A/N: Back to normal chapter...for now. I travel again tomorrow so...no promises on next update.
TheRanger'sDaughter: I love Robin. She's the most fun character for me right now.
AER: Haha, glad you like Reese :)
Raider: Yes, Horace is there too. Everyone's there...you'll get to see that soon :)
RedRebel: The pizza is indeed wonderful. Don't worry, I'm sleeping...some...ish...I'll sleep on a traveling day, okay?
Aubrey: Welcome back :) A strike? Of what? I see and respect your sarcasm. Well done.
Disclaimer: I'm not John Flanagan.
Three days after the first Hibernian wedding, Reese found himself voluntarily taking part in the unannounced titling of Neil's younger brother Noah. The stubborn teen full of angst since losing his family became Lord Noah Peterson, Earl of Davenshire. Reese even wore his crown and uniform without complaint. As much as he wished he could lose his own title, it was nice seeing someone else gain one. Noah would grow into his new title as would his brother, and the two would live happily ever after with the O'Carrick royals. Reese wished his own future were so certain.
After the ceremony Hazen, as the royal considered Noah's peer, hosted a reception in his honor. Reese had been expected to host such receptions in Araluen from time to time. Often he recruited someone to do all the work for him so all he had to do was show up. Hazen likely spent time going over preparations himself, choosing the menu and seating charts and everything in between. Reese despised such duties. The last thing he wanted to do was seen Hazen's princely skills on display. The moment the ceremony, which was little more than Scout tapping each of Noah's shoulders with her sabre, ended Reese slipped away.
"It was good rank for him, don't you think?"
Reese nodded to Jin. "He's the brother of a prince. It makes sense they'd give him something with meaning. My guess is they'll keep him here a couple more years, toss him to the Academy, then send him to do his real work as soon as he graduates."
Jin kept her hands folded in front of her as she walked by his side. "You skip the reception?"
She'd switched to speaking Nihon-Ja. Reese smiled a bit at that. She knew how eager he was to practice. "Yes," he answered in her native language. "Being presented with how much better a prince Hazen is over me doesn't sound like much fun today."
"You're a good prince," Jin attempted to assure him. "You just think about it too much."
"What about you? Don't you want to see how well your nephew does?"
Jin made a face. Yes, she was a half-stepsister (whatever that meant) to Scout and Caitlyn, but she was close enough in age to Hazen he never called her 'aunt'. Scout and Caitlyn adored her but the relationship she had with each of them paled in comparison to what they shared with each other.
"Are you staying for Gabe and Lorelei's wedding as well?" Reese asked.
Jin nodded. "Yes. I stay for your cousins."
Right. She was now one of their tutors. She'd either form an advantageous marriage or become an ambassador before it was all said and done. Jin was simply that amazing. Too bad she actually liked the world of glittering jewels and fancy dinners. Reese wouldn't mind courting her if she could be happy sneaking away to visit a local tavern or simply walk among the common folk.
"Lady Jin, Prince Reese."
The new voice from behind caught both off guard. They turned and Jin immediately bowed low at the waist. Reese gave a shorter bow, as his crown didn't require the full dip of respect Jin performed. Reese straightened the moment Empress Sun tilted her own head to him while Jin waited until she was addressed a second time.
"Thank you, Lady Jin. I see you two also decided to forgo the reception Prince Hay-zen is hosting for Lord No-ah?"
"We agree it is more for Hibernian locals," Jin somewhat lied.
"I am in the same opinion," Empress Sun replied. The layered sleeves of her multicolored robes created a pastel rainbow the circle of little girls would envy. "This ceremony brought me off guard. I was hoping to introduce someone of importance to both you, Prince Reese, and Prince Hay-zen together, as heirs of my country's most beloved western allies."
"Who?" Reese asked curiously.
"My own heir."
"You have an heir?" Jin asked with a raised eyebrow. "Did you adopt?"
Empress Sun cast her eyes down for a moment. Jin did the same. Reese realized Jin had broken a taboo rule of class between herself and the empress, but Sun had also done something taboo to their culture as well.
"His name Kaito," Empress Sun went on. "He is about your age, Prince Reese. He is a strong warrior whose father…if goes well Kaito will become my stepson. I am making him my heir before, and the wedding will be small. I want my western friends to know him while we have this chance."
"You're engaged?" Reese asked. He tried to sound more interested in the announcement than he was for Jin's sake, but he saw Sun's need to keep it quiet. She was an older woman and Nihon-Ja thrived on the idea of family and ancestors. If she'd found a man to marry, good for her. If that man came with a stepson she felt capable of becoming emperor one day, even better.
"I have already told both of your parents," Empress Sun told them. "I wish for your generation to meet Kaito casually before he comes as my heir next time we meet. I think he will bring balance to your circle. He speaks the common tongue quite well."
"We would be honored to meet Prince Kaito," Jin answered, bowing deeply once more. Empress Sun beamed.
"Please, both of you come to my ship tonight. Kaito will serve you dinner and tea. Please, bring many from your generation. You must all be friends so that our countries may remain friends one more generation."
Reese and Jin agreed and then bowed as she left.
"Did you hear her?" Jin asked as they began to walk again. "You have to be friends with Hazen to that Araluen and Hibernia may have one more generation of their strong bond."
Reese shook his head. "All I heard was I'm having dinner and tea tonight with the Nihon-Ja heir."
"Oh come off it," Jin teased. "You don't have to wear your crown to this. Kaito isn't her heir yet, he simply will be soon."
"Right, then one more forced friend."
"You may like him."
"Well, I promise I will like him more than I like Hazen."