Summer Jams 4: Horizon - Part II

There were two routes they could be taken that made the most sense for a delegation.  First, the land route, obviously.  They would enter from Osten in the east and take the main road down, through the Fekete Duchy, and into the Central Corridor and Horizon.  Depending on which gate of entry they entered from, and when, it could be a few days to two weeks or more of a journey.

This meant that Tori would need to ensure that the entire delegation had not only the proper security, but all aspects of hospitality covered from lodging and food, for both people and their horses.

Going through numerous maps, the most efficient way would be to have them enter through one of the southeast gateways that were currently closed, but still fortified.  The mountains in that area were much easier to cross any time of year and as soon as they were over those mountains, they could reach a major route that merged with the main road through Osten.

That road cut through Fekete and was dotted with Lunar Inns, where she could have suitable control for hospitality and security all the way to the Lunar Pavilion.

The Duraga Federation did not have any sort of embassy or consulate in Horizon, so they would need a place to stay which was close to the imperial palace and closely guarded.  The Lunar Pavilion could be closely guarded and it was an easy matter to lodge the delegation in an isolated area where they wouldn’t bother guests.  Or she could just close the Lunar Pavilion during that time completely.

The second route was to come via the sea.  Major sea trade and transport usually came from King’s Harbor, as it was on the western most tip of the continental empire and ships navigating around land masses and across the ocean would reach King’s Harbor first.  Then they’d have to cross the empire to get to Horizon, meaning she’d need to arrange for security and hospitality along the way.

The other major seaport focused on trade coming from Nazaria in the south and places east, like Pargath.  It was Tres Arcos, which was also ideal because of the military presence in Sur.  The land journey to Horizon would take a little over a week and there were a decent number of Lunar Inns she could utilize along the route.

Then there was the closest ‘port’ to Horizon, the Cosora Delta.  While she considered it still in its infancy and it was now here near the size of the other ports, it was less than a day’s travel from Horizon and with the naval presence at the mouth of the bay and the proximity to imperial knights, she could see it as an option.

Preferably not, as the main trade was tourism and agriculture, and she didn’t want the lives of her people or visitors bothered.

After thorough consideration, Tori believed the delegation, which was from a semi-nomadic, horse-dependent culture, would prefer to travel over land the entire way.  It was likely that they’d go through Osten.

“You want to use the Lunar Inns?” Axton looked taken aback as he sat across from her.

Tori gave him a nod and adjusted her cup over the chilling charm.  “There are enough to provide a small delegation and our own people with lodging.  The inns themselves are uniform and much better than any other regular inn in Soleil.  They can’t complain that they’re mistreated.  Also, if we use the Lunar Inns, we can arrange for security at our will.”

Axton seemed hesitant.  “How many rooms?  What is the cost?  I don’t want to lose too much money.  We’re building new inns and renovations are still being done.  Not to mention I have to support my brother through Université.”

Montan would be studying ancient script, focusing on Old Sulfae in a historical context.  Axton said he was hoping Montan would take advantage of the programs with sister schools abroad, as he thought it would be a good experience.

“Soleil will pay for the services,” Piers told him.  Axton seemed to relax a bit knowing that the inns wouldn’t be taken advantage of and it wouldn’t affect him financially.  “Block the entire inn.”

“The entire inn?” Axton jerked his head back once more.  “But what about other guests?”

“Once a date is set, block those dates for the delegation,” Tori told him.  “Offer compensation for anyone who has already booked.”

“We do not know when the Duraga Federation delegation will come or if they will do so through Osten, however, we should have plans in place for such an event,” Piers said.

Axton leaned back against his seat and then nodded.  “All right, then I will notify the inns along that route.”

“Why do you three have such serious looks on your faces?” The amused voice of the Empress came from behind them and Tori looked past Piers, towards the open double glass doors that led back into the informal dining hall.  The Empress was rosy cheeked and smiling, dressed rather casually for her station.

They rose from their seats to bow and greet her, but she gave them a dismissive wave of her hand to stop them.  Piers lifted his hand and made a slight motion.  A moment later, a servant brought a wooden chair out into the terrace overlooking the garden and placed it to one side of the round table they were seated around.

“Mother, have a seat,” he said as he held out the chair for her.

