Jose
Quite some time passed, ladies had given their hello's and goodbye's to the prince time and time again, some even gaining he chance to share a dance with him. However, the later it got, the slower the ball seemed to become and every once in a while a family would take their leave, thanking the king, queen and the prince for the invitation and beautiful ball as they went. The Agarvarans were still present, talking the ears off of other fellow noble families. Nevertheless, it seemed the ball would be coming to a close soon.
James
*Astalios was growing rather weary of the ball - there were too many people to meet, too many women to dance with, too many nobles to please. He couldn't help but feel that there was something missing about each of them - A dash of adventure, perhaps? It was likely, however, that he wasn't giving them a fair chance. The mind of the prince was elsewhere, on the trap he had laid for a certain elven family.

He broke from the last dance with a bow and a light kiss to the hand, then decided to make it happen himself. No more waiting. There would be absolute certainty, even if he had to make Bellaluna a little uncomfortable for a few moments. There would be time to apologize later.

He made his way over to the Agarvarans, nodding his head as he approached them.* "Good evening, Lord and Lady Agarvaran. Lady Bellaluna." *His eyes lingered on her face intentionally. He had to bait the hook well. Inwardly, he reminded himself to apologize.*

"May I do the honor of escorting you home? The ball is ending, and I have a few matters to discuss with the both of you."
Jose
As many noble families took their leave, many ladies and lords offered the prince final winks and waves goodbye as well, hoping to further cement their chance at the throne. It was a bit sickening to think about, how quickly many of them would throw their bodies at the prince if given the chance, only to have a shot at one day becoming queen of Alynthi. No true love or anything of the sort. They were power hungry, as many people are in the world. As the prince made his way over to the Agarvarans, all three turned to greet the prince respectfully via bows and curtsies. Lady Solana smiled brightly at Astalios, his words only causing her dark eyes to light up even more. "Good evening, your majesty."

Lord Hagred bowed deeply as well, his voice low and rumbling, unusual for that of an elf. "Thank you for the invitation, my lord." Bellaluna offered a meek smile to the prince, her heart sinking out of what was about to happen between her parents and the prince. "But of course, your majesty, we'd be honored." Lady Solana raised her brows to her daughter when she thought the prince wasn't looking before gently pressing a hand to Bellaluna's back to get closer to Astalios as they walked. "I must congrajulate you on the announcement, my lord. I know the kingdom's been anxiously awaiting this day." Lord Hagred spoke as they walked toward the castle's wayshrine, his long black hair flowing down the back of his suit. 

"Indeed, my love. News of a potential princess is always great news for the young ladies of the kingdom. I can't imagine how many- *Ill-fitted* Women have tried their hand with you tonight, your majesty. You need a good elven woman, if you don't mind my saying." Lady Solana chirped in, bowing her head just in case she may have stepped a bit too far over a line that may or may not have been there.
James
*They reacted the exact way he would have expected. There was no way that he could avoid it - and his heart went out to Bellaluna for the moment, but if the larger issue of justice was to be solved, he had to bear with them for the moment. The amount of people that had mobbed him was truly staggering, and to clear his head, well - using the authority of the Prince of Alynthi was a good way to get out some of his frustration at the new life he was going to have to live. The winks and waves were fine enough, but he doubted that any of the women knew him, or were looking for love. Perhaps they were looking for nothing more than a crown...

He was unlikely to give it to them with such attitudes. Perhaps a decent enough con woman would make it into his heart, and he would be stuck with someone who didn't love him for the rest of his life - although he doubted that would be the outcome. Love was a matter that he couldn't begin to figure out, but he was sure that it would end well if he played his cards right. Vetting the ladies that he showed favor was a must, and he needed to assert that he was looking for a personal connection - if they didn't really like him, they were free to leave. Not many people liked to be in the thick of battlefields.*

"I thank you both for your graciousness, Lord and Lady Agarvaran. As for whether the kingdom has been awaiting this day, I do not know that I had any sense of tact when choosing it, but I had hoped that it would be a welcome date. Not close to any feast days of holidays. Not in the harvest season." *He replied, going through his reasoning. There was, of course, the trap, but there was no hint of that in the genial smile or the chestnut-brown eyes of Astalios. For now, he was the prince of good times and celebration.*

"And of course - many women have tried their hand. I expect that this will be only the first of many incidences. As to whether elven women are needed, I have not had the opportunity to court many women at war."
Jose
"Ah yes, our warring prince. I'm sure both your mother and father are fiercely proud of you, I know I would be if I had a son like you." Lord Hagred spoke, almost as if he never had a son to begin with. Bellaluna's eyes seemed to go dull with sadness, even behind the beautiful smile she had on her face. Her gem-like blue eyes almost seemed to go grey. Nevertheless, the four continued onward toward the wayshrine, and as they arrived to it, Lady Solana turned to the prince. "Once again, thank you for the invitation to such a beautiful ball. It's always a pleasure to see the castle in all its grandeur. Would you join us for some tea while we discuss what you mentioned?" As she said this, they had made it to the wayshrine, and the three Agarvarans stopped to look at the prince. 

"I can show you to our lounge once we arrive at the manor, its most comfortable there my lord. Though I am curious, what was it you wished to discuss?" Lady Solana said with a wicked smile. Hagred nodded his head in agreement before gently nudging Bellaluna. "Oh- erm, yes. I could give you a tour of our gardens. They're most beautiful at night." Bellaluna's voice seemed happy and upbeat but drained all at once. Even more so when her father refused to acknowledge her lost and estranged sibling.