Mia stood next to Joseph at the end of the private runway, trying not to let the paparazzi see her picking at her fresh manicure. Clarisse had insisted upon it the night before because "First impressions are what you build the entirety of your relationship on. People will judge you on how you look when they first meet you, regardless of how true it is to how you are. It is what they know you as until you let them know who you are. Every detail matters. Now pick a color dear. As long as it's not black."
Mia had ended up choosing an ocean blue that ended up matching the pencil skirt she was wearing, immensely grateful that the outfit choice did not leave her dignity to the whims of nature. She did not need a Marilyn Monroe moment. Even so, she had to hold the front of the white blazer she was wearing to keep it from flapping uncontrollably as the private jed carrying her prospective fiance landed.
"How are you doing Princess?" Joe muttered softly out of the corner of his mouth.
"Oh you know," Mia muttered back through her paparazzi smile. "Can't wait to get back in the car. I'm so nervous I might puke."
"That would be inadvisable." Joe glanced at his charge and nudged her softly with an elbow. "You can do this. Remember that everything comes down to your choice. Nothing is set in stone until you decide that it is."
A bit of Mia's real smile slipped out as she nudged him back without taking her eye off the jet. "Thanks Joe."
The pair of them watched as a set of stairs was rolled up to the now open door of the plane. A small team of men in high vis vests and neon orange ear protectors swarmed around making sure that the steps were in position before giving the people on board a signal.
They were at least a hundred meters away, but even at that distance Mia had to stifle a shocked inhale. His picture did not do him justice, she decided as he disembarked. He had a fair smile, one that she could tell was purely for the cameras. So was hers she couldn't judge. His hair was neatly windswept, flowing generally in one direction as it gently flopped across his forehead.
Harry gracefully jogged down the steps, holding his jacket to keep it from blowing in the wind. The navy sport coat looked rather nice on him, Mia thought to herself as She and Joe stepped forward to meet him halfway. She studiously ignored the swell of noise from the paparazzi as they approached. This is why they were here anyways, no use denying them access. It's easier to deal with them on your own terms rather than letting them run wild trying to get a glimpse of anything they could get their grubby little hands on.
The flashes of cameras intensified as the two parties met almost exactly halfway between the jet and the car. Harry grinned a bit past his fake smile as he bowed slightly, befitting his position.
"Good afternoon, It's lovely to make your acquaintance Princess Mia. I am Sir Harry Potter at your service." Harry looked up as he bowed, keeping eye contact with Mia the entire time.
Mia extended her hand to Harry who kissed it softly. "Sir Potter, it's a pleasure." she gestured to Joe as Harry righted himself. "And this is Joe. He is in charge of security and driving me where I need to be." Joe nodded downwards in greeting.
Harry nodded back. "A pleasure."
"Shall we head off then?" Mia enquired, noting that the luggage cart was in its way to the car. "I for one would love to get out of the wind."
"Yes, let's." Harry proffered an elbow which Mia took as they headed back towards the car. They moved quickly, and Harry got the door for Mia before he himself climbed in and it shut behind him.
As soon as the door was shut and the pair was safely ensconced within the tinted windows of the limo Harry breathed a sigh of relief. He relaxed into the comfortable leather seats, rubbing his face and running a hand through his hair, revealing a faint but rather distinctive scar on his forehead. "I beg your pardon your highness," Harry gently recomposed himself. "I've never been a fan of reporters, no matter where they are."
Mia relaxed back as well, but no more than was allowed by the etiquette drummed through her head by her grandmother. "I understand Sir Potter." Harry only twitched at the use of the title. It was ages better than the-boy-who-lived. "I find that they can be the bane of your existence if allowed to run amok trying to glimpse your life. Finding enough balance to keep the sharks at bay while keeping your privacy is hard to pin down. The Queen, however, has mastered it down to an art form."
"I suppose that is the best you could hope for," Harry sighed. Mia thought she could feel a bit of regret in his tone. "Regardless. Formalities duly observed, it is lovely to properly meet you. I would like to insist that you call me Harry when manners allow. I've never been much of a fan of titles, having grown up without them. It always feels..." Harry trailed off, uncertain as to how to describe what he felt.
"I understand," Mia said, smoothing nonexistent wrinkles out of her skirt. "I grew up without them as well."