Pleased with her son’s attentiveness, the Empress happily sat down.  Axton, who was on her right, poured her some coffee.

“Tori stole butter from the Lunar Pavilion for pastry puffs.  They’re better than usual,” Axton said before putting down the metal carafe.

Tori shot him a glare.  “I didn’t steal it.  The pastry puffs are made using the butter we ordered and I brought some over from the Lunar Pavilion this morning.”

The Empress furrowed her brows.  “You came from the Lunar Pavilion?  But you have a room here.  Didn’t you stay overnight?  The second meeting lasted well into late night.”

Tori’s lips pulled into a tight line.  After she had walked out of Piers’ room after her relaxing soak, though fully dressed, she happened to immediately cross paths with the Empress who was, coincidentally, taking a walk around the palace before bed.

The two women had stopped in front of each other: Tori, frozen in the threshold of the doorway to Piers’ bedroom, and the Empress, Piers’ mother, in the hall two paces away.  Before Tori could explain that she was borrowing Piers’ mini pool, Piers had appeared behind her.

“Tori, I will have your clothes laundered and brought to your room.”  Of all the things he could’ve said at that time....

The Empress had gasped, looking from her to Piers and back, then giggled to herself and walked around them.  “Don’t stay up too late, now.  Be easy on your bodies.”  Then the Empress almost ran away, smiling like a lunatic, leaving a red-faced Tori and an ignorant Piers behind.

To avoid any such misunderstandings, Tori simply stayed at the Lunar Pavilion.  Her owner’s apartment was almost done, anyway.

“It was more convenient and I wanted to see Layla,” Tori replied.

“Are you free today, Mother?” Piers asked as he put another pastry on Tori’s plate.  “What about work?”

“Oh, everything is handled.  I just wanted to see what you were doing.  I know you’ve been busy with the Duraga Federation issue along with your usual workload, so I wanted to check on you,” the Empress told him.  She took a sip of her coffee and sighed.  “Your father says that he only gave you a moderate amount of work and that it was nothing too taxing, but I don’t believe him.”

“You are right not to,” Piers replied.  “The daily tasks do not take much time, but there are many meetings involved.  As such, I am delaying my stay at Viclya.”

“You’re going to Viclya?  But your father said you would spend the rest of the summer working from the palace,” the Empress said with a slight frown.

Piers frowned more so.  He lowered his cup neatly onto the saucer.  “Tori and I have plans.”

“We’re going to review the designs for my island and visit Sir Atienza!”  Tori spoke up before the Empress could imagine weird scenarios.  She watched the older woman's face fill with disappointment.

“Your father expects much from you, Piers, but if it becomes overwhelming, let him know.”

Tori was certain that even if Piers complained about his workload, his father would just tell him to get over it and continue.  However, she didn’t tell the Empress that.  Piers responded with a small hum, but didn’t outrightly agree.

“I’m going to return to Viclya at the end of the week.  My brother, niece, nephew, and cousins are waiting for me,” Tori said.  She didn’t care if there were more meetings.  She could find out the gist of it from Piers and Axton later.

“The end of the week?  Already?” The Empress’ eyes darted to her son and seemed to linger on him before they brightened.  “Piers, why don’t you take Tori out for a meal or to relax in the city to thank her for her assistance during the meetings?”

Piers, who was in mid bite of a pastry, paused.  Tori could see a light crease on his forehead as he seemed to contemplate his mother’s words.

“I do not have time.  Father has sent several more proposals this morning-”

“Don’t worry about our father!”  The Empress grabbed her cup and seemed to chug down the rest of the coffee.  “I will speak to him about lessening your workload!  You already have much to do with the Duraga Federation negotiations.  You should focus on that.  I will talk to your father.  You take Tori.”

Piers frowned a bit.  “Mother, I have a duty-”

“You need to rest, too!” The Empress looked at him meaningfully.  “You’ve lost some color and there are shadows under your eyes.  How can a mother stand seeing her son like this?  Go and get some rest; enjoy the rest of the week.”

Tori raised a brow from across the table.  Piers appeared reluctant and the Empress continued to insist.  As if to reassure her son, the Empress stood up and proclaimed she would talk to the Emperor at once and then rushed back into the palace, upset that her husband had made her son do too much.

