Avril's pulled a face at her friend, before giving a smile.
"I just don't understand why they have to come in groups. It's so.... off putting," she said, shaking her head. "They have the confidence to talk to me only if their friends are there, and how do you get to know someone when his 3 friends are also trying to talk to you."
Avril didn't like being cornered by boys, which was why she was so often in the company of her brother Stephen, as he seemed to put them off coming over. Stephen wasn't scary, but when he was near her the rest stayed away. She'd already lost him in the party. Avril's idea of the perfect man, or at least her dream, consisted of masks in ballrooms and a white horse. She wanted to be swept off her feet, or at least have 1 person take an interest in her without seeing the crown.
She didn't want these boys.
"You look wonderful," she said to her friend, giving her a happy smile. "I am so pleased you are here. I was worried I would not see a single friendly face."
She looked around the room.
"But enough about me," Avril added. "What about you? Anyone turned your head?"
Around the room, the long doors were open to the warm night, allowing a little cool breeze in. There was only a one balcony, up a set of stairs and around the gallery slightly. People were in the gallery, but the balcony was pleasantly quiet with only 2 figures on it, one leaning on the frame and staring out over the lights of the city, the other against the wall, looking partly at attention.
It was a good view to watch the arrival of people, but it was nice just to look out across everything. Both figures wore black, one being the uniform of the guards, and the other a fine set of clothes.
"It's a nice night," said the guard, looking at his Prince's back.
"It is," said Stephen, with a little warmth to the voice. "Are you and the rest of the men to stand on duty all night?"
"Until given leave," said the guard, the looked somewhat more relaxed. "But I'm one of the lucky ones. I might be posted on my own, but it's a good view."
He'd known the Prince before today, having met him whilst he was visiting the barracks. They'd formed conversation and he was surprised to find he rather liked him. The Prince didn't except ceremony and seemed more himself when in the barracks.
"Well, for now atleast, you aren't alone," said Stephen, turning his head to give him a rare smile.
The guard, whose name was Hiro, moved to the Prince's side, and there they stood, looking at the lights in the distance.