Beau listened to her with a smile, resting his chin on the back of his hand and letting his fork dangle between his thumb and index finger. He ran through the little brother scenario in quick fragments. "I bet you're great with them." he offered. "I can picture you as a kind, caring big sister... Who only flies off the handle on occasion." he laughed, teasing her.

"Boys can be a handful though." he conceded with another smile, "I can see why you'd like a bit of peace, time to yourself, once in awhile... But I would love to have siblings running around here. This place is so lifeless sometimes; so dull and dead..." he admitted. Beau knew others felt the same way, but before that, no one had ever been brave enough to say it aloud. Claudia had that effect on Beau, it seemed; she made him a little bit braver, even when it wasn't completely necessary. It definitely wasn't a bad thing though, he admitted to himself, mentally.

Surprising herself with her own directness, Claudia laid her hand on Beau's larger one, and said with a smile "Well, I'll just have to help you liven it up while I'm here, won't I?" Her skin had barely touched his before she realized what she was doing, and withdrew her hand with a little cough. She hoped that he wouldn't interpret her gesture as forward or flirtatious...it had just felt right at the time. Beau was so easygoing, so relaxed, that Claudia felt relaxed around him. Even in enemy territory, even in an enemy's castle, she was enjoying herself. "And perhaps..." She paused, unsure if she should proceed with her thought or not. She decided to give it a shot, and continued, saying "...when this whole conflict resolves itself, you could be a guest at my home. I'm sure that my family would enjoy you're company." She smiled again, this time a little shyly. "You're very kind, you know."

Beauregard was taken slightly aback by her gesture, but it was not in a bad way. It was pleasant, Beau thought. When she drew back her hand, he still felt the warmth where it had been, and it tingled, slightly. When she made the offer, he laughed a bit, "When this is over, I would like that. To see your home and your brothers, even." he laughed again, blushing slightly when she told him he was kind. "Thank you." he smiled, "And you truly are a fantastic woman. It was very brave of you to come here, you know." he complimented back.

Claudia blushed modestly, but she was pleased. It wasn't often that she was given compliments by attractive young men of her own age. One could get used to it...Claudia gave her head an almost imperceptible shake in an attempt to dislodge this train of thought. Servants were now coming in and clearing away their dinner things, leaving the two royal youths sitting in front of an empty table. "I would do anything for the safety of my country," Claudia said quietly, suddenly feeling very small in the enormous hall. She felt out of place and awkward. Sighing, Claudia leaned her chin on her hand and stared into the depths of her water goblet. "I feel as if there's an insurmountable barrier in our way, Beau. It's blocking peace for our countries..." here she turned and looked at him out of her clear olive colored eyes. "..and our friendship."

Beau hardly paid attention to the servants, he was too wrapped up in Claudia. He was starting to become quite fascinated by her, but when she returned to the subject of what was happening in the real world, his face fell visibly. He sat up straighter, and nodded solemnly, "As would any royal, faithful to their kingdom. Anyone with a heart, really... Indeed, there is something blocking it. And much like mine, his name also begins with a 'B'..." he hinted with a small smile to himself.

Claudia's eyes softened and she siezed her friend's hand again, this time not letting go. Her face was full of concern, but also determination. "Beau, we can do this. How can we fail, when we have a noble cause going against an unjust one. I won't back down now, especially since --" she broke off, halting the words in her mouth. She was about to say 'especially since the reward would be freedom to spend my time with you'. She had never felt this way about a young man before...well, there had been some suitors. Her father had encouraged them, after she turned 14. She had never liked them much, but they had been earnest and sweet, if only because they liked their prospects if they got into her favor. Beau was different -- his manner was unaffected, honest. She could feel that his heart was reinforced with true integrity. She wanted to know what was on the inside. Claudia yearned to spend as much time as possible with this gentle, sensible young man. She felt as though she was finding something new and exciting in him that she had never experienced before.