As Cobalt reenters the ballroom, he is greeted by Kristoff. This time he’s not accompanying his wife.

“My king, I thrill to see you socialize with other women for once,” Kristoff says.

“I’m merely doing my part. Now, I don’t want to seem like I already have a favorite.” Cobalt replies.

“I suggest you talk to Princess Evelyn of the Odisodian Empire next, my king.” Kristoff points to a particular girl.

Cobalt nods in agreement and he walks towards her. As Cobalt leaves, Siobhan approaches Kristoff with a tray of hors d oeuvres. Kristoff picks one out and eats it.

“I hope this is not bothering you,” Kristoff says.

“No reason why it should,” Siobhan remarks.

“We still have a long night ahead of us.”

“I’ll be fine, Sir. If you’ll excuse me, I have other guests to attend to.”

Siobhan walks away without waiting for another word from Kristoff. Still, he worries about the two. Cobalt is socializing with the princesses but to him it’s clear he has other motives. Meanwhile, Siobhan is distracted. She usually keeps a clear head but seeing Cobalt with other women is putting off her game. Her mentor would disapprove if she sees this. He sighs that she’s on a mission elsewhere.

“Good evening, Princess Evelyn,” Cobalt greets. “May I have this dance?”

“And here I thought someone already won you over,” she says as she accepts his hand.

They go to the dance floor and start waltzing. Cobalt knows that she’s from the north empire, Odisodian. He knows that Evelyn has an older brother, Crown Prince Everett, who’s to be king. Even so, she’s trained the same way he was. They say the cold climate of the mountains affected the royal family’s way of ruling with an iron fist. Their government is one that is military centered. Both Evelyn and Everett are trained strategists and warriors.

“So tell me,” Cobalt starts. “Are you just following your parents’ wishes to marry royalty?”

“No, I’m here to have fun,” she answers. “Whether you’ll like me or not is just a bonus.”

“I didn’t expect you to be quite laid back.”

“Because I’m from Odisodian? Please, King Cobalt, why don’t you visit sometime?”

“I’ll take you up on that offer,” He spins her around. “Do I have the honor of meeting the Odisodian royal family?”

“Just the siblings, if that’s enough for you.”

Cobalt is taken aback by her carefree nature. Of course, he doesn’t show it. He doesn’t know how to be discreet about getting intel around her. Maybe she doesn’t know anything at all.

“Our parents don’t really get along. Maybe we could change the course as the new generation.”

“You would have to talk to my brother. I, personally, would love that though.” She smiles. “By the way, I’m sorry about your father. Back in Odisodian, rumor’s been spreading that he died of sickness. Of course, I won’t press you if you don’t want to talk about it.”

Cobalt thinks that she’s sly and cunning. She’s trying to get him to talk about how his father died. At least he knows that she doesn’t know anything. And he’s gonna make sure it stays that way.

“I like a lady that respects boundaries,” he says as they finish dancing.

“Would you like to meet my brother? I’d hate to end our time together so soon.”

He indulges her only to get to his goal. Odisodian and Draega aren’t in good terms either but they’re not exactly in the brink of war. Maybe being friends with Prince Everett will change that.

Evelyn leads Cobalt to a tall man that looks like her. He’s also quite muscular and it intimidates Cobalt but he’s here for diplomacy so he wears his friendliest smile.

“Welcome, Prince Everett,” Cobalt greets.

“Thank you for the invite, King,” Everett returns the greeting.

“I hope your enjoying yourself.”

“Ah yes, seeing my sister dance with plenty of men puts me at ease.”

The sarcasm in his tone is very present that it might as well be a person in the conversation.

“Oh, Brother, no need to be protective,” Evelyn chimes in.

“I’d rather be king first than have a nephew this early, sister.”

“Brother, please.” Evelyn laughs. “You’ll make King Cobalt uncomfortable.”

And yes he was but he also doesn’t know what it’s like to have siblings. He thought it’s normal for a brother to be protective of his sister. However, the way he speaks of her says something about Evelyn too. It just doesn’t match with her empire’s reputation and it’s making Cobalt wary.

“I’m quite alright. Thank you,” Cobalt says. “You must be excited to be king, Prince Everett.”

“Yes, I have already made some plans of change. For example, our empire and your kingdom have been on edge for as long as I remember. I wish to change that.”

