The First Official Mating Event - A Picnic in the Wood

The mating event today, Monday, was a picnic in a meadow in the King's Woods. It wasn't too far away but with all the rest of the females riding sidesaddle, it took over an hour to get there. Unsurprisingly, my partner for the event was Prince Blaize. He sneered openly at me as I chose a spot in the sunniest part of the meadow. The other females all preferred the shaded spots to protect their delicate skin, but I loved being out in the sun. I didn't often get the opportunity at home. Ignoring Prince Blaize, I sat down and opened my new book. It was one of the books the Archivist had lent me yesterday.

Trying to read while feeling Prince Blaize's eyes on me was like trying to ignore an itch. I ignored him for as long as I could but eventually it got too irritating.

"Do you want something?" I snapped at him. Prince Blaize frowned.

"We're partners, like you wanted." He said, "Don't you want to impress me?"

"No," I replied, "I want to read." His frown deepened. "Take a nap if you're bored." I suggested before going back to my book.

A few minutes later a shadow crossed the pages of my book. I looked up with irritation.

"What now?" I demanded, thinking it was Prince Blaize again.

"Is that how you talk to a prince?" The shadow asked.

I rolled my eyes with a heavy sigh as Prince Pharon moved out of the sun.

Adopting a polite smile, I asked, "How can I help you, your Highness? I am trying to read."

"What book?" The prince asked in amusement.

It seemed he had heard about the rumor that Miss Goldleaf had started that said I read romance novels. I frowned and quickly tried to think of a title.

"It's the Commoner Princess or some other romantic trash." Prince Blaize sneered, unknowingly saving me. I hurriedly nodded.

Prince Pharon bent closer, "What language is that?" He asked in confusion. I quickly closed the book.

"It's common. The font the printer used makes it look different." I answered too quickly. Females weren't supposed to know written languages other than common.

"Give it to me." Prince Pharon ordered icily.

"Sure, your Highness." I said.

I deftly placed an illusion enchantment on the book as I handed it to him. Prince Pharon frowned at her as though he felt the little bit of magic I'd used. The he opened the book and inspected it. He read a few lines and grimaced in distaste before passing it back to me.

"Did you want something, your Highness?" I asked tucking the book safely inside my bag once more.

"You need to fill this out." Prince Pharon said holding a paper and quill out to me. "It's your partner requests for next week." He added when I didn't immediately take the paper.

"Oh, I don't need to." I said, "Other than Prince Blaize, I don't care who my partner is." Pharon stared at me. I watched his jaw clench.

"You have no shot with my brother. He is a Crown Prince. He isn't even paying attention to you." I shrugged.

"This is your future, you're talking about." Prince Pharon added.

"It doesn't matter who I put down." I said. "I am a fat, ugly Cow. My offer is only a hundred thousand gold. My wishes matter the least of everyone here. I will always get stuck with the male who doesn't get a partner."

"We try to match everyone together who wants to be together." Prince Pharon protested.

"I doubt you will take "no one" as my choice and I don't have another preference." I said. I could feel Prince Blaize staring at me again.

"You must fill it out." Prince Pharon snarled. "Pick anyone and I'll try to put you with them. There must be someone here that you find attractive."

"There is no one, your Highness. I find everyone here repellent." I said with a polite smile. Prince Pharon's mouth fell open in shock. I sensed Prince Blaize stiffening beside me.

"You have to pick someone!" Prince Pharon ordered after he recovered from his surprise.

"I will not lie to suit you, your Higness, doing so would be dishonorable. None of the males here are my type. I will not encourage any of them since I will not accept any of them. That would be wrong." I snapped.

"I am right here!" Prince Blaize said affronted. I shrugged again.

Then I looked back at Prince Pharon. I took in the firm set of his mouth and the anger in his eyes. He was going to be stubborn, so I switched tactics. I smiled flirtatiously at him.

"You aren't participating, your Highness," I simpered at Prince Pharon, "If I can't have you, then I don't care who I get." The expression on Prince Pharon's face turned revolted as I batted my eyelashes at him.

"Fine," he growled, "I'll just put you with whoever doesn't have a partner." He turned on his heel and walked away.