Tori and Axton looked at Piers.  He didn’t have much of an expression and took a sip of his coffee without a word.  Axton narrowed his eyes.

“Did you set this up?” Axton asked.  “I was wondering why you had us come here for coffee instead of having it in your office.”

Piers took another sip.  “Coincidence.”

“It’s only a coincidence if you didn’t plan it,” Tori said as she finished off the last of her pastry.  She picked up a cloth napkin and wiped her fingertips.  “So, where are you taking me tonight?”

Piers paused.  His eyes flickered towards her and she could make out a hint of a smile on his lips.  “A surprise.”

Axton shuddered and made a face, while Tori’s eyes crinkled up.  “I don’t want to go out anymore.”

Axton let out a snort-laugh as Piers frowned.  “You do not trust me?”

“It’s because I trust you that I am hesitant.”

“You will like it.”

Tori turned to Axton.  “Do you know what he’s talking about?”

Axton threw his arms up and shook his head.  “I didn’t even know he planned to get out of the additional work the Emperor was pushing on him.”

They looked at Piers.  “This does not concern Axton.”

“You’re not inviting me?” Axton choked.  

"My mother said to take Tori out.  Not you.”

Axton looked affronted and glared at him.  “After all I’ve done for you.  Working hours on end, you don’t have the decency to treat me to a meal.”  Piers didn’t answer him.  “Okay, I’m going back to the Lunar Pavilion.”  He pushed his chair back and marched out.

Tori sighed.  “You’re going to let him walk away?”

“He will return.”  Just as Piers said it, Axton came back.

“I’ll finish organizing the files first and then I’ll go back to the Lunar Pavilion, but once I leave I won’t come back!”  He then exited again, but this time in the direction of Piers’ office.

Tori looked back at Piers.  “You were abandoned by your aide.  Now what?”

Piers gently folded his napkin in front of him and placed it on the table.  “Now, we go to the Second District.”

“Why the Second District?”

★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★

Sugarcane.  Tori gnawed on the small sliver she was given to squeeze out the sweetness as she listened to the Ambassador Lani Mata of the Unified Kingdoms of the South Islands sell the product.

There were several high-profile merchants at the exhibition the embassy was having, many of whom Tori knew.  She greeted them and they chatted a bit about her recent stores and Henrik.  A surprising amount of people hinted at introducing female relatives to him.

Tori had shut that down quick, citing that Henrik was involved with the niece of Marquess Nordursin.  Still, she planned to tell Henrik to watch out and tell Idunn so that Idunn could tell Heidrun.

Ambassador Lani Mata was trying to increase interest in their local exports.  Much of the sugar on the continent came from Varsha, but it was already refined sugar.  What caught Tori’s attention during the exhibition wasn’t the sugar cane, although she happily collected a few sticks to chew on in private later.

What caught her attention were plantains.  They were brought overusing crystal cooling boxes that Lions Gate CrysTech had developed and sold.  The plantains had darkened, but because they were chilled, the inside was still good.

“Do we...get a sample of these, fried?” Tori asked.

One of the people assisting the dignitaries gave her a surprised look.  “My lady, do you like these?”

Tori nodded her head energetically.  “I do.  I would love to try them however you prepare them.”

The assistant looked pleased and quickly ran off.  When they returned, they presented her with a plate.  “For you, my lady.  Please help yourself to as many as you want.  If you wish to take some with you, we will have them prepared.”

“I would love some to take with me!  Thank you!” Tori beamed and gave them a thoughtful nod before turning around and scanning the room for Piers.  He remained where she’d left him, sitting in a prominent seat in front of the table just in front of the exhibition area.

“Are you happy?” Piers asked as Tori sat next to him and happily brought a piece of the fried plantain into her mouth.

She savored the taste and smiled, her eyes crinkling up into crescents before she nodded.  “Do you want to taste?  I have a clean fork.”

She handed it to him and offered her plate.  As was his habit, his eyes flickered to the ring on his finger.  There was no reaction for poison, but Tori already knew this.  He took a bit of the plantain and ate it.

Tori watched his face and beamed when he gave a small nod of approval.

“It’s sweeter than I thought.”

“You can also mash them and then fry scoops of the mash.  If you want an extra crunch, you can wrap it in rice paper and fry it, then sprinkle some sugar on it.”

