Eavesdropping

In the nursery, the princess and the scientist fawned over the princeling. Sitting on Nanny's lap, the child rested against the plump lady's chest, supported by her arm. Colvyr let out a small squeal of laughter at a face that Renat made, causing the man grin widely at his success.

"Isn't he the most handsome baby you have ever seen?" Mairwen cooed.

Renat nodded slowly. "I am not an expert on babies, so I will have to take your word for it."

"I am not sure I would categorize a toothless, bald, chubby munchkin as handsome," Nanny interjected as she rocked the tiny babe. Colvyr gurgled in agreement, and Nanny beamed a smile on him. "But he is certainly adorable."

The princeling wrapped his fingers around Nanny's hand and she shook it back and forth playfully. It was clear the two had a special relationship.

"What do you think your child will look like someday?" Mairwen looked innocently at Renat.

He knew there was more to her question, but refused to be flustered. "I don't know if I want a child," he answered mildly. He tickled Colvyr's exposed foot gently, ignoring Nanny's scowling face.

"Oh?" the princess raised one eyebrow. "You mean that you do not want one child, but many…correct?" Her pink lips curved up into a smirk as she saw Renat's face.

His mouth came slightly open, "How did you…"

Mairwen tilted her head and tried not to giggle. "You wrote that you wanted a big family in one of your letters. If your shocking statement was an effort to surprise me, you will have to do better, my dear."

"So I shall," Renat agreed, happy to see her eyes so filled with joyful mischief.

Nanny sniffed at the air and wrinkled her nose. "Now that the scientist has met His Highness, perhaps you should let him go and bathe. He may have traveled by carriage, but he still smells of horse manure."

Mairwen furrowed her brow, confused, but then the smell hit her as well. However she did not attribute the stench to the same source. "I think, Nanny, that it is my brother who has put off the offending odor."

Nanny lifted her chin in the air defiantly. "The royal family never stinks in such a way. Now if you will excuse the young prince, he has some urgent matters to which he needs to attend."

"Yes, Nanny," the pair chimed in unison. Graciously, Renat and Mairwen left the room, hiding their smiles as they went.

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Late that evening, Mairwen was restless. Hoping to find some willing company, she headed to her father's office. He was often up into the early hours as well.

However as she neared the door, she caught Renat entering Devrim's study quietly. The scientist looked around suspiciously, but the princess pressed herself up against the wall so as not to be seen. Fortunately Eira was far enough behind that she was still hidden by the passage's sharp turn.

"Why?" Eira whispered, but Mairwen held her finger to her lips.

Tiptoeing to the door, she made the same motion to the guards at the door. With her ear to the door, the princess could hear the muffled voices of Devrim and Renat. Her name was mentioned along with the word marriage and tomorrow, and immediately, Mairwen's heart soared. This clandestine meeting could only mean one thing.

"Let's go before we are discovered," Eira urged.

Knowing that discovery would cause an awkward problem, Mairwen complied before they were caught. Either way, she needed to rest and get her beauty sleep.

Tomorrow would be a big day!

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The following morning, the scientist presented in the Council's meeting room.

"And the university is ready to accept new scholars. They have provided paths for both nobility and common folk to be admitted," Renat handed a set of papers to Chief Zan as he spoke. "It seemed the best way to get the most brilliant minds from both groups."

"You have done a lot," Zan said as he peered down at the documents before passing them to the next Councilman. The group sat around their large table along with the Empress, Emperor and Princess as the listened. "I look forward to seeing where these advancements take us." The rest of the Council nodded at his words.

Renat dipped his head in appreciation. "One more thing. Fate Métis has come to the University to stay. She said that she is there to assist in any way we need."

Councilwoman Nanny, who had left the princeling with a nurse while she completed her duties on the Council, scratched her neck with a grimace. "Does no one else find it slightly concerning that the Fates have all but moved into all points of the world in less than a week?"

There was a hush over the Council.

"You need not worry." Hanna materialized in the room with her ever-present smile. "They mean no harm. They are only trying to do as the Maker has bid them."

"I trust you," Nanny said with a shrug, "but you have proven yourself. The others are unknown."

"Then trust me when I say that Fates cannot hurt humans unless they are going to hurt other humans. It may not appear so, but there are limitations to our power." Hanna assured them.

"That is a comfort," Aurora interrupted, ready to put the uneasy feeling behind them. "I am sure Métis will be a great asset to the University."

"Is there anything else?" Zan asked Renat.

The scientist looked up to think, but shook his head. "I believe that covers it. Thank you for your time." With that, the young man was dismissed while the rest of them discussed the next steps.

However as the Council got bogged down in whether to move the University to new buildings since the old ones were in disrepair, Mairwen gently excused herself from the debate. As she exited the meeting room and turned the corner, two strong arms grabbed her as she heard "Boo!"

Rather than be afraid, the princess leaned in against her love's chest and giggled.

"I guess I did not surprise you," Renat lamented, though it was hard to be upset with the lovely woman so near to him.

"On the contrary, if you had not been waiting for me, I would have been quite disappointed. If you were wanting to scare me, you should not have put your hands on me. No one else would dare touch me." Mairwen batted her eyelashes at him.

Hugging the princess, Renat could not help but smile. "Good, because if someone tried anything, the fiend would have to answer to me."

"I doubt they would ever get the chance. I would give them quite a nose bleed and Eira would run them through." Mairwen waved at her personal guard, who emerged from the shadow of the wall. Eira was the other reason the dark-haired woman was not surprised. If the guard was not worried about her "attacker" then she was not either. "If she did not finish them off, then surely I have an arrow with their name on it."

"You are quite capable, Your Highness." The scientist pulled away and gave a formal bow. "Forgive me for thinking I could add anything to your protection."

Rolling her eyes, the woman took her love's hand and led him down the hall. "Oh Renat, stop teasing! You have saved me from an assassin not once but twice. I owe you my life. Beyond that you have given me the most wonderful bow to protect myself."

The young man came even with the lady holding his hand and beamed a smile on her. Mairwen's knees weakened slightly. Offering his arm, the two continued side by side to the main part of the palace. "I am glad to hear you like the bow! Are you ready for our hunt? I have organized a picnic beforehand it you like."

"I would like that very much. A picnic has a nice ring to it and I am not otherwise engaged," the princess answered not so subtlety.

Renat seemed not to understand her meaning. He just nodded. "Very well. I just need to get changed. Scholarly robes are hardly fitting hunting attire." He wiggled his arms and the long red sleeves of his robe moved back and forth like birds' wings. "I want us to be able to catch something, not be caught."

"I would not mind being caught under the right circumstances, by the right person," Mairwen countered.

The scientist pulled her up in his arms. "No one can catch you unless you let them. You are more cunning than a raven and more agile than a fawn."

"You have given this a lot of thought. Did you plan to try catch me, good scientist?" Mairwen asked.

The man's face went from carefree to solemn. "If I am able," he sighed. "Now, may I meet you in a half hour at the stables?"

"I may need a little more time to prepare for such an important event, but I will be there as soon as I can." Mairwen turned and flitted off.

Renat furrowed his brow. "It's just a hunt!" He called after her, but for some reason, she seemed to ignore him. Her mind was elsewhere.