Prince Bruno didn't stay for longer. He left after a formal lunch. Eris sighed. Thank God he hasn't pushed too much into her previous words. The lunch ended without much incident.
Eris's engagement to the prince had been formalized and tomorrow she'd go to meet royal family. Though this time, it was pretty clear that neither her family or her maid is going to allow her to wear that uniform.
Even she didn't push it too much. As a Field Marshal she knew very well when to retreat. And this was one such time. But still, even thinking about a frilly dress made her want to escape.
The only reason she hadn't been chewed alive by the Duke and the Duchess is that the prince didn't take any offense and the engagement wasn't dissolved. Otherwise, she'd have been done for by now.
Still, after lunch, she was made to stay inside her room. It was detention, no doubt about that. Elsa stood watch outside. Her job was to make sure, Eris doesn't come out of her room and things she need are provided for.
The rest of the day passed uneventfully. Eris mostly confining herself to reading the magic book she had hidden under her cushion before. She kept trying some spells from the spellbook.
The next day, Elsa came and woke Eris up early. Her parents were there and they dressed her in that living nightmare. Eris was having all types of discomfort but the others seemed pleased.
Before setting off for the royal palace, Duchess warned, "Eris, we are going to meet His and Her Majesties, the king and queen of this great kingdom. So you better behave."
Rommel bit back a dozen retorts. Behave? He had behaved in front of Hitler, Göring and Himmler, men far more terrifying than any king or queen. He could manage a pair of crowned nobles.
"Ja... yes, Mother," he corrected himself, forcing the word out like a reluctant surrender.
The ride was long. It took about an hour to reach the royal palace from their mansion. Rommel saw the outside world silently, the whole time. The fields, the faraway forest, the villages. Then the city.
As the carriage passed through the city gates, noises came to her ears. People going about their businesses, children playing, vendors selling their goods.
The carriage entered through the palace gates, it stopped in front of the palace's main steps. On top, stood the king and the queen with Bruno in the middle. Servants stood on the sides of the stairs, their heads bowed respectfully.
A servant opened the gate of the carriage and the four of them got down. First Elsa then she Duke and Duchess and finally Eris. She looked up and saw Bruno smiling at her. He was expectant.
Elsa remained below while the three walked up the stairs. Standing in front of the royal family, they bowed. Eris saluted the king instinctively as she has done with countless officers.
Bruno liked it as the little lady stood with her back straight, posture rigid and her right arm on her forehead. He tried to imitate but it was not up to the rigid military standard. Meanwhile the king frowned.
However the queen's expression remained unchanged. Eris quickly noted that she might not have liked it. Though she remained silent.
The situation remained like this for a few seconds when the king finally signaled them to raise their heads. The duke and the duchess straightened themselves while Eris put down her arms.
Bruno seemed excited. "Father, may I take lady Eris for a tour of the palace while you elders handle the formalities?" He asked.
"Later," the queen replied. "Lady Eris will have to introduce herself formally and have a tea with us." She said. From her voice alone, it was impossible to determine what she thought about Eris.
Eris however remained silent. Tea means formality here. She has been to the military academy. She knows how to present herself formally in front of higher ups.
Most importantly, he has faced worse than just a king, a queen and a brat. This was rather easy for her.
Bruno was not very happy though. He was more willing to goof around with his new fiancé. Especially that glider thing. He was looking forward to today to ride it with her.
He still retained his silent posture. This was also important because if Eris fails here, she won't become his fiancé. Though it was not like this was a knight's fitness training that she could fail.
This was just a tea where the queen will mostly note the level of her etiquette. Nothing more. And if she comes out lacking, she might be given more lessons.
But that was also a problem for Bruno. It interferes with his playtime.