“That is too sweet.”

“No, it’s fine.”  Tori finished off the rest of the plantain.  “I’m going to ask if these are available for import.”

“Do not order too much,” Piers said as she got up.  She turned around and looked at him with a quizzical expression.

“Why not?”

Piers didn’t look the least bit perturbed.  “There are more places to go.”

She cocked her head to the side and narrowed her eyes.  “What other places?”

★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★

If she didn’t know better, she’d guess that Piers was fattening her up for the slaughter.  In the last three days, he’d taken her to nearly every embassy in the Central, First, and Second Districts to have a meal, whether it be breakfast, lunch, snacks, or dinner, with a dignitary.

In some cases, multiple embassies and smaller consulates got together for a meal with her at the same time if they were in the same region.

And they always served her the best and most well-known food from their country.

At one point, they went door to door through neighboring embassies on the same street.  They would get on the carriage, go a few steps, and then get off.  It was almost embarrassing.

“You should not be embarrassed,” Piers told her as she slumped back against the seat bench with an arm over her food baby stomach.  “I receive many invitations for meals requesting that you attend.”

“That can’t be true,” Tori said.  One hand still gripped a tiger made of sugar art.  She couldn’t bear to eat it, so she wanted to chill it and bring it to Viclya to show the children and the others.

“You are very popular, especially in regard to food,” Piers said with a little amusement in his voice.  “Have you not noticed how they presented foods and specialties to you?”

“I have....” Tori wheezed.  She really did overeat this time.  “If they were trying to lure me into importing, it worked.”

“Is there room in Rois?”

Tori narrowed her eyes.  “I will make room.”

“Have you considered moving the proposed government buildings to the mainland?”

“I have,” Tori said.  “It’s come up in meetings that in case the waters are too difficult, it would be good to have the centralized government area on the mainland.  The proposed site is inland, on the west shore.  We have a meeting later this summer to discuss.  If so, then we will rebuild the buildings there and make Rois a shopping and dining island.”

Piers nodded.  “Do you have enough money?”

“Yes, Viclya has a decent amount saved up.  Nothing large or extravagant is needed at this point.”

“The original center for the Cosora Delta was inland, by the river,” Piers said. Tori gave him a questioning look.  “I read it on the old maps.”

“Oh....” Tori nodded.  “By the way, when did you start planning all these meals with the ambassadors and such?”  Everything went smoothly and it seemed that all parties hosting them knew what was going on.  Some places even kept time so they wouldn’t be late for the next meal.

“When Mother said she would speak to father.  I had the invitations for quite some time and have been waiting for a chance to use them,” Piers told her.  “You like food.  Food from foreign places.  You would like it for your birthday.”

“You missed my birthday,” she said with a grin.

Piers’ hand moved over her free one.  “I missed you.”

She looked at him suspiciously.  “We’ve already come to an agreement.  You don’t need to try to win me over.”

His eyes were lowered and he concentrated on her small hand in his.  “I want to.”

Where did he learn this behavior?  She wasn’t mad at it, but it was unnecessary.  At most, she was impressed with his efforts and appreciated them.  Then again, perhaps he just wanted to.  She could respect that.

She leaned her head against his shoulder.  “You called all those embassies to arrange this for me as soon as your mother left?”

“Axton did.”

Tori sat up straight and looked at him.  “I thought he was mad at you.”

“Axton is my personal aide,” Piers told her, as if reminding her that Axton couldn’t really get away.  “When you were busy, I told him to begin calling the list on my desk to arrange the meals.  All hosts were notified that I would contact them this summer for such an event.”

Tori wrinkled her nose.  “Axton is too good to you.  You didn’t even invite him and he did so much work arranging this.”

“This was for you.”

“I will make something for Axton.  He deserves it.”

Piers looked at her for a moment and Tori pretended she didn’t see his blank expression.

“He only made the calls to schedule them.”

“That was a lot of hard work,” Tori said.  She remembered having to plan events and meals in her original world.  Scheduling things back-to-back and making sure everyone needed was available was a task in itself.  Not as time consuming or stressful as international relations, but she appreciated the work none-the-less.

It was done specifically for her, after all.

