"Presenting the Prince of Demacia, Jarvan Lightshield IV."

There was a polite applause that drifted through the crowds as the prince descended the steps, the sergeant major following in his wake. Dressed in an elaborate, fully armored royal guard uniform complete with helm, sword, cape and all, the sergeant major looked grand on his own. The ball already looked to be a success by the time that Jarvan arrived. Guests mingled left, right and center of the grand entrance hall of the Demacian Palace, many lining the floors and balconies, wandering in and amond the palace. Flanked along either side, Jarvan's forefathers stonily watched the proceedings, standing sentinel to the festivities. The majority of the guests had gravitated towards the center of the hall where a number of champions who served as emissaries to the League of Legends stood and conversed with the members of the Demacian legislative council. Jarvan managed to pick out several her knew personally, and there were several others he didn't recognize, but the crowds of people made it clear they carried the stature.

As Jarvan approached the bottom of the steps, a sense of dread at having to wander through the crowd of well-wishers suddenly struck him. He forced a smile onto his face, bowing his head in thanks to the welcoming applause as he reached the bottom. The sergeant major clanked to a stop behind him and waited silently for the prince's cue. Jarvan looked around, hoping to see a familiar face but as he looked upon the crowds that stood watching, waiting for him to make the first move, Jarvan couldn't help but feel the outcast.

So this is what Shyvana feels when she moves through the city. A smiling face appeared from within the crowd, a cane held before the short form as it pushed through the wall of bodies. Jarvan was beckoned by a cherry-cheeked General Lorcan to join the flow of people that gravitated around the representatives of the League and the prince nodded, slowly moving forward.

"Good evening, General." Jarvan said, bowing shallowly. The General bowed much deeper, showing Jarvan more than the respect he was due as Prince, despite being his commanding officer. As he stood up, Jarvan was blasted by the scent of wine and heavy drink, the General's nose and cheeks a merry red color as he giggled to himself, wavering slightly as he leaned heavily on his cane.

"Good evening indeed!" The short general announced boastfully, sloshing a cup of red wine about, though he somehow managed not to spill any of the ruby liquid. "These festivities are always so grand." His voice faded as he tipped the cup back and drowned himself in his vices for several moments. "It's a pity we do not have them more often."

"It has been a long while since I've seen anything as grand as this." Jarvan said, putting on a smile as he nodded his head at several passing women who gave him coquettish looks and batted their eyelashes in his direction. The halls were decked out with brilliant banners of blue and gold, with flowers and streams of liquid gold, enchanted by court sorcerers floating about like fluid banners of Demacian strength. A ribbon of color flashes over the prince's head, twisting and forming into the shape of a solider overhead. It shivered after several seconds, exploding into fireworks above the heads of the guests, applause echoing through the hall before it coiled into a ball and shot away to entertain other guests. "Father is really pulling out all the stops, isn't he?"

"Of course he is!" The general shouted. He looked shocked for a brief moment before his smile settled back on his checks as he guzzled more of the ruby drink he carried in hand. "It's a party for you, prince! So drink, be merry and enjoy yourself!"

Jarvan forced a smile onto his face. "I shall try, general." He stood up straighter, scanning the crowd. "I shall refrain from celebrating too much until I have company with which I can fully share said merry refreshments."

"From your words, I take it your dragon girl will be joining us shortly?" The general said, looking about the prince. "I find it strange that you two are not together at a time like this."

"She shall be arriving soon, I believe." Jarvan affirmed, looking to the sergeant major, who nodded curtly.

"Good, good." Lorcan said, chuckling loudly, his cheeks already red from his copious consumption of the wine. He started to tip his goblet back, but froze mid tip, his eyes settling slightly. "I take it my sword has been serving you well enough?" He lowered his voice slightly, though his smile did not diminish, leaving him with an almost cruel grin upon his face. "I did notice that, my young prince."

"It was merely a confirmation, general." Jarvan said, not letting his smile falter either. "I shall return it soon enough." The general narrowed his eyes, the beady dark orbs dancing over the prince with exacting intensity. Jarvan felt his skin crawl as the general watched him closely, shifting from foot to foot. The general's smile cracked again and he raised his arms over his head.

