Leal stood in his room and studied his reflection. He was wearing a green tunic with the standard of his family stitched on the front. His tan pants were new and not very comfortable. He had to wear his crown tonight as well. It felt heavy on his head though it was only a simple gold crown that sat down low just above his forehead. On his hip was the official sword of the High Prince.

Overall, Leal felt uncomfortable and out of place. He felt unsettled in his own skin. He looked like himself in the mirror in front of him, but he did not feel like himself. If only he had Dracia by his side as his princess. He could imagine her there next to him wearing a gown in the dark green of the Cassendars. She would have her dark hair piled up on her head, maybe a few curls cascading down her long, graceful neck.

He could see here wearing her own crown, one that was at this moment sitting in a case, waiting to sit on the head of Leal’s wife. She would tease him about his pants. He would comment on the cut of her dress. They would be late to the function, he knew it. He closed his eyes and took a few breaths. He did not need to let his imagination to run away from him. He needed his head to be clear.

It didn’t help that Leal knew Dracia was in the palace at this moment. The groups of royals and nobles had arrived from Navalia and Siccaria earlier in the day. Dracia had come to see to the security of the Navalian princess. Leal had hoped to greet Dracia when she came to the palace, but his father had him greeting the Navalian king and head noble from Siccaria at the same time.

Leal didn’t know what to think of the Navalian king, King Arnar. He was a tall man a little younger, than Leal’s father. Although Leal and his father were both tall, King Arnar was a half a head taller than both of them. His hair was a thick, graying blonde that fell down over his ears. His face was thin with high cheekbones, and his eyes were ice blue.

He greeted both Leal and his father with a slight bow. He was not rude, but his manner seemed to be withholding. He thanked King Rommel for the invitation, and said he hoped they could strengthen their alliance. After saying he looked forward to the court celebration tonight, he left to settle in.

Nobel Quain, the leader of Siccaria was much more jovial. He greeted Leal and his father with good cheer. Quain was a strong built man about Leal’s height. He had dark hair that he had cut short. His brown eyes were bright and framed by lines that became more prominent as he smiled. He had a long nose and square jaw. Leal found himself smiling at the man as he greeted him. Something about Quain felt familiar, but Leal couldn’t figure it out.

Leal turned as he heard a knock at the door. He walked over quickly and answered it to find his personal attendant, Malven.

“You are summoned by the king into the banquet hall, your highness,” said Malven

Leal sighed. “Very well,” he said walking out and shutting the door behind him.

“Have many people arrived in the banquet hall already?” asked Leal.

“Most are gathering now. I believe a few are waiting to make a grand entrance a little later in the evening,” said Malven as they walked.

“Such as a Navalian princess I take it,” said Leal.

“Correct as usual, my highness.”

“Which means she is not there yet,” said Leal knowing Malven would know who he was referring to.

“No, she is standing guard outside the princess’s rooms at the moment,” said Malven looking at Leal.

“How is she?” asked Leal. “How does she look?”

“The same as she always does these days, a perfectly controlled, strong, High Captain,” said Malven carefully. He stalled for a moment and then turned to Leal with a slight smile. “She did look a little tired to me. I suppose leading the Disciplines are exhausting, or perhaps something kept her up late last night.”

Leal looked at Malven out of the corner of his eye. “I think you might want to be careful about voicing your assumptions.”

“Of course, your majesty, I didn’t mean to overstep,” said Malven, still smiling.

“You never do,” said Leal good naturedly. He then stopped for a moment, putting his arm out to bring Malven to a halt as well. “You haven’t shared any of my comings and goings with anyone have you?”

“No, your highness. I would never tell anyone your business. I hope you know me better than that by now.”

“I do, but it seems someone is reporting to my father when I leave the palace, even when I am very careful to make sure no one sees me. Do you have any idea who it could be?”

“No,” said Malven. “I am sure the king has spies all around, but I can keep watch and talk to all your attendants discreetly and see what I can find.”

“Do, if you don’t mind. As you know I have a lot at stake at the moment, and I don’t need anything going wrong.”

Malven nodded his agreement as they started walking again.

“I can’t lose her, Malven. It is not an option. Whatever my father thinks he will accomplish by this farce he is making me participate in, I cannot tell, but it will change nothing. I will have only one woman by my side.”

