Read Crossliner's coup d'etat :: Beforehand (Part two)

I looked at the princess.

- “Excuse me- Is it possible that I could visit you later?”

- “I will be at the apothecary, sir. Is there anything specific you need to talk about?”

- “Nothing, really! Just a little chat. Wait- I think I do want something, though.”

- “Oh? Whatever it is, I’ll do my best to help.”

- “Then may I try some of the spices you have? There is a flavor I need - but then again, I’m from another world. I don’t even know if one similar to it is available here.”

- “May I have more specifications of what you are looking for?”

- “Well… We call it cinnamon back at home. It’s slightly sweet, goes well with pie. This pie probably has it, actually! It has a warm and cozy feeling, like autumn.”

- “…Uh… I think I can manage with that, yes. If you give me two hours, I will have a few samples for you to try.”

- “Thank you so much, Princess. I’m sorry to give you even more work than I already do.”

- “Not at all! I’m grateful to be of any help, with all you are doing for us.”

- “Oh no, I’m not doing much-”

- “You are, sir! And even! This is the second time we’ve talked, but you already can already speak this fluently- I wouldn’t believe that you didn’t before if I hadn’t seen it for myself.”

- “…This is the second time?”

- “Yes, it is. Oh- Well, last time wasn’t much of a talk. It was during your first audience with the Court.”

- “Ah, back then Von was spacing out, Foebi.” - Arsamira joined the conversation just to make me look bad, ‘ey.

- “Spacing out and having an anxiety attack are two completely different things, Prince.” – And Mizuen jumped in to defend me, ‘eeeeyyy. – “Von almost fainted that time, Princess. I doubt he remembers much of what happened.”

- “Oh dear. Do you, perhaps, have any mental illnesses, sir Von?” – The Princess was so direct with that question, that it totally put me out of it for a few seconds. She said it so casually, so comfortably-. It would be fine to answer, right?

- “Ah… Y-Yes… S-Somewhat…”

- “I see. Oh- Were you perhaps under any specific treatment back in your world? I could help you find an equivalent if you are in need.”

- “It- It’s fine. I wasn’t. It’s not something I could afford…”

- “My, my-. Don’t worry about the cost - that’s not a thing anyone should have to worry about. If you wish, I can set an appointment with a medic.”

- “A-A medic…?”

- “Yes- Oh! Medics are mages that are specialized in medicine, like me. You see, magic has many practical uses, even for mental health - it helps ease symptoms like sleep changes or somatization. And when it comes to deeper treatment-”

- “Foebi, darling, you are overwhelming him.” – The Queen spoke gently, but clearly and mightily. Her sweet tone was absolute, it stood above everyone without a hint of trying. – “But yes, dear. If you need anything, just let us know. We will do our best to accommodate your needs.”

‘Did she just call me dear!?’ is all I could think of. I barely managed to mutter a “thank you”; I just kept chewing on my eternally-lasting bagel. Be it that the Queen was so gentle and lovely - that I felt at home every time she spoke - or that I am a hopeless idiot, but I truly didn’t mind, in the moment, that I couldn’t properly answer her.

And time passed - with Daien, who was constantly giving me bits of food to try; with Mizuen, who taught me to use a fork that had a spiral shape; with Arsamira, who tried to cheer up Renime, as she had been silent and gloomy ever since I sat at the table; and, of course, the Princess and the Queen, who clearly cherished their family time, and were having a pleasant conversation about the flowers in the garden.

They asked questions about my world, too, after a few comments from me - comparing flavors. That this tasted like tomatoes, and this tasted like chamomile, and this fruit was similar to mangoes. They were fascinated by the descriptions I gave of fruits and vegetables, of animals and plants; of discoveries across the eras – most of which they seemed to know about already.

Arsamira and Renime were specifically interested in my tales – the ones about a little festival I visited when I was young, around Christmas eve. Live music playing during sunset at the beach, the market selling potted plants and artisanal sweets. The falling dark, contrasting with the colorful balloons filled with LED lights, the fresh sea breeze, a cup of churros half eaten by seagulls. The relaxing trip back home, too. The city lights passing by - colorful drops that floated like fairies. Listening to music as the reflections danced in the car’s window. Driving up the hill, passing the many trees on a dirt road mom used to avoid traffic. The dog that lived in a corner of the street, that always greeted us when we arrived home - until my mom decided to adopt him. I told them about so many little things; the constellations that could be seen from my bedroom window, the colorful lizards that got lost in our backyard, the Christmas decorations I made with my mom, that we used to put on the front door even when they were falling apart.

