The tables were cleared and moved as the feast transitioned into a garden party. Drinks continued to be served, along with small portions of finger foods. The business and administrative classes mingled with the nobility, with both the alcohol and the musicians encouraging the conversations to increase in volume.

  Two of the younger Varygoff princes berated emperor Dren with questions concerning Raleighan culture and food. Once the topic of Raleighan polygamy came up, the princes could ask about little else.

  Rimush followed Vanessa around the garden as she spoke to key power brokers of Palid society. He could only smile and nod while attempting to follow the conversations in elvish, occasionally interrupted by a ‘congratulations’ or ‘lucky dog, you’ in galactic trade. A particularly enthusiastic elf tried to introduce some Raleighan phrases as he was talking to the princess, seemingly enthusiastic about the betrothal. Unfortunately for Rimush, the phrases were disjoint, devoid of context, and with tortuous pronunciation, seemingly memorized from a guide of common Raleighan phrases.

  After the elf excused himself, Vanessa whispered to Rimush. “A weapon’s manufacturer. He hopes to sell to the crown once you’re king.”

  “His Raleighan was…”

  “Better than your elvish,” Vanessa interrupted. “He seems to be the only one here who actually wants to talk to you.” Her well practiced smile was betrayed by a crease in her brow that only Rimush was close enough to see.

  “I don’t mean to criticize. I just can’t follow any of this.” Rimush tapped his claws together nervously.

  “Well the Visthan king can hardly hold court in galactic trade.”

  “So, Raleighan then?” Rimush smirked.

  The crease in Vanessa’s brow grew. “Don’t speak of such things here, even in jest. You have no idea how precarious the situation is.” She tilted her wine horn toward the trees ringing the party. “There are over fifty guards waiting for some sign of an assasination attempt. Eight for my father and brothers. The rest for you and your father. The invite list and watch were also culled of any who served in the war.”

  “I didn’t realize…” Rimush smelled the air. The well oiled wooden stalks of weapons were faint, but apparent. “I have a lot of work ahead of me.”

  “If you are intent on making friends,” Vanessa gently rotated Rimush by his shoulder to face a group of three men. “The one with leather lining the collar of his coat. He is an importer of nomadic goods. He likely had a hand in getting your meal onto the planet. Go thank him.” Vanessa gave Rimush a light shove on his back.

  Rimush turned his head back. “Words will suffice, princess.” He grabbed a fresh horn of wine from a nearby servant girl holding a tray, took a sip for courage, then coughed when the carbonation took him by surprise.

  The servant looked down at Rimush, concerned. “M’lord, are ye alright? I’m guessing they don’t have sparkling reds in Raleigh.”

  “I’m…” Rimush straightened his posture and deepened his voice. “I’m fine.” He looked at the servant elf. “Normally, on Hattusa, the bubbles would be in a cold ale, not lukewarm wine.”

  The servant laughed. “Imagine that! The king with a beer. That’d be a first.”

  Rimush took a sip. “Too common?”

  “Oh, I suppose. But you’ll be making a lot of firsts once you’re king.”

  “If I’m king. Her highness may still change her mind.”

  “What? You two love birds? After three nanos of love letters, her highness must be sure about you.”

  Rimush’s tail froze. “Right, how silly of me.” He took a gulp of his drink.

  “Believe me, m’lord, I know what it’s like to have them first-time jitters.” The servant looked off into the distance as she began to reminisce. ”Me duine chased me down for ten nanos before I finally gave in. Our first night out we ate together in complete silence, not a word ‘til dessert was served. Sometimes elves just need some time to warm to ye.”

  “That’s…comforting…I think.” Rimush’s tail regained some life. “I’m afraid the princess may be a special case though.”

  “Don’t push her too hard, m’lord. She puts on a good show for the crowds, but she can be a bit moody. Spends a lot of time alone in her room. Can’t for the life of me think of why. I’m just glad you’re here m’lord. Surely being swept off her feet by some strong foreign prince can bring her spirits up.” The servant girl gave Rimush a caring smile for a moment before her face instantly dropped. “Oh! M’lord, please! You mustn't tell her majesty I’ve said any of that! I’d be on the other side of the walls in a toq if she knew.”

  Rimush chuckled and handed her his empty wine horn. “It’ll keep it between us. Thank you, uh…”

  “Gloria, m’lord.” The servant gave a curtsy with one hand, maintaining impeccable balance of the tray with the other.

  Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  “Gloria. You’ve been very helpful. It’s nice to have a friend on Palid.”

  Gloria looked confused. “Besides her highness, you mean?”

  “Yes, aside from princess Varygoff.” Rimush spotted the importer walking off. “I need to be going. Thank you.”

  “Think nothing of it, m’lord. Haste ye back if I can be of service.”

  Rimush turned to chase down the importer before he disappeared into the crowd. Maneuvering between the small cliques of the elites towering over him, Rimush managed to get a few yards behind the importer before nearly brushing up against king Varygoff.

  “Prince Rimush. I hope your evening has been pleasant thus far.”

