Lykoth had been a ball of nerves ever since a servant arrived in her chambers to inform her that the king had arrived. There had been absolutely no warning; she hadn't heard the slightest bit of news during her week here that had even hinted that he was expected to return, and she wasn't the slighest bit prepared. Not to meet him, at least! As for the kingdom, she'd done as much as she could in so little time, hardly sleeping as she poured over information, gathered information, and worked to get important positions filledâ€"which was probably the most difficult part, and one she hadn't had much success in, yet. But she was picky, and she was still getting her bearings here.
But her main concern wasn't so much with getting positions filled as it was with taking care of security issues. The neighboring kingdom had suffered an attack recently, not days after she arrived. All the more reason to get the lacking military up to par. Thank Gods she had brought some of her own men with her, and thank Gods that new recruits had already begun to come inâ€"that was one area, at least, that she had begun to successfully tackle. The Guard Captain hadn't seemed too pleased about that, though...
But all the same, there was so much she wanted to get done, but it also took time and careful planning. It was far too soon for the king to return...she hadn't yet done all that much, and she couldn't help but fear he'd be displeased. She was under scrutiny as it was; she was a foreigner, after all! What would Adela's true ruler think? What was he like? She knew nothing about him...well, she knew all the history behind him, all the facts, and he sounded like a strong leader, but as for him, what he was like, the personal details? She had nothing.
She'd thought she'd been stressed before, but now she was in a near panic.
Rushing about her room, she poured over her clothes, sifting through them quickly, and made sure to push aside her native garments; uncomfortable as they were, until she became known and trusted, she wouldn't even consider wearing anything but the styles of this land. First impressions were key. No, not that one...or that one...too young, too old, too bright, too dull, low cut, high cut...she really did hate the superficial aspect of what was expected of a person of power, but...it was her role, and she had to play by it.
She finally changed into a blue-gray dress that was modest, but not prudish, with a neckline that hinted at cleavage, but revealed none. It was...safe. Too high and she'd come across as a stiff, too low and she'd come across as a flake. Neither was good. Neutral was the best bet.
Taking a deep breath, she smoothed out her gown and made sure her overall appearance was acceptable. Alright. It was time...
As she was escorted to the Great Hall, her stomach tried its damnedest to twist itself into a great knot, and she paused a moment before the large doors to get her bearings. Regal. Regal. Think regal. This king had experience behind him...this was his kingdom. She'd be under scrutiny, and she was prepared and ready to accept it; in fact, she expected it, and would find it odd if she recieved none! She could do this. She'd done similar before. This shouldn't be so nerve wracking.
Taking another breath, she allowed the doors to be opened for her and stepped inside, and raised her eyes expectantly toward the dais.
And what she saw was the so far from what she expected that she couldn't have even imagined it herself!
A man no older than herself sat casually upon the king's throne, leg drapped over one of the arms and a sheathed sword in his lap. And an unmistakingly draconic creature atop his head, chirping happily.
At first, Lykoth just stood there, gray eyes wide and unblinking. Maybe she'd entered the wrong room. Why there would be thrones in any other room, she had no idea, but maybe this wasn't the Great Hall and the servant had been mistaken. Or maybe the king hadn't arrived yet...and that was someone else, just having some fun on the throne or...something. But then a woman in the room spoke...and addressed him as "Highness". And there was a knight she recognized in the room, too...
She blinked finally...and then suddenly realized she was gaping, and quickly closed her mouth, though her eyes were still undoubtedly wide. That...was the king...that she had been so worried to meet...so worried about first impressions over...
Her lips twitched suddenly, surprise and outright shock suddenly merging into mirth at the irony of the situation, but she quickly cleared her throat to prevent the sudden giggle from bubbling out and covered her mouth with a slender hand to hide her curving lips. "Your...Your Highness..." Her voice wavered, no longer in nervousness but in the effort it took to hold her laughter in. She had been worried about making a good first impression! "I am Lykoth." She reminded herself to curtsey, and cautiously lowered her hand to execute it. She hoped from where he was he couldn't see the smirk that she tried hard to tame.
And then, straightening, "Have I...come at a bad time...?"