Lucas hit his head on the carriage roof as the vehicle hit a bump. They were nearly there. As Lucas rubbed his head the inhabitants of the carriage felt it begin to slow.

As they approached Aurelia noticed that the palace didn't only appear like gold, but it was actually made from gold. The building was nearly blinding in the sunlight. How'd the kingdom get so much of the valuable metal?

The carriage halted a bit faster than expected and Lucas went flying across his seat and across the lap of his friend's skirt.

The peasant rolled her eyes. "I think you might need to be strapped in, Lucas." She teased. The prince groaned.

It surprised all three of them as they exited the carriage and discovered a man was waiting for them.

He had auburn hair that was in a surprising mess and wide, bright brown eyes. He wore a clean, pale yellow shirt with similar pants. A deep red cape draped his shoulders and a lopsided, golden crown rested on his head as if he had thrown it on in a rush. He grinned as he saw them exit and Aurelia couldn't help but notice how he tried to act calm and mature, but was bouncing like a puppy dog on the inside. She saw right through him.

He rushed over to Serenity and quickly took her hand, planting a soft kiss on her skin. She blushed.

"You're early." He stated. He didn't sound disappointed in the slightest though. He softly dropped her hand but didn't let go.

"Well perhaps I wanted to get you to myself for a while before there are so many people I can't get your attention." Serenity winked.

"You can always have my attention." He raised her hand to his lips once more.

Aurelia and Lucas exchanged a look. The peasant resisted the temptation to laugh while the prince simply rolled his eyes. They shared the same thought. They had just become the third and fourth wheels. Probably on a bicycle or something needing only two wheels.

"Oh and I see you've brought friends." He didn't sound bothered by this in the slightest. "And who might you be?" He asked, directing the question at Aurelia.

She gave a quick curtsy. "Aurelia Miller, your highness." She stuck out her hand as to properly shake but was disappointed to find that the gesture was confused. He planted a kiss on her hand too. Lucas rolled his eyes.

As Nyel moved over to introduce himself to Lucas, the other prince raised his hand.

"I think a hand shake will do here." Lucas stated, as calmly as he could, jesting about how Nyel had introduced himself to his female companions. Nyel shook his hand.

"You must be the fiancé." Nyel took Luke's hand and gave it a firm and enthusiastic shake.

"Actually ex-fiancé." Serenity and Lucas stated at the same time.

"Oh! Oh..." Nyel smile widened. "Well I am happy to have you, all three of you. I'm Prince Nyel of Midas, by the way. I do hope you enjoy yourselves."

"We'll try." Lucas gritted his teeth. Aurelia raised an eyebrow at this behavior, which if it had actually been noticed by Nyel surely would have been considered rude. Luckily the Nyel didn't seem to notice.

"Thank you for having us." Aurelia said politely, trying to cover up Lucas' rude behavior.

"You're very welcome." Nyel grinned. He turned back to Serenity. "So I assume this means you're on the market?"

"On the market makes it sounds like I'm being sold as goods or something which I am certainly not. But I'm no longer being courted, if that's what you mean." Serenity smirked, mischievously.

Nyel blushed. "Oh yes. Of course." The auburn man turned to Lucas. "Are you seeing anyone, Prince Lucas? I'm sure this will be a great opportunity to meet people."

"Actually I'm-"

"Yes, he's single. It's about time he met someone. Perhaps this'll be a great opportunity to do so." Aurelia interrupted. She twisted the pearl ring on her finger, absent mindedly as she spoke, but it didn't draw anyone's attention. She gave Lucas a wink. Her companion groaned silently. If this was her way of getting him to mingle...

"Splendid! This is a fine opportunity, trust me. Royalty from kingdoms as far as Elorellan and Ariendra will be here. Not to boast but it could be social event of the year." Nyel gave a confident smirk.

"I hope our early arrival isn't interrupting your duties or anything." Serenity said.

Nyel waved her off. "You weren't interrupting anything. Shall I show you around?" He held out his arm to Serenity, who gladly excepted it. He waved for Lucas and Aurelia to follow.

Lucas frowned, still not liking to waste time but his companion simply rolled her eyes. When Lucas didn't move to follow the other prince Aurelia, bouncing on her heels, grabbed him by the hand and dragged him in the direction of the Midas' Gardens which is where Serenity and Nyel looked to be heading.

Aurelia didn't see it, but Lucas allowed a shadow of a smile to crack his face.