A/N: I know a few people didn't like the 'character dump' as it were, but I will make sure all of the main characters develop distinct personalities so you can tell them apart, besides their culture and appearances. Bare with me as we meet the last 6 of the main cast. I do hope ya'll still are interested enough to keep up with this too because I do love this story.
Special thanks to my editor Todger65. He's been awesome.
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Cyrus was highly distracted by his own thoughts. So much so that he accidentally bumped into someone.
"Oh!" the person said as she fell back a bit.
The prince looked up, his cheeks red in mortification.
"I am so sorry miss." He said before really looking at whom he'd accidentally bumped into.
He completely lost all thought though when he saw her. The young lady took his breath away! She had the same kind of olive toned skin as him, with curly turquoise hair that was partially pulled back. Her eyes were pale pink. She was wearing a crème colored dress with blue green accents. The soft and light fabric cascaded down her figure and there were green and blue cords wrapped around her waist. She reminded him of the statues found in the palace of his home. Eighteen year-old Koralia Raptis was having troubles of her own though. The five foot three Anahalian young lady couldn't take her eyes off the handsome young man before her, even though he was wearing a mask. Finally, she recovered her wits.
"It's quite all right sir. I wasn't paying attention to where I was going." She replied.
It was true; Koralia was getting hot and becoming lightheaded by all the crowds, and sought to seek sanctuary outside.
"Are you alright miss? You look a little pale." Cyrus asked her.
"Oh I will be fine. I am not use to large crowds and it's getting warm in here."
"Perhaps you would like to go outside, or get something to drink then?"
"Mm, a drink of water would do nicely."
"May I escort you to the buffet then? I hear the Ajna water they serve is the best." Cyrus asked, offering his arm to her.
"Thank you. That would be nice." Koralia blushed before taking his arm.
Another person was taking a drinking break also. Twenty-three year-old Mariko Yamaguchi was sipping some hot tea while sitting on a pillow next to one of her friends, Reika Nagasu. The two ladies were part of a dancing group from Vinsumi and danced throughout the festival. Tonight though they were merely guests of the royal family of Vinsumi and since Mariko and Reika were the team captains, they were allowed to sit with the royal family.
"I cannot believe how fast the festival was. Waiting for it to happen seemed like forever and then it went by in a blink." Sighed Reika.
Mariko smiled at her friend, who had pale skin and dark blue hair. Like most who lived in Vinsumi, she had slanted eyes. Mariko also had slanted eyes, but her skin had a bit more color to it. This was due to the fact that her maternal grandmother was from Sasuren. She stood tall compared to other Vinsumi women at five foot eight. Mariko had black hair that was pulled up in a Vinsumi fashion and it shaped her face. She also had high cheekbones and royal blue eyes. Being a dancer, she had natural grace about her. Her dress was of typical Vinsumi fashion. It had a thick belt that covered most of her midsection and her dress looked more like a robe, but it had slits in it so Mariko could walk easily. The gown also had long sleeves that came down to the floor and she was wearing sandals. The colors she wore were pale blue and royal blue.
"It has been fun hasn't it? I will admit though, I am looking forward to going home." Mariko replied.
"Same here. Oh, look Mariko, there's Prince Jiang. My but doesn't he look handsome!" sighed Reika.
Mariko looked up and saw the oldest prince of Vinsumi. Mariko had met Prince Jiang Liao on different occasions, so even with a mask on, the Vinsumi lady recognized him immediately. Dressed in different shades of blue with black accent, Jiang was the epitome of Vinsumi men. His long black hair was pulled back and he was tall at six foot two. Mariko couldn't see them from here, but she knew the prince had dark brown eyes. His pale skin had some olive undertones due to his mother being of Anahalian royalty. In fact, she was the older sister of the current king there, so that made the children of both royal families first cousins. The prince was currently twenty-six and was ready to take the throne, but he first must find a bride. Mariko wondered if he was pressured to find potentials this night. It wouldn't be surprising, seeing how he danced all the dances so far with different ladies from every kingdom. She felt bad for the man and hoped he would find someone capable of becoming the future queen of Vinsumi. Next to the kingdom of Puran, the kingdom of Vinsumi was the largest of the seven kingdoms.
Soon, the dance ended and Jiang returned to his spot next to his father. He didn't want to admit it, but he was really tired and wanted to take a break from dancing. However he'd never utter a word of complaint to his father, especially since the older man asked that he dance with as many as he could to find a potential wife. Two of his younger siblings were engaged and the pressure was starting to build. Vinsumi was a kingdom that respected its traditions and it was tradition that the eldest had to marry first before any other. Jiang was determined to find several potential bride candidates tonight, but yet had to meet someone that moved him. His mother said he would know it when he met her. Being the practical man that he was though, he wasn't so sure. He was jarred out of his thoughts though when one of his four younger sisters sat down in front of him. She looked more like their mother; however, her eyes were slanted and her hair was black.
