<div class="floatleft">(http://i782.photobucket.com/albums/yy103/TrashyMe/fantasyprincessdark_zps1aaba496.jpg)</div><strong>Character:</strong>Avelyn Hellatius<br/><strong>Location:</strong>Proving Grounds, Princess' Box<br/><strong>Time:</strong>Day 1, Noon<br/><strong>Tagging:</strong>Ellya, Cedric, Open<br/><br/><hr/><br/><em>“Curse you dear sister and that infectious charm of yours,”</em>the older woman bitterly thought as she repressed a candid chuckle over the quick retort, unwilling to allow herself to be lulled by that sweet temperament. Had she paid more attention to her, Avelyn might have befriended the adorable pig-tailed girl from years past. Now however, it was too late, that child had grown into a competent young woman and the two found themselves on opposite sides in a daring game for the future of the throne. At the mere thought of it and the mention of “omens”, she couldn’t help but offer her own perspective.<br/><br/><strong>“If the people can find prosperity in such a boorish mockery of a coronation,”</strong>Avelyn began with a gracious sweep of her hand, highlighting the surrounding arena,<strong>“Then I find it’s my own faith and not theirs which concerns me most.”</strong>She sipped cautiously from her goblet, her gaze never wavering from the arena as she answered her sibling’s well-meaning words.<strong>“Otherwise, the day finds me well, although I’ve yet to see any sign of our siblings. Unfortunate, as I had been hoping to bump into Vera.”</strong>She didn’t bother to ask on Ellya’s own day, a question she found to be redundant considering the younger woman seemed to float atop a cloud of perpetual bliss.<br/><br/>Instead Avelyn watched the fight below, cringing almost visibly at the sight as the crowd jeered over the two combatants. January was much like a rat, desperately trying to claw open an iron jar to reach the meaty fat within; a display which served to disgust the princess further than she thought possible. Thankfully, she was soon drawn from the scene by Ellya as her attention was brought to the waiting courier. With just a little curiosity, she turned to listen to the message, only to feel a mix of amusement and appreciation as she found her sister courteously allowing her own input.<br/><br/><em>“The throne, of course,”</em>Avelyn was tempted to reply in response to Ellya’s prod on her “desires”, only to hold her tongue at the last moment. She couldn’t see that going over well, even with one so forgiving. Instead, the older woman treated the message like any other, with a hint of contempt.<br/><br/><strong>“Why not, I’ve always fancied meeting a bandit-lord,”</strong>Avelyn remarked with an amused smirk, recalling the duke’s controversial past, only for her lips to shift to a more thoughtful frown as she continued,<strong>“Strangely enough, I once might have found such a man… <em>compelling</em>.”</strong>The princess had heard the tales when she was younger, of a teacher born into humble beginnings only to be forced into the grip of command and war; driven by the need to avenge his family and secure his lands.<strong>“<em>Luckily</em>, father was quick to dispel such naïve whimsy.”</strong><br/><br/>Avelyn ended her brief reminisce with an ambiguous sigh, choosing not to elaborate on the end. The emperor had been much more attentive back then, when he had fewer daughters of age. As if on cue, the princess turned to regard the messenger with a dark glare - her lips tightening as she wordlessly questioned his lingering presence. The quivering man promptly gulped before offering a light bow and stammering,<strong>“With your permission, I will be off then, to let the honourable duke know that your highnesses would welcome his presence.”</strong>Once the courier had left, Avelyn rested her head back on the seat, allowing herself another light sip of the rosy red wine as her gaze shifted back to the arena. The fight had fortunately finished by then, leaving the princess to wonder what had kept the judge waiting so long before ending it.<br/><br/>At the sound of a bark of laughter, Avelyn was momentarily drawn to the sight of two men in a small sea of red, white and gold. This prompted her to lightly tug on the sleeve of her lady-in-waiting before asking,<strong>“Annette, who are those gentlemen?”</strong>Having caught the laugh herself, the servant seemed hesitant to reply,<strong>“I- I’m unsure which is which but one would be Erwin von Ritter, the Lion of the North, famed for battling bandits and rebels alike, while the other is his friend, Lothar von Koertig, commander of his personal guard. They’re both imperial knights, sworn to your father’s service.”</strong>Avelyn frowned at the poor answer but chose not to admonish the lady... for now.<br/><br/><strong>“More prospective emperors, no doubt,”</strong>she muttered out loud before turning her gaze back to the arena as they prepared for the next fight.<strong>“Have you had the pleasure of meeting any yourself, sister, or will the duke be your first?”</strong>There was, of course, the chance that Cedric had no lofty aspirations and was simply being polite in his offer but Avelyn highly doubted it…