Keenan choked on his drink, both Monty and Aleks seemed shocked, even cool calm and collected Claude seemed shocked. “How does she- how do you know? If you don’t find my asking rude,” Claude said.

Cool calm and collected Claude who knew how to ask the right questions. Both Keenan and Aleks were flushed red and Monty just seemed worried. They were all grateful when Freyja changed the topic by complimenting Claude. He could have sworn she was glowing. It felt genuine and kind and to Claude it was nice to have a compliment that wasn’t a direct result of one of the males hitting on her. Claude relaxed with and easy smile, “Thank you, I really like your hair, it truly is the most divine colour.”

At least Keenan could rely on her to keep things civil

And as soon as Keenan thought they had avoided the topic, she mentioned it again. Not that he was dramatic or anything but Keenan wanted to die. He wanted the floor to open up and swallow him whole. Maybe this was a bad idea, scratch that, it was a really bad idea. Maybe it would be a bad idea to leave Freyja and Claude alone together, hell he was rethinking this whole thing. Perhaps exile wouldn’t be the worst option. “It’s complicated,” Keenan said in a small voice.

“Complicated?” Aleksander snarled.

“Are you kidding me? Hell, I’m betting you didn’t even tell her you were attracted to both genders. Is that all I am to you Keenan? Something hidden in disgust. I’m not surprised you were considered blood traitor until you slept around the castle so much that your father had no choice but to forgive you before you turned the castle against him. You never even loved me, did you? It just allowed you another political advantage,” Alecks yelled.

Keenan flinched, the hurt clearly painted across his face. “It wasn’t like that at all. I had no choice,” Keenan said gently, he reached out to touch Alecks’ arm, who jerked it away violently, clearly very angry.

Aleksander stood and bowed to Freyja, “It was a pleasure meeting you, princess. I hope that you don’t mind if I excuse myself.”

“Aleks wait!” Keenan said but it was too late, Aleks was gone.

Monty stood, “I would like to get to know you further princess especially if you will become a permanent fixture at court but I should go deal with Aleksander before he causes a scene.”

Keenan nodded at Monty, he was embarrassed and had probably just lost one of his best friends. He had no idea how Aleksander felt, he’d never said anything or maybe Keenan had never listened.

Claude was desperate to excuse herself, “I will of course help you with the intricacies of court but I believe I should leave you two talk.”

Keenan nodded and turned to Freyja, “I promise we don’t usually argue this much… it’s just complicated at the moment. Aleksander was hurt when my father told him that we were no longer allowed to be together. We aren’t even allowed to be alone together regardless of the circumstances. He doesn’t understand that I had to bargain with my father so that he wouldn’t be executed. Perhaps it is better this way. If he believes me to be a monster, he will stay away,” Keenan sighed, looking down and fiddling with a button on the cuff on his jacket, “the blood traitor thing is complicated. I was pardoned eventually but that doesn’t mean something didn’t happen.”

Freyja watched as the room went tense to explosive. Fryeja visibly winced away and had to focus herself entirely just to nod at Aleksander making his exit. She was able to lift her hand to wave Montague farewell. And then Keenan's quick explanation. Aleksander's explosion. Talk about sensory overload. The princess sat there nimbly for a few heartbeats before she stood, clearing her throat as she did so. "To answer your question earlier, Claude, scent. We can smell fear, attraction, and what we call mate bonds. I will answer any other questions... another day. I think I'd like to see the Stables? Perhaps a ride? Oh, no. I can't. I'm supposed to see someone about the wedding arrangements," She was nervously rambling by the end, scratching her neck nervously by the end of the experience. "Keenan, you are welcome to join but I think you have a few patches you need to mend," She said softly.

.

The Princess headed for the door, pausing as she reached for the handle. "For the record, I wouldn't care who shared your bed. Regardless of their gender. More than one female has warmed my own bed," She said quietly, slipping out into the hall silently.

.

