"This is certainly dragging on. I'm glad we can take a break finally." Hana says through pursed lips, her displeasure apparent. Admittedly, five hours without a break was certainly a task.
"Dillia Statia, Vedia Aquilia, how are you my two friends?!" Kira greets a group of ladies in passing. She breaks from Catreena's side to discuss with the ladies, trailing off towards groups of armored knights.
"She works fast…" Hana quips before turning to face the nobles coming up before them.
"One has to given the break isn't for long. Being my ladies in waiting unfortunately means you must accompany me most of the time. My apologies." Catreena retorts, giving Hana a smirk as she sticks her tongue out at her.
"My Queen, it's a pleasure to see your glory, and in such great health!" A handsome count named Kristall Rósbergsson greets her, him inheriting the title from his older brother that passed during the war.
"You flatter me Count Kristall Rósbergsson, I hope you find the festivities to your liking." Catreena replies easily, taking note of the group of the five young heirs eying her and her lady.
"Our Grace, how can one not enjoy it when we're given the opportunity to bask in you and your ladies' beauty." Bradon Lebron jumps in eagerly, offering a secretive smile as he does so.
"How kind of you to offer such words, I hope that you're able to find yourself a wife that's able to withstand such ready compliments." Catreena retorts steadily, unfussed by him.
"I should hope so, thank you for such well wishes your Grace!" Bradon replies with a humble disposition.
"Of course her Majesty rather happy to make her rounds with this break, I believe we must hurry to the next groups." Hana cuts in, giving the bowing men an annoyed look as they part ways.
"You really should learn to be less abrasive Hana. You yourself must find a suitable suitor as well." Catreena says lowly to her Lady, not wishing for others to hear.
"My Queen, you come first! Besides, I'm not in any rush to waste my time with these men." Hana huffs with an eye roll. "They're all self-serving idiots that only think with their pricks and only wish to use their wives."
Catreena frowns, then loops her arm through her friend's. Hana had been badly scorned by her first proper suitor, a duke that no longer lived. Said had used her harshly, then cheated on her repeatedly before leaving her for the first woman he impregnated. "Not all are like Duke Owen Horner, though it would be easy to assume so. Come, let's see whom else wishes to bore us."
"Yes, that sound like fun." Hana replies with a small smile, then shrugs off her melancholy to return to the feisty woman she was. Of course, it took a while for her to become stronger and more steadfast as she was now after the harshness the duke left her with.
"My Queen, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Marquees Nicolai Sanguinoso, a cousin of your husband, King Eldon Oblivion." A nearby group of vampiric males step forward, not blocking her path but to their side respectfully bowing to her.
"It is a pleasure to meet more close to my dear husband." Catreena replies happily, looking over the group of attractive males. She makes a note of each of them mentally. "Who are your friends, might I ask?"
"Forgive us our rudeness your Majesty, your radiant beauty has caused us to forget our manners!" Marquees Nicolai humbly says before turning to introduce the others. "This is Duke Quillan Diluculum, Marquees Isaiah Tantibus, Earl Fabian Sabbath, and last but not least, Prince Cassius Oblivion." He quickly introduces them all to her, motioning to each that bowed as they were introduced. Each one murmured "Your Majesty" at their introduction as well.
"It's a pleasure to meet you all." Catreena states as she looks them each over subtly, her mind working. "Did you say Prince Cassius Oblivion?" She questions a bit uncertain.
"Yes your Majesty, he's King Eldon's youngest brother." Earl Fabian confirms.
"My deepest apologies your Majesty, I was unable to make your wedding due to issues of travel and securing the township of Negotisi from their recent uprisings." Prince Cassius offers with a deep bow respectfully.
"That is quite forgivable. Pray tell that the uprisings were counseled well and peace is restored." Catreena replies with a slight nod of her head, allowing him to rise.
"Yes your Majesty, we were able to resolve everything peacefully." Prince Cassius returns, somewhat surprised by her question.
"Your Majesty, his Majesty requested that I inform you the next rounds shall be starting soon." Kira suddenly announces, appearing beside them while sneaking a perusing look at the males. Of course they noticed and most fluff up a bit unconsciously.
"Thank you Kira, we shall return to our seats then." Catreena pauses and gives a longing glance at a nearby dessert stall from a well known cafe. "Hana, Kira, do you mind fetching us some cakes?" She asks them earnestly.
"Does her Majesty enjoy cakes so?" Duke Quillan asks as they all try to suppress a chuckle.
