Chronicles of Tarc 545-5: Consort and Princess

By Jiryü Räsen

Lord of Tarc does not fight with armies, but with subterfuge and lies that poison the land. In Consort and Princess, Prince Rei works hard with his close aides and his cousin Princess Ilena as Director of Intelligence to block the Lord of Tarc's advances and put into a place a plan to do away with him for once and for all. At the s

• Language: English
• Publisher: J. Kassebaum
• Release date: Aug 18, 2022
• ISBN: 9781949359114

Book preview

Table of Contents

Ch. 77 After the Royal Wedding

Ch. 78 Preparing for the Wedding Ball

Ch. 79 Wedding Ball

Ch. 80 Art Tour at Falcon’s Hollow

Ch. 81 A Meal With the Father of the Bride

Ch. 82 Ilena’s Last Locked Secret

Ch. 83 War Plans

Ch. 84 How Strong Women Support Strong Men

Ch. 85 Being the First Princess

Ch. 86 The Regent’s Wing

Ch. 87 Prince of Two Kingdoms

Ch. 88 Final Preparations Before the Progress

Ch. 89 Weaving the Threads

BONUS STORY: Thayne’s Story

A1. Ryokudo Calendar

A2. People and Places

PIC

CHRONICLES OF TARC

545–5

CONSORT AND PRINCESS

Jiryü Räsen

3

RD

E

DITION

E

XPANDED AND

R

EVISED

P

UBLISHED BY

J. K

ASSEBAUM

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or events or localities is entirely coincidental.

August 18, 2022 3rd Edition Expanded and Revised.

Second Printing October 28, 2023.

Paperback ISBN 978-1-949359-10-7

eBook ISBN 978-1-949359-11-4

© Jiryü Räsen. All rights reserved.

Published by J. Kassebaum, Indianapolis.

Cover background ©Sumners Graphics via Canva.com.

Jiryü Räsen asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work. All rights reserved in all media. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author and/or the publisher.

CONTENTS

 Ch. 77 After the Royal Wedding

 Ch. 78 Preparing for the Wedding Ball

 Ch. 79 Wedding Ball

 Ch. 80 Art Tour at Falcon’s Hollow

 Ch. 81 A Meal With the Father of the Bride

 Ch. 82 Ilena’s Last Locked Secret

 Ch. 83 War Plans

 Ch. 84 How Strong Women Support Strong Men

 Ch. 85 Being the First Princess

 Ch. 86 The Regent’s Wing

 Ch. 87 Prince of Two Kingdoms

 Ch. 88 Final Preparations Before the Progress

 Ch. 89 Weaving the Threads

BONUS STORY: Thayne’s Story

 A1. Ryokudo Calendar

 A2. People and Places

CHAPTER 77 After the Royal Wedding

All of Nijoushi, the city at the western edge of Nijou castle, the seat of the Regency of Suiran, was in a complete commotion of excitement. The citizens, both those natural residents of the city and those who’d come from far distances, were pressed up against the outer western wall of the castle compound.

The city and castle had been in a state of celebration and preparation for the last four days (officially). The long awaited marriage of the First Prince of Ryokudo, made Regent of Suiran less than a year ago at the mere age of eighteen, had finally taken place inside the large formal throne room of the castle.

His bride had been his sweetheart for five years now and was just as popular with the people as the First Prince was. The women and girls claimed it was because she was beautiful with her unique red hair with golden highlights that contrasted so beautifully with the Prince’s Touka pale gold hair, her brilliant green eyes that matched Prince Rei’s Touka brilliant blue eyes, and her petite form that complemented the Prince’s lithe Touka build that was filled out just enough by his father’s bulk to make him look very manly.

The men all claimed it was because the healer from the foreign country of Yamanzar was a rare gem of a mix of beauty, practicality, and a usefulness that most frail ladies of the court couldn’t match. Some also claimed it had been that long because she was the headstrong one who’d refused the Prince so that she could forward her own goals and education first before she thought of him. Those weren’t so kind, even if to some degree it was true.

For two years the King of Ryokudo had sent Mizi to study at the University of Kouzanshi so that she could properly be called up to be Prince Rei’s personal healer. It was also so that there would be opportunity for the people and lords of Suiran to begin to see her face and understand who she was to Rei. That much she had done during her time at Kouzanshi, and then the ten months since then that she’d been assigned to Nijou’s Medical department and had research to do along the northern highway of the Region.

