Everyone was greeting princess Lola with smiles and hundreds of compliments. Even if they looked down on her, she was still the future crown princess to be, so almost everyone wished to be on her good side. There were some that still could not hold back from snide remarks, but Lola would never be hurt by such petty individuals. She was trying to greet and have small talk with everyone who approached her, but sheer number of people coming over was to overwhelming. Still this was a golden opportunity to make some connections in a land that was to foreign for her. She was smart and eloquent, so after a while people started getting drown to her. They could not quite put there hand on what it was, but she surely had a lot of it. Duchess Mtvare of Gogra was especially delighted by her witty remarks and extraordinary stories. She was one of the most influential Women in Dali and getting her on her side would have been a grand achievement. "You really are a marvelous company to have. My dear i would love to invite you to my garden soirée." Said the duchess.
Lola was overjoyed. This meant that she would be able to enter the inner social circle. "I would love..."
Suddenly prince Valentine who did not say anything the whole conversation, stepped in. " My apologies our esteemed guests, but we have to greet his majesty the king immediately. We will be excusing ourselves." Said the prince and led Lola away from the crowd.
Lola felt a little disappointed, to be interrupted by him when she was finally making progress. Why would he pool her out at the exact time when duchess Mtvare was inviting her to the social event of the year? Wasn't it necessary for the future crown princess to make connections with the influential nobles? Was it just her imagination or did he interrupt her intentionally? No! What could his incentive even be? He is kind and gentle. There is no need to think up conspiracy theories. Walking beside her he looked so dashing. She smiled and said to him. "Thank you. I was beginning to get overwhelmed by so many people coming over at once."
Prince Valentine looked at her with curious eyes and finally smiled. " It is completely normal to be overwhelmed. Do not worry when meeting the king and the queen. I will be right beside you, helping you in every way." Reassured her prince Valentine.
He was being so sweet. Maybe everything he said in her room and his actions just now were just her imagination. Maybe she just misunderstood him. They walked through the entire great hall and reached the golden platform with red carpet coming down its stairs. On it stood two thrones were the king and his queen set. King Matti Ushgul first of his name looked as dashing as ever. His royal wine collared attire, with a mantle sewed from gold threads and epolets on his shoulders made him look mighty and untouchable. The golden crown wearer was always the center of everyones attention and he looked as if he really was born for it. His queen Lomia Gviania Lebi, set elegantly by his side, dressed in cream colored outer dress, with long sleeves cut in half and golden, red, blue, and white embroidered small lower ornaments on the inside of it. Outer dress was cascading down and three buttons were tied in the front. The rest was open and inside was visible orange, gold, red and white embroidered dress. on her tied up smooth black hair ley a golden crown with red diamonds in it. her beautiful black eyes were casted down. In Dali it was inappropriate for a woman of high status to look, the man in the eyes. Lola lost her breath looking at this beautiful couple. They looked so perfect together. Beside the king stood four women, his mistresses.
Down by the platform stood three dashing man and one young boy. This were the princes of Dali. As was custom the princes had to remain next to the king to greet all the guests and only then could they move about freely. The princesses were already enjoying themselves and dancing to the marvelous music, as they had no official job on this day. Prince Valentine and princess Lola approached the platform, put there hands on there chins and bended forward. "Long live to the sun and moon of Dali his majesty Matti Ushgul first of his name. Long live to her majesty, mother of our people queen Lomi Gviania Lebi."
"You may rise." Said King Matti.
They lifted there heads.
"Princess of Ujarma i officially welcome you to our country of Dali, with this gala hosted in your honor. You will have to get adjusted to the way thing are here. Prince Valentine will be helping you all the way and if need be you are always welcome to seek me out."
"Thank you your majesty for such a warm welcome. As s princess of Ujarma I have brought gifts for your majesty and your lovely wife and .... mistresses. Please let me present them." Said Lola and raised her hand on her side. Her attendants immediately brought over six gifts. The mistresses received jewels of unimaginable beauty made from the rare blue diamonds only found in Ujarma. They squealed from happiness upon seeing it. The queen received bouquet of rare red stones called Lali, crystallized in flower like form. It was an unimaginable thing to see them in such a form and in this quantity. She was vary pleased. Queen Lomi smiled and thanked Lola. The king as was custom received the grandes gift of all, the secret sword of Ujarma, only ever carried by its citizens- Xmali.
"It is truly a marvelous creation and a pleasing gift, but i was under the impression that it was treason to ever hand Xmali over to anyone outside of Ujarma."
"Yes your majesty is correct. This time it is an exception and a gift from our king Machubi Iona Dumil, as a show of support for this unions."
King Matti smiled. Xmali was the mightiest of weapons to ever be made by Ujarmas citizens, masters of weapon crafting. It was a worthy gift for a king as strong as him, but that was not the reason he was so pleased. He now could see that Ujarma was seriously supporting there princess and the union was within reach. This would make Dali the strongest Country on the continent.
"We appreciate your gifts princess Lola. Now please enjoy yourself. You as well my sons." Addressed the king his three sons standing at the bottom of the podium. "You have fulfilled your duties for today. Go and have some fun."
Lola bowed one more time and stepped aside with prince Valentine. The eldest prince approached them with a happy smile.
"It is such a pleasure to finally meet you princess Lola. I have always been fascinated by your beautiful country of Ujarma. If you have some time in the future i would love to hear about it." Said prince Shermandin Mi Si Ushgul and kissed Lolas hand.
Prince Valentine pushed him aside. "Stop kissing up to her, it won't work anyway"
"What would not work?" though to herself Lola. There was something escaping her perception.
"O come on. She seems wonderful and so interesting. Unlike some wallflower who can't even walk for more then ten minutes without collapsing."
"Stop butting in. Let's just go and have a drink."
"Are we not greeting the rest of the princes?" Asked Lola.
Prince Valentine and prince Shermandin frowned. "No, that won't be necessary." Blurted out prince Valentine with hate in his voice and walked away.
Prince Shermandin just looked unimaginably sad. "Lets just go. There is no convincing him."
Lola walked out with them and looked behind catching a glimpse of the three princes. The young boy looked sad and lonely looking at his brothers backs, while the older forth prince Michnari Tito Ushgul and the fifth prince Balac Sem Ushgul had resentment filling their beautiful chestnut colored eyes, directed at prince Valentine. Lola had always heard how King Matti raised his sons to be close and loyal to one another, so what happened in this short time to change everything so drastically.