ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴏʏᴀʟ sᴇʟᴇᴄᴛɪᴏɴ - advanced roleplay discussion

There are actually two dining rooms. The first is the large, elegant, palace dining room that is big enough for events, and housing the Selected. It's also called the red room, because of it's red interior design. On the walls are portraits of the royals, going back generations, even to King Maxon and Queen America. The plates and silver ware served in this room are often pure gold or with golden etchings. The glasses are crystal, the centerpieces are extravagant.



The next dining room is off to the side, and is a comfier room. This is used for small family dinners among the royals, or for private dinner dates with the king & queen, king & his mistress, or the prince & his selected. It's still fairly big but small, considering the first dining room. Often referred to as the Lavender room.

In the more intimate of the two dining rooms, Grandmother Schreave sat at the head of the table. The table usually only had eight chairs, for the king, queen, and their children. But since all royal family members would come there today, she'd had a new table brought in temporarily that had more chairs. Just temporary, but it worked. She was putting a cloth over her lap. Wearing a dark dress, her fine gray hair pulled up.

Oliver walked in, barefoot but dressed, spotting his grandmother. He smiled, "Good morning, Grandmother." When he was younger he tried calling her Nana, but she didn't approve. So he called her Grandmother. She glanced at his appearance, with a disapproving frown, but greeted curtly, "And what exactly makes it a good morning? As it has just started, I would say it is not good nor bad." Oliver knew she'd say something about that, so he just smiled as he sat down. "Yes, Nana." Ah, there's the reproachful look he loved to see. Still, she didn't speak, sipping the tea she'd been poured.

Lillian walked in and smiled, she knew her grandmother would be here. Oli was probably nervously excited about is selection. How far away was it? "Grandmother, Oli." She slipped into her chair and looked with a disappointed look at her empty plate. Were they going to wait for everyone to wake up and be here? She could not wait that long, maybe she could excuse herself and go practice? Yeah like Grandmother was going to let her do that. She started tapping her foot on the soft carpet impatiently and looked around the beautiful room. She loved both rooms but the lilac room was probably her favorite. Of course the red room does have a picture of her in it so.

"Lillian. You're late. Remember, a queen always awakes at dawn, with her country. Of course, your mother and other siblings never seem to remember that either, so considering you are not as late as they are, I'll excuse your tardiness." Seraphina said tartly, sipping her tea again. She held up her hand, snapping her fingers for a maid. "Well? What are you waiting for? There are three royal family members here, we'll eat now. I don't have all day, like some of my family. I'm not getting any younger." While Seraphina was proper, she was hungry, and no one made her wait.

Oliver scowled, "Don't call me Oli." He groaned, though he knew it wasn't any good. Sipping the glass of orange juice he'd been given, he quietly mumbled, "Seven days." He knew Lillian might wonder, plus even if she didn't, he knew how long it'd be by heart. So close, yet so far.

There it was a queen always awakes at dawn, she was going to be a princess than duchess maybe grandmother should change it to royal. She smiled happy at being excused for being late. "Of course Grandmother." She wondered where her other family members were. She smiled wider when her grandmother asked for food, yes! She turned her head to her brother "Oli, i would never call you something you do not like, never in a thousand years." She put a shocked expression on her face. Lilly heard him mumble seven days, wow that soon? "Are you more nervous or more excited?" Only seven days and then the castle would be overrun by 35 girls, one of whom would be her sister in law.

Ah, yes, perhaps it needed to be changed. But Seraphina never thought she'd be a queen, either. She believed in her parent's reign, and her sister's reign, and both had ended. Someone in line to be a duchess was still in line to be a queen, and therefore it still applied. As their food was brought in and set in front of them, she started eating, letting her grandchildren talk amongst themselves.

Oliver rolled his eyes, knowing his sister would always call him Oli, whether he wanted her to or not. When she asked that, he couldn't help but grin, pouring syrup on his pancakes. "Pfft, excited. Who could be nervous about dating thirty five girls at once and having to pick only one? Nope, no nerves here." He said, though his tone was weak and joking. As he cut a piece of his pancakes, he mentioned curiously, "I wonder if my future bride likes pancakes... or bacon. Or maybe she's a vegetarian."

