An hour may not have seemed like a particularly long time for the princess to get ready, but for Keenan it felt like an eternity. He carefully pulled on the black gloves and left his quarters. As he walked, he wondered what the princess was wearing. Childish laughter filled the halls, the children were up and undoubtedly tormenting their teachers and nannies. It was finally late enough for them to wake without disturbing their schedule too much. Today lessons were cancelled, however he knew some children would still manage to cause chaos.

As he knocked on Freyja’s door the guards announced his arrival. A smile spread across his face when she opened the door. “Shall we?” he asked offering her his arm.

He may not have liked this marriage agreement, but he would make an effort for her sake if nothing else. She had no idea what she was getting into and so he would play dutiful husband to make the transition as easy as possible. The walk to the hall was longer than he would have liked. Ideally, he would just take the passage that allowed them to cut through the middle of the castle but that was something they would explore once married.

“How long do you think it will be before we are married?” he asked, “I’m sure our fathers have finalised the agreement already.”

He was softly spoken, gentle almost but only because he had resigned himself to this fate. He would never get to choose, especially while his father was alive. His father was old but not old in the grand scale of things nor for a vampire so he would not be going anywhere, anytime soon, not unless he was killed which was highly unlikely. He realised he had no idea how old Freyja was. Immortal beings stopped physically aging in their 20s. You could usually have a reasonable guess of a vampires age by seeing which traditions they still observed, no matter how dated but even that was inaccurate. He only knew because he grew up around them.

Leading the princess into the hall, he stopped to bow at his father before heading towards their seats. It was traditional for a king to seat his prince beside him but the king was never one for tradition and that place was reserved for which ever noble lady had his favour at that time. Keenan pulled out a chair for Freyja before sitting in his own.

The banquet was loud and chaotic, servers pouring wine for the Fae guests and blood for the vampires. The sheer volume of food prepared as impressive but in Keenan’s opinion, completely unnecessary. The vampires would only nibble at whatever took their fancy and the fae could only eat so much. The rest would be thrown away or eaten by the human staff if they were lucky and the king was in a good mood.

Keenan quietly sipped at the glass of blood, observing the fae guests seated around them. You could cut the tension in the air with a knife. Both sides were waiting for the other to make a move that would excuse the violence they both wanted to unleash. He shifted slightly; the collar of his jacket slipped. Of course, his father noticed. Any mistake he made was another black mark against his name if you asked the king. Keenan caught his eye and adjust it accordingly, the look he was given was enough to send shivers down ones spine… that was if Keenan actually cared what his father thought of him as person. Keenan was only alive because he was useful and if his father sired another heir and he was not married to the appropriate princess, it would be his head on the chopping block.

He smiled at the princess, “You look very pretty tonight,” he said, hoping flattery would be enough to keep Freyja happy and the king off his back.

“I hope the food is to your liking. Banquets are usually for show when all the nobles drink blood,” he said with a laugh.

Freyja smiled as the prince appeared at her room and followed him carefully through the castle. She could hear laughter and giggles that she knew only could come from children and she started to look around for the creatures as they continued. "I was told before the month was over, your highness," She replied quietly when he asked her the date. She didn't mean to sound disappointed but it just rolled off that way. She was silent the rest of the walk.

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As they entered the banquet though, she put on her best smile, nodding her head with a genuine grin as Keenan pulled her out a seat. Her brother was seated across from them. Probably to supervise the two together. She was trying to read his face when Keenan spoke again and she nearly jumped. The surprise made her flush a little with embarrassment.

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"Thank you, your highness. And yes, the banquet is.... very nice," She said with a smile. Ronwyn certainly thought so, much to his sister's horror. "Ah, so that's why there's so much. You only really need to feed the humans. You yourselves don't need to eat. You drink," She said flatly but more like she was telling herself. She looked over and her brother was now eyes shut and looking like he had something in his teeth. Wrong thing to say apparently.

