Dick stood up straight with his hands behind his back as he idly stood with Ryan on the right side of the throne room the following morning. His mind kept reeling back to the previous night and how it became listed as the best moment of his life, alongside the moment that he met Kori. He couldn't believe that he was in such an intimate and serious relationship with a Princess. It never really dawned on him about her status and what she meant to the kingdom because she had always been Kori; beautiful and sweet and completely normal. When he thought of her, no kind of royal status was attached.
Ryan's voiced broke his reverie, "So... My sister has been a lot happier recently... I feel like I should thank you for that." He informed him,
"I didn't do much..." Dick chuckled,
"Kori has never been in love before. It is nice to see her experiencing it."
Dick smiled fondly and blushed, "Believe me; I've never loved a girl as much as I love your sister."
Ryan chuckled and slapped a hand against Dick's shoulder, "It's good to know that you think so much of her, my friend,"
Dick grinned and lightly chuckled. He turned his head towards the sound of the doors opening. His mood lifted when he saw Kori walk into the room, looking as beautiful as ever but his mood immediately dropped again when he saw who was by her side.
Prince Da'akaar had a grin that caused Dick irritation. He was unsure whether or not he disliked the Prince based on the fact that he was Kori's fiancé or that he just seemed arrogant.
Either way, the masked hero sighed unhappily, earning a frown from Ryan. He understood Dick's frustrations, knowing that it must have got him down knowing that Kori was technically promised to Prince Da'akaar.
"Every time I see the Prince... It just reminds me that Kori and I can't last. One day, they'll have to get married and there's nothing I can do to stop it."
"So you wish for more with Kori?"
Dick smiled absentmindedly, "Well yeah... I mean, one day... Who knows, I'd like to call her my wife and maybe even have a child with her... But none of that stuff matters. I can't do any of that because of the stupid rules that are in place here."
Ryan slowly nodded which caused Dick to shake his head,
"Sorry... I didn't mean-"
Ryan faintly smiled, "Believe me, Nightwing. Kori and I have often cursed being born into royalty. We hate the rules as much as anyone; if not more."
Dick nodded to show that he was listening and that he understood Ryan. Although Dick was saddened by the idea of Kori still being engaged to Prince Da'akaar, he brightened considerably when she bounded over to him and Ryan, beaming at them as she moved closer.
Ryan bowed his head slightly, "Good morning, sister."
"Good morning, Ryan," She replied, the smile never leaving her face,
Dick smirked and cast a glance her way, knowing that they were both thinking about the same thing. Ryan raised an eyebrow at their shared expressions and decided that he probably wouldn't want to know about it.
Ryan groaned quietly, "Ugh, your pining for one another is so obvious. I am surprised that no one has found out your secret yet,"
He smiled and shook his head at them as they both blushed immensely.
"Alright. I am going to speak to mother and father. Be discreet, will you?" Ryan urged, nudging his sister lightly.
Dick turned to Kori and smirked, "So... How are you this morning, Kori?"
Kori timidly brushed some of her hair behind her ear and clasped her hands in front of her form, "I am feeling... Relaxed..." She answered, looking up at him through her lashes,
Dick blushed at her statement but grinned nevertheless, "Me too... Last night was amazing, Kor,"
Kori softly smiled at him and opened her mouth to speak but was cut off by King Myand'r,
"Koriand'r. We must prepare for battle." He announced,
The Princess' attention was now fully on her father's words, "What!?" She paused, "Our last battle was only just yesterday!"
Ryan strapped his sword to his waist as he jogged down the steps, "The scouts spotted them on the horizon early this morning."
Kori's shoulders slumped at the thought of another battle. They didn't have nearly enough men to repel a surprise attack. Surely, they would lose today.
"Koriand'r. Ryand'r." Myand'r called, causing the two siblings to face their father, "My children. Be careful out there today and do your very best. I know you are both capable of great things."
Kori and Ryan warmly smiled at their father's faith in them and left the room together so that they could prepare for battle.
Nightwing glared at Prince Da'akaar as he watched him leave too. Da'akaar was acting somewhat suspiciously and Dick was determined to find out why.
Suddenly, Nightwing felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned and found Superman staring back at him.
Dick raised an eyebrow, "Everything okay...?" He queried,
"We need to talk about something. Come on." Superman explained, leading the way out of the throne room.
Dick followed Superman out into the corridor and they stood in the corner so that they had some privacy.
"So, what is this about, Clark?" Dick wondered,
"I think you know, Dick." Superman responded, crossing his arms over his chest,
"Can we skip the mystery crap and you just tell me?"
"It would be wise for you to stop seeing the Princess behind the Princes' back."
Dick's eyes widened behind his mask, "Wh-What?" He paused, "How did you know about me and Kori?"
"Don't worry. Nobody else knows. I've been watching you with her over the past few days and it became quite obvious,"
Dick scoffed, "Fine. Go ahead and tell me how it's a terrible thing blah blah blah."
"Hey, be glad that Bruce isn't the one talking to you about this."
"Does he know?"
"No. I haven't told him and I'm not going to because I'm hoping you're smart enough to end things, yourself."
Dick crossed his arms over his chest, "Clark, I'm not ending things with Kori. I know you think it's a whole awful thing but it's not. We can't help the way we feel about each other. We're not kids, okay? We can handle things. I'm not giving her up for anyone."
With that, Dick turned away and left Superman to ponder the things that he had just said to him...