Lillian eagerly started cutting into her pancakes. Lets see, syrup, whip cream, chocolate chips. Perfect. She turned her attention away from her pancakes to her brother. "Oliver you have absolutely no need to worry. You are amazing and some girl, the right girl is going to love you. Besides they are the ones who should be nervous. You need to focus on being excited. And if your new bride doesn't love bacon we may have a problem" On the last thing she said she smiled at him teasingly but for the rest her face was dead serious. Speaking of bacon and oh vanilla yogurt! She put two pieces of bacon on her plate and three, no four spoon fulls of yogurt. After this she needed to dance, or run. She couldn't help it, it was all cooks fault for making her food too delicious.

Oliver smiled. "Well aren't you cheesy." He commented jokingly, giving her that lopsided smile of his. He had plain pancakes and bacon. But he agreed, he wasn't sure he would give up bacon if his future wife was a vegetarian. The bacon was too powerful. He was owned by bacon. He couldn't give it up, it was impossible. Thinking of this, it made him smile even more. "So... You know I'm supposed to give this speech, when the girls arrive, before I personally meet them... I have no idea what to say. I was thinking of doing a poem but that seems stupid."

Grandmother Schreave simply had a grape fruit, a bowl of hot cinnamon oatmeal, and her tea. As she took a bite of the grape fruit. As she heard Oliver mention a poem, she spoke, "A man wrote me a poem, once. There's nothing better." Wow, scandalous. She never discussed her love life, ever.

She narrowed her eyes at him teasingly "It's true." She took a bite of bacon. Bacon was her divine ruler, how could vegetarians not eat it? They had great self control. Upon hearing her grandmother speak her eyes widened "Grandmother, a man wrote you a poem. Awwwww." She turned her attention to her brother. "Well you don't want to spurt a big flowery love poem out and overwhelm them all. Though a small poem would be nice, or a meaningful quote. They are going to be big balls of stress, you need to reassure them. Make them feel at ease, crack a few jokes and eliminate the ones that do not laugh later." She took a big spoonful of yogurt and shoved it in her mouth and then wiped it with a napkin. "Show them you in the speech and if they don't love the speech then they won't love you." She was unusually solemn.

Oliver smiled a little softer at his sister. "Well... jokes I can do. As long as they have a sense of humor." He said simply, taking another bite of his pancakes and licking the syrup from his lips. (Sorry this is short. I'm working on my characters.)

((thats okay, i am too:), i think that would be fine Laura))

She nodded "Good, now please shut up so i can finish my food." She was teasing him at the last part but she was super hungry. Food is amazing.

(Sure. You can roleplay your prince, I know you're an awesome roleplayer so yeah. If there were three people I'd give early roleplaying to, it'd be you, Leena, and Ella. And Sophie... and Red. Okay so five people. Still, yeah.) Oliver laughed at that. "Ooh, that reminds me. I had this dream of dancing drumsticks, with top hats, on top of a wedding cake. It was so weird, and I think they were singing in Swedish." He told his sister, grinning. Weird dreams.

Seraphina gazed at her grandson, frowning. "What lunacy, talking food. Honestly, in my day dreams were much more simple and realistic." Clearly she felt the need to comment on that. (I get the feeling I'm not roleplaying Seraphina right, I need to get into her character more, so sorry if she seems... odd.)

((thanks:), and of course Seraphina is such a complex character.)) Lillian grinned at him resisting the urge to flick her food at him knowing Grandmother wouldn't approve. "Well i had a dream where all your selected were cannibalistic fish with legs that wanted to eat us. And basically the whole castle. But Grandmother don't our weird dreams show how unique and amazing this generation is?" She said trying to keep from laughing.

((Aww thanks!! I'll be done with the history by tonight, for sure. Thank you!!))

Xander strolled into the dining room, already dresses for the day in a simple and comfortable outfit. His hair was a mess, as always, but he was used to it and barely even tried to fix it anymore. He smiled at his siblings and grandmother before running a hand through his hair and staring at the food. "Well, you didn't save any for me!" He joked before sitting down. "What's for breakfast?" Xander looked at all of the food, and started piling it on to his plate. "So, Oli, how are you feeling? Only seven days left." Xander smirked at him, glad that this wasn't his selection. He'd be a huge wreck.