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She grinned as she saw some her favorite dishes and served herself before she passed with just a roll, mashed potatoes, and a mix of vegetables with bacon. "Does this mean if-, I mean when we get married the only person they'd have to cook for is me? As in I'd be eating alone?" She asked, much more quietly even though she knew her brother's fae senses would pick up every word she said. Her father's closest spy. "Not that I mind, really," Freyja continued, sitting up straighter and pulling apart the roll. Placing the smaller bite in her mouth.

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She waved her hand delicately, as if trying to wave the question off and away from them. "No, nevermind. I'm good at adjusting. Do you have a garden? And do horses really spook at you?" She asked, reaching for her wine but her brother snatched the goblet and replaced it with his own. She glared at him, taking the cup. She held it up as if to drink but then paused, placing it as far as she could away from her plate. Tangy and thick, reeking of Iron. Everyone in the row would know the red contents of her cup were not wine. She wondered how many of the soldiers bet she'd drink it so she wouldn't look rude towards her only family member here. The smug expression on her brother's face was enough to ruin anyone's evening. On purpose then. Huh. She would have expected juice.

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The prince shrugged, "What can I say? I'm saving poor Keenan here some time and consoling. She's a sad drunk, your highness. Until she gets angry," he said with a wink, going back to his steak.

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Freyja smiled, flashing her canines at him in the most feminine display of dominance ever seen. She apologized to the prince, asking for a moment and then she flagged a servant from her seat. "I'd like a cup of water, if that's not too out of the way. If it is, any juice will do," She smiled once and turned back to the prince. "I do tend to take my Alcohol poorly." She blushed and returned to eating quietly.

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The prince across from them smiled. "Your Highness, I wish you luck in your marriage. May it be prosperous and happy as an arranged one can be, " he cleared his throat, scanning his sister. Anyone looking at the twins would have seen two siblings smiling politely at one another. Anyone looking at their eyes could see that Freyja was one step away from scratching his eyes out.

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"Yes, I agree, brother," Freyja said stiffly, stabbing a carrot with her fork as the server returned, placing her drink on the table. "Thank you," She said and popped the carrot in her mouth. Down the row, Ronwyn was watching the twins like it was a drama and she could see Taeya trying to get a glance at the display. She would write to father after she married. There was a long list of princesses dying for her brothers attention. And she knew exactly which ones he hated the most. Her wedding wouldn't be the only one within a year but I certainly would be the happier of the two. All she could do was smile, looking at Keenan for a reaction or response. Anything really, as long as it wasn't her dreaded brother.

The fae seemed to be enjoying the food and his father seemed satisfied, hopefully that would prevent any drama during this dinner. Being seated so close to Freyja’s brother seemed to make her uncomfortable, he sensed some kind of family drama. It would not surprise him if her brother was busy playing spy during his time here. They didn’t have anything to hide and he certainly would not be saying anything worth reporting at a banquet.

He smiled when she mentioned future meals, “It’s not that I cannot eat, food provides no nutrition to us and it’s an acquired taste, much like if I offered you a glass of blood I imagine. Once married it is up to you who you dine with here unless we are having a formal dinner. I am able to feed throughout the day if I wish but we do tend to keep regular mealtimes so I will be able to accompany you if you wish.”

He noticed the change in her tone and volume level, she seemed afraid of her brother. It seemed Keenan’s suspicions about him were right. He could not be trusted, not sure why he was surprised considering what his own brother was like. He chuckled softly when she asked about the horses, “not our own at least. We have full stables of some of the finest horses in the lands, at least in my opinion,” he said with a wink, “Horses belonging to others do. We are predators after all and horses are flight animals.”

He smelt the blood in the glass handed to Freyja before she even lifted it to her mouth. He opened his mouth to say something, but she put it down before noticing. When she excused herself, Keenan turned to her brother and snarled, “I won’t tolerate that amount of disrespect, not towards my future wife and not while you are a guest in this castle. I do not care who you are, and I hope that we won’t have a problem.”

Keenan sat back and waited for her to finish her meal. Occasionally signalling the servants to refill his glass. He was interested in her brother. The fae king would not be foolish enough to send the crown prince, not when he had a slightly more disposable son to send in his stead. Her brother seemed to enjoy tormenting and embarrassing her, Keenan knew they were guaranteed to butt heads in the future.

