(Ailith): Etiquette and manners in the face of royalty

The freaking prince was at her door. Sneaking around the palace could be very risky if the royal family showed up at her door at random times like this. "Yes, I know. Can I help you with something, your highness?"

He chuckled. "No, I know my father said we could share proper introductions after you unpacked but I just thought I should drop by beforehand to introduce myself first. I hope I'm not intruding." He held out a hand and she took it.

"You're not intruding."

He smiled, one she noticed did not quite reach his eyes. "Glad to hear that."

There was a slight pause between the two of them before Ailith added, "You can call me Ailith by the way." She quickly added 'your highness' to the end of her sentence after realizing that she had forgotten it.

"Okay. So are you really an ambassador?"

"Yes. I am. Why would you think otherwise?"

He tilted his head to the side. "Pardon me but you look kind of young to be an ambassador."

She laughed. "I get that a lot."

"If you don't mind me asking, how old are you?"

"I'm turning 19 soon."

He looked shocked for a brief moment. "Please correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the minimum age to apply for the ambassador position 21 where you come from?"

Ailith had prepared for all kinds of questions, this being one of them so when he asked her, the lie flowed out of her mouth with ease. "There was a special circumstance. I wasn't told all the details but for now, I'm serving as a temporary ambassador in replacement of the other one."

"Oh." was all he answered.

She was starting to get tired of this. "I still have some unpacking left to do." she said, slowly inching the door closed. "Do you mind if we converse more later, your highness?"

"Of course not. It would be my pleasure. I'll leave you to your unpacking then, Miss Ailith. " Quinton said.

"Thank you."

It took all her will not to slam the door shut on his face. That would be extremely rude and not 'ambassador like' according to Alex. Instead, she waited until his footsteps echoed far down the hallway to close her door. Ailith slumped down, exhausted from the simple chatter she had exchanged with him. Every second of it had set her nerve on edge. If this was how the rest of her stay was going to go at the palace, she would be willing to leave any time. The sooner the better.

'Screw etiquette' she thought to herself. 'I want to go back home.'