Valentine was in no mood to immediately socialize. There was a point made by his father that seemed to cry out for these outbursts to stop. It was not that the outbursts were causing him any problems. The anger inside of Martin's mind fell in the fact of the act and not the result. Tensions had never been higher between the two. Leading up to this very meeting,the training that Valentine went through was already harsh and taxing. Everything after the build up made his life hell. He may be in the best and fittest position he has ever been as both man and wolf. But with the hell he had endured. There should have been a pay off of some sort.<br/><br/>When Martin entered there was a still silence that filled the room. Nothing was said. No glanced were made at one another. They simply waited. Waited for the LaCroix to join them in hopes that the company of the vampires would at allow some form of conversation to grace the table. Instead of leaving it to die in stillness. Their call was answered and it was the light tapping of footsteps and clicks of heels that came in their direction first. The wolves all stood the moment the sound would enter the dining room area. None made direct looks to Ellanore and Donovan. Valentine had his back to the two and the other wolves were more focused in the gesture of standing before a lady sat before they are returned to their seat. Valentine felt the presence of Ellanore but made no outright move to start a conversation or look at her. He could feel Martin looking and waiting for him to slip up.<br/><br/>Again the clicks of heels came and again it happened. The men stood and the king and queen joined them at the dining room table. It was only once she was seated and the food was brought out that the men took their seat once more and dinner really would begin. Valentine seemed uninterested. His mind and gaze more focused on the cigarette that turned to ash closer to his finger than the early conversation. It was not til he was directly addressed that he said anything.<br/><br/>His eyes met the Queen's directly. Unmoving while answering her question. "I don't take my place. We do things differently. The only time I am to come for the title my father carries when he is dead,unfit to lead or I am against his beliefs. A challenge is made. A fight carried out and only the fittest may lead. Should the others of my pack find me unworthy. Even if I beat my father in combat. They will turn their backs on me. This keeps a pack with an similar ideal together. This is why we are successful. And the weak are weeded out and outcast." Valentine put out his cigarette on the small tea cup dish and turned his attention from the Queen to the rest of the table. His father in idle conversation with Edmond and Sebastian more focused on the princess than the princess seemed to be in him. Valentine reached to his pocket. Grabbing another cigarette but grabbing two. He noticed the glances in his direction from the princess but assumed it was for a cigarette. He lit them both. Taking them both to his lips and exhaling before handing one to the princess. His eyes dead set on hers. No words said. Just an expectance to take the cigarette. Whether she had asked for it or not.