Reino took a moment before he'd answered his daughter. After all, the last ball had been an eternity ago.
A whole string of recollections passed through his mind, of a younger him, the lights of the ballroom, of Arella gazing right up at him as they swayed to string music. Her big brown eyes twinkled with specks of light, and he found himself lost. Interesting how vivid this particular memory shone- seeing it was about 300 years old.

The formalities of the evening had been rather dull, and as a prince he was used to it really- opting to sit and half-listen to whoever was talking at him or for him- but
as just a girl thrust into this Arella had really found herself at a loss. He read the subtle signs of her confusion in her brow, in the restless hand she'd opted to hold the armrest of her throne with.
He found it endearing, his mother less so. The "coaching" she'd given Arella before this night had been grueling, and rather merciless. His mother's distaste for Arella was evident, and perhaps that had been a last effort to put her off. It hadn't worked of course, Arella being both too in love and too determined to not go through with it.

And so, he sat proudly next to her now. A true queen already, she let none of her turmoil come through her face clearly.

"You're doing great." he said through a smile. At this she exhaled softly. "Is it normal to feel so..."
"Bored? yes." Reino replied, a thousand other boring proceedings crossing his mind momentarily. If not for all the formality, Arella might have giggled. They muttered to each other for the remainder of the speeches, and other assorted well-wishes like naughty children talking at the back of the class.

He found it hard to perceive her as anything other than ethereal. The grandeur of it all was incredible, and though he felt reasonably decked out himself- Arella was swathed in possibly the largest gown to ever grace her form, covered in jewels and regalia both from her home and his own. Her look, much like their union was the meeting of two worlds.

Those worlds right now however, were as good as invisible. It might has well have only been them and them alone. His eyes scarcely left her no matter where they moved, and likewise she remained fiercely attached to him. They stood together, before a sea subjects and dignitaries alike and he had known then more than ever that whatever future they would have, he would spend entirely loving her.

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