Illyria watched The exchange  with  eager eyes. It had been months of preparation for the moment they were watching unfold in front of them. Maleea flashed her delicate smile and brushed a strand of hair from her face, looking as doe eyed and charming as possible. The younger handmaids watched in anticipation, giddy with excitement. 

"Very lovely to meet you as well, Prince Polkos. You are not so hard on the eyes either" Maleea said sweetly as she offered a small curtsy. It took all Illyria had in her to not roll her eyes and sigh.

Many moons ago, Maleea had been Illyria's closest friend. Her parents lived in the Dasvrochian capital and often traded with the Dome, Dasvrochi's principal building where the royals lived for most of the year. Her father had been a merchant, trading in foreign books and precious curiosities. Her mother, filled with adventure and fluent in many dialects, was the perfect fit for him. They raised Illyria among books, foreign spices, and entrancing music. 

She uad developed a taste for horseback riding at a very young age, and had been enlisted in the Dome's academy for talented riders. That's where she had met Maleea, clumsy and sulking atop a beautiful black steed on their first day. Maleea had dropped out, but Illyria had continued her studies until her 18th birthday, and upon realizing she did not wish to get married, had been enlisted by the Queen herself, Maleea's mother, as an attendant.

As she watched Maleea use her quick charming sit, Illyria could only hope that her often sullen, picky princess would at least find happiness with someone.

Once acquaintances were made, the procession entered into the great hall where feasting seemed to be underway. Out of the corner of her eye, Illy spotted a tall young man covered in Metaschi colors, an elegant sword strapped onto his waist. He winked at her, and heat rose to her face. 

What was she doing, mucking about with winking men? She shook her head and focused on finding their seats, as people formed patient lines to talk to greet Maleea. 

"Oh goody, another handful of lovely uneducated people" Maleea whispered to Illy, still with a smile plastered on her face. 

"Yes, your highness" Illy replied nonchalantly, tending to a loose strand of hair falling out from Maleea's pin up.