[center][h1][color=ab274f]Wulfric[/color] & [color=1e4fff]Crystal[/color][/h1][/center][hr][hr]

Crystal flinched, managing to suppress another squeak from coming out while her head flicked towards Prince Wulfric who just welcomed her. She was lost for words, while her hands wrung each other in front of her chest, she didn’t reply right away. 


How did he know her name? She knew she had never met him before, even in her very short time of socializing every few years every other summer when she was not sick. It certainly wasn’t because of the archery contest. Many nobles just forgot about her because she was missing for so many years.


Was it because of last night? When she ran into him? Was he mad? He didn’t look mad… or sound it. 


She was pulled from her stupor when he walked over to her. Her face was a clear shade of pink on her porcelain skin as he came close. 


[color=1e4fff]“I-I-I am sorry, y-yes. Thank you.”[/color] she said, trying to be polite and keep eye contact. But failing as she kept looking down to the ground. But she did offer her own left arm, and slipped it through his loosely. Allowing herself to be led to a chair she could feel the heat on her cheeks radiating. 


She thanked him again as she tucked her hands behind herself to scoop her dress and sat down. She sat very stiffly as her hands went to her lap and clenched each other again. [color=1e4fff]“I’m sorry again, I-I am not used to being at social gatherings.”[/color] she said realizing she didn’t apologize for last night. She looked slightly worried as she looked at him. [color=1e4fff]“AND…and… I am sorry about running into you last night. During the dance I-”[/color] she looked back down. [color=1e4fff]“This…. This is all new for me… I got a bit overwhelmed.”[/color]


[color=ab274f]“You are very welcome, my lady,”[/color] Wulfric murmured as he sat himself down after he’d helped seat her. While Crystal’s gaze was averted, he took his time studying her. She was a nervous, stuttering wreck, true, but she [i]was[/i] making an effort to express herself, and socially engage with others. Violet never had bothered, as she had preferred to seclude herself with her books. Which reminded him…Crystal would not know her sister was dead, and thus he had to act as if she wasn’t. Thus, he mentally compartmentalized away that knowledge, and changed how he referenced to Violet even within his thoughts.


He still briefly lingered on the comparison between the two sisters. He wondered how a man such as Calbert managed to produce not one but two daughters who were so…[color=ab274f][i]Weak,[/i][/color] his mind supplied. But it wasn’t quite that, per se. Violet, it seemed to him, disdained any and all power games, and the social obligations of nobility in general. The height of irony, that. 


Crystal, meanwhile…Frankly, she was socially incompetent. [i]However,[/i] it was perhaps inevitable given her circumstances. She, too, seemed aware of her flaw, and trying to correct it. 


Thus, when she admitted she was unused to this, Wulfric graced her with another smile. There [i]was[/i] a mild curiosity on his part if there was anything to her beyond her fear, and what she might be like with more self-confidence.


[color=ab274f]“No need to apologize,”[/color] he started, when she swiftly added another apology. [color=ab274f]“As I was saying,”[/color] he continued, amusement creeping in. But he took a moment to regain soberness, and his next words to her were calmly serious, tone as kind as he could make it. [color=ab274f]“It is well-known that your health is unfortunately poor, Lady Crystal. It is through no fault of your own that you have been unable to attend many social events. So, it is understandable you would have more difficulties compared to those of us who have experienced them time and time again,”[/color] he explained.


[color=ab274f]“As for running into me,”[/color] he slowly shook his head. [color=ab274f]“That was very much caused by your graceless dance partner. Dare I ask if your second dance was better?”[/color] he prompted.


Crystal gulped as she interrupted him with her second apology. But she smiled nervously at him saying she didn’t need to apologize. As he continued, explaining rather simply she was known for her illness and it's easily explainable why she wasn’t used to social events. She nodded as she looked to her lap, calming down a little. It would make sense the prince would know and keep up with the dealings of other noble families. She felt a bit foolish for freaking out about it now. She nodded at the end, showing she was paying attention and agreeing with the prince. [color=1e4fff]“T-Thank you, your highness, for understanding.”[/color]


She looked back up when he brought up running into him. He easily pinned the blame on the man… she sighed slightly. Thinking it was probably her fault too…she… overreacted as she thought about it. Upon him mentioning her second dance partner and if it fared better, a more genuine smile crept upon her face. [color=1e4fff]“Yes, your highness…”[/color] She said as she looked him in the eye for a moment while her cheeks continued to hold that pink flush. [color=1e4fff]“It was far better…Sir Mat-”[/color] She cut herself off, about to go on to explain how wonderful it was, but realized he wouldn’t be very interested in it. She saved herself as she cleared her throat. [color=1e4fff]“Sir Matthias was a true gentleman.”[/color] 



[color=ab274f]“It does sound as if [i]Sir Matthias[/i] has impressed you,”[/color] Wulfric mused with a tiny suggestive smirk.


