The books in Sabertooth Royal library was wondrous. Of course, the rare and special books were inaccessible, even if he's the future Queen's 'husband'. Still, he wondered if he could sneak a few out and forgot to return.

If the Royal librarian, Rufus, doesn't murder him for it, Sherry just might if she finds out he stole books from the Royal library like a common thief.

He ran his fingers across the mahogany wood shelving, a thick volume cradled in one arm. The shelves were well taken care of, dusted and polished till they shone like new. Every book was organized by alphabetized order, from genre, subject and publication year.

A perfectionist control freak, he thought. No harm. The world could do with a little more of such people.

A gold-gilded hardcover book caught his eyes. The spine looked slightly tattered, but he could feel the low hum of magic tugging at his attention. He reached up, fingers catching the bottom of the book. He deliberated over waving the enchanted ladder to his side or give up his pursue. He doesn't have much time left before his lunch appointment with the Crown Princess.

As if sensing his torment, a hand reached up over his head and gently pulled out the book that had caught his interest. He tensed up in surprise, having not heard the other man sneaking up on him.

"Is this the book you wanted?" The massive man standing behind him asked. He has a head of wild, spiky light green hair, and he was... shirtless, displaying cords of tight muscles and arms thick enough to crush his skull with one squeeze.

"I... Yes, thank you." He said, dumbfounded. His first instinct was to back away, put some space between them—the man was standing a little too close for his personal comfort—but his back bumped lightly against the bookshelf. There was nowhere else to go, unless he ducked around the man's huge body.

He slowly took the book from the man, sliding his glove off with his teeth to lay his palm on the hard cover. 'The Alchemy of Herbalism' was a premier publication on herbology and pharmaceutical science. It's part of a collection of three volumes, and this was the most basic. The other books delved into some of the darker stuffs; poisons and toxicology and antidotes, which he was more interested in. They were banned in multiple cities, but he has his sources, so it shouldn't be too hard to get his hands on the last two volumes.

"Honestly, stop looming over the prince like a buffoon and introduce yourself, Orga!" Rufus stomped towards their direction. He immediately bowed in apology when he stopped in front of them. "I apologize for his ill manners, Your Highness. Orga does not usually interact much with the Court. He is one of Princess Minerva's sworn knights."

"I am Orga Nanagear, Your Highness." The massive man said gruffly.

Lyon thought that he seemed more socially awkward than intimidating, despite his size.

"I am sent to escort you to lunch with the princess." Orga continued.

He glanced at the clock in surprise. Time had passed pretty quickly while he's buried in these books.

"May I borrow this book?" He asked Rufus.

Rufus ran a clinical gaze over the book cover, his sharp gaze pausing on Lyon's bare hand for a moment before he looked up.

"Excellent choice, Prince Lyon." He smiled. "You may return whenever."

He was a little curious that there's no forms to fill to loan a book from the Royal library. In Lamia Scale, the library was much smaller, but the few books they have were precious and valuable. Anyone wishing to take the book out of the library had to go through certain procedures. But Rufus had assured him that 'everything is in his head', tipping his hat with an almost smug smirk.

Yuka was waiting outside the library when he exited, Orga following behind him like a silent shadow.

"Please take this book back to my quarters." He requested. He doesn't want any food or beverage mishap to happen while he's holding onto it.

Yuka raised a suspicious bushy brow at Orga. He brushed his fingers over Yuka's knuckles to affirm that the knight was safe as he handed the book over for safekeeping.

"I'll see you after lunch." Yuka tucked the volume under his arm as he strode away.

Orga was an awkward conversationalist, tending to go off topic or quoted random song lyrics that he does not recognize. Minerva surely surrounded herself with many strange people.

Perhaps they were not that different after all.


Minerva was waiting at a veranda overlooking the palace's prized garden. Only Sting and Rogue were present to guard her.

"Hey, Prince Lyon!" The blonde waved energetically.

Mortified by his rudeness, Rogue punched him in the back.

"I apologize for his impertinence, Prince Lyon!" Rogue said hysterically, seizing the back of Sting's blond head and pushing it down roughly.

Amused, Lyon waved Rogue's apology aside. The man must have a rough time dealing with his partner's carefree personality all the time.

"The princess is waiting." Orga coughed.

He looked up to see Minerva standing at the other end of the veranda. She was looking out at the garden, her gaze distant.