I smiled in amusement and pulled out my book again.

Prince Blaize watched me in silence for a while, then he asked, "Aren't you ashamed to be so obvious in your preference for him?" I gave him a flat look.

"No," I said evenly, "It got me what I wanted."

Prince Blaize laughed mirthlessly, "This is a first for me. A female is sucking up to me to try to get closer to my brother." I said nothing. "It's usually the other way around." He added.

I still remained quiet. Prince Blaize rolled to his back again.

"So I'm repellent and you'd refuse me." He mused.

"Don't think too much about it." I suggested dryly, "I think I see smoke coming from your ears."

I began reading again as Prince Blaize attempted to nap.

"Gods, this is boring." He exclaimed after another few minutes.

"I have another book." I offered.

"I do not read romance novels." Prince Blaize said with a growl. I laughed and he glared at me. "I am going to see if we can do something interesting." He announced walking away.

A few minutes later, Prince Pharon walked out in front of everyone.

"Enough of the males and females have asked that we have ourselves a little tournament, so I've decided we will. Females will give one male of their choice something of theirs to show their support and the males will fight. The females who chose the winning male will get a prize." Prince Pharon frowned in thought. "Each female who selects the winning male will get a new dress from Sylvanna's." Several of the females gave shrill squeals and clapped excitedly. I rolled her eyes. "Females choose your champions."

I returned to her book. A shadow fell across it. I looked up at Prince Blaize, who was now watching me expectantly.

"What?" I asked. He frowned.

"You're my partner, I need your handkerchief." He said.

I grimaced and my eyes found Kane standing a little ways away. He was once again watching me. If it were ten years ago, I'd give my colors to him without a question, but now?

"Fine." I replied to Prince Blaize.

Reaching into my pocket, I pulled my handkerchief out. I stood and passed it to him. Then I turned and began walking to the horses. Prince Blaize quickly followed me.

"Where are you going?"

"I have other things I need to do today, and I only allotted three hours for the mating event. Time's up. I'm leaving." I said dryly as I walked.

"You won't watch me fight?" Prince Blaize asked with another frown. "You'll embarrass me." He added hotly.

I reached the mount lent to me by the palace.

"I don't care. It's not as if we like each other anyway." I said. "Excuse me." I jumped into the saddle and started away for the dirt path that led back to the palace.

***

"Brother," Blaize said as Pharon walked by him. Blaize was still irritated by Kylara's behavior. Pharon paused and looked at him. "The Cow is leaving." Pharon spun around and watched as Kylara trotted out of the meadow.

"Damn that girl!" He snarled. "You're in charge. Make sure they are all safe until I bring her back. If I am not back by the time the tournament is over, take them back to the palace." He ran over to his horse and swiftly untied it. He mounted and took off after the girl.

***

My mount had just settled into a slow gallop when I heard the sound of hoof beats behind me. I looked in that direction and saw a furious Prince Pharon galloping after me.

I urged my horse to more speed. He leapt forward underneath me.

"Kylara Adamare," Prince Pharon yelled, "Turn that horse around."

"What? I can't hear you?" I called over her shoulder.

I laughed when I heard his oath. The sound of his galloping gradually receded behind me and for the brief ride to the stables I felt completely free.

Soon, I reminded myself, soon I would be free.

***

After I saw to my borrowed mount, I hurried to the Rare Books Room. The Archivist was behind his desk cataloging an ancient tome.

I waited for his attention and then presented the books he'd lent me for inspection. He nodded and gave me an approving smile.

I also handed over the list of Thomas' and my investments in Viceria. We had always known that the king could seize them back at any moment, but we had assumed that was just perfunctory.

All told, our investments were worth about 300,000 gold. However, since the King was doing us a favor, we'd decided to only ask 250,000, but I made it clear to the Archivist that we would not accept anything less than that.

The Archivist quickly sent the list to the King.

Sitting at one of the small tables, I read while I waited for the King's response. Two hours later, the response came. He had agreed to our price and the settlement documents would be ready in two days.

I quickly hurried to my rooms to tell Thomas the good news.