Piers seemed to deflate a bit and stared down at her hand.  “I contacted them first.”  His voice was quiet, and almost a complaint.

Tori chuckled and leaned against him.  “Do you want me to cook you something?”

“No.”

“Take you somewhere?”

“No.”

“My time?”  He didn’t answer and Tori knew she got it.  She scooted closer to him.  He’d been so clingy in recent months; she knew he wouldn’t flinch or push her away.  She felt him tense a little against her, but quickly relax.

“I have work these coming weeks.  I will not come to Viclya for an extended period of time, as planned,” he said.  He seemed to be both explaining and venting.  “I can only come during the weekends.”

“All the big stuff happens on the weekends, anyway.  You won’t miss much.”

His brow knit together and he frowned.  “You will only be with us for a few months, then you will go to Nazaria.”

Tori chuckled and shook her head.  “Piers, there are several months to go.  We have over half a year until I go.”  He turned his head and buried it on top of hers.  “Hug?” she asked.  She felt him nod against her.

She carefully balanced her sugar tiger and extended her arm to make sure it wouldn’t be crushed.  Her other arm went around him and she leaned into him.

“I will be alone with Axton when you’re gone.”  His voice was a bit muffled, but Tori heard him and held back a snort.

“You’re going to need to make Axton your emotional support person.  He’ll do a good job,” Tori told him.  “And I’ll be back in the summer.  I promise.”  She tilted her head and kissed the side of his face, an affectionate motion she’d done so many times with Ava, Fiona, and Robert, that she didn’t give it a second thought.

As she patted Piers’ back, she felt him tense up once more. The arms that were holding on to her seemed to freeze in place.

“Again.”

“What?”

“Again.”  He rubbed his head against hers.  “Please.”

She furrowed her brows and went quiet, trying to figure out what he was asking for.  Another pat on the back?  Another comforting hug?  Her eyes widened.

“Oh!”  She laughed.  “Are you sure?  You don’t feel uncomfortable?”

He shook his head.  “No.  I like it.”  He said it with conviction and Tori lifted her head and kissed his cheek once more, holding back her amusement.  She drew her head back enough to see his face heat up.  His eyes were lowered, but they were wide and bright.  “Again.”

She kissed his other cheek lightly, making sure she didn’t overwhelm him by lingering for too long.  “How’s that?”

“Again.”  She leaned up and kissed the top of his head.  As she pulled back, she saw his eyes dim.  “Not my head.”

She made a mental note to avoid the top of his head.  “All right.  Only on the cheeks.”

He frowned and looked at her with some worry.  “Lips, too.”

Tori pulled away and raised one brow.  “You really want me to kiss your lips?”

Piers avoided her eyes, but his hand held hers tightly.  “I will not be uncomfortable if you do so.  Lightly.  If you are comfortable, then do not.  I will not force you.”

“I’m not uncomfortable,” Tori said with a slight laugh as her eyes crinkled with mirth.  “I’ve seen you naked.  I just don’t want to cross your personal boundaries.”  Her face softened and she looked at him thoughtfully.  “If you feel uncomfortable or panicked at any point, pull away or tell me to stop and I will, all right?  We will start very slowly and very gently.  We will only go as far as you feel comfortable.”

"I trust you."  Piers nodded.  He lifted his head and looked serious.  “I am ready.”

★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★・・・・・・★

Axton turned the corner into the plaza and could see the lit up and busy Lunar Pavilion awaiting him.  It was rare that he had a few days free from Piers and work, as when Piers was working, so was he.  In Buchenburg, he’d spent his Piers-free time tagging along with the Marquis General to train, played with Gigi, or accompanied the former Marchioness when she took the others around Hellenstradt.

This time, after being ordered to arrange successive meals with dignitaries, Piers let him have three days off.

At first, Axton didn’t believe him.  Piers?  Giving him a day off?  Did the sun fall from the sky?

However, when he asked Piers this, Piers only stared at him and said “You will be in the way.”

Axton had half a mind to call Senior Kasen and tell him Piers was going to use food to seduce his sister.

After he left the imperial palace, Axton thought about how to spend his days off.  Usually, even when he had a break or day off from school and knighthood, he had plans to eat and play with the others.  He found himself at a strange loss with nothing planned.