"Thank you." The general said, laughing again. "But now is not a time for such things! It is a time for jubilation! Come, come let me start introducing you. You've been away for so long..."

"Lead the way." Jarvan said, nodding his head and gesturing for the general to proceed. They moved through the crowd, the general using his cane to shoo people from their path, striking at their ankles at times. He earned disapproving glares, but no one was willing to call the mad general on his behavior when he was decked out in his full uniform. Many looked at the irksome little man with contempt, forced smiled onto their faces and parted for him to pass. Jarvan offer smiles and polite bows of apology as he followed.

"Ah yes... shhh!" Lorcan hushed overtly loudly, earning the glare of several of the other partygoers. Jarvan coughed into his hand and Lorcan looked about, confused, but he did silence himself as he approached a raven haired woman who stood next to a young woman dressed in a pale blue gown, a ribbon of gold floating about her like an ethereal halo. There was a small crowd around them both and soft music came from the strange looking instrument as the younger one's fingers danced upon fine strings. Both had ample chests, but the younger one was ethereal in more than just the size of her bust. She floated just above the ground, the hem of her gown billowing slightly along the stone floor, and her fingers danced delicately over the strings, plucking sweet notes that caressed the ears as they floated gently through the crowd. The raven haired woman sung in a deep voice that complimented the sweet notes, creating a sad but warm song.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how straight the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll,

I am the master of my fate,

I am the captain of my soul.

The song slowly faded with a few long, mourning notes that seemed to drag on forever. Silence followed for several long seconds before a burst of applause erupted. Jarvan clapped as the two women bowed politely to the crowd.

"Lestara Buvelle, as always, you and your daughter are a vision for the eyes and a revival to the soul." The general took councilor Buvelle's hand in his and kissed it in an extravagant fashion, the councilor beaming happily as she chuckled.

"Always the charmer, Holven." Lestara Buvelle said, laughing sweetly. "Aside from your wine, how are you doing?"

"Well, my dear, very well." General Lorcan said, smiling as he turned to the councilor's daughter. She floated, bobbing up and down slightly, her long pony tails falling behind her in a swirling mass of hair that glimmered in the light of the chandeliers above. She smiled as the general took her hand and kissed it briefly as well. "Beautiful as always, Mistress Sona." He grinned cheekily. "And the music was gorgeous too."

She nodded her head, smiling prettily, dimpling slightly as she did. She looked to the prince, her mouth opening slightly, her eyes going wide for a second before she blushed and bowed deeply. Jarvan shook his head and beckoned she stand up. She smiled, though after a moment, surprise shown on her face. She reached out and wiped a tear from the prince's cheek.

"Your highness." Lady Buvelle said, surprise on her face for a moment as well. "I didn't realize you were there, excuse me, we didn't mean to cause a disruption with our playing..."

"No, no..." Jarvan said, shaking his head and clearing his throat. "That song..."

"'Twas a folk tale we put to music." Councilor Buvelle said, nodding. "It's not one many know..."

"My company, we used to recite the words to that song when we were waiting upon the lines of battle." Jarvan said softly. "A sergeant taught it to the whole company. I've just never heard such a beautiful rendition of it."

"I apologize if I brought up any bad memories." Lady Buvelle said, offering the prince a pity filled smile. Several notes were plucked and lady Buvelle looked over at her daughter. "I'm sorry, dear, I got caught up talking." She shook her head and gestured to Sona. "I do not know if you recall my daughter, Sona?"

"No need to apologize, councilor." Jarvan said softly, smiling as he looked back to the musician. "And I do remember her, though not well. I just wanted to say that your music was very touching." Jarvan said, bowing his head. "It was an honor, and I would very much like to hear the full song at some point."

"Of course." The councilor looked to her daughter. "We can-..."

"Perhaps when things are not so hectic." Jarvan said, grinning, looking around the ballroom. Sona blushed slightly, ducking her eyes, but she nodded excitedly.

"Of course, your highness." Lady Buvelle said. "It would be an honor to play for royalty."

"I was speaking with Lady Buvelle and Miss Sona here about her service with the Institute not long before you arrived." General Lorcan murmured, inserting himself back into the conversation. "Miss Sona has been very successful there, serving Demacia and making her family proud."

