Her footsteps carried her thoughts far away from where she was supposed to be. The princess wanted more than anything to be away from this kingdom, duty and life. Everything was better after that bold proclamation had been made. Her speed increased as her thoughts raced faster and faster.
It wasn't until she found herself tripping onto the courtyard did her mind finally stop. Anri landed hard on the rim of a stand of a chair and grunted. Her eyes fluttered open and she turned over to sit on the chair. It was then did she noticed that she wasn't alone.
"Look out of princess!" A voice managed to save her as an arrow landed mere inches from her foot. Diane apologized rushed over and pulled it out of the ground. "We didn't see you."
"We?" The princess looked up to see the wolf beastman, Zylo. He was also in the courtyard. Apparently, the two were training together when Anri stumbled upon them.
"Princess Anri," Zylo bowed to her. "We didn't mean to harm you."
Anri frowned at his gesture and waved him to stop. "No, it wasn't your fault. My mind was elsewhere. Frankly, anywhere but here."
Diane could see the concern in Anri's eyes and asked. "On what? Your duties of being a princess can't be that tough when there is no more battling."
Anri huffed at the insult. "Said one of the two training!" She pointed to Diane and Zylo. "Why are you two in such a rush to fight?"
"We are not," Zylo spoke with a calmer voice. "But it is wise to always be ready for battle."
"I suppose..." Anri sighed. "You're right, work is never done." Her eyes dropped in disappointment. "I think I'll rest here. Let you two go back to training." They tried to protest but she refused. "No, no, I shall be fine where I'm at. Please continue." The princess gestured them on.
"Okay." The two took a new stance and proceeded.
Anri watched carefully, hoping this would take her mind off those previous events before arriving here. Yet, the words from the other rooms echoed back in her mind anyway. She narrowed her eyes, and crossed her arms, leaning in closer to the action of the training. The longer she looked, the more dazed she felt in observing them. Anything was better than looking back at those thoughts she didn't want.
Soon enough her eyes drifted even closer to the battle. No longer could she see their actions, only their muscles pulsing and twisting around the courtyard. The sweat dripped off their bodies and the air became hot and thick. She found herself leaning over the table and placing her hands over her cheeks. Her face felt so warm as her eyes linger over their faces as she kept watching.
"Princess?" Zylo stopped and asked. "Are you okay?!" He pushed Diane back and rushed over. "Your face is all flushed out."
Diane saw the same and asked. "Should we call down some nurses or something?"
"What?! Anri broke out of her trance as Zylo touched her forehead. "No, it's fine." She pulled away and covered her face. The princess couldn't believe her actions. Realizing now that she was covered in sweat and had been blushing the whole time, she turned away and took a deep breath to push away the feeling that she accidentally pulled forth.
"Is everything okay? Princess?" Diane slowly walked over and sat down beside her. "You look very flustered."
"Yes..." The princess grumbled. "You could call it being flustered." Using a cooling spell did little to help as Zylo sat on the other side of her, bringing the blush even brighter. "Look, just give me some air."
"Okay." Zylo pulled away and gestured for Diane to follow.
Suddenly, an idea crossed Anri's mind. She held up her hand to stop them then waved her head away. "No, that wouldn't be right..." She whispered under her breath. "It would be just callous for me to ask such a thing." The princess looked at Zylo's retreating back and swallowed her fear to ask. "Actually, I'd like to ask you two a few questions about beastmen."
"Really?!" Diane jumped for joy and rushed over as close as possible. "I would love to talk about them. Which do you want to hear about?" She started prattling off names of each beastman species only for the princess to stop her.
"No, I want to know about their biology, strength and bloodline."
"What's this about?" Zylo asked. "You've never asked about my kin before."
"Well..." Anri's face went full red at this part of the conversation. "I was talking to the high priests and advisors before arriving here." She gripped the rim of her dress and tried to phrase this carefully. "They've been thinking..." She bit her lip and whispered the last part so silently that they couldn't hear her.
"They've what?" Zylo grabbed her hand and asked, speaking even softer. "Princess..." His eyes shifted left and right. "Are there more battles to come, maybe a-" He was stopped as she pulled away.
"Nothing like that at all." She adjusted her voice and breathing. "They just... Well with my father gone..." She shivered in her spot refusing to say more. "And our hero still missing..." Seeing the confusion in their eyes made things worse, so she jumped out of the chair and finally said it out loud. "They think I should conceive an heir!"
Silence was the response as the two tried to wrap their head around this news. They tried to find words for it but Anri's expression said enough for them. Diane's face shifted from concern to happiness. "Incredible!" She rushed up and hugged the princess. "Who is the lucky stud?"
"I..." Anri went cold at that statement. "You see I haven't decided on a..." She pulled herself free and held her hands up at them. "It's not that simple."
"What do you mean?" Zylo stood up.
"They want the next heir to be strong and powerful more like the hero was." Anri adjusted her dress and turned away from them. "They've suggested several princes from smaller lands and even powerfully noble knights." She gestured to the east. "Yet, I was inspired by Princess Narsha and her husband to look elsewhere." She faced them carefully. "Frankly, today I wanted to leave and meet with them on conditions of finding an mate over across the sea. Something to connect our countries and achieve true peace."
"Is that what you want to do?" Zylo asked. "Sounds more like you wish to escape your duties here and hide in another land." He chuckled at this thought.
Diane laughed with him, "Princess, those conditions are too wide and would never find someone worthy to serve as your partner." She wrapped her arm around her arm. "I'm certain there are plenty of beastman with enough strength and bloodline to provide you an excellent heir."
"Actually..." She pulled away from the archer and walked slowly to the wolfling. "While watching you train, my mind came to conclude the only possibility." Her hands reached out to him. "After all, your clan has been loyal to the kingdom for many years."
Zylo's eyes widened and he backtracked. "No, princess!" He held up his hands in hesitation. "There must be another choice."
"No, there's not!" Anri placed her hand on his chest and pushed on with her argument. "It's simple logic! You are one of the best fighters we have here and with your bloodline..." She felt the tough iron of his muscles, making her blush even brighter. "As perfect as your biology."
"But the bloodline is so thin..." Zylo tried to protest.
"All the more reason then!" Diane cheered with her. A blush grew on her face as well. "It might be rather bold for me to ask this princess." She leaned over and placed her hand on Zylo's chest as well. "But there have been parts of the beastman that I have yet to study."
Sweat poured down the princess' face at such a bold question. But, her actions were just as bold, and her hands wouldn't stop moving up his muscles. "I guess..." She couldn't believe that she just agreed to that. "Only if Zylo is willing."