He tried to sleep in, but his body was too used to getting up early and training.  He ended up taking Blue River for a ride around the Central and First District.  Then he had a large breakfast with newly brought in butter and fresh baked molasses bread at Lunar Pavilion’s restaurant and pub, Crescent Sky.

He then went to visit his brother at Duel, but Montan was working, so they scheduled dinner for another time.

Axton found himself window shopping and bored.

He was always with Piers or Tori and the others when he wasn’t studying or working.  If not them, then he was trying to bond with his brother.  What did one do when they had so much free time?

It wasn’t as if he was short on money and couldn’t spend anything.  He went to his favorite restaurants and cafes in the city, but it wasn’t the same eating alone.  It didn’t give him much of an appetite.

He considered going to Viclya, but he needed to be in the same city as Piers unless otherwise sent out on a mission.

He ended up playing games at Duel before having dinner with his brother and finally returning to the Lunar Inn.  He was a bit disappointed, as he felt he could’ve done more interesting things or relaxed more during his sudden three days off.  Next time, he’d need to make sure that Piers told him ahead of time that he’d have a break so he could plan accordingly.

He rode Blue River back to the Lunar Pavilion and as he approached, he noticed a familiar imperial carriage parked to the side, beneath the newly built portico that hung over the main entrance.  There was still enough room for other carriages to go through and drop off guests, but from the stance of the imperial knights surrounding the imperial carriage, it was parked and there were still people inside.

“Dobchek, is something wrong with the carriage?” Axton asked as he approached.

Sir Dobchek was rooted by the side of the door.  The carriage windows were tinted, so they couldn’t see inside.

“No, my lord.  His Imperial Highness and the Countess have not disembarked,” Sir Dobchek replied without flinching.

Axton frowned.  “Are they arguing?”

“It does not seem that way, my lord.  The doors were locked and my lady requested ‘a minute’,” Sir Dobchek told him.  He didn’t seem to be completely certain what was going on, but wasn’t too alarmed.

After all, what could Tori possibly do to Piers?

Axton climbed off of Blue River and handed the reins to an awaiting stable hand to have his horse brought to the Lunar Pavilion’s guest stables.  He looked back towards the carriage.

It creaked a bit as it moved.  He looked at the knights, who seemed to be forcing emotionless expressions as they looked ahead of them.  Axton narrowed his eyes.

“How long has ‘a minute’ been?” he asked.

Although Sir Dobchek answered, it wasn’t without some hesitation.  “According to the clock across the plaza: eighteen minutes.”

The carriage creaked again.  He raised a brow and took a step forward.  “Have you knocked again?”

“No, my lord.”

Axton was afraid to knock, too.  His mind whirled with what was possibly going on in a tinted carriage between a man and a woman.  He ignored all the possible activities as he remembered the man was Piers and the woman was Tori.  At most, they were likely in some discussion about something and were trying to figure out a solution.

It probably had to do with Viclya.

Axton nodded to himself, confident with his guess, and gave Sir Dobchek a nod.  “I will take responsibility to call them out.”

A brief flash of relief swept over Sir Dobchek’s face.  “Much appreciated, my lord.”  He stepped to the side, making room for Axton to come forward and knocked on the door.  “Tori, Piers, you’re blocking the entrance portico.  Either get out or move.”

He spoke so brazenly because he knew he could get away with it with those two.

The door unlocked and he stepped back.  As it was pushed open from within, Sir Dobchek stepped forward to pull it open.

“Hold my sugar tiger.”  Tori stuck out her hand and Axton jerked his head back as a honey golden tiger as big as his hand was thrust in front of him.  He furrowed his brows, but accepted the stick the tiger was mounted on.

“Where did you get this?”

“One of the embassies,” Tori replied as she stepped off the carriage.  Axton looked over the realistic looking tiger with the painted stripes.

“This is nice...it’s made of sugar?”

“Yes, I have to chill it so it doesn’t melt.  I want to bring it to show the children.” Tori stepped down beside him and seemed to be straightening her dress.  Her hair was down and a bit unkempt.  Her pale face was flushed.

“How much did you eat?”

Tori patted the slight curve of her belly.  “Too much.  I tried to pace myself, but at the last dinner, I succumbed to the food. It was delicious.”

