning every inch of one another’s bodies meant nothing. Of course, Chris wasn’t expecting their ‘thing’ to continue forever, neither of them felt anything romantic about the other. But to be introduced to others as yet another political figure and with little more warmth than being a distant cousin really stung. As for Phillip, well… If Phillip were, in fact, that way inclined, he’d definitely have to catch him for a ‘real’ conversation soon - one without the eyes and ears of half the ruling elite.
Fresh from his morning swim, Chris had spent far too long deciding on an outfit. Being from the Mediterranean, he was more than comfortable with the heat but had never been to a carnival before. He’d been to many festivals, many times - even Fyre, but he doesn’t mention that and was so glad to have not promoted it on his social media. He’d been to many theme parks and loved rides - the bigger the better. And his country hosted many regattas, traditional festivals and sporting events but did not really have anything that resembled an Aciran carnival. He settled on a simple black and neutral outfit in the end and hurried downstairs. He asked an aide to take his photo in the palace garden and noticing a twitching curtain or two as headed toward the SUVs. He was not about to suggest political preference in front of those spying old fogeys, so on seeing the line of SUVs he decided on diplomacy and slide into the back of an empty car. So he settled in the comfort of the AC chilled car and set on deciding a filter and comment for that great new thirst trap of a photo...
Time: Dusk
Location: The Witches Brew
Interactions: Mention of Lucius (@Ithradine)
The young warlock replaced the lid on his green pen with a weary, yet satisfied, sigh. Glasses were removed and the bridge of his nose massages by long figures. He’d worked tirelessly this week to get all his planning and marking completed in order to give himself a weekend free of paperwork. The last set of papers were now marked and his weekend could properly begin.
He tidied his stationery and the term of assessments into his satchel and returned his attention to the remaining sweet potato fries left on his plate. He was planning on going out for a few drinks tonight so needed to get a move on if he wanted enough time to shower and change back at the house before heading out to wherever the night took him and his cousins. For the first time in months he was looking forward to letting his hair down.
The caffeine having reached his bladder, Felix slipped from his booth and wove around the cafe, acknowledging a few familiar faces and observing the normality of his new home. That was until he glanced at a man’s journal as he passed his table and found himself at the receiving end of a older variation of a inspiciendum inanis strepitus spell so powerful he barely acknowledged that it was there. The man looked up around the room as the younger warlock quickly turned away speeding up his steps to the toilets and quickly locked himself in a cubicle.
Who was that? Felix had been sent to Ember Grove to record its history and establish a continuing record system, recruiting a local seeker and archivist - not to face off with a potentially ancient warlock… He sat on the seat and took a deep breath. Right - plan of action needed. He took a deep breath and focused his magic. He first sent more energy into his suus cautio and immediately felt more confident. He then quickly crafted animum nuntius to send a small flock of ephemeral sparrows through the bathroom window. The translucent birds were engulfed by the twilight but sped off to find his cousins to whisper his message in their ears.
With nothing else that could be done, Felix quickly went about his normal business in the toilet and bustled back to his seat via a different route, conscience not to look in the other warlock’s direction. With poised efficiency he threw the last crumbs of pastry into his mouth, locked his satchel and swiftly exited the cafe to make a beeline for home. He buttoned up his coat as he quickly text Violet: ‘On my way home. See you in a few.’ So much for a fun uneventful evening of a few drinks…
Henri waited until Gen was out of sight to dig into his pocket and pull out a slim stainless steel cigarette case. He pulled out one of them and held it between his lips as he lit it. After a few long drags and letting the nicotine set, he was finally able to think clearly. The whole ordeal with Raiden had been such a mess. Just thinking about it was making him even more stressed, no matter how many puffs of smoke he took in. So he stopped thinking about it altogether. He could pretend it hadn't happened. Pretend it had just been some stupid thing his mind had made up and go on with the ball as nothing had happened.
"I'm just going crazy..." Henri let out an exasperated sigh as he watched the smoke of his cigarette drift off into the wind. He could always sneak away and go to his room. Elias wouldn't notice, not now that he was probably drunk and flirting with some random princess. Henri hadn't even greeted his betrothed, and he was already planning to escape the ball. How classy and considerate of him, like always.