“I know, your highness. She is magnificent. I can’t blame you for wanting to keep her.”

“Overstepping, Malven, once again.”

Malven shrugged. “You always said you wanted me to be truthful with you. I am a man not much older than yourself. I have eyes.”

“Have those eyes seen the Navalian princess?”

“They have,” said Malven as they slowed down, coming close to the banquet hall.

“And how did you find her?”

“She is not my taste, and I doubt she will be yours, your highness,” said Malven as he bowed. “I will wish you a pleasant evening and will see you back in your rooms.

“Good evening, Malven,” said Leal as Malven walked away. Leal knew he would find places to hide and observe the evening. He was looking forward to hearing his report.

Leal walked into the banquet hall to see many tables set up throughout the room. People all dressed in bright dresses and fine tunics mingled around. People bowed or curtsied as Leal walked by, him nodding to a few. He walked towards his father who was standing with Nobel Quain and an older woman in a black dress. Quain smiled as Leal walked up to them.

“Good evening, your highness,” said Quain brightly. “May I introduce my mother to you?”

Leal nodded smiling at the older woman.

“This is High Matron Lady Elise of Siccaria,” said Quain. “Mother this is Leal Cassendar, the Crown Prince of Lanoxan.

The old woman looked at Leal as she gave a slight curtsy. She had dark gray hair that was pulled up into a high bun. Her eyes were heavily lined with wrinkles, but were still a bright, deep brown. Her thin lips were drawn into a line as she looked at Leal. Her black dress was simple, with half sleeves, a square neckline, and a full skirt that fell to the floor. The only embellishment was a dogwood flower stitched on the bodice. Leal recognized it as the standard for the High Nobles of Siccaria.

Leal bowed and said, “It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Elise. I am glad you could journey to Lanoxan to be with us this summer. I hope you enjoy your time here.”

“I am sure I will,” said Lady Elise in a clear voice. “At least the weather is nice. I grew so tired of the constant wind and chill of the last place I had to visit for weeks on end. I look forward to walking through your hills.”

“We shall have a picnic one day soon,” said Leal. “You can walk as much as your heart desires over our grassy knolls.”

“I look forward to it,” said Lady Elise.

A group of people laughing caused them all three to turn. Leal could see Dracia’s father, Lord Arwel with four other people as they talked and laughed. Arwel turned as he sensed the new eyes on him. Leal watched as Arwel stared at Quain for a moment before nodding. Quain paused for a moment before nodding in return.

“Do you know Lord Arwel?” asked Leal causing Quain to turn his eyes back to him.

“Yes, he spent some time in his youth in Siccaria. His father sent him there to learn Mystics. He and I spent hours together under the same tutors,” said Quain. “I should go greet him. Would you like to come, mother?”

“Not particularly,” said Lady Elise coldly. “I will go find my seat. I am rather tired from our journey. Please excuse me, your highness.”

Leal nodded to her as she turned and walked away, not looking very tired in her movements. Quain smiled at Leal before walking over toward Lord Arwel. Leal walked closer to his father who was talking with some lower nobles from Siccaria. Leal stood by and spoke when he was called upon, but didn’t offer much to the conversation.

After some time, Leal noticed the mood in the crowded room changed. He looked to see the party from Navalia entering the room. King Arnar was at the front with a man, Leal thought must be Arnar’s son. He had the same high cheekbones, and cold blue eyes. His hair was blonde and hang down almost to his neck.

The Navalians came up to King Rommel and Leal.

“Welcome again, King Arnar,” said Rommel.

“Thank you,” said Arnar. “May I present my son, Prince Fannar.”

Rommel and Leal both bowed as Rommel said, “You are very welcomed. I hope you are settled in comfortably.”

“Oh yes, very much so,” said the prince with a smile. “I particularly appreciate your care for my sister and her security. May I introduce my sister to you?”

King Arnar and prince Fannar moved to the side and the Navalian princess came forward. Leal could see why her beauty was talked of far and wide. She was of medium height with very pale skin. Her light blonde hair was long, and she wore it down. It curled slightly, tumbling down her shoulders and back. Her features were delicate. Her ice blue eyes were large with long eyelashes. Her small mouth was pouty and a dark pink. She wore a blue gown that showed off her figure to perfection. It was low cut and form hugging, until flowing down into a full skirt. On her bodice stitched in silver was a winter rose.

