Chapter 512

Blank paper slid in front of Lucien and he blinked at it silently. After a moment, he looked up at Helion and raised an eyebrow when he found the High Lord looking back at him expectantly. Neither of them said anything for a few heartbeats, and then Lucien could hold his tongue no longer.

"And what is this for?" he nodded his head at the paper, eyes still on his father.

"You intend to hold a gathering in the Court. Inviting the other High Lords." Helion said, "This is growing closer with each passing day…"

"Yes…" Lucien agreed, tilting his head.

"So far I have seen no evidence of what is to be occurring… No planning…"

"Ah…" Lucien blinked, eyes going back to the paper. "And what is it that you wish to see? Possible colour schemes?"

"No…" Helion said, voice measured, "But a guest list might be a good place to begin. We will need to ready the palace and rooms for guests to stay in. These things can take time."

"Of course." Lucien knew that and he felt he faint heat of a blush creep up his throat. He had organised dozens of meeting between Courts in the past. He knew how these things worked, and he didn't wish for Helion to think he was incompetent upon organising his first event as the Heir to the Day Court. "I apologise, I have not really begun thinking about it all yet."

"There have been other things going on." Helion acknowledged.

"I'll get on it." Lucien picked the paper up and rolled it. "I would like to discuss the list with Elain, if you don't mind." He added, "I can get it to you by dinner…?"

"By tomorrow will suffice." Helion replied, smiling at him, "I would also like to go over it before invitations are sent."

"So you can veto anyone you don't like?" Lucien couldn't help the grin, wondering who the High Lord might not want coming to his Court.

"Well…" Helion's smile turned sharp, "I would also just like to be prepared for who might be arriving."

"Fair enough." He tapped the rolled up paper against his knee, still looking at Helion, "Is there anyone you would prefer I not add to the list anyway?"

"Not that I can think off the top of my head…" Amber eyes held Lucien's gaze, "You must have some idea of where you will be drawing the line, though. Surely you do not intend to invite the whole of every Court in Prythian."

"Obviously not." Lucien smiled his Courtier's smile. "Elain and I hadn't discussed it all that much past the initial idea, but we had thought the High Lord's and Elain did mention Queen Vassa…"

"The mortal Queen…?"

"Yes."

"…Interesting." Helion's face was an unreadable mask, and Lucien waited a moment just in case his father wished to say something further. When nothing was offered, Lucien went on.

"Obviously the High Lord's would bring their mates or partners, likely a handful of their closest Courtiers etc…" He paused for a moment, "Perhaps we can give them an open invitation for a certain number of guests, and they will provide us with the names of those guests with the acceptance of the invitation."

"How many, would you say?"

"Ten per Court?" Lucien asked, watching as his father thought about that and nodded.

"We could accommodate that."

"Alright, then." Lucien tapped the rolled up paper against his knee again as he thought further about it. "Are you sure you do not wish to discuss colour schemes?"

"I shall leave that up to you and Elain." Helion replied, "This is your event as Heir. It is your choice."

Watching the older male, Lucien's grin widened. "You usually do that, don't you?" he asked, knowing full well that it would only be too easy to see Helion coordinating the decorating and decisions around the themes of his other events. Helion smiled back at him.

"I have taste and standards." The answer was simple, and told Lucien that he had been completely correct.