Once Freyja was finished, he spoke again, “Shall we go for a walk in the gardens?,” and then he added in a lower voice, “so we can talk without prying ears?”

The fae prince sucked on the inside of his cheek for the remainder of the banquet, still sitting smuggly. He answered only to the King during that period of time. Freyja didn't know how to react at that point. She finished in silence- a bit stunned. In the fae realms females were nearly equal to the males but still that all depended on how much power that female had and what her gift was. Freyja was a princess, but she had no additional power to add to that.

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At the offer, she nodded with a small smile, standing up and placing her napkin beside her plate. Taking one last drink out of her cup- now just water and smiled. She glanced over to her future father in law briefly before averting her eyes and looking at Keenan with a soft smile. "I would love to walk through the gardens," She said. Fresh air of any sort would do her good. The large dining room felt smaller than the carriage at the moment.

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A glance at Taeya showed she was already fixing to stand and follow but Freyja smiled and shook her head. "Tell me if anything interesting happens, will you?" She asked Faustian before linking arms with the prince, following his lead to the gardens. "Thank you for saying something, but really, I'm used to it. He thinks that since he came four minutes before I did it gives him the right to do as he pleases. I promise my other brothers are much more pleasant," the princess admitted. What she didn't want to admit was how comfortable she felt at the moment. Less than two hours with the guy and she'd already rather spend time with him than her brothers.

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"I do have a request, though," She sighed. "Before the wedding which... who knows when that will happen... I'd like a female of your species to help me. Someone you trust would actually help me to know what to do. I don't want to make a fool of myself the day when your kingdom first sees me as the princess. I need to know the right etiquettes before I make myself look ridiculous in front of anyone of importance," She said, possibly in the most firm tone she had ever used towards anyone. But to be fair, she wanted Keenan to know that she ment everybody. "And I don't know what you've been told about me but I plan on being completely honest with you. I didn't want this marriage from the start, but I'm not going to let that mean I-we- can't be happy. Or at least content. And I would hope that you agree," She said, taking her hand back to touch a rose that was nearest to them.

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She was anxious for the response he gave her. She turned her body so that her face was looking towards the vine. With her senses she could smell the flower from where she was perfectly. She took a few breaths, steadying her heartbeat because if the fae could smell fear along with other emotions, then she had no doubt that so could the vampires. Living in fae court you'd think she would be better at hiding how she felt. For now she'd blame it for three days on the road and then her brother's display at dinner. Not exactly a recipe for calm nerves.

She grinned at the question, "It's genetic. The majority of the fae have a gift. All of us are sort of in tone with nature though. Even those without the gift can make a flower grow. I hope his highness won't mind that I can do quite the opposite. " She laughed with a shrug, turning to face him. "Not only am I giftless, anything around me when I try starts to die. I once killed mother's whole section of lilies. Let me tell you, it was a fun day at the palace."

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As the prince carried on the conversation a huge weight was lifted off of her chest. Not only did he have at least one person here, but he also agreed with her. She gave a breathy laugh. "I wasn't threatened exile, I was threatened Ar'ron of the oric clan just north of my home kingdom.. Let me tell you, I'd rather Vampire than Orc any day." The princess could almost jump but the thought of coming down in heels stopped her. She smiled, probably the first genuine one since she arrived and offered her hand to the prince to shake. "Well then, your highness. I think we have a deal. The perfect couple in public but friends behind doors? I think you'll find that I'm awful at cards but a master at checkers," She grinned. After shaking his hand she walked a few more paces before turning back to look at him.

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"So you're all really nocturnal? And do you have like... humans who donate or do you still 'hunt'? The legendary fae used to take sacrifices. My great great great grandfather, Orm, used to like humans better than his mate. But I suppose it's different for you, huh?" She paused at a rose that seemed to be wilting on the outer edges. The only one in the bush. Perhaps she should have drank the wine. "Biting, I mean." She finished a breath later before looking back at the prince.

