Brendan sat across from Tam, and waited.

The council room was quiet aside from the sounds of birds tweeting outside in the beautiful summer afternoon, and the occasional voices of serving staff passing outside in the corridor.

“The missive, Your Majesty,” Tam reached inside his thin black coat and procured two pages of folded parchment with the seal of House Jenoure keeping them closed.

Stretching his arm across the table, Brendan took the papers gingerly as he continued to try and glean an emotion from the future Viscount.

After a moment more of scrutiny, he admonished he wasn’t getting far, and so he set to reading what the young man’s parents had decided to say.

Brendan’s eyes flew across the pages, a strange half smile curling his lips.

Once he had finished with the contents, he raised his dark eyes once more to Tam, only this time, the young Lord was watching him.

“Are you aware of the contents of that missive?” Brendan asked, leaning back in his chair and locking eyes with Tam calmly.

“I am.”

“Why is it I find myself seated across from you and not your mother or father?”

“That is because I am set to take over as Viscount for my father in the coming years, and therefore the relationship between House Jenoure and Your Majesty will be carried on mostly between ourselves,” Tam replied, his tone even, but the slight twitch of his shoulders indicating he was nervous…

Brendan nodded.

“So your parents wish to know if we are going to have a shadow war between ourselves. I find it interesting that they ask this so directly, as they tend to be more… understated in most of their dealings.”

Tam said nothing, only held his silence.

Brendan almost smiled at him. He wasn’t being over eager, and was waiting to see his opponent’s reaction before pushing the matter and revealing more of his hands.

Despite it being a first negotiation for Tamlin Ashowan, he was handling it better than most would.

“I find the last part of this,” Brendan pointed to the second page. “Interesting.”

Still, Tam said nothing.

“Your father says he will personally bring the Prince to the castle grounds where the Princess is to be wed, and he will allow me to escort the Prince the rest of the way to Her Highness in order to uphold my vow. The Viscount wishes to keep the Prince’s location a secret to the very end. I must admit his ability to keep such an important figure hidden, rather impressive.”

“Your Majesty, will you agree to the terms that the Viscount and Viscountess have outlined? It was your proposal after all,” Tam asked, tilting his head and forcing his posture to remain still.

Brendan leaned back in his chair, his hands resting on the armrests as he once again stared at Tam.

“You know, I never could quite determine what your intentions were with the Princess. You became close with her quickly, hovered around her and I, and yet never seemed to seek out anything more of your relationship with her. You hide a great deal about yourself.”

The future Viscount straightened in his seat, and leaned his forearms on the table.

“I’ve not had any designs to wed the Princess. It is the duty of an Ashowan to protect those that are good, and need protecting. I believe if you choose to look at my family in that light as opposed to one with sinister intentions, you might find our actions making far more sense.”

Brendan chuckled dryly, though his eyes remained steady. “So I’ve been told time and time again. Regardless, I cannot ever be free of skepticism. So, this is my counter offer to your parents. I will allow your mother to keep her spies in my court as I have nothing to hide. That is unless she tries to meddle in my affairs, and should that ever happen I will not hesitate to seek Troivackian justice. However, it has come to my attention that your mother is now a majority owner of nearly all the brothels in Troivack.”

Tam froze.

“Did you think I wouldn’t have my own ears out amongst my people?” Brendan smiled. “My refined proposal to keep ‘the Dragon’s’ true identity hidden, is that she shares with me any and all information regarding rebellious groups gathering. I’m well aware with my brother being alive, and my marriage to the Daxarian Princess, that there will be some who will oppose the direction I am taking Troivack.”

Tam raised an eyebrow, but continued to listen.

“If your family truly is in the business of protecting people they are loyal to, I am guessing Princess Alina is one of them. It would be in their best interest that I remain informed to best keep us safe. Wouldn’t you agree, Lord Ashowan?”

For a moment Tam didn’t say anything, and then, a cool smile of his own climbed up his face.

“I think those conditions may be amiable to my parents, though I have one I myself would like to add as well.”

It was Brendan’s turn to wait in silence.

“With my sister joining Her Highness in Troivack for a year, it is expected that Mr. Levin’s wife, Lady Carolina Levin, formerly known as Lady Carolina Piereva, will cease her meddling with my family in her ill-guided sense of revenge for her dead father. My uncle Charles Piereva.”

Brendan’s eyebrows flew upwards, and then after a moment, he allowed his impressed expression to show.

“How long has it been that your mother figured out who ousted her secret identity to me?”

“I figured it out after gathering some information of my own,” Tam replied, keeping his expression and voice neutral.

