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[img]https://i.imgur.com/EMjNode.png[/img]
[color=silver][i][sub]A collaboration between [@Melo] & [@Aewin], ft. [@NeoAJ][/sub][/i][/color]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/E14enxC.png[/img][/center]
[color=silver][indent][indent]Steely blue-green eyes watched the other royals with curiosity and interest as the crowds grew larger over time. Being one of the first few to arrive, Arabelle had the honour of getting to see each guest after her make their grand entrance in their designer gowns or suits. Most royals cleaned up nicely, she thought. Alejandro was one that was expectedly flashy and brilliantly dressed. Similarly, the choices of Imani, Leonor, Beatrice and even Han was dazzling. Pink [i]really[/i] suited the princess of Tuyen Phu, she thought, pleasantly surprised by the dress.

A servant cautiously stepped towards the Arcenian sisters, carrying an assortment of drinks on an intricately designed platter. Arabelle politely took one of the wine glasses offered, grasping the delicate stem in her hand before she resumed watching. [b][color=a27c89]“I think the last few as starting to filter in.”[/color][/b] She commented, mostly to herself, as Fareeha stepped through.

It was tempting for Catherine to commandeer the platter for such an occasion. It couldn’t hurt to have a ready supply of wine to deal with the parade of pompous party people she was going to be dealing with at this soiree. But that wouldn’t do. #HurriKate drunk within the first...hour? That would be a field day. Instead, Cat followed her sister in accepting one of the glasses from the waiter, although she did size them up to pick one of the fuller glasses. It was almost unable to see the difference, but Catherine had enough of a sharp eye to notice the best option for her on the tray.

On the other side of the room, Erik enjoyed himself with a glass of wine. His giant attendant, Radke, stayed with him while the other left with his younger siblings. His brothers would need to be watched after, otherwise, they’d surely get themselves into trouble. And he could not afford to look bad because of them. This was the world stage, even if some of the players gathering here were of questionable repute. Although many were good friends and acquaintances that entered, a few earned a frown and a sidelong glance as they passed through the entryway. Luckily there were enough people here to be able to avoid such people altogether for his entire stay.

One person he definitely would not be able to avoid for the coming two months was his oh so beloved betrothed. Indeed, Arabelle had been the subject of over half of Erik’s minute glares. He clutched his glass with every discreet look. And her sister was with her, too, to make things worse. This party already felt like a lion’s den. He looked at Han, whose dress made her surely deserving of the glances of other males around her. Maybe he should pay her a visit to keep himself busy? No, she’d know what’s up, and then run her potty mouth to boot. No, needed a more discreet query.

Something that hadn't escaped Arabelle's notice was that most royals were gravitating towards their selected betrothed. Most pairings seemed unremarkable, save for a select few. She couldn’t help but feel somewhat envious of those royals. For Arabelle, approaching her own betrothed was not an option. In fact, approaching Erik now would only cause drama and she had promised her grandfather she wouldn’t cause him any trouble.

Nearby, she saw Philip and Imani chat amicably, with Genevieve hovering nearby. Bless her cotton socks, Arabelle mused. Although she was glad to see the hermit princess experiment past her comfort zone, part of her was still concerned for Gen. Perhaps it would be a good idea to check on her? Yeah.. it [i]has[/i] been a while since the two girls have been able to see each other face-to-face, and talking to Philip is always a treat. Plus, this way she could get herself well acquainted with the newly crowned princess of Massylii.

[b][color=a27c89]“Cat? If you’ll excuse me, I should greet the rest of the guests. I’ll be back shortly.”[/color][/b] She politely excused herself from her sister and bodyguard. Gen was her first priority to greet. Arabelle was sure that Gen wouldn’t mind the extra glass of wine.

[b][color=00E300]“Yes, yes, that makes sense. I… I think I’ll hang back for a moment and allow myself to get acclimated to things,”[/color][/b] Catherine told her sister as Arabelle headed off. It was polite speak for [i]“I don’t want to talk to any of these people in front of me, especially not your betrothed, so good luck while I stay here and drink wine,”[/i] but Cat didn’t have to tell Ara that.

Erik strolled past the people as he chatted with the giant that was his attendant. As instructed, the man would inform him when the unpacking had been finished. Surely he had to know if one of Vivian’s gifts had been damaged. But nay, everything had gone perfectly. The crowd that had filled the room by now with royals and attendants of all nations had obscured his vision largely of the people he knew. But he had kept an eye on a few. One, in particular, he wanted to say hi to right now.

