[center][h2][color=ab274f]Wulfric[/color] [color=lightgray]&[/color] [color=F4BC5E]Layla[/color][/h2][/center]
[right][color=lightgray]Interaction:[/color] [@Terrance420] [color=lightgray]Alden[/color][/right][hr][hr][color=lightgray]
Alden approached him, but as soon as the man dared call him ‘my boy’, Wulfric gave him a frosty warning glare. [color=ab274f]“Do take care of your forms of address, [i]advisor[/i]. One in your [i]current[/i] position should not forget themselves so.”[/color] [i]Lest it be taken away from you[/i] was the abundantly clear implication. At his ‘advice’, he huffed an unamused breath. [color=ab274f]“Oh, please. Don’t tell me you have been away long enough to have forgotten this, too.”[/color] He didn’t clarify what ‘this’ was, however; that he disliked uselessness, that such a woman would clearly be of no interest to him, or something else. [color=ab274f]“Go take care of that instead,”[/color] he motioned with his head to the foreign warrior-man who wished to speak to the king.

[center]***[/center]
The women were led closer, and Wulfric met the gaze of one Layla Kadir. He stood up and gave her a just-polite-enough Caesonian bow, but retained the eye contact, small, sharp smile in place. [color=ab274f]“What an unexpected yet welcomed surprise, Shehzadi.”[/color]

Layla ignored the other two ladies and instead, focused on Wulfric. His bow caused her to smirk, though she didn’t return one to him. Would he be able to earn a customary Alidasht bow by the end of their chat? It would certainly be exciting to find out. [color=F4BC5E]“I’m full of surprises, Wulfric. At least you can pronounce our titles right.”[/color] Layla’s voice carried proudly and smugly while she and Zilal neared the table. Her gaze was locked onto Wulfric; she hadn’t moved to glance anyone elses’ way. The eyes of the waiting peasants were like daggers in her back, but she didn’t turn to address them. A whisper had broken out amongst the foul; namely, they were not thrilled she had cut before them and was now seated with the eldest prince. Her guards stayed a fair distance behind, but were near enough to strike if necessary. 

The prince leaned a hip against his table, waiting for her approach. Once close enough, and if she wished to sit, he [i]would[/i] do the gentlemanly thing, and hold out the guest-designated chair for her. A simple task that he’d indeed perform with perfection and no mischief, even though he’d decided to subtly needle her with his words.

[color=ab274f]“But truly, there is hardly any need for someone of [i]your[/i] status to come line up with the rest of this lot,”[/color] he smiled in a way that he knew flattered him, and impressed company. Yet there was the barest hint of a smirk bleeding through when he next spoke. [color=ab274f]“Though of course, if you wished to proclaim your intention to marry one of us, this [i]would[/i] make for a prime opportunity,”[/color] he teased.

When Layla approached the table, she eyed the chair. That was enough for Wulfric to pull out the chair and for her to sit in. Once she was seated, Zilal slowly began to wind himself around the chair until he was at shoulder height. His gaze locked on Wulfric and he didn’t back down from staring him down. Layla petted his head softly while she eyed him with a cold and amused expression. The prince reciprocated Zilal’s stare, then sat down, faint smile playing about his lips.

His subtle jab made her eyebrows raise and her lips curl into a smirk. [color=F4BC5E]“Sitting with your kingdom’s constituents was not a punishment I’d hope to endure for long. To be fair, they are amusing, thinking they have a chance.”[/color] She then continued after his next statement and pretended as if he’d flattered her and batted her eyelashes. While doing so, she continued to gaze at him without hinting that she was studying him.

Wulfric took on a slightly more somber countenance, and for a short moment, his intent seemed entirely serious. [color=ab274f]“Whether a chat, or something more, I do feel that I have to apologize that Your Highness has been made to wait.”[/color] A blink, and then followed a change in tune if not in tone. [color=ab274f]“[i]Especially[/i] when you’ve not only had to comingle with such rabble, but come [i]behind[/i] them,”[/color] he shook his head, and touched a palm to his chest, as if saddened and pained. However, it secretly amused him that she might feel slighted by this minor inconvenience, especially since it was one of her own making.

The range of emotion and body language from the eldest son revealed many things. First, he was well groomed and trained. The responsibilities and demands of being next in line weren’t lost on Wulfric. While his other brothers may lack the grace and professionalism he had, Wulfric excelled. With the king sitting behind them a fair distance away, she knew the pressure was on him and not her. Second, he was challenging her and he seemed to adapt to doing so. He was on the same intellectual level and it was a relief to find someone who was. Third… Mayet had also danced with him, and the two seemed to get on fair. This wasn’t something Layla would forget. She continued studying and listening to him with a cold amusement. 

