Going out shopping for the day

[Sabrina de la Courcel (D)]

I was dressed in a simple gown of green with gold and brown accents, my hair pulled back in a matching mesh caul. The ring that Alexei and I had exchange during our secret wedding shone expressively and I smiled at the sight of it.

I contracted Princess Mercedes and asked if is she would care to go shopping. Though I was ready I hadn't been sure if she was and I was now waiting for her at the steps of the palace, my Cassiline's in toe, though at a firm distance.

I had tried contacting Leyna but had had no response, and Mercedes and my excursion was spontaneous so I assumed she was out for the day.

[Mercedes de las Aragonia]

I received a note from Sabrina asking if I'd like to go shopping. Not one to ever turn down the wishes of a monarch (and rather looking forward to it as well), I hurried to get ready. Clad in a peach coloured gown with my hair falling in natural waves, I walked to the steps of the palace, not dawdling but keeping a composed pace. Once there I curtsied properly. "I'm sorry to have kept you waiting your majesty. Please forgive me."

[Sabrina de la Courcel (D)]

"Not at all Princess Mercedes," I said smiling. "Good things come to those who wait." I jested with a wink.
"You look lovely, that colour is quite fetching on you."

[Mercedes de las Aragonia]

"Thank you your majesty," I said with a smile, relieved that she wasn't annoyed. It was a dangerous thing to gall a ruler. "May I offer congratulations on your engagement?"

[Sabrina de la Courcel (D)]

"Thank you," I said smiling happily as I inclined my head in thanks. "I'm quite pleased I must say." It was an under statement but I was sure my uncontrollable grinning would speak for me.

"Shall we?" I asked gesturing to the carriage.

[Mercedes de las Aragonia]

She looked more than simply pleased, just like she had still smiled through the blush when Knaj Alexei had kissed her in the Great Hall in front of us all.

"Of course," I said with a smile, shaking off the jealous thoughts. We made our way to the carriage and I stepped back to let her board first, her Casseline lurking in the corner of my eye. I knew there would be no safer place in the City with his presence, so ignored his dour expression.

[Sabrina de la Courcel (D)]

I made my way to the carriage and stepped up with the help of the foot man. The carriage was one of the smaller ones I had, it was a large carriage-for-two decked out in all House Courcel finery. Sitting I waited for Mercedes to join me.

[Mercedes de las Aragonia]

I climbed in after her, steadied by the footman. "How long had you and the knaj been courting?" I asked once the door had closed behind us.

[Sabrina de la Courcel (D)]

The door closed and the carriage lurched forward, I turned to Mercedes and thought for a moment.
"I believe he arrived during the winter," I furrowed my brow thinking. "Four months?" I said tentatively. "Give or take."

[Mercedes de las Aragonia]

A whirlwind romance then. Nothing wrong with that, as it obviously made her very happy. "He certainly is handsome," I said with a smile. "If it's not to bold for me to say."

[Sabrina de la Courcel (D)]

"Not at all," I said smiling. "I'm very lucky." I couldn't help but feel a warm flush over my cheeks as I thought of my beloved.
"Are you being courted by anyone?" I asked curiously. "I've heard rumour that you're seeking a husband."

[Mercedes de las Aragonia]

"Not at the moment," I replied, my mind flashing over the men in my life. Delaunay who had just left for Kriti, Walid who had appeared once more. Landis who I had just seen again after so many years. And the one I had met in the garden, Teo with his infectious smile. "I think my father has decided that I shall die a maid."

[Sabrina de la Courcel (D)]

I chuckled.
"I felt that way before meeting Alexei," I said smiling. "Will your father force you to marry if you don't find anyone?" I asked curiously.

[Mercedes de las Aragonia]

I shook my head. "He promised my mother he never would before I was even born. He has suggested some noblemen, trying to look after me, bless his soul. But I'm afraid they weren't quite what I was looking for." I chuckled. Any child knew the success rate of potential mates chosen by one's parents.

