Snippet #2599182

"...hmpf! Met the aspiring queens yet? Any preference? Or "imposed" preferences?" said Gerard, grinning mischievously.

George rolled his eyes, unable to help the smirk. "No preferences yet. I've only been introduced to a few. Though I have met a few interesting people. The leaders of Austron and Shurete, the crown princesses of Pennyhill and Tessar, to name a few." He paused, running through the mental list of visitors. "Oh! And Lady Livingston is in attendance, as well. Have you met her?"

The prince noticed movement from the corner of his eye. He turned to see an elegant woman accompanied by two bodyguards. Aleksa Kinova of Austron, if he wasn't mistaken. George looked back to his friend. It would be rude to simply ignore the leader--and guest of another country.

He stepped forward and bowed in the lady's direction. "Your Majesty," he said, loud enough to be hard but soft enough to be polite. "It is a pleasure to see you again." George proceeded to introduce his closest friend. "This is Ser Gerard Adair, from the Rochdale province of Valade. Gerard, this is the Queen of Austron, Aleksa Kinova."

George smiled. "Are you enjoying the gardens?" Valade's royal gardens were quite famous. His country's climate was mild enough for most plants, and the seasons were fairly temperate.