Much to her dismay, it was her brother that greeted her. "Come along sister, I promise to play nice. I'm to deliver you to a group of ladies to help narrow your selection for the wedding. I've talked it over with the King and it's going to be held in exactly one week." He said placing his arm and she linked hers in his, as expected. "I will say, the two males who walked out before you did not look too happy. The prince is in there alone?" He asked curiously.

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Freyja rolled her eyes, "Stop trying to get answers out of me. I will tell you what I want and nothing more. I like the prince. He's pleasant and I don't think the alliance will be at risk through us. You and father have nothing to be concerned about."

.

"Until you throw a royal tantrum and kill half the staff," he said quietly, smoothly. With a smile.

.

Freyja wrinkled her nose, "I've never done such a thing, Faustian. I think that was... oh yeah, you." She said, poking his arm for emphasis with her own grin. "But what the heck, right. You told father it was me and me being a giftless little princess, how could anyone stay mad? Huh?"

.

Faust huffed a smile, "No, sister, I owned up to that. I speak of the summer house. Father did all he could to cover it up. Word came by the messenger yesterday that the house mysteriously collapsed. Father sent a separate letter just for my eyes that revealed the truth. I think you'll fit in well here. Even on their hunts. Perhaps you'll even grow into their tastes." He said. By then, her face had been drained of color and she started to open her mouth but he smirked. "Cassian will be here in three days to help me with preparing. You two are not supposed to be alone before or after, but anything for you, little sister."

.

"Thank you for escorting me to my destination, but I would like to enter on my own," She stopped a maid. "Please bring me some tea."

.

Faustian scoffed. "So polite, so sweet." He reached to pinch her cheek. "My perfect little princess. I don't like how close you and the prince are already. It's been less than twenty four hours and he was already being awfully territorial-"

.

Freyja smacked his hand away, "They have ways of working. They don't see that as a display of dominance. It was common decency," She left the male at that and entered into another tense room full of vampires. And females at that. She could already feel their eyes raking over her to get their first impression of the fae princess. Instinctively, she straightened her back and gave a polite smile. She just survived Aleksander, she'd get through choosing napkin colors.

More than one female had warmed her bed. He wasn’t alone, he would have an ally with his soon to be wife even if Aleks no longer wanted to be around him. Keenan was grateful for the opportunity to patch things up. Court was messy enough and his father would kill him if Aleksander started spreading rumours about him cheating before his wedding night. If he wasn’t around to protect him, Aleksander would have a target on his back and Keenan’s father would love an excuse to kill him.

Rushing outside a few moments after Freyja, he hoped to catch Aleks and Monty. He was disappointed to see her ghastly brother escorting her through the hallways, but it would do them good to spend time apart, they couldn’t have people thinking that they have grown too close too quickly. As it turned out Monty was looking for him, dragging a rather sullen Aleksander around behind him. “Keenan, I have news about your wedding,” Monty said.

Keenan nodded, he doubted much had changed, “You will wed princess Freyja in a week,” Monty replied.

Keenan sighed, Monty never came with good news and now he was feeling panicked. Creating their arrangement was one thing but that was when the wedding was weeks away. Did he know the princess well enough for this to work? The thought scared him, the wedding was like impending doom, his freedom would be restricted and his life scrutinised. Aleksander did not seem to handle the news well either, they had to sort this mess out before they were caught by the fae.

Keenan took Aleksander’s hand and surprisingly, he didn’t flinch away. Keenan pressed a brick on the wall and slipped into the secret passage with Aleks in tow. Monty knew what was going on and took that as his cue to leave. The door closed and they were alone.

“Kee, I’m sorry. I was angry, alone and jealous,” Aleks started.

Keenan cut him off, “It’s not your fault Aleks. Most of what you said was true, I was just too thick skulled to hear it. You were wrong about one thing, I always loved you, always will, it was never for a political advantage. We just have to be more careful, they can smell it on us. It could ruin the alliance.”

