[daikokunyo]

Torquil couldn't take his eyes off the Princess Vella, while she proceeded with the rest of the introductions and ceremony of court. Not because her beauty was so captivating, although her delicate features and build were certainly stirring, but because she was... intriguing. Not like the women he had met until now, and he had come across many of the finest women of the land. Unlike all of them, she was actually interesting. There was something mysterious about her.

Take that eyepatch, for instance. It was highly decorative, so maybe that was its purpose? That was very doubtful, though. He wanted to see what was behind that eyepatch, what he would see when he took it off. For some reason that thought seemed rather intimate to him and he blushed involuntarily.

And then the way she carried herself. It was pride, but it was true pride, it seemed to come from a place of integrity, and it didn't debase into haughtiness. She didn't seem to be aware of her own charms- and that, he really hadn't ever come across in a lady. Others, they fluttered and preened while trying to seem not to, do their dignified manner was a sham, otherwise they were so modest they put themselves down even if they had the potential to charm, their dowdiness due to the way they carried themselves.

But this Princess Vella, she seemed one of a kind.

After he retired to his chambers, she was still running through his mind. Well, that was excusable; he was to be married to her. Only natural that he go over every impression of her. That ring she wore... it was an unusual design for a princess to wear. It had the crest of Storkall, but... the women of the royal family of Wilsinghe had insignia specifically designed to be light and elegant. He recalled suddenly that once married into the royal family of Wilsinghe women weren't allowed to wear the emblem of their old house; and they must have one of Wilsinghe made specifically.

He wondered what Vella's reaction would be when he told her. He'd seen a spark of fiery spirit in her that told him she might sometimes not be very easy to deal with. Well, she could still keep the ring from Storkall mounted in a case with high honour... so she shouldn't see it as disrespecting her house...
But she had seemed rather proud, so there was no knowing how she'd react. Wryly, Torquil laughed softly to himself.

Tomorrow, he and his bride-to-be would pass through the kingdom with much pomp, greeting the citizens and receiving their good wishes. He sighed as he got into bed, tossing in the satin sheets. It would be a long, tiring day.