"I heard from Garen that you had joined." Jarvan said, nodding. "How do like it there?"

Sona plucked a number of notes across the instrument, and then looked to her adoptive mother.

"She says that everyone is very nice, and while certain things have proved difficult, she has found it rewarding and challenging." Lestara said, translating for her daughter.

"Being unable to speak does make it difficult to converse and be of use though." The voice was female and very proud. Sona Buvelle only let the frown show for a second before the smile returned to her face as a young woman dressed in a flashy red dress stepped forward, flipping her hair out of her eyes with a toss of the head. A single lock of crimson decorated her brow, matching the color of her dress. "An instrument should be used for entertainment, not diplomacy. A saber though... now there is a tool of true diplomacy when used in the oldest and most renowned form of diplomacy, the duel."

"Young Mistress Laurent." Lorcan said, gesturing to the young woman. She had her black hair cut short, high on her shoulders, her bangs died a bloody red. "Good to see you in high spirits. I assume your father is here?"

"He is, general." Fiora Laurent said, nodding her head and offering the general a quick smile. She glanced at Jarvan briefly, blushed slightly and then glanced away. She stuck her nose out slightly. "Now, as I was saying, the only true tool of diplomacy is the saber. If I was a member of the League of Legends, there would be no need of any of these silly matches, and-..."

"A crude weapon suited only to those who seek to draw attention to themselves, the saber." Another voice announced, stepping into the conversation. This one was more controlled and comfortable amid the surrounding company, almost noble, but it also carried a proud but cool tone. "A tool suited to soldiers and bigots with too little to do but to sit around and play with those over large toothpicks. Swords are antiquities of the past that have been supplanted by technology. I suggest you get with the times, little girl."

"And Shauna Vayne, the heir to House Vayne has now joined the fray." Lorcan said, a discerning look upon his face as he looked about the growing crowd. He looked down at his cup and sighed. "I don't have enough wine for this." He looked up to Jarvan. "Please, entertain them while I go and fetch more. I'll be right back." Lorcan barely gave Jarvan the time to open his mouth, much less protest before he had spirited himself away as the focus shifted towards the newcomer.

"You use a bow and arrow you old hag!" Fiora spat at the newcomer. Vayne grinned, sweeping her ponytail over her shoulder, the slinky deep aqua dress she wore shimmering in the light. "How is that 'technology'?"

"Compared to that ancient art you call 'fencing', my crossbow is the very essence of technology!" Vayne said with a smile, watching as her younger opponent's face turned red with embarrassment and anger. She turned to the prince and bowed her head polietly. "I apologize for the young woman's tone, your highness, I don't think she understands exactly who she stands before. Fiora, you do realize that you're insulting the prince's honor by interrupting his conversation, correct?"

"W-what?" Fiora stammered, looking astonished. "What would you know of honor? You creep amid the shadows playing the part of a hero in tights! How is that honorable?"

"Just because I do not practice honor towards those I hunt, does not I do not understand honor." Vayne said, shrugging slightly, her milky white skin gleaming in the chandelier light. "However, you could learn a thing or two. As a fellow daughter of a noble house, you shame your father and your family name."

"But... but..." Fiora grumbled under her breath and turned to the prince. She bowed deeply at the west, blushing in embarrassment. "I apologize, your highness. I mean you no disservice."

"It's quiet alright." Jarvan said with a thin grin. "It's quite entertaining, you views of duels and fighting nearly parallel my own, so I understand the frustration." Fiora stood up, her eyes wide.

"Perhaps you would like to duel?" Fiora said, excitedly. "I have heard of your prowess and I would certainly love to—OW!" She squeak and rubbed her tail, looking back to where Vayne was standing with a small hors d'oeuvres skewer, twirling like it was a small dagger. "What was that for!?"

"This is a ball in the prince's honor." Vayne said, scolding the young woman. "You continue to insult him with your boorish obsession with fighting. Perhaps if you had an actual purpose it might be relevant, but I suppose something that complex evades your obsession with poking people with sharpened sticks." Vayne boasted, laughing haughtily as she turned, waving a hand as she spun away. "A weapon such as that is just silly." Vayne disappeared into the crowd, leaving a wake in the massed as she danced through the other party goers.