“What was it?”

“Noodles.” Tori beamed.  “And then we had dessert, too, while we watched sugar animals being made.”

“I’m jealous.”

“Don’t worry.  Piers told me you worked hard,” Tori said, patting his arm.  “I’ll treat you to a meal.”

Axton chuckled and ruffled her hair.  He looked back towards the carriage.  “Piers, are you in there?”

“Yes.”

It was a curt answer and Tori plucked her sugar tiger from him.  Axton raised a brow and leaned into the carriage.  “Are you going to come out or-”  He sucked in a sharp breath as his eyes went wide.

He whipped his head back to Tori, who was apologizing for delaying them and telling Sir Dobchek that Piers was tired after running around for three days.  She didn’t seem bothered at all about what she left inside.

Axton looked back into the carriage.  Piers was sitting on the back bench, buttoning the top buttons of a shirt that was no longer neatly tucked into his pants.  The rest of his suit top that he’d worn out, the summer coat and vest, were on the floor of the carriage.  His hair was a mess and he had a disturbingly pleased smile on his face.  His skin was flushed and his lips looked...used.

Axton sneered, scrunched up his face, and turned away.  Without a word, he took the door from Sir Dobchek and closed it.  Tori looked over at him as he shuddered.

“Everything all right?”

“I’ll just have nightmares for a few nights.  Nothing too traumatizing,” Axton replied in a smooth voice.  He put his hands on Tori’s shoulders and herded her into the Lunar Palace.  He looked back at Sir Dobchek.  “Make sure the entrance is clear before you let him out.”

Sir Dobchek gave him a confused look, but nodded.  “Yes, my lord.”

Once inside the Lunar Pavilion, Axton lowered his hands and looked at Tori with suspicion.  “You’re not going to say anything?” Tori tightened her lips and shook her head.  Axton squinted.  “Are you all right with this?”

“I wouldn't have agreed if I wasn’t.  Don’t worry, we both consented and I made sure to take it slowly.”

Axton snorted.  “It didn’t look slow.”

“He was surprisingly enthusiastic.”

“I don’t need to know this.”

Tori held back a small snort laugh.  “Just pretend you didn’t see anything.”

“Let me assure you, that is my plan.”  Axton snorted and dropped her off at her apartment before going to his.

The next day, it was very clear that Piers was happy.  To unfamiliar people, it wasn’t obvious.  Axton doubted even the Empress would really notice that there was a distinct joy in Piers’ movements, but they were there.

His face, while concentrated, wasn’t as pensive.  There were less lines between his brows and he didn’t appear to be frowning.  He wasn’t smiling like an idiot the way he had been the night before, but he didn’t seem like he’d respond like a jerk like he usually did.

“You didn’t see Tori off this morning when she went to Viclya,” Axton said.  He almost didn’t want to bring up the curly haired Countess who’d left his best friend in some daze in a carriage.

“She said not to come as she was leaving early and I had to go back to work.  I called her before she was scheduled to leave,” Piers answered.

Against his better judgment, Axton narrowed his eyes and examined Piers’ face.  Violet eyes were bright.  Skin was lightly flushed.  Lips were still slightly swollen.  Axton had mixed feelings.  On one hand, he was happy for Piers.  On the other, he felt as if Tori was like his sister.

In addition to that, he couldn’t see Piers with anyone else but Tori.  Before Tori, he never thought about who Piers would end up with or if Piers would one day get married.  He assumed any marriage would be the result of a political arrangement.  Then they met their senior’s little sister and now...Piers had gotten further with a woman than him.

Axton scowled.  “I suddenly want to hit you.”

“You can try, but you are not as good a swordsman as I am.”

“I am just surprised that you, who doesn’t like to be touched....”  Axton trailed off, not wanting to speak of the incident further.

“I like it when Tori touches me.”

“Ugh....”  Axton drew his head back and twisted his lips.  “Can’t you just say that you are comfortable with Tori, so you are accepting of her physical contact?”

“That is too many words.”

“Words that won’t haunt me in my nightmares....” Axton muttered to himself and continued compiling notes for a proposal.  The office when silent for a few moments and Axton drowned himself in his work.

“You should also get a girlfriend.”

