Wide-eyed, Artie paused at the door. She was shocked at how Rumina behaved like they already knew each other from before. She figured that most royals and the high nobility would push her around for being an outsider. When she swept the room for the gazes of the entourage and the males, Larkin only gestured at the seat next to Rumina. Artie dropped the suspicion and went to sit.
Rumina then scooted a little to face Artie and picked up her hand to hold. "My, my, such an exotic beauty. Come, come, let me take a look at you." Rumina gently held Artie's face like a gentle auntie and examined her facial features. She then giggled. "Such a very young beauty. I wonder what Larkin offered in exchange."
