Lymsleia rushed up the palace steps and burst through the doors. "Mother!" she called, racing into the throne room. "Mother, we're home!"
Queen Arshtat was seated at her throne, laughing with her husband, Ferid. Her smile widened as her youngest child raced up the red carpet toward them. She stood, her arms outstretched to embrace her daughter.
"Mother!" Lymsleia sighed happily, folding her arms around her mother's slender waist at last.
Arshtat's long sleeves draped over the princess as she encircled her. "Hello, darling!" she laughed. "How was your walk?"
Lymsleia looked up at her mother happily. "It was such a beautiful day, Mother! And just look at what Ismachi bought for me!" She stepped back, lifting her head high so her mother could see her new necklace.
Arshtat reached out and lifted the blue stone, giving it a smiling appraisal. "How beautiful!" she exclaimed.
"That's what I told her," Ismachi agreed, approaching behind his sister.
"And he didn't mean the necklace," Miakis said under her breath to Lyon as they followed the prince to the throne.
"There's my boy!" Ferid said, reaching out to clap Ismachi on the back. "She probably nagged you until you gave in to her, didn't she?" he laughed.
"I did nothing of the kind!" Lymsleiaargued, stamping her foot. "Ismachi, tell them I didn't!"
"That's all right, dearest," Arshtat smiled. "We know how your big brother likes to indulge you.
"That's right," Ismachi agreed instantly.
"But Miakis was a major pain!" Lymsleia complained, glaring at her bodyguard. "Mother, can't Ismachi and I just go out alone together next time? Please?"
"No!" Arshtat took her daughter's face in her hands. "I trust Ismachi with you, darling, but I'm afraid that if word got out that the two of you were walking around alone that something dreadful might happen to you. I know how you like to run off on your own..."
Lymsleia shook free of her mother's hold. "I would never! I'll stay right with Ismachi. I promise!"
Arshtat appealed to her husband. "Ferid..."
Ferid hugged the princess. "Listen to your mother. Mothers always know best!" He leaned down to kiss Lymsleia's head. "Besides, why should you go all the way to town? You can play outside with Ismachi right here in the palace courtyard."
"Play!" Lymsleia screeched. "I'm not a child!" She pulled away from her father, folding her arms angrily.
"Now, that wasn't childish!" Miakis giggled. Lymsleia glared at her, and Miakis stuck her tongue out at her, shocking Lyon.
"You're being rude to your father," Arshtat chided the princess. "That attitude ill befits a future queen of Falena."
"Mother," Ismachi intervened, "I don't think Lym meant--"
"Don't make excuses for her," Arshtat said a little more harshly. "You won't always be around to protect her, Ismachi."
The prince's brow furrowed. "Of course I will! Why wouldn't I be?"
"You shouldn't be giving your mother attitude, either, Ismachi," Ferid broke in. "Remember to whom you're speaking."
Ismachi stiffened noticeably. "Yes, Father."
Arshtat sighed softly. "Now why don't you all run along and get ready for dinner? Everyone should have plenty of time to cool their tempers so no one's appetite is spoiled."
"Yes, Mother," Ismachi said at once. He turned and strode away from the throne, heading upstairs without another word, but he cast Miakis a dirty look on his way out.
"I wonder what's gotten into him," Ferid mused.
"I'll go check!" Lyon said without delay, bowing to the royal family before hurrying after Ismachi.
-------
The prince was almost to his bedroom door when Lyon caught up. He cast a glance over his shoulder, and once he saw who it was following him, didn't bother closing the door when he went into his room. Lyon knocked on it anyway.
"...Can I come in, Prince?"
Ismachi shrugged, walking across the room and hopping up to perch on the high windowsill.
Lyon closed the door nearly all the way, leaving it open just a crack, then walked over to the prince. "Is... anything the matter, Prince Ismachi?"
"There's something the matter with this whole stupid situation," Ismachi grumbled.
"...Prince?"
"Lym's not a child!" he said vehemently. "Why does Miakis have to tease her like that? And why don't Mother and Father see her for the beautiful young woman she is?"
Lyon stared at the back of the prince's head. She'd always known Ismachi to be protective of Princess Lymsleia, but he sounded genuinely angry for some reason. "Prince," she said, trying to think of a way to put it gently, "Miakis was only joking around... She didn't mean to upset Ly-the princess. And your parents just want her to be safe."
