Princess Henri called softly to Bastian while Rowen was animatedly talking with King Keith... and despite all of the reassuring himself he’d done earlier, despite the obvious attraction the Heroine and the Dark Lord shared, and his own personal experiences with the Dark Enchanted Forest - Bastian immediately stepped aside so they could speak privately.

  He would offer help if she asked. “What do you need?”

  “I just wanted to say good luck at the Spring Ball.” Henri gently punched his shoulder and he managed not to topple over from the force. “After all of Madame Pott’s Cast’s about you I can imagine it’s been tough. I’ll be partnering with Keith, but if you need help just let me know.”

  "Ah... I won't say it's been easy." The last of his worries went away with her usual friendly demeanor, and he slipped into their old comradery. Henri was one of the few people he found himself opening up with, and he let his frustrations out. "There's a mountain of unopen invitations waiting for me back home, and guarding Their Highness has been a nightmare. It's hard to focus when surrounded by cunning courtiers bend on capturing my attention."

  She nodded knowingly. "That sucks."

  "It's not all bad," Bastian's eyes glanced upstairs, and he smiled, "I’ve gotten a proposal I'm actually considering.”

  “Lucky.” She grumbled the word under her breath, her eyes flickering to King Keith.

  Bastian decided that beating around the bush had never been his strong suit, especially with someone he’d fought side by side with in the past. “Henri?”

  “Hm?”

  “Do you love the Dark Lord?” That might have been too straightforward. He should’ve asked if she was happy, or safe, or looking to escape… but at this point it didn’t matter. He’d asked, and the answer was obvious.

  The princess’s face went beet red, betraying her true feelings, “Yes. I think I do.”

  “Good.” He stated, and after all he’d seen from the Dark Lord's side over dinner, he added, “Congratulations.”

  King Keith wasn’t hiding his affection for the young woman. If they weren’t engaged now, Bastian thought that it was only a matter of time.

  “Thanks,” The princess scratched her cheek once and then looked up at him. “Hey, Bastian?”

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  “Yes?”

  “Can you call me Henrietta?”

  “Of course.” He raised an eyebrow at the human. “Though with the way your Dark Lord was glaring during dinner, I think it would be smarter to go with Sir Bastian and Princess Henrietta from now on.”

  She laughed, “He wasn’t… wait, really?”

  “Really, really.” Bastian looked over at King Keith, who was purposefully not looking over at them. And hadn’t, for the entire conversation. Still, as much as he was giving Henri– Princess Henrietta the space to come and speak with him, the Dark Lord had one hand clenched and a pinched look on his face all the while trying to talk casually with Bastian’s ruler.

  And Rowen noticed. He was teasing King Keith as they spoke.

  “Wow.” Princess Henrietta’s cheeks were still pink and there was a new sparkle in her eye. “Then I’d better say good night and get back to my Dark Lord.”

  Bastian waved her off and then followed Rowen upstairs. It was time to get back to work.

  …

  The next morning, Bastian was up with the sunrise. Their Royal Highness wished to depart early and arrive at the Coral Palace as soon as possible. Rowen had always liked Grand Duchess Callisto, and they were only four hours away from their destination.

  Unfortunately, Peregrine remained sequestered in her room upstairs, and he didn't get another chance to see her before they left. He pushed aside his disappointment and focused his job instead.

  “So,” Rowen leaned on an elbow from inside their carriage, staring intently at Bastian. They were only five minutes out of the village and traversing the open road.

  “So?” Bastian repeated, focusing on their surroundings and any potential attacks. North Sumbria might be allied with Peldeep… but assassins were everywhere.

  “Last night.” Rowen prodded, “You didn’t think I’d forget?”

  “No. I didn’t.” Bastian replied, but didn’t immediately explain. Holly Hill was named for it's rolling green hills, and wind through the grass left shifting green colours that he wished he could sit down and paint. The long grass was beautiful, but also made for an easy ambush.

  The upcoming corner was especially concerning, and Bastian signalled a scout order. Sir Rebecca disappeared, the lizardkin’s stealth skills letting her go ahead unseen to check for traps. He kept Nelson back, not wanting a potential enemy to see the celestial scouting from the sky and giving away their scouting.

  “Well?” Rowen pressed.

  Bastian didn’t sigh. He was on duty. “The delegation from Sumbria was sharing our inn.”

  “That fool prince didn’t come back till well past midnight and you know it.” Rowen waved a hand but stopped suddenly, realizing what Bastian meant. “You met with your betrothed?”

  “Bethrothed?!” Carter, who’d been riding at the front of the carriage and eavesdropping the entire time, spun around on his horse. Luckily, Nelson and Jasper kept up watch, and Sir Rebecca was still off scouting.

  “Didn’t the Knight Commander tell you?” Rowen smiled, showing off their pointed canines. “He’s agreed to a marriage of convenience.”