Sleeping Princess/Prince

Daisy had fallen asleep in Bryn's arms before Cora's performance was finished. Bryn rather quickly dismissed herself and Daisy, asking Anastasia to give her condolences to Bryn for not being able to celebrate her accomplished musical performance as soon as it was over. Anastasia nodded her approval and watched as her youngest sister was carried away in Bryn's maternal arms.

Anastasia now turned her attention back to those in the alcove. Her right side now felt empty without her sister sitting beside her, but she didn't move over to close the space.. Instead she remained where she sat next to Phillip. Whether he noticed this or not, he gave no sign of confirmation.

So it was like this Anastasia finished out the rest of the performance. Once Cora had finished the last piece of the night, a loud round of applause erupted from the crowd. Cora took her bow as others in the court rose to give her a standing ovation, and Anastasia smiled. She enjoyed the moments when her sisters were able to get their due praise, something that unfortunately didn't happen often when your sister was the queen.

Once the applause died down some, Cora stepped off the raised platform and began the stroll to the alcove. It was costumery for the performer to come and address those within the Queen's alcove first, before spending some time mingling with the others outside of the alcove

Cora entered the alcove and immediately bowed as another round of applause within the room went up for the young pianist. Cora bowed lowly first in recognition of the crowd, but then again before Anastasia. When she rose a victorious smile graced her face.

Anastasia was the first to speak and did so with praise, "You did magnificent Cora dear!"

Phillip nodded in agreement, "It was one of the best musical performances I have had the honor of attending in many years yet." he accompanied.

"I am unworthy of such praise, but I thank you for the kind words." Cora bowed again as a slight blush creeped up her checks.

Looking around, a look of bewilderment crossed Cora's face as she searched for something. Anastasia clarified for her knowing she was looking for Bryn, "Bryn had to take Daisy to bed. Daisy had insisted she be allowed to watch your performance, but sleep took her before she could give you the applause you deserve for your performance."

"Ah," Cora mumbled in understanding, "I will see that Daisy is given proper admonishment when she wakes in the morning." a small chorus of laughter erupted from the crowd as everyone already knew that Cora would do nothing to her younger sister.

Cora then went to others within the room. They gave similar testaments as the described how much they each enjoyed the performance. Then Cora took hear leave and mingled with others in the court.

Fairly quickly, those who were still in the alcove filtered out, first saying good night to the queen before leaving for their private quarters. Phillip was the last one left in the room. Although there was still so much that Anastasia wanted to say, she couldn't bring herself to. There had to be better time and place for this conversation.

Not noticing, or deciding to ignore the look that plagued Anastasia features, Duke Phillip bowed down and kissed the back of her hand. "I greatly enjoyed our time together tonight you majesty."

"As did I Duke Phillip." Anastasia nodded and a slight smile graced her lips as Phillip backed away ever so slightly.

"I hope that we might be able to continue our conversation from this evening soon."

"I will see that we find a time to do so. Thank you, Phillip." She replied honestly, and he nodded, before leaving.

Anastasia was left seemingly alone in the alcove. Most of the court had filtered out of the performance hall, and Anastasia took in the moment of quiet. However, it was not quite as quiet as she was thinking it would be. It appeared Duke Algear had one too many sips from the punch bowl, as he forgot a very distinguished guest of his in the corner of the room. Anastasia might not have noticed the young man, if not for the rhythmical sound of quiet snoring coming from the corner of the room.

She turned around to see Prince Taren with his head tilted to the side and lips loosely parted in his sleep filled state. If she was more a person of action, or rather passion, she might grab the sword that hung frightening closes to his hip at all times and behead him with it. Instead, she took a breath and chose to do nothing. Should the man decide to sleep that was on him, not herself.

However, there was a peace about him as he slept, pout still evident on his face as his head lulled to the right ever so slightly. She couldn't help, but laugh. It was not a whole hearted deep sound, but rather a slight giggle almost. It made her sound nearly a school girl, looking at a fellow school boy she admired with a foreign but familiar fondness.

To her surprise, the slightest hint of her chuckle caused him to stir. A slight grumble came from his direction before he groggily questioned "Would you have ever woken me?"

Anastasia, taken aback, but not yet ready to end the conversation retorted "I didn't realize it was my job to wake you."

Slowly coming into awareness he returned "Nor was it your sister's job to enchant a grown man to such a sound sleep, or perhaps it was."

Not quiet sure how to respond Anastasia simply tilted her head. This caused him to continue on his sleep drunken rant, "Who would have thought it. The Karthian Queen's best defense against her so called enemies would be her sisters melody played in a quiet parlor with nary a soul around to disturb them"

Still unsure of herself, Anastasia did not respond, but perhaps that was the best as the Prince finally appeared to regain his full senses and became aware of who it was he was speaking to. "Pardon me your majesty," He stood, although more slowly than normal. "The sleep must still be clinging to my mind as I am not coming across as I wish to."

Anastasia decided to ignore his statement al together and instead decisively said, "You should apologies."

"I'm sorry," he returned in earnest

"Not to me, to Princess Cora. She was set to perform a solo, not a duet with your snores working as harmony." A teasing tone took on the later part of her statement.

He laughed, authentically, full heartedly laughed, and Anastasia was taken aback. Once he was able to speak coherently again, he responded. "With your permission, I shall seek the appropriate audience with your sister to apologize for my transgressions."

"You have my permission," She responded, before continuing, "I suggest you get some sleep your highness. The Spring Season is nary yet a month over. I fear you shan't make it to the end if you are unable to keep up with the pace."

"Are you suggesting you want me there at the end of the Spring Season?" he inquired.

Anastasia's face fell. "I am simply suggesting you make some attempt to conduct yourself in a way that befits a prince."

"I am no prince." He mumbled under his breath in an almost inaudible way. "I shall take your advice," was his audible response accompanied with a bow. "I wish you a good night's sleep your majesty."

"You as well," She responded and watched as he wandered out of the room. He left her more and more complexed after every encounter, which only made her wonder what it would be like when they next met.