The King received each of the new arrivals from atop his blackened throne with as much grace and courtesy as he could manage. Few were of any interest to him, mostly children just come of age being brought to court for the very first time. He noticed with some amusement that thus far most of those submitting to him had been female - all the youngest and prettiest daughters of his nobles. [i][color=f7941d]Are they trying to tempt me into forgoing my Eorzian bride and choose one of their whelps instead? Or are they filling the court with companions for her in order to gain influence over her and in turn me?[/color][/i] Ozragad didn't care either way, the King would marry who he must. Besides, from their scant interactions he already doubted she would ever hold much sway over him.

Finally her name was called by the herald. He drew himself up and sat tall and proud when he heard so, pushing his chest out and lifting his chin. He had dressed richly for the pomp and ceremony today, something he would not have normally bothered to do so. A black doublet sewn with golden thread, an ermine fur cape lined with scarlet silk, a gilded ornamental breastplate strewn with semi precious stones, all  topped off by his golden crown of garnet and jet. 

They parted for her as she walked through, calm and serene, smiling as if no one in that room wanted to see her dead. Her head was raised high, looking every bit a royal. Someone had foresight to dress her as a Formori as well, her garb was cut in their style, and the cloth coloured and dyed in the current fashion of the court - no doubt inspired by Ozragad's own tastes. The dark material only served to heighten the contrast between her white skin and pale hair. It was hair like no Formori possessed, light and golden, the pairing was thus like nothing Ozragad had ever seen. She locked gaze with him as she approached the steps to throne and for once Ozragad could not seem to read her thoughts. [color=f7941d][i]She is doing very well all things considered.[/i][/color] What was that, a glimmer of grudging respect? 

He stared back at her with his own molten eyes, trying to search out the hidden feelings that she had stowed away beneath that calm. Nothing. Then those blue pools of secrets broke away as she bowed down to him, still unfathomable to the King. It was a deep bow, deeper than protocol dictated considering she was a Princess by blood, but it was a good piece of theatre, an unambiguous show of fealty and obedience. [color=f7941d][i]Is she trying to mollify my ego? Or is this for my court, make them think there is no rift between us that they exploit?[/i][/color] Even in submission she somehow found a way to vex him. 

[color=f7941d][b]"You may rise, Princess Elise Hydaelyn of Eorzia."[/b][/color] He realised then, that was the first time he had spoken her name aloud. Before then she had always been Your Highness, the Princess, or (when he was angry) the Hydaelyn girl, the Eorzian child. It felt strange in his mouth, Hydaelyn, Eorzia, words he had always spoken in anger. He stared at her again for a moment. This time those words had not woken the old fury in him. He just felt tired and unsettled.

[b][color=f7941d]"Your dress. The colour it... it suits you."[/color][/b] His deep voice almost stammered as he spoke. [i][color=f7941d]Why on earth did I just say that? Why am I complimenting her? Its hardly necessary.[/color][/i] And yet he had spoken. Ozragad frowned, he was used to losing control in other ways, but not like this. He glanced away, suddenly unsure of himself. With a wave of his hand he dismissed her to where her ladies stood waiting, the spies that Manawyndan had seen placed with her no doubt. He would want a report from them sooner rather than later he decided. 

The Princess had been the last of those called to present themselves before him, the ceremony was now over. Beneath the throne, Manawyndan gestured to the herald to make an announcement. The herald raised his voice and called out to the crowd.

[b]"Thus concludes the court presentations! A feast held in the honour of our most distinguished guest, Princess Elise Hydaelyn of Eorzia, shall commence from noon!"[/b]

Ozragad rose up out of his throne and descended the steps of the mosaic floor of the throne room below that was now filled with murmured conversation. His advisers and other petitioners pressed in around him - all no doubt wanting a word on this, his blessing on that. There were more than usual since this was the first time he had formally held court in sometime. But despite the crowd of people competing for his attention that surrounded him, Ozragad could not help but feel his eyes be drawn to the side of the hall where Princess Elise Hydaelyn stood amongst her ladies.