***ADDIE'S POV***
The second of arrivals went off without a hitch. Queen Gwendolyn was still as nice as ever. And Irina was her usual self. Which, since she knew all, or most of us, was open and friendly. Not closed off like when I first met her three years ago.
"Shopping?" Irina asked in her heavily accented voice. "I have never been shopping in Athea before. I have never been here in Athea before, actually. So, I think it will be splendid. Thank you for inviting me."
"I am also looking forward to it." Queen Gwendolyn added with a smile. "It sounds like so much fun."
After all the guests had arrived, an informal banquet was thrown in their honor. No public attendance, just a small party among the wedding guests. The staff in the kitchens had been warned long in advance that, while the guests were here, most of which were royals or high-ranking nobles from other nations and around Athea, there would be a lot more food needed. And in greater varieties.