The vendors hawking their wares and the young street boys looking for work (or loose purses) were trying to outdo the noise of the people excitedly talking about the two royals. Many held the hope that perhaps they might be able to catch a glimpse of the youthful and beautiful King of Ryokudo, who didn’t often visit the northern reaches of his kingdom — at least not publicly like this.

King Sasou and his Queen, Aryana, were just as popular with the populace as Rei and Mizi. They were considered a pair of matching gems, with the stern Touka beauty of Sasou and his lithe height well matched by Aryana’s cool beauty of the north. Her family was the noble house of Kouzanshi that had responsibility over the university where the two had met and spent some time together. Her blond curls were a shade darker than Sasou’s slightly curly pale blond hair, and her blue eyes were a shade less brilliant, but her beauty was no less acknowledged.

They’d been married three years before, about three–fourths of a year after Queen Mother Kata had turned the throne over to Sasou when he was most of the way through his twenty–fourth year. Aryana was one year younger, but had been a well–known figure already by then with her university duties, required by her older brother, the Marquis of Kouzanshi.

No one had been truly surprised by Sasou’s choice for Queen, except perhaps herself because she’d never particularly treated him anything other than cordial, and perhaps more often cool. It was a proper alliance, however, and she’d been trained sufficiently to stand at the side of any strong lord, so had agreed with her brother it might be okay.

While the populace might not have known of those details, they did know that the two had come to the castle three days ago and should be coming out with Rei and Mizi for the formal announcement to the city of the wedding. They’d be hearing then if Mizi had been called up as a Princess, or as a Consort then as well. The betting pools were rather heated. Those who believed the lords and King wouldn’t settle for the commoner believed it would be Consort. Those who were enamored of the pair definitely sided with Princess.

Rumor had it that there was another contender for the hand of Prince Rei. Speculation ran rampant with that rumor. Little news at all had come from the castle itself. All that was known was that a new woman had come to the castle only a mere two months before and that many lords had favored her over Mizi to stand at the side of Rei. Those lords had claimed that the contender had better skills and strengths for such a position, having already served in as strong a position as the Queen for one of the Earldoms of Suiran. Little else was known.

The press of the crowd was greatest around the large square tower that centered on the west wall. Many people were on top of the buildings across from that tower, although they were still lower than it’s top and farther than a weapon could be thrown for the sake of the safety of any royal who stood on top of the tower. The castle had been built for war and siege, being in a part of the country that was bordered on two sides by nations that had come against it in the past. More people were inside those buildings, leaning out of windows. All of them were waiting for the royals to come.

The trumpets finally sounded from the wall and the noise of the people fell for a brief moment to a murmur until the first sight of motion was seen from below. The noise rose slightly, but it was only the uniformed Royal guards, arriving first to see that the royals were truly protected. Everyone agreed that surely Rei’s first and second knights, Andrew Marciel and Mina Durand were likely the first to arrive. They were well known to be even a little overprotective of the Prince.

Some wondered if any of the guards of Mizi would be present. There had been rumors that Rei had increased the number of those after he’d announced to the court he’d have none other than Mizi to stand next to him, regardless of if the court found someone else a greater possibility. The only guard over Mizi that everyone really knew was Mizi’s faithful shadow, Ore.

Ore was Rei’s third knight, a bit of a rogue with his short black hair, golden tawny eyes, and relaxed mannerisms. He was often friendly and kind, but everyone knew that if his mistress was threatened at all, then his nightwalker background came out. It wasn’t a surprise that Rei had put someone from that world behind Mizi’s back to protect her. With her red hair and green eyes she was often in the eyes of those who thought to kidnap her or use her for their own gain. Having a nightwalker at her side kept other nightwalkers at bay quite nicely.

Here ye, here ye! the castle herald cried out from the top of the wall. The crowd settled down into as quiet as any crowd could get. Their Royal Majesties, King Sasou Touka and Queen Aryana Touka, and the Queen Mother Kata Touka.

The crowd cheered happily, glad that the three had been willing to come out to be seen, or at least as seen as they could get in this venue. Pale gold and blonde was about all anyone at the foot of the tower saw. Those who were on top of the buildings saw the three standing and waving to the people below as they accepted the cheers that had gone up for them.

The three stepped back and the herald cried out, The Toukas of Ryokudo happily announce that the long–lost daughter of the late Princess Tatiana Touka and the late Third Prince Raoul Polov of Selicia, has been returned to them, whole and alive. King Sasou and the Touka family have accepted Ilena Polov Touka as the Second Princess of Ryokudo and name her sister to Sasou and Rei Touka. This day she has taken Ore Melick, Count Falcon’s Hollow, as her Consort.

