The mornings rays pried open his weary eyes, drowsiness from the days past events still weighing heavily over his lids. Slowly, he recalled the ball, the sweet campaign wetting his lips in the small duration of his isolation. A small platter of small sandwiches attracting his hunger. The princess, all laughs and warm cheeks, giggling with her stoic sister. His eyes, trained on her as his lips found the crust of a small sandwich. In a night, he had changed his fate for the better, all thanks to the impressionable little princess. He had watched her that night and it was almost as if he could see her heart fall into his hands.
Smiling into his pillow, he rose, blinking away the past. After washing the sleep from his eyes, he dressed in his second best-- a simple white overcoat with a gold vest hiding beneath. He stared at his shivering reflection, the glass one of much lesser value then any he had stared into. He attempted to ignore the poor quality--his face skewed by the waving glass-- and buttoned the jacket, stuffing a blue handkerchief in his breast pocket. Expressionless, he looked into the warped eyes opposite him, a strangers glance. The cool gaze caused him to look away, his mouth pulled into a tight frown. He wasn't going to allow the shabby scrap of mirror to disturb him. There was nothing to be disturbed about.
He strolled out of the lodge, adjusting his gloves between his fingers meticulously. Wearing a giddy grin, he strode to the palace, anticipating meeting his bride for preparations-- his eyes lacked the same warmth.
Her sister, though determined to end their 'rendezvous', could mean to be a problem. His smile widened slightly, finally, touching his eyes. However, she would only be able to influence Anna for so long. Her story was coming to a close. She may be determined to end his place in Anna's life-- but he was determined to stay there. Permanently.