[first | previous] - a collaboration with @fruityprinceling
Well, here it was. Procedure and protocol.
Theodore swept into a formal bow before Princess Rylea, ensuring to make himself the very picture of courtesy by holding the bow for a second before taking her proffered fingers and lifting his gaze.
Her skirts were very full and blue, her eyes wide and still bluer, waiting for him to speak first as decorum dictated. Her face was clear and bright with a peaches-and-cream complexion. Golden-red locks tumbled elegantly over her shoulders and down her back, rich and thick and partly braided. She was, he realised dully, truly beautiful. Everything that a princess should be, so far as one could tell at first glance.
His mouth opened, and the practiced speech began streaming out of him steadily, as if speaking itself into existence through an empty vessel.
"My lady princess, you are most welcome to Neptune's Seat. I am Prince Theodore, and this gentleman -" He gestured to his even taller and slimmer, though much older, companion. "- is First Minister Tarren. If there is anything we may do to make your stay with us more comfortable and pleasant, I beg you may speak your thoughts to one of us. It is the greatest wish of our hearts that, during the course of your visit, you are able to focus entirely on enjoying the many delights that the Kingdom of Mariana has to offer."
His eyes flicked left towards the end of the speech, to take just the briefest first measure of the brother who had come to act as the princess's chaperone. The siblings looked a good deal alike. Pale and bronze-haired and soft and - oh, the prince was wearing elegant little spectacles. They made his eyes seem curiously large behind the lenses. His gaze was blue, too, but oh; so blue, and quietly appraising, as if perhaps he might -
Theodore stamped hard on that train of thought and dragged his eyes firmly back to Princess Rylea's face.
Stop it. Have that mad fancy later. No good can come of you being yourself in this moment.