Sounds echo off the walls of a private and eloquently decorated chamber in the Crimson Keep. The rather uninterested Prince Marcius, the cruel and entitled prince of the land and heir to throne, seems uninterested as he looks over the plates and desserts recently consumed by him and his trio. "Hmm. Food was great, but can you believe the gifts brought upon me this year?" He scoffs as he takes a bit of a nearby roll. "I mean, robes and jewels? I'm a prince, not a frilly little dog kept by some old lord."

As he glances over at his friends, the immature but amusing Lord Basil and Lord Darcy. "Darcy, tell you've brought me something better than a-" He picks up a nearby metal clasp. "Ornate Sash clasp, seven gods." He sneers.

"I just brought you gold, I knew you'd want to spend it on whatever whim came over you." Darcy, a young man with black hair is draped elegantly over a sofa, helping himself to the drinks.

"Are you kidding, I've plenty of gold, if I wanted to spend my time shopping in the market like a trivial peasant, I'd-" Darcy cuts him off, offending the prince before he sees what Darcy holds out. "Teasing, of course."

A ruby handled dagger with gold shimmers in the light, and Marcius grins. "Thats more like it." He takes it in his hands, but before he even appreciates his friends gift, he turns his attention to the young man devouring sweets. "And what of you, Basil? What have you brought me?"

"A night with your favorite friend of course. You know I don't have the memory for procuring a gift!" Basil cackles. Marcius rolls his eyes in amusement, while Darcy seethe that his gift is being ignored for the antics of a childish oaf.

"Marcius. Open the door, darling." A voice calls, and the regal Empress herself enters. "Hello, my boy. I take it you've had a good celebration with your friends?" The cunning and cold queen placates him with a grin.

"Yes mother, it's been all well and good, except for a few cheap gifts." He scoffs.

"Good, well, I've one more gift for you this evening." She steps aside.