[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/1xKZvVA.png[/img]
[h1][color=#EEDC5B]Auguste[/color] & [color=#8A2D28]Saiya[/color][/h1][/center]

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After her dance with Amir, Saiya had grabbed herself a glass of wine as she tried to calm her racing heart. Fate had other plans for her, however, as an Alidashtan servant had approached her and informed her the Sultan wished to speak with her. It wasn’t like it was uncommon for her to speak with the Sultan, but to suddenly be summoned made her nerves spike. Thankfully it hadn’t been anything negative. No, instead it seemed like everyone wished to utilize her skills tonight. The Sultan wished for her to introduce herself to the Caesonian princes, have conversations with them, and help determine if any of them would be fit for any of his daughters. She supposed she could do that.

She spotted Prince Auguste leaving Charlotte and decided perhaps now was a good time to approach him. She’d keep it simple and let it evolve from there. On silent feet, Saiya approached the prince and dipped into a curtsy. [color=#8A2D28]”Your Highness, pardon my sudden intrusion, but I wished to introduce myself. My name is Saiya Ansari, I’m here with the Aladasht entourage and the adopted daughter of Grand Vizier Hafiz. I wanted to thank you and your family for opening your home to us.”[/color] Her voice was very soft-spoken and pleasant sounding as she continued. [color=#8A2D28]”I’d also like to apologize for my father’s outburst earlier. Sometimes he can have quite the temper.”[/color] She was fully aware that Auguste hadn’t been present for that outburst, but she had little doubt he had heard about it.

Saiya Ansari, one of the names that came up in the briefing. Auguste was well aware of her but paused his greetings uncharacteristically. He blanked on how to refer to her, seeing as she’s a daughter of the Grand Vizier. [color=#EEDC5B]”Of course,”[/color] He finally spoke up, returning her curtsy with a bow of his own, [color=#EEDC5B]”Shehzadi Ansari…?”[/color]

[color=#EEDC5B]”Oh no, the apologies are not necessary,”[/color] Auguste replied, a smile turned on his face,  [color=#EEDC5B]”I should be the one to apologize for the unfortunate events that took place. I am grateful that the Sultan has granted his magnanimity.”[/color]

[color=#EEDC5B]”I hope Caesonian entertainment is to your liking.”[/color] His eyes swept through the ballroom, [color=#EEDC5B]”We can only hope to match the allure and vistas of Alidasht, after all.”[/color] He genuinely complimented. Alidasht was a kingdom unlike Caesonia and even Varian. It was his hope that all three sides would be able to exert positive influence on each other and exchange cultural ties.

[color=#8A2D28]”You flatter me with that title, Your Grace, but unfortunately I do not have the beauty, charm, or power to hold such a title. I am simply Saiya, or if you wish to use a title I think Lady Saiya may be the proper one you would use here in Caesonia.”[/color] She said with a small giggle, though she meant it in the most humble of ways. [color=#8A2D28]”There is also no need for you to apologize either. Nothing was meant maliciously and I believe accidents should be forgiven. The Sultan also understands the importance of it as well and I’m just thankful things ended peacefully.”[/color] Truly Saiya was thankful to the late Sultana for helping soften Raif's heart. While there were still times that the Sultan chose not to be merciful, usually there was reason behind why he wasn’t.

The conversation moved on to Caesonian entertainment and compliments to Alidasht which had Saiya nodding, a smile still upon her face. [color=#8A2D28]”I have truly enjoyed Caesonia so far. Your culture is quite different from Alidasht and I find it rather refreshing. You have a beauty of your own here and I think it holds an allure of its own that can match Alidasht.”[/color] She was being completely honest with her compliment of the kingdom, though she did find some unfavorable things about the kingdom, or rather people of the kingdom. King Edin was someone she’d seen and immediately got a bad feeling from. He was arrogant, but there was something else about him that Saiya couldn’t quite figure out that she didn’t like. She wasn’t about to admit this to his son, however, so she kept her thoughts to herself. [color=#8A2D28]”I do wish to see more of your beautiful kingdom while I’m here as the sights are quite different from Genasea. It almost reminds me of my home in Kisoma, though not near as warm.”[/color]

Auguste flashed a look of confusion for a moment after Saiya mentioned beauty. While he had not yet conversed with the other Alidashtian nobility, she did not seem to pale in comparison with them in beauty. Perhaps it was a cultural difference… perhaps the situation was more complicated than he had initially thought. It wasn’t his place to question and probe how their royalty is structured, so he chose to stay quiet.

He nodded, [color=#EEDC5B]”Well then, I hope our lands live up to your expectations, Lady Saiya.”[/color]

The Prince looked to his King Edin who was now surrounded by women who began caressing his form. Queen Alibeth’s face was buried in her hands, as per usual. Auguste exhaled softly as he immediately guessed his father’s thought process. His father’s intentions were as clear as daylight. He foolishly hoped that it would only be him that could discern it. He pried his eyes away from his father and back to Saiya, trying to steer her eyes and mind away from his father.

[color=#EEDC5B]”Will you tell me about Alidasht? Most of my knowledge of your lands came from books and hearsay. It would be a pleasure to hear more about it from an actual inhabitant.”[/color] Auguste smiled at his next few words, [color=#EEDC5B]”... I have heard tales of Alidasht dancing being unrivaled.”[/color]

Saiya had caught Auguste’s glance towards his father and, while the sight of Edin surrounded by concubines wasn’t unfamiliar to her as Hafiz was often surrounded by women of his own, she did take note of the Queen. It seemed she wasn’t entirely approving of her husband’s behavior and it caused her to wonder if Auguste also disapproved. She could understand the disapproval as it was something she wasn’t fond of either, despite it being commonplace in Alidasht. She decided to make no comment on it, however, feeling like he’d rather her pretend not to notice his father above anything else.

[color=#8A2D28]”While I often try to be a humble woman, I do take pride in our dances as it is one of my specialties. They are quite different from your waltz and your foxtrots, though I do find those dances beautiful in their own rights.”[/color] Dancing was definitely a subject she was well versed in and she absolutely loved it. It brought Saiya quite a bit of joy and she loved when people showed appreciation for dance. [color=#8A2D28]”I hope I am not too forward in offering this, but I’d be happy to give a demonstration of our dances at some point during this season. Of, if Your Grace wished, I could even give some lessons?”[/color]

[color=#EEDC5B]”I would be honoured, Lady Saiya.”[/color] Auguste smiled. It was known that the Alidasht had an intense love for the art of dancing. It was said to be an honour to be able to observe their dancing, especially those of royalty. Perhaps it was due to the similarities to fighting that he had a liking towards dances, specifically, styles of dances he had not previously seen or known.

[color=#EEDC5B]”Perhaps you will be [i]prove[/i] to me Alidast’s superiority in dancing through the second dance.”[/color] Auguste said. Princess Beatrice danced with her guard, so he’d be unable to ask for her hand in the second dance. It was likely that he would get an earful from Edin anyway for failing to at least dance with Princess Beatrice.

[color=#8A2D28]”Is that a challenge, Prince Auguste?”[/color] Saiya asked as a smirk spread across her face. Was she about to dance with two princes in one night? [color=#8A2D28]”If so then I would be honored to prove it to you. Besides, I’m curious to see if you can keep up with me.”[/color] She replied as she let some of that Alidasht spice shine through. She hadn’t intended to win a dance with him, but she wasn’t about to complain either.