"Come back here and say that to my face!" Fiora shouted, stomping off behind the raven-haired master of House Vayne.

"And so they came and so they went…" Lady Buvelle said, sighing as she shook her head. "Apologies for that… outburst, your highness, the young duelist, Fiora Laurent, desires to prove her mettle amid the champions of the League. As for Mistress Vayne, I do believe you owe her some thanks for drawing away the rambunctious young Mistress Laurent." Lady Buvelle laughed lightly and shook her head.

"I'll see that I express my thanks, given the chance." Jarvan said, shaking his head, still watching the wake of disturbed party goers that followed the path that Vayne had seemingly fled along. "Had they not appeared so quickly and disappeared again…"

"That tends to happen." Lady Buvelle said, nodding. "Those two do not exactly see eye to eye."

"Jarvan!" Garen moved through the crowd, dressed in a uniform similar to the prince, though he lacked the crown and some of the more fanciful decorations. He moved closer and then saluted his friend, holding it until Jarvan nodded his head to dismiss the man's attention. "It's good to see you." Garen said, grinning, looking the prince up and down. "You always did look good in a uniform. Lady Buvelle, Sona." Garen bowed ceremoniously, both of the women nodding their heads and smiling in acknowledgment.

Jarvan scowled, waving the knight off. "Yeah, yeah." Jarvan grumbled, but Garen's infectious smile spread to Jarvan. "How have you been, Garen, how goes things in Kalamanda?" The massive knight stood broader than the prince, but also several inches shorter. His demeanor turned sour, his brow darkening and creasing with frustration.

"Tense, but there haven't been any major developments in the past few weeks." Garen said, frowning. "I've been working with Katarina Du Couteau to maintain the peace while we try to rescue the miners who are still trapped underground." Garen's frown grew slightly at his lack of good news.

"How long have they been down there?" Lady Buvelle said, frowning. "Surely they would have run out of food and supplies by now..."

"We've been able to get to where the cave-in has happened from several areas using the network of underground tunnels." Garen said nodding. "However, the cave-in that has trapped them also loosened too much of the ground to try and do any digging, and while we've made attempts to rescue the men, we've had to abort all attempts up till now due to the instability of it all. The work is proceeding frustratingly slow, but the maps of the mines we have indicate that the miners were trapped within an intermediary supply dump that was used for transferring mined crystal and material into carts to be moved out of the mine. They have access to food and water, and while it isn't much, the only thing we've been able to really get done is establish communications and clear the ventilation shafts."

"It seems like you've made a lot of progress." Lady Buvelle said, offering an encouraging smile. Several notes were plunked out from Sona's instrument, the young woman smiling happily at Garen. "And Sona says you're doing a good job leading the rescue efforts." The knight put on a smile and nodded his head in thanks of the encouragement, but it didn't serve to brighten his demeanor.

"I thank you for your kind words, but I still wish I had something more to show for it." Garen said, shaking his head and shrugging. "But I've droned on long enough." A smile started to spread over his face as he looked at Jarvan. "What's this I've been hearing about the duel between Shyvana and Xin Zhao?" Garen said, grinning curiously. "I heard about the shouting match you had even all the way in Kalamanda."

Jarvan sighed, letting his shoulders slump as he shook his head. "I suppose you could say I was fed up with father stone walling me." Jarvan said with a frown. He started to blush slightly, but shook it off. "The final straw was when he told me I was engaged to someone I had never even met. I was having none of it, and now there is a duel tomorrow to determine if I get my way or not." Jarvan shook his head. "It's a petty matter, really, but I accepted his terms."

"Huh." Garen said, frowning slightly and then shrugging. "That's not what I heard by way of rumor, but I suppose that makes more sense. It will be interesting to see if my own loss was just a fluke or if your girlfriend actually has some skill."

"Do I even want to ask?" Jarvan said, rolling his eyes. The knight chuckled.

"From what I heard, you got into a shouting match with the king and queen in front of the entirety of the high command staff, you took down a corrupt general by yourself, and now you're trying to turn a commoner, and a foreigner for that manner, into a princess." Garen grinned thinly. "I heard that she charged the king and demanded to fight to earn her chance at the position of your personal bodyguard, among other things, while badly injured. I remember how she got the best of me, but I heard the Seneschel whooped her."

