bytheanchor:
Jace waited by the window, and when he heard the heavy doors being open, he looked over and smiled. She looked just as beautiful the second time, perhaps even more so in this simpler gown. It might just be in his head but he thought she looked more like herself, like she fit more into her skin. Who that was, he supposed he had yet to learn. He walked to her immediately, bowing, and taking her hand to place the complimentary kiss, “my lady… For you, I would wait for years without withering.” He told her, smiling charmingly. He looked up then, noticing their chaperones and nodding “your highness, Jonathan. Lady?” He asked, seeking an introduction.
Once he had it, he tried to resist the temptation to offer her his arm, instead putting both behind him as he nodded forward, “shall we?” He asked, as he started to guide her through the hallway. The whole palace was well lit, with several corridors that were open to internal patios, in broad arches, so that there was light and always a surprise view on the way, of a training range or another, and several gardens. The tones of the place were marbled pink, honey, white, and soft gray, all intertwining with a show of gold here and there. “So, these where we are my lady, are of course the living quarters. You’re currently placed in the guest wing, which is designated for all foreign dignitaries and envoys. If you continue to your right, you would walk past the quarters of our resident or semi-resident nobility, and onwards separated by an extensive garden, are my quarters as well as those from his and her majesty. Hopefully, your future ones.” He smiled. “But doors make no interesting stroll, so this way in which I’m taking you, are the places that might interest you. Tell me, what does interest you, your highness?” He asked, his eyes always coming back to her, her face, her eyes. “We have a highly praised library, though I personally also enjoy spending time in our music rooms. Pray tell me, do you play any instruments? Or have different hobbies perhaps?” He wanted to know what she liked, what she did with her days, so he could provide her with those things, and assure her a good time here.
“I hope you know.” He started, more quietly as they walked, “that I don’t take our arrangement with lightheartedness.” He twisted his fingers behind him, “I understand the seriousness of the contract between our kingdoms. And I would uphold that as long as you are also willing. But I would still very much like that you should be happy here. Or at least content, whatever that may need.” He told her in a warmer tone.
It was surprising, to a degree, how much his kindness washed over her in stark contrast to the expectations she might have held, or even considered prior to her arrival in his kingdom. Though she wasn't entirely sure what those expectations consisted of, as all rulers had rumors that followed them, both negative and positive in its own nature. It was simultaneously starting to prick at her morality, the fact that they were trying to undermine a kingdom with rulers holding kindness in their hearts and truly caring for the people that mattered most. And her people mattered to her more than her father's bloodthirsty play for power, so much so that he had no issue with using his children as the pawns and means to get it.
As she met his gaze, her emerald hues softened almost instinctively, as though her frame somehow knew that he was to be trusted despite the lack of a proper foundation for it. Her brother dismissed the introduction with no more than a nod, his irritable nature already slipping through the mask of his façade, only noticeable to the people that knew him well. She loved him, but she also knew he wasn't a fan of very many people to begin with, "After you." She murmured easily as he began on the stroll of his tour, showing her around the rather large elements that the castle and the grounds had to offer. The softer hues of color caught her attention almost too quickly, as though she could imagine the brush strokes of paint that she could use to capture the exact right tone and lighting of the architecture that she had been so observant of. It truly was a beautiful work of art in its own creation.
She offered him a tighter smile this time as he mentioned his own quarters and the future hopes for their own. A part of her wanted it, however minuscule that it might have been in the moment. Clary had warned herself not to get too attached, to make it easier to keep from disappointing her father. Jonathan allowed them a bit of space as he trailed behind, enjoying his own relative solitude in looking around as well. As he pointed out the change in pace, she laughed properly at that despite herself, "You do make a rather interesting tour guide, though I didn't think that you would... Want to concern yourself with it. I am, however, enjoying the pleasure of the present company." As he questioned her once more about her own hobbies, mentioning a few of his own in an addition. "I don't play any instruments, unfortunately, although the sounds of music are so beautiful I wish I had. I do like to paint though, but I didn't think I would be doing much more of it anymore." The new course, however, prepared for it that she was meant to be, was still taking some getting used to. Caught in her thoughts was something she couldn't afford to do as often in the presence of others, yet it was where she ended up finding herself quite often.
His voice broke through her reverie as she met his lighter hues with a warm gaze, nodding at the statement that he made. Yes, their two kingdoms would be solidified strength and power with the alliance that was made-- that was the true intention behind it to begin with. But the hospitality took her by a welcome surprise, "I... We very much appreciate the cordial efforts, as well as the warm welcome, your highness. Thank you so much, for your hospitality.” Pale digits absentmindedly combed through the scarlet tresses in a moment of distraction, before she caught herself and put her hand down. “I would.... Like to get to know you better, if that was something that might interest you?” If they were to be married, even hypothetically, it was better to know who he was. Even if a selfish part of her was curious just for the sake of knowing this person beyond who he was said to be.