[Sabrina de la Courcel (D)]

I nodded.
"At least you have the freedom to choose." I said softly. "Have you met anyone that you've had interest in? Any potentials?"

[Mercedes de las Aragonia]

"There was someone, six months ago when I was still in Amilcar." I replied, gazing out the window. "But several things kept me from accepting his offer. I'm afraid the customs of his land were not something I was comfortable with."

[Sabrina de la Courcel (D)]

I nodded, curious to know who it was but knowing it would also be rude to do so.
"May I inquire into what you're looking for in a mate?" I asked instead. "If it's not too forward of me I could point you in the direction of some available lords."

[Mercedes de las Aragonia]

"Your majesty is very kind," I said with a smile, looking back to her. "In all honesty, I'm not really sure. A decent man certainly. But I'm also looking for someone who... fits. A soul mate perhaps, though it sounds so cliché."

[Sabrina de la Courcel (D)]

I chuckled and shook my head.
"I understand that." I said smiling. "I'm afraid that I'm eager to see people as happy as myself." I pursed my lips slightly wondering if she was at all annoyed with my thoughts.
"I won't push but if you'd like to meet some illigible men I'd be more then willing to help you. Just remember the offer. Unfortunately Terre d'Ange is a big nation and its not at all posible to meet all the ripe young men." The last I added with a jesting brow.

[Mercedes de las Aragonia]

I chuckled. "Well, I would appreciate your counsel on the matter your majesty. I'm afraid I know little of the... character of most of your subjects," I said with an honest smile. She was being so warm, offering her help.

[Sabrina de la Courcel (D)]

"I can certainly help you avoid the bad seeds." I teased. Glancing out the window I noticed that we had arrived into the hold of Mont Nuit. It was a short ride from Palace to it's Doorstep.
"Men of Terre d'Ange are more forward then most, I can pretty much guarantee that." The carriage began to slow as I talked.
"But you'll find that there are some good ones out there, if you're willing to be open to them."

[Mercedes de las Aragonia]

"Yes, I had noticed the forwardness," I replied with a little blush. "I met your cousin, Prince Delaunay, at the hunt festivities." The carriage stopped and the door was opened. Again I allowed her to exit first, as was her right.

[Sabrina de la Courcel (D)]

I laughed shaking my head stepping out of the carriage and waiting for her to follow.
"Prince Delaunay is a good man, deep down." I said smiling. "But I'm not sure he would be well suited for you."

[Mercedes de las Aragonia]

"He seemed to think he was, and was doing his best to charm me into thinking the same," I said with a light-hearted smile. I knew it was the ways of the court and didn't mind.

[Sabrina de la Courcel (D)]

"Hmm," I shrugged giving Mercedes and once over. "I think if he was able to grow up a little..." I trailed off. "Like I said he's a good man deep down, but for a man of eight and twenty years he's not much of a grown up." I chuckled guiding us toward the Aritsan's district.

[Mercedes de las Aragonia]

I laughed. "That was the impression I received," I said with a smile, following her lead with grace. "I also came to the conclusion that he hasn't spent much time out of the country."

[Sabrina de la Courcel (D)]

I shook my head a little.
"Some, from what I know. He's been to Aragonia and Tiberium for school." I sighed. "If he wasn't already courting the Duchesse de Montegue I'd say Prince Gratien de Somerville would be a match for you. He's much more a gentleman then Delaunay."

[Mercedes de las Aragonia]

I had heard the name, though not that he was courting someone. "A gentleman is surely a good beginning," I said with a smile. "As exciting as the 'bad boys' can be..." I let my voice trail off, my meaning obvious.

[Sabrina de la Courcel (D)]

I chuckled.
"But those can be all the more fun when the good ones are absent." I jested giving an sugestive look.
"Not that I would know sadly, Alexei is my only."

[Mercedes de las Aragonia]

I blushed a little at her first statement, though at her second my respect for her rose. I had heard rumour that she was a virgin, waiting for her husband, and was glad to hear it confirmed. It made me feel less alone.

"Trust me your majesty, I wouldn't know either," I said with a smile, cheeks still red.