Visiting Royalty (Arthur/open)

[Princess Isotta of Iwernia]

One wouldn't say the entire court was gathered, but most inhabitants of the citadel has turned out to see Camelot's newest visitor. The guards posted outside King Uther's great hall bowed respectfully at the visiting princess as she passed, but not nearly as deeply as they would for their own reigning monarch. This was only to be expected. Her Highness didn't realize that her lady's maid found the left guard appealing- or so her not-so-subtle wink would imply.

As the large wooden doors swung open, the lady squared her shoulders and prepared to enter the hall. Praying that the inhabitants of Camelot did not disapprove.

"Princess Isotta of Iwernia!"

Hearing her name announced, Isotta took a deep breath, and stepped forward into the hall. As she strode purposefully past them, the citizens of Camelot bowed and curtsied- again, only for visiting royalty. Isotta was not terribly special here, but she deserved some respect in her own right.

One great consolation was that Isotta knew she looked lovely. Women always feel more confident when they know their appearance is good. Her long ivory dress accented her figure perfectly, and her fiery red hair was tamed for once, pulled back into a conservative bun.

Reaching the end of the hall, Isotta sank into a delicate curtsy- to the degree deserved between royal highnesses, and not an inch lower. She smiled, hoping that Prince Arthur liked her.

[Prince Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur sat beside the throne, playing with the hem of his jacket absent mindedly. It had started to fray and he was having great fun trying to remove all of the loose threads. His father had been wittering on about a visiting princess and the politics between their kingdoms for some time now, but all Arthur had heard so far was "blah blah blah".

"And I would like you Arthur, to take up the honour of showing Princess Isotta around Camelot." Uther finished. At this Arthur's ears pricked up. He hadnt expected to have to do anything when this princess arrived, but now he had to show her around? Last time that hadn't quite gone to plan...

Before he really had time to protest though, a loud voice announced the Princess' arrival and Arthur was forced to remain silent, and rise with the rest of court.
"Princess Isotta of Iwernia!"

Another snotty, brat of a princess Arthur thought, as he waited for her to reach the back of the hall. He expected she would have the trailing curls, over the top dress and daddies-girl attitude that every other foreign princess seemed to wear, and dreaded having to spend the next few hours- or even days- with her.

As Isotta finally graced the throne though, Arthur was pleasantly surprised. She was dressed simply rather than overdoing it with frills and lace, and her hair was tied back neatly. Despite her conservative attire though, Isotta was a thing of beauty- a porcelain doll with hair of fire. Arthur had never met someone whose hair had sucj a hue, and he was intrigued to know what magic had made it that way.

As she curtsied before him- to just the right height of course- Isotta smiled, and Arthur found himself warming to her already. He was used to girls fluttering eyelids or scowling at him, and to see a friendly smile was a pleasant change.

Arthur somehow found himself hoping that Isotta found him as likeable as he did she.

[Princess Isotta of Iwernia]

Isotta's ankle wobbled under her as she rose from her curtsy, and it was a credit to her training that she didn't fall. She met not King Uther's but Prince Arthur's eyes firmly, but with a hint of delicacy. Her lips were dry as could be, but she didn't dare moisten them in front of His Highness. That was just something she would have to deal with.

Ordinarily, the reigning monarch would be first to speak, but Prince Arthur seemed a bit- well, she wouldn't quite say shocked, but he was definitely surprised by her appearance. It was obvious in his expression. His lips were parted slightly and eyebrows somewhat raised, an expression of polite surprise. Isotta decided to take some initiative.

"Your Majesty, thank you so much for allowing me to visit your great kingdom," she intoned, praying they didn't think her insolent. But what else was she to do, stand there in silence? That would be embarrassing for all of them.
"The king and queen of Iwernia send their deepest regards."

Nervously, Isotta's hand gravitated up to smooth her hair. Of course, the moment she realized it, the princess felt her face heat up. She waas sure she had to be tomato-red in shame- such an act of impropriety, and in front of the King and his son!

She resisted the urge to bite her lip and waited for her next cue.