First Night Home

At long last, the princess of Lunaria left the baths, and our luckless hero was finally at peace. He took his time getting out, despite being past ready to get a move on, just to give the entourage time to go away.

He dressed quickly, slipping away from the bath and headed directly for his room. Things were getting dangerous. There was almost no chance his father wouldn't welcome marrying him off if he knew the Princess was interested.

Granted, he could think up worse fates, but the boy had some doubts about this character... Was she a capture target from one of those romance games, or was she really a villain out to ensnare the hero early on. His heart was beating quickly and he was blushing.

Oh god, he might really like her! Well, he'd have to fix that sooner, not later. After all, the odds were against her interest being altruistic or, for that matter, in him. Hmm... Would she have disregarded his ideas if she knew whom he truly was?

His own parents obviously had doubts, though his mother doted on him and his father indulged his requests. Loving parents, even though they seemed to err on the side of caution with him. After all, two hundred men, plus his fifty new friends, Michelle and Ellea...

Hey, wait, was our hero building an army? No, seriously, was he building an army!?

He sighed, pausing at last just outside his room. Hearing a noise, he spun about to find...

"Why so great a sigh, my son?" his father asked, curious. "You sound rather put upon."

"Ah... Nothing much, father," he replied, waving it off. "I ran into that uppity princess and had to fall all over myself agreeing to her whims. How annoying..."

James gave his son a knowing look, hiding a smile. "Of course, we all have our duties we must attend to. Is she truly that bad a match for you?"

"It's even worse... she refers to me only as commoner or peasant." The youth sniffed, "After I beat her in tomorrow's contest, I think I'll have her clean the toilet or something. I'd have her cook my meals, but I'd rather not risk being poisoned."

"I'm sure it's not that bad. The Lunarian kingdom does lie on our eastern border, you know? It would be good to secure our joint borders, something a bit more... permanent than we have now. Something to give us a little more space in case of emergencies."

"I think I understand where you're going with this," the boy said, thoughtfully. "Is this why you're sending me and my artisans to the eastern fort?"

"I admit, I'd despaired of you ever learning to figure out something even this obvious. You really are growing up, my son. Your mother and I are proud of you, you know?"

Blushing, the boy merely nodded. "Ah, I met a young lieutenant by the name of Markus. I'd like to take him and his men under my command, maybe learn how to soldier so... well, just in case. I don't ah... I never want to feel so helpless again."

"Oh Ian... I don't think knowing how to be a soldier is going to really help with feelings of helplessness. That said, well, if that's your request I'll allow it."

"Thank you! I mean it, thank you very much!"

His father waved it off, "Sure. Even your old man has his good points, huh?"

The pair shared a smile, then James cleared his throat. "Hal's going to be joining me in clearing Deimos Hold. Chris will stay here with your mother, though, so you don't need to worry too much, hmm?"

"Chris and Hal?" He blinked, pressing his hands against his temples a moment, that /shock/ of foreign memories once more taking place within his mind. "R-right, my older brothers. That does make me feel better."

The two stared at each other, a moment of awkwardness intruding. Finally, our hero replied, "Well, I should probably get some sleep. Michi and Ellea are undoubtedly convinced I am up to no good or some such."

"Sure, sure... About your match tomorrow, you may have bitten off more than you can chew."

"How so?"

"Princess LaLuna is the finest archer I've ever seen. Speed and accuracy are hallmarks of her house and she's currently their best."

"If I were using a bow, I'd be worried. Don't worry about it, father. I won't really have to follow her home to Lunaria. Well, she does think I'm a peasant, though."

"Follow you home!? What are you talking about exactly? Perhaps I should speak with her..."

"HEY! Don't you dare! I'm perfectly fine right where I am, don't you worry. And don't worry about the other thing, it's a non-issue."

"You let me decide what I'll worry about," the Lord of Maris replied seriously, "If it becomes a problem I'll take steps."

"Now, now, you've already taken steps," the youth replied warmly, "But as you will. I suppose I should at least pretend to get some sleep before the big day..."

"About that... Ian, I shouldn't have to tell you this, but your mother worries. I know you are fond of your retainer and, perhaps, that guard you've had following you around, but don't do anything to embarrass us, alright?"

"This conversation is embarrassing. What kind of person do you think I am?"

"Impulsive, kind of an idiot, prone to act on whimsy, not the brightest flame, likely to act in an irrational manner, and I wouldn't rate you as the most intelligent person in the room if you were in that room alone with a cat for company."

"That's... kind of mean. Hey! Why are you being so... so..."

"You asked," James pointed out, cutting his son off. "I merely answered you. Now go on, get some sleep, but keep that thing in your pants and we won't have any problems. Go on, prove me wrong."

"Every single time I start to respect my father, he says something utterly ridiculous and it's like all that respect is just... gone."

"Did you just say something?"

"I said, 'Good night, father'. What else would I have said?"

"Rest well, my son. We'll look forward to seeing you over breakfast."

"Right..." Ian waved, turning and entering his room. He heard the receding sound of footsteps as his father headed off, presumably to rest.

Our hero took three steps into his room before the note of discord found him. This discordant note came from the pair of women sitting on his bed, glaring at each other, both dressed in some weird looking night clothes.

As the pair looked to him, pointing at each other, Ian cut them both off at the pass. "Listen, I'm not going to ask and you are /not/ going to tell me. Right?"

"But!" both girls started to say at the same time, even as our hero cut them off again.

"Listen, my mother's favorite blue eyed boy is just a little bit tired, you know?"

"Chris is tired?" Michelle asked, looking ever so innocent.

"Who was Chris?" Ellea asked, head tilted to the side.

"Lord Maris' second son," Michelle explained. "Henry, well his nickname is 'Hal', is the oldest."

"But I am mother's favorite!" Ian cut in, sharply, "Everyone knows this! Oi, what are you implying over there?"

"I wasn't implying anything. So are you finally going to join us in bed? I mean, there's no way I'll let this... half-elf... contaminate you."

"This again! Say that word one more time. I /dare/ you to say it!"

"Let's not. Can women get along? No, seriously, I need to know. Like, are we going to be on campaign somewhere, trying to sneak through some enemy lines... Maybe halfway past then suddenly you two start fighting?"

"What? How unreasonable! Hey, do you think we're stupid? You, the youngest son, the one everyone agrees is not the sharpest tool in the shed, you're lecturing us?"

"Ah... Michelle, I've never called my lord any such thing, to his face or his back. Impulsive though..."

"..."

The girls paused, looking at their suddenly quiet leader. Then, at the same time, "So are you coming to bed?"

"Tempting as that sounds, I'll have to pass," the boy said seriously. "I took the time to have a second bed delivered, remember? I'll sleep there. You two kiss and make up, we'll talk about this after I beat her highness in a marksmanship tourney, hmm?"

The girls looked to each other, both showing signs of alarm.

"Maybe you should sleep in your own bed," Ellea suggested, "I'll sleep on the bed you made me and the guard can stand outside your door."

"Or maybe the elf can sleep on her bed and we'll cuddle... It could be nice, having a man's arms around me."

"Are you making fun of me... Just go to sleep, already!"

"Yes my lord," the pair answered in unison, showing mixed emotions on their lovely faces.

Ian sighed, kicking his shoes off at the foot of his bed, removing his armor and most of his clothing. He fell toward the bed he'd had brought in for his retainer, the darkness overtaking him before his head ever came close to hitting the pillow.