After lighting another cigarette, Henri began to walk around the edges of the garden in hopes of avoiding any other wondering royals that sneaked out. Of course, he didn't notice the familiar figure a few feet away from him as he stared off into space.
With his stop-Arabelle-from-starting-a-war mission deemed a success, the Mediterranean Prince descended on the crudites, the tzatziki, and houmous a small home comfort - although obviously not a patch on Hellenican produce. He’d then completed a lap of introductions and well-wishing, checking specific political targets off a mental list for his father.
Feeling accomplished, he watched the confusing body language of Alejandro and Philip from across the room as he waited at the bar. Well, that might explain some things if true. But Phillip? He wasn’t sure. Nonetheless, there were all his supposed ‘friends,’ Ali, Raiden, Rhys, before him, and they had all seemingly dropped off the face of the Earth if his phone were evidenced. Surrounded by so many peers, yet here he stood alone at the bar. He felt the discomfort settle; his heart pick up a beat and lump rise in the back of his throat. Mind fogged, his eyes lost focus middle-distance as he stared across the ice in his crystal tumbler.
An enthusiastic toast from a loud, buxom Duchess snapped him out of his pit as quick as he’d fallen in. He swallowed his feelings and washed them further down with a large ‘sip’ of his cocktail. He plastered a smile on his face once more as he blinked away some moisture. How ridiculous. He was a prince for God’s sake. A good looking, world-famous, well-loved royal with hundreds of thousands of followers. How could he be lonely?
Caipirinha in hand, he toasted the older statespeople beside him and slipped out a side door, hurrying to find some fresh air. He promptly found the gardens and stepped outside to fill his lungs with fresh air. After a long exhale, he opened his eyes and was startled to see Henri only a few yards away, Chris having obviously stepped out into his path. Fuck.
“Henri,” he nodded with a peevish smile. “You really ought to stop with those cancer sticks, you know…” he continued with a pursed-lip and furrowed brow. Yeah, he was pissed off at the bespectacled blonde before him, but he didn’t want his childhood friend to go the same way as both his grandfathers.
"Chris." Henri had halted in his tracks when he heard the familiar voice of the Hellenican prince. He hadn't expected anyone to be in the gardens yet, let alone be the man who he had abandoned. Henri's heart gave a harsh tug when he remembered that detail of their estranged relationship. He opened his mouth to give him a snide reply, but he fell short on the words to say to Chris. The evening had already turned sour, and he wasn't about to exacerbate his reunion with Chris with some offhand comments.
Instead, Henri took one last drag from his cigarette and threw it on the stoned path, extinguishing it with his foot. "You're right," He walked over to the man, hands fiddling with one of the adorned buttons on his blazer. He could feel all the previous thoughts rushing back as he stared at Chris in front of him. He'd miss him. Henri had missed their late-night conversations, their unexpected trips to the wilderness, and their shared love for games.
"Guess I haven't changed." Henri stopped in front of Chris, fingers tugging at the button. "Chris-" He wanted to apologize, but he didn't even know where to start. Henri never did well in confrontation, be it of any kind. He must look pathetic in front of his friend. Were they even friends anymore?
Chris was unusually lost for words. He’d at least expected some cutting sarcasm or dry wit from his old friend. Henri must be feeling guilty. Good. Okay, so maybe he wouldn’t have slept with Henri if he’d have known this was going to be his reaction. But was one drunken night really worth throwing away a childhood friendship and sullying a myriad of teenage memories…?
But at his friend’s awkward approach, Chris’ righteous indignation melted away. The awkward button fumble that he’d mocked that very night in London. The tousled blonde locks. The faint whiff of expensive cigarette smoke. But he still had to know… ”Why Henri?” he couldn’t help but ask. His knuckles whitened as they tightened around his glass. ”Just answer me that.”
Henri knew that question was coming. He had avoided answering that for so long, and now he couldn't run away. Not again. That night Henri had taken off without a word. He hadn't texted or called Chris. He'd simply left the hotel after Chris had and headed back home, all the while cursing himself. Henri knew what he had done had been wrong and utterly idiotic of him. He thought he could buy himself time to think, to really think about what he felt for Chris, but by the time he had finally figured it out, it had been months already.
