Emris

After chatting for a while Mr.Mayfair excuses himself. He mostly just talked to me and Mother about his Kingdom. He talked a little bit about his family when Mother asked and said that his wife and daughter stayed home but he brought his son with him. Mr.Mayfair is the king of a very powerful kingdom and we have yet to make alliances. Mother must have been nervous but you couldn't tell. After arranging a meeting he left Mother and me to chat with another king who had joined us.

I let my gaze fall on his light smile and happy eyes. He is nothing like Mr.Mayfair. With Mr.Mayfair's harsh gaze and manipulating smile this king was kind.

"Mr. Collymore, how are you finding Clarastin?" Mother asks

"Very nice Mrs. Bellen," He says nodding and smiling "Very nice indeed. I am particularly excited to visit town."

"Yes, we have a wide variety of activities there and here in the castle as well."

"I'll have to check those out."

"Feel free to ask for anything you need here, you are our guest."

"Thank you, After the welcome dinner tonight I was thinking about exploring the castle, if that'd be all right with you, you're majesty?"

"Of course. If you need any directions you can ask any guard or maid, they will know. They can also inform you where the pool is and the theatre is if you wish."

"Yes, that sounds nice. I appreciate the effort you put into making sure your guests are comfortable."

"It's just being a good host isn't it?"

"I suppose so."

Mr.Mayfair and a very handsome young man walk by just then. The man looks a lot like Mr.Mayfair and around my age. I wonder if it's his son.

"Mr.Mayfair is that the son you were talking about?" Mother asks looking up

"Yes, This is Hayden."

"Hello, you're majesty," He sends her a heart-fluttering smile and kisses her hand "I am very grateful to be able to be here," He makes a show of looking around "Isn't this castle just beautiful Father?"

"Yes, son, it is."

"Hello Hayden, it's nice to meet you, This is my youngest daughter Emriss."

"Hello, Emriss." he kisses my hand

"My eldest is somewhere around here."

"Mother she actually just stood up, she's by the couches," I say. Azia's dress really makes her stand out and even if it doesn't complement her the way it does for me it still looks gorgeous.

Mother waves her over and waits until she stands to the side of her.

"Azia, this is Hayden," Mother says

"Hello, Hayden," Azia says and I notice a hint of a blush running over her cheeks. Strange Azia doesn't blush.

Hayden grins "Hello, Azia," He takes her hand and kisses it letting his lips linger on her skin. I can't tell if it's intentional. She glares at him.

"I've been meaning to ask, how old are your children?" Mr. Collymore asks Mother

"They are both 17, they'll be 18 this November."

"And yours?" He looks to Mr. Mayfair

"Mine will be 20 in December."

"They're all pretty close," Mr. Collymore notes

"Yes, Well, now that you're all introduced we should be going," King Mayfair says impatiently, "I'm meeting with another ruler and I'm having Hayden sit in on it."

"Of course, It was nice to meet you both," Mother smiles.

Hayden gives Mother a dazzling smile "Yes, I hope to see you all again soon."

"I assume you'll be at the dinner tonight?"

"Yes, see you there."

"Have a nice day."

"You too Your Majesty." And with that, they leave.

"I suppose this my note to let someone else have a chance to talk to the queen," Mr. Collymore heaves himself up with a smile, "It was lovely meeting you all, will see you tonight at the dinner,"

"Yes," Mother smiles as well "See you tonight," And King Collymore heads off too.

Mother turns to Azia "You can go finish greeting everyone by the couches then you may go freshen up."

"Very well Mother." She leaves

After a minutes when no one comes to talk Mother starts.

"So, That Hayden was handsome."

"I guess so," I say slowly

"And he comes from a very powerful family."

"Mother, what are you getting at?"

"Well, you haven't dated anyone since Jacob..."

"Mother, are you trying to set me up?" I narrow my eyes in confusion and disbelief.

"Dear, it's been two years and there have been plenty of guys, How many guys have your friend Aideen dated?"

"Mother you always tell me not to compare people."

"Your right, I'm sorry, but just think about what I'm saying."

"Why? Azia hasn't dated anyone."

"I thought you said we weren't comparing people," When I don't say anything she adds "Plus you know your sister she's stubborn and very picky. The day she finds someone she cares about I'll throw a party."

I sigh "So what do you want me to even do?"

"Maybe just try to get close to him. Who knows? Maybe you'll even like him."

"I guess," I mumble

"Honey..." Just then another group of people walk over

"Hello you're majesty," They bow "We were wondering if you had some time to spare."

"Of course, sit" She gestures to the now open chairs. And just like that I am once again forgotten. Let's see how long it takes before she needs me for something and momentarily remembers me.

***

After the talk about hayden we talked to a couple more families. Some of them already meet Azia but had wanted to visit with me and Mother as well. Over all me and Mother probably greeted around six or seven of the twelve visiting families. After that it was already around one thirty and since some snacks and drinks were served there was no formal lunch.

But I did not eat.

Instead of eating I was talking to seven different families with each of them taking somewhere between twenty to thirty minutes. So to put it simply I am starving.

When I get to my room the first thing I do is ring my maids and send them to get me some lunch. The second thing I do is take off my heels. After taking care of the essentials I sit at my desk and work on figuring out if I should change my shoes for tonight. Yesterday the maids had told me that the gown would be the same but the skirt wouldn't. When they showed me the skirt I figured I could keep the shoes but now I'm afraid that it would look to similar to this mornings. The skirt I will be wearing tonight is more circular rather then the squar like one I was wearing.

I decided to change my shoes to a gold heel with a strap that wraps around my ankel and then I hear a knock.

"Come in," I say

"You're highness your food is ready," Holly says with a curtsy

"You can put it on this desk."

"Yes your highness," She shuffles to the desk and gentlys sets down the plante then hurries away.

The food looks incredible and I wolf it down though I try to savor it and make it last. While eating I also work out some details for my birthday. I know I want the theme to be blue and I also know that Azia won't care. I know where I want to have it and once again tht Azia won't care. I know she's my sister but I can't help but think that she's lazy. She hasn't helped out with the planning at all yet and it's starting to stress me out. We still have a few months but it feels like it coming to quickly and I'm worried that it won't all be ready in time.

I finish my meal and stand up to stretch. I honestly am kind of excited to talk to Hayden. I acted like I didn't want to do it before but I knew Mother would make me do it no matter what I said and now if things don't work out I can just say I didn't want to do it in the first place.

I know it's not right but I do like him so far. I don't know much about his personality but his looks are pretty spot on. I laugh at myself I can't believe I just thought that but I do know that I will try my best to fulfill Mothers wishes.