"Are you enjoying yourself Jiang?" she asked with a smile.
"Yes, Mao. I am taking a small break right now." Jiang told the twenty year old.
Honesty and good communication was considered vital in their kingdom so Jiang never lied. At the same time though, he rarely told everything he was thinking. Mao was different though because she had this skill for knowing if someone was hiding something. Smiling at her oldest brother, Mao considered his words and knew he was telling her more than what he told most. She knew him to be a private person and respected him for that. Looking around, she spotted two of her father's guests, Reika and Mariko, stand up and head for the buffet. She really liked Mariko and did notice how the lady watched her brother throughout the night and during the festival. She noticed though that Mariko tried not to look obvious about it. An idea formed into her mind and she almost grinned, but refrained from doing so.
"Have you had anything to eat yet?" she asked Jiang.
"No not yet."
"Why don't you get something than? If you're to keep on courting, you need to keep your strength up."
Jiang looked at his sister and nodded.
"Yes, you're right. Excuse me." He said before standing up.
After he left the table, Mao smiled in satisfaction.
King Tsung, noticing the look, turned to his eldest daughter and said, "You're up to something daughter."
"Indeed I am father." Mao admitted.
The king chuckled and he watched his son head for the buffet.
"Come now Karl, I really had hoped you would have danced with one girl by now." the elderly King Eoric Ostberg of Ajna commented to his grandson, Prince Karl.
The twenty-three year-old white hair prince sighed. Karl was the only child of his parents and with them both dead and his grandfather getting old in years, he was getting pressured to get married and produce an heir. His own father died before he was born during a disease outbreak and his mother died giving birth to him. His grandfather was one of few family members he had and the two were often at odds with each other. This was mostly due to the fact that King Eoric was old school and jovial, whereas Karl was progressive and silent. In fact, Karl only spoke when either ordered to or when he had something to say.
"Sir, I've yet to see anyone of interest, so why waste time?" Karl said honestly, looking directly at his grandfather with grey blue eyes.
One common trait that all Ajna folk shared was their skin tone. All were pale with silver undertones. Living in the harsh and cold mountain kingdom, the people developed thick skins and backbones. The king and prince were no exceptions.
"Karl, how can you know a person without at least talking to her?" the king replied.
Karl remained silent. His grandfather had him there, he admitted to himself. However, the six foot four muscular prince relied on his perceptions and instincts a great deal. Truth and the sixth sense were part of the core that made up the beliefs of his people. At the moment, Karl looked around and sensed he'd yet to find someone worthy of his time. He hoped that he would become interested in someone from his own kingdom. Unlike most royal households, the Ajna royal household was not into marrying their offspring off to other royals. They preferred those closer to their belief systems and so most Ajna residents married those within the kingdom.
"I don't know about this Britta, why must you insist I meet King Eoric and his grandson Karl? I want to check on my brothers." Complained a five foot seven Ajna young woman with silver hair and midnight blue eyes to her friend, who was a relative of the ruler and his grandson.
Her white hair and pale blue eye friend sighed.
"Honestly, Vera. I keep assuring you that your brothers are fine and fast asleep with my old nanny. Besides, how many opportunities will you get to meet my Great Uncle Eoric and cousin, Karl?" Britta asked her nineteen year-old friend.
Britta Haltz's mother was the king's niece, but lived a good distance from the royal capital of Icenon. Vera and Britta had been friends for years despite them being of different social statuses.
"Okay, I'll meet them, but only so you will stop bugging me." Vera commented, trying to sound stern.
However, she couldn't keep the teasing glint out of her eye and Britta saw that and smiled. Vera was a very statuesque person with toned muscles. Her dress was very modest compared to most of the other fashionable gowns here, but Vera was not one to flaunt and was actually pretty insecure when it came to her image. Britta was one of few people to know this side of her and found it endearing. Vera was wearing traditional Ajna colors too, light blue and midnight blue colors. Unbeknownst to Vera, a good number of men had looked her way. And she had just caught the attention of Karl.
"Look Karl, your cousin Britta is coming over here with someone." King Eoric replied.
Karl didn't want to admit that he was already looking. He was very curious who this woman was and already began to sense her uneasiness. Both he and his grandpa stood as Britta arrived with a now tense Vera. However, as nervous as Vera was, she still managed to curtsey when Britta did.
"Uncle Eoric, you are looking well." Britta said.