Aleks nodded, “Perhaps it is best that I am excused from your inner circle, if Freyja could smell it on us in that room, then perhaps we should not be that close to each other. Restrict visits to private places and use the passages, but for now I think we both need time.”

A mutual split was far better than the one that was forced upon them. That meant that no bad feelings were held by either side, however he was worried about this whole Fae can smell the bond from relationships. If Faustin found out, he would be as good as dead. With the pressure from the Fae, his father would probably be more than happy to execute him.

They parted ways in the passages, Keenan heading towards the room where poor Freyja was stuck deciding on wedding decorations. He dusted himself off and knocked the door, making sure she was still okay with his presence.

Freyja was already ready to run away. These females were absolutely against her and they made no effort to hide it. When the knock came she said "come in" far too sharply. She actually stood from her seat with four napkins of different shade in front of her and ran to the door and sighed with relief.

.

"Keenan! Oh, thank goodness!" She sighed, shoulders sagging ever so slightly and she could sense a few of the vampires behind her bristling at the informal tone used towards their prince. Or perhaps it was the fact that it was just coming from her. She glanced behind her and regained her posture, clearing her throat. "We were just, uh, discussing napkin shades. I like the black ones but they insist the red one would look better against the tables heels. That might either be black or red." She sighed, clenching the bridge of her nose.

.

However, her expression changed to concern. "Were you able to work out everything for your groomsmen?" She asked, trying to be as discreet as possible. She knew there would be ears on them from now on. She should have made better use of the garden time last night instead of claiming she had the shivers. So many questions. He must know the date had been bumped up and she could only imagine the tension between him and Aleksander at the moment.

.

Freyja decided the moment she scented their connection that she wouldn't ask Aleksander to celebrate the union. That wasn't right. In any way. But it did answer a lot of her suspicious things about the deal, why he was so willing to accept. And she admitted she took varied sorts into her chambers in relations.

.

It was comforting to have someone who understood. Especially in this crowd. The only time she'd been caught was with Helena, Her oldest brother's current wife. Of course it was only during their engagement and they were only caught by Taeya. The princess was very lucky to have someone so loyal to her to not tell. Otherwise her head would have been on a block.

.

"Also, I can't decide. Golden or silver candle holders? Silver better compliments the pallete but the gold would go with my eyes and your hair," She said, leading him over to where she once sat. She needed to be on her feet at the moment and it seemed the people around her were in shock. It took them a moment before they grabbed varied items. The candle holders, the candles, napkins, cutlery, plates, etc. Freyja even watched them place down Item she had already made a decision on.

.

"Would you like something to drink?" She asked the prince, fiddling with a cream colored napkin she had given a hard pass on which seemed to relieve the others. She wasn't ignorant. She didn't want bloodstains at her wedding. Love involved or not, it was still the day every little girl dreamed of and she still wanted everything perfect. ""I also wanted to ask, is your father making the arrangements for the entertainment? I'm afraid we wouldn't be able to find much more than a band this late. I thought we would have at least two weeks," She muttered the last sentence, more to herself than him. Once again she found herself having to stand up straight once more and put on a smile.

The Princess followed Keenan's lead with little objection, bowing her head ever so slightly to the person who brought her the cloak that she was now clutching to her chest. It was a bit refreshing to have the prince ramble on and on with questions instead of her. Part of her felt awful for even being here. Before this morning it was just the fact that she didn't want to be forced into a loveless marriage. Now Aleksander was another factor. She couldn't imagine her wedding without Ronwyn as he was her best male friend or even Taeya. But she also didn't want to cause the other pain so she understood the need to distance himself from the two.

.

