Vale stirred, expertly covering up a yawn as he reached over, fumbling to turn off his iPod. "Are we at Rysdan?" he asked, blinking his pale blue gaze. He sat up, his lean body moving easily in the suit jacket. He slipped out of the car, looking up at the castle with a critical eye. He turned to his driver. "This is Rysdan?" he murmured, his voice almost...disapproving.
"Yes Prince." His chauffeur almost smiled wryly. Except there was something in the way Vale was scanning the castle that made him hold his tongue. "Prince, shall I have the servants bring Belphagor or would you like to keep him with you?"
"Bel can stay with me," Vale murmured, turning back towards the car and picking up his messenger bag. The small head of a black cat stuck his head out. A dark purple ribbon with a small bell on it tinkled as Bel purred, seeing Vale's face again. Vale smiled slightly, before he stretched and headed into the castle. He kept his messenger bag with him. Besides his cat, it also held his laptop. Vale couldn't decide which one was heavier. Both were pretty light, but then again, Vale was strong.
Once Vale got inside - he had taken a separate car from his sister, who knew where she was by now... - he was greeted by several butlers.
How interesting, Vale noted ironically. Even here, I am treated like a prince.
Vale looked around, wanting to explore the place. But that seemed out of the question as the butlers directed him towards a room. "The other residents should arrive shortly," the butler that had directed him to the living room said as he bowed, leaving Vale in front of the wide double doors. He paused, wondering if he should open them. Then he sighed and did just that.
- - - x - - -
Aloysius Caesar wanted to get out of the car. Anything, anything at all - all he wanted was to be free. Sighing, the prince collapsed back against the leather interior of the vehicle driving him to this godforsaken castle in the middle of nowhere. And his family expected him to be interested in some arranged marriage. He grumbled softly, before he turned the page of his book, committing another spell to memory.
He glanced out the window again at the flashing scenery, before the car slowed down.
"Pardon, but it seems as though we are not the first ones here," his driver sighed. "I can only hope that you will not be perceived as lazy and forgetful."
"It's fine Claude," Aloysius nodded graciously. "I would rather not be the first one. And if there are any questions about your skill as a driver, I will surely deter them with a flashy magic trick." As if to prove his point, Aloysius whipped out his coin. He let it dance between his fingers as the driver pulled the car up to the front door.
Aloysius stepped out, stretching. He fixed his glasses and as the driver went around to the back, Aloysius allowed himself one excited grin.
Certainly this experience would be very entertaining.
"Go on Prince," Claude nodded at him. "I will bring your bags up shortly."
Aloysius turned, brushing imaginary dust off his shirt. "If you're sure Claude," he frowned, as though he didn't want the driver to do all the work. "I mean, I can probably bring them up myself."
"No, no! What kind of first impression would that set off? You want to impress the other kingdoms," Claude looked distressed.
Aloysius laughed. "Whatever you say, Claude~" he turned and headed up the steps, hands in the pockets of his jeans.