@✪ Yoon Doojoon ♚ Her smile sobered just a bit, delicate hand lowering to return to its original place within the other. Once they wed. It still seemed so foreign, yet so sure and necessary. She wondered if her late husband was looking down on them; whether he approved of the decision to merge the kingdoms into one. Strategically, it was a novel idea. Dadu was so far away that it gave Tradian a territorial advantage, the opportunity to flank the enemy from multiple sides when including the other territories. She shook off the militant thoughts, for the time being, smiling again at the sight of his own.
"Maybe I will brag a little...when the timing is right," she said, glad that they were slowly beginning to shed the stiffness first-meetings had a tendency to carry with them.
It may not have been extremely visible, but Zhu let go of a breath she'd been holding, her shoulders losing a bit of their tension as the King affirmed her ability to accompany him on things. That was something she may never have gotten used to otherwise. Mild-mannered as she may be, she needed a certain degree of freedom that mere diplomatic trips to other lands hadn't allowed in previous times. She brightened a bit more than before pressing her hands together in a grateful gesture. "I will be sure to play many games, in that case. When will the next one be?"
@✪ Zhu Zhu ♚ The playful spark that lit inside the Queen's eyes didn't go unnoticed by the king standing before her, and even just a small hint of it allowed Doojoon to let his guard down even just a small amount. A soft, more genuine smile stretched across his lips as he nodded. "Feel free to brag, as your home country will also become a home to me once we wed." He said, the words still sounding strange causing the male to clear his throat and straightening his posture.
Doojoon took a moment pause to take a small breath, as they were talking about visiting the country of Dadu, everything suddenly started becoming real in Doojoon's mind. He was happy that he was finally tying alliances with another country, but even for royals and being used to it, he hadn't known this woman, or anything about her family's reign in the home country other than what he heard from hearsay. He looked back up at Zhu bringing his attention back to her.
"Of course." Doojoon nodded, he always liked when the previous queen would attend the festivals with him, when she had a moment to do so, and Doojoon knew that the townsfolk would love to learn and meet their new Queen, as she would be the one that they would be looking up to. "It would be a great opportunity for the citizens to get to know you, maybe you can bribe them into liking you by playing games with them." He said letting out a chuckle.
@✪ Yoon Doojoon ♚ Though, perhaps, just a simple nicety, the returned compliment meant a lot to the Queen who was so prideful in her home. She smiled and gave a brief nod, "It is quite beautiful, yes...but in an effort to remain humble, I will just thank you," she said with a laugh, lifting a hand to habitually shield as a rare playfulness sparkled in her dark eyes. "Thank you, your highness. Still, yours is far more immaculate"
The invitation had been extended as a sort of olive branch between them. Zhu knew that he was dealing with the loss of a loved one just as she was, so any small bridges between them would make strides in building some sort of relationship. When he agreed, she smiled and lightly squeezed her hands together down where they remained locked as he continued speaking. She let out a quiet hum of agreement when he mentioned the weather difference. Even if Tradian was experiencing the chilly end of winter, it was still far warmer than Dadu.
As he mentioned other festivals, she held onto his words with interested and nodded, gaze thoughtfully trailing about the room. "Well, I would love to accompany you on at least one of those days," she said before continuing as she wasn't quite sure about the Kingdom's customs and expectations. She'd always heard about the varying degrees of freedom for women across all of the lands; compared to the majority, it seems, Dadu was quite progressive. "Assuming that is allowed. I wouldn't want to overstep in any way.."
@✪ Zhu Zhu ♚ It wasn't the first time Doojoon had brought someone into the castle for courtship, but it had seemed an eternity since the last time it happened, before his previous wife had tragically passed on due to an illness. So watching the other marvel at his home was nice, but different. He watched as she gave a sheepish smile and bowed her head, every movement seemed so gentle, he could only imagine the hardships she had to go through with her smaller country.
"Thank you, I am sure yours is just as beautiful." He commented lightly, and nodding his head as the other stated she didn't need anything and decided to liten to the Queen as she spoke of her home country, imagining how it would be like for him to pay a visit. As he thought of it, Zhu mentioned a chance of taking him.
Doojoon smiled softly and nodded his head. "I would love to visit your home and see the festival." He was genuine in his words, hoping that he would be able to pay a visit towards Dadu sometime in their reign. "As you can tell, its not quite as cold your home, so I hope you can adjust easily. We do have many festivals here like the one you mentioned though, on those days I try to make it a visit to the towns surrounding the caslte." Doojoon nodded softly continuing the conversation.
@✪ Zhu Zhu ♚ With one of his arms resting comftably on the small of his back and the other hand holding Zhus, Doojoon made his way into the castle, as he showed her other parts of the castle on the way to the throne room. "Of course, I just wa nt to make sure you feel at home here." Doojoon said his voice still soft.
The two had finally made their way into the throne room and Doojoon had turned to face the Queen of Dadu. "Is there anything I can get you for now after your long trip?" He asked as he let go if the others hand, giving her a smile. It was all still to weird for him as he never imagined he would be going through the process of courting a new Queenn for his country during his life time.
The other was right, had everything been prepared and the welcoming party been on this day of her arrival, the two would not have a chance to talk in person before getting thrown into a celebration. "You're right." He said offering another smile to her. "So, tell me, what is your home country like?"
@✪ Zhu Zhu ♚ Nothing was even close to being ready when the royal carriage had arrived, Doojoon, however learned to make the best out of any situation. The quality came in handy as a king, especially when times where difficult. He made sure to let the servants of the castle know they can't be seen running amok as previously the entire castle was doing so before the king himself mentally prepared for the arrival of the Queen of Dadu.
The Herald's voice ringing through the courtyard had brought a sudden calmness to the king himself, even still he hoped the castle inside was prepared for the queen. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you as well, Queen Zhu." Doojoon gave a small bow before offering a hand for her to take so he could show her inside.
"I apologize, for seeming a bit out of sorts." He began softly. "The preperations of your arrival, haven't quite gone as plan. Despite all that, your welcoming feast is scheduled for tonight." He tried to keep his cool to make sure the other didn't know that her arrival was earlier than he expected.
@✪ Zhu Zhu ♚ "Your Majesty, Queen Zhu of Dadu is arriving."
It was those words that had sent the entire court into panic, Doojoon had originally planned a welcoming psrty for her arrival in a week. Nothing however was planned for her arriving early. The staff in the kitchen was immediately ordered to prepare a feast for the incoming royal guest but it still wasn't enough for Doojoon, of course there was no way he would be able to move an entire party to tonight.
Upon his guests arrival at the castle the king, had mad his way to the entrance of the castle in his best attire to make a good impression on the one he was going to marry as long as things went smoothly.
