Stan smiled politely, "It was pleasant for the most part. I live out on the coast, north of your largest port city. It is often full of fog or mist and rains lightly on a daily basis. This creates a very green scenic area full of miles of endless rolling hills. I enjoyed traveling through that." He thought for a moment, then added, "Your father's generous invitation had specified meeting at Edward's home since he is the closest. We all met there and continued our journey from there. While the first part was peaceful, the second part was decidedly more lively."

" Oh dear no trouble I hope?" Athena frowned worried. Her father watched them talking and grinned slightly at them " Hmm." he pondered chuckling.

Brit looked at Stan with interest, "Is there a story in there?"

Stan grew slightly uncomfortable, "It is really nothing. Just us guys being, well, male. We joked around a bit too much. I think our driver was a bit exasperated with us by the end of the trip."

Brit realized that as long as Athena was there, he wouldn't hear more. So he went silent.

Lord McCarthy approached and bowed, "Prince. Princes. Lord Stan." He paused and looked around the room, then asked, "I seem to have missed the other gentlemen in your party Stan. Pray tell, where might they be?"

Stan chuckled, "They grew tired and retired for the night. I think Edward stayed up though, he wishes to speak with you."

" I think papa might two." Athena nodded to her father who was approaching them and stood to greet him " hello papa." she greeted with a smile " I see you and Stan are getting along my dear." he smiled and Athena had a feeling she knew where this would go.

Lord McCarthy and Stan both bowed to the King. Lord McCarthy smiled and said, "It appears the evening is going a lot more smoothly than last night. What with the infiltration and our boys."

" Yes..." her father glanced at Stan " Maybe Stan would think about being the next king." he glanced at her daughter " They get along alright."

Stan bowed again, "I must object, your Majesty. I have no training in ruling a kingdom. Without skills or experience with such things on such a large scale, I would not be suitable."

" We can teach you my dear boy." The king smiled " You can learn and get to know my daughter more."

Stan shook his head good-naturedly. "My King, talk of such things tends to make a guy run away. Not to mention a girl. If I marry, it will be for love. Someone I can live and grow old with."

" Seems you really can't get anyone." Her father glanced at Athena then headed off. Athena hurried away to hide her tears.

Stan followed Athena out.

Lord McCarthy started making the rounds, helping dismiss the other guests who had witnessed the spectacle.

Catching up to Athena, Stan grabbed her wrist, "Hard to fall in love if someone won't stick around to talk..."

" I'm sorry my lord." Athena hiccupped " I did not wish for them to see me cry." she rubbed her cheeks.

He shook his head. It seemed the whole family was quick to jump to conclusions. Be damned with Lord McCarthy's plan. He wanted to help Athena out. "Come on," he said gently, taking her hand and leading her out into the gardens. Finding a secluded place, he let the peaceful night calm her down.

Athena placed her head in her hands sobbing quietly glad none of those hateful ladies was there to watch her cry. Eventually she ran out of tears and rubbed her cheeks " I'm sorry my lord." she hiccupped softly.

Letting a comfortable silence envelope them, he was oblivious to the conversation going on in Lord McCarthy's chambers.

"Edward, Sam, Henry..." Lord McCarthy addressed them as he entered. Waving them to seats, he went to stand in front of the fire. "Sam, how dare you insult the princess on your first day here. You almost ruined everything. Thankfully Stan came across as a hero. As soon as he can compromise her reputation, we will have a scandal on our hands that will cause chaos among the nobility. Edward, good job edging Prince Brit towards the gambling. I know his fondness for that past time." The three stared at him, silently, giving his scheming the respect he had garnered over the years. "Just wait, soon I will be... able to get what I want."

In a hidden room listening in, Derrick winced. Lord McCarthy was popular and had befriended almost everyone from important families. It wouldn't be hard to rebel and make him king with the right pushing.

Athena let out a shaky sigh and pulled out her handkerchief. " I hope you do not think badly of me for running off like that and then making you watch me cry." she smiled softly.

Stan shook his head. "I couldn't think badly of someone who was so in need of crying, they had to run to do so."

Athena just chuckled " Well I know a few things." she wiped her tears and smiled softly then blinked glancing over she spotted Erik who was standing a ways off feeling better know that she knew they were supervised she turned to him " So..." she blinked " all that princess training and I can't make simple talk." she sighed.

He laughed gently and suggested, "The guests are leaving for their rooms. Go get some sleep and get your strength up for greeting them, and me, tomorrow morning." Standing, he offered her his arm.

Athena took his arm gratefully and walked back to the castle Erik close behind. " I shall see you in the morning then my lord thank you for your company."

Bowing as she left, he turned and went to the king's chambers. The servant seated him in the seating room and went to inform the king he had a guest.

" How can I help you Stan?" The king asked half in his pajamas half in his royal cloths.

Stan quickly rose and bowed. "After you approached me about marrying the Princess, she and I talked. Chaperoned of course by a knight. She is a lovely lady and I wouldn't want a misunderstanding to be between you and me. I would be more than honored to marry her. She is a wonderful lady whose company I enjoy."

" That's wonderful." The king grinned " She will be most excited when I tell her."

He bowed, "I pray so." Inside he wondered about the King's behavior. The man seemed so eager to wed his daughter. Like a cow to anyone willing to glance at her. His own father was more protective of his children's future than that.