"I didn't want to ask, but I was curious myself." Lady Buvelle said, laughing lightly, breaking into a smile. "I thought the rumors seemed a bit wild, but if I am not the only one who has heard them..."

Jarvan sighed. "Most of it's true, yes, she lost, but it's not over yet." He shrugged at the look of disbelief on the captain's face. "Though I don't know what happened to the general. That wasn't solely my doing."

"I see." Garen said, blinking as he stood up straighter, reconsidering.

"And where is the young woman, anyways? I've heard much about her, but I have never had the chance to meet her." Lady Buvelle smiled excitedly, scanning the crowd as if Jarvan was hiding his companion somewhere within.

"I'm not sure, to be honest, ma'am." Jarvan said, frowning slightly. "When I went to fetch her before, I was shooed away by several friends, my maid and my mother." Jarvan shrugged with some effort in the ceremonial armor as Lady Buvelle laughed lightly and a broad smile filled Sona's cheeks. The younger Buvelle played several notes across her instrument and Lady Buvelle nodded, grinning.

"Sona says that if that is the case, then you should relish the wait, not worry." A few more notes played out and Lady Buvelle nodded thoughtfully. "I'm more than certain it will be well worth the wait, your highness. Speaking of..."

Jarvan looked to the stairs that lead into the main hall, a large smile settling on his face.

"Announcing Jarvan Lightshield III and Lady Catherine Lightshield, King and Queen of Demacia!" The ballroom echoed with applause, the cheers carrying through the hall as the king stood atop the steps, bowing to the gathered crowd. The queen curtsied as well, her magnificent white and gold gown gleaming in the light. It was opulent, the fine ruffled white of the gown trimmed with gold that glimmered as she started down the steps. Fur dressed a light overcloak that rested on her shoulders. It had a high neckline that accented her collar, and the thin waist was accented by the way her hair billowed around her in an almost ethereal fashion. She beamed, her cheeks rosy and pink as she stared out over the hall. She looked about, her grey eyes searching the crowd. The king wore a similar, heavy overcoat over ceremonial armor similar to the prince's, though his was much finer in craft and more ornate in its decoration and dress. He wore a pale blue, high collared sleeveless robe over a fine linen shirt, with mail that ran down his arms to his elbows and fell low over his thighs. He wore decorative pauldrons and a metal cuirass decorated with the Demacian crest emblazoned across his chest in gold. He wore matching vambraces and rerebraces that lined his arms. Even his grieves and sabatons were decorated in fine styling with immaculate gem work that glimmered in the light. A fur collar and cloak was held by a golden chain that ran across his neck, and similarly decorated skirt ran around his waist, covered by tassets that gleamed like the rest of his armor. The king smiled proudly as he looked out over the crowd, his eyes searching.

"The king and queen look grand this evening." Lady Buvelle said softly, leaning slightly towards Jarvan. "They seem happier as well, despite the mood of the last few weeks."

Jarvan put on a smile as his parent's eyes fell upon him, the queen's smile growing as she beamed, and the king let a thin grin play under his beard as his clear blue eyes glimmered beneath the brow of his crown. "I don't think I can ever remember a ceremony nearly as grand as this." Jarvan spoke towards the councilor. She nodded slightly.

"They're celebrating for you, your highness." She took a step back and smiled as the king and queen approach, bowing low. The rest of the crowd followed suit as the King and Queen, hand in hand, moved slowly through crowd towards the prince. Jarvan started to bow, but the king raised a hand to forestall.

"I wish to formally welcome you home, my son." The king said, setting a hand upon the prince's shoulder. A tear ran down the queen's cheek as she continued beaming, her bottom lip quivering slightly as she looked upon her son with proud, teary eyes. "It is an honor to have you once again moving about these halls, and I wanted to wish you all the best of luck with our deployment this coming week."

