[daikokunyo]

He had been mentally prepared to have to get up from his short nap to attend dinner, but physically it took him a forceful effort of will. He'd been stressed, and his body was suffering symptoms of fatigue as a result. Well, he still had the night's rest before him to recuperate.

Once the attendants were done with him, however, he looked magnificent and refreshed. His attire was satin edged with gold needlework, light and comfortable yet grand to look at.

He wanted to converse with Princess Vella during dinner but knew it would not be proper to until they had finished eating. Manners and custom. She was wearing an eyepatch again- a different one this time, to match with her dress. It was too much of a coincidence for it to be merely decorative, no matter how deviant Storkall's fashion for women may be. Vella had to hide that eye.

He'd thought she was prideful without hauteur, but now a chill had crept into her reserve, as though the circumstances annoyed her. She raised a hand to tuck a bit of hair into place, and he glimpsed- what looked like a scar... it was covered again before he could be sure of what he'd seen. Well, he'd hold his curiosity a while longer. He had a strong urge to catch her wrist and trace over whatever it had been. Once they were wedded every intimate detail of her would be his.

Quickly, as though to chase away the embarrassing thought, he took a long draught of wine. What was he thinking? He wasn't falling for her, surely. It was just her air of mystery that was captivating. Just that he hadn't unraveled her yet.

When he could finally retire for the night, he wasn't sure if the wine had done much to calm his nerves. But at least it sped up the settling of sleep.