((Sorry, I have to go to school soon, so it's kind of short))

((okay))
Lillian looked up immediately but was a bit disappointed as Grandmother wouldn't be very harsh with Xander as she would with others. But it was always good to see her brother. "What of course we saved some, you can have a piece of bacon and one pancake." She said smiling. She looked at Oli, he said he was more excited than nervous and she believed him but hoped that together Xander and she could crush his nervousness almost entirely. Seven days, that was so close. She was glad it wasn't her selection that was still a long ways off.

Grandmother smiled at that, "Unique does not mean cartoonish, dear." She responded, sipping her tea and looking up at Xander. "Xander. Say your greeting, do not just jump into conversation, it's not polite." She scolded him. But everyone knew she loved Xander, she just picked on all her family sometimes.

Oliver joked, "Because we knew if we didn't eat before you got here, there wouldn't be any food left." He didn't answer the breakfast question, as the pancakes, bacon, eggs, toast, tea, coffee, and orange juice gave it away. However, he mumbled, "Don't call me Oli. And I'm feeling fine. Why wouldn't I be? Seven days is like a century in..." He paused, "...cat years." He remarked, though anyone who knew him knew that he'd been tracking every hour for a month. He was so ready for his selection, it was almost obsessive.

Lillian took a bit of bacon. "Of course not grandmother, maybe a better word would have been special." She grinned at her Grandmother. "Oli at some point in your life you may have to get used to the fact that Oli my dear brother is your name. Or at least the best nickname your dear siblings can come up with unless you like Ol, Liv, iver, or ver better." Fine? Her brother was most certainly not fine. She desperately wanted to use sarcasm now, but how? Ah! She turned to Xander "Oli is most defintely fine and has not been tracking ever hour for a month." She sent him a knowing smile. They both knew their brother.

(I might be slow on replying) "You could always call me Liver. Or Stiles. Or Stylish Liver." He jokingly deadpanned, raising his eyebrows at his sister. He ignored the knowing look sent between his two siblings, keeping his head down as he kept eating. Just get through seven more days. Seven. More. Days.

((thats okay:)))

She tilted her head as if she was seriously contemplating the new nicknames. "What do you think Xander is Oli really cool enough to be Stylish Liver?" She glanced at her brother "Are you okay?" Where were her parents with their reassuring words and actual experience in this. Wait! "Grandmother any words of encouragement for Oli?"

Oliver grinned at his sister's serious contemplation. He too looked over at their grandmother. Grandmother Schreave glanced up from her meal, giving her grandchildren a look. "I'm not a romantic, but even I concede that the heart does not exist solely for the purpose of pumping blood. These Selections are not about romance, but I assure you, you'll fall in love by the end. Or at least, a tolerance." She frowned, "And if all else fails you can find a mistress like your father, since the first mistake wasn't big enough." It was no secret that Seraphina felt their father marrying their father was a mistake. She didn't hide that. Even so, she waved to a waiter, "Get me a glass of wine. It's five o'clock somewhere." Se also drank whenever she talked about their father's bad romantic choices.

Oliver pursed his lips, trying to look like he wasn't hiding laughter. "Right... Thanks for the advice, Grandmother." He wasn't taking it seriously, of course, but it was a good thought to have.

Lillian clutched the fabric of her dress with clenched hands. No one insulted her mother and even just thinking about the mistress made her blood boil. "You'll be fine Oliver." She loved her grandmother but sometimes their opinions could clash. Mostly because now her head was full of thoughts about the mistress. She forced a smile on her face and continued eating. Her Grandmother had opinions and would voice them no matter if you liked them or not. She knew that.

Oliver glanced over at Lillian, seeing how tense she suddenly was, and he knew exactly why. He wasn't quite as bothered by his grandmother's words. After all, there were many people who disliked his father's choices. Even he had to admit the story of how he met their mother was a little... off. But he was one of those people that didn't get bothered by what other people said. He sipped his juice, wondering where everyone was. "Must be a lazy morning." He commented. Even Mari, who always got up early, wasn't with them.

