A/N: A bajillion thanks to my beta Captain Fantastic for taking away the awkwardness. You're the bizzle.

R&R, lovvies. -Livvy

While financial affairs had always been of great interest to me, what had never been attractive was the pomp and circumstance which inevitably followed-- of the two of us, Nixil had always been the one blessed with social graces.

Before, it had been easy-- my parents could simply shove me in a corner, unadorned and unrecognizable with a ledger and a dinner plate. They had often feigned my sickness, apologizing to (mostly) false well-wishers as they mingled, shooting me reproachful glances when they thought I wasn't looking. Now though, due to my newly elevated status, it seemed foregoing the festivities would not be an option.

Standing there, staring at my change screen, whalebones digging into my sides with every breath, I was angrier at my father than I'd ever been. Only yesterday my father had told me about this 'celebration of trade relations', practically tossing this hellishly tight dress at me.

My mother would have killed him.

"I'm sorry, Razia-- I just have to tie this a little bit tighter... we're almost done..."

"No, Kate, it's fine, I understand."

I will not get mad. I will not get mad. I will not get--

"Ach!"

"Done!" Kate stepped back, grinning.

"There, Razia. You're all finished. I don't know why you always make such a fuss; you look quite stunning." She clapped her hands cheerily, and I sighed, attempting to get comfortable in the swirling turquoise death trap.

The dark blue band crossing my chest cramped my shoulder, and I was positive I that was going to trip over the 'ruched Brun silk, darling' that my mother had fawned over, but Kate was right. I did look quite pretty, damn it all-- there would be no chance of simply staying in a corner and letting the frolicking pass by.

There was a series of insistent raps on my door-- my mother, of course-- I sighed, sharing an exasperated look with Kate.

"Yes, mother?" I wrenched the ancient door open to see her angry visage, resplendent and furious in the dark Cabot Green.

"Don't yes me like that, Razia. You were supposed to be out fifteen minutes ago."

"I'm sorry, Mama, but this... contraption you've put me in is ridiculous-- it took Kate almost half an hour to lace it up!"

"And I'm sure it would have cut the time in half and made poor Kate's job twice as easy if you'd stayed still."

"But--"

"Just be quiet, Razia, and come down with me. Kate, dear, that's all we'll need till after the engagement."

"Lissan be with you, Madam, and many thanks." Kate bowed respectfully, and I shot her a look as I left the room behind my statuesque mother. I sighed, resigned, as Mama listed off last minute tips on etiquette.

"Help me, Lissan," I muttered, glancing at the stone bricks above me. "Help me."

There were people everywhere-- dancing, laughing, dressed in their absolute best, I was sure. I watched them mingle, looking sideways; most likely hoping that Mama would comment on their clothes or Papa on their wit.

I didn't like this; the people my father had invited were odd, especially when considering that this was supposed to be based on trade relations. He had invited delegates from every country, but almost all were relatively young (and quite handsome), and the meaningful looks he kept giving me puzzled me thoroughly. Now that I had assented to be his successor, he had no reason to marry me off; according to Cabot tradition, I would have to go live with my husband. In turn, Nixil would be the only one able to rule after him, a position both Nixil and my father adamantly resisted. Unless my father was planning to marry Nixil off to one of these men instead of me, my dear Papa was up to something that would definitely not bode well for me.

I sighed, wishing Nixil was here instead of off hunting-- he'd know what Father was up to. I picked up a tea cake, chewing absentmindedly, but my stomach was compressed by the ruffled blue nightmare. I felt a strong urge to throw up, and I walked to the nearest chair, sitting down immediately.

"Are you finished already, Princess? Pity-- I was going to ask you to dance." I turned around, confused, but I couldn't see anyone. I shook my head, turning back to the elegantly adorned table. I jumped in surprise.

"Who are you?" It was a bit rude of me, perhaps, but I didn't care. He had just made me look like a complete idiot in front of more than a hundred people, and I was already feeling none too charitable.

"I believe we were briefly introduced earlier this evening-- too briefly, it seems, if you have forgotten me already."

I looked at him for a moment; he was quite good-looking, with the bright blue eyes and rolling vowels characteristic of the Brun people to our Northeast. His clothes were well-made-- but then again, Brun was a rich country. I sighed, and he grinned at me.

"Are you finished trying to figure me out, Princess?"

I almost nodded, but as my head went down to admit defeat, I noticed the small insignia drawn on his ankle. My eyes flew up, triumphant.

"My good Prince Yuil of Brun, I'm wounded. How could you think I had forgotten your illustrious self?" I couldn't help smirking, and he laughed, holding out his hand.

"I apologize for my lack of faith, Princess. Dance?" I shook my head no, but he jerked his head to where I knew my parents sat, eyeing us, and I groaned.

"One dance, Miss Razia, and I will not tell the Great Madam." His grin was infectious, and I found myself on the newly swept tiles before I knew it. Prince Yuil was an excellent dancer.

"I can't dance, you know." I looked up between step sets, and he laughed again, a deep rich laugh that sounded as if it came from within his very bones.

"Lies, Princess. I believe what you mean is 'I won't dance.' After all, dancing is an essential part of training for our kind, is it not?" He spoke with such an easy cadence that he could have sentenced me to death and I would have laughed and danced all the way to the chopping block.

Lissan, this was getting ridiculous.

"How much longer is this dance?" I asked, and he frowned slightly.

"Am I so boring that you would want to get rid of me so quickly?" I shook my head hastily.

"No, of course not-- I'm simply tired. Today was long, and I was more than ready to go to bed before this started, quite honestly."

And the grin was back.

"Then this lovely Princess would not mind so much if I called on her tomorrow? Our party will be staying to negotiate with your father's advisors, and I would quite like some company."

I hesitated. I couldn't think of any reason not to accept Yuil's offer-- that by itself made me want to refuse-- but he was handsome and light-tempered, and if anything it would hold off those dreadful lessons for a few days more. The music was about to stop, and our feet slowed. I would have to make a decision soon.

"I won't be ready before nine-thirty," I said feebly, and he smiled broadly, letting go of my hand as we slowed to a halt right before the entranceway.

"I will see you tomorrow morning at nine fourty-five then, Princess. Madam," he said, inclining his head at an unseen entity behind me before making a quiet exit.

I drew in a breath, readying myself for my mother's questioning, and sure enough, she had her (quite infamous) eyebrow up expectantly.

I couldn't keep myself from smiling when I told her I wouldn't be at lessons.