"I was scared." Henri started, eyes drifting away from Chris' face to the glass he held in his hand. He could see the white forming on his knuckles. He took a deep breath. "I- I needed time. Time to think. I couldn't confront you because I was afraid you were you going to tell me it had meant nothing." Henri's voice cracked on the last word. He knew it was selfish. He knew he hadn't considered Chris, and for that, he felt the guilt weighing down on him. He had so desperately wanted it to mean something that he was so afraid to face Chris again.
And there it was. Chris’ heartstrings well and truly plucked. Of course, Henri had been scared. They’d been childhood family friends and then slept together. Chris was still unsure about Henri’s sexuality as a whole and whether or not he’d been his first… And he couldn’t blame Henri for thinking that he’d just been another notch on the bedpost. Chris didn’t think he’d ever ‘loved’ someone romantically, but his connection with Henri and the passion of that one night had been the closest he’d come to the possibility of love growing and also feeling as though the relationship would actually be accepted by his family. If only Henri had replied to Chris’ messages though, they could have sorted all of this out months ago.
Chris reached out with his free hand to hold Henri’s, his thumb tracing circles on the back. ”How could anything I do with you mean nothing?” he asked. “What can I say to get ‘us’ back?”
Hearing those words lifted up something in Henri's chest. He compelled his eyes to look back at Chris when he felt the warmth of his hand on his own. Henri was really an idiot. The biggest idiot of them all. Chris was really asking him what he could do to make things better? Henri shook his head, his fingers tightening around Chris'.
"I should be the one saying that," Henri glanced down at their hands and let a small smile slip into his lips. "You didn't do anything wrong, I-" He hadn't expected this reaction from Chris, and Henri couldn't get his thoughts straight. His voice was still cracking, and his vision was starting to blur. "I'm sorry- I'm an idiot. I don't know how to make you believe me that I truly am sorry for abandoning you." Would his apology even be worth anything now?
The wave of relief released at Henri’s apology swept away all misgivings inside Chris’ mind. ”Apology accepted I suppose if we’re both stuck here together,” he replied with his winning smile has he pulled his friend in for one of his bear hugs. ”At least you got one thing right…” he joked as they embraced. ”You are a real vlákas.”
Henri was taken aback as he was pulled into an embrace by Chris. He didn't resist it and instead wrapped his arms around the man as the weight of guilt lifted off his shoulders. Just like that, Chris had accepted his apology? That easy? Henri laughed at Chris' words, his face pressed against the man's shoulder. "I am." Chris had all right to call him a fool and an idiot. Henri didn't care now that he had his friend back.
The normality of hugging his friend once more prompted such an upwelling of emotion that he had to bite back a cathartic outburst of laughter. He slowly unwrapped his arms from the blonde, the nostalgic scent of expensive cologne and cigarette smoke, transporting him back to their teenage years but also that one damn night. He held both of Henri’s hands in his and held his gaze. ”So what was it?” he continued. “What happened?”
Chris had spent nearly a year, ruminating on the possibilities. Was it because Henri saw him as an older brother figure? A trust that had been quickly ripped apart like their suits that evening? Was Henri still under the thrall of his royal responsibility and older brother’s scorn like Chris had once been himself? Had it been Henri’s...first time? Was it because they were family friends? Or had Henri been in a relationship, and Chris been a mistress for the night? Time and loneliness meant the acceptance of Henri’s apology had formed quickly on the Hellenican prince’s lips. But as Leo’s business mind had taught him well, everything had a price. In this case, the price of renewed friendship was the truth.
Henri had to pry his eyes away from Chris when he heard the question. What had happened? Henri had fallen in love with his childhood friend. Someone who he had known all of his life, someone who he trusted and confided in. He had been so scared that Chris would tell him that their night together had meant nothing that he had run away. It had taken Henri weeks to come to that realization, and yet being the coward, he was Henri never confronted Chris. Regret always plagued Henri's mind.
"I can't..." Henri bit his lip. If he spoke those words out loud, he'd bring those feelings back too. It wouldn't be fair for Chris or himself- or Raiden. Right, Raiden. Henri hesitated for a second before pulling back his hands from Chris at the thought of the Prince of Xi'n.
