[center]
[img] https://i.imgur.com/0T3R6Wa.png[/img]

 [img] https://i.imgur.com/D4YsC4d.png[/img]
[/center]
[indent]
Erik tried to imagine a calm lake in his mind. A scene of serenity to bring peace back to his mind. However, the lake evaporated, and its vapours seemed to leave his ears like steam. How dared that woman talk to him like that! She was insufferable, she was. And how dare she insult his amazing suit like that! Damn her and her entire family.  

He considered himself lucky he only had to deal with her and her harebrained sister. He could see Catherine from the corner of his eye. Apparently she, and whoever the woman was that kept her company, had forgotten they were at a royal event and not a common house party.  How refreshing it was, to see that she was as ill-behaved as rumours went. A familial trait, Erik was sure. 

[b]”Jolly good show, brother.”[/b] Sindri smirked at Erik. And with that, Erik already regretted approaching him. That said, Erik wasn’t fool enough to think he would avoid his sibling’s mockery. But could he not, just this once?  No, that wasn’t Sindri. He was someone who could go from sweet to insufferable in the blink of an eye. Erik reckoned it was retribution for putting him in that suit, though it really did suit him. Sindri despised the formality of it all. However, currently it seemed Erik and his betrothed were simply fuel for his boundless love for comedy. His face definitely wasn’t as regret-stricken as it had been on their flight here. 
Sindri was a reasonably tall man, barely seeing eye-to-eye with Erik himself. Sindri was broader than Erik, however. His usually messy shoulder length brown hair had been neatly groomed for the occasion. He had a handsome face blessed with an impressive jawline . 

Sometimes, just sometimes, Erik had the urge to strangle him. [color=b8c5c3]”Oh for the love of… Please, SIndri, don’t.”[/color] Gods, why was his smirk so aggravating. Erik presumed it was time to schedule in far more formal events for him. See who was smiling then! [color=b8c5c3]”Where did you leave Arvid?”[/color] 

Arvid was the younger twin of the duo that made up Erik’s younger brothers. A much more serious lad than his brother, but no less prone to mischief. Erik felt his wits quiver in his absence. He had left one attendant, Reinhild, to watch over the two. And she was standing right behind Sindri. He feared what trouble Arvid would get himself into alone.  Despite being only four years younger than the crown prince, it often felt as if the twins had never really left childhood.

Arvid sniffed smugly. [b]”Chill, he’s with Radcliffe”[/b] 

And frankly, Erik did feel relief with that. Radcliffe was a retired general and now Erik’s teacher for military matters. Erik had gotten to know him while he was serving himself, and the man was a drill sergeant that would make the actual drill sergeants shudder. Yes, perfect company for Arvid. With any luck, the man would impart some common sense into him. 

Erik sighed in relief. [color=b8c5c3]”Good… yes, good.”[/color] God, he was still so on edge. Curse that Almore woman! [color=b8c5c3]”What about you? Is the reception to your liking?”[/color] 
Knowing his younger brother, he would find the whole thing dull. But his answer positively didn’t quite meet expectations. [b]”It’s… well I guess it’s alright. Food’s good and I’ve chatted up some nice folk.”[/b] The way he phrased it almost sounded like a question, an uncertainty. As if he wasn’t sure whether he was supposed to enjoy it. Perhaps Erik was seeing his younger brother finally mature a little? Now wasn’t that a sight. [b]”I’ve been keeping an eye out for… well… anyone. You know, I guess I might try to make mom happy.”[/b]

One of the primary reasons his brothers had been allowed to go along with him was so that they might make their impression on the royal scene. Not being first in line had given them the God-given luck to not be betrothed yet, and their mother thought that perhaps it was time for them to go out and look beyond the horizon of the Austerian borders. Erik had been given the ‘great honor’ of assisting them. 
Their mother didn’t seem as pressed to arrange marriages for them. Erik wasn’t sure whether this was due to lack of necessity, or because of the train wreck that was his own engagement. Certainly, Erik did envy their freedom. 

[b]”Shouldn’t be hard to do better than you, at least.”[/b] Erik took back the thought about him maturing. The insufferable little fucker.  Erik sneered at him, then composed himself. 

Erik didn’t really have any good options in mind for his brother. Out of his mind he could only list a few princesses who weren’t betrothed already. Raven and Han both were betrothed already, although he found the choice of men questionable for different reasons. Though that would not be an opinion to share openly. Erik knew Catherine was available , though he didn’t wish that fate upon Sindri. Or maybe she wasn’t, but Erik did not care to believe what the tabloids apparently spouted. He only heard such things second-hand anyway. 
Well, Marcela was single, but it didn't take a genius to know that was a very, very bad idea.
Lastly he could think of Gen. That was about the only good option he [i]could[/i] think of. Maybe it was worth bringing up to Phillip sometime, as a talk amongst brothers?  Finally, maybe he could have a chat with Raven. He imagined she knew every guest at least somewhat? She might know other candidates. It was certainly worth a shot.

[color=b8c5c3]”I’ll see what I can do to help.”[/color] Erik said tiredly. He required some distraction to keep him from the bad thoughts. If his mind stuck with Arabelle for any longer he might be inclined to punch a wall. And he had a feeling the Aciran castle’s walls weren’t going to spare his hand. 

[b]”No need to rush it… No seriously.”[/b] Sindri said, his voice glazed in unease. He shifted his feet uncomfortably.  A funny sight for a big guy like him. However, Erik thought it was quite a good idea to shift the attention of the people to another Austerian’s love life. Arabelle might’ve gotten a lucky break with her sister being in the picture right now, but Erik wasn’t quite that lucky.

Erik smiled at him. [color=b8c5c3]”No, leave it to me.”[/color] He took a sip from his wine glass and disappeared back into the crowd.

[/indent]