“My compliments to you, Lord Ashowan. I thought we had the information hidden quite well.” Brendan’s face gradually shifted back to its impenetrable mask before speaking once more.

“If I fail to stop Lady Carolina’s ploy to seek revenge, what discourse will your family take?”

Tam’s smile turned rather mischievous then, and it was such a foreign expression on his usually blank face that the King was mildly taken aback.

“We won’t need to do anything. Your soon-to-be wife would be the one to suffer along with my sister should her close friend from Daxaria be met with any sort of malice. Don’t you think?”

Brendan’s expression turned murderous. “You dare threaten the Princess?”

Tam’s expression grew serious once more as he locked eyes with the King.

“I would never threaten the Princess. I just think you should know that their fates are tied in the future. If you allow my sister to experience malice and hostility in Troivack, this will affect your future wife as well. My trust in your willingness to protect the Princess, is what leaves me to believe you will also see to it her beloved friend– who has risked her life several times for Her Highness, will also fall under your sincere care. Am I wrong? Or are you a man who does not respect and honor my sister’s recent actions?”

Brendan didn’t reply immediately. Instead, he regarded Tam with growing respect.

“You know, Lord Ashowan… I don’t care for you. Or your parents, but I think we have come to an understanding. You are right that your sister has earned my respect, appreciation, and even a debt from me that I cannot foresee being repaid easily. Your observation of my nature and the situation is commendable, and I do not offer praise easily.”

“I do not seek praise, though I thank you for it. Do we have an agreement?” Tam’s stare was direct, and the King held it easily.

Slowly standing, Brendan offered his hand to the future Viscount.

“We have an agreement, and you have my word I will protect your sister and monitor Lady Carolina.”

Tam shook the King’s hand, but before he could release it and pull away, Brendan gripped his hand more tightly.

“Don’t think I’m not aware that you are hiding some kind of darkness in you. I will continue to be wary of your house and your nature, but should you ever master whatever it is that lurks beneath this facade of yours, I would enjoy a proper duel with you.”

Tam’s stricken expression was all the King needed to release the man’s hand, and exit the throne room satisfied that at least he had one headache resolved before facing his next greatest hurdle…

Facing the father of the woman he loved.

Daxaria's King, Norman Reyes.

*

Norman sat glowering over his folded hands.

The Troivackian King and his daughter had just left after sharing the news that they had in fact reconciled after Brendan’s apology.

Mr. Howard didn’t dare say a word as he sensed that his King was in a rather dark mood.

After a few more moments of stifling silence, the assistant wondered if he should perhaps leave the room, when the King suddenly turned to him, his hazel eyes ablaze.

“He will continue to hurt Alina, and in Troivack with no one to hold him accountable to common decency, he could become even worse! I cannot condone this. What if they wed and he immediately changes his mind about taking a mistress? Alina would be trapped!”

Clearing his throat delicately, Mr. Howard dared to point out, “His Majesty King Brendan did say he would be happy to include the clause of it being prohibited in their marriage agreement. We could seek just recourse to the extent of annulment, and any offspring they may have would be then considered nobility of Daxaria.”

“As if he wouldn’t be able to an affair,” Norman seethed, his fingers gripping his arm rests.

Mr. Howard was beginning to grow worried that the Daxarian King might not be in the right mindset to hear his own counter arguments for the match, and was debating bringing in the inner council to perhaps help the man see things more practically, when a repetitive brushing sound at the door interrupted his thoughts.

The assistant turned puzzled at the sound, whereas Norman stood up abruptly.

“Gods no. Dick Fuks should have known better than to bring him into this.”

Mr. Howard blinked in confusion until Norman stormed over to the door, and opened it to reveal none other than Finlay Ashowan’s familiar, Kraken.

The fluffy black feline peered up at Norman, and let out a breathy ‘Meeooww’, before beginning to turn and saunter away from the door.

“What is it you want you little-” Norman was beginning to grumble before Kraken circled back around and began brushing himself against the King’s legs, and striding forward again with another chirp.

“It looks like he wants you to follow him,” Mr. Howard observed as he too slowly rose curiously.

“I’m not going to follow the whims of a stupid- ouch!” Norman jumped as a small bite around his ankle had him stepping out the door.

The guards on either side of the doors had their lips pursed and their eyes bulging as they worked diligently not to laugh as the fluffy cat continue to saunter forward before turning back and meowing at the King.

“If I follow you, will you leave the castle and give me some peace?” Norman demanded while glowering down at Kraken's bright green eyes.

The familiar chirped again then turned and began strolling forward.

