Family Dinner

So it was that our Hero, the boy known far and wide as Ian of Maris, son of James and Megan, reluctantly accompanied his mother to take his, theoretically, rightful place at the table. His companions stood behind him for a moment, but Ian waved them off.

"Go on and eat, don't mind me. Ah, I'll introduce you to father later, erm if I must."

"Of course, my lord! Don't you worry, I'll keep an eye on this suspicious person for you."

"Ah... Michelle? She's my trusted retainer, totally not suspicious at all. Just because we- Oh, I almost slipped up again."

"Because we...? My lord, please continue that sentence!" the half elf chimed in suddenly, "I really want to know more."

"Oh, look at my wrist, we'll talk later!" He waved the pair off, and just in time it seemed. Princess LaLuna took her seat, directly across from him, both having someone a seat closer to his father between them.

"Ah, your Highness, greetings once again! I must thank you for getting me invited. Did you have more questions for me after all?"

Naturally, the Princess hadn't had time to get him an invitation and it was obvious that they both knew this to be a fact. That said, it really was his only play, at that time. Otherwise, well, admitting that you'd let a freaking royal Princess make assumptions would eventually backfire.

"Oh no," his mother cut in with a warm smile, "I pulled some strings. I wanted to hear more about this idea you were talking to my husband about. Would you be so kind?"

"What, the arbalest? I mean, it might not even be feasible but I'm so grateful my lord is so kind as to allow me the resources to test it. So, what would you like to know about it?"

"Well... What is an arbalest, start with that."

"It's... Right! Normally, mind you, I wouldn't share but... When the most beautiful woman in the world asks a question, it's only right to answer, hmm?"

To her credit, while she was just a bit on the proud side, our hero would go so far as to call her stuck up and even add a word he should never assign to a lady, but she wasn't an idiot. Anyone could see that Megan and Ian had some form of relationship, going back awhile.

Frankly, the duo didn't seem like strangers at all.

"So," the Princess said thoughtfully, "You seem fond of older women, huh?"

"Huh? I mean, just this one woman in particular. Well, and my dearest friends Michelle and Ellea. Why? Are you older than me, too?"

"Hmph, even if I am, that's no business of yours!"

"I'd never ask a lady her age, but I'm tempted to a-" he was cut off with a sharp elbow to the ribs from his dear mother. "I meant to say," he added, clearing his throat, "So an arbalest... it's a kind of ranged weapon, like a bow but smaller, easier to use, with good power. It's a bit slower though... I'm looking to see if a girl could use it."

"How useless," Princess LaLuna interjected, rudely.

"I'll rise above such comments," the youth said, sniffing. "So the design itself, I'm thinking a taut rope, something with a little give though. Durability of the weapon itself is more important off hand, hmm... maybe I should consider the crossbow... It's less accurate, but might be easier to make..."

"Crossbow?" his mother asked politely.

"Indeed!" the youth exclaimed, happily going on about the minute differences between an arbalest and a crossbow, as well as the style of bolt, ignoring the uppity princess. It might be rude, to a point, but it wasn't like she couldn't speak with the others around.

Come to think of it, she was awfully quiet. When he glanced back her way, there was this speculative gleam in her eyes. Oh god, what horrible creature has taken an interest in our young hero!?

"At any rate," he said as the main course finally arrived, "If you really want to see something exciting, I'll show you what a revolver can do at the archery range, tomorrow."

"Revolver?" the Princess asked, squinting. "What's that? Another useless toy, I'm sure."

"Say... why not come find out, your highness? I'm sure you'll find things to complain about, but I promise it'll be a show."

"Eh... And why would I care about that?"

"What else is there to do? Sit in a room somewhere? Read old books, maybe? From our library? I've read most of them, talk about dry and boring." Well, that last was probably a lie.

"I have my amusements and, no, it's none of your business!"

"Well bring him, or them, along with you. It'll be fun! Hey, if you're nice to me, I'll let you make a boom. Hmm?"

"What are you... Is that any way to... Who do you think you are speaking to, peasant?"

"Some annoying rich girl," he admitted it outright. "But I'm the only guy in town with a 'magic' item like this."

"The word is weird, but I'm sure we have plenty just like it back home. We're not on the frontier, after all."

"Oh? Care to make a wager, your Highness? Let's make it a punishment game!"

"Eh? What kind of weird game is this? I'm a royal Princess of Lunaria, just what are you trying to force me to do?"

"Oh, are you already sure you'll lose? Where did that confidence of yours go? No, forget it. It's obvious you are too afraid to lose to me in front of your friends."

"Who says I'd lose! What are the rules of this game?"

"Oh... me and a guy of your choice, we'll shoot five shots at a number of targets. You get points for speed of the shot, accuracy of aim, and distance from the target. The loser has to do whatever the winner tells them to do for an entire day. That's from dawn to dusk, and nothing perverse. If you want to get me in bed, you'll have to get my parents' approval."

"Who would want that? Hmm... it might be nice to have another servant during my days here... Alright, punishment game, loser serves the winner for the duration of our mutual stay here."

"Hmm... But wouldn't it be embarrassing for you to serve me?"

"I'm not going to lose!" Princess LaLuna half screamed at him.

"That's so? Well, let's make it interesting. When I win, you have to call me, 'My Lord Husband' for the duration of our time together. Oh, and do it in front of your fan boys."

"Fan boys? Grr! When I win, you will grovel before me and beg permission to do everything! Sit, stand, PEE, you will beg me before you will be allowed to eat you impertinent twit!"

He flashed a quick smile at his mother, "My Lady, you were worried I'd have trouble making friends? I feel such fears were, indeed, unfounded after all."

"I am not your friend," the princess stated firmly.

"By the way, how long will you be around? I'd like to get an idea of how long you'll be serving me, you see. If it's just an hour or two this will be a boring victory."

"I'm planning to stick around for a few months, and since you live here that means you will get to enjoy a long service learning proper work ethics and how to treat your betters."

"I see... So I take it you accept my challenge? Will you be shooting yourself or are you going to hide behind one of your followers?"

"I don't hide behind anyone! I'll beat you fair and square."

"Well, you'll try. I'll tell you what, you can use any weapon you want. If you want to throw spears or shoot a bow, whatever you like. I'll use the revolver and exactly five rounds."

"Are you sure this is what you want to do?" Megan asked our young hero, looking a little nervous. "Your father mentioned that you aren't the best with a bow... is a revolver similar?"

"Oh, no, it's not hard at all. I mean, I'll have to make something to protect my hearing because the revolver is as loud as thunder, but it will be fine. Trust me."

"Hah, I'll get with my maids and see what kind of work you'll be doing. Hmm... A butler, perhaps?"

"Butler? What, you want me to... butle? Is that a thing?"

"Spoken like a sore loser," the dark haired princess said, sneering.

"I'll make you eat those words," the youth's voice said, sounding almost sinister. "You think you are pretty hot stuff, but even money says that everyone you've ever competed against just let you win because you are your daddy's little girl. Well, I hope you are prepared to have your world view shaken."

"I'm looking forward to putting you in your place, peasant. I'll meet you bright and early tomorrow!"

"So, about noon then. I'll be ready."

She didn't answer him, pouting and ignoring him for the rest of the evening. His father, watching the whole thing, had a little smile on his face. What was he plotting?