Propriety I

Daphne's eye twitched in unconcealed annoyance. There was no need to hide anything, considering how it was her back which faced King Marinus at the moment. She collected herself before turning on the spot, bearing a brilliantly heart-stopping smile as she beamed at the older man.

"My husband," Daphne made sure to stress those words, "is busy. We've been gone from Vramid for far too long, you see, and he has much work to catch up on. He will join us for dinner later in the evening."

"Pardon me, Queen Daphne, but I've always been a man to speak whatever is on my mind," King Marinus started to say with a frown. "However, as my daughter's future husband, King Atticus should've been the one to receive her right at his doorstep. It is only proper―"