Just a scene, at least for now.
The throneroom of the Triad is full of the elite of the Lyran Commonwealth. Everyone who is anyone and everyone who wants to be anyone is present to observe the first ever state visit of a reigning First Prince to Tharkad. Keen observers may notice that the Cardinal Archbishop of Tharkad is unusually nervous, perhaps at meeting a Archbishop of the New Avalon Catholic Church said to be travelling with the First Prince as a spiritual advisor.
As the great doors open to admit the First Prince, Archon Karl Steiner rises to his feet and walks to the front of the dais. His daughter Melissa is standing deferentially just a hair behind and to one side of him. Those at the front of the throne room can see that this is a smooth diplomatic move, coming forwards to meet the First Prince on equal terms. Still, he does seem to be standing just a bit off-centre...
Then the ripples of muttering from the back of the room reach them and heads begin to turn as Helene Davion walks down the central aisle. She is attended by a red-headed teenager who must clearly be her nephew Morgan. Shockingly, against all convention, Morgan is carrying a baby. Still, that's not the real headturner.
The First Prince is not in military uniform like the Archon.
She's wearing a wedding dress!
And as the political implications sink in (and Frederick Steiner glumly unfastens his hip flask and starts to chug) a few of the courtiers recognise the smile on the Lion of Tharkad's face. A smile not seen since the death of Guenivere Luvon, more than a decade before. A smile that says more clearly than words: "gentlemen, I'm going to lay that gorgeous woman tonight."