"Yes. American? Right? I'm ashamed to say I don't quite understand the politics behind that. It may have happened before… everything."
"I'm unaware as to the timeframe of what you've been through, but you are forgiven your lack of knowledge. We did try to keep it as low profile as possible. But basically, I ended up being the sole heir after a series of unfortunate events. I should not have been eligible, but as the only child of the Renaldi line… even american born. I was told after my father died when I was 16. It was quite the shock as you might imagine."
"Yeah. I get that." Harry ran his hand through his hair again and slightly grinned. "Being thrust into a world in which you are woefully underprepared. Where everyone seems to know at least OF you and expects something from you."
"It sounds like you've been through something similar," Mia glanced over him once more, seeing him a bit more clearly than she had a couple minutes ago.
"We are arriving Princess," Joe called softly, having rolled down the divider screen.
"You'll have to tell me about it some time," Mia grinned back at him. "For now, buck up buttercup. There's more pictures and the Queen to greet. Grandmere can be quite intimidating in public. But she's very nice once you actually get to know her."
Harry's shoulders dropped for a moment as he rubbed his face and collected himself once more. He used a small mirror from a seat pocket to rearrange his hair, and flashed a winning smile to Mia as the car pulled up to the castle steps. "Shall we Princess?"
Mia's heart fluttered for a moment as he smiled. HIs entire face had lit up, and for a brief moment she had seen a gleam of mischief in his bright green eyes before it was replaced by determination. "I suppose we shall."
At that moment a valet opened the door for Harry. He blinked as he got out, blinded by the camera flashes but smiling a perfect camera smile as he bent down and proffered a hand to Mia. They thanked the valet and linked arms as they climbed the stairs, making sure to keep a respectable distance between them even as Joe brought up the rear.
Queen Clarisse was awaiting them in the entrance hall. She smiled graciously as the pair and Joe walked in, the door carefully but firmly shutting behind them.
"Ah yes, here they are." Clarisse swept towards them. "It is lovely to meet you in person Sir Potter," Clarisse proffered her hand which Harry kissed graciously. "How was the trip? Comfortable I presume?"
"Yes your Majesty," Harry righted himself and gave a slightly lopsided smile. "One of the most comfortable ways I've traveled. I've found that I usually enjoy flying."
"Wonderful! Charlotte?" Clarisse turned to her assistant.
"Yes your majesty?"
"Is the luncheon ready for us?"
"Yes your majesty. It's ready to be served in the south gardens, and I believe your other guest is already present."
"Ah yes." Clarisse pursed her lips slightly. Shaking her head she replaced her smile. "Well, let's not delay. We have food awaiting us. Now, Sir Potter. Tell me, how is England? I haven't had the opportunity to visit in the past several years."
The three of them walked companionably through the palace, speaking pleasantly of how different england was to their fair Genovia. Flanked by Charlotte and Joe, the trio emerged into a brightly lit private garden patio. Trellises covered with plants provided shade over a nicely set dining table.
Bright flowers were in bloom, their delicate scents floating in the light breeze that reached this far inland from the coast. A fountain bubbled away at the center of the patio, in front of which stood Lord Nicholas Devereaux.
Lord Nicholas looked up from the water lilies that inhabited the fountain and smiled when he saw them. "Your Majesty, Your Highness. How lovely to see you again." Lord Nicholas strode forward and offered a slight bow to each royal. "I do not believe that we have been introduced before," Nicholas said, his voice gaining a barely noticeable edge as he offered a hand for a handshake. "Lord Nicholas Devereaux at your service."
Harry smiled and shook the hand, a bit firmer than he normally would. He was satisfied when Lord Nicholas flexed his hand upon release. "Pleasure to make your acquaintance. Sir Harry Potter, if you will. I suppose I have a lordship as well, but I take more pride in my knighthood if you understand."
Mia and Clarisse briefly shared a side glance with each other before focusing back on the conversation at hand. Clearly Harry knew how to play the game, and well.
"I do indeed," NIcholas grinned a bit too wide, as his eyes narrowed a hair. "I'd love to hear about it at some point."
"Well," Clarisse clapped her hands succinctly and looked around. "I for one am quite famished. Shall we eat?"