She held in a frown, the mention of his name only made her wish she had more time to speak with him at the archery range. But she pushed the thought from her mind. As she tried to force herself to be more comfortable inwardly. 


[color=1e4fff]“It ended well, at least. I thought my mother and father were going to kill me for showing up.”[/color] She smiled, [color=1e4fff]“They are a bit overprotective at times, and they didn’t expect me to come on my own…Despite telling them I felt fine.”[/color]


[color=ab274f]“Parental paranoia can indeed be overbearing,”[/color] Wulfric replied with a hint of dryness, thinking of the many times he’d been kept at home as a child because his father had deemed it a security risk for him to visit such-and-such. That there could have been guards accompanying him hadn’t swayed Edin, as there’d been political dangers they couldn’t have done much about. There too had been a few cases where his younger self’s behavior had been deemed problematic, and that had been the reason he had not been permitted to go. Though his father had certainly ensured his heir had been present at the most important of the social functions…All of which was neither here nor there. 


Besides, the difference was that Crystal was no longer a child, yet her parents were perhaps still inclined to try and wrap her up in cotton wool. [color=ab274f]“Though, watching my siblings, I have come to understand the impulse somewhat,”[/color] Wulfric admitted. Tilting his head, he suggested, [color=ab274f]“I expect it is merely a case of proving your parents wrong, and showing them that you can, in fact, handle yourself.”[/color]


Crystal simply nodded at his remark, her mind wandering to all the times she wasn’t allowed to even leave the house because they feared she would overexert herself. She did indeed have to prove herself a few times, with helping around the manor, cooking, gardening…teaching children of the servants. Each time she had to just go and do it despite what they said, and only then did they relent a little. She then, not really wanting to delve more into that part of her life, decided to ask him about his night. 

[color=1e4fff]“I do hope you had a wonderful night, despite the multiple fiascos.”[/color] She asked, looking back up to him. She could feel herself calming down a bit. He was quite handsome with that smile, still a bit intimidating but it did help her relax. 


[color=ab274f]“Thank you, I have had,”[/color] Wulfric replied, not mentioning the disastrous after-party. She wouldn’t know of it, nor did she need to. [color=ab274f]“And yourself? How have you been faring here since your arrival? I hope it has been largely pleasant and engaging.”[/color]


She smiled softly…not much of a sharer, was he? As he turned the conversation back on her. [color=1e4fff]“That’s good to hear.”[/color] She then took a moment to think about the last 24 hours and tilted her head to the side as she spoke, [color=1e4fff]“Mmm…Despite the multiple times embarrassing myself, I have quite enjoyed the experience. It’s been a dream of mine to dance at a ball for a long time.”[/color] she blushed as she looked back at the prince. [color=1e4fff]“A bit silly I know… But it was wonderful, at least near the end.”[/color] 


[color=ab274f]“There is nothing silly about wanting to experience something which others take for granted, yet you could have only imagined so far…”[/color] Wulfric smiled at her when she looked up. It was practically an automatism; part and parcel of when he felt like being charming. [color=ab274f]“And to have had such a grand ball as your first?”[/color] The whole Lorenzo mishap notwithstanding. [color=ab274f]“It is not something just anyone would have dared to tackle,”[/color] he flattered. [color=ab274f]“I am glad to hear you’ve enjoyed yourself, and that you have had such a memorable finale.”[/color]


She bit her tongue, wanting to tell the prince about how rude her sister was to her after she went out of her way to set her up with Lord Roman. But she shook her head slightly, remembering he was at the archery contest. [color=1e4fff]“I also really enjoyed the archery contest, I always wanted to see Sir Verrick shoot his bow. I’ve heard many tales of his mastery of it…from gossip and the like of servants in the kingdom…”[/color] Well, mostly from her own source… but she couldn’t quite just say that for a few reasons. [color=1e4fff]“It was also wonderful to see the park once again. It’s been a few years but Sorian always has beautiful gardens and parks within its walls.”[/color]


[color=ab274f]“It is one of the best times to admire verdure,”[/color] he agreed idly. [color=ab274f]“The botanical gardens are always worth a visit. Though if you ever tire of the more cultivated variant, you might consider a meadow or a forest.”[/color]


[color=1e4fff]“I’ve always wanted to visit the forest, but thanks to my sister in her earlier years that’s one place my parents never allow me to go sadly.”[/color] She said with a small smile,  riding on a road through forests is far different than traveling paths where a cart can’t go.


Wulfric nodded when Crystal mentioned her sister, recalling that Violet had suffered a wound from a wild animal attack - something that was rather common knowledge among nobility. He then redirected the conversation to a topic he was far more interested in. [color=ab274f]“I, too, enjoyed the archery contest this morning. I certainly appreciated how close some matches were, especially that last one,”[/color] though he kept it mostly in check, a slight thrill coloured his tone and expression. It [i]had[/i] been fun to watch. 


