Eleanor stumbled back and almost fell over but the stranger caught her hand. He pulled her back up and stepped back. He bowed down and then stood up again. "My humble apologies your majesty. I am prince Nixon Darale of Jundae. I am very pleased to finally meet you. I have heard much about you, but you are even more beautiful in person." Eleanor blushed and he smiled and winked.

Eleanor smoothed put her dress, looked into his eyes, then back at the floor. "I apologize for running into you," Eleanor said shyly. "I was not expecting to run into someone tonight-quite literally," she said. He laughed, and she blushed again.

"Well, I am quite glad you did," he said with a smile. He extended his arm to her. "Shall we?" He asked, gesturing to the dining room."

She smiled back and said, "We shall." She took his arm and he led her to where the two families were sitting. Her father was talking to who she assumed were Nixon's parents.

"...so if we can just show them that we are thinking about and respecting their requests, I believe they will put down the idea of rebellion." Her father stopped as he saw Eleanor walk into the room with Nixon beside her. "Ah, Eleanor! So glad you could finally join us," he said teasingly. King Leaonard had a few dark hairs scattered among his mostly bald head. He was a tall man with much muscle, and looked very intimidating. But he could be very sweet and loved nothing more than making his family happy. His blue eyes were just a touch lighter than Eleanor's. She had gotten her mother's long golden curls and her fathers eyes, but her complexion was a mystery. Both parents were tan, not even close to the pale, rosy cheeked complexion of their daughter.

"You know how daughters are," Nixon's father said. "They always need plenty of time to get ready," he said with a wink. He stood and bowed to Eleanor. "I am king Mion of Jundae. I am very glad that I could finally meet you." He was a bright man, about the age of 50. He had a few graying hairs, but the rest of them were a dark chocolate brown. His blue eyes were kind, but piercing at the same time.

"Do you have a daughter if your own?" Eleanor asked.

"Yes, three of them. Nixon is the oldest child," Nixon's mother, Queen Eliza, said smiling. She was a beautiful woman, with caramel hair and bright green eyes. Nixon had his fathers hair, but he had definitely inherited his mothers eyes. Their family seemed very happy, and Eleanor was very excited to get to know them better. Especially Nixon.

"Do you have any brothers or sisters?" Nixon asked.

Oh joy, Eleanor thought. This was the question she always hoped to avoid, but it somehow always came up in conversation anyways. It was just too hard for her to talk about. She cleared cleared her throat and said, "I used to, but he passed 3 years ago, she said, hoping they would leave it at that.

"I'm sorry to hear that," Nixon said. "I'm sure he was a great man."

"He was," Eleanor said, her voice quivering. They all sat in awkward silence, trying to think of more to say. Thankfully, the food arrived right as Eleanor's mother, Queen Carscella was about to say something.

"Mmmmm, this looks delicious," the king said as a servant put a plate in front of him. "Thank you," he said, nodding to the chef. The chef bowed and left. A servant came and placed a large plate covered in food on Eleanor's place.

"Thank you," she said. Everyone ate without saying a word until Eleanor remembered what her father had been talking about when she came in. "Father," she asked, breaking the silence, "what were you talking about when we walked in?"

Her father looked at her mother, then back at her. "Oh, there was just some unrest in the village this week," he said, trying to say it like it didn't matter. But Eleanor could tell he was worried about it. She decided to leave it alone and ask more in a private setting.

"Oh," she said. It was silent again and she went back to eating her beans. She glanced her father and he motioned to the guests with his head. Ask them something, he seemed to be saying. She cleared her throat and turned to Nixon's father. "What brings you here to the kingdom?" she said, hoping it was a good thing to say. She was still studying dinner conversation, and wasn't sure what exactly to ask guests. But her father nodded.

King Darale swallowed a bite of chicken. "Well, my kingdom is more secluded than some, and we better wanted to get to know our 'neighbors'," he explained. "Also, your father and I were close as kids," he said grinning.

Eleanor looked at her father. "Really?" she said with a smile. Her father nodded.

"We were both forced to go to a ball when we were 11," her father said. "It was in honor of my older sister, so of course I had to attend. The Darales were old friends of my father's, but they hadn't seen each other much. So they came to the ball and brought him," he said, gesturing to king Mion with his fork. "We were I inseparable from then on. And every time either family would host a ball, we would meet in each other's rooms and talk about sports and such," he said, smiling. "And then there were our plans to prank-"

"I thought that was to remain confidential," Nixon's father said with a grin. Everyone laughed.

"Now that is one story I think I would greatly enjoy," Eleanor said with a smile.

"I'm sure you would," He said. "But as I said: confidential!" They all laughed again.

For the rest of the night the two men talked about stories of their childhoods, about their kingdoms, and about their families. Everyone laughed all the way through desert and well later than they should have. They all swapped stories and smiles, and Eleanor thought it was wonderful. But, as all good things, it had to come to an end.

"Your majesty," a messenger said as he hurried in, a scroll in hand. "This has just come from the town," he's said knowingly, giving the king the scroll.

"Thank you Shazwar," Eleanor's father said. He opened the message and as he read his brow furrowed.

"Is it bad?" Nixon asked.

Eleanor's father looked up. "No, no, everything is all right," he said with a forced smile. He turned to King Mion and muttered, "We will discuss this in the morning." Nixon's father nodded slightly. King Leonard looked at the grand clock. "Oh, look how late it is!" he exclaimed, standing up. "We should all go to sleep, and then we can discuss more in the morning."

"How long is your family staying? I assume your daughters will need you back soon," Eleanor said.

"The eldest daughter is 16, and they have the staff, so they can take care of themselves," Queen Carscella said. "We are planning on staying for the rest of the week, and then we will go back."

"Wonderful," Eleanor said. "I believe you will greatly enjoy your visit."

"I already have," Nixon said, looking at her. She looked at him and blushed. He smiled and winked. King Leonard's eyes widened in surprise but smiled. So did her mom. And Nixon's parents.

"What?" Eleanor asked. That made them all smile even wider. Eleanor's was sure her face looked like a tomato from how much she she was blushing.

"Okay, time for bed," Eleanor's father said, holding back a laugh. "Eleanor, could you please show Nixon where he's sleeping? It's the third guest room."

"Yes, of course father," she replied. She gestured for Nixon to follow her. She could hear their parents whispering something about an engagement, and she hoped Nixon couldn't hear it. She had blushed enough already tonight.

They walked down the grand hallway in silence until they got to the stairs. She saw Nixon look at the old family portrait.

"Is that your brother?" he asked.

"Yes," she replied, looking at the picture for a moment. Then they continued up the stairs in silence.

He stopped "I am sorry I asked about him," Nixon said. "It wasn't my place."

She stopped too. "Oh, no, I am sorry I acted the way I did. I never know what to say when that comes up." A stray tear rolled down her cheek, and she quickly wiped it away. "We all miss him a lot."

"I'm sure you do," Nixon said. "Again, I am sorry." They got to where Nixon would be staying, and she showed him everything he would need. "Thank you," he told her.

"Your welcome," she said with a smile. "I am just two doors down if you need me. Which I couldn't see why you would, but, you know..." she said quickly. He smiled.

"Good to know. Goodnight Eleanor."

"Goodnight Nixon."

She pulled the door shut and walked to her room, wondering if he liked her as much as she liked him.