She was lovely, but Malven had been right, she was not to Leal’s taste. She was like the first good snow of winter. She was beautiful to look at, and Leal could see how the site of her would at first bring excitement and expectation, but before long Leal would get tired of her icy looks, longing for something warmer.

“This is Princess Lilith,” said Fannar smiling at his sister.

“It is a true delight, princess,” said Rommel as he took the hand the princess offered him. The king bowed over it and kissed it.

“I am very happy to be here, your majesty,” said Lilith in a sweet voice. She looked at Leal.

“Let me introduce my son to you. This is Leal Cassendar, the Crown Prince of Lanoxan,” said Rommel.

Leal smiled as the princess held out her hand. Leal took it and bowed over it. As he bowed, he caught sight of Dracia standing behind the party of Navalian. She was looking to her right, away from Leal as he greeted the princess. He felt the familiar sensation of thrill that seeing her gave him. She truly was so very beautiful. If Lilith was a snowy, winter day, Dracia was the representation of late spring.

Just as Leal longed for warm weather, flowers, and green trees in winter, he longed for Dracia. After looking at the winter princess in front of him, seeing Dracia was like standing in the warm sunshine as the perfect breeze blows around you. He wanted nothing more than to walk past the princess in front of him to grab Dracia and claim to all who his true princess really was.

Quickly remembering his manners, Leal lightly kissed the princess’s hand and let it go, straightening up and smiling at her.

“I am glad you are here. I hope you are settling in comfortably,” said Leal affably.

“Very much so,” said Lilith. “This is a very beautiful place, and my rooms are very comfortable.”

“Why don’t you escort the princess to the table, Leal. We will be eating dinner soon,” said Leal’s father.

“It would be an honor,” said Leal as he held out his arm to the princess. She took it with her dainty, pale hand, smiling up at him.

Leal walked the princess to the front of the room. He looked behind him to see Dracia trailing them a few feet back. Lilith also looked behind them.

“I appreciate you seeing to my safety, but I am not sure it is necessary to have your warrior woman always following me.”

“My father arranged it. You should be honored. She is the High Captain of the Sentinel. She is the finest warrior in the kingdom.”

“You have interesting ways here. Our women do not fight, but they are not so large as the one behind us. She is very tall and quite mannish in her mannerism.”

Leal frowned and gave a soft snort. “She is also the daughter of the highest lord of our court. She is known as a great beauty here.”

“I can see why your father has brought in woman from other kingdoms to show you,” said Lilith laughing. She stopped when she saw the look Leal was giving her.

“That was unkind. I didn’t mean to belittle your women here. I can see there are many very pretty women in this room.,” said Lilith. She looked behind her again. “I suppose she is rather lovely on further inspection. She is very tall, but her eyes are very pretty. I imagine her hair is as well if she lets it down.”

Leal would love to tell this little cold, princess just how beautiful Dracia was, and how Dracia overshadowed her in every way, but he knew he could not. He stayed quiet, reminding himself that in a few weeks, this would all be over, and he could make his father see that Dracia was the correct choice for his bride.

“I hope you know I didn’t mean to be so rude. I find myself very nervous. I always say the wrong things when I am nervous,” said Lilith with a small smile on her face.

“Why would you be nervous?” asked Leal as the approached the head table.

“I have heard many tales of you, Prince Leal. I have heard of your power and your good looks,” said Lilith casting her eyes down. “When I saw you, I can see why there are so many tales. I can feel the power within you. I could hear my own speak in your presence. I was quite overcome.”

Leal looked at her carefully as they came to their seats. He studied her for a moment, seeking her power. He felt his own within him searching. He could not feel anything from the princess by him, as his power looked for another. Leal smiled slightly.”

“You feel it too, don’t you?” asked the princess.

Leal wasn’t sure what this woman was playing at, being so flippant and rude one moment, and then so quiet and intimate the next.

“We should go ahead and take our seats. The rest of the table is coming now,” said Leal pulling out the chair for the princess as she sat down.