“And this is our room, for just us two since we’re the only pets of Faelix. But we can go visit the pets of Faelix’s siblings if we’d like.” Syrion had taken over the tour of the palace the moment Prince Faelix had to step away to tend to his duties and Ryliar didn’t step in to take his place as tour guide, the handler having left us when we entered the room. They were much more enthusiastic than Prince Faelix when it came to talking about the palace and showing off the various places we are allowed to go, both unsupervised and supervised. “Though, we will have to make sure to knock, some are pretty affectionate with each other in their respective groups, so it’s always best to give them a warning of a visitor coming in.” Their warning was odd but appreciated, if I ever decided to visit the pets of the other princes, I certainly did not want to walk in on whatever their affection may entail.

Looking around our room, it didn’t seem all that different from my former one, it was just more colorful. The carpeted floor wasn’t completely covered in cushions either, instead there was more of a nest of them in what seemed to be a big dip in the middle of the floor. There was a door covered with planets and constellations I didn’t recognize, a plain white door next to it on one wall, another door covered in planets and constellations opposite the previous two, and long iridescent black curtains embroidered with stars and planets on the conjoining wall opposite us.

“I had Faelix install your own closet so that you can have all your new clothes and such there, and since the room needed a new coat of paint, he had that done too but left your door unpainted so that you could have it pained the way you like.” They told me while dragging me over to the plain white door and opening it to show me the large walk-in closet that I was unsure how I would ever fill it on my own. “And they added new soaps and conditioners and lotions and bath salts and even oils for you, since your group all had similar hair textures that need specific care and human skin needs different care than fur does.” They added as they then drag me over to the painted door across the room, opening said door to show a bathing room that housed a small crystal blue pool surrounded by smooth matte black stones paved into the floor that branches off from the doorway we stood in towards a different door with galaxies painted on that I assumed hid the toilet. “And here you can take a bath whenever you like, as long as it doesn’t mess up any scheduled events that we have to go to with Faelix. Though they’ll tell us when to bathe for those events.”

I nod along in understanding as they speak, looking back into the bedroom to get a better look at the layout of it. It was then that I realized how small it was compared to my childhood and former groups’ rooms, and it only having two closets meant it really was only the two of us residing here like Syrion told me earlier in the tour of the room and its features.

“Are you really Prince Faelix’s only other pet? How long have you been his only pet?” I decided to ask after a few short moments of contemplation, turning back to see the almost embarrassed expression on their face, their demeanor turning shy and fidgety.

They give a small, slow nod, “Yes, I am and it’s been this way for a few years, since I was just a gift to him once he hit the higher ranks in the military.” They explained, looking down at their feet, taking a few seconds before continuing. “Truthfully, he only got you because I had started to get quite lonely. The others are much older than I am and don’t always have the energy to deal with someone as young and energetic as me and they’re so affectionate with each other no matter who’s around that it’s hard not to feel lonely when around them. So Faelix very kindly offered to get me a friend.”

The way they stared down at their feet with their face a mix of both sadness and embarrassment made my chest ache a little, not only for them but for myself as well. After being surrounded by so many others throughout our lives, I can’t imagine how lonely years of being the only solitary pet of a royal must have been. I imagine that even with it just being the two of us, we’ll both still get a feeling of loneliness because of how we were raised in groups of many others.

“Why are you the only pet? I thought royalty tended to keep quite a few pets.” I ask, simply curious about the reason behind this Jalain being left feeling so alone.

But they shrug, “I don’t really know. I’ve never really asked him about it. It’s never been my place to ask and he’s not really one to share information about himself unprompted.”

That made sense, considering who we were talking about at least. A prince of a warrior race certainly wouldn’t be one to just spout out information that he may deem unnecessary for lesser beings like us to know. It wasn’t necessarily important for us to know either, though I’m surprised that he’s never been questioned about it in front of Syrion.

“Anyways, would you like to tour the garden? Or shall we just rest for the remainder of today?” The sudden change of subject was a little jarring, but I didn’t want to press my luck and make them feel uncomfortable or upset.

