At long last, chapter 3 of Gladiolus is done! Hooray!
My apologies, but I'm an awfully slow writer, and generally a profession procrastinator at everything xD
I had most of this typed down already, but I usually take a lifetime to decide how to end them.
Nonetheless, hope you enjoy it!

Gladiolus, Chapter 3: Entering Her World

The carriage ride to Lassen was rather gloomy, and the two didn't dare speak a word; Celes was avoiding eye contact with the young prince, occasionally trying to spy on his face expression or nervously playing with her long hair, while Alm simply stared outside the little window, grumpier than ever and well set on ignoring the princess.
The woman sighed, feeling uneasy: "Prince Alm, would it not be better for both of us to at least try to get along? We will have to spend gods know how much time together from now on...art thou set on not talking to me for the whole time?"
Seeing as the prince continued his silent strike, Celes decided to play his game for now and let him be. It seemed like she'd have plenty of time to try reasoning with him, anyways...

Lassen's Lord's manor wasn't anything exceptional, at least, not in the eyes of prince Alm. He was used to the luxury of his own royal palace, and visibly writhed his nose at the idea of staying in such a cheap place, with people he didn't even know.
He didn't even deemed Lassen itself as worthy of attention: what was it, a spittle on Midgard's map, compared to Paltierre's glory?
How could such a famous princess be satisfied with this life, when she could have so much more?

The prince could only hope this painful experience would end as soon as possible; he would prove to this mob how awesome he was, so that he could go back to his beloved Paltierre in a blink of eyes and be praised as a martyr for this act of charit-
As usual, his mental rambles were interrupted. He seriously needed to tell people stop doing that. The interruption was caused by Celes' touch, who had got a hold of her chevalier servant's arm and was waiting for his full attention to show him the manor.
"If thou'd excuse me, my prince, I'd like to show you the place of your staying...and have you meet its Lord, of course." her voice was calm and firm as usual, but there was an hint of nervousness in her attitude.
"Pfft, of course she's nervous, she must be afraid of the poor figure her husband, a mere lord, will make compared to a great, clever prince as I" he mentally mused, a smirk temporarily appearing on his lips.

Lord Coireall didn't actually really give the 'air' of a proper Lord, at least in Alm's opinion. He seemed like the typical nice guy, overly indulging and probably with no guts, just like his brother...why dumbasses seemed to be destined to aquire reigning positions, it was unknown to the young snobby prince.
Alm tried to mask his annoyance with politeness -he had to give a great impression of his awesome self, afterall- but didn't quite make efforts to join in the conversation and spoke only the very necessary.
Celes' and Coireall's efforts to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere were as futile as talking with a brick wall; Alm's sulkiness would not fade away.

The first few days were mainly focused on Alm's settlement, to let him familiarize with the place. Celes tried to give him his space and not push her presence on him. Her husband wasn't very busy in those days anyways, so Alm's attendance was not strictly required for the time being.
Though, after around two weeks, the princess decided it was about time to train her new chevalier servant.

"What does this mean, milady?" inquired Alm raising an eyebrow, esaminating the sword in his hands and the lady's battle stance.
"Art thou not my chevalier servant, my prince? Then thou must be able to protect me, should the occasion require it." "My apologies milady, but my guess is that Her Highness does not know I am no warrior, but a sorcerer."
"I am fully aware of it, worry not. And also a very promising sorcerer, from what I heard. But..." she tried holding back a chuckle and gestured at his metallic footwear: "I just imagined thou would be happy to try thy hand at swordmanship, too."

Alm blinked a couple times, as if to assimilate what the princess had just said.
He didn't expect someone to notice he was indeed wearing an armor under his sorcerer vest. Truth was, he wasn't really interested in picking up a sword, but it seemed that fame on the battlefield was more enamored of warriors rather than mages.
And everyone at Paltierre knew how much he lusted for fame.

The prince cleared his voice, as to interrupt that awkward silence.
"Very well, then."
He tried mirroring Celes' battle stance, much to the princess' amusement, who was quick to appear by his side to guide his movements with a firm but gentle grip.
Alm writhed his nose at the woman's touch, firstly because he loathed being touched in general, and secondly because he disliked being taught to. He was perfect already, wasn't he?
She smiled down at him, repositioning his weight: "Alright, in this position thou should not lose thy balance, Prince. Keeping a balanced stance is essential in sword combat. Here, holding the sword like this should make it easier."
The teen prince didn't say a word and merely bowed his head off of courtesy, as the woman went back to her original stand point. "Guests first."
"I supposed it was 'Ladies first' but well then. Milady wilst regret it."

Celes stifled another chuckle, as she prepared to counter-attack. From his movements, she guessed the prince had some basics of fencing, but that was all. Furthermore, he didn't seem to have the agility nor the strength required for swordmanship.
But he seemed so proud of himself, and looked like he was actually enjoying it a bit, that Celes couldn't keep her nurturing 'older sister' instincts in and decided to let him have his way, going very easy on the young prince.
Alm of course, was quick to notice this, and started trying harder to put in difficulty the princess.

"Do not play with me milady, your nonchalant-ness may offend me."
"My apologies, my Prince," said the warrior princess, suddenly making the decisive move to pin the pouty teenager to the ground: "I just thought His Higness would prefer a warm up and some practice before."
Alm hastily moved aside her sword and quickly got to his feet. "Well, so I guessed. I did not go full out on milady as well, for it wouldn't be chivalrous...but that's enough for today! Other matters attend me."
The young woman raised an eyebrow, skeptical at his false declaration of superiority. She never liked people who couldn't admit their faults...but was always more than open to help them accept them.
Nevertheless, the prince was right; it was almost dinner time.

And her husband once again wasn't attending to it.

"General Farant" she quietly asked, her voice not that surprised anymore: "what did bring my husband out of the manor's walls -again- ?"
Farant bowed down to her, and sat down in front of her, briefly glancing at the empty head of the table. "My apologies from him, milady. A last minute business required his presence. Bur fear not that by the end of next sunset he'll be at the side of his beloved wife again."
Celes couldn't help but looking away at the word beloved, as to hide the irony that word echoed within her.
"I thought so."
And Alm, for the first time, was drawn to her eyes. Her saddened eyes.

I hope the story pace isn't too slow to you! I'm just trying to let things happen naturally.
It'll take quite a bit before romance starts popping out xD
And imo this one was a bit too short...hope it didn't disappoint.
Thanks for reading!