"Thank you, father." Jarvan said firmly, stiffly. He bowed deeply, holding it for several long second before he stood up. "It is an honor to be amid such... company once again." Jarvand forced a smile onto his face as he looked around at the councilors, royalty, and officers that surrounded him now. "In my time away from Demacia, I came to appreciate what I had lost and now that I've returned, it's easy to realize what I've been away from for so long. So thank you, one and all for the wonderful celebration."

A polite applause echoed through the hall as gazes started to turn towards the stairwell that led into the room. The king stepped up towards the prince and patted the prince on the shoulder, grinning politely, though there was menace in his eyes. "A fine speech, my son." The king squeezed his should slightly, leaning in. "They may not be able to detect when you're being sarcastic, but I can." Electricity ran through Jarvan's body, the burn of his father's eyes judging him causing his skin to crawl. The king stood up straight, clapping him on the shoulder and grinning, though the warmth had faded from his eyes.

"Father..." Jarvan said softly, though his expression remained impassible, the king frowned slightly.

"If they believe your sincerity, I have nothing to worry about." The king bowed his head slightly, but sighed. "Just ensure that you never let your sincerity towards Demacia and her people waver. "Besides, it appears the other main attraction of the evening has arrived."

"Announcing Alicia Juniper and her escort, Lieutenant Proudmast Vorscham of the Royal Guard." The announcement came echoing through the hall. A grin grew across Jarvan's face as he turned to the stairs. "Alicia and Vorscham?"

"About damn time." The sergeant major grunted. Jarvan turned and watched him for a brief moment as he started to clap, giving the sergeant major a look that he hoped spoke of his amazement at the comment. The sergeant major grunted, raising his nose into the air just a tad as he looked away. "I don't exactly enjoy dealing with the diplomats, either sir. Bunch of gasbags if you ask me."

"Careful what you say, Sergeant Major." Jarvan chuckled softly, watching as Alicia and Vorscham descended the stairs. "They may be full of hot air, yes, but they also have enough sway to get you sacked, regardless."

"Bunch of pansies." The sergeant major grunted, but he shut his mouth, returning his attention to the crowd around the prince, returning to his job. "If they have a problem, they better say it to my face."

Vorscham and Alicia descended the steps formally, the lieutenant keeping a hand out horizontally at the elbow with his palm up, Alicia's hand palm down atop his, with her forearm resting upon his. Vorscham looked the part as lieutenant, wearing a royal guard's ceremonial uniform, though his left shoulder was decorated with a golden aiguillette, braided in a circular pattern that ran under his arm. He also lacked the helmet and though his long hair and beard had been well groomed, they didn't hide much of the scarring on the right side of his face. Alicia, blushing up a storm, also looked the part. Her dress was cut in vaguely military lines, a dark blue that matched Vorscham's dress uniform, though it lacked the insignia and the armor plates. She did wear a ceremonial sword, and along the lower right of her torso, the Demacian emblem had been stitched out in shimmering dark blue fabric that flashed the insignia with every step she took. Her snowy white hair had been braided into a single thick cord that fell to midway along her back. She looked as if she were struggling not to break into a massive smile.

"...but with those scars though?" Jarvan caught the hint of a whisper from somewhere behind him and he frowned, turning just enough so he could hear the voice better. "They're a true trophy of battle."

"Aye, but they're so... hideous." The second voice, deep but posh, sneered. "He's missing an ear, for god's sake..."

Jarvan turned and frowned, looking who the voice was coming from.

"They're scars from a training incident." Jarvan snarled menacingly, shutting up Councilor Yankov's red-faced drunkenness. The broad chested man sucked in his gut, straining the buttons on his fanciful coat, frowning at the prince, his face turning an even deeper red. "Perhaps you should show a bit more respect, councilor. He trains most of the guards who keep you and your profits safe."

"Oh course, your highness." Yankov slurred, bowing slightly, his grey hair shivering as he exhaled a bit too sharply. Jarvan frowned, the disdain evident in the councilor's voice but Jarvan ignored it, turning away. "I still find it utterly unsightly." Jarvan rolled his eyes at the whisper and forced himself to step away, towards where Vorscham and Alicia were being swamped with well-wishers and congratulatory councilors, many of them predatorily closing around Alicia, the intent of having a Demacian hero in their pocket obvious to all of those watching. Jarvan moved smoothly through the crowd and grinned as he emerged facing them both, forcing his grin to return to his face. Vorscham's face was a hardened mask as he shut down under the attention, a tempered reflex from years of dressing downs from officers. Alicia though was busy shaking hands and accepting praise, her smile both nervous and happy at the same time, her pale cheeks flushed with excitement.