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She was practically bursting at the seams with all the questions she had, but then again she should probably save some for lessons with Lady Claude. But then she had questions about Lady Claude. She must be coming off a sheltered rambling nut, but at least she knew the prince wasn't too harsh. Otherwise she didn't think he would have agreed with what she said.

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What would Cassian say of he saw this display? Her friend would hardly agree. For a Scholar he had been very in touch on what was going on in the war. His brother and sister were both front line soldiers and only his sister survived it, much to their father's dismay. When she told him about the arrangement he threw a borderline tantrum. While her mind had wandered to this thought her face went blank and her eyes widened ever so slightly. She blinked a few times and brought her attention back to the prince. And even though she hadn't eaten that much she felt a bit sick.

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"Your highness, I do feel a bit chilly. Do you mind if we head inside?" She asked, rubbing her arms and laughing nervously. "Perhaps it will be warmer tomorrow night?" She walked back over to stand beside him. "Or perhaps you can show me something else tomorrow? That way I grow more familiar with the grounds of the castle..?" She offered a smile.

Keenan chuckled softly, “I do not mind at all, I think you’ll find here that most of us are used to being the ones who kill things rather than helping them grow.”

The princess being without a gift was news to him, not that it mattered to him, it wasn’t like vampires used much magic themselves, other than the odd bit of shapeshifting but not even all vampires bother to learn that, usually only those that hit the battlefield.

“It’s nice to see that I rank above an orc,” he said with a laugh.

It seemed that both their hands had been forced in this marriage, both blackmailed by their parents for different reasons. He grinned when she went to shake his hand, this time it was genuine, not the practised smile of a prince used to flirting to gain people’s favour. “I think we have a deal. Behind closed doors we will be nothing more than friends and you will be free to do as you please. Even if they expect an heir, there is more than one way for a vampire to pass on their bloodline.”

He watched her walk in the garden, smiling he realised that he may have a serious ally in her. She did ask a lot of questions but it was only natural considering they didn’t let any information out of the castle. “Yes we are for the most part nocturnal, spending time in the sun causes severe burn at best and at worst I would be reduced to ashes. We can venture out during the day if we are full covered and aren’t hit by the suns rays but it is easier to live a regular life in the dark, it’s a better routine for the children as well. As for feeding, in the castle we have donors from the surrounding villages but during wars vampires usually hunt, it has a thrill to it that you just don’t get drinking out of a glass. Biting another vampire… that’s where it gets complicated,” Keenan blushed, avoiding eye contact, “Sharing blood with a vampire is intimate, usually reserved for lovers, it is pleasurable and a mutual exchange. Being bitten by another vampire for any other reason is considered and act of violence and often treason. It is one of the most painful things I have ever experienced,” he shuddered at the memory.

He frowned when she shivered, of course she would be cold. She was used to being out during the day. He carefully removed his jacket, offering it to her. He felt self-conscious with the scars around his neck exposed and hoped she would not mind. “Of course, perhaps tomorrow we can go on a tour of the grounds, perhaps I will introduce you to my inner circle? I am sorry, I don’t feel the cold,” he said sheepishly.

Offering her his arm yet again, he led her through the castle, back towards their rooms, “If you need anything, tell the guards or I am only next door. I should retire to my own quarters as we rose early today.”

If he was being honest, Keenan was exhausted. This was the longest he’d been awake in a long time. He did not miss the endless court visits and preparation for the banquets and balls.

Freyja nodded her farewell and entered into a room with Taeya and Ronwyn sitting on the bed, leaning forward and waiting for the gossip. He may have been built larger than any Orc Lord known to her lands, but he sure did act like any Lady she'd ever seen. Except for on the field, of course. "All the details, now! Seriously, he stood up to Faustian for you! People have been killed for looking at him the wrong way!" Taeya shrieked, fanning herself with her hand.

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Ronwyn nodded along with his sister. "Tell us, come on!" He urged. Both of them sitting on the edge of her bed, staring at the cloak she was now clutching to cover her torso. "Ooh, does her highness fancy him?" He asked, raising a brow.

