[center][img]https://i.ibb.co/6BdrmS9/banner.png[/img][/center] [hr] The turmoil in her heart, raging like one of the great maelstroms off the coast of Astalia, calmed as Annalise's embrace held the fractured pieces of her heart together. Like she always did. The Light of Astalia, their sister was often called within the peasantry. And, how true that was. She shone like the sun, both in her appearance and her demeanor. Annalise was the reminder that no matter how dark the clouds may be that wafted over their lands from the Empire's gaze, the brightest light would always shine to vanquish the darkness. While the triad of sisters pursued their own ambitions-- Jin as a battle-maiden, Loreena as a mage, and her as the watchful eye-- the crown-princess had only concerned herself in working towards the benefit of Astalia. Annalise knew she would inherit the throne sooner or later, and her dear sister had prepared for it greatly. Sulhana often found the fragile princess buried in books within the castle's grand libraries as the midnight oil burned out from the lamps. She may seem like a trophy, fit only to decorate a man's bed, but the spymaster knew just how much Annalise worked to keep their nation's diplomacy intact. She was the light that allowed the flowers to grow within Astalia, and every light needs its shadow to keep the horrid things buried and unknown. And, Sulhana knew it was her role to make sure that her sister's radiance continued to shine without being tainted by the things darker than them. Sulhana chuckled in relief, fingers retreating from the zither as Annalise wrapped her arms around the third princess. When Annalise pulled away, Sulhana stood from her seat before turning to face her elder sister. "I greet the Light of Astalia," She bowed deeply then before snorting in laughter as Sulhana tucked a strand of raven hair from her face behind her ear. "Imagine the day you would force me to greet you as such, Lisse," She tilted her head as her laughter died down. Then, to Annalise's initial query, the spymaster grinned. "Who knows? Maybe I just wanted to steal away your suitors before they steal you away from us. A warrior, a brother, a braided son, and an elf," She shook her head. "They are as the whispers say." When Annalise threw a somewhat rhetorical question in her direction, Sulhana sighed before turning to the dim halls that led to the courtyard, still barren of the suitors or their shadows. "You and I both know how politics and court intrigue work," Sulhana began. "It may seem like an innocent invitation from a princess but I am willing to wager that those men understood that it was more of a... well, dare. An unofficial demand, if you would," She then continued, now looking at her sister before Sulhana's eyes landed on the blinded iris. A well-kept secret of their family. "To refuse the invitation carries a risk of damaging their nation's credibility in the eyes of Astalia and its allies, because why would you refuse the request of the party who just gave you the luxury of a royal bed and breakfast? As a man, it also carries the risk of whispers from their subjects. A man refusing the chance to meet their potential betrothed? What ever would the peasantry say? What would their own nations say?" Sulhana sighed in anticipation of the men's hostility towards her then. But, she needed to get them in one location to really allow her sisters to get to know their potential intended without the prying eyes of their father. A chance for her to gather whispers with her own ears. "I can already tell that they dislike me, but you know that I will do what I must to make sure they are trustworthy," The princess looked up at the darkening skies then, her eyes glinting at the studded starlight now peeking from the curtain of night. "Love be damned, but I need to know if they are civilized enough that their hands are gentle and their words soothing on each of you when we finally part ways." Then, Sulhana turned to face Annalise as she placed her hands on her stomach. "And, if I ever see a mark on your face that belonged to them. Well, you know that your sister has ways." Suddenly, a strange call, like a bird's, that seemed to originate from the many arches of the courtyard sang to Sulhana as the spymaster smiled. "You asked me if I think they will come," She shrugged her shoulders before turning her head to the hallway opposite them. "Some of them are already here," Her green eyes focused on the dancing shadow and flame in the hall as the princes appeared. The rumble of the seas crashed against the walls, and soon, the hazy sun vanished from the horizon, causing the torches to burn all the brighter. Over by the Astalian Bay, a thousand flaming lights burst anew. The distant Great Lighthouse of Altera shone in majestic splendor: massive yellow and red tongues of fire danced at its peak, guiding sailors home to the greatest bastion of freedom on Sahas.She waited until the princes had come up to them before she bowed her head in their direction. Her eyes quickly fell on the two nobles, observing every feature of their being. Looking for anything that might denote weakness. An errant twitch. A wrong look in their direction. More importantly, in Annalise's direction. "I greet you, princes Gil and Erick," Sulhana replied. "My heart is soothed with your arrival, my lords. I was scared that my abrupt invitation meant that no one would arrive, you see," She chuckled, clenching her hands together in front of her chest. "I have a special show planned for us tonight, and I hope you all can find some semblance of peace after everything you have been through," She smiled at each man then. "You are safe within our walls. So, in the meantime, I hope you also get to let down your walls and just... have some merriment. We may not look like it, my lords, but my sisters and I know our way around a drink or two," Then, Sulhana offered a small laugh with a wave of her hand. "How do they say it? Ah," She bit her lip as if in thought. And, then, her eyes fell on them once more as she gave them a small wink. "Make sure we don't drink you under."