<span style="font-family: 'Georgia'">Bellamy was immediately warmed to Arabelle. He wouldn't say he was anywhere near looking forward to their marriage, but it suddenly felt less like the end of his world. If nothing else, he and a Arabelle could be good friends. And that was really all most could ask for from a marriage in this day and age. <br/>
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Camile grinned up at Arabelle, excited to be spoken to. She'd been hard trained like the rest of them to only speak when spoken to. Bellamy knew from watching his brothers that it would be a hard habit to break when she turned thirteen and was thus considered adult enough to speak "out of turn." Bellamy couldn't attest to this himself, however. He had been notorious in his youth for giving his opinion whether it was asked of him or not. He was really still notorious for that, but it was less charming in his old age. <br/>
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"Ambassador Fredrick said you were too small to be pretty but I think he was wrong. I think you're the prettiest. After Mama, of course," Camile said in a rush. <br/>
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Bellamy let out a small squeak and felt his cheeks flush red. Over four months ago, Camile had overheard Fredrick talking to one of the women in mother's court who was tasked with bathing him that night. Lord knows why Camile was on that hall, but she was known for her wandering and it was not uncommon for them to spend several hours hunting her down. <br/>
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In that conversation, she heard Ambassador Fredrick telling the woman that he felt bad for Bellamy, as the Princess of Velorath was too frail to be pretty. Camile had come directly to Bellamy, her closest friend and confidante, to inquire after the definition of frail. It was not unusual for this to happen. It was something of a game of theirs; Camile would overhear a word she didn't know and bring it to Bellamy for a definition. If he didn't know it, he had to give Camile a few coins. It was his way of trying to widen her vocabulary. <br/>
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He'd assumed Camile had forgotten all about it, as he had, and hadn't even considered reminding her that it would be uncouth to mention it in front of the Princess herself, or her brother. He should have known better. Camile's mind was a steel trap from which little escaped. She learned quickly and loved to do it. And her memory was constantly baffling the Luc family. <br/>
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"Camile," his mother hissed, but there was really not much else to say. The insult had been delivered and the atmosphere was left tense and awkward. <br/>
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Bellamy repressed a sigh. "My apologies, princess. I'm sure you know how children can be. And I am equally as sure that you are both exhausted from the days proceedings. Please, feel free to head back to your chambers and rest for the night." </span>