[color=00aeef][b]“Oh, well I didn’t actually think you would enjoy the Eorzian customs.”[/b][/color] Elise felt her smile falter slightly as Manawydan seemed to hop onto the culture and premarital traditions that both Kingdoms held, she didn’t expect him to be so enthralled by it especially as she was sure that King Ozragad probably didn’t care to perform such tasks. It was interesting to hear that the Formori had a similar custom, a big hunt to prove their worth and ability to provide with the game they were able to slay. There was truth in the fact it would hold some nice symmetry accompanied with a bride hunt for the future, something she wasn’t overly keen on. 

[color=00aeef][i]Although I would be interested to see if he could find me, what skills he poses in a kind of chase.[/i][/color] Considering her thoughts for a moment as she felt a glimmer of satisfaction in the fact, she had been right upon hearing his dislike for the useless traditions. Folding her arms as she kept herself seated listening in on the conversation between the counsellor and the King, it did make her wonder how deep their friendship ran. It seemed that this man could be quite bold against the King and did so without fear of reprimand and then somehow, he was able to get him to agree?

[color=00aeef][i]How bizarre. [/i][/color]

[color=00aeef][b]“Of course, your highness, I will play my own part in these… trials. Gladly”[/b][/color] An amused look fell on her face as she found herself looking back at the counsellor still quite interested in how he had managed to sway the King, it seemed this person would make quite a powerful ally, but she knew she would never be able to trust him. 

Leaning back into the chair she wasn’t sure if she should go now that they had resolved everything, but as a server came inside with three goblets so she assumed that meant she was staying even if it was just for a little bit longer to enjoy a glass of wine. It was a celebration after all as she was certain that they would never resolve their little fight because he was quite stubborn just like she was, but Lady Cheldarine had put a stop to that somehow. The woman was clearly versed in the Formori politics, something she desperately needed to learn if this was to become her new home. Knowing it’s surroundings, it’s people and who posed her a threat would be a key to her survival here. 

Her eyes began to watch as Ozragad rose from his seat to pour the wine, watching as his glass filled up and then pouring one for her. Nodding politely at the action she said her thanks as she took the glass in her hand hesitating for a moment when Manwyndan proposed a toast. They didn’t have much to toast, not when they still had a few more weeks before they would be tied to one another with the marriage. There was still plenty of time between them for something else to drastically alter their course, with the news that there were people here who wasn’t fond of the marriage and then she knew back home there would-be people feeling the same she constantly felt like she was having to watch her back at every step. People were waiting in the wings just to watch them fall. 

[color=00aeef][i]I agree, a little premature.[/i][/color] Though Elise wouldn’t dare voice it, not when she had managed to get an apology as well as end their little spat. Raising her glass, she smiled nodding to both Ozragad and Manawyndan. [color=00aeef][b]“To the arrangement.”[/b][/color] Though just as she was about to drink the wine herself, she frowned catching sight of something bright, something that shouldn’t happen even with crystal goblets. Had the sun not caught it she doubted she would have noticed, but something was wrong, and the dark wine held some other kind of substance inside.

For a moment it felt like her heart stopped as she saw it as clear as day, the wine had been tampered with and her eyes widened as fear spread across her face. All colour drained from her face as she feared the worst. 

[color=00aeef][b]“STOP!”[/b][/color] Scrambling to her feet as the crystal goblet of her own dropped from her fingers clattering against the table the liquid pooling out onto the wooden surface. [color=00aeef][b]“Don’t drink that!”[/b][/color] Without even think she scurried over to him snatching the glass from his hands stopping him from drinking the wine as her heart hammered away in her chest. Elise could hear a ringing in her ears as she held it up to the light only to see she had been right in catching sight of some sort of powder floating in the wine, it had been short of a miracle that the light had caught it and she had been looking at him because of the toast. 

Frowning she placed the cup back on the table before taking a step back, she glanced to the spilled wine of her own wondering if hers had been the same and if someone had tried to poison them both. No one could have known they would both be here at this time though. Had this just been intended for the King? Thoughts began to swarm around on what would have happened if he’d have ingested that wine, her survival and safety also guaranteed on him being alive. [color=00aeef][b]“Poison…”[/b][/color] The word left her lips in a whisper as she was still trying to register it, that tiny specks of dust could have caused so many problems.