Letting out a final disgruntled groan, Norman began to follow the beast.

He moved past servants who bowed, and nobility whom he barely acknowledged as Kraken wove effortlessly through the many legs that moved past him.

It wasn’t until they stood before a chamber door that Kraken finally stopped.

Norman halted and glowered. “What now? These are guest chambers.”

Kraken shot him a languid stare before he then proceeded to reach up and paw repeatedly at the door.

“What in the world are you-”

The chamber door opened to reveal Prince Henry, who immediately looked down at the familiar as though he had been expecting him.

“Kraken! It’s been a while, have you come for a- oh. Good afternoon, Your Majesty.” The Prince bowed once realizing that Norman was standing off to the side. Though ever since his brother had been magically catapulted into the Alcide Sea, the Prince’s former friendly persona was replaced with a hardness whenever it came to the Daxarian King.

“What is it that brings you to my brother’s chamber?” Henry asked tonelessly as he met the King’s gaze unabashedly.

“I’m following that thing so that it will leave me alone. Why are you in the Troivackian King’s chambers?”

Henry blinked down at Kraken who meowed, then strolled into the room before addressing Norman’s question.

“I was helping my brother catch up on his correspondence with the Troivackian court so that he has more time to spend with the Princess.”

Norman grit his teeth and didn’t say a word for a moment, until a rustling sound drew both Henry and his gaze within the chamber.

Kraken was perched atop the Troivackian King’s rather messy desk, and was sniffing various piles of parchment.

“Oh, Kraken, perhaps don’t, I just started-” Henry started while stepping forward.

The cat proceeded to topple over a rather large pile of paper that sent the pages fluttering in every which way across the floor.

“Godsdamnit,” Henry muttered while hastily rushing over to the desk and plucking up Kraken and dropping him onto the floor.

Norman frowned as the cat then proceeded to sit, and stare at Norman while letting out a particularly long,

“Meooooooooowwwwwww.”

Henry frowned when Norman took a step into the chamber uninvited, until he realized what had caught the King’s attention. All at once, Henry’s hostile expression shifted to a knowing smile.

“Ah. I heard rumors of the great Kraken’s intelligence. I suppose I can’t refute it now,” he chuckled before Norman raised a questioning gaze to the Prince, as Mr. Howard moved in behind the King, his own gaze shifting over several pages that were scattered near them.

“Feel free to read those, Your Majesty.” Henry nodded his head at the pages while folding his arms, no longer in a hurry to pick up the mess.

Both Norman and Mr. Howard plucked up pages and pages of letters, and notes…

All about Alina.

“The King… began messaging the Physicians in Troivack the day he arrived…” Mr. Howard announced dumbly.

“Yes. When my brother learned of the Princess’ breathing difficulties he sought out the most renowned physicians in Troivack to see if our climate would be safe for her. Apparently our dry heat and winters may actually be beneficial to Her Highness,” Henry informed them, a slow smile climbing his features.

“Then this…” Norman looked at the pages he held briefly before staring at the Prince with growing wonder and shock.

“Those are the notes my brother made every time the Princess got upset with him. He recorded what he discovered she liked, as well as her improvement on their walks.”

Norman turned his gaze dumbstruck down once more.

The parchment at the top of the stack read:

‘Don’t make conversation an interrogation.

Likes folk music.

Doesn’t always cry because sad.

Wants to be Queen.

Misses her brother.

Enjoys theatre performances

Likes raspberry tarts

Snorts when she laughs uncontrollably’

Norman’s grip on the pages tightened as he found more details the King had written about his daughter.

“I kept trying to tell everyone my brother means well. He just is a little slower to learn. He makes up for it by trying over and over until he gets it right.”

Speechless, Norman felt a swell of emotion in his throat as he stared at the page once more and remembered that he hadn’t heard his daughter truly laugh since before Ainsley’s death.

He realized then, why she hadn’t.

She laughed like her mother.

With crashing clarity, Norman realized then how much his daughter had been trying to care for him… and how it was preventing her from being truly happy.

“Of course I ask that you not tell my brother I let you look at his private correspondence, but I hope this helps clear the air a little.”

Tears rising in his hazel eyes, for a moment, Norman refused to lift his gaze.

“I will keep this exchange between us,” Norman hastily handed the notes to the Prince, then turned and swept out of the room with Mr. Howard following close on his heels.

Another small chirp drew Henry’s eyes down to the fluffy feline that had taken to lying across the desk while licking his paw leisurely.

“I guess I now know who is really in charge around here, don’t I?”

Kraken stared up at Henry, and responded with a slow blink.

His answer was perfectly clear.