Chris’ tide of positivity receded as fast as it had risen. What had he even been hoping for? That Henri would say that he thought he loved him too? That night had just been so different from any other. With Ali, there weren’t any feelings involved, and with Raiden, it had been a fun fling whilst abroad. But with Henri...there had been...something. That early morning taxi through the quiet London streets, he’d dared to think that what he felt was love. But only time would tell. But every subsequent attempt to meet up with Henri had been met with silence or thinly veiled excuses. Chris had just put it down to alcohol, great sex, and the fact that he and Henri shared so many similarities. But now he was stood in front of him again…
“Henri,” Chris implored, “Please talk to me.” If his feelings weren’t mutual, then at least he had to know what had gone wrong, so the next time he fell for someone, it could be avoided. But no one else was Henri. “What it anything I did or said? Our family relationship? A mistake?” Chris let go of Henri’s hand and drained his drink.
Henri shook his head- no, Chris was perfect. He was a good man, a man he could trust and a man that he loved. Still loved to this day despite the distance Henri had put between each other. Despite his current relationship with Raiden. "It's not about you." He explained, "I fucked up, okay? I fucked up so bad. I was so fucking dense and stupid and- and dumb!" He pulled back and turned away from Chris to reach into his pocket. All of his thoughts came tumbling down on his again. The rush of emotions hit him like a ton of bricks. He wanted so bad to tell Chris, but he couldn't explain it. All he could do was curse himself. "Ha, royally fucked up." He scoffed at his own comment while fumbling with the cigarette case.
Chris looked up to the sky and squeezed his eyes shut. This was infuriating. Henri had absolved him of any guilt or mistake. So why did he still feel as tense about their relationship as he had when the day began? He inhaled deeply. There were a few options. One - if he loved Henri, he’d offer his support and walk away to let him process. Two - if he loved Henri, he’d keep pushing for an answer to help him process. Three - if he loved Henri, he’d walk away and not involve him with Chris’ messed up life. He exhaled with a deep sigh. Fuck. He couldn’t decide.
“Fine.” he finally said after a heavily pregnant pause. “You win.” He raised his empty glass at Henri. “I’ll stop.” His voice broke with sorrow as it rose in anger. “Decide what you want and then come and find me.” he turned back to stride into the palace, “Or don’t. Your choice.” He headed back through the open French doors he’d emerged from mere moments earlier, blinking his moistened eyes as he pressed his chilled glass against his forehead. ”God I need a drink.”
Do I?
Interactions: Alva ([@HayleytheRandom])
Well, Alva obviously didn’t feel as nervous as he did about meeting a half-sibling for the first time. In fact, she seemed rather stand-offish. But then again he hadn’t exactly given a warm introduction.
“Well to be honest I’ve kind of avoided you” he admitted before holding up his hands to defend himself, “not that I didn’t want to meet you but for your own sake.”
“Because life hasn’t always been easy for me here.” he continued, with a melancholy half-smile. “Our mother wasn’t on best terms with many other deities when I started so I was… bullied a bit and ostracised to be honest.” He sighed. “But now that she’s back in good graces, you were fine starting here and I’m just seen as the adventuring loner. So I didn’t want to tarnish people’s opinion of you by association. Better that you have the chance I didn’t have.”
He realised he’d just garbled at her in an honest outpouring of emotion that he’d never really expressed before. But hell, it was his last year here, what did he have to lose?
Chris shifted in his plush leather seat, the perfectly air-conditioned car doing nothing to relieve his discomfort. His eyes flickered as they tried to focus on the seemingly endless stream of immaculately pruned trees flashing by the tinted window of the Nevarrean vehicle. Only moments ago, he had been joking with his best friend, but passing through security and onto the royal estate had shifted his demeanor.
He’d spent the last three weeks in the beautiful Nevarrean sunshine, celebrating pride, releasing turtles, and all with his best friend — a fantastical bliss. Now life was real again. Despite the glamour and wealth that encompassed him, he had never felt more vulnerable than at this event. Numerous promised betrothals had been announced by many sitting royals for their children, his friends. He was both furious at their situation and in many cases, apathy and wholeheartedly relieved that he did not have a childhood promise to fulfill. Yet the latter came with a sting. He knew of no other openly out young royals to which there was even that option. He knew that he would eventually have to take a step back from his royal life, as his country’s staunch traditions would not comfortably allow his continued status if he was seen to ‘marry down.’