Axton slammed his pen on the desk and whirled around.  “When do I have time, Piers?  When?”

“You had three days off.”

“I didn’t plan them!  I am the Duke of Alvere.  I can’t simply go to a tavern and approach random women.”  It wasn’t that high nobles like himself didn’t marry commoners, either.  It was rare, and usually those commoners had some outstanding achievement or were highly skilled in a particular field.

His mother married a commoner with no particularly outstanding achievement, success, or skill.  Look what happened.  His father had no discipline and was a weak man.

“Mother has narrowed suggested partners for you.  I reviewed the list she gave me and selected three dossiers for you to look over,” Piers said.  “If they interest you, Mother will arrange a meeting.”

Axton tilted his head back and groaned.  “Is this necessary right now?  I’m working.”

“Mother says it does not hurt to meet new people.”

Axton gave Piers a dull look.  “I don’t want to hear that coming from you.”  He turned back to his desk.  “And since when is Tori your girlfriend?  She never once mentioned such a term.”

Piers frowned a bit.  “That is not the term to use?”

“It’s not the term she would use,” Axton said, almost proud.  Tori referred to whatever she and Piers had as ‘an agreement’ or ‘what we discussed’.  “So, you can’t use that term.”

Piers sat up straight, his lips in a tight line and his brows furrowed.  “Then...what is my status?”

Axton smirked.  “Sidekick.”

“Fiancé.”

“No, too soon.”  Axton paused.  “And don’t say that to her or she’ll never touch you again.”

Piers took in a sharp breath and a flash of fear swept over his face.  His eyes landed on his comcry and he snatched it off the desk.  “Axton, leave.”

“What?  Why?  I’m still compiling notes.”

“Leave.”  Piers shot him a stern look and Axton gave a resigned sigh and stood up.

“You have five minutes.”

“Ten.”

“Five.”  Axton walked out the door and closed it before Piers could argue further.  He took out his time piece and stood outside the door.

Sir Granger, who was guarding the door, looked at him.  “Is something needed, my lord?”

“Reassurance, apparently,” Axton replied in a dull voice as he watched the time piece move.  “By the way, what would you consider Tori to Piers?  You can tell me, I’m just curious about what everyone else thinks.”

Sir Granger thought for a moment and then nodded.  “His Imperial Highness’ confidant.”  He looked at the other knight guarding the door, who nodded in agreement.

“Confidant?  Not...say...partner?”

Sir Granger and the other knight immediately tensed up and shook their heads.  “It is not our place to make such a bold claim about His Imperial Highness and the Countess.”

“Yes, this is not something that we knights should concern ourselves with,” the other knight said.

Axton raised a brow.  “Did he tell you that?”

“It is an overall understanding,” Sir Granger replied.  “In addition, we respect the Countess’ choices.”

Axton thought for a moment and tried to reword his question.  “Tori is not a member of the imperial family.  How do you feel about guarding her?”

“It is an honor to guard the Countess,” the other knight said, puffing out his chest.

“But...you understand what it means for Tori to have personal imperial knights assigned to her, yes?” Axton prodded.

The two knights seemed to refuse to look at him.  “We go where we are assigned, my lord.”

He wasn’t getting anywhere with them and Axton sighed.  He continued to watch his timepiece until the five minutes were over.  He then turned around, knocked on the door, and opened it before Piers could answer.

Axton peeked into the room, unsure of how he’d find Piers.

The Crown Prince was still at his desk, writing some notes on the margin of a proposal.  He didn’t look upset.

“Did you call her?”  Axton slipped back into the room and closed the door behind him.  Piers let out a small hum and gave Axton a nod without looking up from his work.  “What did she say?”

Piers continued to write.  He finished an entire sentence before answering.  “She said that due to the situation, there is no official title, as it doesn’t seem befitting of my status.”

“I told you she’s not your girlfriend.”

Piers ignored him.  “She said: you are my Piers and I am your Tori. We know what we are.”

Axton raised a brow.  “That’s it?”

Piers shook his head.  “And then she asked if that was it and that she would end the call because she was sleeping and I woke her up.”

Axton's lips tightened into a thin line.  "That's the Tori I know."

Piers continued his work.  "Sit down and complete today's tasks.  The sooner we finish, the sooner, we can go to Viclya."