Anna can sense that her time is drawing near. It's a fight to keep the smirk off her face her carriage was pulled in front of the semi circular drive in front of the palace. She's looking forward to the game for the succession for the throne. When the carriage stops and the door opened, Anna emerges, head held high, hair, hat, and up to date fashionable dress perfectly arranged. While her smirk gives away that her confidence is real, her daughter's forced smile doesn't. For a moment Anna stops, letting Sofia go ahead of her as they enter the grand building.<br/><br/>Sofia is tempted to role her eyes when she is stopped and Anna snaps her fan open, in order to speak to her without someone lip reading. She knows that her mother had spotted the prince as well as she had. "Remember dearest one, use any advantage that presents itself," she says in a whisper. Before moving on, Anna pretends to tuck a strand of Sofia's red hair into place.<br/><br/>"Yes mother," Sofia says demurely. When they resume walking, Sofia takes a clear lead, short fluid steps making it look like she is floating in her dress.<br/><br/>Behind them by a few paces is the pair's chief maid servant, Molly. Where people not looking, she would have a clear look of hatred directed towards Sofia's back. But there is nothing to be done for that hate at the moment. Truly, smoke and fire had arrived at the European Vampyric Court.