This garnered a chuckle from the prince in spite of the quiet moment, leaving Lee bewildered before Donovan cleared things up,”And wouldn’t a son your age be in charge of your family’s land?” Shaking his head as he finally looked away from Lee, he added,”You could say I’ve claimed the entirety of the borderlands as my estate. There’s always a town in despair or bandits to dispose of, and ballroom diplomacy… isn’t my strong suit.”

Donovan drank a coil of water as Lee mulled things over,”Speaking, I think, is like dancing. The more you do it, the more it becomes second nature. Which I suppose is why you’re so bad at both of those things.”

“Tch!” Donovan clicked his tongue as he swallowed his water, leaving Lee overjoyed to see he took the bait,”I’m not that bad at dancing. And I never said I didn’t know how to speak, I just don’t enjoy the game they make of it. Who cares how well the princess of Trinity can shoot her bow or how fine our wines were this year, it’s all just posturing and bragging at the end of the night.”

“I care how fine the wines were!” Lee declared, further pointing Donovan’s scowl as he continued with a jump to his feet,”and again, dear prince, how will you ever woo a lady if you don't know how to sweep them off their feet or brag about how you slew ten bandits with a single swipe of your sword!" Swinging an imaginary sword in combat with invisible pursuers, he feigned a stab at Donovan's heart.

The temper of the blade was easily parried by the sharp edge in the prince's gaze, a quirk in his brow accompanying the words,"I've seemed to manage fine thus far."

A twinge of surprise sunk into Lee's stomach,"Oh? Who was this lucky lady?"

Donovan served another blow,"I never said anything about a lady."

Lelani's sword arm fell limp with the realization, an attempt to recover made with a joking tone; only the poor lighting hid his flushed cheeks,”Lord, then. I assume you keep your personal matters close to your chest- I’ve certainly never heard of the prince of Anin having any sort of affairs.”

“Then what have you heard of me?”

A mischievous grin made its return,”Wouldn’t you like to know.”

“You-” Donovan sighed, wiping down his face,”Why do I even bother.”

“Because I’m just that fun to have around?” Lee suggested, ‘sheathing’ his blade before plopping down again to the ground. Donovan sat heavily across from the fire, finally chewing at some of the dried meat they’d rationed for dinner. The line between his brows hadn’t yet faded, making Lee smile evermore.

“Glad to see you’re feeling fine. You’ve been tame as a lamb since yesterday.”

As expected, Donovan was not amused to hear his observation.

“Why don’t we duel, and I can show you just how tame I can be.”

“Was that a threat?”

“Call it what you will.”

“Flirting, then.”

Donovan scoffed as Leilani snickered to himself, a quiet moment passing as they ate and watched the fire or followed the flying sparks into the starry sky above. Leaning back to rest his head on his hands, Lee allowed himself to get lost in the vast scenery, immensely pleased with his teasing. Only Donovan getting up to stifle the fire and gentle chime of crickets disturbed the peace, lulling him into another heavy sleep.