[color=ab274f]“Since I have not ever heard much about Verrick O’Hare, his victory was not as expected to me as it may have been to you.”[/color] Then, he gazed at her for a longer moment, as if he were considering [i]not[/i] saying his next words, expression becoming serious and concerned. [color=ab274f]“But the man he won against…”[/color] They’d both know he was speaking of the self-proclaimed Damien. 


[color=ab274f]“That was assuredly the greatest surprise. I realize this is a sensitive topic, so I will understand if you would rather not address it,”[/color] he said gravely. In actuality, he was [i]intensely[/i] curious, and thought that the Vael man just might provide some entertainment, depending on what he did. [color=ab274f]“But have you inquired into that man’s legitimacy? If he was merely fooling around, then I would expect your father to act on it.”[/color]


Crystal was surprised he had not heard of Verrick. She assumed with him being the princess’ bodyguard he might have met him in passing. But before she could say anything he changed the subject to her new supposed half brother. She closed her eyes with a wince. Cursing herself for even bringing up the contest. 


She let out a soft sigh, and looked at the prince once again with a polite smile. [color=1e4fff]“It was a shock for me for sure. I was unaware my father even had a previous marriage, let alone a son with another woman.”[/color] She took a breath.


[color=1e4fff]“My father says to treat him as family… but he seems rude, careless, and dirty minded. I don’t know what my father expects? Say ‘oh, thank you, I finally have a brother I’ve always asked for growing up?’”[/color] She stopped herself, looking down. [color=1e4fff]“Forgive me, I-I don’t really have a grasp of my feelings on this subject.”[/color]


Wulfric kept his expression neutral, and nodded slowly. [color=ab274f]“I can only imagine it is difficult to accept so suddenly.”[/color] Or at all. [color=ab274f]“Take what time you need…I’m sure your feelings will clarify eventually.”[/color] Privately, he thought that she might not be granted such a reprieve, because her half-brother would be a constant presence. Whether by his actions, or the actions and reactions of others, it was something she would constantly be reminded of, and forced to confront.


But he had learned what he’d wanted, so there was no reason to further pursue this topic. [color=ab274f]“Please excuse me for broaching something so inevitably upsetting,”[/color] he inclined his head to her in apology. Then, he offered her a small, wry smile. [color=ab274f]“But to try and conclude this on a more positive note, let us speak of lighter topics. Are there any events you are looking forward to? Swimming at the lake should be available now, and I expect many a lady will attend the fashion show.”[/color] He tilted his head at her, considering. [color=ab274f]“However, if contests appeal to you, then there will be the horse race, and the dueling tournament afterwards,”[/color] he spoke of the latter two with more enthusiasm, so it was apparent these were the events he was intrigued by.


Crystal shook her head. [color=1e4fff]“It is fine… I’m sure the subject will be brought up quite a few times today. He was very insensitive in revealing it and I’m sure it will be the talk of the town for a bit.”[/color] She said with a huff. 


She did smile at the change of subject. [color=1e4fff]“As much as I would love to swim, I hardly want to embarrass myself more than needed.”[/color] She wasn’t a strong swimmer…mainly she could do a doggy paddle rather unladylike. But she left it up to the prince to draw his own conclusion. 


[color=1e4fff]“I would much rather watch an exciting duel or horse race. As much as I love clothes it seems quite boring to me to just watch others wear and show it off.”[/color] She said softly, not wanting the other ladies to hear for some reason. 


[color=ab274f]“Oh, I agree entirely. There is a wonderful anticipation in seeing who will win…especially when competitors match very closely, and the situation changes from moment to moment; one second it seems as if one person might win, and the next, their opponent prevails,”[/color] his eyes shone with fervour as he spoke with some excitement. [color=ab274f]“The thrill of that…Well, it can only be exceeded by [i]participation[/i] in such a competition. I do hope nothing else comes up, for I intend to join the dueling…”[/color] he tapped his fingers against the table as he considered his schedule.

This was when a servant unobtrusively came to their table, and informed the pair that five minutes had passed. Wulfric nodded in acknowledgment, and asked, [color=ab274f]“It is noon now, is it not?”[/color]
 
The servant bowed with a, [color=gray]“Yes, Your Highness.”[/color]


Wulfric curtly tilted his chin down at the servant, and dismissed him with a brief, [color=ab274f]“Thank you,”[/color] and a wave of his hand. Then he turned to Crystal. [color=ab274f]“Speaking of…I am afraid [i]this[/i] event is coming to an end now, and I do have some other matters to attend to, unfortunately. But I am glad I was able to speak with you, Lady Crystal.”[/color]

Crystal notice him open up more when speaking of dueling, even mentioning himself participating. Before she could say anything more she saw a servant come up and mention the time has passed. She stood up and while the prince said his good byes she curtsied to him and replied “I am glad I was able to speak with you Prince wulric. I do hope you enjoy the rest of your day.” She bowed her head and took a few steps back towards Auguste unintentionally.