[center][h2][color=FF0000]Mai Mei of Liang[/color][/h2][/center]

Mai resisted the urge to roll her eyes as Elizaveta launched into a sermon about the term "old-fashioned" that somehow spiraled into a one-sided discussion about the right to rule. [i]Is she always this pretentious?[/i] Mai wondered, though her expression remained unchanged. [i]I have seen my own people slaughtered, their houses burned down and their families ripped apart. Why is she trying to preach to the choir?[/i]

[i]Oh, shut up, Mai,[/i] she chided herself silently, mentally laughing at the sheer absurdity of it all. Elizaveta seemed nice enough so far (though she knew her cousin would have described her as having "a stick up her ass", as vulgar and inappropriate and altogether inaccurate as that was, but that was just who he was) and besides, Mai agreed with what Elizaveta had said, so why was she trying to discredit the Grand Duchess [i]in her own head[/i]?

In any case, Mai needed to formulate a reply. She laughed lightly. [color=FF0000]"Please do not misunderstand me, Elizaveta,"[/color] she began. [color=FF0000]"I am not against being old-fashioned, per se. What I am against is precisely what you described: people who believe that their ancestry or wealth gives the right to rule. In these cases, titles are inherited through blood, and they are all but meaningless. I have seen enough to know that blood and money do not, and cannot, define a ruler. That is an antiquated way of thinking that would do nobody any good in today's world."[/color]

She laughed gently once more. [color=FF0000]"I also agree with the second part of what you said. It would be rather hypocritical of me to criticize others for being courteous or proper, no?"[/color] Mai almost included more about her cousin, but decided against it. Let the Grand Duchess puzzle it out herself if she cared so much. It wasn't a very important detail and Mai was not anxious to have the two of them meet. She was sure he'd somehow offend Elizaveta in some obscure way that would end up with her having to resolve the differences.

Elizaveta then turned to greet her betrothed, Prince Nikolai Johanssen of Anduin, and Mai watched with her facial features carefully arranged in an expression of polite interest as the two interacted. Prince Nikolai seemed almost wickedly delighted to plant a chaste kiss against Princess Elizaveta's cheek, grinning like a small child who had stolen a cookie and gotten away with it, but Elizaveta didn't seem to notice at first. Mai mentally arched an eyebrow. [i]None of my business, I know, but is Elizaveta already suspicious of Nikolai? Food for thought, hmm?[/i] she contemplated. If Princess Caterina Versini of Svearike was [i]already[/i] a source of friction for the two-on their second day here, no less-it would be interesting to watch them over the course of the next three months. Of course, outwardly, the two were the affectionate couple that everybody expected them to be. But Mai had mastered the art of giving people what they wanted to see while hiding a part of her inside years ago, and she considered herself a fairly good judge of when others were doing the same. Liangii politics were all about appearances and what lay beneath the facade. Mai supposed that all politics were like that, to some extent.

Mai smiled serenely at Princess Feora as she returned the compliment. [color=FF0000]"Thank you very much, Princess Feora,"[/color] responded Mai. [color=FF0000]"Really, though, you are too kind. And oh, I am jealous-the Liangii flag incorporates red, that is true, but black is nowhere to be found. Still, black hair is a Liangii trait and black is a wonderfully versatile color. [/color]"Mai chuckled. [color=FF0000]"I do apologize if I am babbling. I just have a rather unnatural penchant for discussing fashion."[/color]

Elizaveta murmured something to Nikolai, and Mai turned away to give them privacy. She caught a few of the words due to her close proximity with the couple, but she tried to ignore them. It was truly none of her business.

The next person to enter the room was Prince Leonard Fords of Krieg-Königreich. His kingdom was her betrothed's neighboring kingdom, Mai knew, so she would most likely be seeing him again in the future. He was dressed casually, and Mai quickly took in his outfit with a quick sweep of her chocolate-brown eyes. [color=FF0000]"Good morning to you too, Prince Leonard. It is quite a pleasure to meet you as well,"[/color] Mai greeted pleasantly, a small smile forming on her face. [color=FF0000]"I do not believe that you have shown up late. There are still quite a few people who have not arrived yet,"[/color] she said in response to his comment about his tardiness. 

After Prince Leonard came Princess Sade Magoro of Udawen. The curly-haired princess was dressed rather casually too, though Mai couldn't help but admire her heels. [i]She's a girl after my own heart,[/i] Mai thought wryly to herself. [color=FF0000]"It is an honor to meet you, Princess Sade,[/color] Mai responded. [color=FF0000]"I have to say that I absolutely adore your ensemble today. I always appreciate a good pair of high heels,[/color] continued Mai in a sheepish voice, laughing lightly at herself. 

Mai idly wondered where Prince Niklas, her betrothed, was. He seemed like the type to be quite punctual. In any case, she had the other royalty to keep her company before he arrived. She discreetly adjusted her gloves and smoothed out the front of her deep crimson dress, pushing a strand of inky black hair away from her face.