"Well dear prince, all of our senses are unique. My brother can just picture the person off of a scent, even if he doesn't know who it is. I see images. So when I catch you scent I see... the moon. In the woods. With snow on the ground, only there's a sharp tang so that it feels as if I should be taking caution. That normally means the other is a foe, and I mean. We were at war for... too long." She gave a breathy laugh, pushing a curl behind her ear before she cleared her throat and continued. "Aleksander's looked like.... a fire. Only with lots of smoke. Very passionate. But then I could see the moon above. It's a mental image for me. Some people can just smell others and connect the two. That's most common. Father used to joke about using me instead of his Bloodhounds. But your scent on him wasvery faint. I couldn't tell till I completely sat down."

.

Mates would be trickier to explain. Not to mention a bit embarrassing. How about, ah yes, us fae believe in true love... even after all this time. Maybe a few eyelash bats. She could already feel the color blooming on her cheeks at the thought. "Mates are, um, I think only a fae thing. It's becoming more rare to find your mate nowadays but a mate bond is strong than even a mother's instinct to protect their young. Sometimes you can be friends with your mate for forever and never know. It doesn't always click at first glance sometimes it takes marriage and some, uh, more. But mate bonds make you smell strongly of your other. It's a way fae males used to mark territory and the females did as well. I mean, some of us still do. My brother reeks of his wife. Anyways, with a mate bond it's so strong you would do anything to guarantee their safety. Some can even feel their other's pain to the same degree as if they themselves were wounded. It's complicated yet simple, I'm sorry if I don't make any sense."

.

She had began to fidget with her fingers under the layer of her cloak as he continued. And she nodded along. "I can confirm there are many things I'd rather you not know about me. And I hope you'll do the same for me," She said, looking up at him as she offered a small smile. Faust already knew they were close and so soon... she wouldn't put it psst him to tell the prince that his fiancé was a murderer. To be fair, you get told your lover was killed and then (within the same sentence) get told that you're marrying the Heir to the throne of the King who had them killed. Faust had more blood on his hands than she did. Unconsciously, she wiped her hands on her skirt as if she could get the feeling off. "I'd like you to ask me first, before jumping to any conclusions, if you're told anything. Especially by my brother. He mixes fiction with fact. I will try to be as honest as I can about that but I'll respect your boundaries if you respect mine. Do not bother with my past lovers. None of them are a problem."

.

She nudged him gently with her elbow,"But I am going to embroider Aleksander and Montague matching coats, what are their favorite colors? Yes, I am trying to win them over. I feel I have a lot farther to go with Aleksander. Would you like a jacket as well? I've noticed you never really take yours off other than last night..." She shrugged. None of her business. Yet. "How do you feel about.... blue?" She asked, trying to lighten the solemn mood. So much stress. Surely they could just relax. Even if it's for a few moments. The prince looked like he was ready to combust. Stress and worry could age even the immortal.

This explanation of how the fae could smell lovers did not ease his conscience the slightest. Avoiding Faustin seemed to be in his best interest right now and if he as being completely honest, he had no desire to be around her brother. “I made the right decision in sending Aleks away then. It’s a risk neither of us can afford to take. I wasn’t lying when I said he had gone to visit family. Aleks has only been a vampire for the last decade, so he still goes to visit his human family once a year. He’s permitted a longer stay this time as his sister is gravely ill and my father refuses to spare any healers to help her.”

Keenan could still remember the day he found Aleksander, his sire had dropped him off in human village and left him there, knowing the carnage that would result. Keenan remembered seeing Aleks wrapped in silver chains as his father prepared to execute him. It was the first time Keenan had begged his father to spare his life but certainly wasn’t the last. The King obliged hoping a pet project would help Keenan settle back into court life, Keenan did settle for a few years but not in the way his father wanted. It did make him look kind and that’s what the people needed to see him as after he was branded a blood traitor.

Keenan grimaced as she explained mates, “I hope this doesn’t offend you but that sounds rather disgusting. Being able to constantly smell some ones lover or mate. Also sounds exhausting for the rest of you. Always smelling like someone else is kind of gross,” he chuckled.

