The king led Serenity over to the prime minister's seat by he dance floor with a slight smile on his face. He knew Thatcher would welcome the interruption; he'd been keeping an eye on her, and she'd been growing more and more uncomfortable with each moment away from her job. Sure enough, Thatcher practically leapt to her feet at their approach. "Madame Prime Minister," the king said graciously, "Allow me to introduce Crown Princess Serenity of the Holy Empire of Achkaerin, here visiting for the wedding. Your Highness, this is Prime Minister Madeline Thatcher of the Kingdom of Tytor."
Thatcher gave an awkward sort of abbreviated bow. "How do you do, Your Highness?" she said as the king slipped politely away, leaving the two women to their discussion, "It's good to finally meet you, after all I've heard said to your benefit."
Mere moments later, the king had stopped briefly at one of the food tables to join his granddaughter, Princess Elizabeth, in choosing a lemon bar when Beatrice appeared behind him. "Ah, Your Majesty, it is good to see you here," he said in a slightly wistful voice, "It has been a fine day so far." He stopped, evidently having noticed how he was sounding. "Forgive my tone; I really am quite happy for Charles. It's just... I guess I'm about as close to being an empty-nester as royalty ever truly gets, and it certainly feels like the end of an era." He chuckled a little at himself before continuing. "Have you met my granddaughter Elizabeth? She's George's oldest, and accordingly the second in line for the throne after him. Elizabeth, this is Empress Beatrice of Rokkenjima." Elizabeth didn't immediately respond; she'd just taken a bite of her lemon bar, and she knew better than to talk with her mouth full.