((sorry working on characters, is the bastard 16?))

Lillian nodded and smoothed out her skirts. "Definitely, i would at least expect Mari to be here." Her sister always got up early, she could not fathom how but she wasn't here which was strange in itself. Her mind went back to Fleur, the women who took advantage of her drunk father. And he "brother". She didn't mind her "brother" it wasn't his fault that his mother was evil. She just wished her father had pretended that he was her twin or something, they were the same age. But no he had to have a bastard.

Mari entered the dining room she smiled at everyone before slipping into her seat beside Lilly. "So sorry I'm late grandmother." Mari said sweetly, She grinned at Oli "Seven days until your selection Oli. How's it feel?" Mari asked using the pet name that she knows he hates. Mari eyed the table looking at all the delicious food. She filled her plate with two pancakes, all kinds of fruit. Including two apples one she tucked into the pocket of her gown for later. She also grabbed some bacon. " How is everyone this morning?" Mari chirped she was especially happy because today was a beautiful day and she couldn't wait to get on her horse.

((hey:)))

Lily looked at her baby sister "Well some one is in a good mood. " She wondered if Mari was going to ride butter cream, she was going to ride Peppermint , as it was such a beautiful day. She grabbed an apple too though Peppermint would definitely like some peppermint. She wished that everyone would be okay with Mari having a horse. She sent a look to Oli like see everyone calls you Oli and smiled. One more family member at the table around 5 maybe to go? 2 siblings one "brother" and two parents.

(Btw, if you guys want to show me a pic of their horses, I'll add it to the stables I'm keeping pictures of the royal's horses there.) Oliver comically slammed his head down into the table with a thunk, making the plates and silverware shake. That's the third time today someone had called him Oli. And he was certain it wasn't just those three times, but someone else had probably mentioned the nickname today, not in front of him. Grandmother Seraphina gave him a look, "Oliver, sit up." She ordered tartly, and he did so, his forehead now red, a scowl on his face. She smiled at Mari, however, "Seeing as everyone is running late today, it's perfectly okay. Though I'd suggest being more punctual in the future, dear."

Xander laughed at his brother as he finished up his previously-full plate. "Aw, is Oli disappointed with his nickname?" Xander laughed once more before grinning over at his grandmother. Everyone knew he was her favorite, but Xander never bragged about it. He barely even knew how he could possibly be her favorite. Compared to his siblings, Xander wasn't all that excited. He teased them, like they all do to each other. But he was more involved in military matters and sword fighting and the such than the interests of his siblings. "Aw, Grandma," Xander grinned again. "We're just having a bit of fun. We have to get Oli to loosen up somehow before the selection!"

((I'm on just doing something else for a bit but back now))

"It's true Grandmother it is a key part in the process of preparing for the selection right Oli?" She couldn't help teasing her brother. He was just so tease able. "But in all seriousness some relaxing will do you good." She could not imagine how he must be feeling. Speaking of the selection she needed to ask mom and dad if she was going to have a selection or an arranged marriage, maybe a selection with foreign princes allowed. She wouldn't mind being a princess or Queen.

Mari giggled at Oli she knew he hated his nickname. She just couldn't resist. "Oli does your nicknsme bo5her you that much? There's no reason to scowl like that it's quite unbecoming. " She said stifling a laugh. dhe then looked at her grandmother " I ussually am. Everybody knows that the only person who can awaken before me is you." Mari said "Where is everyone else?" Mari asked curious as to what could be keeping the rest of her family. (( Question are do there cousins live 8n the palacwle?))

((probably since their mothers are duchesses at their own mansions and estates but maybe they visit and stay in the palace during the selection as it is such a big event? But they definitely have their own places))

Lillian giggled and hide it by wiping her mouth on her napkin. "Just a moment ago i informed Oli that Oli was the best his dear siblings could come up with and fave him other option that he didn't like then he gave some names one of which included Stylish liver." She was never going to let that go and maybe during or after the selection would start calling him that, she was still debating that fact. "I have no idea where everyone else is, i could go get mom and dad?" She directed the last at Grandmother. Wanting to know how badly she wanted her son here, plus Oli did need support.

