<span style="color: #00FF40">“Good.  Tomorrow you shall meet them by my side.  It shall be a fine time.  You will wear an ivory gown and a blue ribbon in your hair.  We will depart once breakfast is finished.  Rest, My Lady, if it pleases you.  I look forward to dinner.”</span>Bowing quickly, Motto strode away.  After he rounded the first corner, he loosened his coat and smiled to himself.<span style="color: #00FF40"> “She is fine, is she not?” </span>He slapped a guard's arm.  “I-indeed, Sire.”  The King sighed and looked up to the high windows.  Although he hadn’t slept well or eaten, he felt excellent.<br/><br/>------------<br/><br/><span style="color: #00FF40">"She might lack direction."  </span><br/><br/>"Sire?"  Hector cocked his head to the side, he held a pool cue in his hands and stood waiting for this turn.  His King was lining up to hit a solid into the corner pocket, but Hector knew it was a trick.  His Majesty was going to attempt the skidding strike again.  King Motto was always trying to impress him with skilled techniques only to fail each time.<span style="color: #00FF40">"The Lady, Hector.  Who else?"</span>Motto's look of concentration was rather silly, but his attendant was accustomed to it and had no trouble holding his laugh.<br/><br/><a class="postlink" href="https://78.media.tumblr.com/1926c17b9d6b35539d1a075f2c8fcf8f/tumblr_inline_pfoq5cm4hA1trff3p_540.gif">[ img ]</a><br/><br/><span style="color: #00FF40"> "She is intelligent, moreso than myself.  Well-bred..her bueaty is without description.." </span>The King sighed and stood up and leaned on his stick.<span style="color: #00FF40">"Her grace is refined.."</span><br/><br/>"Sire."<br/><br/><span style="color: #00FF40">"Mm?"</span><br/><br/>"It is your turn."<br/><br/><span style="color: #00FF40">"Ah yes."</span>He re-positioned his stick and looked at his servant.<span style="color: #00FF40"> "When given clear instructions, she does well.  Lady Genevieve, that is.  I shall simply make things more known to her.  My expectations and so forth..in great detail.  I like her voice."</span><br/><br/>"You would choose the pose for the royal portrait then?"  Hector raised an eyebrow and spoke with a sly grin.<br/><br/>The King missed his shot and the ball nearly leapt from the table.<span style="color: #00FF40"> "Choose the pose?!  Well.. I.. isn't it customary for the bride to decide that?"</span><br/><br/>"It is, Sire.  However, you seem to have all else to your liking..I assumed the-"<br/><br/><span style="color: #00FF40">"You are mistaken, Hector!"</span><br/><br/>"Am I, Sire?"<br/><br/><span style="color: #00FF40">"Of course she shall have the pose of her choosing!  I will endure it like all of the other marital obligations."</span><br/><br/>"Yes, Sire."<br/><br/>"King Motto, General Shino requests a private audience."  The pair looked up to see a guard in the billiard's room doorway.<br/><br/><span style="color: #00FF40">"I shall see him in my study."</span>Motto handed his cue to Hector and fastened his coat before exiting.  The General was waiting for him when he arrived.  Motto seated himself and beckoned the General to speak.<br/><br/>"Sire, I wish for you to reconsider tightening the border guards.  Your wedding is not only an ideal time for enemies to strike but word has reached the southern territories, and well.."<br/><br/><span style="color: #00FF40">"Yes.. go on."</span><br/><br/>"It seems there is unpleasant history there with Lady Genevieve."<br/><br/><span style="color: #00FF40">"What?"</span><br/><br/>"The bloodthirsty King Frelfor had plans to marry the Lady.  It is unclear why he did not.  But rumors of his jealousy are far too numerous Sire..."<br/><br/><span style="color: #00FF40">"Very well." </span>Motto sighed.  He had wanted the wedding day to be a joyful time for his people; his soldiers included.<span style="color: #00FF40"> "Strengthen our forces as you see fit, General."</span>