Olivia’s silver fork dangled limply between her fingers, picking disinterestedly at the meal in front of her. Those soft blue spheres of icy blue slowly started to trail away from the food, observing all the gathered nobles as they engaged in conversation and enjoyed their meals. Although she was no longer in the mood for plotting her mind seemed to instinctively analyse everything she was seeing; the way people interacted with certain individuals, the hidden looks they cast at one another, the messages that were sent between each other without words. Hers was a dangerous existence; the pale, foreign upstart who had clawed her way to the top and neither the excitement of success nor the numbness of grief would ever stop those cold, emotionless eyes from examining every intricate detail of a room. Her life was so often at risk that taking in everything around her had become instinctive, and her mind analysed everything her eyes beheld without conscious effort.<br/><br/>Normally at a banquet she would be at the very heart of the conversation, the focus of absolutely everyone around hers undivided attention. However tonight she was an island unto herself, a small void of silence surrounded on all sides by animated and enthusiastic conversation. It wasn’t until Ismae returned that her own private world was once again dragged back into the present. “Milady,” her handmaiden whispered to her softly, well trained to be discreet and silent to any information she delivered to Olivia, no matter how seemingly innocent. Even the smallest details were important to her. “The Princess extends her heartfelt gratitude for your concern, and requests your presence after the banquet, should you so wish.”<br/><br/>Olivia couldn’t help but look up at that remark, although her expression remained as impassive as always. Her eyes flickered over to where the Princess was sitting and to her delight she found that she had already started to read the clothbound tome, her eyes alight with interest. She’s beautiful, she thought to herself, actually examining the Princess closely for the first time. Flowing ebony locks framed her soft, beautiful face, a very model of perfection. All her features were framed with perfect symmetry; her pale skin highlighting the fullness of her gentle, pink lips while her striking brown eyes seemed alight with intellect, clearly the source of at least some foreign ancestry. Those perfect locks flowed down onto slender shoulders, which in turn framed her equally striking body; thin and athletic but unbound by the thick slabs of muscle typical of Nydewians.<br/><br/>As always her look was brief, little more than a mere handful of seconds, although that was all the time she needed to memorise every visible feature, every perfect curve, and the way her clothing fell across her lithe physique. She had never been so struck by a woman’s beauty, and she was tempted to look again although she was able to resist such an urge. She would never allow herself to show any noticeable sign of affection or interest, especially not here. Not with so many hungry wolves circling this gathering of sheep. Slowly turning to look at Ismae she flashed a radiant smile, her soft, full lips parting to reveal a set of small, pearly white teeth. “Tell her that Her Highness does me a great honour and that I would be delighted to spend the evening in her company.”<br/><br/>Seeing Juliette take an interest in her work so soon had lifted her spirits and she realised that perhaps she had been remiss in assuming that Theiri’s reputation as a centre of knowledge and learning stemmed solely from their wise sage king. She didn’t bother casting another glance at Juliette as her handmaiden rushed off to deliver her message, not wishing to betray too much interest. Instead she turned her gaze to those seated around her, flashing that perfect smile as she started up a conversation. It was not long before all those around her turned their attention to the pale beauty, absorbed in her every word, nodding their heads in rapped attention at her observations and laughing delightedly at her jokes. No one would so much as suspect that she had paid the Princess any notice, beyond having her servant delivering a gift.