The crowd blinked and the older generation had to explain to the younger generation that Tatiana had been Kata’s younger sister. Both she and her husband had been murdered as part of a coup in Selicia seventeen years ago. They’d had a little daughter — seven years old by then, perhaps — who could’ve died or could’ve been missing. This must be her, they said.

The two in formal white, but of black hair rather than Touka pale gold, waved from the tower. There were respectful cheers, but no one knew the new Princess. There was a bit of cheering from the crowd for Ore, since having Mizi’s guardian raised up to nobility and given a princess for a wife was a rather grand thing for someone so kind, attentive, (and devilish, said those who’d rather he not stand between them and now two prizes worth great wealth).

The two new royals stepped back from the edge of the tower and two more stepped up. The pale gold head had next to it the golden–red one and that was sufficient for the lowest of the common. Those who’d pushed to the top of the buildings saw they were dressed in white formal clothes of finest construction, and were wearing matching white cloaks of even finer construction.

First Prince Rei Touka has taken Mizi Touka to be his wife and has titled her First Princess of Ryokudo. The crowd went quite wild, with those who’d bet on Princess the most happy because now their purses would be more full for celebrating after the announcement was over. Such an event was a reason to be as drunken and sated with food as possible, after all. That was how one celebrated with the royal family at such happy events.

The three couples of royals then stood together above the crowd to be seen of them all. That was good, to see them together. But it was what happened shortly after that, that was talked about late into the night.

The Second Princess turned to her Consort and kissed Ore with great passion for such a length of time that even the ladies of the street began to blush. The crowd went wild and cheered for that for quite some time. It was the first any royal of Ryokudo in memory had acted in public perfectly ...unrestrained.

-o-o-o-

From the public announcement to Nijoushi on the outer castle wall, the Touka royal family of Ryokudo went to a formal luncheon held with all of the highest ranking court.

By this time such things were becoming familiar to the new First Princess Mizi who performed even more naturally for it than ever before in her time of learning to become a noble. Even for Ore, it wasn’t quite so hard to sit through. He was glad that he wasn’t the true center of the focus of the meal, like he had been at the Family banquet, when he’d been announced to Ilena’s information network as Father to her Mother. It helped him to be able to breathe better.

This time, the reclusive Kata, still grief–stricken after the deaths of her husband and her younger sister when all of the children had still been only that, had to attend. Rei had seated her between Sasou and Ilena. Ilena used the time to work her verbal magic on her aunt. Ore enjoyed listening to her while also listening to make sure she didn’t go overboard.

Ore also spent some time scanning the conversations around the tables, picking up on the general opinions of the upper levels of the court and the changes in gossip and positioning. He was very glad when he didn’t hear anything treasonous. The general tenor of the gossip in the room said that the court would find things going forward actually simpler than they had been.

Raising Ilena to her actual true status had calmed everyone down, it seemed, just as it had for all of Rei’s aides when they’d stumbled on her secret much earlier. Her strong personality really was much better understood when she was known to be a princess, and a Touka. There were grumblings that went along with everyone not having been told at the start, although they were tempered with some level of understanding that it had to wait until the King had confirmed it himself.

There was a lot more for Ore and Ilena to do after the meal during the visiting time, however. The court had already anticipated Rei and Mizi’s wedding for two months now, so they received congratulations with small conversations, but that was about it.

Ore and Ilena were swamped, as much as could be said of polite company. Ilena had to soothe the frustration of the lords who’d stood in her camp to begin with, thanking them for their support at that time, although it had been too soon, and apologize for having to set it aside as her personal security had been at risk until then.

Ore was given congratulations and then many sympathetic looks, particularly from those he’d rescued from Ilena’s sharp tongue during Sasou’s operation in Nijou Castle to remove a particularly nasty House from Suiran. As part of the requirements of the Department of Intelligence, Ilena had to play a shrew at the time and there was still some rebuilding of her reputation to occur since that time.

He managed for a time to stick to his pleasant face he’d practiced so long in the underworld. Eventually, though, he had to shake them off and stand by her side to dissuade such conversations so he wouldn’t explode in anger. He loved his wife, and found it offensive that they’d look upon his marriage to her as a sad requirement for him and a restraint on her.

