blend in with the wallpaper that covered the walls from chair rail to ceiling. The place settings were white gold, and complimented the elegance of the dinning chamber.
Six people stood around the table. King Douglas stood at the far end facing him. Nodding a greeting to the one man at the table that he had previously met Bryan quickly surveyed the rest of those present. On the king’s right was a woman similar in appearance to the picture he had seen of Princess Kalea, only older. Assuming that she was Queen Nadia, he bowed to her.
Two younger couples , obviously Princess Kalea’s brothers and their wives, stood one on either side of the table. Edward took his place on Bryan’s left as the King spoke.
“Good morning, Crown Prince Alexandros,” King Douglas said as he approached and reached out to shake Bryan’s hand. “Welcome to our home.”
Edward quickly translated and Bryan replied as he accepted the handshake. “Thank you, Your Majesty, and thank you for this opportunity to meet Queen Nadia and the rest of Princess Kalea’s immediate family. It’s an honor.”
“Please be seated.” The k ing invited, and everyone took their places.
“Will Princess Kalea be joining us?” Bryan asked.
“No, I’m afraid she chose to have a traditional wedding so almost no one will see her today prior to the wedding ceremony,” Queen Nadia answered. Edward quickly translated and he was the first to notice that Prince Bryan relaxed just a tad as he finished.
“Let me introduce you to my family , Crown Prince Alexandros,” the king said as he raised his arm to gesture.
As Edward translated , Bryan quickly replied, “Your Majesty, please, call me Bryan.”
When he understood, the king smiled and turned to his right. “Very well. This is my eldest son Gilbert and his wife Rose Lynn. Gilbert is currently stationed on one of our farthest space ports and enjoys it so much that he only comes home for very important events. We are blessed that he felt this was one of them.” Edward translated as the royal family were amused at Gilbert’s expense.
Bryan nodded and smiled as the k ing then gestured to the couple on his left. “This is my second son Randolph and his wife Alexis. Alexis has been working very hard in preparation for tonight’s wedding ceremony. She and Randolph will be here for a few more weeks before they journey to your planet to begin the environmental analysis necessary to determine the most efficient and effective course of action in repairing it.”
Again Bryan nodded and smiled somewhat surprised that Prince Randolph himself would be leading the environmental analysis team. He had thought they were to simply be observers or ambassadors.
“Shall we eat?” Queen Nadia asked
“Oh yes. Let us pray.” The king then bowed his head and asked a special blessing on the bride and groom as well as the food. Because of the need for translation conversation was slow but Bryan didn’t mind. At least they didn’t exclude him as he had seen others do when translation was necessary. And though the conversation was interesting it primarily focused on the wedding and everyone’s plans for today.
Bryan , however, was fascinated by the food. Whole grain breads, fresh fruits in abundance, bowls of nuts and several varieties of juice, though he noticed most of the family drank only water.
Food like this was unheard of at home. He was used to nutritional supplements and vitamin drinks that closely resembled mud. So he ate until he was so full he wondered how he would ever be able to eat anything at the luncheon this afternoon.
Though, from the menu that they were describing, it sounded like lunch would also be a feast. Silently he wondered if this was all just for the wedding or if they ate like this regularly? If so he would be tempted never to go home again.
As everyone finished eating , Randolph leaned over and asked, “Would you have some time this
Six people stood around the table. King Douglas stood at the far end facing him. Nodding a greeting to the one man at the table that he had previously met Bryan quickly surveyed the rest of those present. On the king’s right was a woman similar in appearance to the picture he had seen of Princess Kalea, only older. Assuming that she was Queen Nadia, he bowed to her.
Two younger couples , obviously Princess Kalea’s brothers and their wives, stood one on either side of the table. Edward took his place on Bryan’s left as the King spoke.
“Good morning, Crown Prince Alexandros,” King Douglas said as he approached and reached out to shake Bryan’s hand. “Welcome to our home.”
Edward quickly translated and Bryan replied as he accepted the handshake. “Thank you, Your Majesty, and thank you for this opportunity to meet Queen Nadia and the rest of Princess Kalea’s immediate family. It’s an honor.”
“Please be seated.” The k ing invited, and everyone took their places.
“Will Princess Kalea be joining us?” Bryan asked.
“No, I’m afraid she chose to have a traditional wedding so almost no one will see her today prior to the wedding ceremony,” Queen Nadia answered. Edward quickly translated and he was the first to notice that Prince Bryan relaxed just a tad as he finished.
“Let me introduce you to my family , Crown Prince Alexandros,” the king said as he raised his arm to gesture.
As Edward translated , Bryan quickly replied, “Your Majesty, please, call me Bryan.”
When he understood, the king smiled and turned to his right. “Very well. This is my eldest son Gilbert and his wife Rose Lynn. Gilbert is currently stationed on one of our farthest space ports and enjoys it so much that he only comes home for very important events. We are blessed that he felt this was one of them.” Edward translated as the royal family were amused at Gilbert’s expense.
Bryan nodded and smiled as the k ing then gestured to the couple on his left. “This is my second son Randolph and his wife Alexis. Alexis has been working very hard in preparation for tonight’s wedding ceremony. She and Randolph will be here for a few more weeks before they journey to your planet to begin the environmental analysis necessary to determine the most efficient and effective course of action in repairing it.”
Again Bryan nodded and smiled somewhat surprised that Prince Randolph himself would be leading the environmental analysis team. He had thought they were to simply be observers or ambassadors.
“Shall we eat?” Queen Nadia asked
“Oh yes. Let us pray.” The king then bowed his head and asked a special blessing on the bride and groom as well as the food. Because of the need for translation conversation was slow but Bryan didn’t mind. At least they didn’t exclude him as he had seen others do when translation was necessary. And though the conversation was interesting it primarily focused on the wedding and everyone’s plans for today.
Bryan , however, was fascinated by the food. Whole grain breads, fresh fruits in abundance, bowls of nuts and several varieties of juice, though he noticed most of the family drank only water.
Food like this was unheard of at home. He was used to nutritional supplements and vitamin drinks that closely resembled mud. So he ate until he was so full he wondered how he would ever be able to eat anything at the luncheon this afternoon.
Though, from the menu that they were describing, it sounded like lunch would also be a feast. Silently he wondered if this was all just for the wedding or if they ate like this regularly? If so he would be tempted never to go home again.
As everyone finished eating , Randolph leaned over and asked, “Would you have some time this
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