7 2.1

"Prince Haven, I presume?"

Her voice was smooth and compelling, diction precise. She sounded more like a middle aged governess than a young lady in waiting trying to break into the social hierarchy.

I cleared my throat awkwardly; talking to new people always made the room seem smaller and the collar of my shirt feel tighter. She raised a manicured eyebrow, waiting for my response. After a short eternity, I managed to choke out a quick "Yes, that's me".

A flash of pride ran through my veins when my words managed to come out without a nervous stutter. I ignored the fact that my face flushed a deep maroon as soon as she met my eyes.

Taking a deep breath to settle my nerves, I continued. "Am I correct in assuming that you're Quinley's lady-in-waiting?"

She offers me a small smile, which simultaneously settled and rattled my already shaken nerves. Extending her right hand for me to either politely kiss or shake (it's difficult to tell which one), she confirmed my assumptions.

"Yes, my name is Elenora Cinders. It's a pleasure to meet you, your highness." I could see a slight crinkle around her eyes when she smiled, but it was mostly hidden by the mask she was wearing. I couldn't recall any noble houses with the name of Cinders, but I explained that away with the excuse that it was almost impossible to remember all the names of minor houses, and there was a small chance that she was from a well off merchant household, though I had my doubts that Elkazar would allow anyone of less than noble birth to be around his daughter in such a capacity.

I extended my hand to grasp hers, giving it a quick shake before releasing it a bit too quickly. Nodding my head towards the server who led me here, I gave him a quick "thank you"; he took this as the dismissal I intended it to be, gave a quick bow with his arms rigidly held against his side, and exited the room.

My eyes tracked him for a moment before turning back to Elenora and gallantly offering her my left arm. Since the library was already eliminated as an option and dancing hardly seemed like an enjoyable activity with so many people mindlessly floating around, I decided our best option would be to tour the gardens until night fell officially.

I pushed the door to the corridor open.

"I'm thinking tonight would be perfect for a walk through the palace gardens." I stiffly turned my head in her general direction, meeting her brown eyes. She apparently had been looking in my direction, probably waiting for my directions. "They're lovely this time of year."

Quirking a quick smile that was more an upward bend of one side of her mouth than a full expression of joy, she turned her head toward the door and gestured with her free hand. "Lead the way, your highness."