Ilena took the time to soothe him so he could continue to be strong until the requirement to participate in the luncheon was over. She looked over his shoulder with a keen expression. The lords who were bothering him backed off and left them alone after that, not wanting her sharp tongue to follow the look. She decided that part was fun, and told him so, earning a snort of laughter from him.

They both had many lords coming to see if they could position themselves better. Ore deferred them to Ilena. Ilena gave them the same sharp look and set them back into the same place they already were with her cool words, reminding them she was still the same Director of Intelligence she was before the announcement. She still knew everything about them and more. While they eventually re–understood their place in the world, it took some time to get back to ground level with them all.

The most favorable conversations were with their allies Earl Durand and Earl Malkin. Ore and Ilena were able to relax to some degree while many of the other lords Ilena had rebuffed looked on jealously. Even Ilena reached her limit eventually and retired the two of them to the safety of Rei and Sasou’s shadows.

Her brothers raised eyebrows at her, questioning her reason for escaping. She blew a faint puff of air in frustration, Is there any possible way we could be done yet, or shall I perhaps have a tantrum so that all the lords who haven’t come to talk to us yet can know all at once how I feel?

Ore grinned as the royal brothers looked at him. He was in complete agreement with her by this time, but he could still have fun teasing them. He took her hand in his and kissed her cheek, Of course you wouldn’t want to ruin your own celebration in such a manner, ...unless you really want to start all over again? He raised his eyebrow at her.

Ilena rolled her eyes. Then perhaps you’d like to stand as guard then, and warn any further visitors that I’ve quite reached my limit of restraint. That would surely be sufficient explanation since the entire court already knows what I was like then. Ore patted her on the head as she closed her eyes and breathed deeply for a moment.

When she opened her eyes, Mizi was looking at her with an interesting expression. When Ilena raised her eyebrow, Mizi explained, That really is the first time I’ve been able to see your restraint reach its limit.

Ahh...I’m sorry, Mistress Mizi. Ilena was contrite and apologized for her impatience. I’m really not as good as you with the practice of dealing with large numbers of impossible lords in such settings. ...Which is why I rather quickly resort to threats to send them away.

Mizi had finally found out her instructor of the ways of lords and ladies, princes and princesses. Mizi smiled, her green eyes dancing. Ilena grinned ruefully back. Thus, Princess Mizi, why you’re a much better First Princess and I more fitted to be Second Princess.

Rei put his hand on Ilena’s shoulder until she finished calming, a kind expression on his face. Then he looked at Sasou, who nodded his beautiful pale–blonde head and did his part to end the luncheon by excusing himself and Queen Aryana from it, which excused all of the royals. Pretty much everyone, from Rei on down to the least lord in attendance breathed a sigh of relief that it had ended before Ilena melted down. She’d already earned her reputation, after all.

-o-o-o-

The royals were excused to return to their quarters for a time after the formal luncheon in order to prepare for the ball that evening. Those quarters were a bit different this time, most particularly for Mizi, who blushed furiously to be led by Rei to his personal quarters. He maintained his own composure until they were in the room alone, then he had to sit on a chair and let the blush run its course.

They’d been gently rebuffed from the aide’s wing, being told that Mizi’s things had already been moved to his room during the time they’d been performing their duties. Their friends hadn’t commented, although Ilena’s look had been kind, but in the end they hadn’t really been ready for it to happen so soon in the day.

Mizi sat down on the foot of the bed, finally giving up with a sigh. I guess it should be expected, that the castle staff would be anxious in our behalf. I’m surprised Delia didn’t complain, though. She’d already set out all the clothes for this evening.

Rei frowned. It isn’t here, he pointed out. Mizi turned and saw the bed was clean. Looking around the room, there wasn’t really anything in the room that was hers. She looked at Rei in puzzlement. He stood and walked to his wardrobe, and opened it. It was empty.

He put his head in his hand. Ahhh, he said uncomfortably, then went to confirm by opening the drawer on the desk, then the one on the side table. He paused, looking down into the empty drawer. They didn’t. Really, they can’t have..., he muttered.

What, Rei? Mizi asked quizzically.

Rei gave her a sympathetic look over his shoulder, then walked to the door and opened it, his hand on his sword pommel. Which room did they move things to?

The main one, Your Highness, the guard said, pointing to the one on the other side of the hall.

Then why are you still guarding this door? asked Rei.

Ah, the guard looked uncomfortable. We moved when you went into the room.

