Cronin released me soon after and continued a conversation regarding the question Mr. Robinson had asked before I interrupted. To no surprise it was about the security of the palace. The whole reason why Cronin was at this gathering in the first place.

"Psst, Your Highness?" Julia grabbed my attention gently. "Would you like to meet some of the other Arranged?"

"Oh, of course!" I said, returning the soft tone. I interrupted the conversation a second time to excuse myself. The Robinson's wished me well and Cronin slapped me on the shoulder again before shoving me in the direction of Julia, who I barely avoided. She giggled and put a gentle hand to my chest to help me gain my balance. I apologized profusely as she led me across the room. "I'm so sorry, Julia! Cronin is... He's something else." I glared at him across the room, catching him stick his tongue out at me. I nearly went to return it when Julia caught my attention again.

"Well, you did shove him first." She smiled.

I nearly went to object, about to say he started it, when I realized she was correct. She laughed at my expression.

"I don't mind. I think it's quite hilarious. It's fun to see a more casual side of the prince and especially Captain Cronin. I also enjoy seeing the relationship between you two. It's refreshing."

I almost smirked. "If that's so, then during your time here at the palace I'm sure you'll see more of it. We can be quite the crowd, especially at some of our training sessions. We may practice outside sometimes; I suggest you come watch."

"I'd be honored to."

Julia hushed our conversation in favor of introducing me to her fellow Arranged. I wasn't clear about her relation to these Arranged, whether it be she just met them or she knew them previously. The three were around my age, a man and two women. The man was tall, slightly taller than myself, with dark skin and ruffled dark brown hair. He wore a typical men's formal outfit: Dress pants and shoes as well as a button up shirt, tie, and vest. The green, brown, and white colors I knew I would begin to associate with him. He had a warm smile and a very welcoming appearance to him, especially in his emerald green eyes that I knew I would find hard to forget. I knew the man immediately to be Lee Ryant as the only male Arranged participating.

The women, however, I had no idea their names, as I had several to choose from. The first woman was of average height, guessing around Eli's height, with medium length, semi-curly and wavy auburn hair. It wasn't quite red, but it wasn't quite brown either. She had light brown eyes and freckles. She wore a simple knee length dull orange dress with a V neck that had some style in the chest portion of the dress, but most of her style stemmed from the style in her hair, make up, earrings, and one or two bracelets.

The other woman was roughly the same height as the first. She had medium length blond hair that was darker towards the roots with some wave to it. She had blue eyes and a cute facial structure, I had to say. Her white dress was longer in the back than in the front and had black lace lining the edges of the skirt and the chest portion of the dress. Again, most of her style was in her hair, make up, and jewelry.

"Your Highness, this is Alyssa," Julia said, gesturing to the auburn woman, "Taylor," she gestured to the blond woman, "and Lee," and lastly to the man.

"Please, call me Sonjay." I smiled. "I would prefer you all call me Sonjay when it's just us like this. Around your parents or my father, use my title."

"A first name basis with the prince? Such an honor!" Taylor said, chuckling. The rest of us were just as amused. "It's nice to meet you, Sonjay. There's six Arranged, right?" We all nodded. "Have you met us all yet?"

I shook my head. "I've met you four, that's all. I have two more to meet. I was given a list of your names, but I have yet to put faces to them. And by process of elimination, I have yet to meet Autumn and Mae."

"Ah yes, I know Mae very well. I think you'll like her." Julia said, smirking slightly.

I raised an eyebrow. "What makes you say that?"

"Well, all of us here can attest to the fact that our parents, as well as what we heard through the grape vine—so to speak—that we know only a few details about you. From what I've heard you're quite playful and optimistic!" The other three nodded to confirm. It made me blush to realize people thought that of me (not that I disagreed). "I just think from what I know about Mae and have heard about you that your energies will mix nicely! Not to force my impression of her on you, of course."

"Not at all! I actually appreciate the input. I have to meet six of you, so it will take some time for me to get to know you all, let alone your personalities! So, anything you have I would greatly appreciate! Have you all met before outside this event?"

