A Proposal.

Immediately after calling Court to order, Count Erwyn stands, "Your Majesty. Last night a diplomatic entourage arrived from The Kingdom of Phebis. The chosen representative of King Claudius wishes to speak with you."

You nod, "Of course. You may send him in." Phebis is a small Kingdom that lies next to Itheria to the east. Like Itheria, It too lies along the coast. The relationship between the two kingdoms have always been friendly. Itheria provides military protection to Phebis and much of Itheria's trade comes from Phebis. Because of this, they, and their rulers have always been close. In fact, You King Claudius were very distantly related. You can't remember exactly how though, perhaps you were not paying attention when Lord Gilbert was going over family trees during your education.

The Phebisian Ambassador swaggers in with the typical confidence of his job. The air of importance one feels when given a task by your king and the opportunity to please him. He has black hair and a twisted mustache. His colorful robes gives him an intelligent look that his real wits probably do not match. He stops before the lowest step up to the throne and bows. His arm hooking and pressing against his belly. "Your Majesty. Thank you for seeing me. My Liege wishes to offer his congratulations on your recent ascension to the throne.

You motion him to up and he sits up from his bow, "Thank you. What does King Claudius wish of me today?"

The ambassador nods, "My Liege wishes to invite you to a feast that he's hosting in three weeks time. There will be food and drink, Wine, pork, and as much food as you can eat. He hopes that you and he may form a great friendship between you and and him." He grins, "Also, My Liege has had his oldest daughter come of age just last year. He wishes to extend to you a marriage proposal. As you can see, King Claudius wishes that you and he not only become personal friends, but Itheria and Phebis become the stalwart companions that they have always been in ages past."

A few murmurs come from the court and you feel a tinge of anxiety crop up. Your eyes impulsively drift to Victoria who is watching you back anxiously. Between Countess Marissa, Lady Victoria, and now King Claudius's daughter. The number of women trying to gain influence over you is increasing rapidly. However, despite your personal anxieties, you cannot at least consider the Phebisian Princess without meeting her. It would be rude and Claudius would be personally insulted if you refuse the invitation.