The Dinner

The night passed by fast. At least, it did for me. It doesn’t look like Val slept too well. I can’t imagine NOT being anxious in his position. This is personal to him. I can’t stand it, I won’t let Janice just get her way! His dad is also in for a severe cat-scolding once this is all done! We’ll take a rain check on Leo and Yancy. I have no idea how in control or aware of their actions they were. Biased? Maybe. Who cares!

Marius is a great support, though. When they both wake up and start moving about, Marius won’t leave Val’s side for a second. He’s making sure Val stays grounded, ensuring he’s properly dressed, has a full stomach, and calms him down if his anxiety gets to be too much. I know Marius likes him, but I can’t help but wonder how much of this is just how their dynamic is. It’s a lot. He’s really clingy, always making up an excuse to be touching him. Feels like I’m intruding somehow.

The pair talk as they get ready about what to expect when they go back, knowing the palace is probably a mess and that the king will probably be mad at Val for leaving. Val is also nervous to leave me on my own, since they don’t know what Janice will try doing! The solution Marius came up with, a black backpack he found deep within his closet. He lets me crawl inside, not fully zipping it closed so that I can poke my head out if I want, which I do while I still can. I don’t like the smell of old backpack!! It’s only for a bit, but I’m already sick of it. Ugh.

Marius lets Val steel his nerves before they leave the manor together, the set time for the dinner approaching. They linger around until closer to time before they get everything together and set off. The whole car ride, Val was quiet, but I dragged his attention to me by reaching out and pawing at him so he wouldn't feel as sad. He did laugh a bit and poke at my paws, so I hope it worked! I hope…

The car stops, I tuck my head away, and both boys step out to face the palace.

When they enter, a frenzy of servants gather around Val.

”We were so worried!” They’d say. “I thought something happened!” Others would sob. I hesitate to call any of them genuine. Who knows how many have been manipulated by Janice! I hate being so weary.

Val manages to escape the crowd, Marius and I close behind, and makes a B-Line to the dining hall. We’re the first ones there, so we can take a breather. Thank god.

It doesn’t last long, as soon a servant opens the door, bowing as the king enters. He’s followed by Janice, who’s dressed to impress today, it seems. Both stop in their tracks when they realize Marius is in the room as well. Janice stares, shocked and wide eyes, but the king simply chuckles.

”My, my. Now what’s all this?” He asks, taking a seat. “This is your little friend, right? From when you were kids? I didn’t know you kept in contact.”

”We reconnected.” Marius says, looking at his sister. “What are you doing here?”

”Wha-?! What do you mean, ‘what are you doing here’?! I’m the one that should be asking YOU that!” Janice stamps a foot before marching up to her brother. “This is supposed to be a private dinner with just the three of us!”

”Hmm? Why?”

”Why? It’s cause— Well…” Janice hesitates. “We…”

”We are discussing the engagement between Lady Janice and Prince Valentine.” The king says. “It’s about time we finalize it, isn’t it?”

”Janice.” Marius frowns. “I told you many times before that I don't approve of this.”

”Wh-who cares what you think! This is what I want, and the king has given me the chance to have it!” Janice snaps back.

”And, what, you don’t care about what Val thinks?” Marius jerks his head towards Val, who’s watching on displeased.

”Well—“ Janice bites her lip. “He just… doesn’t know me yet. Once we get to know each other more, he’ll come to accept me! That’s how the king and his wife came together, too!”

”You know it’s not going to be that easy, Jan.” Marius rebuts, leaning down to get in his sister’s face. “You’re not the only one who likes Val.”

”D-Don’t worry about that. I convinced any competition I might have that it’s not worth getting in my way! I’ve got a handle on the situation.”

”God, stop talking about Val like he doesn’t have his own thoughts and feelings!” Marius finally snaps. “And, you know, you missed one important thing.”

”That’s—“

”I have no intention of letting you marry Val. Not when I intend to marry him.”

Janice’s eyes look like they’re about to pop out of her skull! The king mirrors her expression while Val simply blushes at the declaration. Marius, though, remains unwavering in the face of his sister.