Their grandmother nodded and remarked, "It is unbecoming, thank you Marianne." She mentioned, even though Mari was joking. She checked her watch, frowning. She didn't like when the queen and king were late for breakfast.

Oliver rolled his eyes at his siblings. He hated that nickname. Even so, he looked at Xander, his scowl fading. "I am loose! I'm so loose it's not even..." he trailed off, realizing how bad that sounded. Pursing his lips, he commented, "Hmm, not going to finish that sentence. My Selection will be fine. It's fine. Right, Grandma, your Selection was good, right?" He asked.

Their grandmother actually laughed, setting down her tea. "Oh of course not. Selections are brutal, I barely could handle mine. I wouldn't be surprised if you were so turned around by the end, you weren't sure what love is anymore." Wow. Reassuring.

Xander grinned, glad for that answer. Yeah, their grandmother could be very formal most of the time, but she always said the right thing-that usually ended up helping Xander. "See? You need to loosen up so much that by the time the selection starts, you won't even be able to the worried again!" Xander laughed once more before calming down. He was always acted a bit insane in the mornings. "So, are either of you doing anything specific today?" He asked, questioning Oli and his grandmother, since both of the girls had been talking of doing something else.

If anything, her answer seemed to make Oliver more nervous. Oliver looked over at Xander and jokingly said, "Well maybe I'll just give you this selection and I'll take yours, give you all the worry." When asked about what he was doing, he shrugged, "No idea. I was going to see if Mother needed any help with the Selection plans."

Seraphina, however, looked over at Xander, "Are you asking me on a date, Xander? When you ask a lady what her plans are, often that is to indicate you're asking if she's free. Keep that in mind when addressing the Selected of your own Selection." She replied, giving a smile. Oh she did love Xander, she wouldn't have given that answer to anyone else. Still, she commented, "I am, however, not free today. If your father and mother had the decency to be on time, I would be assisting them with preparations regarding Oliver's Selection."

Xander nodded, though smiling, over at his grandmother. "Right. Of course, I'll remember." At Oliver's comment, Xander laughed again. "No thanks, I'm good. You keep all your worry, I'll keep my free time. It's a win win." Xander laughed and finished up eating, setting his silverware down. "Would you like to go do something? I don't know what, maybe just go riding for a bit or something?" Honestly, Xander had plenty of his own worry with the selection coming up as well. His older brother and practically role model was going to be taken away from Xander by a women who was going to become Oliver's wife. And once that happened, the two weren't going to be able to do as much together as they used to. And even if they could, nothing would be the same. So Xander decided to take all of the opportunities before the selection to spend time with him.

Oliver never thought of it that way. In fact he preferred not to think of it at all. Marriage and baby making? Nope. Nope. Nope. Not happening. Except it was. But even so, it didn't even cross his mind that this meant he wouldn't have much time for his little brother and other siblings. He grinned at Xander, "Oh, so you can try to out race me again? Last I checked, I was the reigning champion. But sure, if Mother doesn't have anything for me to do, I'll go riding with you." He told his brother, his tone light.

Xander laughed once more, though with a somewhat relieved expression on under his light tone. "Well, we'll see about that. And from what I can remember, I was the reigning champion. But, if you insist…" Xander picked his plate up and smirked over at his brother before taking it to the kitchen door connecting to the dining room, so that the maids didn't have to take it. "I'll meet you outside, after you ask mother?"

Oliver had finished eating himself, but it surprised him that Xander was leaving so quickly. "You're not going to stick around for everyone else to get here?" He asked him. Usually everyone wasn't this late, but still. (sorry this is short)

((No problem))

"No. I have…uh…um, something to take care of. Quickly." Xander blushed just the tiniest bit, the top of his ears a bit red as he turned away from the dining room and headed over to the stairs. So what if he wanted to talk to his parents just a bit? Or possibly…someone else. Like, say, just a diplomat. About government issues, of course. Xander changed his course and first headed up to his mother's room first.

