Breakfast. Yum.

At this point I'm just doing random names for the chapter titles. :/

A few weeks later...(because I'm too lazy :p)

Steven: "Have you heard?"

Flint: "Hm?"

Steven: "Apparently someone is plotting to take down the royal family of Crystaline."

Flint: "Oh, well that can't be good."

Steven: "Well, obviously! You and Linda have a wedding in four days and someone is already planning on murdering your fiance and her family!"

Flint: "Have no worries, Steven. Our is family well-prepared for threats like that. And if it makes you happier, I will have the Crystaline guards on watch for any sign of suspicious activity."

Steven: *nods* "I knew I could count on you big brother."

Flint: *smiles faintly* "Always, little brother. Crystaline has always been a strong kingdom, and with the unity of our families, we'll face whatever comes our way."

Steven: *grins* "Yeah, yeah. But still, you should probably keep an eye on Jason too. He's been... distracted lately. Who knows what kind of trouble he's getting into?"

Flint: *chuckles softly* "Trouble? That sounds familiar. But he's strong. And if anyone can handle it, it's Jason."

Steven: "True. Though, with him being distracted, it might be harder to keep track of him. Especially if Grace is involved."

Flint: *raises an eyebrow* "Grace? What does she have to do with it?"

Steven: *teases* "Come on, Flint. Even you must've noticed how Jason looks at her. He's not subtle. He might be distracted by more than just training and royal duties these days."

Flint: *smirks* "Well, Jason's always been persistent when it comes to things he wants. Even if it takes him a while to figure it out."

Steven: *nods* "True, but Grace is... different. She's the first person I've seen him like this with. He's not just persistent—he's... smitten."

Flint: *thinks for a moment* "Hmm, perhaps. But distractions aside, Crystaline will be safe. With you watching and me ensuring that the guards are on high alert, we'll be ready for anything."

Steven: *grins confidently* "You've got it all covered, big brother. I'll make sure to keep an eye on Jason though. He's still my problem too."

Flint: *laughs softly* "He's always going to be your problem, little brother."

Meanwhile inside the Castle...

Grace: "Good morning, Miss Charlotte!"

Charlotte: "Good morning, Miss Grace. And good morning to you too Princess Jasmine!"

Jasmine: "You know if the chefs set anything out for breakfast yet?"

Charlotte: "No, princess. Last, when I left the dining hall, it was empty. But you can go check in there now. Their probably setting everything up."

Jasmine: *nods* "Alright, thanks, Charlotte. Come on, Grace. Let's go see if we can catch the chefs before they finish everything."

Grace: "Sounds good to me. I'm starving."

The two of them made their way down the hall toward the dining room. As they approached, the smell of freshly baked cinnamon rolls and sizzling bacon filled the air, making Grace's stomach growl.

Jasmine: *grins* "I swear, the kitchen staff here always knows how to make everything smell so good."

Grace: *laughs* "It's like they're magic or something. How can food smell that perfect?"

They pushed open the doors to the dining hall, and the warmth of the room greeted them. The king, the queen, Linda, Flint and Flint's parents Jenna and Alan were already seated at the table eating.

Jasmine: "Well look who decided to wake up early."

Linda: *looks up from her plate* "They had cinnamon rolls! You know those are my weakness Jasmine!"

Jenna: *turns to the king and queen* "I know I say this a lot, but your kingdom has the most amazing chefs."

Queen: *chuckles* "Thank you again, Jenna."

Flint: "Would be a shame if the murderer came after your kitchen staff."

Jasmine: *rolling her eyes* "Really, Flint? You can't even let us enjoy breakfast without bringing up the murderer?" 

Flint: *smirking* "Just keeping everyone on their toes. Wouldn't want to let our guard down now, would we?" 

Alan: "Perhaps we can talk about *less morbid* things while we eat? It's breakfast, not a war council." 

Grace: *sitting down cross legged next to Jasmine* "Wait, there's a murderer plotting against the royal family? Why didn't anyone tell me this sooner?" 

Jasmine: *huffs* "Because someone likes to blow things out of proportion. We don't even know if the threat is real yet." *glares at Grace* "Feet out of the chair Grace."

Grace: *quickly moves her feet down with an apologetic smile* "Sorry, Jasmine. I didn't mean to—" *pauses, eyeing her plate* "Wait, is that bacon?" 

Alan: *snickers* "You know, Jasmine, you might be fighting a losing battle trying to turn Grace into a proper lady." 

Jasmine: *glares at Alan* "She'll learn. Even if I have to drill it into her head." 

King: "Speaking of which, how are her lessons coming along?"

Jasmine: *sighs dramatically* "Slowly. She's... a work in progress." 

Grace: *grins through a mouthful of bacon* "Hey, I think I'm doing pretty well." 

Jenna: *laughs softly* "I think she's doing fine, Jasmine. She has her own charm, doesn't she?" 

Jasmine: *leans back in her chair with a smirk* "Charm won't help her in court, Jenna. She needs to know how to act properly." 

Grace: *wipes her mouth* "I'm right here, you know." 

Flint: *teases* "And what a fine example of etiquette you're setting, Grace." 

Grace: *huffs playfully* "At least I'm enjoying my breakfast without worrying about murderers." 

Linda: *giggles* "She's got a point. Maybe we could all use a little less talk about threats and a little more focus on these cinnamon rolls." 

Queen: *smiles warmly* "That's the spirit, Linda. Flint, you'd do well to follow her example." 

Flint: *raises an eyebrow* "I'll try. No promises." 

Alan: *chuckles* "It's like having two Jasmines in the room with the way you two bicker." 

Jasmine: *offended* "Excuse me, Alan. There's only one me, thank you very much." 

Jenna: *amused* "And thank goodness for that." 

The group chuckled, the tension of earlier talk about the plot temporarily fading away in the lighthearted banter. Grace quietly enjoyed her meal, trying her best to balance between savoring the food and remembering Jasmine's lessons on proper behavior.