”Wha- but- you- you hated him! For years!! Since when did you-“

”Yeah, I was kind of a dumb kid.” Marius rubs the back of his neck. “But when Val came back into my life… I couldn’t push him out again. I guess I never got over him in the first place.”

Listening to this just makes both Janice and Val’s face get redder, though for completely different reasons. This psycho in front of us looks ready to kill someone!

”N-no! You’re not allowed to—!”

”Ohh, wait a minute.” The king interrupts Janice, looking thoughtful. “When you said you invited someone, Valentine, was it this young man? Is that why he’s here? Suddenly, it makes sense why he would be so busy! Being the son of a duke is no easy task.”

Janice stares at the king, utterly dumbfounded by the words coming out of his mouth. The king smiles at his son.

“Why didn’t you just say so? This would have made things far easier!” The king chuckles, delighted by this turn of events. Val blinks, face turning redder.

“I, um…” Val sputters, glancing to Marius briefly before he’s interrupted.

”There’s no way!” Janice yells. “You can’t approve of this, Your Majesty! This is… is…!”

”Why not? If it makes my son happy when he is king, I see no downside.”

The king seems genuinely confused at Janice’s reaction to this situation. It’s… relieving, to say the least. Before I can relax too much, Janice reaches into her purse and pulls out a charm. It immediately starts glowing.

”No, you have to object to this!” She demands. “Val marries me!”

The king’s eyes grow duller, making Val freak out.

”H-Hey! Leave him alone!” Val yells, reaching out to try and snatch the charm away from Janice. She stumbles back with a squeak, not expecting Val to lash out like that. When she reacts to try and keep the charm away, it flings across the dining room, landing on the floor. Everyone’s eyes on the charm, they all dive for it.

Including me!

I manage to wriggle out of the backpack, darting right for it. I manage to snatch it up before anyone else, making a break for the exit and making an escape. Janice squeals, running to make chase, Val and Marius following not too far behind.

Well, I made it this far, and I have no idea where I’m going! Some elaborate game of keep away this turned out to be!! I’m not sure what I should be doing at this point, I don’t have a plan, but I keep running hoping something goes the way it needs to!

Out of nowhere, a pair of hands reach out and snatch me up and off the ground. It startles me, nearly making me drop the charm. Turning, I’m met with the face of a tired-looking Leo, and my stomach drops. He reaches out, trying to tug the charm away from me, but I’m holding on for dear life! I’m not giving it up that easily!!

The others catch up, Janice grinning as she approaches.

”Hand the cat over!” She tells Leo. “I’ll take care of it from here!”

But before Leo can, Marius catches up and pulls his sister away from us. He looks absolutely pissed! Val runs past them both, stopping in front of Leo, reaching to take me from his clutches, but Leo refuses, moving away.

”Leo, don’t do this right now.” Val says, irritation leaking into his voice.

”…Why? I don’t understand you. This charm belongs to Lady Janice… You have to return things you steal, Your Highness.”

I can see it. Something in Val’s eyes. It finally snaps.

”Oh, that’s ENOUGH of that!” He yells. “Janice, did you use this stupid charm on my friends too!? Is that how much you’ve been meddling in all this?! Are you SERIOUS?” Val looks between Janice and Leo, anger finally seeping into his expression. “Leo, I get that you might be upset with me, and I don’t know how much Janice has actually messed with you, but this is too far! WAY too far! Now, give me my cat!” With Leo’s guard down, he practically snatches me from his arms before rounding on Janice. “And YOU, Janice—! You will be banned from the palace. I don’t want to see you anywhere near here again! Do I make myself clear? Come within 20 yards of the palace and I’ll have you arrested!”

Janice flinches, meekly trying to reach out.

”B-but, wait, Vallie, please listen—“

”Don’t call me that. You don’t get to use my name in any capacity. Now, I’m going to call security to have you escorted off the property, and I’m going to have Mage Lucas destroy this cursed charm. Marius, do you mind?”

”I don’t. Jan, it’s time to leave. You’re either going to go home peacefully with me, or Val’s guards are gonna show up and forcefully remove you. Which will it be?”

”…” Janice says nothing, letting herself be guided away by her older brother, head down.

Val frowns as he watches them go, taking me, and by proxy the charm, away down the opposite way.