Leaving the three knights, Lyon went.

"I didn't make you wait too long, did I?" He said mildly.

Minerva's head jerked up in surprise. She looked almost embarrassed to be caught unaware.

"No, you're just in time. Yukino just brought out the tea." Minerva said slowly. "Shall we?"

She gestured at the beautifully set up table beside her. Without waiting for a reply, she swept her long gown aside and sat down. He stifled his huff of amusement. Even dressed in a riding skirt, her dark hair swept up from her shoulders, she was impeccable and regal. Other than a faint sheen of sweat on her skin that makes her complexion glowed, not a hair was out of place. He wondered how he looked to her; he's sure there's ink smeared against his cheek, which he had unsuccessfully tried to rub off.

"Is black tea alright?" She asked, picking up the porcelain teapot.

"It's fine." He said, sitting down opposite her.

He studied her look of concentration as she poured out tea into two dainty-looking teacups. The birds twittered in the background, a light breeze cooling him down.

"It seems that my father and Prince Jura have just finished their... discussion." Minerva said, her expression barely hiding a displeased scowl. "I've heard that they have settled a date, which your brother will relay to you later."

He sipped into the tea to delay his reaction. Minerva does not seem interested in further explaining as she settled into a menacing gloom, so he deduced that she must have heard the news by way of gossip instead of directly from King Jiemma.

"I am excited for our wedding." He answered, his teacup making a sharp clink as he set it down abruptly.

She narrowed her eyes at him, and he wondered if he sounded too flat. Should he have said it a little more excitedly? She didn't look particularly happy to be marrying him in the first place anyway.

The approaching footsteps broke his reverie.

"Your Highnesses," Yukino greeted, balancing a tray in her hand. "I heard that Lamia Scale is famous for their seafood. I had the chefs prepared spiced swordfish to satisfy your appetite, Prince Lyon."

His eyes widened in pleasant surprise as she set down two plates of spiced swordfish in front of them.

Lamia Scale was home to many ports, living near the ocean. Their business in the seafood industry was what kept them afloat during the war.

"I hope you can enjoy your lunch, Prince Lyon." Minerva said blandly. "You must be missing home."

"It was Minerva-sama's suggestion to import some seafood over." Yukino winked. "They might not be from Lamia Scale, but the chefs have done their best in ensuring it tastes as authentic as possible."

"Lady Yukino," Minerva coughed loudly, a sharp glare chasing the giggling lady-in-waiting away.

He was stunned to see the faint pink blush on her cheeks, the annoyance twisting her lips downward. It was more emotion than he had ever seen from her.

The fish looked properly fried at least. He picked up a fork and knife and cut a piece. The cinnamon taste was a little strong, but it's good.

"It's good." He complimented.

Minerva smiled, her expression relaxing. It made her looked her age, soft lines at the corners of her eyes, her thin crimson lips a gentle arch across her cheeks.

Yukino brought a bottle of crisp dry rose wine which flattered the salty swordfish. He didn't finish his meal, placing his fork down and glancing in pity at the leftover.

"Is it not to your taste, Prince Lyon?" Minerva asked.

"No, it's excellent." He said, washing the fish down with the wine. "I just never have a hearty appetite."

Fortunately, Minerva was not offended. She merely nodded in understanding.

The fish was truly excellent, but he might be embellishing a little when it came to his appetite. He's afraid that the Crown Princess might jump to her own conclusion if he speaks frankly.

"The weather looks good today." He commented, giving her a practiced sweet smile. If she's surprised, she was more composed than when they were talking about their wedding. "Let's take a walk through the garden. I hear Sabertooth has some... interesting plants."

"Are you interested in botany, Prince Lyon?" She queried, raising a brow curiously.

"I... dabbled." He said in amusement.

Minerva looked slightly doubtful but did not object to his request. Something struck her as odd, although she couldn't place a finger on it on what exactly make her uneasy.

It wasn't only until she's walking back to her room after lunch that she realized that it hadn't been a request, but a command wrapped in a guise of one. How many times have she used that tone herself when speaking to her squad in the Royal army?

She laughed incredulously, startling her knights. She ignored Sting and Rogue's confused stares, rubbing the bridge of her nose.

Did the so-called powerless antisocial prince actually ordered her to take a walk through the garden with him in her own kingdom? She'd actually be offended if Lyon's gall hadn't actually make her more intrigued.