King Casimir entered the banquet hall with grace and elegance of an intelligent man who could belong anywhere. His men followed in pairs behind him, they all wore similar colors styled differently, gold, black and crimson.
The room was vast and lined with ice pillars that gleamed and was lit by ice chandlers carved of crystal. The air hummed with ancient frost magic that signified the many who could wield ice and water just as easily while his magic laid dormant.
Queen Caroline sat at the head of the table like a figure of cold winter itself carved from snow, she wore a white dress that was decorated with silver snowflakes scattered all over the dress, which shimmered for every movement she made.
"Your Majesty, King Casimir," she greeted, "join us," she said as she rose from her seat, indicating with her hand the seat next to hers.
A slow smile appeared on his face as he moved forward and took the seat beside her, while his men took their places further down the table, facing the Winter nobles.
His gaze swept over the assembled lords and ladies gathered at the table and he noted the shar p gazes and calculating silence.
Which he had expected since the Winter Court was known for its cold diplomacy and measured words and hidden spears.
A servant filled his goblet with dark spiced wine, which was rich upon his tongue and surprisingly warm. Another set his table with plates of different dishes, roasted vension drizzled with wild honey and wild berries, smoked salmon spiced with herbs and delicate pastries filled with hot butter cream and cinnamon.
All the dishes were carefully laid before him not excessive, but all hot. Interesting he thought which caused him to wonder how they kept food and drink warm here.
"I commend your hospitality, Queen Caroline. You have gone to great lengths to accommodate us well." He praised her.
She smiled as her cheeks blushed a light shade of pink, "it is my duty, King Casimir, I am pleased you are satisfied, even if you do not feel like home here." She replied daring him to say anything more.
"A duty? What happened to it being a pleasure?" He teased her lightly.
She reddened further, aware they had an audience watching their banter.
"And a pleasure...," she admitted begrudgingly.
Not wanting to stir up strife even if she felt at the moment like hitting him with a club for making her blush like an embarrassed princess instead of the firm and decisive cold queen she needed to be.
"Your Majesty," addressed the elderly noble addressed Queen Caroline, "are we to understand that the Summer King and his men will be staying for an extended period of time?"
His tone was cool and polite, with undercurrent of meaning as to the Summer King's visit not being too long for sure thought King Casimir as he stared at the man in question.
"Lord Everand, you speak as if you were not informed, the time spent by the Summer King in our lands is entirely up to him." Queen Caroline replied in a gentle tone.
"What of the marriage Your Majesty, does he still choose to wed you?" Lady Genevie another elderly noble woman stood up.
"You all talk as if I were not here," King Casimir stood up finally addressing the whole crowd.
"Pardon, Your Majesty we meant no disrespect, fire and ice do not mix well." Lady Genevie replied cautiously.
"Then it is good we are wearing these, is it not?" He asked displaying his silver steel bracelet for everyone to see.
A ripple effect immediately happened throughout the crowd gathered as some murmured their approval and others whispered their fears.
So they had not realised their queen kept their powers contained, interesting he thought.
Queen Caroline took a sip of her goblet as though nothing had gone amiss.
Standing up she declared "that should be proof enough that King Casimir values trust, not just power."
"I fully intend on making, Queen Caroline my queen, where she decides to make her home will hopefully be with me." He said looking directly at Lady Genevie.
"Your Majesty, you will accept this, after your father the King died on his lands?" Another, Lord Aarav asked her getting up concern etched on his brow.
"My father would have wanted this union, Lord Aarav even at the cost of dying for it."
"That was his death, this is your life, will you still go through with it?" He pressed on.
"Yes, I would. The cause for peace is what my mother would have wanted as well, as do I," she declared openly taking another sip of her wine.
She took her seat then.
"Please be seated," she encouraged.
"I want this night to be about us getting to know and better understand our guests, without worries of the future despite what our personal intentions and agendas might be." she replied staring at all court nobles.
"If you would all raise your glasses with me as we welcome, King Casimir and his men of valor to the Winter Palace, may your days here be pleasant," she said lifting her glass.
There was a collective unison as all her nobleman and noblewoman raised their glasses together with her and drank as the edge of the glass touched her lips.
King Casimir and his men raised their glasses as well and drank.
Well the wine was sure pleasant, what lay ahead remained to be seen, he thought. Now if only he knew how to crack her icy exterior and win her heart.