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Her eyes slightly widened when the prince asked her to express her feelings regarding these arranged marriages. He was smarter than he let on and had unfairly underestimated him. One's facial expressions were often the windows to their souls. The slightest twitch of their brow or the faintest curl of their lips could easily betray their deceptions. Could simply unravel their foolish schemes when faced against Astalia's Shadow. Many a man had their wicked intentions laid bare with just one chance meeting with her, and yet, this simple-looking prince from the southern deserts boggled her first impressions. He easily played her games, seemingly dancing to the tune she set while still maintaining his own rhythm. It was a refreshing experience to have a man not shudder at the slightest noise or jolt at the smallest provocation. A man who acted as just that... a man. Not a prince nor an heir of an entire kingdom.

He'd make a fine prospective partner for a certain free-willed sister of hers.

"Maybe I was hoping they would bump into each other?" Sulhana shrugged her shoulders, the faintest ghost of a knowing smile turning up her mouth. "They will get here soon, Gil. Trust me," She felt strange asking for trust when she was already betraying Gil with her own deception. "I know all the roads," She smirked at the prince. "And, they all lead to the same place."

Hearing the orcish prince narrate his experience with flight allowed a small smile to curve the third princess' lips. She grinned at him then, emotions of childish curiosity and joy gracing her features as she imagined being able to soar above the ground as her sister would be able to. Her eyes traced at him as Gil lowered himself to her level, and she couldn't help but nod in appreciation of such subtle courtesies. Her brow raised in question when she noticed the fading light of his smile, and she understood that despite the casual demeanor he exuded as a third prince, he was also no stranger to the weight of the burdens they all bore as children of the crown. The silence that followed allowed the princess to briefly observe the man beside her, and it was to the strange markings on his neck that her green eyes found themselves drawn to. These tattoos must have been recent since she heard no whispers of such designs on the prince's being. It always felt... nice to [i]not know[/i] at times.

"You also feel the iron coil at your ankles, Gil," Sulhana remarked after she tipped the cup to her lips. She breathed out before using her middle finger to clear the stain upon her chin. "The irony is rich in that it was I who made my own steel tether. Linked it inch by inch and piece by piece before I shackled it around my own heel," She chuckled as she held the prince's gaze. "Can your mind coalesce a future where we could both fly free? Or, perhaps, we were never free to begin with?" The slight sadness in her irises ebbed away almost instantly, and she raised her now empty chalice to the prince. "A question for the philosophers and men with too much time on their hands, I believe. We already have too many questions ourselves."

It was then that the colorful flowers that shrouded the court seemingly glowed as if awashed in gentle starlight. Her investments in buying such prized arcane flowers bearing fruit as the entire area was bathed in a soft light, the magical energies stored in them drawn to the presence of the sole royal whose blood teemed with the very same essence that held the fabric of their reality together. With a slow turn, Sulhana marveled at the foreign flowers that she had decorated herself upon the court and a pang of envy filled her heart for the slightest second as her eyes landed on her mage-sister, Lore.

Talent and intelligence rolled into one. As if their mother had plucked the brightest stars from Aldask's very domain and slipped such gemstones into the hearts that would soon become her sisters. Lore could memorize an entire papyrus scroll with but a simple glance whilst her power only grew under the tutelage of Uriah-- a man who owed no loyalty, not even to the spymaster or king, but to Lore alone. Not even Sulhana had such a trusted companion amidst her web of lies.

Lore deserved a good partner who would see her gifts and thank their lucky stars that they could even bask in her glory.

"Hopefully, you do not fall for me just yet, Gil," Sulhana joked with a laugh, a slight snort unconsciously coming out. "There are still many stars adorning Aldask's antlers," She said before turning to face the prince, her chalice bumping against his in a toast.

[i]And, I am but the dimmest one.[/i]

"You have a good tongue for conversation. Go and use it. Might as well help Erick loosen his collar," She gestured her cup to him. "And, remember," She paused as she downed her wine. "You're behind again. Come, I think you should meet Jinayah."

Sulhana moved onward to greet Jin. As she walked towards her, she quickly noticed the large Vyarin take a hesitant sniff of the wine. And, for a moment, she wondered whether he would scoff at their culture in favor of his own. But, when he let the red stain his lips, she couldn't help but smile. Even if he did stagger like a weakened lamb to a slaughter. She'd have to alleviate this soon, but oh well, Lore was there already to console him... But, first things first...