Genevieve Anders was a dear friend of his. And the two hadn’t spoken in such a long time now. It was only common courtesy that he would invite her to play a game of chess with him when their presence here was no longer required. Not to mention, surely Phillip would be up for a chat as well. He had no real knowledge of the person beside him, but the way they locked elbows spoke of something beyond casual acquaintances. It piqued Erik’s curiosity, to say the least. So what better place to start?

As Cat sipped with about 10% of her normal gusto when it came to enjoying a glass of wine, she could see her sister stepping out onto the floor… and her ghastly groom to be coming right towards her. [b][color=00E300]“Aw, shit,”[/color][/b] she muttered under her breath just low enough for no one to hear.

It was hard not to notice the prince falling into step nearby. In fact, Arabelle's attempt at avoiding her fiance had led her directly to him, much to her displeasure. It was like the gods were out for blood or entertainment… or both. Stopping in her (and his) path, Arabelle spun on her heels to face her demon. [b][color=a27c89]“And why is it that you decide to greet the one person I plan on speaking with?”[/color][/b] If she could cross her arms at this moment, she would, but alas the blasted glass of wine was stopping her from showing her ire. [b][color=a27c89]“Can you not go bother somebody else with your presence instead?”[/color][/b]

Erik tried very hard not to show his displeasure in regards to this unfortunate encounter. However, Erik’s brow enjoyed furrowing despite his master’s sincere wishes. From the corner of his eye he saw his attendant shuffling his feet nervously. Radke never had seen the two together, this Erik knew, but rumour always spread like wildfire amongst servants. With a sigh he finished the last of his wine. [b][color=b8c5c3]“Refill my glass, if you please.”[/color][/b] He held out the empty glass towards him, and gestured him along.

The man was all too willing to comply.

Now it was time to face the beast. He turned back towards her, and maneuvered his mouth into something that could pass for a polite smile from a distance. Still, the subtle twitch he felt from his mouth’s corner was more than enough to annoy him. Arabelle tended to do that to him. She radiated discomfort like a skunk did odor. [b][color=b8c5c3]“My lady Arabelle. Still skipping etiquette classes, I see?”[/color][/b] He made the slightest bow mockingly. It was a bow far too shallow for someone her station, in spite of their betrothal. A lack of respect was the best way to cause upset. Some things truly hadn’t changed since the times of the old Crevnonan courts. [b][color=b8c5c3]“Please, don’t let me keep you. I find it very sweet that you wish to entertain my friend with your… frivolities.”[/color][/b] Something in him wanted to lash out at her. But he would maintain his composure. Not only would it make him look better in front of crowds, it would also serve to annoy her all the more.

Ignoring the etiquette comment, Arabelle smiled pleasantly instead, a practised act she'd perfected from childhood. [b][color=a27c89]“Perhaps checking on a 'friend' seems frivolous to you, but I suppose having friends is a foreign concept to someone like you.”[/color][/b] There was no denying the tenseness in her jaw, but she kept her body relaxed. There was no bow from her in return, there was no point in doing something half-heartedly, and her Arcenian pride would not allow her to even lower her head in the direction of that traitor. 

As pleasant a smile she might put up, Erik was convinced that he must at least get a little under her skin. Erik’s bow might be an affront, but the lack of any was downright rude to anyone who could see. If she wanted to make herself look bad, so be it. Erik did not consider that a bad thing.  Her words irritated him however. That was a malicious way to spin his words. Even by her standards. [b][color=b8c5c3]“Of course, only an Arcenian tyrant could think of friends as anything like frivolous. How else could you even interpret my words that way?”[/color][/b] He rose his chin, looking down at her arrogantly. [b][color=b8c5c3]“No matter, I do not believe the day will come when Arcenians value people of any sort.”[/color][/b]

Technically it wasn't difficult to look down on her, Arabelle was much shorter than he was. [b][color=a27c89]“Well, it certainly was not me that assumed that my concern was 'frivolous',”[/color][/b] There was a bite to her tone, unappreciative of the negative assumption that he had made of her concern for Genevieve. Why couldn't he just leave her alone for the next two months?

His assumptions didn't just stop there, oh no, he had to make a fool of himself by incorrectly judging her people as tyrants that had no values. No matter, history was on her side after all. [b][color=a27c89]“Of course,”[/color][/b] she barked sarcastically. [b][color=a27c89]“Traitors such as yourself would really know the value of people, right? Of course, your ancestors had no sense of loyalty to their own family, so they had to value something to remain in power, is that correct?”[/color][/b] She smiled sweetly.