“Agreed.”

He’s thankful he changed the subject and that Everett thinks the same way he does. As much as he’d like to find his father’s killer he’d rather not go to war for it. A single person’s crime shouldn’t affect the lives of many.

“If I may ask, from one king to a future king, any word of advice?” Everett asks.

“You’re lucky to have both your parents and your sister to support you. Don’t hesitate to rely on the people you trust.”

“I imagine you must have it tough.”

“Nothing a little support from my people can’t fix.”

They smile at each other. Everett finds respect in the way Cobalt rules his kingdom. It differs from how things are done in his empire but it doesn’t mean it’s wrong.

“Well, if you’ll excuse me. I’ll take my leave.” Cobalt bows his head. “It was nice meeting you both.”

The Odisodian royal siblings wait for King Cobalt to be out of ear shot before they converse among themselves.

“Did you find anything out about his father?” Everett asks.

“Nothing. He doesn’t like talking about it and he avoids the subject.” Evelyn replies.

“Hmm,” Everett thinks. “Mother and Father also don’t seem to care for the king’s death even though it seemed so sudden. It’s like he died of nothing more than a horrible fever. Something is amiss.”

“I agree,” Evelyn nods. “I believe we have to earn his trust. Also, I doubt our parents are not involve in this given the relationship of our kingdoms.”

“I’d rather not go to war with a kingdom that might have ties to dragons.”

“Is that why you’re getting on his good side? For powerful allies? I thought you’re trying to be a diplomat, Brother.”

“You can’t be too careful, Sister. For the sake of our empire, we need powerful allies. Believe me when I say I don’t want to conquer anymore land. I just want to protect the large empire we already have.”

“Don’t worry, Brother. You have my support.”

Siobhan walks away from them when their conversation ended. She heard enough to rule them out, at least rule out the siblings. The current king and queen might still be involved. She will have to relay this to Cobalt soon.

Later that night, Cobalt retreats to his room. The sudden silence compared to the ballroom is deafening. Good thing, he’s not alone.

“What information did you gather, Siobhan?” Cobalt asks.

Siobhan, now in her spy attire walks in from his personal balcony.

“I think we can rule out Prince Everett and Princess Evelyn. They don’t know anything but they believe their parents are involved.” Siobhan explains.

“Perhaps I should earn their trust.” Cobalt thinks. “What else?”

“I couldn’t get close to Princess Caeda. She has her own spy guarding her.”

“Yes, that’s quite alright. I did get her to tell me that whoever did it apparently is after the portal to the dragon realm. This might be more serious than we thought.”

They both remain silent. Soon, the atmosphere becomes tense. They both want to say something but they also don’t want to say it. Siobhan decides to leave but as she turns around Cobalt grabs her hand. She looks back and sees his cobalt blue eyes.

“I…” Cobalt trails off. “I want you to know how much tonight was difficult.”

“It must be hard to have your father’s death lingering in your mind all the time.”

“Yes, but that’s not why tonight was difficult.”

Cobalt intertwines his fingers with Siobhan’s. She looks down at their joined hands but doesn’t let go. She knows there’s no point in playing dumb. This is Cobalt. They’ve known each other since forever. Maybe she can be honest. It’s just them right now.

“I don’t like seeing you dancing with other girls, princesses in fact.” She looks away as if it was the most difficult thing for her to say.

Cobalt places Siobhan’s arms around his neck and he places his hands on her waist. He sways them a little in the silence. They’ve been playing in the threshold but Cobalt wants to cross it. Siobhan doesn’t but she likes playing along. She has things she doesn’t want to admit because of who she’s supposed to be.

“You really need to find a queen,” Siobhan says.

“I thought I already did,” Cobalt replies. “Besides, didn’t you say you don’t like seeing me with other girls.”

“I need to get over myself,” she sighs. “I need to get over you.”

“We haven’t even done anything.”

“Exactly why we should stop while we still can.”

Siobhan distances herself from Cobalt. He frowns and she looks away to avoid it.

“I have to go,” she says.

She walks towards his personal balcony. He follows her until the entrance. She stops when she steps on the edge. “Good night, Cobalt.”

Cobalt is left alone to his thoughts. They both know the feeling is mutual but they can’t reconcile with what to do about it. He stares at the moon not as a king but as a man in love.