"I know Mae because of our father's work." Julia explained. "I'm sure you've met Mr. Clark and know of his role in the Arranged?" I nodded, again hoping not to convey my bitterness. "My father, as you know, is Mr. Robinson. The two are close friends—and rivals. And so are our families. I grew up with Mae, but we aren't as close as you might think. We're a bit opposite in our interests, that's for sure..."

"Autumn is a friend of mine." Alyssa piped in. "We didn't grow up together, but we met during school and have spent quite some time together in our teenage and adult years. She's... Uhm."

The four of us looked at her, curious why she was hesitating. She blushed to have all the attention on her and chuckled awkwardly, pursing her lips.

"I don't want to speak badly of anyone ever. Especially behind their back." She said. "Just that... Autumn hasn't always been the nicest to me, that's all. I've been trying to keep my distance from her, actually. I'm both surprised and not to see her here. Surprised because I thought I would have heard her talking about her participation in this, and not because her family is quite wealthy. It doesn't surprise me that Mr. Robinson and Mr. Clark reached out to her family, the Giddings."

"Ah, I see." I said. "I understand your hesitation now. I appreciate the input, though! I'll be sure to form my own opinions in my own time." I smiled.

She smiled nervously. "Of course. That's not to tell you how to feel, but just to let you know that I have not had the best history with her. She may be different around you and in this setting. Maybe she just didn't like me." She laughed nervously.

Taylor nudged Alyssa in a reassuring manner, though it only startled her. They both laughed it off and Taylor apologized, much to the rest of our amusements.

"Sorry, didn't mean to startle you." Taylor snorted. "I was just trying to assure you that that's likely not the case. We've been talking for nearly thirty minutes now and you're so interesting, Alyssa! I want to hear more about how you play violin!"

Alyssa was blushing and seeming to loosen up some. I was pleased to see her open up a bit when she decided to tease. Though still embarrassed and shy, she at least participated in the conversation and threw a joke in every now and then. Hearing her talk about her skills in violin, and soon Lee piping in that he played cello, they both reminded me of Eli. It made me blush and look away, hoping to hide my embarrassed expression from the four.

Of course I would be reminded of Eli around the Arranged. It wasn't something I wanted to dwell on. I buried it deep down with a hard swallow and returned my focus to the two continuing their discussion. Even from this brief conversation I could already gather that Taylor was extremely extroverted and sociable, enjoying anything that allowed her to listen, talk, and learn about other people. Alyssa was a bit awkward and shy but loosened up into her own confident and interesting self, provided a bit of time. Lee hardly spoke unless he was addressed, which was only a few times when Taylor and Alyssa asked about his cello playing. I could tell, however, that he wasn't uncomfortable to be around us. Just quiet, I guessed. Julia, however, I wasn't able to learn much about. She was more interested in listening than speaking. Even when she was brought into the conversation by Taylor (who likely noticed her lack of participation and wanted to extend an easy hand for her to jump in) she brought the conversation back to someone else. It wasn't meant to dismiss herself, however, rather, she just seemed more interested hearing about everyone else rather than talking about herself.

The whole interaction, listening to the other Arranged discuss and speak of themselves, was quite refreshing, I had to say. I learned a bit about their personalities and interests in this brief time. I also realized that only Mae and Julia, Alyssa and Autumn knew each other outside of the Arranged. Taylor and Lee were the only completely unfamiliar Arranged. The four also told me that none of them had direct interaction with the royals or Nobles before, and only a few of their parents had as well.

"Now that I think about it," Taylor was saying, "I think my parents have met you, your father, Dacian, and Cronin Noble before. Though, all of this was at a palace ball for either yours or your father's birthday. But isn't there a third Noble?"

"Yeah, you're right." Julia pitched in. "I've meet King Simon before through my father's work, and even Dacian and Cronin in passing in the same context. But I don't believe I've ever met—or even seen-Elijah!"

I almost wasn't sure who she was talking about when she used Eli's full name. Eli wasn't a fan of his full name given the painful history it had, so it was strange to hear it after all this time. I quickly realized, of course, and went to correct her to save Eli from some pain.

