King Chandler squeezed the Queen's shoulder. Susan turned around.

"Yes my lord?" she asked. Chandler smiled and pointed.

"Look there, my lady", he said. "Do you see what I see?"

Susan stared through the crowd to where Darius was chatting with the Lady Elizabeth, who was eagerly squeezing his belly and giggling in a most delighted manner. Darius laughed and batted her hands away before pinching her playfully on of her well-developed lovehandles. She shrieked and laughed and pushed him away!

The queen giggled. "Oh isn't that sweet? They're playing with each other!"

"Darius has told me that he wants to have Lady Elizabeth as a private guest in his bedroom..."

"He is MUCH too YOUNG for something like that, Chandler!"

"I...NOT LIKE THAT, WOMAN!" Chandler fumed! "I mean he wants her in his room as a private DINNER GUEST!"

"Oh!" said Susan, clapping her hands to her mouth in embarassment!

"Well..." Susan said slowly, "this is meant to be a PUBLIC celebration, darling..."

"I know," said Chandler, "But Lady Elizabeth comes here so infrequently, and it's important for Darius to spend time with ladies of good breeding which he enjoys. Sooner or later he's going to have to choose a bride..."

"Darrrrrling..." Susan said, "Well yes I suppose so".

"I'll tell him he can eat their dinner in private, but they're to come back out here for dessert".

Susan nodded. "That sounds like a very sensible idea! I'll go find Javelin".

"What for?"

"Well they're going to need a chaperone, my dear..."

"I think JAVELIN would need a chaperone", said Chandler, drily. Susan laughed.

"The boy's very sensible", said Chandler, "I'm sure he won't do anything...ehm...dishonourable".

"I'm sure you're right", said Susan.

Chandler nodded. The queen left to greet more guests. Chandler waved Bretton over to him.

"Bretton, you may inform the prince that he can have Lady Elizabeth as his guest for dinner in his private dining-room. But they MUST return to the North Dining Hall later on if they intend to have dessert".

Bretton bowed.

"Yes your Majesty. As you command".

Darius smiled and was ecstatic at the news. He ordered his servants to prepare his dining-room and bring in enough food for wonderful, chubby cherub and her enormous, obese princely boyfriend. Elizabeth giggled. Darius could be such a goose when he wanted to be.

When the guests started waddling and shuffling hungrily into the dining-hall for dinner, Darius and Lady Elizabeth headed to his bedchamber and to the private dining-room nearby.