Would Thalia have grown up with a personality like this sweet Seisel, if she'd grown up knitting over tea with Letellia too? 
With Seisel's gentle and unassuming demeanor, clear and child-like, innocent eyes that seemed to have not a single doubt that everyone meant well, all was well, and all would be well.
As Seisel ended her response, Thalia took a sip from her tea cup.
"I like gambling and betting on cards and horse races." Casarine replied. "I also like going on trips on horseback across the country." 
It seemed Seisel could not help but stare at Casarine. Lucien only nodded, slowly, rubbing his eyes blearily. 
The boldness of aristocrat ladies who had powerful fathers. Was Casarine simply a more polite version of Estera? 
Thalia almost smiled. "I see, thank you for your responses. Your Majesty, would you have anything to add?" 
Lucien, leaning back in his chair, fiddled with the cane. After gazing at the two candidates for some time, he cocked his head slightly, a playful grin spreading across his lips. "What do you think of me?" 
Seisel had prepared the answer. She chimed in immediately. 
"If I daresay, Your Majesty, you are someone who knows how to skillfully get along with all types of officials. 
"You have humor and open-mindedness, which I opine are qualities essential in a monarch as well." 
Get along with all types of officials. In other words, Lucien was reputed as the king who yielded to all the officials, let them do whatever they wanted. Thalia glanced at Lucien. 
His mouth quirked into an amused smile. "Ah. Wonderful, wonderful. Thank you. What of you, Lady Casarine?"
"You are more soldier than politician." Casarine said, sotto voce. "You smell like the Shahark wine, yet your eyes are alive and sharp. 
"It means you have grown immunity to the strong wine, and you have endured much on the battlefield and in court. You know when it is appropriate to engage in close hand combat, and when it is to apply the camouflage instead."
When it was to show his claws, and when it was to pretend to be a kitten. 
How did Casarine know this, just on the first day of seeing Lucien? Thalia saw Lucien's fingers drum against his thigh, his eyes, sharper, fixing on Casarine. 
Shrugging, Lucien traced the curve of his cane. "One last question. What were your thoughts, entering this room?"
Visibly relaxing at the mention of the 'last question', Seisel answered. "That I will try my best, but leave the rest up to the gods looking over Aesna. 
"That it is honor of my clan to be given this opportunity, and I will wish all blessings and goodness for the royal family of Aesna even if I am not selected for the position." 
That small sound from Casarine from under the veil- was it a scoff, or a cough? "That it is funny custom for the husband and wife to interview the position for the concubine." 
Having been in the process of sipping her tea, Seisel choked, coughing. Coolly, Casarine offered her handkerchief. 
Lucien nothing short of extremely entertained. With a small grin, he raised himself to his feet with his cane. 
The two candidates scrambled to their feet, and Thalia, too, stood. His eyes were on Casarine. 
Now that Thalia saw it, Casarine and Lucien shared a few striking similarities.