“Let’s just rest, today has been quite eventful and I’m starting to feel the effects of those events.” I admit, letting them take my hand and lead me over to the nest of plush pillows and fluffy blankets, helping me step down into the dip in the ground that holds the nest and get comfortable.

We both lay down amongst the plush pillows and comforting blankets, even going as far as to start cuddling, which gave me the unique chance to hear the soft and warm Jalain’s purring. It was nice to hear, it calmed my anxieties and loosened the knots in my belly. The position felt much like how Nalik and I would cuddle when he was feeling particularly clingy, though those times were usually when he was done playing with a guard that tended to string him along and use him more than please him. And thinking of that just made my anxieties flair up all over again. The prince wouldn’t be that way, would he? No, Syrion doesn’t seem the type to let something like that slide, and he didn’t exactly give off that impression when we had interacted.

As if sensing my worries, Syrion spoke their reassurances softly, as if to not disturb the gentle quiet around us, “He won’t touch you until it’s what you want. The princes and princess are actually known to be very gentle and sweet towards their pets, Faelix is no exception. So, there’s no need to get so tense at the idea of him.”

“Does it…” I felt so embarrassed to even ask this question aloud, but I wanted to know before I decided to feel at least a small bit okay with him using me the way I assumed he wishes to. “With him, does it hurt? The… The play, I mean… Does it hurt?”

There was a long pause, then there was the feeling of arms snaking around my waist, pulling me close to their body, reminding me even more of the times me and Nalik would cuddle. Then they spoke, “Well, from the very few times that he and I had… played, it wasn’t painful, just uncomfortable for me, but not because of anything he did. I wasn’t interested in being that kind of a pet for him. He made sure to not let it be painful though, he’ll make sure to do the same for you.” Their reassuring words helped relax the knot in my belly once again, but it wasn’t enough. It was still a terrifying thought for me to deal with.

“Okay, thank you, Syrion.” I mumble, allowing myself to lean into their hold, even with that fear still residing in my head, the soft purring was relaxing enough to lull me to sleep without me fully realizing I fell asleep.

“Ivorix, it’s mealtime.” The soft voice that roused me caused a bit of confusion as I was slowly being pulled back into the waking world, not recognizing the voice for a moment. Blinking my eyes open and looking around the dim room, the memories of earlier in the day flooded back to me once I meet Syrion’s big hazel eyes. “I’m sorry for waking you, dear. But Faelix had a lot of food prepared for you to try, so he can inform the chefs of your preferences.” Hearing that only caused me more confusion, said growing confusion just kept growing as I sat up to in the comfortable nest to spot Ryliar watching us from the doorway of the room’s entrance.

Seeming to realize my confusion, Ryliar clarified, “The food has been set up in his usual gazebo out in the garden. I recommend putting on a pair of shoes, so that you do not hurt your feet, since yours are not protected by paw pads like Syrion’s.” He says as he makes his way to the closet that was meant to be mine, opening it to reveal a few things in there that weren’t before, though they seemed to be nothing more than cloths used as wraps or hip clothes, and a single pair of shoes made of a flexible yet sturdy black fabric. When putting them on, they were snug, but not uncomfortable, and something I hadn’t noticed when initially looking at them was a tiny wooden heel and toe that clicked softly against the dark marbled floor as we walked through the halls of the palace again.

Stepping outside onto a stone pathway and getting a view of part of the garden that surrounds the palace was breathtaking, even with the sun low in the sky and the palace casting a large shadow over the section we were in. The colors of the beautiful flowers that lined the stone pathway were so vibrant that it didn’t seem to matter that they were under a shadow, it was amazing. I wanted to stop to get a closer look at them, but I didn’t want to make the prince wait for us longer than he already has.

“You’re still wearing the same outfit from when we arrived?” The prince asks me the moment we stepped into the gazebo that was in fact filled with more than enough food for us to eat, all of it looking and smelling unfamiliar yet delicious.

“Um, yes, Prince Faelix. I saw no reason to change yet, unless that is what you wish.” I answer, standing up straighter and holding my hands together in front of my exposed belly.

