Snow on the Beach [FOP]

The architect felt well out of his dept in this foreign country. He had never crossed the border before. He had barely set foot outside of Ishgard. He had always dreamed of visiting Lemuria and Xaila, just to take a peak of what it was like. To get inspired by completely different cultures and opinions. But it had never really been an option, and he liked to live comfortably in what he knew and what he was good at. But when he got a personal invite to join the royal household to visit Xaila during their festival, he just couldn't decline, could he?

The first few days in the Al-Qahil been mainly spent on the streets for him, a sketchbook under his arm and drawing every building that fascinated him. It was spend seated on walls made out of sandstone and clay, rather than the brick, marble and wood he used to work with. But what was most spectacular were the rich details and use of gold everywhere. He could never pen it down like it was in reality, but he could try at least. But the days had quickly passed, before it was the first day of the festival, which started with the rising of the sun.

Lloyd had been prepared as a proper member of court. He had more gold on him then he had ever held in his hands before, matched with colorful, light linnen robes that fitted the hot climate. He had no idea how to act for the coming day, as he would accompany the princess herself. He was pacing through the room he had been given in the palace. It was certainly a dream he was living in right now, not sure if he was deserving of it. He felt like a royalty, but he had to ground himself that he was indeed not. He was a simple man, from humble beginnings.

As he was noted that the princess would be arriving soon, he couldn't help but straighten his clothes and look in the mirror one last time. Then he exited the room and waited for her at the bottom of the stairs, ready to exit the castle and.. do whatever was waiting for them. As the princess arrived, his mouth went slightly agape. He hadn't recognized her at first, thinking it was a high lady of the Xailan court in on of their extravagant dresses. But as he saw underneath the dark curls, he found her paler face and hazel eyes. She looked like a Xailan princess, that was for sure. Lloyd straightened his face and took a step forward, not knowing where to look. ‘‘Princess you look absolutely stunning,’’ he said with a polite smile. ‘‘Something else entirely. I almost didn't recognize you.’’

It was like being a man out of time. How he had suddenly found himself in royal company, he didn't know. If it was thanks to that risky kiss they shared, or the work he had done for the family ever since, he had no idea. He would like to think he would be the personal invitation of the crown princess, that he had crawled his way into her daily thoughts, as she did his.

Why else would he be so far for home, way out of his league. He could barely call it work. But he wouldn't complain, because he was but a humble guest to a country he would have never seen with his own eyes otherwise. But everything didn't matter as the princess made her entrance and he was suddenly well aware where he was, and whom he was with. It was rude to stare, but he couldn't help it.

When the princess thanked him, he only lowered his gaze for a second. He chuckled softly at her remark of her appearance, being so alien to the sight. ‘‘It is not a sore view,’’ he commented quickly. He then adorned a shy smile as she commented about his attire. He swiftly straightened the cuffs of his shirt. ‘‘I had some help,’’ he confessed, his eyebrows slightly rising by the comment. But as she went as far to compliment him, he swore he could feel his cheeks turn red, had he not hidden it with a tiny smirk. ‘‘You are too kind,’’ he said softly, looking down as she came a bit closer. He blinked, having a deja vu of their night in midwinter underneath the mistletoe. It seemed like an eternity ago, and yet still, he could still remember the taste on his lips. So he decided to be a bit bold and reached his hand to hers, softly taking her fingers in his hand. ‘‘I'm looking forward to today,’’ he said softly. ‘‘I am beyond honored.’’

His eyes only dared to be on her for a while longer before he lowered his gaze to the ground, not being able to hide the wide, toothy smile he produced from his lips as he noticed the slight flush on her cheeks. It was like he wanted to see the signs that the princess shared a sliver of the feelings he harboured for her. He was in no place to, but ever since their dance, a shared, secret kiss that followed with an invitation to a foreign matriarchy. It made him hopeful for something that was not his place. She might as well be here to make a match with a foreign prince. He had no idea what kind of politics the Ylindars were caught up in.

And yet he took her hand, because he wanted to believe this was not coincidental. As they passed little compliments towards each other. It reminded him of being ten years younger, and whisper with somebody you fancied in the back of a room. His eyes followed her delicate fingers on his collar, straightening his shoulders in the process, as to fix every little imperfection. And when they looked back at each other, he gave her another soft smile. ‘‘Don't be silly. Every sane man would be delighted to follow you to the end of the world.’’ Yes, the travels had been long, but it had been worth it. His world just became a whole lot bigger. But for now, he didn't care where in Odiria he would be, he was in the perfect spot: right before her. ‘‘As am I.’’

So one could understand it was mighty hard to entangle himself from this position, holding lightly onto each other as they looked at each other. ‘‘Of course,’’ he replied in a soft tone as he offered his arm to the princess. Lloyd started to walk towards the exit of the palace, where the morning air was still somewhat cool. ‘‘Do you wish to see something specific? I don't have a clue what to expect, to be honest,’’ he started to ramble a bit. Xaila might as well could be the surface of the moon for him, completely alien. ‘‘Or just.. explore for a bit?’’