@ithurielbled plotted for a starter
Jace felt his chest tighten with the echo of the steps approaching the throne room. He wasn’t sure he’d ever felt anxious before, but perhaps that was what it was like? Regardless, he kept his posture still - shoulders squared, a hand resting against his father’s throne, the left one on the rapier that hung from his waist. The whole room was silent, waiting, and the air felt heavy, not quite reaching his lungs. Only the sunlight moved about as it bounced on the white and gold that surrounded the place. Decor, symbols, tapestry, uniforms. Everything had been specially draped in the Herondale House colors, in preparation for this day.
He could hear the tapping more clearly now, as it approached the door, several dozen feet clad in heels - boots or otherwise - pattering the stone. There was a pause, and it felt as though the entire court was holding their breath. And then the trumpets sounded, the massive wooden doors were pulled open, and there was an eruption of whispers, murmurs, giggles and gasping, as the Morgenstern company finally walked in.
Jace’s heart had nearly stopped from expectation, but now it was beating quite wildly as he took in the people that would join his court, and, specially, as he had the very first sight of his future wife. She was beautiful. Emissaries had said it, but Jace knew they would have said anything if they’d thought it’d make the whole transaction more achievable, so he’d kept his expectations low. But she was more beautiful than he could have imagined, even if he’d let himself dream. He had never seen that tone of red before, and he suddenly wished he could undo all the braids in her hair to watch it flow.
As the company came to a halt, they bowed, and in an instant, Jace was moving. He gracefully walked down the dais towards his future bride, and before she could rise, he had an offered hand ready to help her to it. As they straightened up, he smiled, staring for a second longer than necessary. Her green eyes were even brighter from up close. “Welcome, your highness, to our court. I am prince Jonathan Christopher William Herondale, very honored to make your acquaintance.” As he said so, he bent over with deference to kiss his thumb over her hand, as was costume.
Only then, did he turn to his parents, who were still waiting, sat on their thrones, and started to help the princess up towards them, gently letting go before the last step, and raising himself to it, as he spoke again. “May I present to you, their majesties, king Stephen, and queen Céline.” He smiled brightly as he said so, all his nervousness forgotten as though he was already sure he’d made the right choice, just from the brief touch of her hand. When he’d held it, he felt a pleasant thrill roam over him, and it had been hard to let go, already. He waited with baited breath as his father welcomed her, and then so did his mother, and they all greeted one another, as Clarissa was asked about her voyage and the well being of her father and lands.
He turned to her again as they finished, “We’ve prepared rooms for your highness and your whole entourage, if you wish to retire until dinner. Or, if you’d like-” he smiled, “I would be honored to give you a brief tour once you’ve refreshed from your trip.”
