[center][h2]Ｒａｉｄｅｎ　Ｚｈｅｎｇ　＆　Ｂｅａｔｒｉｃｅ[/h2]
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[indent][indent]Finishing his greetings with the royal hosts, concluding with a short, polite bow. Without much direction, he let himself calmly meander through the great halls but he didn’t let himself relax too much. A dozen things were racing through his mind at any given time, seeing how the air vents could use fixing, how the chandelier could “accidentally” drop on someone by their chains, how many roof tops could a gunman trace a line through a window, and how stunning that painting was over there.

Marching over in his shiny boots, he looked at the painting. [i]A Field of Flowers[/i] by Edward Jorenns, a beautiful piece portraying a woman, her white dress and sun hat blowing in the wind, atop a hill of flowers from a dutch angle. Zheng remembered hearing about this piece, mostly because one of his college friends wouldn’t shut up about how much he wanted to buy it at an auction or something. He’d always thought the whole idea of auction to be foolish, but now looking at the piece up close, Zheng could start to see why people put so much value on art like this.

From down the hall, his peripheral vision caught a glimpse of a pair of people walking down, one Beatrice Mei Koing and one Raiden Zhao. Putting on his best smile and straightening his military jacket, he did his best nonchalant walk over and tipped his hat when Beatrice finally noticed him approaching.

[color=#96082b]“Princess Beatrice, an honor to see you here. I do hope that Königreich der Welten and its queen are doing well.”[/color] Zheng bowed slightly as he approached closer. He noted the slight way Beatrice looked uneasy at this whole thing, even though she was doing a wonderful job hiding it while introducing him to Raiden. Zheng just stood by until Beatrice was finished before offering a handshake to Raiden, [color=#96082b]“The illustrious Zhao Raiden... I am honored to finally meet you in person. I have heard many wonderful things about you and your pet rabbit.”[/color]

[color=5F9AA0]"Ah yes, I think at this point, my rabbit is a lot more famous than me. Everyone seems to know him so well."[/color] Raiden met the man's hand and shook it firmly. [color=5F9AA0]"It's a pleasure to meet you, Prince Zheng."[/color] He had heard a few things about the Prince and how he had gotten the title, which only made him respect the man even more. [color=5F9AA0]"I admire what you have done for Liang so far- I only hope to have as much dedication as you have for your country."[/color] 

Beatrice kept her expression arranged in one of mild, and polite, interest. It was….pretty fucking ironic, really, that Raiden and Zheng were standing there talking to each other as if it were the most normal thing in the world. 

She laughed softly at Raiden’s comment about his rabbit being more famous than he was. [color=silver]“Well, Tao [i]is[/i] quite charming,”[/color] she pointed out lightly, smiling at the two of them. [color=silver]“Anybody who tries to claim otherwise is wrong.”[/color]

Zheng simply chuckled as Raiden finished his firm handshake, returning his own hands behind his back and smiling hearing the prince’s admiration, [color=#96082b]“It is good to hear such words Prince Raiden, thank you for your kindness. What I do for Liang is for its protection, and I know its heavy price.”[/color] Zheng flexed his prosthetic hand open and closed next to his side while looking down at it before shooting a look at Beatrice, he wondered if she even knew about the circumstances around his little robotic arm.

Taking a deep sigh and nodding towards one of the many food tables, Zheng shifted his feet and pointed towards one that had a trio of small pyramids of crackers, cheeses, pickled vegetables and spreads, [color=#96082b]“Hors d'oeuvres? It is one things I am personally looking forward to is the food here. Unlike you Prince Raiden, I am not fortunate enough to have brought along a fair princess to dance with.” [/color]

Raiden gave Zheng a nod. [color=5F9AA0]"We must do what we can for our countries and the people. It's a burden we all bare here, but I wouldn't have it any other way."[/color] He wasn't a stranger to sacrificing personal life for the crown and the people. Raiden had only gone along with his betrothal with Beatrice this long to find a way to be selfish in the safest way possible and dissolve it when he knew the consequences would be minimal. Though, he really admired Zheng for what he had given up for Liang. 

[color=5F9AA0]"I'm not much of a dancer,"[/color] Raiden smiled at Beatrice, [color=5F9AA0]"I hope you can give Prince Zheng a chance to dance, perhaps? I'm afraid my feet don't know right from left when I'm on a dance floor."[/color] It was a lie, of course, but Raiden didn't do much dancing anyway. He knew how to dance perfectly, but one thing was dancing in a club, and the other was waltzing in a ballroom. It would also be the perfect opportunity to sneak to Henri and finally talk to the man. 

Beatrice caught Zheng’s sidelong glance, and duly ignored it, because what the hell was she supposed to say in front of all these people? [i]Oh, sorry my dad’s a dickhead, but no worries because my mom and great-uncle are going to put you onto the throne and then we can somehow get my dad to stop trying to annex Liang[/i]????

She did, however, let her smile turn slightly sympathetic as she glanced over in his direction and murmured her agreement to what both of them said about doing what they must for their countries. [color=silver]“I would love hors d’oeuvres, and whatever else they have,”[/color] Beatrice admitted, smiling again. She was slightly taken aback by Raiden’s suggestion that she and [i]Zheng[/i] dance (it seemed - improper, perhaps?), but...maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad idea, if the music was loud enough to obscure whatever conversation that they may have. 

[color=silver]“I would be happy to dance with either of you,”[/color] said Beatrice, laughing softly. [color=silver]“Provided that we find some snacks first, of course.”[/color]

With a smile and a nod, Zheng lead the trio further into the ballroom towards white draped tables with silver platters, stacked high with refreshments and delicacies; he presumed the full meals would be served later once everyone had been settled int. With a plate in one hand, Zheng gracefully pluck various selections of cheese and meats onto his plate with tongs.

Raiden let Beatrice stand in front of him. [color=5F9AA0]"I think I will pass the snacks,"[/color] He eyed the various meats, cheese, and fruits on the table, but nothing seemed appetising to him., Instead, he waved down a passing server and asked for some whiskey on the rocks. Raiden knew his stomach wouldn't do good with food now, and alcohol was the only thing that would calm his nerves for now. After receiving his drink and thanking the server, he made his way back to Beatrice and Zheng. 

[color=5F9AA0]"Are we all set, then?"[/color] Raiden glanced between Beatrice and Zheng, a natural smile playing on his lips. 

Beatrice followed along as Zheng made his way towards the food, aware of Raiden walking beside her the entire time. When they arrived at one of the tables, Zheng grabbed some snacks, and Raiden went for another drink. 

Beatrice decided to opt for snacks, as well, figuring that a bit of fruit couldn’t hurt. [color=silver]“Oh dear, it looks like I’m so boring that Prince Raiden can’t wait to be rid of me,”[/color] Beatrice answered, her soft smile making it abundantly clear that her words were nothing more than a light-hearted joke. 

[color=silver]“I think we’re set, if you also agree, Prince Zheng.”[/color]

Raiden glanced over at Zheng then at his betrothed, wondering is they had met before the ball. While it wouldn't be unusual, he did find it interesting. It would be a good opportunity to excuse himself while both of them talked and snacked. "I will have to apologize since I have to excuse myself." Raiden looked at Beatrice. "I have a few things to do before we go back to introductions," he turned to Zheng, "please keep the princess some company. I'll try to be quick." He gave them both a curt bow before turning on his heels. 

It only took him a few seconds to spot Gen and Henri walking around the dance floor, hand in hand. He couldn't wait for Henri to be alone, so he'd have to introduce himself to Gen before anything. [/indent][/indent]