Aerith & Tifa (Tirith)

[The Painted Lady]

((Um, formal introduction to the palace?))

[Tifa Lockhart]

((So the lunch then? Like, her entering at the lunch?))

[The Painted Lady]

Sabela smoothed the front of her dress, the silks and fit feeling strange on her skin. She sighed. She would much rather be having lunch in her small carriage than before all of these foreign nobles. She glanced to woman who had barely left her side since cleaning up and getting changed.
"W-when do I go in again?" she asked nervously.

[Tifa Lockhart]

The bustling bath-woman had turned out to be the maid personally assigned to Princes Sabela for the future. She'd remained by the Princess's side, whispering words of instruction and comfort. Her accent suggested she'd been born in Hasnia, but she did not seem too loyal to the kingdom's monarchs.
"I'll explain everything again." she said softly with a warm smile, "The King sits at the head of the table, on his right is the Prince, and his left is the Queen. On the Prince's right you will sit, he will pull your chair out for you and all that airy fairy chivalry stuff." She helped the Princess straighten the high collar on her gown.
"Your Knights will be stationed in the alcoves behind where you sit, as is customary." She smiled warmly as she finished tidying the princess's clothes, "The Crier will announce you in a moment and open the doors, the Prince will lead you to your seat. You bow to the King when you get there, and do not sit until he does." She backed off, expecting the booming voice in the hall to come at any moment, "Most of all, look confident and dont let the men bully you." She winked, "Good Luck dearie."

[The Painted Lady]

"Thank you," Sabela said quietly, trying to wipe the petrified look off of her face as she turned to the door.

[Tifa Lockhart]

"Announcing her Royal Highness Princess Sabela of <Kingdom name>, heir to the throne and betrothed of Prince Roald of Hasnia!" The announcer called out, the great doors swinging open to admit her.
The Prince in question stood by the doors, looking splendid in a tunic of red and gold, his hair a copper colour. His eyes were a vibrant green, and he was all and all an attractive young man. He stood perfectly straight, his arms folded behind his back as he waited.
When Sabela would reach him, he would step forward and kiss her hand, bowing deeply, "Welcome to Hasnia, dear Princess." He'd say, his voice a little nervous. Slowly then, he would lead her towards the massive tables and her seat.

At the back of the room, just behind Sabela's chair, Llyr stood at attention in a small alcove. He was wearing his full set of court armour, as were the other Knights. Highly polished silver chainmail, with a tabbard emblazoned with the royal seal of his homeland. They wore their helmets too, Llyr's bearing a sigil on the brow, this identified him as the Princess's champion. He watched as the Prince greeted his Princess, his hands trembling by his sides. He thanked the gods for his visor, as tears of agony rolled down his cheeks. This was where his real pain began.

[The Painted Lady]

Sabela forced a small smile onto her lips as she met with the Prince, taking his arm as he led her to her seat. She had caught a quick glance at Llyr, but quickly looked away, afraid that she would burst into tears. She tried her hardest to clear her thoughts, not to think of him, not to think of what was happening...

[Tifa Lockhart]

Prince Roald gently released Sabela's hand as they reached the table, moving to stand at his place. Once he reached it he bowed to the King, the others at the table following suit. The King nodded to them all before he sat, everyone else sitting now that they were allowed too.
"Hello again Princess." The King greeted with a pleasant smile, though the expression seemed faked, "I hope you enjoy the meal."

The Prince seemed very uneasy in his seat beside Sabela, but after a moment of wrestling with his thoughts he looked to her with a bright smile. The expression was genuine, unlike his father's.
"I-... I Pray your journey was uneventful?" He asked as he dipped his fingers in the wash bowl that the servant was offering him.

[The Painted Lady]

Sabela felt horribly out of place as she bowed to the King. She had never had to bow to her father before in her entire life. It seemed a horribly cold and un-family-like ritual to partake in...
She turned her attention to the Prince as he spoke. She gave him a small smile back. Despite everything, he put her at ease a little.
"Um, yes... at least, for the most part..." she said quietly.

[Tifa Lockhart]

"Oh?" He queried as he leaned forward and helped himself to a bread roll, getting one for Sabela as well. All that lay on the table now was appetizers and side-dishes. The servants were to bring out the main meal when they were done with the hand-washing bowls. "You encountered some trouble then?" He did his best to seem completely genuine, slightly nervous as he knew his father was watching them.

[The Painted Lady]

"W-well," Sabela stumbled.
"We did encounter some trouble with some bandits..." she admitted.
"But my Champion... h-he risked his life to protect me and we came out relatively unscathed..."
She almost started crying again, thinking of Llyr behind her.

[Tifa Lockhart]

Roald listened intently, nodding his head as she explained that they'd emerged from the fight unharmed.
'I've--" He began, glancing nervously over at his father, keeping his voice low when he continued, "I've always admired the bravery and loyalty of the Knights from your country... they put everything into a cause they believe in." He tore part of his roll off, eating it slowly. "I want Hasnia's people to learn the same devotion to a good cause." He smiled softly, showing his genuine admiration for her people.

[The Painted Lady]

Sabela smiled, but then silently reminded herself to stay guarded. As likeable and genuine he seemed, she knew it was possible it was all a good act.
"Well, thank you," she said softly.
"I'm sure my companions would be very honoured to hear that."

[Tifa Lockhart]

The Prince smiled warmly, looking up as the servants set their lunch before them, a nice dish of some kind of soup with vegetables and meat in it. He murmured words of gratitude before taking a spoonful. He then turned back to Sabela.
"Would you tell me about your country? I have always longed to see it, i've heard such marvelous tales."

[The Painted Lady]

Sabela shifted nervously.
"Um, okay," she said quietly.
"Well, it's very different to your kingdom. Much... greener."
She blushed.
"I-I don't mean that in an offensive way..."