"Jin," She greeted them before she bowed her head to her sisters. "I was worried you wouldn't come," She said as if in despair: eyes downcast and expression forlorn. Such expressions suddenly changed as though they were mere breaths on a mirror. "Oh, who am I fooling? You know I would have thrown a tantrum in front of your chambers if you had run away."

Sulhana set her cup down first before she embraced Jin with a deep sigh that spoke of exhaustion and relief. Her arms trying to contain her in the pathetic spaces she could muster, almost as if she was afraid she would slip away. It had been too long since they had gathered like this ever since the suitors were announced. They were all of them busy with their own businesses. Lisse with her diplomatic duties, Lore with her studies, Jin with her martial affairs... they were indeed children no longer.

"Gods, where did the times go when the governess was just forcing us to try out new dresses and us pretending that we even gave a damn," She spoke before backing away. "Can I be candid and express her horrible taste in suggesting your dress? I was not sure if she was prettying up a princess or readying a jester," Sulhana breathed out, her hands now retreating to clasp together at her stomach. "I miss it. When things just made... sense," 

Much whispers had reached her ears concerning the knights and their beloved princess. She had thought that parting Jin from her companions might be troublesome. Some might grumble against the crown. Worse, others may propose marriage to her, effectively ruining any chance of an alliance.

"You have been busy of late, little sister," Sulhana smirked as she teased. "I heard whispers, you see. A princess. A farewell celebration. An armor," She paused. "You should have worn it today. I would have loved to see it, you know. Oh, worry not about father," She scoffed playfully, rolling her eyes at the thought of their king. "He isn't here to give us a lecture about what it means to be a woman. As if he had the parts to qualify for an opinion," Then, she shrugged her shoulders in irritation. "Well, I do hope my dear friend Gil agrees with me," She then said to Jinayah. "Come, introduce yourself, sister, to Gil. Be warned, though. He doesn't hold back in challenges, not even against your beloved Hana." She feigned a morose tone in childish jeering.

Her attention was then drawn to her mage-sister. When Loreena spoke up about having Vyarin as the judge, Sulhana echoed out with her own chuckle. She quickly headed to the two before noticing the liquid that her sister was offering. She nodded in approval before nudging her sister slightly with a grin. As a spymaster who ensured to control others from distant lands, she had to learn their language and culture as well. Vyarin doing his best to try out Astalian culture was definitely a good sight to see, and that encouraged Sulhana to think that this man could still have a future with them yet.

"One of our friends is getting a good introduction to Astalian culture but it looks like we have much to teach the prince," Sulhana said as she observed the man. "It is good that you know how to get rid of the taste, Lore. We'll just need to help him have a seat first. But, I am glad that he did his best. It shows that he cares," The woman mused shortly before she waved to a group of her servants. "The servants will assist."

Now, that most of the players had arrived, Sulhana decided that it was time to get on with the banquet in time for [i]that[/i]. So, with a wave of her hand to the stationed servants, the food was then brought out. Mouthwatering platters of assorted meats and delicacies from each of their home nations filled the court and the table. It was an invitation for them to dine and be merry for even just a small respite. She addressed the nobles near her, taking special care to clear her voice so that Lore could hear and hopefully translate a bit of it to Vyarin.

"Friends, we have a lifetime ahead of us to be bound to one person. To sleep at night with them at our side and to awaken in the morn with them [i]unfortunately[/i] still at our side," She chuckled softly then at the thought. "But, perhaps, that is what it means to be married. To always be a constant for the other, especially with the uncertainty of the times that lay ahead. To be one another's last starlight when all other of Aldask's lights go out. But, for tonight, we speak, dine, and drink as friends. And, hopefully, you get to meet the one for you," Then, with a laugh she joked once more. "Or, you can all just throw caution to the wind and pick me. I don't mind. Saves both of us the trouble of dancing during the ball and me stepping on your foot until you lose your toes," Sulhana waved her hand then as her laughter faded. "Friends from all lands of Sahas and my dear sisters," She smiled at all of them, gesturing to the grand feast awaiting them at the long table. "Come, dinner is served."