A/N: I'm afraid I've started this just before becoming insanely busy. There will be more gaps between chapters than you're used to.

Alex: Elizabet has always been sweet :)

TheRanger'sDaughter: Gabe is marrying Lorelei, whom you will get to meet soon :)

Aubrey: Yep. Everyone is old now.

Disclaimer: I'm not John Flanagan.

Reese sat on his horse watching his family board the massive ship below. Lucy's luxury liner venture had been funded by the success of the company she ran alongside Caitlyn and Gabby, only this venture belonged solely to her. Lucy was by far the wealthiest unmarried, untitled woman in Araluen. He knew she was grooming Robin to manage her fleet specifically. Not just the passenger liners, but also cargo vessels and she wanted Robin to manage her affairs abroad. Robin would have a permanent home on the seas and go out on endless adventures one after another until she took an apprentice of her own years from now.

Uncle Ace and Aunt Kelly were already aboard greeting the ship's captain. Halle and Horace III stood with them, eagerly shifting from foot to foot wanting to explore the new liner. Robin was down there somewhere tucked away. She came to the docks so early she had breakfast with the crew. Aunt Rosalina stood at the aft waiting to wave at the sendoff with Iris. Frey was nowhere to be seen, probably hiding from his wife before she discovered Lily in the crow's nest with a deckhand. Grandpa Horace and Grandmother Cassandra leaned against the railing with Kane, and Gabby. Reese didn't see Anne anywhere, but she didn't really like crowds. She'd probably already been tucked away in their cabin or with Robin.

Jin stood in line to board, quietly whispering to Empress Sun and a young Nihon-Jan warrior next to her. He must be Sun's bodyguard or something. His uniform resembled those of men lined up on the elaborate dragon ship preparing to sail a little further down the docks. Empress Sun must be attracted to the new liner, but most of her entourage would follow on their own vessel. He also caught sight of Lady Julia holding Maggie's hand, walking with Will and Alyss. Their presence meant Daniel was somewhere on the ship. Reese wondered if Rangers had been enlisted to help with security for this trip, or if the Treaties were using it as an excuse to visit Carissa together. He didn't see Quinlan, but that didn't mean he wasn't somewhere on the ship. There was no doubt in his mind Jin had sought out Sun to be hired as a translator. Jin wanted to visit her parents, currently staying at their Hibernian home so they could spend time with their grandchildren there.

"You look like we're going to a funeral instead of a wedding," William teased. Reese turned to his parents. He didn't stick out as much from his family as Jin did hers, but he still wasn't like them. His father looked too much like an idealistic royal and his mother too foreign. He was nothing like either of them.

"I thought you'd like traveling with us," Anamaria added when she noticed Reese's lack of excitement. "You want to stay home?"

Reese shook his head. If he stayed behind he'd have to act as the steward of Araluen in their absence. They'd already promised Sir Reginald that responsibility, a close advisor of his father's. Reese's parents would return home directly after the weddings via wolfship while the others took their time. His grandparents had a holiday planned with several from their own generation in Dun Kilty while Uncle Ace and Gabby had plans to travel to Roscrea's Academy to work with Caitlyn on a couple of her projects. Kane would go with them while Aunt Kelly took the opportunity to visit old friends in her native home. Hibernia and Araluen's friendship went so deep several outsiders assumed there had been an advantageous marriage at some point. Any marriage to a royal had its perks, but Uncle Ace's and Queen Scout's choice of spouses didn't exactly seal national allegiance. Their partnership when deeper, connected in several aspects but all driven by the actions of a woman Reese never met.

"Are you already dreading being entertained by Hazen?" William guessed. Reese didn't have to answer. His father sighed. "I really wish you two could get along. His parents aren't just allies, Reese. They're personal friends."

"I'm sorry, Dad. He's just such a…a…"

"Prince?" Anamaria finished for him. Again, Reese didn't have to answer. "So you are."

"Not like him," Reese mumbled. "Not really."

Reese knew he'd hurt his parents, so he broke away from them and boarded the ship ahead of the pomp and circumstance. A steward showed him to his cabin. His parents would stay in the grandest one available, near the captain's quarters. With his entire family and Empress Sun aboard, he'd known he wouldn't be placed anywhere near them. His cabin was small, just enough space for a bed, nightstand, and trunk.

Reese stayed there out of sight until the ship began rocking, letting him know they'd set sail. He wandered the liner until the familiar stern voice of his father called out his name. Reese mentally cursed for not keeping a better eye out. William sat on a comfortable chair tucked in the corner across from a tavern area. There were six chairs total surrounding a small, decorative fire pit. Grandpa Horace and Uncle Frey were there too, all three holding mugs of ale while Kane sat opposite drinking nothing. Reese knew Kane wasn't opposed to alcohol, but refrained because Gabby didn't like the smell. Reese was old enough to know how quickly alcohol could destroy marriages. He wondered if Kane respected Gabby's wishes to keep her around or to keep her happy. He knew Kane occasionally had drinks with his father at special events, and Gabby never said anything about them. At least she didn't say anything in front of others.

