The Second Prince

Yuji was forced to go to his room after the party having no idea where the prince’s apartment was or who was safe to ask to take him there. The lavishness of the chamber he had been provided was suppressive. He didn’t dare speak or even let himself think to boldly, memories of Mirk’s fear of surveillance and his own inability to detect subtle magic a reminder of his own inadequacy.

Without anything else to do he took a seat on a damask cushion staring at the ceiling where a painting was affixed. It appeared to be the mythologies of one, if not the first, Centauri Seren. She was at the center of an adoring crowd with her arms outstretched sending starlight out to all the people. It held the key points of renaissance art, with color and formation that reminded of anime.

Looks like a beautiful load of propaganda.

There was a knock at the door, very slight, hardly audible. Standing Yuji went to it first peeking through the crack then opening it the rest of the way. A male servant gave a delicate bow.

“His highness Prince Cadfael requests your presence.”

Yuji went with the servant. Life within Bastion Fortress had been so tenuous there hadn’t been time for Mirk to educate him on things like the names of the nobility and tiny diverse things that might come in handy in this life and he hadn’t even thought to ask. The vague recollection that he used to think his previous life was fast paced seemed almost ridiculous now. That life was truly a joke by comparison.

The servant was very careful how and where he directed them. Coming to a chamber door only after a long, turning journey. When they reached their destination, the servant only knocked once and then opened the door for Yuji to pass through without a word, shutting it with just as much ceremony after he entered.

“Ah so you’ve come. Wonderful.” The second prince was the same as he had been at the table. A smile painted clearly on his face, a vibrant enthusiasm to his movements. “Take a seat anywhere. Oh, would you like a drink?”

“No thank you.”

The prince flourished his own glass of wine. “A temperance attitude is admirable, but as I have already poured my glass I will drink it, that is unless it bothers you?”

“No, please do whatever you prefer, your highness.”

“Oh, we don’t need any of that do we. Hearing your highness through our entire conversation will grow old quickly, and there is so little time in which we can communicate. Besides, I prefer a more flowing direct conversation, don’t you? Of course, we’ll respect the normal structure of things. But those little fiddly bits can be left for some other time where their more appropriate.” Prince Cadfael draped himself across a lounge.

“Before we begin what did you think of his majesty’s speech? I was right wasn’t I when I said he put all of his strength into it, all of his feeling and tenderness for the kingdom. Why, could Eventide possess anyone of more elegance than he? I think not. There is nothing like a monarch displaying his sentiments in words, not actions. But you might not be aware of the pleasure of his little speeches there in Bastion Fortress, never having been graced by them yourself. How is the old margrave and Lord Halius? I imagine the margravine must be a simple joy to you.” There was a goading glint in his eyes. “Oh, it was wrong to speak of them now, your dear brother Lord Dain has only just perished. I heard you were there at his demise.”

The void itched, it had been a week, but it felt like yesterday, like an hour ago, if he were to turn at that moment he might still be there and all that he had seen, all the horrible scorching pain, the torment. “Yes, I was.”

“I’m sorry. You must have cared for him dearly.”

“I wish that was the case.” He could have let him believe it was so, it would have been easy to take his grief over Mirk’s passing and pose it in that direction. But he couldn’t. The pain belonged to Mirk, it was his solely, he wouldn’t give it willingly to anyone else.

“So, you weren’t close then?”

“No, we weren’t.”

“I see.” Prince Cadfael took a thoughtful sip from his glass. “I believe his excellency is not all that pleased with you. He was speaking with my father about not allowing you what would be your traditional place at the Luner Ascension Ceremony. Now why is that?”

“May I be plain with you?”

The prince gave an assenting gesture, taking another sip from his glass.

“He believes my relationship with the Centauri Seren is too familiar.”

“Is that so? That would affect him. He is quite protective over them you know. But then all the elves are. Tell me, and please be honest with me, how do you feel about his excellency?”

Again, Mirk’s words played through his mind. “There is something untrustworthy about beings that live forever who insist on inserting themselves into the politics of others.”

Standing, the prince downed the remainder of his glass. He went to the decanter and proceeded to fill the empty vessel to the brim.

“That, my dear, is a very dangerous thing to say, though not so completely uncommon.” He looked into his glass. “You know, there was once a member of my father’s court who made the same or rather similar statement while before him. I suppose you know how his excellency responded.” He mimicked the smile to the smallest degree, down to the expression that so permeated the elf’s stare. “Poor thing died just shortly after. Of course, it was ruled an accident. Because people just accidently trip down a flight of stairs shortly after making scandalous statements at court all the time. It’s quite common you know, happens every day.”

“You don’t like his excellency?”

The prince laughed so hard he barely avoided spilling his drink. “What an insinuation. Of course, I just love him. You could say I am one of his greatest devotees.”

He gave a tart smile before taking a large draft from his glass. “You know I heard he suggested you remain behind before the escort journey even started. I can’t stem my curiosity as to why you insisted on attending.”

Yuji considered before answering. “He gave me a bad feeling.”

“Oh, intuition. So, was it just to spite him you went or were their other reasons?”

“I didn’t like his accusations, to stay behind was to acquiesce to their validity.”

“And that was something you just couldn’t do.” Prince Cadfael took a seat on the edge of the lounge. “You know being able to navigate minor grievances isn’t enough to keep one alive in this portion of the world. Where you’re from one can avoid almost anything that is not convenient, outside of your own familial disarray. Even the nobility the margrave hosts are but little forgotten country people. Meaningless really.” The prince once more downed his drink, eyes fixated on the bottom of his glass when it was empty. “Here the political environment is so deeply volatile, so vast and gesticulating, you might even consider yourself a traitor and thus have no choice but to slit your own throat. It is what we must do for king and country at times in this noble capital of ours.”

“Forgive me your highness, but I feel you’re looking for something.”

“Oh, your highness thing again. You know that is meaningless to one such as myself. No one really considers me and if they do it is very rarely through the eyes of my birthright. I do have my supporters, of course, but they are quiet and maintain very little power, for the time being.” Leaning forward elbows on his knees the prince looked at Yuji with expression so opposed to his original character that he appeared an entirely different person. “I don’t need weak, noncommittal allies. I need those willing to go against the all-pervasive tide. Tell me Lord Till, can you swim?”

“Yes.”

“Oh, and do you enjoy swimming? So much so that you would risk your very life to do so?”

“Yes.”

The prince stood going back to the decanter. “Then you shall return tomorrow night and we will discuss our mutual interest in aquatics and discover what it is that we can teach each other about such things. As for now you will have to go.” Prince Cadfael’s smile smarted.

“We have very little time.”

“Yes, you’re right, but I imagine his excellency will be visiting me soon for one of our chats, and we both know it wouldn’t be in either of our interests for him to discover you here.”

Yuji stood. “What time am I to come?”

“Worry not about that. I will send someone for you just as I did tonight. Until then, be well and do me the express favor of avoiding minor accidents. I really, really find it distasteful when things fall to pieces.”