"Grandma, Please excuse me. I… I need some air." Raina whispered tensely. Empress Evelyn saw the look in her grandchild's eyes and frowned. The sense of terror there was worrying. THe child had seemed so quiet and sure of herself only moments before. The whispers of the crowd had gotten louder perhaps but she couldn't bring herself to tell the child no.

"Yes of course, Princess. Please come back quickly. You there, go with her." The Empress pointed at a guard but Raina looked at him and shook her head. She reached instead for the guard a few feet away. She was familiar with him and the wolfish smile met her eyes. "Okay you then." He nodded instantly and came to stand at the Princess's side. She stood up, smiling tensely as she made her way to the south exit, Lazren only a step behind her. She needed fresh air, she couldn't' take it anymore.

Prince Clovis was returning with the other two women close behind as He noticed Raina moving away from her grandmother, a guard at her back. COncern found itself a home in his eyes as he watched her moving quickly toward the door. The whispers of approval that seemed to fill the air as he pa.s.sed made him worry more. Had she heard he was with Ramira? Did she get the wrong idea? He wondered as he nodded at the ladies to stay put. "I need to handle something. Please make your way to the Empress I will be there shortly."

"Is it the Princess? I am sure she is just stepping out for some air. Don't worry so much Clovis. The child is not made for such large groups. She's never been much of a social princess." Ramira reminded him with a soft smile.

"Not much of a Heir to the throne. Crown Princess and can't handle this little crowd." Lady Chay added with a bit of a frown. Ramira gave her a disbelieving look but Clovis' dark scowl was enough to freeze both their hearts. He turned to follow his daughter toward the door only to be frozen in his tracks as his breath was stolen away.

There standing in the doorway to the courtyard was a woman he had never seen so ravis.h.i.+ng since the day they met. White hair was swept up into a beautiful braided coil on the top of her head, stray strands of silver hair was wound into a bun at the back of her head. Stray strands of silver hair was pulled free dancing down her back. The deep blue silk that replaced her original dress was in the same style as the one before, it had a feel of a winter night in the forests with silver snowflakes embroidered on the thin cream colored under dress. Emerald trees were embroidered at the base like the forest swirled around her ankles. The sapphire over dress bringing out her willowy form beneath. Her face was lightly painted but the warm pink rouge across her lips brought out the sweetness in her smile. Alexi smiled as he led her into the room.

Raina couldn't help herself. She ran up and threw her arms around Raina's legs clinging to her. A soft frown curved those pink lips as her hands came to rest on the princess's hair gently holding the child. For a brief moment, the onlookers were surprised. There was a very motherly sense in the way the child hid in the woman's skirt and was accepted without hesitation.