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[hr][color=Palevioletred][b]Location;[/b][/color] Kingdom of Abhainn
[color=Palevioletred][b]Interacting With;[/b][/color] Lady Alice Allaire {[@Lionhearted]}, Prince William Pengrance {[@Legion02]}[/center][hr][hr] 
Lissa just stopped herself from breathing a deep sigh of relief as a familiar face appeared seemingly out of the blue. At first, she had no idea who this man was - blonde hair, sharp cheekbones, with hunting gear and the scent of the forest following him. It was only once she met his eyes that her brows lifted in an act of surprise. Prince William Pengrance had saved her from a painfully dull confrontation with Lady Alice and she was immeasurably grateful for that. She had said her piece to the girl and had no interest in continuing the conversation any further. 

She paid no mind to the dirty looks she was recieving from the direction of Lady Alice as she openly stared at the man Prince William had become. He had been merely thirteen when she had left the kingdom of Abhainn to marry and, despite their age difference, the two had got along well. It was not his ascent into adulthood that had caused her to stare, however, it was the way he was looking at the future queen. It was almost as if he [i]despised[/i] her. And his further comment even solidified this manner of distrust she couldn't help but share with him. It must be some sort of a trick, her mind whirled, a way for them to scope out whether she was a threat to Lady Julianna or not. 

As her mind scrambled for a clever response, she was yet again saved from having to come up with something to say as Lady Alice excused herself. Of course, the girl couldn't help but make some comment at Amaryliss' expense, but Lissa did not give her the satisfaction of being embarrassed and merely raised a brow instead. 

[color=palevioletred][b]"It's a wonder that I have not been here in six years and some people still have not grown up." [/b][/color]Her voice, addressed to no one in particular, followed Lady Alice as she retreated to God-knows-where. Taking another second to stare after her old friend, Amaryliss turned back to the Prince with a warm smile gracing her features. 

[color=palevioletred][b]"My apologies, your majesty. It is so wonderful to see you again." [/b][/color]Her previously contempt tone had been switched for a more friendly, familiar one. Like William, she now kept her eyes focused on the Royals introducing themselves to each other, and would only every so often glance to the Prince by her side. 

[color=palevioletred][b]"How have you been? It's been an awfully long time, hasn't it?" [/b][/color]She paused for a second, chewing her lip in a rare act of open vulnerability. The action was soon concealed, however, with a hand brushing a stray hair back to its place and a shift in expression. Nevertheless, she still paused slightly before adding;[color=palevioletred][b] "And how is your brother? He makes a fine King if I have ever seen one."[/b][/color]

Taking the time to allow the Prince to answer, Lissa's eyes darted between the two Kings in the courtyard. Both King Jack and Maddox were starkly different in almost every way, and soon the kingdom of Abhainn will too realise the extent of their contrast. While her time in Slibah had been pleasant enough bar the fact that her husband had been a drunken slob, there had always been a worrying feeling at the back of her mind stressing to her to watch out for the Black Jack. She trusted the fact that she was not alone in this feeling, however, yet no one would ever dare say it. It was the one thing Lissa pitied Julianna for - to have a brother like that would be exhausting, future queen or not, and she strongly believed that the trouble he would cause was far from over yet. 

[color=palevioletred][b]"Will you be attending the celebrations tonight, your grace?" [/b][/color]Her next question was a daring one, to say the least, but it may just get her exactly what she wanted.[color=palevioletred][b] "And I trust you will not be going alone - do you have someone to accompany you?" [/b][/color]

Fully dragging her gaze away from the scene before them, she politely inclined her head towards the Prince before looking up at him with a small, shy smile. It was a surprise to see that he was now taller than her, after so many years of her towering over him. 

[color=palevioletred][b]"If not, I'd be honoured to accompany you, William. Not in a gesture of romance, of course, but perhaps for old time's sake? Of course, not only that, but you could reintroduce me to old friends, yes?"[/b][/color] At that, she lowered her voice, glancing about them in a manner of conspiracy before speaking once more.[color=palevioletred][b] "And, if you would like, I could act as an excuse for you to avoid our visitors just for tonight. We'll be too busy dancing under the stars, will we not?" [/b][/color]

She ended the request with a lighter tone and a quiet chuckle, offering him the most delicate of winks before turning back to the King and future queen. It was a dangerous appeal, yet she hoped he would take her up on her offer - not only would it give her access to the court once more, but, on a more sentimental note, she could spend a night here as if she never left - as if nothing had ever went wrong.