Arthur took another glass of champagne as the server passed. He nodded to himself as he listened to the king.<span style="font-style: italic">Margaret, Margaret, Margaret.</span>He repeated to commit it to memory. However, he still had no idea who her family was politically. He thought Willmyer was local but he wasn't entirely sure. He definitely had to incorporate his day with regular studies into politics, finances and economics. Perhaps Father would agree to introduce him and help to further his interest.<br/><br/>Admittedly, Arthur felt a touch of shame. His younger brother Walter was already much further along in this area than he was. And he wasn't even a grown man yet! Walter was at home tonight. At his age, his studies and training were more important than a party. Not that Arthur thought the party was ridiculous or anything. He was sure that the king and queen had great reasons for throwing it. Walt had spouted a comment about it being a clever propaganda move. Whatever that meant. He didn't even know if that was true. The thirteen-year-old could have just been mouthing off to look smart. It had worked with Arthur, not that he'd ever tell his kid brother that.<br/><br/>Arthur smiled as he listened to the king's bragging. He had been right about the princess it seemed. He had heard off-handed rumors about her efforts to gather winter supplies. It went along with the image he'd already had of her. It did his heart good. As a man of war, he had special spot in his heart for those who took care of those that needed it. He was not proud of the fact that left widows and orphans in his wake. Men were left ruined and sometimes without the physically ability to provide for their families. It destroyed food supply lines and bankrupted economies.<br/><br/>Arthur's thoughts left him grim-faced. He downed his glass of champagne far too quickly again. His mother caught him this time. She narrowed her eyes at him briefly and elbowed his as discreetly as possible. She sipped her alcohol in demonstration. She nodded pointedly, stiff with authority. Arthur blushed and smiled weakly. Her maternal job done, she smiled widely again and redirected her attention back towards her husband and the king. It seemed that the "adults" were busy talking about the two younger persons rather than to them. Arthur replaced his empty glass when another server came around. He glanced at the princess and hesitated. He was unsure if he should take a glass for her. Would it be gentlemanly or assumptive? He decided to risk it.<br/><br/>"Glass of champagne, Your Highness?" He smiled warmly and offered it to her. "I'd love to hear more about your charity work honestly."<br/><br/>(OOC: By the way, as an amusing side note, this is not the character I'd imagined originally. His personality is turning out to be different. Fortunately, I like this version better.)