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Freyja sighed, placing the jacket on her dresser. "First off, no. Second, Taeya please find my nightgown. I'm exhausted. " She groaned, taking off her jewelry and bringing her hair down into a cascade of wine curls. "Thirdly, yes. I like him. Just not in that way. We've come to an agreement that will keep our parents and ourselves happy. He doesn't even care if I disagree to mother his heir!" She breathed, shoulders sagging at the relief.

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Taeya frowned, "But then who will be your dashing Romeo? Cassian is three days away and new from the messenger from your father said he's already courting the counts daughter, Ebony. Can you believe that rat?" She hissed, looking to her brother to back her up as she brought out Freyjas nightclothes. Her brother shook his head, "The audacity. He always was too proud for our princess."

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Freyja nodded distantly. She wasn't exactly shocked to hear the news. Her and Cassian weren't on good terms. But it was definitely not something she had wanted to hear. "They also find Biting one another to be intimate. Something lovers do." The princess continued, leaving the topic of her old tutor. "It's considered treason and harmful intent if not done in those circumstances. That's a bit of a relief. Don't you think? He also said there's was painful..." she said, Biting her lip as she took her nightclothes and went behind the dressing screen to change, Taeya undoing the corset from behind the wall.

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"Maybe it's because their fangs are so long?" Taeya suggested with a shrug, taking the dress and placing it over a chair. It would need to go to the wash. "How would I know though? Ronwyn scares everyone off!" She grumbled under her breath.

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"It is a bit disappointing though, you're both beautiful. And nearly opposites in color palletes. You would have made a very attractive pair, highness," Ronwyn suggest.

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Freyja scoffed. "Dearest Knight of mine, you say the funniest things. It doesn't matter how one looks. In am arranged marriage there is hardly ever love or even agreement. The two are paired for one thing: power. At least the prince and I have come to an agreement that will leave us both satisfied until further notice. Now if you don't mind, I would like to retire for the night." She said the last bit sharper than she intended but sometimes Ronwyn could be so...infuriating. and Taeya just nodded, ushering her brother out. When the door shut she sighed, sinking to the floor beside her bed and leaning her head back to look at the ceiling.

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She'd be meeting the inner circle tomorrow. She'd dress lightly to come off as innocent as possible. Even if the prince was close to them and trusted them, there would always be the chance that they would still hate her for being fae. She wondered how many he would actually tell about the agreement. She prayed that Ronwyn and Taeya would keep it to themselves. Of her father found out, he'd tell the world. Freyja groaned and closed her eyes.

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The Princess was swept into sleep right there. Without crawling under the covers. Taeya would lecture her for sure layer but the princess found herself to be too tired to actually get up and crawl under all the layers. She'd be fine there...

Claude, Aleksander and Montague were waiting for his return. Aleksander was draped dramatically across his bed, “We saw you leave the dinner with the princess,” Claude said from across the room sat on the chair in the corner next to Monty, “Tell us what happened,” she demanded.

“Are you doomed to a life of misery? Or is she everything you dreamed of?” Aleksander said bitterly.

Keenan knew that the news of the arranged marriage had hit Aleksander the hardest, after all they were lovers at the time. His father ended it between them without any regard for either of their feelings, Keenan was lucky that his father still allowed him to see Aleksander.

“Oh, come on Aleks,” Keenan said sitting on the bed.

“And where is your jacket? Your father would have a fit,” Monty interjected.

“Right you three,” Keenan said rolling his eyes, “are you going to actually let me tell you what happened or are you going to keep interrupting me?”

That shut the two men up and Claude simply looked amused, she was the protective older sister of the group, seemingly always amused by their squabbles.

“She is not interested in me like that, and I am not interested in her that way either. We agreed on a mutual friendship, and we would act the part in public but have no romantic relations behind closed doors. However, we cannot afford for her to look like a fool. Claude would you be willing to help her?”

Claude nodded, “Of course Kee, if it’s what will make you happy.”

Aleksander still looked hurt, Keenan knew it wasn’t ideal but he was doing his best. “I know it’s not ideal Aleks, but he was going to exile me.”

“So?” Aleksander said, “We could have left, there are vampire clans not associated with your royal bloodline.”

