[indent][indent][indent] [table] [row] [sup][h3][b][color=2e2c2c] ▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅ [right]▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅[/right][/color] [/b][/h3][/sup] [/row][row] [cell][color=2e2c2c]______________________________________[/color] [right] [img]https://i.imgur.com/vz3gTHR.png[/img] [/right] [/cell][cell] [color=2e2c2c]__________________________________________________[/color] [color=2e2c2c]__________________________________________________[/color] [sup][h2][center] [color=black][sub]L A D Y Z A R A I L E S D E M A N[/sub][/color] [color=93a477][sub]L A D Y Z A R A I L E S D E M A N[/sub][/color][center][sub][sub][url=https://i.pinimg.com/564x/bc/75/6b/bc756bf9f2f5b7f82808a1d02d786bc7.jpg][i][sub]♖ o u t f i t ♖[/sub][/i][/url] [/sub][/sub] [/center] [/center] [/h2][/sup] [center][color=silver][sub]S O R I A N P A L A C E , 1 1 : 0 0 A M[/sub][/color][/center] [center][color=gray][sub][sub]I N T E R A C T I O N S : [@princess] [/sub][/sub][/color][/center] [center][color=gray][sub][sub]M E N T I O N S : [/sub][/sub][/color][/center] [/cell] [/row] [/table] [/indent][/indent][/indent] [indent][indent][indent][indent][indent] [img]https://i.imgur.com/eHHlypM.png[/img] [/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent] [indent][indent][color=gray] Zarai cheered for Verrick when his victory was announced. Had she wished for the hottie to win? Sure, but this was a Varian win, and a Varian win was like a win for her too. It filled her chest with a sense of pride that quickly dissipated. The argument from the morning was creeping back into her mind now that the tournament was over.[i] What was she doing?[/i] She couldn't waste this season, her last season, on ruining her reputation further. No matter how she felt and thought of this whole fiasco that was courting season, she had no choice. Despite the amount of money and privilege she had, she could not run away from the inevitable. [i]Marriage. [/i] Zarai cringed. Why couldn't she just marry herself? Yes, that would be nice. She was pretty, after all, and if she could, she would kiss herself! Well, not right now. It'd probably hurt. Gods, did her face hurt. Maybe she could ask her knight to fetch her some ice. Oh, and some ice cream to numb her lips. [color=93a477][I]Seriously, that slap did not help at all.[/i][/color] [color=E77298]"So, where next, hon? I want to do something you like."[/color] [color=93a477]"Hm?"[/color] Zarai turned to look at Anastasia. It took her a second, or maybe three, to finally see Princess Saide and Prince Felix had joined them. [color=93a477][i]Sweet, Saide's here! And her brother.[/i][/color] She gave them a quick bow and a cheerful wave. [color=93a477]"Don't know, what else is happening around?"[/color] She tapped her chin. [color=93a477]"We can check out the fashion district. I need some fabric for a new dress I'm working on. Or we can go somewhere and relax, maybe? We are not too far from the lake. What do you think, [I]princesita?[/i]"[/color] [color=aa86ca]"If... If I may, princess, Lady Zarai, your mother is expecting you back in the palace at eleven o'clock."[/color] [color=93a477]"What for?"[/color] So she could scold her some more? Throw in another slap or two while at it! [color=aa86ca]"You are to meet with the princes. I understand Duchess Ledesman informed you of this."[/color] [color=93a477]"Oh. I forgot."[/color] Zarai pressed her lips together. [color=93a477]"Well, I'm not going."[/color] She turned back to look at the princess with a smile, ready to plan out the rest of their day. [color=aa86ca]"I apologize, Lady Zarai."[/color] Sir Barrios said before the princess or Zarai could say anything further. [color=aa86ca]"Duchess Lesdeman made it clear you were to attend this event, and as a knight under the Lesdeman's employment, I must obey."[/color] He moved to retrieve Zarai's wheelchair from the side. [color=93a477]"But..."[/color] Zarai's brows furrowed, looking back to Anastasia. She didn't want to leave her alone, nor did she want to be alone. Besides, she already knew the princes, and they knew her; why the hell would her mother want her to attend the court? It's not like she would marry one of them– or she could. Maybe. If Zarai managed to bag one of them, one of them being Auguste or Callum (Wulfric is not even an option), then she'd have more freedom and distance from her family. She'd be royalty! She's also see Anastasia everyday! What if she married her instead? [color=aa86ca]"My Lady."[/color] Sir Barria was waiting now, the wheelchair in front of him. She glanced at it. She didn't want to go, but it was clear that Sir Barrios was giving her no option. She couldn't run; she couldn't even walk by herself without the help of someone. Zarai gave Anastasia a defeated smile, reaching out to take her hand. [color=93a477]"As soon as I am done, I will go find you, I promise. Sir Barrios will take me straight to you once the court is done, and then we can stuff our face with all of the cake we can find."[/color] A small squeeze before she pulled back. The knight helped Zarai into her chair, and the lady did her best to hold back a groan when the boning of her corset dug at her side. Sir Barrios began to spin the chair around, ready for departure, when Zarai tapped his arm and pointed at the Watchdog. [color=93a477]"You. Take care of her and make sure my [I]princesita[/i] is not bored. Yes? Thank you!"[/color] [color=aa86ca]"Lady Zarai..."[/color] [color=93a477]"Don't have too much fun without me."[/color] Zarai flashed Anastasia a smile before saying her quick goodbyes to the rest of the table, thanking Roman for inviting them over. [center]______________________________________[/center] A sea of beautiful ladies greeted Zarai when Sir Barrios pushed her chair into the hall. A smile immediately spread over her lips, and she ushered her knight to the closest group of ladies dressed to the nines in colorful and expensive-looking fabrics. She greeted the group of ladies, who smiled down at her with excited smiles and giggles. Their conversation mostly consisted of excitement about meeting the princes; she would rather talk about anything else other than Wulfric's "perfect" hair. Zarai tried to switch topics, and while two of the ladies were initially interested, their attention was quickly robbed by the presence of the princes before entering the ballroom. So Zarai sat there, face heavy with enough makeup to semi-cover up the discoloration in her face, and a [url=https://i.pinimg.com/564x/0b/28/40/0b284019281f52cab19cf3a5644bca60.jpg]dress[/url] that washed her out. [color=93a477]"I hope this ends quickly; I already miss my [I]princesa[/i]."[/color] [/color][/indent][/indent]