Kill The Prince, Steal The Crown // Private rp

"I mean, none of us are really into the whole 'you have to be married by the age of 19 at the most.' Rhydar's love life has been declared a lost cause, so the Queen has declared this little event. He doesn't care either way, just that he has to choose." She shrugged. "He doesn't think it'll be successful at all, that's why he doesn't mind it. He's more amused with the thought of women tripping over their feet to be with him than anything." She smiled warmly over at Lily. "And I would love to spend more time with you. Your company is quite enjoyable as well."

"I mean, he's 22 and has yet to find a girl he truly fancies," she said, scrunching up her nose some. "He's played around a bit like the male that he is, but has never settled down and let himself be, and I quote, 'put into the shackles that is a long-term relationship.' It's nonsense, really. Magnus is quite happy with Koralia, and they've been together since childhood. I don't see why he can't see himself that happy with a woman."

Cinthia nodded slowly, thinking through Lily's words. "That makes quite a bit of sense. I like how your mind works, not that I'd rifle around it to see how it works," she added jokingly with a light chuckle. "If you don't end up with him—and I'm not saying you won't, because I'll definitely be upset if he tosses you to the side—I'll be happy to be your friend even after."

"Cheers to hoping for the best." Cinthia nodded finally, then looked around the tunnel and changed the subject. "I think we're getting close to the exit. This tunnel runs directly to the library. Don't ask me why, because I have no clue. I'm still trying to puzzle out why the First King had dug a tunnel to the library."

She pointed an agreeing finger Lily's way. "Good point." She then ran her fingers along the wall and stopped at a spot where she felt a very light snag. She pressed her palm against the wall, and a hand-sized stone slid in the wall. A secret door opened just beside it, the wall sliding apart to reveal it. "Here we are," she announced.

Cinthia gestured for Lily to follow her as she slipped through the opening. It led to an enormous and ancient looking library, its giant, spiral staircase leading to all the different open floors, both above and below the ground. They were currently on one of the lower levels, looking at walls covered in delicately carved and meticulously polished shelves filled to the brim with large books. Just from a brief glimpse, it was clear many curious fingers had brushed over these sturdy spines, flitted over the thin paper of the hundreds of pages, hooked between different sections to hold their thoughts.

The dark hardwood floors were polished as well with old decorative rugs laid down over them. Cushioned seats lounged about at random spots, offering a place to sit and relax with a wise book in your hands. Tables also were scattered throughout the library, letting both young and old scholars hunch over their many resources at once. Torches effectively lit the entire building, giving a comforting glow to the place that gave off enough light to easily be able to read while keeping it just dark enough to provide that air of grandness yet soothing comfort.

Cinthia turned to Lily once they both had entered the small alcove that led out to the main area in the middle of the library. "Well?" she asked.

(gah, that took longer than I predicted)

Cinthia smile at Lily's awestruck expression. "I love it here; it's actually my favorite place to go to escape my royal duties, as well as the majority of the people in the palace. Surprisingly, no one's managed to figure out where I disappear to." She seemed to look right at home, surrounded by ancient books, some not even written in the modern tongue. Her darker complexion fit right in with the black, maroon, and mahogany theme this place had, with splashes of gold here and there.

"I encourage the challenge, but the number of books you would be able to read is limited to your knowledge of languages," she said. "Because, you see, this library is split into different sections for different cultures and subjects. We're currently on the floor for this kingdom's early days, almost all written in the ancient tongue as opposed to the modern version."

Cinthia gestured around her. "Make yourself at home. I have to go all over the place to get the books I want, so feel free to wander around and take what you want." She tossed a friendly wink over to Lily. "And who knows, maybe we both know a few of the same languages?" She grinned and lowered her voice, dramatically holding her hand up to her mouth. "Secret conversations!"

"And you yours." She sketched a bow, then turned away with a friendly wave.

(Hmm, maybe say that she and Cin hung out at the library, and now it's time for her to meet Rhydar?)

(Oooo. Maybe, since he doesn't really look like what a prince would look like, they bump into each other in the halls and she doesn't recognize him? He nicks her picture as he grabs her to steady both of them, and when they officially meet in the throne room, he gives it back to her?)

"Woah, easy there." Rhydar abruptly stopped and lightly grabbed onto the distracted girl, steadying them both when they nearly ran into each other. He was wearing less traditional royal clothing, not at all looking like the crown prince of the kingdom. True to habit, as he grabbed the girl, he nicked a random object off of her without her knowing, tucking it into his back pocket. He chuckled. "Interesting book?" he asked with a hint of amusement.

His eyes were bright as he smirked down at her. "It's alright, I should've been paying more attention." She's cute, especially that little blush. "Where're you headed?" he asked, messing with the leather bracelets around his wrist.