"You are wise beyond your years, Lady Kyera." he replied softly, there was a warmth in his cool eyes. He had never heard someone speak kindly of the Ice Queen sincerely, and yet she seemed to understand his mother's pain.
"Thank you, I do my best to learn." Kyera replied with a simple smile before looking up at her host. Prince Clovis smiled and motioned to the table.
"Thank you for coming, Crown Prince Viren. I am sorry to say I did not recognize you but it has been a while." Clovis greeted as he led Kyera to her seat and pulled it out for her. The other two men walked to the table and also took their seats.
"Not at all, your father seemed to shift away from you as his successor, and as a result I started meeting your elder brothers." Viren replied but there was a sense of distaste in the air. Kyera could tell this Snow Leopard had zero love for the other prince's he had met.
"Yes well, that was not purely father's choice. I did step away and leave him to make such a decision." Clovis replied smoothly. Viren nodded, his expression slightly amused.
"Yes, I heard. I was quite surprised by the news, but with your wife's death and a daughter to raise it was understandable. I take it you have reconsidered?" he asked raising a brow. Clovis waved for the servants to begin setting the table.
"Yes, I have decided Raina is old enough and I have enough support to care for my family and take the throne." Clovis replied as the plates were filled with delicious dishes. Kyera watched the two Prince's speak, her eyes occasionally flicking to Mordrin out of curiosity. He was unreadable, if you didn't know his ticks.
"I have a feeling there is more to it. Prince Mordrin told me that you needed support of another ally kingdom. If you had the support why would you need me?" Viren asked as he took a bite of pastry smeared with meat sauce. Clovis smiled softly, wondering how true to be.
"Prince Viren, I think you are being short sighted. Yes, Prince Clovis has all the support he needs to take the throne but not sustain it. Your kingdom has been on shaky ground with our own as of late." Kyera pointed out with a sweet grin. Viren's attention fell to her as he wondered where she was going with this.
"That is true. Ever since the War on kindred." Mordrin offered nodding at Kyera "There was a lot of strife from Shadow Veil and Viren against your kingdom."
"Exactly. The last thing Clovis wants is a weak point. Why not take advantage of this crowning and turn two near enemies to friends?" Kyera offered tilting her head a bit teasingly. Viren noticed the feline gesture and smiled. He knew she was extending a hand herself as well.
"I see. So, Prince Clovis what do you want from me?" Viren asked curiously. Her words coupled with Mordrin's assistant points were very persuasive. Especially since supporting this prince seemed to be supporting The Shade Moon Princess.
"Well, Honestly I wish to work on a pact with you and secure it with Trading routes. Something to bring our two cultures together." Prince Clovis offered and Kyera stopped for a moment, meeting Viren's eyes. This was a instant deal breaker.
The kingdom of the Snow Phoenix was the only safe haven for shifter Kin, with a shifter family ruling it. They never married outside their kingdom and there were only certain towns outsiders could visit. Even then it was only for short times and completely unarmed. No merchants traveled between kingdoms, it was just too risky. If the other kingdoms ganged up go take the snow Leopard royals out… there would be nothing left of the Shifter Kin.
"No. Absolutely not." Viren began go say but a clattering sound stopped him and drew the men's attentions. Kyera was dusting glass off herself from her cup. The elegant Tigress had dropped her glass on the edge of the table.
"Oh my, I am so sorry Fourth Prince…" Kyera began to apologize as he waved a couple servants over. Clovis gave her a look and helped her get out of the now shard strewn chair.