Of course there were things about her that she would rather he didn’t know and it did not surprise him in the slightest that Faustin would try and drive a wedge between them. “Of course,” he said facing her, “The longer you spend at court, the more rumours you will hear about me, I would like you to ask me first before jumping to conclusions. I have been alive for over 200 years, I am a very different person now to the one I was 100 years ago but in a court that loves to gossip, things from years ago still haunt me.”

He smiled when she said about embroidering jackets, “I would like that very much. The constant jacket wearing is by my father’s orders, I feel like it is a story for another time. You don’t have to try very hard to win over Montague as he likes you already, Aleks is fickle and sensitive at the moment. He felt like we had been together for a long time and is hurt. He still lives as if he has a human life span, rather than that of an immortal. I do think they would both be very appreciative of the gift though. Vampires tend to exclusively wear reds, black and dark purples and blues. Don’t over think the colour, the gesture is what will win them over.”

He his horse as they came into the village market, “I know you are stuck here in a court full of blood thirsty monsters but there is more to this kingdom.”

He dismounted, handing his horse to the local stable boy along with several gold coins, he helped Freyja down before offering her his arm so they could walk through the market. “This is one of the villages where humans and vampires live in peace. The night life here is buzzing and always full of people, making it very easy to just slip into the crowd.”

He stopped a stall filled with green apples, he picked one up and handed the stall holder more than enough coin, “Do you want one?” he asked.

Taking a bite out of his own, he forgot how difficult it was to do with fangs. He laughed as juice dripped down his hand. He pulled out his handkerchief to wipe it off before smiling at Freyja, “This is significantly harder than I remember,” he said with a laugh.

Discarding his failed attempt at eating an apple, he led her into the centre where the music was loud, clear and happy. He offered her his hand, “Will you honour me with this dance?” He asked, giving a her a lopsided grin.

Freya nodded," it is quite disgusting, isn't it?" But that was the end of that discussion. They had entered the village. The princess sort of drowned out the prince's next words as she gazed at the sight. It was buzzing with activity and smelled positively divine. It took her more than a few moments to realize that the prince had already dismounted and handed his horse over. She looked at the stableboy sheepishly and slid out of her saddle. "Sorry," She said, handing over the horse.

.

She followed Keenan, trying to keep close but she kept pausing at vendors left and right to see their wares. Freyja kindly declined the princess offer of an apple. It was green and she wasn't very keen on sour things. But she couldn't stop the bark of laughter as the prince bit in and it resulted in juices dribbling down his chin and his confession on how he'd forgotten about how hard apple's were. "I prefer pink lady apples. Softer and sweeter, but crisp so you're not eating mush. I think you'll find that I am a very picky eater," She grinned, looking at the next booth that had bracelets made of simple cord.

.

She was about to ask about them when the prince led her to the Heart of where the music was coming from. She didn't know a single step in the dance and she gulped at his request. She shouldn't have met his eyes because that's when she was lost. Freyja caught the contagious grin and sighed, "Fine. But just this once. It is an extreme honor to be considered worthy to dance with the wonderful Princess Freyja de Atwood-Omelle!" She said firmly, but tried to position herself best to follow the prince's movements.

.

As she caught on and was able to move quicker, the ribbon holding her hair gave out and released the wild wine red ringlets. Freyja couldn't stop grinning though and occasionally she'd even giggle, giddy on the high she was getting. She hadn't had this much fun since the Moon Festival and that had been ages ago! Her mother was still alive for it and the princess had danced and danced and danced until there were holes in both her shoes, but she didn't stop until the bottoms of her feet were nearly raw.

.

She never imagined this. Becoming friends with a vampire. Marrying one should have been on her possibilities list, even if she didn't want it. But she found herself genuinely enjoying the company of the vampire prince. The Heir to the people who had slaughtered her own and yet she'd rather dance with him than any of the Rats back at the castle. Save for Ronwyn and maybe Cassian.