As he thought of the promised marriage of the glamorous gowned figure seated beside him, a tanned manicured fist clenched on his knee in silent fury at his powerlessness. She had accepted it so easily. He’d flown over as soon as possible to comfort her, but she was… fine. Sure he liked Asher. He was a great guy. A good man. A good prince. But not Leo’s choice! He knew all about her crushes and little secrets, as she knew his. But here she was anyway - marrying a MAN for one thing, and one she doesn’t even know at that. And here he was. A royal. A celebrity. An influencer. A millionaire. Her confidant and best friend. Yet there was nothing that could help her.
Still staring at the manicured lawn, his left-hand reaches across the middle seat for hers.
When Leo felt the warmth from Chris' hand over her own, she turned her head to look at him. The"We're gonna party all night, right? I brought some sandals for both of us when we get tired of these stuffy shoes." She took his hand and intertwined their fingers together like always. She gave her best friend a quick smile before turning back to look out to the scenery that was the Aciran gardens. Leo didn't like silence, especially between them. She had noted his change of demeanor was soon as they had been cleared by security, and she wanted to keep things between the light and bubbly. "I hope they have good wine too, the last time we were in an Aciran ball the liquor they had chosen gave me the worst hangover ever. Do you think we'll see Rhys? I haven't talked to him in a while. Don't worry about Ryn Ryn; I'll keep her away from you two- even if she bites me." Leo offered a small laugh as she looked back at Chris.
The weeks leading up to Princess Vivian's celebrations had been somewhat surreal for the next queen of Nevarrea. While news of her arranged marriage had shocked her country and many of her friends alike, Leo had stepped back from the spotlight and shut herself in the Bourbon Palace. It was not secret that the Crowned Princess of Nevarrea preferred women, and many in the country supported her. It was in her blood. She was a Teoko, and Teoko people put no boundaries on love. Leo wanted to live by that standard, yet it seemed like she was stuck in the endless loop of arranged marriages of the monarchs, and there was nothing she could do about it. As the Crowned Princess of Nevarrea, she had an obligation to her country to further the bloodline and keep her country safe- even if that meant giving herself up to a man, she didn't know.
Shortly after the announcement Chris had been the only one to drag her out of her room and into the celebrations of Pride in her country. The colors, the laughter, and the happiness that brought the festivities had momentarily pushed her betrothal to the back of her mind. Those three weeks had been the best weeks of her life so far. From the dancing to the drinks, the shared laughs with Chris to the drunken singing- it all came crashing down as soon as they stepped foot in Aciras.
These two upcoming months in Aciras would be her chance to get to know the man Leo was set to marry. She wanted to make a good impression on Asher and prove that she was a worthy wife. That she would do her best to please her people, her mother, and her bloodline. To show her best friend that she really was fine and everything would be okay.
Everything would be okay, a phrase that Leo had been repeating to herself for the past hour.
"We're gonna kill it. Like always."
Chris smiled as he felt her fingers entwine with his and gave it a squeeze. Typical Leo, filling any silence with chat and endless attempts at rousing a laugh from him. Of course, they’d have a great time! They always did. First on the dance floor and last off - unless tryst or intoxication found them first. He smiled, grimly at her mention of booze. How could she even think about that when he was still feeling fragile from all the rum, tequila, and cachaça cocktails of her homeland he was plied with by her mother last night? And she knew he got car sick… Typical Leo.
He squeezed her hand tighter as the car slowed to a stop. "I know we will. Like always." he whispered, repeating their mantra. The car finally stopped, and he straightened his tie. ‘Come on Kalymnos it’s just a party.’ Yeah, but it was a celebration full of his friends that he had either slept with or wasn’t speaking to. Despite the large number of his peers invited, including his two best friends, he’d honestly never felt more lonely...
He turned with a grin to his best friend as the door on his side was opened by a footman. "Come on, then, let’s show them what a proper couple looks like." he joked with a wink.