History only favored her side when it was written by an Arcenian hand, of course. True history was much muddier than apparent at first sight. [b][color=b8c5c3]“We ‘betrayed’ our family [i]for[/i] the people. If your knowledge of history is this bad at this point in your academic career you might as well drop out. Save your professors the trouble and don’t waste their time.”[/color][/b] He harrumphed. History always struck a wrong chord with Erik when someone spouted obvious falsehoods as fact! The nature of the Crevonan conflict was truly obscured by time. But the histories of both sides had always said that the Bel Austers had one it for the people (of course, whether or not that was actually true is not as clear). 

[b][color=b8c5c3]“Though I guess tyrants do not need to win the respect of their people with competency, as you so well display. Your grandfather is truly a great man to have risen above the cesspit that is your brood.”[/color][/b]

[b][color=a27c89]“There were no people to save, all your family wanted was the throne that wasn't rightfully theirs and they [i]failed[/i] to take it.”[/color][/b] Arabelle sneered, her nose wrinkling in distaste. Her fingers tightened on the stem of the wine glass, her knuckles whitening from the pressure. It was a miracle that the glass hadn't shattered yet. How [i]dare[/i] he speak to her in such a manner? She did not appreciate him dragging her grandfather into their business in such a crass manner. Arabelle had to fight every muscle in her body to not slap Erik for disrespecting her, but she knew that that would only escalate things to the point of no return.

Arabelle bit her tongue, only for a moment. The fake pleasant smile on her face wiped in favour for a cold, unreadable expression. [b][color=a27c89]“Wow, what a man. Did that make you feel any better? A little more manly? Or perhaps, powerful?”[/color][/b] She clicked her tongue, shaking her head condescendingly. [b][color=a27c89]“I pity you. Your inferiority complex is entirely justified because you will [i]never[/i] compare to the King of Arcenia with the way you're talking.”[/color][/b]

He wove his hand dismissively of her comments. [b][color=b8c5c3]“You have no right to speak to me like that when you were just saying the same kind of things about me and my family.”[/color][/b] Erik smiled smugly. Was he happy with himself? No, not really. But he hadn’t said a word in the moment that he thought wasn’t true.  [b][color=b8c5c3]“I find your hypocrisy appalling, truly. You truly tried to berate me over that, are you serious? How [i]dare[/i] you?”[/color][/b] If there was one thing he could say about his future queen, it was that she was audacious. Unfortunately, not in any sort of good way. 

[b][color=a27c89]“All I wanted to do was check on a friend, apparently even that is too kind for you to allow. Truly, shame on you, because you had no right to dig at me either. This could have all been avoided had you not tried to start a problem with me. Could you not have waited a few minutes before trying to ruin other people's day?”[/color][/b] Admittedly, her digs had been weak and personal, but he had caught her off-guard, hitting below the proverbial belt. Her grandfather is special to her, a kind hearted soul he is, and she couldn't allow Erik to get away with taunting her in his name. 

[b][color=a27c89]“Please, get off your high horse. You're no better than me if you have to resort to petty insults to protect your ego. You just cannot admit that you're just as awful.”[/color][/b]

He visibly shrugged. [b][color=b8c5c3]“Oh yes, yes. I talked back at you just as badly. But at least I’m not a hypocrite, and I had all the right to dig at you for that.”[/color][/b] It was then that his attendant came back with his wine. Erik sighed. He found the whole notion laughable. She was the one who had lashed out at him in the first place. Maybe had she kept her stupid mouth shut, they could’ve both done their thing in peace. But no, Arabelle just [i]had[/i] to have a go at him. Of course, he had childishly done the same thing back. 

He took the wine out of Radke’s hands, and sipped it lightly. [b][color=b8c5c3]“So, why don’t you be a dear and go do what you actually came here for? That’s right. Move along.”[/color][/b] He gestured towards Gen. [b][color=b8c5c3]“And if from now on you could just pretend I do not exist… well… let’s say that would make my world a little brighter. At least for the nearby future.”[/color][/b] For the long-term was filled with unspeakable horrors as the last few minutes had demonstrated.  

Arabelle scoffed at his attempt at a dismissal. [b][color=a27c89]“You're insufferable, if I have to see you again it'll be far too soon. Gods, I hope someone puts me out of my misery before I have to marry you.”[/color][/b] Rolling her eyes, Arabelle muttered to herself as she turned her back on him. 

[b][color=a27c89]“That blue looks awful on you, by the way. Do us both a favour and ditch the suit next time. The blue makes your attitude pretty in comparison.”[/color][/b] Without turning back, she left Erik to be by his lonesome to go talk to some actual company, finally letting the anger cloud her expression.[/indent][/indent][/color]