.

"Prince Keenan, I do believe I have a confession to make," She said between steps, trying to keep her breathing steady. "I don't think I've had this much fun with anyone in ages. Who would have thought that someone nearly seventy years older than me could be so much fun? Do all vampires dance this good, or just you, highness?" She asked coyly, clearly playfully as she was all smiles and laughter now.

.

All of her training all these years for her to be the perfect wife, perfect matron of a house for a royal, to possibly be a queen one day... just for her to go dancing with the enemy's son and get an adrenaline high. Perhaps she didn't care at this point. If they locked her up and only allowed her to dance to this tune she would be happy just to do that.

.

"I have another confession, Your Highness, " She paused, lowering her voice. "I love it here," She said, giving a quick glance around at the people who very well might hate her just for being fae. But she loved it here. Even if it was just this village. The music, the smells, the children laughing in the background. It just...made sense.

Keenan laughed, “We shall have to inform the cook of your preferences then. Personally, I just think apples are weird, incredibly difficult to eat unless cut,” he said sheepishly.

The dancing made him feel alive. Both of them moving as one to the music. The music got faster and he pulled her closer so they could move quicker. They quickly melded into the crowd. Keenan laughed, giddy on the high of the music. They may not be in love but they had their own bond and he loved her as friend. The ribbon holding her hair up, tumbled to the floor, Keenan grinned as the curls bounce around her face. When the song finished, he pulled away. Allowing them both a minute to recover.

.

Keenan scoffed, pretending to offended, “I am not that old,” he laughed, “I am still able to have a good time. But to answer your question, most noble vampires know how to dance, not all are as graceful as I am. Good luck if you accept a dance with Montague, watch your toes in that instance. I tried to teach him to be more refined but he has no interest in dancing. Claude is a brilliant dancer, better than myself. Aleks, is fairly good considering his age. My father believes dancing is the foundation to a solid aristocracy. I don’t know if I agree but it has served me well,” he said with a shrug.

.

He grinned, “I’m glad to hear it. I was worried that you would feel unsafe or worse hate it here, hate me even.”

They were an unlikely pair. He was surprised that she felt so safe together, hell he was actually having fun. He couldn’t remember the last time that was. He was happy with Aleks and the inner circle, but this was different. They were free of the niceties of the court and free of the rumours that followed him. He was just as involved in the war as he imagined at least one of her brothers were. No one came out of this looking particularly good.

.

Keenan looked up at the sky and frowned, “we should get going, it’s not long until dawn and I’d rather not be caught outside when the sun comes up. If we are lucky we should make it back to the castle to catch the tail end of dinner.”

He led her through the crowd, back to where the horses were waiting, walking slightly too fast but he really did not want to get burner, at least not today. As they rode back to the castle he looked across to her, “As the wedding is less than a week away, your lessons with Claude start tomorrow, I want to give you as much time as possible to prepare,” he said gently.

.

He hesitated just outside of the castle, "When we are alone, you don't have to call me highness. I would much prefer if you called me Kee, everyone close to me does," he said tucking two strands of pale blond hair behind his ears.

He ducked inside, turning towards her, "Sleep well Freyja and good luck in the morning.".

.

He slipped away into the castle. He had a lot of complicated feelings to sort through. He missed Aleks, more than he thought he would but it wasn't worth risking both of their lives to keep him close. He just wished that he could have been around for the wedding. Faustin was the problem, the fae that would know too much. Keenan knew that Faustin was likely a spy, he carried himself with that untouchable arrogance. Then there was his relationship with Freyja. He was expecting to be trapped in a loveless marriage where they both despised each other, instead they had come to a somewhat complicated agreement. He believed that they would find companionship together, close friends but they would never be anything more than that. Neither of them had that desire but it seemed those around them had already attempted to seal that fate.

.