Rei thought back to their entrance into the hall. He had indeed seen them on the other door, but because of his embarrassment had automatically gone into his usual room. My fault, he said shortly and held out his hand to Mizi. She went to him and they all moved to the appropriate door. He opened it and let her enter first, then followed her in and closed the door.

Sighing, Rei looked around with Mizi. Both of their sets of clothing for the evening were set out on the chairs near the very large bed in the middle of the right side of the room, with the appropriate accessories on the table. The double wardrobe was full of their clothes and the two desks were also carrying items from each of their rooms.

Well, perhaps we could start with an inventory to make sure they got it all brought over. He started moving around, trying to get used to the new space and decidedly not looking at Mizi.

It’s very large, Rei, Mizi commented, still rooted to the spot.

Yes. It takes up this whole side of the wing, he said without much emotion. It’s the Regent’s suite. I’ve been in the other room because for just me this is too much.

It’s likely too much for the two of us, Mizi said in some awe, finally slowly moving to explore it some.

Well, this is just the bedroom and office part of it, he said. He could feel Mizi’s stare on his back and his neck went red. He sighed, then turned to her. Come here, I’ll show you the rest of it as well. He held his hand out to her. She walked over, tiptoeing as if afraid to wake up some ghostly past Regent.

He led her to another door set in the wall to the right of the main door. He opened it and allowed her to step inside, leaning against the door frame with his arms crossed as he watched her. This is the nursery and nurses’ quarters, he said.

As he expected Mizi took until she’d already explored the room dispassionately before she suddenly exploded with embarrassment. He looked at her compassionately, then straightened and held his hand out for her. She took it and he led her to another door on the same side of the main room but in the opposite wall from the main entrance.

That room had colorful windows in it on the far side and was brightly lit because of it. It was about half as wide as the main bedroom and set with comfortable chairs. This is your sitting room, he said.

Pointing to a door on the right side he said, Through that door is the sleeping quarters of your ladies–in–waiting who don’t have their own quarters in the castle already, or who you ask to move in. Mizi explored the sitting room and poked her head into the side room. When she was done she came back to him and offered him her hand.

He led her to a matching door on that wall but now to the left of the main door as it was entered. He opened it and let her into it. It also had colorful windows, a large desk and a number of comfortable, but more manly chairs in it. This is my sitting room, with an equivalent sleeping quarters room there, he pointed to the door on the left. Mizi stood still. You may explore it, he encouraged her. She cautiously walked in and walked around it, finally working up the courage to look quickly into the men–at–arms quarters, which really was just like the one for her ladies–in–waiting.

She returned to him again, but this time he didn’t take her hand. He turned and led her to the last door, opposite the door to the nursery. He opened the door and stepped back, folding his arms again and looking as calm as she’d ever seen, but was beginning to learn was him locking down emotions he didn’t want to show. Mizi curiously walked to the door and looked in.

Mizi drew in a sharp breath and froze. It was the largest bath in the castle she’d ever seen. There was a large sunken tub surrounded with fine curtains and with ornate faucets and handles. There were also several ornate chairs that shouldn’t have been placed in a bath room as far as she was concerned, let alone used as the washing stools they obviously were.

There were ornate mirrors, tables already holding their brushes and bath tools, and behind a screen, the toilet facilities — also very ornate and nearly ostentatious. It was seeing her own things on the vanity that finally did her in. She began to shake.

Rei reached out and pulled her out of the bath room and held her, waiting for her to calm down. She wasn’t sure being held by him was helping. She finally had to sink to the ground in a crouch. Rei went with her, although he moved to just holding a hand. Her other hand went to her face. Then she started to laugh.

To Rei’s raised eyebrow, she said, I’ve already been told this is what I’d do, she shook her head. "It was the morning after Andrew and Mina had their date. Ilena and Ore met us outside at the breakfast cart, which was unusual but nice. However, they teased Andrew about what he’d wanted to do with Mina, and they teased Ore back about the same.

Ilena was very practical about it all and it wasn’t until she got to the end of her explanation that I finally ended like this, because I finally put her logical explanation to understanding what their teasing had been about. She uncovered her eyes enough to look at Rei with a smile. She asked what your reaction would be. Everyone agreed it would be to not show it, but it would in the end be the same.

Rei looked at her in surprise, then nodded. That would be a correct assessment, I guess, he allowed. What did Ilena say to do about it? I assume she did say something.