"It has been a while since I've had the chance to have my favorites." Catreena admits with a demure smile and a slight flush to her cheeks.
"We shall rectify that at once, your Majesty!" Hana readily agrees, moving towards the stall with Kira at a steady pace.
"I shall return to my King's side then, I fare the well gentlemen." Catreena bids them as she turns to head back, causing the group of men to hesitate and share a look.
"Your Majesty, my I accompany you to my brother then? I've yet to greet him and must admit that seeing you walk alone makes me uneasy." Prince Cassius asks earnestly.
Catreena pauses to look back at him, a bit surprised by his request. "You certainly may, perhaps we can surprise him then. Shall we?" She grins at him and lifts her hand, awaiting his arm to escort her.
"Of course, my apologies to make you wait!" Cassius quickly moves to take his place, them starting to head off.
"If it pleases her Majesty, we will accompany your ladies on their tasks." Marquees Isiah steps forward and solemnly states, a pinnacle of a well bred gentleman.
"I thank you deeply for ensuring my Ladies are taken care of and looked after. It warms my heart to see such benevolent behavior amongst our two races today." Catreena intones, glowing with warmth and appreciation as she gives them a nod.
"Thank you, our Queen. Your words have also, no doubt, warmed are hearts as well." Marquees Nicolai replies, the group of males at large bowing to her before they went along their ways.
"Your Majesty so easily earns the acceptance and appreciation of others. My brother is quite the lucky King to have you by his side, especially since he can be rather abrasive sometimes." Cassius comments as they make their way.
"Are you insulting my King?" Catreena inquires with a curiously arched brow.
"Not at all your Majesty!" Cassius pauses to laugh before continuing on. "My dearest brother is a great man, but to be king he needs the softer more angelic side of his Queen to warm the hearts of the country. A balanced light and dark side to the royal family is always necessary."
"You flatter me Prince Cassius, but I do so hope I can live up to such a role as you've painted it. Our people, rather magic user or vampire, shall always be taken care of first and foremost." Catreena replies demurely, receiving an approving nod from Cassius.
"Hello brother, your lovely Queen is safely back beside you." Cassius teases Eldon as the ascend to the royal seating.
"Thank you little brother, I hope your travel was painless and resourceful." Eldon replies as he stands and takes Catreena's hand, taking over leading her from Cassius as they return to their seats.
"It was a pleasant one, but we'll have to dive into that tale another time. This tournament has been rather entertaining." Cassius replies with an easy grin as he takes a seat with his parents.
"Then I'll be glad to have a drink with you after dinner tonight." Eldon states as he eyes his brother in a relaxed way, though his eyes betray something more was happening.
"My King, will my new ladies be arriving soon? Being without Hana and Kira reminds me that I'm rather lacking in that area." Catreena questions after a moment's silence.
Eldon kisses the back of her hand, then keeps their hands intertwined on the table as he replies. "I have received word that their affairs are fully settled and they are travelling to join you as we speak. They should arrive within the next few days, so fret not my Queen."
Catreena smiles slightly as she turns to look at the reading of the arena."I find myself slightly worried as I know so little of these Ladies, I do so hope we all get along well."
"Fret not my Queen, they were chosen as they have some of the most agreeable dispositions. Should there be a need, they are prepared to take an oath to you as well." Eldon gently reassures her as Hana and Kira arrive.
"Cake my Queen?" Kira asks with a smile as she slides a basket of goodies before her. They take their seats on lower chairs around her, each with a small table.
"Thank you Hana, Kira. I hope it wasn't too much trouble?" Catreena questions as she eagerly retrieves a treat and starts munching.
"It was none at all, of course it's our honor to help you anyway you have need your Majesty." Hana replies without hesitation as she places the basket for herself and Kira between them. "Oh! The next round is starting!" She exclaims as the tournament starts once more. Her eagerness flows from her as she excitedly watches the clash of wills.
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"We congratulate all for taking part in this tournament, for their glory goes without question!" King Eldon announces at the end of the tournament, his voice reverberating all around them. "There is no shame in losing to fellow skilled warriors, you all have shown and proven your fighting prowess today!" He waits with a smile as the crowd applauds. "However, we have the Queen's Knights, our winners amongst the various competitions!" Again, the crowd loses itself for a moment, causing him to pause. "This concludes the tournament!" The crowd cheers again as they rise and start to go to their carriages. The thirteen warriors stand proudly in the center of the arena, surrounded by cheering and tossed flowers.