7

"Unlike a fool, not I for idle words," he says, leaning forward in his throne. "So list apace and I will be succinct."

"And I'll be Bandochel," you whisper to yourself involuntarily.

"Such service as you played in perilous hour to Brenton's sole ascendant to the Throne wins you acclaim from all your countrymen," King Saul says. "Our nation's future would be sore distressed, had brigands foul brought harm to our dear Prinxe."

You bow your head. "The Prinxe was valiant to the core throughout," you say, deciding to let sincerity win the day. "Whatever role I might have played in our safety, Their Highness surpassed a hundredfold."

"To be sure," the King concedes without a moment's hesitation, leaving your feathers a touch ruffled. He looks straight forward at you as he continues, "But as Prinxe Hailey understands full well, to count on solitary strength of arms and timely succor from a brawling fool is insufficient in a dang'rous world."

"Private notions for a private moment," Prinxe Hail says directly to you with a thin smile. You're fairly certain neither of the Royals are talking to you any more.

"Rest easy, fool, in knowledge that, from hence, thy Prinxe shall have escort night and day."

"Enough on me by far, the youth cares not," Hail says with a self-deprecating gesture. Queen Hero is all but burying her face in her hands at this point, mortified at the very public family squabble.

Stop not on my account, you think, enjoying the show.

Onward