Freyja said she was happy there but would that feeling remain as she became more involved in the court? Vampires had mercilessly slaughtered entire villages of fae, hell it would not surprise Keenan if they still had fae prisioners in the dungeons. He was not exempt from that responsibility, he had lived through the war, fought in it, even fed of the fae prisoners before they were slaughter. They were desperate but it was not the point, no matter how civilised they were, at the end of the day, vampires were savage monsters. He just wondered how much her opinion of him would change once she learned the truth. By then they would be married and then it would be too late but she would hate him, and that was one of the last things he would want.

.

He stopped a servant and ordered blood to be sent to his room, he was far too tired to spend time in the dining hall and make pointless conversation. Once back in his room, he felt instantly safer. He knew where everything was and no one would bother him. He shrugged off the jacket and sat on the bed. He had to feed otherwise he would be starving the next day but he was exhausted and so much had happened.

Freyja skipped dinner and didn't even call for Taeya after the prince. She heated her own water and poured the oils in her tub and then crawled in the piping water. Everything ached at the moment. She had definitely had a wonderful time but now her feet were protesting ever moving again. She sighed, blowing a curl out of her face. She'd make a point to visit again soon. Not just for the music, but for the vendors.

.

Some of the treats smelled divine.

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Another thought that crossed her mind as she leaned against the walls of the basin was Aleksander and his I'll sister. The king hadn't provided a healer for her either... Taeya had taken some training before she became the princess's lady in Waiting. From the ages of 13 till only a few years ago. And she was trying to get on his good side all while showing that the fae could be good allies. She'd ask Keenan first, but perhaps she should send Taeya out to see what the female could accomplish or if the sister was already too far gone.

.

After washing, Freyja barely dried before she just climbed into the bed provided and cuddled closely to herself. It wasn't long before she was soundly sleeping. Not even a hurricane could wake the poor fae as she slept for the near full duration of the night. She woke just before the sun would start to set and wrapped herself in a robe to watch as the sun started to paint the sky with vibrant hues. Pity that some of the citizens wouldn't see it. She retreated back into her room and shut the balcony doors so that she could get dressed.

.

She was still going through her trunk when Taeya walked in, eyes wide. "My goodness... I don't think I've ever seen you get out of bed without a long procession of bribery and threats before, " She said with a grin, setting down a small basket that smelled like Biscuits and butter. "I guess I owe Ronwyn some money. He said you were off and you'd do something weird. Although, I don't think he meant this. And have you been looking around? Nanny never mentioned how very attractive these vampires are!" Taeya went on rambling as Freyja slipped into a charcoal colored gown with no real detailing other than the black ribbons in the front and the pale lace around the hem and sleeve ends. Taeya put her hair up in a twist of sorts, letting the majority of it fall over her shoulder and frame her face. The only real accessory was a black ribbon tied around the princess's neck.

.

"Taeya, how would you feel about trying to heal a member of Aleksander's family? The King hasn't any healers to spare," She said, fingering a curl around a long finger. "I haven't discussed it with Keenan yet but I think it would help out with our alliance a bit, you know? I mean, you are my lady in Waiting and so that it could be seen as the future queen is generous and caring. Also, I think Aleksander wishes I was never born and I really want to get on his good side," Freyja said, by the end she was nearly pleading with Taeya who was frozen in shock. Anyone could easily scent the tang of fear in the room. Freyja silently cursed herself.

.

"Don't give me an answer right away.... think on it! Okay? I'm alright with whichever decision you make, but soon. Okay? Alright, I'm off to meet with Lady Claude. Make sure Ronwyn eats his breakfast and wakes up. He's going to need to get used to the new sleep schedule, " She said, taking a buttered biscuit and taking a bite out of it, heading out the door as soon as she swallowed to find Claude. She was excited to finally be getting some lessons in the vampiric way. Sure, the prince was good to flaunt when she needed an authority and some relaxation but so far she knew that Common decency for fae was nearly the equivalent of Vampire Common decency. What a relief.