“Something wrong?”

Cassius looked to him then the ground and back, “…In a way, nothing is wrong.”

Adrian sighed, letting the full force of his exasperation show as he trudged through his equally convoluted question, “Then what’s the way that something is wrong.”

He started along one of the stone paths, “That would be Patalier.”

The Principality of Patalier was a kingdom north of Senosolvia and a small but bountiful theocracy. They worshipped the Goddess Indira and those blessed with her grace. The religion seemed to have developed various rules and teaches along its evolution, but nothing too radical. Cassius had never mention more about it. In fact, it was the country he seemed to avoid teaching on.

“What about Patalier?” Adrian prodded.

“They have become rather… terse as of late. If they do not come to the Summit next year, I worry for our future relationship with both them and the West Kingdom.”

Adrian nodded. That made sense.

West Kingdom was also north of Senosolvia but west of Patalier. They were an industrial nation with a formidable military. They were the opposite of Patalier in regard to religion. They were atheist and spurned the Arcana along with its gifts.

Cassius opened a glass door that led to the hallway, “We are neutral and therefore cannot take a side, but it is very clear to us that Patalier has begun to take steps to go to war with the West Kingdom in the name of divine expansion.”

“So, your dad is trying to stop that right now?”

“Our King is taking steps to bring Patalier to the Summit in order to facilitate peace talks between the two kingdoms,” Cassius responded stiffly. His pinched the bridge of his nose and squeezed his eyes shut. He seemed exhausted just by the thought of it all.

As much as he wanted to know about the Summit, Adrian had a feeling he should ask later. “Who was that woman? Neha?”

Cassius waved Adrian into his room and closed the door, “Neha is Darrius’s retainer.”

“Really?” She had an air about her that felt more commanding than subservient.

“Yes,” he kicked off his shoes and opened a few windows along the far wall to let in a breeze, “Much like you, Darrius brought her back after a trip. However, she was a much more willing participant in the transaction.”

A few papers flew off his disk and Adrian caught most of them. “Lucky her,” he deadpanned.

Cassius picked up a few but slipped on another, catching himself just as Adrian was about to lend a hand.

He looked to Adrian, “Much like you though, she is very protective of her charge.”

Adrian felt his face heat up and handed him the papers, “I’m hardly protective.”

Cassius shrugged and stacked the papers before setting a heavy book atop them. “So, you confess to trying to intentionally causing me bodily harm via food?” He leaned on his desk and folded his arms, waiting for a response.

“Absolutely,” Adrian replied seriously.

Cassius’s eyes widened and his lips parted slightly, likely the closest one could get to him dropping his jaw.

Adrian burst into laughter and needed the wall to brace against lest he fall over. After a few moments, he looked to Cassius who seemed to have regained his composure.

Cassius pushed off his desk, “If you can make a joke at my expense, I feel it is more than reasonable to assume that you have gotten used to my company.” He took the steps to stand before Adrian, “Would that be correct?”

Adrian shrugged lightly. He hadn’t really thought about it. The last dregs of distrust he had in the prince had died away without his noticing. Cassius was dramatic at times, but Adrian had never truly felt in danger at any point of their time together. In fact, if not for Darrius, he would be able to easily declare that he felt safe in the palace. “I think it’s fair to say that,” Adrian agreed.

It was strange how Cassius’s eyes, as pure black as they were, seemed so soft at times. This was one of those times. His smile was slight, touching just the corners of his mouth. “I am glad to hear that,” he rested his hands behind his back, “I am going to start increasing your workload. My father is due back at the start of the new year meaning we have as little as two months and as much as four.”

Adrian nodded, “Are you presenting me to him or something?”

“His Majesty will have no interest in you,” Cassius dismissed easily before turning his desk chair to face Adrian and taking a seat. “Upon his arrival, I will be by his side making preparations for the Summit.”

“And what is this Summit?” Adrian asked, grabbing a chair of his own.

“As you know, Mahalia is a neutral country. It is in fact, the only neutral country on our continent. As such, it our responsibility to hold the Summit, a conference that sees the heads of all seven countries under one roof. We discuss affairs, treaties, and the like. It occurs every four or so years.”

Adrian leaned back in his chair, “When does it happen this time?”

“It should happen the sixth month of next year,” he sounded skeptical. “It normally lasts about a month but has been known to bleed into two. It is a time of cultural melding complete with galas and festivals,” Cassius said, exhaustion already seeping into his voice.

“Doesn’t sound half bad,” Adrian said honestly. He hadn’t been to a festival in years.

“As my retainer, you will have certain duties to uphold. Which is why,” he gave Adrian a once over, “I will have to accelerate your education.”

Adrian rubbed his hands together, eager to start, “Fine by me.”

Cassius looked to his lap, “However, I will have to enlist the help of others,” he looked to Adrian hesitantly.

He didn’t need Cassius to fill in the blanks, “No.”

“He would only help with your riding lessons,” Cassius added, “I can even make sure someone is present. If he does anything to you, I will make sure it never happens again.”

Adrian dug his fingers into his thighs. Darrius was the last person he wanted to teach him, let alone be near him. Just because he wasn’t as bad as his old master didn’t mean that he couldn’t hurt him.

In fact, Adrian might have miscalculated when weighing them beside one another. Darrius could fix anything he did without leaving a mark. If Adrian had been further from Cassius’s door that first night, he wondered if the threat of a broken jaw would have stayed at just a threat. Moreover, even if Cassius did manage to step in, it wouldn’t change the fact that he’d been hurt.

He chanced a look at Cassius. The prince was drawing circles on the top of his other hand with a furrowed brow. It hadn’t occurred to Adrian just how deeply this could bother Cassius as well.

“I...” Cassius’s eyes darted from the floor to Adrian and back again, seemingly at a lost for what to say.

Adrian closed his eyes and let out a shaky sigh, unsure of himself. He tried to keep his voice even, but he doubted he managed, “I trust your judgement.”

Cassius looked relieved, “Thank you. I know how he makes you feel. If it becomes a problem, I will continue to teach you. However, Darrius is the better rider and has a stronger affinity with horses than myself.”

Adrian nodded but said nothing on the matter. It was all he could do with the sudden realization that he trusted Cassius to this degree ringing loudly in the back of his head. They hadn’t gotten far with riding yet; he would just have to learn quickly was all.

“I will also ask Neha for assistance in teaching you what it means to be a retainer.” He looked sheepish, “I have only been focused on your ability to read and write, but I believe she will be a good teacher for what is expected of the role considering how capable she is.”

Adrian didn't know what to make of Neha yet. The fact that she worked under Darrius made him nervous, but he wouldn’t cast judgment yet. “Alright.”

“Excellent,” Cassius relaxed into his chair. “I will continue to educate you, but it will be with a focus on the other countries. I will also teach you to fight when your clothing finally arrives, it should be any day now.”

Adrian nodded, “Why don’t you turn in early today?” He stood and pushed the chair into the table, “You’re stressed and nothing’s even happened yet.”

Cassius shut his eyes and took a deep breath before responding, “It is precisely because I am stressed that I must do something.” He stood, “I am going to talk to Darrius and Neha about my requests. If all goes well, you will be able to begin as early as tomorrow.”

Before Adrian could comment, Cassius was already out the door. He sighed; Cassius worked too much. Maybe if he picked up things more quickly, that wouldn’t be the case.

He searched the notes on Cassius’s desk for his schedule. He could work ahead of it.