"Yes, Dad?" Reese asked.

"Are you off to meet someone?"

Reese shook his head. "I'm just looking around the ship."

"Join us."

The invitation sounded more like an order, so Reese took the chair next to his grandfather. He was of age to get a drink if he wanted, but in all honesty he didn't want to. The taste didn't suit him, another difference between him and his parents. They were good people but it was no secret his father liked ale and his mother liked wine. They often had a glass or two every night at dinner. Reese drank about as often as Kane, always more out of social obligation than desire.

"We've all been talking about you," his dad told him. Reese swallowed hard.

"Make it quick, William. He's going to worry if you don't," Grandpa Horace advised. William nodded, making Reese even more nervous.

"You're relieved from your crown during this trip," he finally said. Reese blinked several times. "Other than the actual weddings, none of us will hold you to any expectations associated with your title."

Grandpa Horace spoke up again. "All I ask, as your grandfather, is that you ride up with us, take part in the welcoming, and the dinners the night before each ceremony. You can choose not to, of course. We'll only hold you to the wedding days, but I ask you wear your crown and participate in those activities too. We don't want to give any of our allies the impression you are rebelling."

"Which you are, just not for any of the reasons they'll gossip about," Uncle Frey said truthfully between long gulps. So blunt, as always. Reese looked to his father, uncle, grandfather, and Kane. Kane stepped up as his godfather shortly after his adoption. When William and Anamaria had to leave him behind on their travels, he was put into the care of Kane and Gabby just as often as his grandparents, aunts, and uncles. When Reese came of age to travel with his father it was Kane who made sure he didn't get into too much trouble behind William's back. This entire notion sounded like something Kane would come up with. His father and grandfather believed in a sense of duty to their country, and Frey believed everyone should take life as it came. Kane, however, understood how suffocated Reese felt in the castle. Perhaps this was all something everyone raised in an adopted family went through. Reese wondered if Elizabet or Jin ever felt the way he did.

"I'll go to the welcoming and dinners," Reese agreed. He wasn't sure how to get out of those gracefully anyway. His family all sighed with relief.

"Well, because you're excused from your duties as of now you don't have to go to the Captain's dinner for all of us," Frey theatrically groaned with a wink. Reese laughed. Frey hated formal dinners as much as he did, but the chefs aboard Lucy's ships were handpicked by Jenny. The dinner was sure to be elaborate and complete with an array of options for drinking, Frey's favorite pastime.

With Frey's cue, Reese's family headed back towards their rooms to collect their wives. Reese turned to Kane.

"Thanks," he said, not having to specify what the thanks was for. Kane nodded.

"Reese, it wasn't very long ago Hibernia came under a king who didn't want to be one. He viewed the post as vain and too much responsibility, but he took it because everyone else up for the job would abuse the position."

"King Sean," Reese replied. "I know. Is this going to be a lecture to convince me I want Dad's crown?"

Kane shook his head. "I'm not going to lecture you, Reese. You know that."

Reese did know that. Kane always found other ways to get his message across, whether through a hearty discussion or some quiet life lesson. It was a characteristic Russ, Holt, Robin, and even Anne complained about, but Reese appreciated. He spent his life being lectured by tutors and family members. Kane's quieter approach was welcome.

"I'm not like the others," Reese admitted. "I'm not going to be a good king. I'm not even interested in it."

"That's because you've grown up sheltered. Araluen has had more years of peace than any of our allies. You've heard of other wars, but other than defending the borders there have been no major attacks within Araluen since you were an infant."

"You say that like it's a bad thing."

"It's not a bad thing, but you've been spoiled in being allowed to take your time growing up. You haven't had to defend Araluen, not really, so you don't see the importance of your position."

"I know my position is important."

"You feel the weight of it, but you don't see the point of it."

Reese sighed. Kane, as usual, was right. "I don't know what to do," he admitted. "The crown just doesn't fit me. It's too tight."

"I know," Kane assured him. "Still, I don't think you should give it up until you have a full understanding of it."

"You're saying Araluen should go to war to teach me a lesson?"

"No," Kane answered sharply. "I'm saying you need to explore your opportunities as the future king more before writing it off."

"How?"

Kane chuckled. "That's up to you, Reese. You should have plenty of time during this trip to make those decisions now that you're only on the hook for, what, four official appearances?"

Reese laughed. "Thanks, Kane. I owe you."

"Just consider it my service to the crown," Kane teased him.