For a quick-footed soldier Marcus moved smoothly with such precise rhythm. She would never imagined a soldier to be so gentle, to dance so smoothly. The dance had yet to end when she felt them, eyes staring at the pair. Senators, nobles and soldiers alike who weren't caught in dance or conversation glanced at them. For a brief moment the emperor's daughter allowed herself to be pulled back into reality. The reality of the decorated hall where the scent of wine had not only strengthened but continued to linger in the air. She brought her eyes to some that watched her and the general. Some were smiling while others looked at the pair in shock and was that envy on the faces of those noblewomen? It wouldn't surprise her but she didn't get to inspect them properly before they were out of her view. 

Slowly she closed her eyes, allowing the music to once again engulf her with its melody. She allowed herself to trust the handsome general and once again she was transported to her secret world of Marcus, her and the music. The general held her waist lightly as if she was a delicate item that would shatter if held too tight. Not that she had never been held so softly before but there was something different... she hadn't a single idea what that something was.

Claudia didn't resemble her father appearancewise despite her height. She had her father's short height and the general quite obviously had the height advantage over her by at least a head. She looked up at him with hazel eyes. Marcus seemed not quite there- deep in thought until he brought an end to the silence that held the two dancers despite the sweet music.

'I was sad to learn of your fiancee's death, my lady. I mourned him.', the general says looking down at Claudia in sympathy. Claudia says nothing, pursing her dark pink lips. The topic of her deceased fiancé was still an uncomfortable one. He was one of the suitors her father introduced her to. She admired his kind, bouncy and almost-childish nature. She loved the fact he didn't want her for the empire. If she wasn't under pressure to choose a suitor he probably wouldn't be one she'd consider, however, the couple were close and it was not easy for her to lose him at all. Her eyes glistened slightly of unshed tears which she was willing to hide.

"As am I," she replies, a single tear streaking her face before she inhaled with a shaky breath. Not another tear dropped from her eyes. 
"That is what war does to men. Do not get me wrong sir, I do not mean to offend but war only brings death and killers. No one truly wins a war, they just gain more resources. Innocent men become killers or end up on their death bed. Besides the past is not a thing to be changed." She says gently, allowing the soldier to slowly twirl her once more. "As much as we wish to we... we cannot bring back the dead or may Pluto have mercy on our souls." Claudia didn't say a single word more throughout that dance