"Prince Jarvan." Vorscham said gruffly, acknowledging Jarvan's arrival. Alicia and Vorscham bowed a bit and then stood tall, both of them looking at Jarvan.

"Alicia, Proudmast." Jarvan said, still struggling not to grin too wide. "What a pleasant surprise to see you two here together." He put a bit of an accent on the last word, ensuring they both caught the meaning of his words. Vorscham's face was impassible, but Alicia blushed a bit deeper in color and snuck a quick look at Vorscham.

"Thank you, sir." Vorscham said stiffly, the sound of his voice stony and emotionless. Alicia was much more gracious though. She beamed, showing off pearly white teeth.

"Thanks!" She said excitedly. "I'm excited to say the least." She said, looking around anxiously. She turned and looked about as others continued to congratulate her on the award she had yet to receive, and it was obvious from her embarrassed and excited expression that she hadn't been expecting it.

"I can tell." Jarvan said, grinning. He started to look back over his shoulder towards the stairs, but only the idle chatter of the other partygoers and the subtle music that floated through the hall could be heard. Jarvan shifted from foot to foot, looking around the room nervously. He tugged his jacket flat across his chest.

"She'll be here soon." Alicia said, wearing a pixie grin as she patted Jarvan on an armored vambrace. Jarvan looked surprised for a moment but when he realized what she meant he grinned and blushed. "You look like you're about to get married, Jarvan. Calm down, your highness, it's just a party..."

"Yes, well..." Jarvan looked around apprehensively, forcing himself to take a deep breath. "I'm alright."

Vorscham glared at the prince for a brief moment. "No you're not." Vorscham grunted. "I don't think I've ever seen you this excited before. It's just a bloody party."

"Call it what you want, but it's also Shyvana first official foray into the public eye." Jarvan said, straightening his tunic beneath his armor again. He met Vorscham's gaze evenly. "All the public have to go on are rumors and hearsay, and I want to correct that, starting with this evening." Jarvan frowning, looking around. Gazes were already being drawn towards the Lieutenant, and Jarvan could hear the subtle tones of whispers carrying through the room. "Many of the guests already seem… tense this evening. I don't like the atmosphere. I don't wish for her image to degrade any further."

"To that of a feral beast, you mean?" The king said idly as he approached the small group that had slowly drawn away the main crowd. The lack of malcontent in his voice kept the remark from being a stinging jab. "I've heard some of the rumors resulting from yesterday. The soldiers both fear and respect her power, which may come as a great asset or may prove to be her bane." The king shrugged, a grin fluttering over his face. "The rumors among the city are even more fanciful."

"She doesn't know what to make of it though." Alicia said softly. "She's conflicted, torn between so many different feelings and alliances that I doubt she's ever had to experience before."

"She thinks very highly of you, Miss Juniper." The queen said with a smile. "She spoke of you often when I was tutoring her in etiquette."

"I wanted to thank you for that." Jarvan said nodding slowly, looking to his snow-haired friend. "I don't think Shyvana would have ever had such an easy time if it weren't for you. If you ever need anything, please, just ask."

"I thought I told you to calm down, prince." Alicia said, grinning. "You're starting to make wild promises, Jarvan. Stop before you say something you regret, though… Having a prince in my debt is definitely something I'll remember." Alicia said chuckling lightly, the other joining in the conversation. Other partygoers had dispersed as the last came and went, extending their gratitude and thanks to the king and queen before returning to their cliques that were now starting for form around the room. Merchants had slowly moved towards the food while officers had moved towards the throne that had been set up opposite the main stairwell.

"It's about time, Trey." The queen said softly, leaning in towards the king. He glanced up towards the steps and nodded. She smiled at the prince, winking and grinning from ear to ear. "Do try and keep your jaw off the floor, Jarvan."

The prince nodded absent mindlessly, turning and looking to the top of the steps.

Shyvana stood at the top of the steps.