Thread: the people's commander and his lady -- (LingeringDesire and The_Gladiator)

Vallon had learned of the ball on his pass through the palace. He had been away for days and somehow missed all the preparations. Vallon soon came to realize that the rouse of dance lessons that Elianna had used to secure his word that he would spend the evening with her had been that a rouse. He of course could not be angry with her for her deception, she knew him well, if she had not he most likely would have put in the barest amount of time required by his station. Although he would spend hours drinking and laughing with his men, or even commoners in a tavern, he had little patience for the many social gatherings common to most nobles of his rank. He chuckled at her comment regarding old farmer Gunther and then her light jab at him. Well I assure my lady that I would have been on time had I known that we were attending such a celebration rather than just spending the evening alone with you. His fingertips lingered on her shoulders the intimacy in his voice suggesting that perhaps he would have enjoyed such a thing more than the pompous gathering they were headed to. It was his way of returning her little jab as well. He snorted, Of course I want no one to see how beautiful you are, I may have to kill the next suitor to keep some lowlife from besmirching your honor. He let his eyes roam over her, Although I must admit that gown flatters your assets very well... A prince hmmm? The only other prince in the land besides for myself is Malacai, and as far as I know he is still away in Rercar. Vallons younger brother had been fostered in the land of their on again and off again enemies, as part of a piece initiative. Malacai returned to his homeland very infrequently and all the rumors spoke that Malacai did not wish to return on a permanent basis, that the foreign land was now his home. Vallon honestly could not say, his brother never really talked about it to his estranged older brother. Aye my lady, we must away. He said, he had switched to addressing her in a more formal manner, abandoning the familiarity of little one for the formal my lady, even still, the name still sounded familiar rolling from his tongue, for he would never address her so familiarly as little one in public. He bowed over her hand kissing it softly before he tucked it into the crook of his arm. He walked with her to the ballroom, noting that they were one of the last ones to enter he couldnt help smiling at that, just how he liked itthe less time he had to spend with the sycophantic nobles the better. There were lots of whispers as the two strowed through the elegant ballroom. They did make a lovely sight together, Vallon was considered to be very handsome and strong, while Elianna was nothing but beautiful. Vallon considered her question, Which option gets me out of socializing with thesepeople? he said, the pause suggesting that people had not been his first choice in descriptors. As he guided her through the room he was forced to stop and greet many of the nobles, all eager to ingratiate themselves with the prince. Many of them also greeted Elia, for her father was also very well known. Elia earned more than one glare for being on Vallons arm, a coveted honor that others dearly wanted.