They listened to me ramble until the food was cold. I didn’t notice how long I had been talking - but, when my eyes wandered across the room, I noticed Kio had already left. I looked at our own table, just to find out everyone had finished their meal but me. I think I got red – and started sweating, started stuttering, started tapping my leg.

The Queen was the first to get up.

- “That was a lot of fun, dear. But, if you will excuse me, I have to get going. However, feel free to come chat at any time. I enjoyed it a lot.” – She sounded a bit tired, but smiled anyways. Once she left, the rest followed.

Arsamira had told Renime to go ahead and wait for him, that they’ll have some tea later. Once she walked away, he put a hand on my shoulder.

- “I’ll take you to your room. Is that fine?”

- “Uh, I wanted to go to the garden. I can go alone, don’t worry.”

- “But it’s pouring outside.”

- “…There is a little terrace, right? I wanted to see the rain for a bit.”

- “Then I’ll take you there.”

I looked at him. At the way his lips smiled. At the look he was giving me. There must be something hidden in those pools of eternity.

Arsamira grabbed my hand as we walked out. He looked through the obscured windows, his mind far away from here.

- “Is there something you want, Prince?”

- “Are you asking because I’m holding your hand, Hero?”

- “Oh lord- don’t call me that ever again.”

- “Alright, alright.”

- “So? Answer the question.”

- “I just wanted to keep you company a little longer.”

- “I’m still mad at you, you know.”

- “Take it as an apology. After what happened yesterday, I thought it would make it better for you to have someone around.”

- “…It does. But it pisses me off that it’s you.”

- “Oh, come on. We had a lot of fun during dinner. Lighten up a little!”

- “You just talked about the fact I almost got kidnapped yesterday, and now you are telling me to lighten up.”

- “Well, you can’t be bitter about it forever-”

- “I will if I want to.”

He let go of my hand, his eyes avoiding me.

We eventually arrived at the terrace, candle in hand.

- “Sorry, Von.”

- “What now?”

- “I haven’t been the nicest, have I?”

- “Wow.”

- “I- I didn’t leave the best impression. This afternoon, I mean. I should explain myself. It’s just-”

- “I know, I know. It’s just really convenient to have me here - to brag about how much you don’t care about her feelings.”

- “W-Wha- Von, I’m not that heartless. She’s just being forced by her father to marry me. It’s better to not give her fake hopes.”

- “Arsamira, she’s lovestruck. If you had at least two fingers’ worth of forehead maybe you’d notice. There are better things to do than-”

- “Von, please. And I promise I didn’t say those things just because-. I mean. I meant them, I guess. Kind of.”

- “Gods, you are embarrassing.”

- “I’m trying to be honest here!”

- “Whatever.”

- “I really don’t want you to stay mad at me. Is there anything I can do to fix that?”

- “Arsamira. We’ve known each other for like two weeks. I’ll be honest - if you weren’t in the position to get me killed with one call, I’d already have tried to punch you at least three times just today.”

- “Ouch.”

- “You are charming. And charismatic. You are pretty smart when you need to be, and know how to use your good looks and status to get on the good side of people. You are a picture-perfect prince. But you are kind of a pretty awful person.”

- “And I want to fix that, Von.”

- “That’s not my job. Summon someone else for that.”

- “I’m sorry- but you are one of the only that’s ever told me what I’m doing wrong.”

- “What a shame, huh.”

- “Really, no one else dares-”

- “I guess you don’t listen to your mother then. Or your sister.”

- “That’s not the point.”

- “Then what is the point, Prince?”

- “Now you are just being a brat.”

Arsamira grabbed my wrist. I immediately jumped back, cold stabbing my back.

He let go.

- “I’m! I’m sorry, Von. I guess I’m a bit tired…”

- “…I… I’m sorry. It’s fine. You must be.” – Bury me alive for being such a coward. – “Sorry. I shouldn’t talk like this to you. I’m sorry.”

- “Von…”

- “I’m sorry. I’ll- I’ll go to my room.”

- “Please. I’m sorry. I’m truly sorry.”

Weakness crept up my spine, burying itself in a hole in my heart. The Prince looked truly devastated. I didn’t have it in me, once again, to be mad at him.

- “…Stay for a while. Let’s watch the rain.” – I whispered. The light in his eyes - oh, hit me, I didn’t want it to disappear.

This dumbass prince. He was truly dangerous. And his twisted honesty was the worst of his weapons.

- “But I…”

- “It’s fine. I don’t want to be alone anyways. The castle is too big and dark right now, I’ll get lost if I go back.”

- “…Did I scare you?”

I couldn’t answer.

But

- “Just how much pain have I caused you?”

he brushed my hair so gently.

- “I’m sorry.”

His whispers were muffled by the storm.

- “I just can’t keep the act up around you. You’ve had to see the worst in me.”