Ismachi's head whipped in her direction. "So you don't think she's safe with me, either!" he snapped. "No one loves her the way I do. No one else would so readily lay his life down for her, and you don't think I should be the one to protect her?"
Lyon didn't know what to say. "Prince Ismachi..."
Ismachi shook his head, wincing as though he were in pain. "I'm sorry, Lyon," he said softly. "It's not your problem. I know you're just trying to make me feel better." He smiled weakly at her, hopping down from the ledge. "Thanks for listening to me gripe. You're a good friend, Lyon."
"...Prince Ismachi..."
"Nevermind what I said. I'm just blowing off steam." He walked toward her and put a hand on her back, gently guiding her to the door. "I'll see you at dinner, then," he smiled.
"Um, sure. Okay."
He held the door open, keeping his hand on her back until she was out in the hall, then he closed it behind her. He leaned back against the door, staring at the ceiling and giving a heavy sigh. Holy Sun Rune, what he wouldn't give for a little privacy! For him and Lym both.
Meanwhile, Lyon stood in the hallway staring at the closed door, her thoughts jumbled. It took her a moment to find her feet, then she finally retreated to her own room, not sure whether she felt flattered or defeated.
-------
"--practically yelled at him, for crying out loud. And then--THEN!--Lyon had to run off after him like some lovesick dog. And--grrrr!"
"A dog?" Miakis gave a low whistle from where she sat on the princess's bed. "That was a little harsh, wasn't it?"
"Who's being harsh?" Lymsleia cried, halting her frenzied pacing for a moment. "Am I wrong?"
"Well, maybe Lyon does have a little crush..."
"What!" the princess screamed, storming toward her bodyguard. "This is all your fault!"
Miakis's eyes went wide. "How is it my fault!"
"You had to tease me all afternoon and upset me, then because of you Mother scolded me and Father scolded Ismachi, then Ismachi got all upset and Lyon had to--"
"Hey!" Miakis cried. "You left out the parts where you were being a crybaby and Ismachi started sassing your mom!"
"How--how dare you!" Lymsleia grabbed a nearby vase and prepared to throw it. But just then someone pounded on her door.
"Can't you hear I'm busy!" She raised her arm menacingly.
"Sorry, Lym," Ismachi called through the door. "I guess I'll just talk to you later."
Lymsleia gasped. "No--wait!" She dropped the vase and ran for the door in just her slip and chemise. "I'm coming, Ismachi!"
"Princess!" Miakis screeched. "Your clothes--!"
Lymsleia ignored her and threw the door open wide.
"Oh, my, my, my!" Miakis wailed, covering her face with her hands.
"Lym," Ismachi smiled, then he realized his sister had opened the door in her undergarments. He quickly pushed his way into the room, closing the door behind them. "What are you doing?" he blinked.
Miakis whimpered.
Lymsleia shot her a look. "I was getting ready for dinner! Is that a crime?"
Miakis peeked out at her from between her fingers, embarrassed for both of them.
"Of course not, but please don't open the door like that again, Lym," Ismachi pleaded. "Not with that lecher Kyle on the loose!"
"Oh. I didn't think about that." The princess toyed with her new necklace. "But I didn't want you to go!"
"Oh, Lym," Ismachi sighed. "I'd wait forever for you."
Miakis giggled, and the royal couple turned to look at her, having forgotten her presence for a moment. She looked off to the side, trying not to smile.
"Anyway," Ismachi said, turning his gaze back to his sister, "I wanted to talk to you for a minute. Alone," he added pointedly.
"With the princess half-dressed?" Miakis cried. "You've got to be joking! No way, buster."
Lymsleia made a grab for the vase on the floor near her bare feet, but Miakis kicked it away. "No you don't!"
Ismachi reached out and grabbed Lymsleia's arm before she could make another move. "Fine, then," he told Miakis. "Lym, I just wanted to ask you to wear something dark at dinner tonight."
"Something dark?" the princess blinked.
Ismachi stared into her eyes. "Just to match," he smiled charmingly, winning even Miakis over.
"Oh. All right," Lymsleia agreed.
"Good!" Ismachi smiled, moving toward the door. "I'll see you tonight, then, love."
"Yes..." she agreed dreamily. "Tonight..."
The prince gave her a lingering look before leaving.
"Hm," Miakis murmured from behind the swooning princess. "I think I'll wear something dark, too--just for fun." Her eyes squinted mischievously. "And we'll tell Lyon we're all wearing white!"