  Rimush halted and turned toward the king. “Of course your majesty. I’m grateful for the hospitality.”

  Alexander raised an eyebrow, then spoke in Raleighan. “I need a word with you. Without his eminence present if you can manage it.”

  “As you wish, your majesty.”

  The other elves in the garden noticed the more guttural language, but none dared to impede on the king’s conversation, and so all continued to force small talk in elvish.

  “What exactly is your role in this farce?”

  “Your majesty, I assure you-”

  “We can drop the formalities, boy.” Alexander interrupted, “Answer me plain and honestly.”

  “Well as far as I know, this was your idea. The emperor didn’t inform me of any of this before yesterday.”

  “And with but a few picoquads of warning, some Raleighan skipper managed to convince the crown princess of Vistha to marry him. Am I understanding this correctly?”

  Rimush stopped himself from recounting his conversation with Vanessa, hesitant to rist the engagement by revealing her vague plans. “If you're asking what she sees in me, you’ll have to ask her. I can’t tell myself.”

  The king scowled but quickly regained his composure. “And where would you be taking the princess on this courtship?”

  Rimush hesitated briefly, but decided upon a half truth. “My plans included Slagtuk and some of the more scenic coreward trade worlds. But it is ultimately her decision.”

  Alexander took a step forward to emphasize their height difference, looking down at Rimush with a quiet, controlled anger. “Know that the only thing keeping you within these walls is my daughter’s favor. Should anything happen to that, or her, then I am capable of a great many things to rectify your existence.”

  Rimush stiffened his tail and looked the king in his eyes. “I understand, your majesty.” Any nearby elves made a point to keep their back to the conversation. Rimush held his gaze, unblinking. “Vanessa’s wellbeing and happiness will be my personal responsibility once we take off. You are, of course, free to check up on us. You are the king, for the time being.”

  Alexander’s barely suppressed fury bled through his eyes as he spoke. “I have a vessel on its way to the Aranzah to pick up your things. My servants will ensure they make it onto your shuttle before your departure.” He closed his cape around himself, then spoke in galactic trade, “Enjoy your evening, prince.” Alexander walked off before Rimush could think to respond.

  The importer was nowhere to be seen, and the crowd was dispersing. “I need another drink.”

  As the party died down, Rimush found himself nursing another horn of wine, watching his father arm wrestle the Varygoff brothers and teaching them Raleighan battle songs.

  The princess’s voice startled Rimush, “You couldn’t even manage to make one connection on your own?”

  Rimush took a step to the side, nearly spilling his drink. “Princess! I was…sidetracked.”

  “So I saw. Chatting with the help and stumbling through the crowd.”

  Rimush gave Vanessa a dissatisfied look. “The help?”

  “That servant girl.”

  “Gloria? She was nice. Thinks highly of you, you know.”

  “On a first name basis, are we?” Vanessa scoffed. “Of course the help thinks highly of me, I’m the crown princess.”

  “Talked to his majesty, too.” Rimush took a drink.

  “Concerning?”

  “You.”

  The princess crossed her arms. “He’s always been so overbearing. Pay him no mind.”

  Rimush laughed, thinking of the wide array of punishments if he were to say the same thing about emperor Dren on Hattusa.

  Dren butchered the final verse of The Dogs of War with the three princes before breaking away to greet Rimush and the princess.

  “The happy couple! Princess, I must compliment you on your hospitality. All the best wishes to both of you.” Dren grabbed his son’s shoulder. “Be sure to check in when you hit the subspace beacons. Your old emperor still has a few things to teach you. Make it back here in half a nano’s time with your goods and guts.” He bent down to whisper in Rimush’s ear. “Remember everything I told you.”

  “Right, and don’t do anything Meki wouldn’t do.” Rimush responded.

  Dren let out a hearty laugh. “Well, this is it. He’s all your princess. See you at the wedding.” Dren walked off to the castle.

  The two made attempts at polite conversation with the utterly plastered Varygoff princes before the Chief Minister arrived with the Magi following behind.

  The Chief Minister walked past Rimush to speak directly to Vanessa. “Your highness, the shuttle is prepared. His majesty would like to speak to you once more before the courtship begins.”

  “Very well, Thomas, take me to him.”

  The two left toward the castle. The Magi conjured a small box from his sleeve. “His eminence, in his infinite wisdom, requested that I provide you with a few tools for your journey.” Rimush took the box and opened it. The Magi pointed to some specific implements, “Optical lockpicks, real time text translation, save for Foundation language, common tools for the maintenance of small civilian craft, and a magical focus to…develop your talents.”

  Rimush smiled. “Thank you, Magi. On such short notice, too…” After a moment to think, “His eminence sent me a magic focus?”

  “His eminence was not specific regarding your needs, so I prepared the package as I saw fit with what was available.”

  “This is….your focus.” Rimush looked the Magi in the eyes. “This means a lot Taru, truly. Thank you.”

  “If the prince would follow me, I shall guide him to the shuttle.”

  Rimush set his drink down on the table. “The prince shall.”