Aera descended the stairs in grace, her hair pinned up in faint coils, held together by jeweled needles that sparkled in the daylight, her dress reaching the floor. Behind her a few paces walked a few maids, waiting to help at once, should she call on them. 
Aera hated it.

At the base of the stairs stood her husband, standing among a small gathering of men, all dressed in riding gear. Kentaro turned his bright grey eyes on her and beamed. "Good morning, my love." he took her hand and kissed it. "You look stunning, as usual."

Her smile was genuine. "Thank you, dear." She leaned in. "I missed you last night."
Kentaro looked away. "Ah, yes, I'm sorry. I was helping with preparations for today and was rather tired."
Aera nodded. [i]More excuses[/i]. "Well, I wish you luck on your hunt. And can't wait to see you at the tournament."

With great cheer and shouting, the group of men, some dozen of them, all friends of the Prince, walked out to enjoy their morning.
His mother, Queen Lilith, made toward her, and Aera instantly felt uneasy. Its rare, she'd learned, for any woman to like her son's wife, but it was certainly harder when the wife was a horrid elf who would probably slit your son's throat. Aera smiled and curtsied politely. "A fine day to you, my Queen. Your son looks very excited about the hunt."

"Hm. Yes." Lilith agreed. "I still don't think they should have gone, what with the preparations still to be made for later today."
Aera nodded awkwardly. "And how is the Princess Risa? How is she?" 

Kentaro's younger sister was quite the character. She was rather polite to Aera, but, as Aera discovered quickly, it was only because Risa was [i]sure[/i] Kentaro would be disowned for marrying her, and would be happy to take over as heir. Despite the fact, Aera enjoyed her company, although it made her sad to realize she was that desperate for a friend.

"She's getting herself ready for the tournament."
"Oh, yes. She does take a very long time to pick out a gown."
The Queen turned and eyed Aera. "Perhaps you should try to do the same." With that she turned and walked off, leaving Aera curtsying with a blank smile on her face.

She sighed, wondering what now. She supposed she'd have to go upstairs and change. Perhaps letting Paytin dress her would be wiser.
In a few hours, the men would be back and hopefully she'd be able to get some time alone with her husband before the archery tournament at noon.