((XD She's going to be an advisor, actually, but I got that.)) Oliver watched him go, noticing his ears. Huh. Weird. Was it possible Xander was seeing someone? No... No, it couldn't be. Still, it made him wonder. He watched his brother go, shrugging and turning back to his sister, smiling at Mari. "Sleep well?" He asked her casually.

Rosabella still held a smile on her face as she walked into the dining rooms. It seemed that one person had came and left already, and she instantly felt silly for being so late. But she and Aric had had so much to talk about, she'd needed that time with him. "Good morning everyone! How are we all today?" She chirped as she looked around the table. She came to Oliver first and kissed his cheek, then made her way around the table, placing a kiss on everyone's cheek, even Seraphina's "You're ever so patient with me, Seraphina. Thank you so much for waiting." She said, taking a seat in the middle of the long table, so she could talk to each of them easily. She crossed her ankles beneath the table once she sat down, and placed a napkin on her lap "Lillian dear, today you must go to your gown fittings. Ollie's selection is so close, we have to have you looking fitted, my love." She said, giving her daughter and apologetic look.

Seraphina relayed the polite kiss of the cheek as well, putting on a polite smile. She didn't love her daughter in law, but she wouldn't be rude. Except in her words. "Oh yes, well it isn't the first time you've wasted my day, Rosabella. I'm not getting any younger." She sipped her wine she had ordered earlier, "It matters not, children these days eat so quickly, I like to take time with my meal. Where's Aric?"

Oliver smiled at his mother, childishly greeting her, "Hi mommy..." He was almost done eating but he'd slowed down while talking to his siblings. His mother could call him Ollie all she liked, he never spoke back to her about it. "Anything I need to do to get ready for my selection? Other than show up?" He asked jokingly. He'd had his suit fittings weeks ago. In fact he'd done everything weeks ago, so nervous that he'd prepared way too early.

Lillian scanned her mothers outfit and thought it was super cute, plus she was wearing the shoes she had got her. She smiled widely when her mother kissed her cheek. "Good, thank you." She lifted a spoonful to her mouth then stopped and lowered it. "Dress fittings?" She could stand still when she was dancing and needed to hold a pose or when there was food around but dress fittings. They expected her to stand in a room full of interesting and breakable things completely still. "Sure mom." She with a weak smile on her face though she smiled truly at the prospect of spending time with her mother. She straightened up. "How many dresses? Will i get to see your dresses?" She was delighted now but really dress fittings? There had better be some little finger food cakes. Or maybe she could bring Grace, not Lady. Lady like her was very accident prone yet she didn't get hurt, everything else did.

Rosabella thanked the footman that placed a full plate before her filled with eggs and pancakes, she would tell her children had been the ones to order this morning and grinned "Looks like you two ordered the breakfast?" She said, looking at them with a wicked grin. Rosabella largely ignored Seraphina; as she had been for twenty years. The woman didn't very much like her, but Aric told Rosa not to bother. "He should be down any moment, he went to get dressed just when I did." She informed the woman, then took to looking at her son. He seemed so excited, maybe a bit nervous, too. Aric could fix that though, with a good man to man style talk. "Well a little Birdy tells me you haven't finished your speech" she said, giving Oliver a knowing look "But other than that I think you should spend the day with your father. He's the one that knows what you're about to go through, and I'm sure you could use the advice." She told him honestly. Lillian was next, and Rosabella smiled widely at her, she was trying to be positive, the good girl "Yes, dear, I have to get some nips and tucks on mine finished with Addison, I would love for you to see them. We can bring down some sweets? If you like?" She asked hopefully, then finally stuck her fork into her eggs and took a bite. They were creamy and absolutely delicious, the cook had outdone herself.

"Maybe." She smiled sneakily, the breakfast was the best. The soft pancakes, the crisp bacon and the eggs, so good! She loved how her mother always knew everything. "He has a good start though." She was glad Oli would the advice he needed. "Yay! I can not wait to see them, you are going to look so beautiful in them." She finished her spoon of yogurt. Dress fitting, ugh. "Sweets! Yes i would like that." She smiled widely. It was like her mother could read her mind. No one had a better mother.