Leo returned the grin to Chris and gave a nod of encouragement before her door was opened by a footman who helped her out. As she walked to Chris, she kept an easy-going smile on her signature red-colored lips. Leo's dress had been a gift from a famous fashion designer in Notia who had visited Nevarrea a few weeks before. The dress was a beautiful tan with golden sequence that hung from various places and reflected the lights of the flashing cameras around them. While Leo had planned to wear a dress from her close friend and designer, Fernanda Gonzales, her mother had pressured her to wear the Notian dress to impress Prince Asher of Notia. Fernanda's gown would have to wait for a later date. As for her hair, Leo continued her tradition of braids and flowers. Her hair had been braided into one loose braid that had other smaller braids intertwined in it. It had been decorated with small flowers and gemstones, Leo only hoped it held up all night.
Chris was in a dark purple suit, slightly more adventurous than the crowd of blacks, greys, and blues ahead of them but still regal. His gold tie had been selected to complement Leo’s dress. As usual, they milked the cameras for all they were worth. As he stood there with his best friend, just for a moment, all his worries disappeared. A genuine smile was back on his lips by the time he untwined his arm from Leo’s and prompted her forward. He knew that some commentators would scorn him, allowing a woman to go before him, but it was the 21st century for God’s sake. And anyway, as a rightful heir the Nevarrean throne, in theory, she did outrank him.
After Leo and Chris waved a bit, she wrapped her arm around Chris' arm and led the way into the entrance of the ballroom where other royals were being greeted by the King, Queen and their daughter Raven. The duo moved closer until they were standing in front of them. Instead of following royal protocol, the Princess of Nevarrea stepped up before Chris and placed a hand over her heart, followed by the usual curtsy. Leo loved to incorporate her Teoko costumes with those of royalty protocol- it always made her mother scold her, but they were small signs of rebellion against the whole royal protocol crap everyone had to follow. It also helped greatly that Chris had let her go before; she'd thank him once they were inside. He always knew how to stick it up to the royals.
"His Majesty the King, Her Majesty the Queen and Her Royal Highness, Princess of Aciras," Leo kept her hand over her heart as she greeted the Aciras royal family, "I, Crown Princess Leonor Sofia Acosta Bourbon of Nevarrea, am grateful for the invitation to the festivities of Her Royal Highness, Princess of Aciras Vivian. May the gifts from Nevarrea please you and your family during these festivities." With that, she bowed her head slightly and removed her hand from her chest to finish the Teoko greeting. She stepped aside to let Chris do his own greeting. Leo was already tired of the whole royal protocol; she only hoped that they didn't have to do the same once inside.
After Leo had completed her official greeting, he completed his own rehearsed repetitive greeting with a bow of his head. "Your Majesties the King and Queen and your Royal Highness," to which the Queen and Princess cordially offered their hands to be kissed as per Hellenican custom. Is mother had always held the Acirans as exceptional hosts. "Thank you for the invitation, your majesties. I bear the apologies of my parents and brother but hope that my presence will more than make up for their absence, especially my selection of specialties from home." He stepped aside, and with a wink at Leo, they were quickly hooked arms once more and strode into the ballroom, him steering her quickly toward the nearest champagne bearing server and relieving the tray of two glasses.
"They're probably tired of hearing their damned titles being repeated to them over and over." Leo had taken one of the champagne glass and given Chris a small thank you. With their arms still hooked, she led the way further into the ballroom. She had to give credit to the Acirans. They knew how to decorate their place and make everything look even more stunning. Though, Leo would have gone with something more colorful and vibrant- but that was just her.
Her eyes quickly scanned the ballroom to see who was present at the ball already and who would be arriving fashionably late. The Crown Princess of Tuyen Phu was already present and standing out like always with those perfectly sculpted tattooed arms, her perfect legs, and- Leo had to take a sip of her champagne before she began drooling all over herself. While she didn't want to take her eyes off Han, she continued to look around at the various familiar faces that had already arrived at the Welcome Ball.
Chris had clocked the Asian princess as well and smirked at Leo’s casual sip - a tell that he’d clocked over their many years. But he was the one caught out after meeting eyes with Henri and choking on his own fizz. He had not expected the quiet Luxembourger to be present, especially not in such a dapper outfit and quickly looked away to find the Arcenian princesses who’d arrived just before them.
"Well, here we are." Leo turned to look at Chris with a grin. "Might as well make the best of it, no?" Make the best of it until these two months of balls and parties were over, and she had to face the fact she would be getting married to the Crown Prince of The Land of Ice. Why did it have to be a cold place of all places?
Chris could only raise his glass to hers with a mirrored grin. “Yamas!”
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