Music and Musings

Despite her best efforts, dinner had concluded without another chance to broach on the ever present topic of Phillip's intentions. Anastasia reluctantly called the dinner portion of the evening over, and said a quiet prayer that the night was still young enough to continue their conversation. To Anastasia's disappointment, the following activity of the night would not allow for much acceptable conversating at all.

Princess Cora would be preforming on the piano concerto a piece she had been working on. Although small idle chatter was acceptable during some performances, this was not one them. At least not for Anastasia. If Anastasia spoke in the middle of a performance it might suggest disinterest. However, she had a solution in mind.

Even on a normal night, Anastasia preferred not to sit front and center when her sisters preformed during various events throughout their time in court. Although there once was a time she would dance along side Bryn or turn the pages for Cora as she preformed one of her newest pieces she had mastered on the piano, those days were now long gone. More often than not, she was the one performing while her sisters accompanied her. However, on these nights, when her sisters would bless the court with their love of the arts, she would take a step back.

In fear that more people would turn their attention to her and her reactions rather than her sisters, she would find a quiet spot in a secluded area of the room and all but disappear. It was well known that she loved her sisters, and found them to be nearly without fault, and as thus, she would take a back seat to the show. Or rather, a side seat.

One of the few changes Anastasia made to the courts of Karthia was in relocating where the grand piano had been located in a little alcove notched into one of the grand parlors, and instead placing it front and center. With the alcove now empty she placed a few chairs and closed off the cove to the rest of the room with sheer curtains that could be drawn up or closed depending upon her sociability.

Although the cove was more secluded, she did long to sit front and center to her sisters performances. She yearned for the times when she was able to hear Cora's delicate fingers dance across ivory keys until they brought forth a beautiful medley, and when the song all but came to concluding whisper she would be the first to stand and applauded. She missed the times when she could dance across the hall in a tornado of colorful skirts and feathers.

However, in her little alcove, she was able to relax somewhat, lean back, and enjoy what had the potential to be a quiet evening tucked away from the courts. However, there was still the matter of Phillip. Everywhere she turned, she felt as though she was left with more questions concerning his intentions, and she hoped she might glean some further information this evening.

Now seated, Anastasia observed her surroundings. Bryn sat on one side of her and Phillip on the other just was with dinner. Marchioness Adelaide sat against the right wall with Duchess Madeline sitting next to her. The two seemed deep in conversation about one of the newly announced couplings of the season. Duke Alegar was also in attendance, and Prince Taren was of course near his host. However, the prince quickly chose to sit in the corner of the room and nearly disappeared in the tapestried wall instead of standing with Due Algear.

Meanwhile, Duke Algear joined Baron Weston and Duke Hallaway in a conversation concerning taxes and the economy. Their respective wives sat on the opposite wall of Marchioness Adelaide and discussed newly bought silks. Guards were stationed near the sheer curtains in the room, but that was the extent to tonight's party within the small alcove

Now knowing who was within earshot, Anastasia strategized. She waited until the audience outside of the alcove and in the performance hall took their seats and the idle chatter of the room settled as the piano began its clear and pleasant melody before whispering, "What did you mean earlier?"

"Pardon?" He whispered back looking down at her for a moment before looking back out to the performance hall where Cora sat playing.

"When you said you needed to prove how much I meant to you… What does that mean to you Phillip?" Her head was fully turned toward him, but he only looked forward in contemplation.

Finally gaining confidence, he spoke, "Your highness, I think you are the most priceless jewel the Karthian crown has ever had the pleasure of claiming. I want to make sure that our Karthian treasure is always protected. I cannot promise you gold, nor diamonds, but I can promise you this," He turned to her before taking her hand in his own, "I will always be your faithful servant, and I will always be by your side."

Anastasia didn't know how to respond. Individuals often pledged their allegiance to her, but this felt different. She had no doubt he would stand between her and a sword should the need arise. Furthermore, she had no doubt he would do whatever he could to provide her with comfort for all the days they both lived. However, she still felt so unsure about how that translated to being her suitor, a king.

Before she could question him or herself any further, a certain young girl came bursting forth from the curtains drawing the attention of everyone inside the room.

Princess Daisy, in one of her few dinner gowns stood before Anastaia and Bryn with a pleading look already enhanced in her eyes.

"Daisy, what are you doing here?" Bryn immediately reached out for the young girl who came to sit in Bryn's lap timidly.

"I wanted to see Cora preform." the young girl seemed to plead with her posture as she spoke.

"But it's nearly your bedtime." Bryn retorted

"Please! I promise that I will go to bed as soon as Cora is done playing."

Bryn and Daisy turned to Anastasia. Normally, a Karthian princess would not be allowed to attend after hour events such as balls or late night dinners until they entered their late childhood, but Daisy was the youngest Karthian Princess. So, Anastasia nodded her approval for Daisy to stay for the event.

With a squeal of joy, Daisy snuggled into Bryn's arms and the two began to idly chatter. Turning her attention back to Phillip, she saw the faintest hint of a smile tease at the corner of his mouth. He had been watching their interaction before turning back to listen to Cora's masterpiece.

Anastasia decided to allow the silence to remain for now. She would see if she could maintain his audience for a while after the evening passed, but in this moment she didn't have to know what Phillips true intentions were. So she leaned back, content to be near some of her favorite people on the earth, listening to her sisters musical soliloquy as it was played, one note at a time.