Mizi nodded. She said that if it was bad, we should take a week away from everyone until we became comfortable with it since it is only natural. She went pink again, but it wasn’t quite so bad. That is, so that it wouldn’t be so obvious when we were out of the room that we were still thinking about only each other. She perhaps went a slight shade darker.

Rei looked away, perhaps pinking up himself. Well, that would certainly be useful, I guess, but they’ve put us here a bit early for seclusion to be allowed just yet. Unless they plan on us missing the ball.

Mizi shook her head. I’ve been working very hard. I know almost all the dances now, and want to show them to you.

Rei nodded. Well, then, for the rest of this day then, until after the ball at least, we’ll need to perhaps consider ourselves roommates only?

And try not to think about all of this in the meantime, Mizi gestured to the suite as a whole.

Rei slid his fingers into his short pale gold hair and nodded. I’d think we’d be getting our hairdressers and maids and what not, eventually. It wouldn’t surprise me if they’re thinking we’ll need privacy for a while this afternoon. He didn’t look at her.

Ah..., Mizi got a panicked look on her face, then put her hand over her face again, finally sitting down in a heap on the floor. I think...I am really not ready for that so suddenly, she finally admitted weakly. Although, it seems I ought to be after having that conversation that long ago. I’m sure Ilena was trying to prepare me.

Rei put his hand on Mizi’s head. It’s okay, Mizi. I know you’re like this. I can wait for a while.

Mizi suddenly looked up at him, grabbing his hand to grip it tightly. No! At his shocked look, she quickly amended, I just remembered the other piece of what she was telling me. Rei relaxed just a little.

She told me that my own frustration with not being able to be with you..., she looked away, pink again, ...in that way...was pushing me forward also. That I should both continue to use it as part of my strength to move forward, and to accept it as part of the goal in the end.

She looked down at the floor, biting her lip as Rei stared at her in frozen amazement. I do think that now isn’t good, since there are other things that we need to be doing today, but really, I’ve waited about as long as I can stand to be touched by you. I think you don’t have to wait so long just out of consideration for me. She couldn’t quite look up and meet his eyes, but her green eyes did look up through her lashes to see his reaction.

Rei, who’d been struggling with Mizi’s straightforward admission, fell apart at her look and also dropped to sit all the way, putting his head in his hand and not looking at her. Mizi, he said in a weak protest. Please don’t look at me that way if we’re going to wait. I already can’t resist you any more.

Mizi looked at him in surprise. In what way?

Rei looked away, his chin in his hand. That was rather fetching, you know, and you’ve become even more beautiful in the last month than ever before. He closed his eyes as he held himself still. He missed seeing Mizi’s smile.

Mizi stood, brushing out her skirts on the formal white wedding dress. Well, either way, it’s going to be difficult, I guess, she said practically. She walked over to where their clothes for the evening were laid out and gently brushed her fingers over her dress, the most beautiful one yet, although the formal she was wearing at the moment was gorgeous. How long do you think we have before they come?

Rei watched her walking. I don’t know, but the guards might. They would’ve been told when to expect them back, I’d think.

Mizi looked up at a picture on the wall. Could you find out, please? We should know how long we have to wait.

Rei put his hand on his knee and pushed up to standing. He walked to the door and, poking his head out, asked the guards. He closed the door and turned to look at Mizi who’d turned to look at him for the answer. Two hours, he said dismally.

Is that long enough? The direction of the question took some time to register for Rei, who’d been expecting something more along the lines of, so long?

His eyes slowly went wide. He sucked in a breath. I have no idea, he answered.

Mizi smiled at him shyly. Well, if you’re willing to find out, perhaps it would be easier in the end if we didn’t worry so much. We’ll be blushing either way all evening.

Rei approached her very carefully. Are you sure?

She waited until he was very close to her, looking down at her. Mm, she nodded and her eyes closed. He bent down to her in an automatic response and kissed her. The next several hours were a reward well worth the work and the wait up until that time.

They did have to deal with the further embarrassment of how to be prepared to receive people directly after that, even if they were just quiet servants who knew their proper place. In the end they agreed that not waiting had been better. They were sure they blushed less than they would have otherwise.

-o-o-o-

For Ore and Ilena, the changes to their quarters were still fairly minor at this point, as Rei hadn’t yet scheduled for the aides to be moved around in the wing, but there were differences. One was that Rio, Ilena’s seventeen–year–old personal maid, assistant, and friend had been moved upstairs to Mizi’s old room in the single bedrooms on the opposite side of the wing from the suites that made up both the Department of Intelligence and the bedrooms of the staff of the same. That meant Ore and Ilena were now the only ones residing in the lower suite.

