Just as the ride to the grand Royal Theater of Alegasia, the return to the Royal Palace was just as smooth and as peaceful, the elegant white carriage and its pearlescent mares who carried the burden upon their hooves gently strolling away in departure from the Alegasian City and through the vast and majestic land's mysterious forests and moonlit countrysides, basking in the dim, cream white glow of the midnight sun cascading across the emerald valleys of thick grasses and a soft evening wind carrying forth the pleasant late spring aromas of lilacs and jasmine and all the lovely flowers of the night, blooming forth to feel the evening's cool embrace and expose to those wide and starry skies their frailty and their amazingly radiant hues and shades of such wonderful colors. Irina was quite lucky to gaze upon the scene, even if it was with tired and heavy eyes desperate for that sweet release that a good night's sleep would bring to them. A deep yawn she exhaled, already the euphoria of the alcohol in her blood seeping away and in set the debilitating hangover, the aching, pounding resonance in her head, the feeling of her body limp and almost lighter than a feather, save for her eyelids daring to collapse over her crystaline eyes, although a bit murky and reddened sort of with cracks about her whites. Fatigued was she indeed, barely the strength in her left to maybe raise a finger or so. [i]Damn....what was I thinking? Great Goddess forgive me....[/i] Another yawn escaped her weary figure as her eyes fell upon the petite form of the young girl resting next to her, the Princess' head so precariously nuzzled against the woman's arm. [i]Hmm....even if I was sober, I would still admit....M'lady is...rather charming as she sleeps...[/i] A bit of a smile slowly crossed her lips, how adorable Crystal was to her....and not at this point really either. 

It would be a while or so before the carriage had made its full return to the castle, so Irina, as worn out as she was, just as her lady, carefully inclined her head against the windowsill of the carriage and closed her eyes....instantly falling asleep....

[b]"We've arrived."[/b]

But it almost felt within seconds, not even a minute or so did they arrive upon the grounds of the Royal Palace. Hmm....some nap that was, but at least the two women were finally home, finally to their beds that awaited their weary and fatigued selves to fill them, to be embraced by the warmth of blankets and drift away to that ever calming sea of peaceful dreams. As always, Crystal was the first to depart before Irina, never waiting for her attendant and boldly striding ahead brash and reckless as accustomed. Luckily for this night, Irina didn't have much in the way of duty, no arrows to shield the Princess from, no daggers to disarm from the clutches of nefarious assassins, not a single threat. Surprisingly, even Varros didn't pose much of a risk for this night....except for a few....minor...things... Again thinking about the man's hand upon her cheek, again feeling mentally that callous chill of his seemingly lifeless aura, Irina shuddered in her own skin, not to mention his....apparent attraction towards the knight, which only made her shiver more as she hastily shook the thoughts from her head and made her way towards the castle, but what was this? [i]Huh?![/i] The grapple of her arm was quite unexpected and indeed a bit jolting to the woman, almost jumping out of her heels. Had it not been for Varros forceful relieving of her only weapon at the time, the poor bloke who grabbed her, the carriage driver, would've certainly been instantly stabbed through the chest with just a dagger. Her own cheeks had blushed, but not for the reasons as to this young lad who spoke of her as if she were the Goddess come descended from the Heavens above. No, actually......her reddening was more of a nervous and frustrating nature than of a more infatuated sort. [i]Dammit! First Varros and now he? Oh...dear Goddess, if this be a heavenly jest of yours, then consider me the butt of this very joke.[/i] "Oh...why kind sir, you flatter me so." She giggled a tad halfheartedly, slipping her arm through his hand, but leaving hers within his still, again working her more....elegant side if you will. "If you are so eager to know the name of this beautiful woman, then I suppose I shall tell you. It is Irina, good sir. Irina Belmonte." She figured it best to at least give the young lad something in return, so, though inside she was regretting it, Irina leaned forth ever close to him, and upon the driver's forehead, she left a small kiss. "The Princess and I thank you deeply for your kindness. Now, if you will excuse me, I must see to my lady in hope that she is well. Goodnight, kind sir."

A small wave of her hand to the blushing lad and away Irina went, gracefully yet swiftly as her feet carried her across the courtyard and into the grand marble halls of the majestic castle, now dimly lit by the faint orange glows of stray, flickering flames from torch sconces and candelabras, rather romantic was the sight to Irina, but she didn't pay much mind to it. The only matter more present upon her mind was finding her bedchamber, getting out of this damn dress, which now she felt was attracting....too much attention to her. [i]I swear to the Goddess, from now on, I am sticking with chain and plate. No more fancy evening wear for this warrior.[/i] Thought it was nice for a while to not feel so burdened by the weight of steel armor, and of course the last of all....getting a good night's rest, so that come first rise of the sun, she would be fit and ready for tomorrows assigned duties. Twas all fun and games for this night, but early morning...it would be back to being [i]Sir Irina,[/i] Royal Attendant and personal Bodyguard of her lady The Princess Crystal. Speaking of whom, Irina wondered where the young lass had gone off to. Probably to her own chamber, as of course Crystal was just as tired as her knightly servant. [i]I suppose I shall see her again come first ray of morn.[/i] Irina sighed, a bit of a yawn upon the tail end as she wearily strolled down the hall to her chamber, already her hands at work unfastening the ties here and there and letting the crimson fabric of the dress fall to the floor. There she stood in the mirror of her vanity, her unclothed figure reflecting upon her. Strange for once to see herself this way, but only brief as she stepped over to the wardrobe and took from it a soft nightgown, which she shortly donned and unraveled her hair from its braids, letting the soft blue locks fall gracefully upon her shoulders. Such an eventful day it had been, and such an eventful evening to follow, but finally it had come to a close, however....just as Irina slowly ambled barefoot over to her bed and peeled back the covers, her eyes were alit with a surprise at, or rather whom had already occupied her bed. "P-princess?!" She gasped upon the petite figure of the girl, nestled in the warmth of the bedsheets and already fast asleep, but the problem was....this was Irina's bed and not hers, plus.....well.... After that bit of shock quickly receded from her, Irina pondered upon the young girl, already adrift in dreams she was, and....it would not be wise of Irina to rouse her lady from sleep, also...she wouldn't think no consequences would become of this, for she didn't mind Crystal sleeping in the same bed as her, and they were both women. "I....I suppose it would be okay...but for one night...." Giving a light shrug of her shoulders, Irina slipped under the covers, moving a little bit closer to the sleeping Princess next to her, but not too close. "Goodnight, M'lady." She whispered softly, though obvious Crystal may not have heard her.