Alessandra scanned the huge room to look for familiar faces. She saw Prince Edward on the dance floor, oblivious to the rest of thew world as he danced with a beautiful woman. Alessandra didn't care too much about him. She had tried to chat with him several times but he had always been distracted. The third time they had been together in a party, he had left her in the middle of a sentence to flirt with a pretty Asian girl. 

The second prince was nowhere in sight. Stephen was quiet and shy and often times preferred a quiet garden to a ball like the one she had been invited to. She looked towards the thrones. She would have to greet the king and queen before she could go and try to find the missing Prince.

When Alessandra spotted Avril, the young princess was already on her way towards her, leaving behind several young men staring after her. No doubt they were possible suitors she couldn't wait to escape from. "It's good to see you too, Princess." She chuckled at the obvious look of relief the younger girl gave her. She let her lead her and her father towards the royal couple. 

The baron greeted both king and queen and then promptly excused himself, leaving Alessandra to give her greeting. She curtsied politely to the royal couple and then smiled widely when the Queen came forward and kissed her. Although the regal woman didn't resemble her mother, looking at her made Alessandra remember the late Baroness. "It is wonderful to be here, my Queen." She answered.