"A brilliant stroke of luck this is, eh, Alexis?" Melissa smirked as she adjusted Alexis' coat. "We came at just the right place and the right time, and here we are, with all the resources of Lumen at our disposal, and you have to do is marry a princess. How easy is that?"
For many years, the nation of Sierria had been trying to gain control of the Land of Lumen through trade and diplomacy, while keeping thier rival of Marinia at bay. A hundred years ago, Sierria almost had Lumen, but then Sierria was the seat of the vast Sunlit Realm, of which Marinia was a part of. Then came the Revolution, and the Sunlit Realm broke apart with Sierria and Marinia once again at each other's throats. The two countries fiercely competed for trade rights with Lumen, even going to war with each other on several occasions. The Land of Lumen merely sat back and watched, refusing to pick sides. Finally, Alexis' mother the High Queen of the Sunlit Realm (or what was left of it) sent another ambassador to Lumen, and this one came back with a proposal: Lumen would trade with Sierria, if Alexis would marry the princess Cecilia. And why not? Alexis was 18, and he'd need a consort when he finally rose to assume his mother's throne. And he'd be doing his people a great service.
"Not as easy as it might sound, my friend," Alexis replied, patting his dear friend, servant, counsiler, and bodyguard on the shoulder. "I hear she's a wild one."
"Lovely! Then I'm sure she'll love Sierria then."
"I mean, she's unpredictable, bold, and clever. Did you know she's tried to run away on multiple occasions?"
"Well, I'm sure you'll snag her with your charms."
"You flatter me. You're not being cynical, are you?"
"No sir. I mean it. Go in there, and show her what a gentleman you can be."
Alexis took a deep breath and entered the princess' chambers. He put on a cheerful smile, and held himself with a proud, princely bearing. "Good evening, Princess," he said. "I hope I'm not intruding on anything."