The King laughed at Moira's tart response, "Oh, I assure you, he will. It is not for a prince, bastard or not, to disobey their King, let alone their betrothed. I would not let yourself be accustomed to his tardiness." He summoned a server with a plate of tall skinny glasses filled with a pale bubbly drink, giving one to Moira, then taking one for himself.
Moira nodded her head in agreement as the King took her arm in his, guiding her along the rows of all races. With The Representative beside her, Vyvian and Jalla behind her, King Soren on her arm, Moira felt invincible. Introducing her to all sorts of court members, there seemed to be a person from every part of the world here: dark elf women with skin as black as night, with freckles that resembled whole constellations, sun kissed folk with blazing red hair like Moira's, that swore she had to be a member of their family, with names that all started with 'Y', monks from the Church of the Damned who do not dare utter a word for their voices are imbued with strong magic, they could either rip you apart or heal your body and soul completely, the tallest light elves with silver hair and pale white skin, sand folk with bronze skin and white wool-like hair with red eyes that resembled the fire, their fingers adorned with sharp silver fingertip rings.
One of them who made a point to introduce themselves was a pink skinned man with short pink hair and pointed ears, with bright, round purple eyes. He spoke in a monotone voice, which if Moira closed her eyes she couldn't tell if it was a man or a woman talking.
"Welcome, Lady Moira." he said in his girlish voice. "It is such a pleasure to meet you, and ahh..." Taking Moira's hand in his, pulling her from the king and twirling her around, her dress furling out and taking in her presence. "Such a healthy young woman, such a rare thing these days, sadly. We don't see many women of your..." he paused for a second. "-stature. Oh my, my apologies, dear Lady Moira, I am Lord Wayne Gibbaieus, Representative of the Moonhardt Clan, Father of Moon and Sun. "
Moira curtsied to his bow, looking to Olvina then to Representative Wayne. "Forgive me, but 'Father of the moon and the sun?', like in the sky?"
The King and Olvina laughed at her remark and rasped his shoulder. "Oh, don't confuse the girl and call them by their real names Lord Gibbaieus." Feeling stupid, Moira looks over her shoulder, pretending to have heard something, trying to force the heat from rising to her face. She ought to have known better.
Lord Gibbaieus continued, "How sweet she is. But no, my eldest son and daughter, Lord Moonray and Lady Sunstar, future members of Southern Ostram Royal Court, I do say!"
King Soren raised his brows in surprise, speaking heavily in sarcasm. "Oh, you really named them strong names, Wayne." he said as he gave a dark chuckle. "Though, I am intrigued King 'Snake' accepted your betrothal, my congratulations! What a merry evening! Maybe you'll get a babe out of this union instead of their heads in a gift box." Olvina scoffed hard at King Soren, slapping him lightly on his arm.
"That is the hope, your grace. Unfortunately, not to King Pheojourn himself but to his own children... Perhaps we'll finally have enough time to breathe between each war."
"Oh, come now. Enough of this political talk." Olvina said boorishly, interrupting Lord Gibbaieus, quickly shooing Vyvian and Jalla off to the far right wall near the other girls dressed like them. "It is tiresome to hear the same news daily. Let us walk and enjoy the arts before we eat."
"Ah, yes. I suppose you lot are hungry?" He snickered out to the crowd, the groups of lords and ladies laughed along with him, a man even calling out 'Finally!" as the crowd rose with laughter. The King led Moira up the staircase, the guests went through the archway door between the stairs, revealing the platform where more groups of folk of all kind stand, glasses of red liquid in hand, staring at cracked portraits of Queen Olvina's reign.
Moira gaped at the passing paintings of family members, taking in each as she passed, all with either silver hair or black hair. Every portrait they passed had better brushstrokes and color than the last. Until she came upon one that made her stop, the man from her nightmare. Now having met the king, he looked very similar to King Soren but with dark chocolate hair and striking green eyes on perfect, pale skin. He was clean shaven with thick eyebrows and long eyelashes; his plump lips were curled into a clever smile revealing perfect teeth, with long curly hair draping down his back flowing with his dark teal cape. It was like this man was chiseled by the Gods, his broad shoulders and strong arms and thighs made Moira feel things she's never felt before. Love or lust? She did not know. Looking at the plaque she saw words in a language she did not understand.
Queen Mother Olvina was apparently watching as Moira gazed thoughtfully at the man's portrait and gave a short laugh, startling Moira. "Olvina, you scared me!" Moira said in surprise, realizing that she was alone in this hall as everyone had already relocated to the dining room.
"Handsome, yes?" Olvina asked, giving a sly smile.
"What?" Moira asked, pretending to look at another painting.
"The man in the painting. Handsome, isn't he?"
Moira stammered, "Oh- I... yes, he- Who is he? Is this King Soren?"
"HAH! No, most of the king's portraits are in storage or back in the great hall. No, he, my sweet girl, is to be your husband."
She looked back at him, her heart fluttering in her chest as she screamed in excitement in her head, trying to hide her stupid smile. "He is very charming." Moira said trying to sound composed.
"Yes." she said sounded angry, "It's shameful for him not to be here, he knew the arrival date and still isn't here, be sure to know that he will be dealt with." It was like Olvina sensed Moiras feelings toward this man and laughed, looking at her with tender eyes. "Though, it is quite a happy coincidence you stopped at this portrait and not the other descendants of Soren." Olvina looked back at the portrait. "Wouldn't you like to know his name?"
"What?" She asked looking perplexed. "I thought I wasn't supposed to know until-"
"Dome Tradition has ruined your standards, sweet girl, there is a lot we do differently. For instance, meeting your betrothed on the day of the marriage is savage, in my opinion. One should know what the other looks like. And forbidden interaction is unheard of, you are bound to be married, not chained to each other by law, courting your betrothed is quite normal here."
Moira stared deeply into his eyes and stood in silence for a moment, thinking of future courtship with him, and finding out 'forbidden interactions' Olvina was talking about, then nodded her head.
"Addam."