49th Ashan, 717
Celeste was kneeling on the floor. It was not often that she did this, not often at all, but it was the only way that she could get the huge piece of parchment laid out properly. So, on the soft furred rug in front of the fireplace, Celeste knelt and looked down at the diagram which represented one of the venues suggested by his mother for their wedding. "We have to be married near water, that is traditional. Your mother, in fairness, has tried to ensure that we can have the beauty and simplicity we wish, in what aspects we can." Which weren't many, in fairness, but she did her best to be positive. "There is a tree next to the lake here, so we can be married beneath it. Then, we have the table plan for the feast afterwards. Apparently, it's very important." Celeste looked up at Xander and smiled. Her deep blue dress was simple and fitted, her hair hung loose and her make up accentuated her eyes. Gwen, her ladies maid here, had declared that he would be unable to resist her. Celeste had merely smiled and said nothing on that, but she had to accept that deep blue suited her and the simple elegance which Gwen chose from the dresses available was entirely her own taste.
"Where people sit becomes a matter of insult or prestige, depending on where it is. Each table has a number and if you feel that you should be on table 2, but are on table 3? Wars have been started for less." She found the whole thing entirely ridiculous, but there it was. She had the seat plans, he had the parchment with the lists of names. Neither of them had seen either of these yet, Xander's mother had given the list with an airy wave and the word 'suggestion', but Celeste knew better. This was how she wanted it to be. With a sigh, Celeste sat back.
"You may note that this proposal gives dominance to the Krome members attending. It gives a message and it is not one of an equal partnership." Chewing her lower lip, she considered what they could do about that. There was the possibility, she said, that they could fake a screaming argument where she stormed off and called off the whole thing? Her eyes showed him just how wicked she found that idea. Then there was the possibility that they could go along with it. After all, she mulled aloud, there were many more Krome than there were Andaris.
"However, I suggest an alternative. None of my brothers will be there, nor my mother or grandmother. Both of our families have suffered in the seasons past and we will be being wed in the same season as Cassander and the Empress." Celeste looked at him with calm brown eyes. "Therefore, let us take our inspiration from them, and see this as a unity between two people, not a battle excuse between two families. Let's name each table a virtue, something vital to a marriage. Love, trust, friendship, that sort of thing."
She glanced up at him, with his lists and the frown on his face which meant that he, like her, would much rather be doing something else and Celeste remembered something. For the moment, they were alone and so she reached down to her side and handed him a small package, carefully wrapped. "That reminds me. I know that I'm a trial early, but I don't know what plans there might be for tomorrow and I wanted to give you this when we are alone. Happy birthday, Xander."