1.2 The Lay of the Land

Setia felt a blush creep up her cheeks and she stammered, merely nodding. She accepted the prince's hand as the prince escorted her up the stairs, toward the awaiting welcoming party.

(Ding! Love meter has increased to 5%) Eli's voice chimed in her head. Just based on her first impression! Wow, this prince was shallow.

The queen stood tall, surrounded by heavily armed Elven guard. Next to her stood the other prince's and the princess of the light elves. On the other side of the terrace stood a decorated Elven general, looking surly and disapproving.

"Welcome, your highness." The Queen nodded her head. "I see you have met Prince Niall. May I present to you prince Iosef, Prince Darien and Princess Livia. Also here to greet you are our esteemed general, Elarion Liandris, as well as some of the king's closest advisors." She made her way down the line, introducing them all. She nodded politely to each one.

"Where is the king?" Setia voiced before thinking. Silence greeted her. The shocked faces of the hosts were clear that she asked such a bold question. Sweat formed on Setia's brow. She could not afford to lose anymore of her court approval. The queen eventually laughed, her shrill chime echoing across the terrace.

"He has other matters to attend to, but he will see you later." She clapped her hands and gestured toward the grand doors. At her movement, they creaked and began to slowly move inwards. Setia sighed in relief. She seemed to have chalked up the odd question to differing cultural customs. Attendants continued to follow her as they made their way toward the entrance.

The queen led the way. Prince Niall walked at Setia's side, and Setia glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, still holding his arm. Something about him seemed… familiar. The quirk of his smile, that cocky glint in his eye. Setia shook her head to clear it. As soon as they stepped through the doorway, Niall dropped his arm. Setia stared down, slightly shocked. The smile dropped, and his demeanor was cold.

"We don't have to pretend now." He whispered. Setia nodded, straightening. He barely knew this prince! He shouldn't feel rejected.

"No, we don't." Setia said back in an icy tone. She turned forward and continued following the queen, leaving Niall to fall in behind her.

The interior of the castle was just as grand, if not grander, than the exterior. Vaulted ceilings, crystal chandeliers that refracted the afternoon light. Live vines wound their way over the walls and pillars that held the grand arches. Trees sprouted in the middle of marble tiles on the floor. It was as if the castle was alive.

The queen gestured to their left as they passed a grand opening that let into a courtyard. Servants wandered about the grounds, eyeing us up as we passed.

"This way is the sacred grove, which houses the tree of life. They built the palace grounds around our tree." They had built the palace to defend and protect the tree, who's fruit gives the gift of life. Healing, fertility, youth. Eating the sacred fruit was strictly controlled by the royal family, but they allowed pilgrimages from various elf kingdoms to worship at the tree. The queen explained all of this as they toured. They passed another extensive set of doors.

"Through here is the grand throne room, where the king holds court. He is busy attending to court affairs now, but he will greet you likely tomorrow evening, at the welcome ball." We passed the doors. We circled around back into a grand foyer near a grand staircase that ascended the higher levels of the castle.

"The servants will show you to your rooms. I'm sure the journey has exhausted you." She inclined her head to the attendants, and they gestured for her to follow them. Setia nodded, bowed to the queen and prince Niall, and followed the attendants up the stairs through winding sets of hallways until they reached a set of double doors.

The attendants threw the doors open wide and Setia's jaw dropped at the massive expanse of suites in front of her. They elaborately decorated things with gold trimmings and deep red draperies. Multiple rooms spanned out before her. There was a seating room, a large bedroom with a gigantic plush bed, a room with a work desk, and an ornate marble and gold bathroom. She had never seen such finery in her life.

Setia smiled, forgetting her audience she ran and jumped onto the bed, rejoicing as she sunk into the soft mattress easily. She giggled and sat up. She stilled, clearing her throat as she noticed the sly smirks on the attendants' faces. They bowed and left the room, closing the doors behind them.

The first thing she did was run to the washroom. She stared into the large mirror that hung above the washbasin. Staring in awe, she reached out to touch the reflection in the mirror, to see the figure reflected respond. She was small, but buxom in curves. She had long silver hair that hung over her shoulders loosely, her skin was a dark gray. Her eyes were like cat's eyes, bright gold. She had small fangs that showed when she smiled. She was delicate looking.

She looked odd, but she didn't know what was beautiful for a dark elf. Niall's love meter went up as soon as he saw her. So that must have been a good impression. Or perhaps he was just worried she was atrocious looking. Setia tapped on her silver bracelet.

"Eli! We're in the palace." She called him. She heard the familiar ding! Then Eli emerged in an orb of light, perching himself on the plush bed.

"Wow, nice place." Eli said, staring around the room. Setia sat on the edge of the bed and sighed.

"So, what do we do now?" She asked him. Eli shrugged his shoulders.

"I don't know. That's part of the experience, figuring it out. I would suggest raising your court approval, because that may lead to better relations between communities and help avert the war, but that would just be my plan of action." He said, staring at his claws. Setia moved her long hair over her shoulder.

"How do you suggest I do that?" Setia rested her head on her hand.

"Well, the queen said there would be a ball tomorrow, yes? That seems like a good place to put on an appearance and network." Eli pointed out. Setia nodded and leaned back, staring up at the chandelier on the ceiling.

"The prince seemed eager to put on an appearance of a betrothed couple in front of the crowds. Perhaps the people want the love story?" She mused aloud. Eli snorted.

"Everyone loves drama. The crown prince taking a dark elf bride? That's a story for the kingdom!"

"I guess I am here to put on a show." Setia tried to laugh. Eli snorted.

"You're here to stop a war. And maybe deal with that virginity problem." He winked. Setia sputtered and flushed bright red.

"Hey! Why do you say that?" She stuttered. He snapped his fingers and suddenly he was holding a package of papers in his hands. She realized he was reading her questionnaire.

"P-put that away!" She tried to snatch it from his claws. He giggled and made it disappear.

"Well, wouldn't this be the perfect setting to deal with that?" He prodded. Setia ignored him and stared out the window. She saw a tall figure dart across the grass, followed by a shadow. She stood up from her seat.

"I'm going to see what that's about." She went to her luggage and pulled out a loose tunic and leather pants. Eli sighed and stood up straight.

"Don't get in trouble on your first night!" He hissed. Setia nodded and exited her room, hoping she could find her way around the palace at night.