It begins

[Prince Delaunay de la Courcel]

I looked in on Phreya, she was doing her hair in white mesh caul that strangely accentuated her hair. I smiled leaning against the door.
"Are you not ready yet?" She shook her head and added a pin.
"How course not." She smiled returning to her image in the mirror.
"Delaunay, why don't you go on with out me. Take the carriage and pick up Douleur and then have Jean to come back and pick me up." I smiled
"Are you sure?" I pushed myself off the door frame.
"Of course, go ahead." I smiled and stuck out my tongue in a joking maner. I walked down the stairs finding Jean-Claude waiting for us.
"My sister is still not ready, you will take me to Valerian and then to the palace." I patted him on the shoulder guiding him to the carriage. "Then return to retrieve Phreya." He nodded.
"Of course my lord." Jean jumped up on to the driver's seat as I jumped into the cab of the carriage. We were soon at Valerian and I took a deep breath as I exited the cab and walked to the doors of Valerian. I found Douleur at the entrance awaiting my arrival.
"My lady, you are a beauty." I smiled making a bow and kissing her hand.

[Douleur nó Shahrizai]

I smoothed the fabric of my dress and glanced in the mirror. Nara had been right, the dress looked amazing. I had never worn anything that felt so perfectly tailored to my body. I headed out to the entrance way to await Prince Delaunay. The soft velvet of the dress caressed my skin as I walked, making even the slightest of movements pleasurable.

I heard a carriage arriving just as I reached the entrance way. I looked out to see Prince Delaunay exiting the carriage. He was breathtaking, which turned out to be more than a metaphor as I found I had actually stopped breathing at the sight of him.

He took my hand and kissed it, sending warm tendrils up my arm. I curtseyed deeply, keeping my chin down demurely. "Thank you, your grace. " I glanced up at him through my eyelashes as I rose from my curtsey. Somehow I felt much more experienced and poised when I was in his presence.

[Prince Delaunay de la Courcel]

I found myself smiling in the pressence of Douleur, something I only reserved for Phreya. I had to chuckle to myself, I felt silly to be feeling so giddy but it must have been something in the air. I turned offering my arm.
"Tonight you are my Princess." I smiled allowing her to take my arm, it was an ease I hadn't felt in a long time and I felt somewhat more relaxed then I had as I entered Valerian House. I led her to the carriage and helped her into the cab, her dress flowed beautifully and she smelt fresh, like....I couldn't tell.
"Are you ready?" I smiled motioning for Jean to go and not waiting for response from Douleur. I smiled now feeling a sense of awkwardness now. It had been years since I had contracted and adept and I had spent much of my time with my parents of Phreya. Words failled me in to what to say but I decided to start with something simple.
"Do you like Valerian House?"

[Douleur nó Shahrizai]

I settled in the seat and smiled at Prince Delaunay as the carriage began to its journey.

"Very much, your grace. I have a large family and wonderful parents, but Valerian is my home. I did not know much of the Houses before I was presented to the Dowayne of Valerian by my parents, but I know now I was always meant to be where I am." As I said the last part I hoped he took it as I meant it, not as arrogance that I was meant to be with him.