Rosabella grinned at her daughter, she was so beautiful and sweet, how did Rosa get so lucky with her children? Especially with Lillian, who she felt was so much like herself at a younger age "Does he now?? Well I'm sure it's wonderful, just run it by your father to amen sure everything is in order." She said sweetly, eying her son. She wanted him to spend time with Aric and see any possible advice he could get. The selection was huge, and he needed to have all the knowledge to be able to do it right. After chewing and swallowing another bite of eggs, Rosa rolled her eyes "Oh please Lillian, I'm going to look like an old maid compared to you! Addie had a hand in your gowns, and I know for a fact that you're going to be a show stopper." She said, smiling at her daughter. The young thing knew she was pretty, she was absolutely gorgeous. And in the gowns Addie had prepared, well, she was going to have all the spotlight on her, forget the selected gorls.

Lillian was glad, the Selection must be such a stressful event he needed some help. " Oh thanks mom but you will look beautiful no matter what, Addie helped? That is so great, with us in Addie's gowns who cares about those Selected girls. No offense Oli" But seriously it was true, her mother was so beautiful, and Addie's dress skills combined. She was blushing, her mother always made her feel great. She took another bit of eggs. "Do you think i could bring Grace? She is always quiet." It was true, Grace was the most ladylike kitten ever. She looked at her mother hopefully.

Aric hadn't had his footman around to help him get ready, the daft man had been off doing something or another, so Aric had spent a better of the morning getting himself ready. He came into the dining room wearing a dark suit, with a light blue tie, he stepped into the room and took care to look everyone in the eye before making the rounds. He stopped beside his mother first, and kissed her cheek, "Good morning mother," He told her cheerily, and even went as far as to hug her. Aric was in an extremely good mood after his and Rosa's morning pillow talk. He then went to Lillian and kissed the top of her head, "Morning my darling, how are you?" He asked and looked at her for a moment before clapping a hand in an affectionate way on Olivers shoulder, "Son. We've got much to discuss today, do you think you could shadow me as I finish up some matters of the kingdom today?" He then went and sat beside his wife, he kissed her on the mouth, not caring who saw, then started putting food on his plate. "Mmmm bacon and pancakes, someone made a good choice," He winked at Lillian and Oliver, knowing they were the ones that ordered by the type of food on the table.

Lillian smiled at her father. "Good morning, i am quite well." She could see her father was in a good mood. She was glad that they were down here. She had a flash of the words those maids spoke long ago. About Fleur and her "brother" she stabbed at an egg partically viciously. She lifted her head to see her parents kissing which she usually made her pretend to be grossed out but now she smiled. She liked that Father approved of her choices. "Well thank you father." She smiled at him and Oliver "I agree some very smart people chose this meal. Dad do you think it would be alright to bring Grace to a dress fitting?" She needed both parents to agree before she could feel okay about bringing Grace.

(Remind me who Grace is? and I'll reply once Ella does)

Fern, niece of the King and Queen, daughter of the Queens sister, cousin to the Princes and Princesses of Illea, walked toward the dining hall. She was wearing a dress, the top half was ivory and lacy, the lower half was layered material and colored gray, it had a pink sash around the waist, and she was wearing kind of high heels, they were a lot lower to the ground than what her older cousins wore, but not too low to look like beginner heels. Her long, brown hair was braided over her shoulder, and she tugged on it some as she walked toward the dining room doors, she wasn't sure who all would be there already. Hopefully there was still breakfast, she was late because she'd run into some lady that yelled at her for twenty minutes straight about running in halls and walking like a lady. Fern's cheeks were pink with embarrassment by the end and her eyes filled with tears. Now she was just trying to get to the dining room without breaking down, she opened the doors and walked in, two of her cousins were there, the dowager queen, and her aunt and uncle. She stood there shyly for a moment, her cheeks were still pink from the previous moments.

Lillian turned to see Fern, her cousin. "Hey Fern, sit down." Her voice was soft as she could see that Fern was pretty close to breaking down. "Would you like some breakfast?" She wanted to know why Fern was about to cry. She looked at her out of the corner of her eye. "What happened?" Had she tripped? She really like Fern's dress, she was going to be a fashionista Lillian could tell. She liked all her cousins and Fern was no exception. She drank some her juice. And turned her attention back to Fern.