Mina’s room and Andrew’s room both had been emptied and their things moved to some other part of the castle now that they’d been a married couple for a few months themselves. With Ore in the same bedroom as Ilena, the original aides of Rei were now moved out of the single room side. Grandfather and Leah, Ilena’s oldest aides, were also now married and shared a single room on the main floor. One of Rei’s aides that had been called up newly, Dane, was also on the main floor. All other rooms on that side were empty now.

In the upstairs suite, nicknamed the Upper office, Ilena’s personal guards and newly–made knights shared the bedrooms. On the side of the main room of the suite over Ilena and Ore’s room were Ore’s guards, Petroi and Thayne. On the other side were Ilena’s guards, Marcus and Henry.

The four were headed there now to rest in preparation for the evening’s ball and the further guarding they’d be doing then. Ore well understood their need for the rest at this time. He’d guarded Mizi the same, alongside Mina and Andrew as they’d guarded Rei.

The first difference the couple noticed when they entered the main Lower office room was a new scent. Ilena stopped suddenly, closed her eyes, and sniffed a deep breath. Even Ore smelled it: a light citrus scent. He also saw two wooden boxes sitting on the low table in the seating area. Seeing that Ilena’s eyes were closed, Ore quickly put his hand over her eyes, pulling out a handkerchief with his other hand. He tied the handkerchief around her eyes.

She held still in surprise, but a smile played around her lips. Stay put, he said to her quietly. The gift he’d purchased for her four months before had arrived, and he wanted to make it a special surprise. He’d been told that the small orange–like fruit, mikan, had been her favorite while living in Selicia.

He took one box to the now–empty maids room opposite their bedroom from this central sitting area for taking to the cellar later. The other one he left on the table, but he took one of the mikans out of it that seemed ripe enough, then he chose another four and put them into his pockets. They were, indeed, small compared to the oranges he knew.

He walked back over to her and held the one in his hand under her nose. She swallowed. Ore..., she was almost trembling.

Shhh, he said. Can you follow it? He moved the mikan away from her nose and she did indeed follow it. He slowly led her to the bedroom by scent alone. He stopped when he opened the door, as he saw the other new thing in their quarters and he waffled between ending his teasing then or waiting, but when he saw her expression, he picked teasing. She’d see it later. That was okay.

All the same, his heart swelled in gratitude for having such a wife and he kissed her. When she was disappointed it was only a kiss, he grinned. You want it more than a kiss from your husband? he asked her. She paused. With some effort she apologized. He made her kiss him several more times as he held the mikan behind his back until she got it right as her punishment. By the end of that she was just as happy anyway.

He led her by smell to the middle of the space between the wardrobe and the bed, then pricked the skin of the mikan. She went stiff with expectation. He grinned and slowly peeled a section of skin off. Stay quiet and hold still and you can hold this, he said lifting one of her hands up and placing the peel in her palm.

She held very still, except to feel it and smell it. A few tears dripped from behind the blindfold. He wiped them gently then went around to her back and began unlacing her dress.

He made her hold still until she was undressed, then as her reward he fed her one section of the mikan. Even undressed, she looked dressed. Her long black hair had been left down and brushed to a sheen today. It reached past her knees and covered her as well as the shift under the dress had.

As she nearly swooned and chewed the piece of mikan slowly in delight, he got himself undressed, putting the unpeeled mikans in the middle of the bed for later. Because he wanted to know what they tasted like, he ate a section of mikan himself. They were good. As the merchant Mister Marciel had said, it was more mild and sweeter than the oranges Ore knew.

It made him wonder what dish he could make with them. A number of his favorite spices were combining with the flavor nicely. He’d have to try it later. He had an idea. He leaned over and kissed Ilena again. This time she accepted it, but then leaned into it, tasting his tongue. He moved back and smiled a big smile.

Come on, he said, and held the mikan just out of reach of her mouth again. She followed him to the bath room. He helped her sit on a wash stool, making her sit quietly again, then drew a bath. While waiting, he finished peeling the mikan, each new spray of the juice of it sending shivers of thrill through her as the stronger scent wafted into the room.

He tore the pieces of peel fairly small and dropped them into the hot water of the tub watching her to be sure she stayed put. When he was done with that, he put a section of mikan in his mouth and went to her. He bent down. She could smell the section of mikan coming, although the room as a whole was beginning to fill with the scent of warming mikan peel. She opened her mouth.

