<span style="font-family: 'Georgia'">Bellamy felt himself softening even more towards the princess at her kind words. She handled herself with grace in situations like these, which was almost sad. It spoke of experience at hearing others comment rudely on her appearance. Bellamy thought it ridiculous. <br/>
<br/>
He'd always been slight himself, described by most to have distinctly feminine features. And while some of the older folk seemed to give him a wide berth and a wary eye because of it, most told him it lended to his beauty. He found as a child he got his way more easily; the best of both worlds, if you will. He got the respect that most men earned just by existing and the softer treatment received by women. For the most part anyway. He didn't understand why Arabelle had to be any different. Perhaps it was because of her lack of masculine features...that would certainly help Bellamy in this whole marriage debacle if she did. <br/>
<br/>
Bellamy shook himself from his train of thought in time to see Camile looking up at him with a smug expression, the tip of her tongue poking out. <br/>
<br/>
"Yeah, Bellamy. I'm a lady," she taunted, blowing a raspberry. Bellamy grinned and scooped her up. <br/>
<br/>
"That you are, madame. But you will always be my outspoken little sister," he reminded her, and blew his own raspberry into Camile's stomach. <br/>
<br/>
At Everett's words, he glanced up at him, his grin from hearing his sister's ringing laughter still lingering. He tried to sober up a little for his response, but it was only so effective. <br/>
<br/>
"Of course, my prince," he practically purred. It was a habit of Bellamy's when he was attracted to someone, but it was not a habit he was altogether aware of. "I would be happy to show you and the princess around the palace. Eat a hearty breakfast, though. The grounds are sprawling and large. We will be touring most of the day." <br/>
<br/>
He watched the two of them retreat with a forlorn sigh. The idiom, "hate to see you go, love to watch you leave" occurred to him all of a sudden. <br/>
<br/>
"Bellamy," his father's deep voice rumbled. Bellamy flinched and gently set his sister back on her feet. He turned back to King Elroy slowly, bracing himself. <br/>
<br/>
"Yes, dear father?"<br/>
<br/>
"You will not miss your classes tomorrow evening," Elroy warned, his expression unwavering. <br/>
<br/>
Bellamy couldn't help it; he rolled his eyes. "Father, the whole point of these next few months leading up to the wedding is that I get to know my future bride and assure her brother that he is leaving his beloved sister in trustworthy hands. I cannot do that while attending pointless classes." <br/>
<br/>
"If today proved anything, it was that these classes are not pointless. You are not ready for the throne." <br/>
<br/>
"Why? Because you know I will not rule exactly as you have?" <br/>
<br/>
"Precisely," his father answered, completely missing the sarcasm, as per usual. <br/>
<br/>
Bellamy let out an exasperated groan and threw his hands up. "The point of succession is to improve on the ruler before you. I cannot improve anything if I am exactly as you have always been."<br/>
<br/>
"At this rate, your rule will not be an improvement on this country but a hindrance." <br/>
<br/>
"Then why let me rule at all?" Bellamy near shouted, his face hot with his growing anger. <br/>
<br/>
"Because there was no other choice. Trust me, you are no Raison. And it is abundantly clear to me that you will never even be close," he growled. <br/>
<br/>
Adela and Bryant both gasped at the underhanded insult. Camile whimpered at the mention of her second favorite brother, burrowing her face in Bellamy's thigh. Bellamy's own expression hardened, his eyes watering only slightly. <br/>
<br/>
"You are a cold hearted bastard. Gaule waits with bated breath for you to descend from the throne. It will never see true progression under your rule, and you will die an unremembered king." <br/>
<br/>
With that, Bellamy turned sharply on his heels and quickly escorted Camile from the room. </span>