“But I would be nothing,” Keenan said hurt, “I have a reputation. They would consider me a blood traitor.”

“And whose fault is that?” Aleksander snapped.

Keenan was taken aback; it took him years to heal from his injury and now Aleksander was blaming him? Keenan lifted his chin, determined not to let Aleksander see how much he’d hurt him, “You will all be meeting her tomorrow, be civil.”

Keenan had never been more grateful for Claude when she herded the other two out of his room. He fell asleep the second he collapsed on his bed.

…

Breakfast was delivered to his room as always and once he was bathed and dressed, he was outside Freyja’s room waiting for her to be ready. He was wearing yet another high collared jacket with ornate embroidery. His father preferred that he dress that way and he could not be bothered fighting him on this.

His inner circle was waiting for them in one of the many drawing rooms. Claude was dressed to perfection as always, a vibrant red lipstick and dress creating a stark contrast to her long dark hair. Both Monty and Aleks were dressed in a similar manner to him, just significantly more casual, both ditching the jackets in favour of a plain shirt. Aleks long brown hair was tied back in a pony tail.

He gestured for Freyja to sit next to him as servants brought in a pitcher of blood and a pot of tea. Keenan smiled at Freyja, “Freyja, meet Montague, Aleksander and Claude.”

Aleksander gave Freyja a dirty look, Keenan scowled and mutter, “Be nice.”

Aleks rolled his eyes but Keenan hoped that would be the end of his petty jealousy.

Freyja was woken up by a frustrated Taeya. She hardly had time to take a bite out of the Pastry handed to her before she was chucked into the bathtub and scrubbed. Taeya would hear no excuses and she made sure the job was done right.

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Taeya had indeed yelled at her. For a whole half hour as she dressed the female into a simple cream colored skirt and poets blouse, stuffing her into a deep red vest instead of going through the whole corset process. She rambled through putting the wild curls into a braid and the pearls in her ears. And Freyja tied her heeled boots with a sigh. Her neck and back were killing her. She could have hugged the prince when he came to fetch her... and she could have ran out of the room he lead her into.

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Freyja curtsied and smiled, even to the one Keenan called Aleksander. Although a small part of her wanted to slap him, she only smiled and took her seat. "And you must be the lover, I assume?" She asked over her cup of tea, taking a small sip before placing it back on the plate. The princess debated on telling the prince to not bother, but that would be the equivalent of one of them telling Ronwyn she was a wench. Not good for her position. She gave a genuine smile to Claude though. She already could see herself admiring her. "I love your lip color," She didn't have time for any sort of makeup that morning - and she normally didn't wear any- but now she wished she had something that popped. To make her more memorable. Other than her pointed ears, of course.

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She smiled at Keenan, "Haven't you told them the deal? If so... I don't see why the lover is so crumpled this morning." She said, drinking another bit of tea. She sized Montague up as the trouble maker. It took her a moment to process that he was at the greeting and her eyes popped open. "I recognize you! You were at the greeting." She took a moment to assess the situation. For now, she had more than revealed she was either clueless and she was sure that Aleksander and her would be butting heads. Possibly frequently since so far the only vampire friend she had was the prince. His lover. Or Ex? The scent seemed to be growing faint. Strong on the Aleksander than Keenan. She couldn't tell until they were in the same room together. She smiled quietly towards each of them and placed her hands in her lap, twisting the ring on her left middle finger.

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Clearing her throat, she laughed a bit nervously. The air felt thin. "I would like you all to know that I truly don't plan on being in a Romantic relationship with your prince. But I do want peace between the countries and to do that I need to know etiquettes and just how to get by. I hope that you'll find that I'm open minded and quite willing. My requests are simply that you won't make me look a fool and you'll keep quiet that the prince and I don't plan on being involved. I'm sure the prince has already expressed this to you ad you'll probably do it because you're loyal to him. And I'll respect that as long as the facade works." She looked to Keenan to see if there was anything she really missed. She was here to meet his inner circle and here she was giving them a lecture? Maybe she had already messed up. It was funny to think that at the moment, her enemy's son was the one she was finding as an anchor.