Attention
As the most powerful people in all of Vinesia were currently meeting and discussing the state of global affairs, a second meeting was taking place in Jacob's study, within the halls of Castle Manhesto. Instead of deciding the direction of nations and armies for years to come, this meeting regarded the sharing of stories and adventures, sharing of food, and the dominating theme of how they were going to conduct themselves at the approaching Function.
"Do you know just how difficult it was to get to your room, Jacob?" Alice informed her friend, even as she was drinking one of his sweet teas from a glass bottle. "My father's security detail just would not want to let me out of their sight. It was only when I said I was coming here did they finally relent." With an exaggerated sigh, she tossed the bottle at a nearby waste basket, landing the bottle in the basket without mess or fanfare. "Yay me."
"It could always be worse," commented Sylvia, while she unraveled a few packages sweets and passed her least favorite flavors to her twin brother. Said twin, Sylvester, was sprawled out on the couch, catching a quick nap after a tenuous morning of travel from Saini to Mithambe.
Jacob, being the good friend and host, pulled out some snacks from the cupboards that occupied a portion of his study. Setting them on a tray, he placed the platter at the table, which elicited a guffaw from both ladies present. "You do realize you have servants that can handle that, no?"
"I do," replied Jacob, even as he poured a glass of water for Sylvia, before taking a swig of a carbonated cola for himself. "But I do prefer for my study to be only for me and those I allow, even if it means I have to do menial labor from time to time." This answer was easily accepted by both, and they offered their thanks to Jacob, before Sylvester yawned and stretched, awoken by the promise of food.
"So... what plans do you guys have for the Grisett?" Sylvester asked, as he sat up, and shook off his exhaustion from earlier. "I know Syl and I are going to be mostly following our old man around and getting a feel for who's important and who pretends to be."
"And I thought I had it rough," responded Alice, who grimaced at the thought of having to entreat stuffy old politicians and listening to them trying to win her (and more importantly to them, her royal approval) over. "Instead, I will be attending the Grisett with a date. Prince Xavier of Sherland will be my date to the Grisett, and he should be arriving tomorrow."
Both the twins looked over at Alice, and smirked. "Ooh... someone's going to be dressed up dandy and fancy," they teased, even as Alice's cheeks began to glow. "And you, Jake? You're not a Crown like us, so perhaps you can actually get to dodge the boring parts of the ball and indulge in all of the food!"
"I..." Jacob, having rehearsed his answer for the last ten or so minutes, found himself pausing and stuttering, before he took a deep breath to center himself. "... I will be attending with Princess Irelia."
"No." Sylvia nearly dropped her lollipop.
"Way." Alice glanced over at Jacob for the sign of a joke or a lie, but found no tell on his features.
"That's actually awesome!" Sylvester commented, breaking the silence, and patting Jacob on the shoulders. "It'll be her first time to something like this, no?"
"It is," Jacob replied, even as the girls began to eye him, predatory smirks growing on their lips. "I was so advised by my brother's fiancée, June, and even have the approval of Queen Isana to be her daughter's date and escort for the night."
"So that's what had my parents blabbering," Sylvia noted, as things began to make sense and fall into place. "Queen Isana is not one to give praise easily, so for her to bless you taking care of Irelia... just where did you get this charm from?"
"Well, you see..." Jacob nervously laughed, scratching the back of his head, before something Sylvia mentioned caught his attention. "Wait - your parents were talking about this?"
Alice rolled her eyes. Count on Jacob to not keep himself immersed in the rumor mill. "Of course you haven't heard, dearest Jake. Princess Irelia coming out of Castle Harton for the first time is one of the biggest talks of Vinesia, and the fact that she has a date has even the commoners talking. Of course, they don't know that said date is you, but only some of the parents know," Alice helpfully filled in. "Even my father was talking about it with my mother - you're quickly becoming a celebrity."
The sound that Jacob made next could have been described as a chicken being choked inside of a motor engine, as one of his least preferred situations was unfolding in front of him. Why me?! I did not ask for this!
"Perhaps you should also introduce her to the rest of us," Sylvester supplied. "With it being her first time out of the castle, she must be terribly lonely, and in need of fellow peers. Same goes for you, Alice - introduce Xavier to the rest of us."
"Of course," Alice flippantly replied, even as she waved her hand away. "Though I do fear that my... showing will not be as impressive as what Jake has," she finished with a smirk, throwing a wink in Jacob's direction. Jacob could only hang in head in response - of course he would be the one to land himself in such straits.
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