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[color=9e0b0f][b]Location;[/b][/color] Alice's Chambers - Kingdom of Abhainn
[color=9e0b0f][b]Interacting With;[/b][/color] Myself[/center][hr]
[indent]Alice, expressionless as she is, couldn't hide the despair that undesirably overtook her mind and body. Whilst sitting in front of a beautifully crafted vanity within the chambers of a sunlit room that still housed the crisp, morning chill, Alice paid no mind to whatever appearance that her handmaiden was giving her for the day. Her mind remained focused on a single fear that the future potentially held, one in which could ruin her prospective happiness that she so strongly hoped for. Alice's childhood companion, her King, the only love she could imagine herself considering, ripped away because of an unwanted pact of peace between rivaling kingdoms.

Alice's gaze, fixated on the mannequin that fashioned her worn, but still graceful, battle armor, broke when her handmaiden finally spoke,"I'm finished."

Alice turned to the mirror, a little displeased with the over-elegant look that she would be sporting for the day, but perhaps it would be a look that would somehow convince King Maddox to think otherwise of the marriage. Regardless, Alice expressed her gratitude,[color=9e0b0f]"Thank you, Jetta. You really should consider styling a more worthy noblewoman, for I don't deserve such a talented handmaiden."[/color]

Jetta chuckled,"My Lady, you are too kind." She fixed up her hair and added the finishing touches with beautiful jewelry to compliment her long, fitted gown that gleamed of metallic tones. Jetta continued,"You best get going, to not be late for the arrival of the Sliabhian royal family."

It was clear that Jetta was careful with her words, refusing to mention anything of the coming Queen-to-be. Alice respected that, but also respected Jetta in general, for she was always honored to be the handmaiden to Alice. Jetta, tall and slender with long brunette hair, always had a beauty that Alice envied, with a humble and kind personality respectfully paired with her alluring appearance. For years, Jetta was always the one to bring fashion and style into Alice's everyday life, whether it be furnishing her room, sewing her gowns, or dressing her up for a ball. It was clear that Jetta had great talent and had an eye for beauty, for she was the one to design the appearance of her armor as well. Judging from that, Jetta knows a great deal about Alice's life, but she primarily works as Alice's stylist rather than any ordinary handmaiden that fetches her food and wine, or any other demand that a noblewoman would stress.

Alice stood and proceeded to her father's chambers of the Allaire court to show her respects before leaving to join the other nobles. It seemed as though Alice would only ever crack a smile when she was near her father, but even those smiles required a bit of forcefulness since her bed-ridden father spawned a great deal of sadness for Alice. Not taking anymore time to save from being late, Alice proceeded out the door and proceeded to join the rest of the nobles.

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Being new to the noble scene, Alice had very few acquaintances, thus saving her from having to greet any absurd amount of prissy nobles that she came across -- though she did receive many looks as she always does when she makes an appearance. Alice found her way to a spot where she'd get a clear view of the scene, but it was enough for her if she could merely watch King Maddox and nobody else.

As soon as she laid eyes on him, her heart skipped a beat and the loud muttering of the nobles were deafened. A weight pushed down on her shoulders as a faint expression of sorrow was released, watching the charming King await his upcoming bride. The butterflies that filled her stomach was familiar, but the sadness that now came with them was as foreign as the Sliabhians stepping foot on their territory. It would be second-nature for Alice to scan the scene and soak in the faces of every individual involved within the event, but her fixated stare remained on King Maddox, for this could be one of the last times she would see him without a woman locking arms with his. 

The silence broke her stare as she finally eyed the welcoming Sliabhian royal family. It was easy to depict the nobles from the royalty, and the military officers from the soldiers. She took as little time as necessary to survey the situation as the Queen-in-waiting stepped out of her carriage, a moment to be remembered by every noble, soldier, and royal member to witness.

How cliche it would be for this new-found adversary of Alice's to be ugly, undeserving, spoiled, and bitchy -- but it wasn't the case, even with the rumors that spread fast within the noble courts. She even tried her best to picture this moment and how it would feel, but the magnitude of the real event didn't compare to what was fabricated in her mind. A few gasps and intense muttering escaped from the crowd, but the silence was still apparent as the beautiful Queen-to-be glowed in the daylight. 

Julianna Hardin, member of the Sliabhian royal family, the future Queen of Abhainn, and the woman that played the most important role in tying the kingdoms together to bring peace between the lands. Her beauty was astonishing, almost overwhelming for Alice. A gorgeous, blonde woman to rival the look of Alice's, with an incredible body that was perfectly complimented by the gown she fashioned. Her clear complexion, fair skin, and grace in her steps seemed to only add to the competition that was already becoming established in Alice's mind. Alice paid no mind to any other noble in the situation, her focus being maintained on this new competitor that entered the courts. 

This jealousy was like nothing Alice has ever experienced before. Her mind, running to her war-like, barbaric ways, described the feeling as if her heart was ripped out and trampled on by heavy, iron greaves, only worn by a woman that completely outmatched her in terms of beauty and elegance. Clenching her jaw, Alice eyed the event and took in every bit of the situation, paying no mind to the rest of her surroundings, which was unordinary for Alice to do, but the time has come for her to work on a different form of strategy. A form that deals with nobles, royalty, and love, influenced by jealousy and hatred.[/indent]