After a quick, slyly assessing look from under his lashes, Wulfric added, [color=ab274f]“[i]Such[/i] an unfortunate occasion when commoners advance ahead of royalty, wouldn’t you say?”[/color] He paused for effect, then continued. [color=ab274f]“Well, since you were looking forward to this so much, you could have the unique opportunity to be the first – and only one – to have [i]your[/i] pick of one of us, if you so wish.”[/color] The prince looked at her, subtly challenging, and wondered if she’d simply leave, or choose to snub him and go to one of his brothers instead.

[color=F4BC5E]“It is a tragedy to be amongst the rabble, you are correct. Had I needed to wait more, I might have fed them to Zilal. These poor commoners came with their hopes and dreams, only to have them crushed beneath their feet.”[/color] Layla feigned sympathy and mockingly frowned as if she’d cared. Then, she let it drop, and focused intently on Wulfric, and her cold amusement returned once more. His challenge delighted her and she took her time pondering it. She placed a hand on her cheek and glanced up as if it were an intense decision. 

[color=F4BC5E]“And to leave you to mingle with the rabble and to have to wait? We all know you won’t find another diamond amongst the rough.”[/color] Layla stared at him as if he’d upset her now, though there was a smirk hidden beneath it. Though she didn’t look back, she indiciated it with a tilt of her head. She waved her hand away as if the idea were a bothersome fly and now allowed the hint of a sly smirk poke through. [color=F4BC5E]“Wulfric, you wound me.”[/color] 

Wulfric found himself watched, and returned it with keen, yet indirect observation of his own. His challenge was being met, which pleased him. Here, then, was the kind of opponent he might look forward to matching wits with. Superficially, Layla was similar to him in a few ways. Watchful, crafty, seeking to be entertained…He wondered idly what he’d find if he dug deeper. Humiliation would be one weapon to use against her, for she did not suffer it easily. He recalled how she and Mayet both had reacted with outrage during the fiasco at the ball. For that thoughtless behavior, they had been scolded by their father. The way they reacted to indignity was alike to the Vizier’s. The trio was similarly sensitive – or perhaps, volatile was the better descriptor. They all were far too self-important, as well. It was curious then, that while Wulfric felt only dismissive disdain for their uncle, he was willing to be more tolerant of the Shehzadis’ quirks.

[color=ab274f]“Should I consider myself fortunate, then, that I needn’t have bothered with any sifting, and you sought me out instead?”[/color] He offered her a little grin, as if in shared understanding of how [i]obviously[/i] the answer was ‘yes’. All while poking her with the idea that she was [i]just so very interested[/i] in him, something they both knew to be untrue.

At her last remark, he smiled with fake sweetness. [color=ab274f]“Ah, my apologies, [i]Layla.[/i]”[/color] Though it sounded convincing enough, the concession was a false one. All part of their little game, of course. More to the point, he’d used her given name. He generally preferred to include titles, but since she’d taken her own permission to be so familiar with him, he had no issue reciprocating. [color=ab274f]“I [i]am[/i] glad that you are so [i]eager[/i],”[/color] he allowed his lips to curl just like hers had.

Layla could feel his gaze burning into her and decided not to acknowledge it. They had one another’s attention and it would not easily be torn apart. A haughty smirk remained painted over her lips. They matched wits and tendencies, though their differences were overcast. While the eldest Prince continued to speak, Layla listened intently. Unfortunately, a ringing in her ears began and thus, she clutched the edge of the chair out of Wulfric’s line of vision. His statement, though lightly troublesome to hear, caused her to snicker. She didn’t bother responding to it. 

Though she wouldn’t admit it out loud, she was impressed. The fake sweetness was as if she’d been staring in a mirror. Layla knew she’d met her match and managed a quick grin, then it disappeared. [color=F4BC5E]“Well, [i]Wulfric[/i],”[/color] Her voice dripped with similar sweetness, mixed with venom, [color=F4BC5E]“would have been a shame for you to sit here all by yourself, no?”[/color] 

At that, an incredulous laugh escaped the prince’s lips. [color=ab274f]“Oh…Layla.”[/color] He had [i]almost[/i] called her by her title again, but his lingering chuckle gave him enough leave to correct to her given name. [color=ab274f]“What a marvelous sense of humour you have,”[/color] he stated dryly. He couldn’t help slowly shaking his head in disbelief at the ridiculousness of her sentence. He laid his head upon his palm, surveying her with amusement. [color=ab274f]“Have you any idea how many want me? Think they can have me?” [i]Dead or alive,[/i][/color] he mused to himself darkly as he watched her with a glint in his eye. Though his question had been rhetorical, Wulfric nonetheless provided the answer. [color=ab274f]“Far, [i]far[/i] too many.”[/color]

Languidly, he continued with the previous line of conversation. [color=ab274f]“Speaking of diamonds in the rough,”[/color] he said, ignoring that the Shehzadi had altered the conventional phrasing of the idiom to suit her own purposes. [color=ab274f]“You do, I note, give yourself far too little credit,”[/color] he lied smoothly. [color=ab274f]“What use would someone with [i]your[/i] shine have for a backdrop like that?”[/color] The prince mimicked Layla’s head tilt with a brief glance towards the crowd behind her.

