Mai and Zheng had only made it a couple of steps before Mai spotted Niklas approaching them, all smiles and warmth. Trailing after him was an older man who appeared to be some sort of military officer. Based on her prior knowledge of her betrothed, Mai guessed that he was a captain, one that was quite close to the royal family of Konig der Welten and Niklas in particular. Mai extricated her arm from Zheng's and waited for Niklas to come within speaking distance.

Niklas bowed, and Mai gave a small curtsy in return. "Exquisite as per usual, Princess Mai. You really have to stop doing that, or some of the others might get a little jealous, if you know what I'm saying," Niklas said by way of greeting. His voice was light and welcoming. Mai smiled coyly.

"Oh, is that so, Prince Niklas?" Mai responded with a soft laugh. "I must say, you are looking quite the gentleman yourself tonight. Perhaps [i]you[/i] should stop doing that yourself," Mai answered, a glimmer of mischief in her brown eyes. Niklas offered her his arm, and Mai looped hers through it. Niklas was wearing a light brown suit reminiscent of a time long gone. He apologized for keeping her waiting and mentioned that the captain was lecturing him on "the importance of being fashionably dressed, and fashionably late". He went on to say that he was apparently old-fashioned. Mai grinned at that.

"Well, if this choice of attire is your definition of 'old-fashioned', I would take that over 'modern' any day," Mai told him, her eyes twinkling. Indeed, Mai could see why Niklas had chosen his present ensemble over a sleek, ultra-modern tuxedo and dress shoes. She allowed herself a quick smile at Niklas's muttered comment about an "old dinosaur", noting their subtle, silent exchanges. The captain gave a politely detached smile, while Niklas's smile grew even wider. 

Niklas then proceeded to ask where the ballroom was, pointing in the opposite direction. Mai laughed lightly. She was more than certain that Niklas knew exactly where the ballroom was-she expected that he had pored over the floor plan of the palace before arriving in Aciras, the same as she had-but nobody could doubt that Niklas was perfectly charming. "This way, Prince Niklas," she said in a gently amused manner, guiding his hand in the other direction. "Let's go, yes? We would not want to be so late that we are just plain old late, instead of [i]fashionably[/i] late," Mai added with a teasing grin.

They started off in the direction of the ballroom, passing regal portraits of long-dead Aciran rulers, who solemnly stared out at them from their gilt frames. As they walked, Mai smiled and nodded politely to the occasional passerby, many of whom were other princes and princesses on their way to the Grand Ball as well. 

Arriving at the ballroom, Mai's eyes quickly swept over the lavish decorations and crystal chandeliers that hung from the ceiling. Soft music was playing, and she discreetly took note of the princes and princess who had come earlier than she and Niklas. Among them was Fareeha, who was wearing a sleek black dress with a slit in the skirt and a silver 'armored' bodice. Mai mentally arched an eyebrow. [i]That dress is certainly unexpected, but it practically screams 'Fareeha',[/i] she thought. [i]Now, if she were wearing heels, that would[/i] really [i]impress me. Fareeha does not seem like the type of woman to appreciate high heels.[/i]

Mai turned slightly to face her future husband. "Shall we go on over and greet Princess Fareeha?" she questioned, tilting her head to the side and letting her eyes stray over to the buffet table where she was making conversation with another prince. "It would be impolite not to, I suppose, seeing as we made her acquaintance this morning. I would very much like to compliment her on her dress."