<span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 10pt;">The prince looked at the woman, pleasantly surprised at the addition, he too knew of the Lord DeMond’s daughters and their...reputation. To find one who was not only passible but attractive was certainly a relief. He stepped back to stand equally center of the line and gave a fluid bow, “My ladies all, the palace is certainly brighter for your beauteous presence, if you will join me in short time within the dining hall we shall have a grand banquet prepared for your arrival.” Indeed it was all but prepared and had been for days. He knew that the party would be extravagant, his father was not one for subtlety these days, and he welcomed any chance to remind people of his power, ‘we’ll be lucky if there are not riots in the street.’ People were starving and his father was throwing balls.<br/><br/>He kept his face neutral, another necessary skill when dealing with a mad king, “I look forward to your company.” It would be a ball and that meant dancing, the ladies would have a fair chance to spend time with him personally. Once more he bowed and an attendant for each lady would come forward to take them to their rooms. The maids were quiet at first, they had become accustomed to quiet lest they earn the King’s fitful eye. Though the Prince was protective he could only do so much as Julian turned to make his own preparations. Princess Diana watched him go with a narrowing of her eyes, it seemed that she had expected much more from the prince due to her status. Well Julian was not going to give her a private audience unless it was to discuss the peace treaty, seeing nothing more the be gained she followed her maid as if spurring a horse.<br/><br/>Another meek maid curtsied before Adriana and spoke softly, “If my lady will follow me I will show you to your room.” She turned prepared to lead the lady away. Julian was already up a servant’s stairwell watching the women depart. He knew them all except for the strange one, her name identified her but there was something about her the piqued his curiosity. He wasn’t to show favoratism lest he start another war, it seemed foolish that his preferring one or another would be a cause for war, but then nobility was a fickle lot and he had to follow the rules. Even to his own heart. “Bah what a thing.” He muttered to himself.</span>