[color=ab274f]“I would like to know if there is someone who would claim that [i]you[/i] lack polish.”[/color] He had considered adding how it might be futile to appeal to someone like that, to tease at the idea of how she was [i]trying so hard[/i] to be noticed. However, he stopped as he saw her stare, and picked up his head from where he’d put it on his hand before. Tilting his chin, he wondered if he’d unexpectedly hit the mark, or if it was something else.

The ringing began growing with intensity, so she continued to focus harder on the conversation. Her heart began racing. Whether he sensed it or not, Zilal rested his head on her shoulder, a similar act he would do when he could tell she was becoming unwell. Layla focused more intently, perhaps her gaze became more intense. The familiar throbbing in her head caused her a quick scowl before it, too, disappeared behind the veil of arrogance and superiority. 

Wulfric played with the idea of engaging in a silent staring match, but his focus shifted on Zilal, who had moved. He eyed the king cobra, curled as it was around the chair and the woman’s shoulders. [color=ab274f]“A wonderful companion that you have, as well. Potently venomous, hm?”[/color] He smiled faintly, and redirected his gaze to Layla. [color=ab274f]“Could he really swallow a human whole?”[/color] he asked, doubtful, yet with genuine interest. [color=ab274f]“I would have thought you might have to chop them up first. For ease of digestion,”[/color] he said with easy viciousness. Partly, because he was somewhat curious. And partly, because he wished to gauge [i]her[/i] level of inclination towards violence.

Finally, the Prince redirected his attention to her esteemed serpent. A genuine smile was hidden and she gazed down at her serpent. Despite this, Wulfric’s words forced her to focus harder on staying present. [color=F4BC5E]“He is venomous, yes. A King Cobra bite will kill a human in thirty minutes and an elephant in a few hours.”[/color] Layla responded with a faint smile of her own once she met his gaze. The viciousness of his statements caused Layla to blink with surprise. He was charming, cunning and also colder than she had anticipated. Layla recovered quickly though, as not to allow her guard to drop too long. 

[color=F4BC5E]“It would be a shame to give that away, [i]Wulfric.”[/i][/color] Venom dripped from her voice, while wickedness entered her eyes. Whether it was savage pleasure at a memory, or the idea of it, she hadn’t given it away. [color=F4BC5E]“Watching him hunt and kill his prey is quite entertaining though, [i]especially[/i] when I give the command.”[/color] Layla finished and smirked at him. There was confidence in her voice and a gleam in her eyes. She hadn’t indicated his type of prey, or preferred diet, though she felt comfortable enough sharing about his venom and how lethal it was. It was clear that while he seemed docile in public, she [i]had[/i] been successful in training him… and may not have been afraid of using him, either, should the situation call for it. 

[color=ab274f]“How promising,”[/color] he flashed her a quick, small grin. [color=ab274f]“Perhaps, a demonstration sometime?”[/color] Something almost [i]anticipatory[/i] shone in that crystalline gaze, but disappeared as soon as it’d appeared, gone with his next blink. [color=ab274f]“I am certainly more appreciative of the idea of a close animal companion such as Zilal…Or Nala,”[/color] he mused. [color=ab274f]“Is it a tradition of your royal family?”[/color] he questioned.

Layla smirked at this quick small grin, but didn’t interrupt. His anticipatory gleam wasn’t lost on her, despite how quick it’d appeared. At his commentary of a close animal companion, she chuckled. The ringing and headache intensified, so she kept her comments short. [color=F4BC5E]“Perhaps I could invite you to his next feeding,”[/color] Layla mused as she straightened up and continued. [color=F4BC5E]“As for animal companions being tradition, it is indeed. We all have our own. Perhaps you should find yourself one - as charming and vicious as you. ”[/color] She winked at him, though with a false sense of flirtation. The effort not to chuckle was becoming difficult, so she turned away and replaced it with her haughty smile. 

Once standing, Layla turned back to Wulfric and bowed in the traditional Alidasht bow, though she didn’t dip far enough. [color=F4BC5E]”It was an honor and pleasure meeting you, [i]Wulfric.”[/i][/color] She straightened up and moved away, thus allowing a new desperate noblewoman or peasant to come sit with the male viper. [/color]