When she found his mouth on the other end of the mikan, she grinned around her teeth that had latched onto the mikan section. Ore was hard pressed to not grin with her, but his intent was to make her share this one. Surprisingly, she was quick to bite off her half and let him have the other half, and the expression on her face when he pulled back was one of happiness. She was glad to share her love of mikans with her husband.

He rewarded her with another section all to herself. She rewarded him with another large smile when it was gone. He kissed her and she responded to it passionately, wrapping her arms around his neck. He pulled her up to standing, holding her with the arm that wasn’t holding the mikan.

When he pulled back from the kiss she laid her head down on his shoulder. He caressed her back and kissed her forehead, thanking her for the unspoken thank you and the I love you. He was glad they could play like this. It was one of the many reasons he deeply loved her.

Ore led Ilena to the bath and sat her on the edge and urged her into the tub but she stopped and shook her head at him, holding up a finger. Her head moved to scan the bath room as if she was looking for something, then she stood and began walking to her vanity. Ore made sure there wasn’t anything in her way on the floor and watched what she’d do.

When she reached the vanity, she felt carefully around on it until she found a bottle of a specific size and shape. She smelled it just to be sure, then nodded and turning around to face him, began to come back. By now, the smell of mikan was very strong all in the room. Just to be safe, he bit a section of mikan in half.

She immediately keyed to it and came straight to him. She felt for the edge of the tub and sat next to him again. He placed the other half of the section in her mouth and let her enjoy it. She took the lid off the bottle and handed it to him. She held up her fingers about two thumb widths apart and pointed into the tub.

Pour it in? he asked her. Ilena nodded. He sniffed at it and recognized it as her lotion. As he poured the amount in she had specified he pondered what he remembered from helping Mizi in the infirmary. The citrus is drying? Ilena nodded again.

He handed her the bottle back to put the lid back on and swirled the lotion into the bath water. The two scents actually worked well together. She set the bottle on the rim of the bath and waited, her hands in her lap. He stepped into the bath and considered what he wanted to do.

He counted the remaining sections. He’d already used about half of them. He took one and tore it in half. He placed one half to either side of the opposite bath edge, then sat down between them. Come to me, he said.

Ilena got herself into the bath, but then as she began to go to him obediently like he knew she would, he silently moved away from his position, careful to not swirl the water too much. She paused halfway across the tub, then turned her head left and right. She took in a deep breath and tried it again, carefully moving, breathing the air. Then she moved towards him again.

He smiled, and shifted again. This time she stopped when a small eddy went past her. She waited briefly, then carefully smelled the air again. She turned towards him, but didn’t come right away. He watched her head move again, turning both directions until she had scanned the whole bath. This time as she came towards him she came obliquely to his right.

His eyes lit with the challenge, and he moved obediently in the only direction she’d left him to go. In the end she cornered him against one of the two sections of mikan. He’d suspected she’d be doing that when she’d chosen something other than the direct approach. Now he had to decide what he’d do.

This time he chose to escape her one more time. She picked up the piece of mikan and took its place, sitting on the edge of the tub to rest, one leg over the knee of the other, her elbow resting on her knee. He watched her. She held the mikan half out to him, held between two fingers.

He nearly laughed and gave his location away. She wanted to know if he could be bribed into coming to her. He carefully moved just close enough, then reached out and plucked the mikan from her fingers and ate it, then moved away again.

She moved swiftly to the new fresh scent of mikan again and he was hard pressed to get away from her. When the water stopped swirling they were on opposite sides of the bath again. She pouted at him and started over sniffing the air.

This time, she went straight for the other mikan half. Ore was surprised she could still smell it as it had been sitting just long enough to begin to dry out on the outside. He watched her as she moved to an open edge of the bath. She turned her back to the main part of the tub and knelt in the water. She pulled her long black hair around to the front, exposing her back and shoulders. Then she leaned over to rest her head on her arms on the edge of the tub.

He had no idea what she was really doing, but it had caught his interest. Then she put the other half of the mikan piece on her shoulder, resting it where it would be balanced just at her neck. Ah, she was giving him a temptation he couldn’t refuse — and he couldn’t.

Ore moved carefully to be behind Ilena, then leaned over her putting both hands to either side of her on the edge of the bath and carefully picked up the mikan in his teeth. He leaned over her and gave it to her to eat. While she chewed on it he kissed her neck, since she’d