"Actually, Elijah prefers Eli." I said, interrupting slightly. The four of course were eager for my input. "He'll greatly appreciate it if you guys call him Eli when you first meet him. He won't say it, let alone show it, but I'm pretty sure he's dreading having to tell all the Arranged he'll meet to call him by Eli."

"Why's that? If I may ask, of course." Taylor said tentatively.

"Well, I'd imagine he's anxious to correct everybody because..." I hesitated, wondering how much I should tell them. "Elijah is his full name, and it was used a lot in his younger years. Details that I shouldn't get into made it difficult for him to use it. Painful memories and such. So, he goes by Eli. Or, as I like to call him, E." I smirked. "A shortening of what is already a shortened name. But that's my personal nickname, of course."

"That's cute." Julia smiled. "Unfortunate to hear about some painful memories but thank you for telling us. I'll be sure to address him as Eli when I meet him."

The other three nodded, confirming. I smiled hearing it.

"Thank you all," I said, "he'll appreciate it, though maybe not verbally or physically. That aside, I just wanted to mention that Eli is a bit reserved. He doesn't participate in royal or military matters that much, despite his family's importance. You'll see him around the palace, but that's why you haven't seen much of him outside of it."

"Actually..." Lee muttered, almost to himself. He was a quiet person and the rest of us wondered if he was addressing us. He looked up and realized we had heard him. "Oh, sorry, I just had a thought. I think... I think I may have seen him in town before."

I was surprised to hear it, though I shouldn't have been considering Eli went into town all the time. He wasn't as well published or recognized as his family or mine, so most people either didn't recognize him or didn't care considering he wasn't involved in royal affairs. That being said, he was perfectly capable of defending himself.

"I believe he was performing..." Lee continued, looking back into his memories, I could tell. "I can't remember what or where though."

"Do you remember what instrument?" I asked.

"Piano?" He closed his eyes and after a moment he nodded and opened them again. "Yes, definitely piano."

"That sounds like him," I chuckled. "He's an expert pianist. It's quite impressive if you happen to catch him playing. I'll let you know that he likes to practice in the music room on the second floor of the palace, but it's also his way of relaxing. So, if you happen to hear piano and trace it to the music room, I'd suggest not disturbing him. We all enjoy time to ourselves, don't we?"

"Of course!" Taylor jumped up. "I love how you talk about Eli like he's a shy animal." She realized how it sounded and blushed deeply, more so when we all laughed. She waved her hands, asking us to hush before we caught the attention of one of their parents or worse, my father. "Shh! That's not what I meant! Well, it is, but not like that! What I'm trying to say is Eli sounds very shy and reserved. Like it'll be a rare instance that we get to meet him or have a conversation with him! I think it'll be quite the reward and honor if any of us are able to get a lengthy conversation out of him!"

"Oh, most definitely." I said, sighing to catch my breath after laughing. She was amused by my smile, especially when I smirked at her. "That's Eli for you. Consider yourself lucky if you can have a short conversation. But..." I glanced around, teasing like I was trying to keep a secret. I waved the four in and much to my amusement, they all played along. "Bring up music, that'll get him going." I grinned, whispering slightly.

Alyssa laughed, but quickly hushed herself. "Oh, sorry! I mean of course I will! I play violin," she smirked, "of course we'll be friends."

Lee returned the smirk and nudged Alyssa again, who was much more atoned to it now.

"I think you and I should play a violin and cello duo in the music room, hm?" He said, clearly forming a plan to catch Eli's attention. "Who knows who will want to watch or maybe join us, huh?"

She giggled. "That sounds like a wonderful idea."

The conversation took off without my input. Clearly the four were interested in hearing a bit more about Eli. If I had to guess, it was because he was such a rare catch. Meaning nobody knew much of anything. They all knew about me through their parents or through general conversation outside of the palace, and because the other faces of the country were often spoken about too, they knew about them as well. Eli, however, wasn't as much of a focus. They were excited to meet the last Noble, who was a mystery behind the faces of the palace.