Syrion gave a soft chuckle next to me and gently pat my shoulder with their soft hands, “We also both just woke up from quite a long nap and you summoned us for food, so changing wasn’t exactly on our minds.” They added on to what I said, reaching down to grab my hands to pull me further into the gazebo and towards the table covered in the delicious smelling foods. “Oh my, you are in for a delight Ivorix, these are all so good!” They exclaim, picking up a fork to scoop up a glob of thick brownish noodles and vegetables and dipping the forkful in a dark brown sauce before bringing it up to my mouth with a small, gentle smile. “Here, try this! All of the older humans call it stir fry! It’s one of my favorite Earth dishes!”

I tentatively take the forkful into my mouth, surprised by the burst of new flavors on my tongue as I chew, accepting another forkful from a different human dish called Ratatouille brought to my mouth once I swallow the stir fry. And after trying every dish the was made, most of which being Earth recipes, I decided I really liked the stir fry, a Varyxan dish that was made up of colorful sweet tasting leaves that were cooked in a translucent tangy green sauce and paired with a dark red, near black slab of very juicy and steaming hot savory meat, and another human dish made up of mainly noodles that Syrion said was called Parmesan Chicken Alfredo. Unfortunately, there were so many dish I had tried that I was far too full to finish any one dish, though Syrion had no problem finishing up the Stir Fry and another human dish that I couldn’t remember the name of.

“Would you like to sit in the grass, to let your food settle?” Prince Faelix asked me, expression unreadable and pausing before offering me a hand that dwarfed mine the moment I took it.

He led me to the opening on the opposite side that we had entered and down the steps out of the gazebo onto the soft grass. He held my hand so gently as he led me away from the gazebo, and once it seemed far enough for him, we stopped and sat down. I sat stiffly with my legs to the side of me, not too sure what he was wanting with me on my own and the tightening knot in my belly told me it was something to worry about but glancing over at Syrion talking idly with Ryliar helped to calm me. It meant neither of them were worried, though Ryliar not worrying could just mean that he does not care for my safety much like Mayvax didn’t care, but Syrion did seem to care at least a little already.

“Would you feel more comfortable with Syrion here? I can call them over if that’s the case.” The prince tells me, causing me to jump and look down at the grass by my feet, feeling embarrassed and ashamed that I had shown my discomfort so obviously.

“No, sir- I mean, Prince Faelix. I’m alright.” I stammer a bit, internally cringing at my stumbling over my words.

He seemed to consider what I said for a short moment before calling out to Syrion anyways, “Come join us, Syrion.”

They perked up from their spot in the gazebo, then came prancing over to us quite giddily before gracefully laying themself out on the grass with their chin propped up on their hands. “Were things getting boring without me to lighten things up a bit?” They ask, smiling all too widely at the both of us, but I could see the slight hint on concern creasing between their brows.

“I suppose you could say that. Though I wanted you to enjoy the last bit of sun with us as well before it fully sets.” Searching his face gave me no indication of a lie, though I suspect it had to be at least a small bit of an excuse to use so that he could feel like he did something to make me feel more comfortable. It wasn’t something that I ever thought would happen.

What is this going on in this prince’s head? Have I truly been taught wrong all this time about how I’d be treated by my masters? These questions keep rattling on in my head as the three of us relax in a somewhat comfortable silence, with me sitting up and looking everywhere and the two on either side of me laying in the grass enjoying the warmth the sun gives us before it slowly fades into a cold that chills me to the bones as the shadow of the palace expands with the setting of the sun.

Once that chill sets in for the others, Prince Faelix was quick to usher us back into the palace, even going as far to tell Syrion to ensure that I take a nice warm bath once we get back to our room after touching my hand and feeling just how cold my fingers had gone.

It was an odd feeling, having someone that owns me being just as caring as the ones owned by the same master. I don’t quite know how to feel about it. It continues to weigh on me as I let Syrion gently comb through my hair with a conditioner that they say is meant to help my hair feel softer and my curls become more pronounced, fussing about how they’ll need to trim the ends on another day due to how frizzy they apparently are.