As Aija continued to visit the Academy during the following weeks, Casulo looked forward to her arrival and meeting her at the cabin in the evening. But in order to this, he had to make up every conceivable excuse to not visit her during the work day.
He was always busy with running the Academy but, with Averen's help, there was always some down time to do as he pleased. Normally it pleased him to train or to read or to simply grab a drink in the tavern. He tried to do all of these things. He really did.
Training only brought to mind how angry Aija became when he ignored her feelings. Reading only made him bored as his mind drifted to their conversation about kissing her fingers. So now the last resort was to visit the tavern.
A cheerful laugh resounded throughout the tavern when he arrived. Casulo remembered the laugh belonging to Gu, Aija's confidant on the Kappana Council.
It did not take him long to spot the man at a large table seated with Aija and Filote. There was also Gerrit and the woman named Kanna'ti.
They had not noticed him entering the tavern except for Kanna'ti. But Casulo was quick to see Jaugan seated in a dark corner not too far from the group. The warrior was ignoring a glass of wine and clearly pretending to be bored while he listened to their conversation.
Casulo slid into the corner beside Jaugan who looked offended. Casulo ignored this since Jaugan always looked offended.
"Are they serving anything with ice today?" Casulo asked.
"Not this late in the day. But you're not here to care about what you drink."
"It's not like you're guzzling yours down. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen you here other than when I force you to come."
"I don't trust them. The Heduan."
"I'd be shocked by that statement if you trusted anyone else."
"Since when does a nation's prince become so friendly with such people? Those people want something from him. They're after something other than companionship."
This got Casulo listening to the conversation at the other table. He looked over to find Gerrit sipping a beer.
"Can I have one, Gerrit?" Filote asked.
"Have you finished your history texts today?"
"Finished reading them?"
"No, I expected you'd have them for lunch. Of course you were supposed to read them!"
"My Ilo, is this man the Muvara here?" asked Gu.
"Uhh, I suppose."
Gerrit leaned forward.
"If I am a Muvara, will that get him to listen to my assignments?"
"All Heduan heed the words of a Muvara. But I do not know if Capaytians have such a person other than kings."
Aija spoke, "Kings are not Muvara."
"Can mere tutors like me be Muvara?"
"In Nakamar, yes."
"You don't even know what that is, Gerrit," Filote said.
"I don't care. I already know I wish to be one. Where do I learn this path, Master Gu?"
"Not with me. Aija will teach you the way. She is Muvara Yocana."
Gerrit and Filote stared a moment. An understanding came to Filote's face.
"I think I see. A Muvara is not a king or a duke or anything like that. But they are respected nevertheless because...because they look out for everybody's welfare."
Aija smiled at Filote and brought her nose to his.
"You make a fine teacher yourself."
Filote blushed. Casulo blushed too. He understood the emotions running through the prince.
"So this is why you asked me before if His Highness needed to become king in order to maintain status quo in Capaytia," Gerrit said.
"Yes. Heduan do not have kings but our nation remains stable."
"Mmm, the nation of Nakamar was far bigger a few centures back. Our history texts talk of chiefs. In fact, look at Fly from the Cage. Naka's the daughter of a chief in that one."
Aija's face hardened and Filote took his tutor aside to whisper into his ear.
"Never bring up the play, Gerrit."
"Understood."
Gu spoke while Aija calmed herself.
"Heduan have no kings or chiefs. Muvara are not chiefs but they are chosen to oversee certain things for the people. Aija's father, is Muvara Iraja. He cares for relations with foreign countries, with other tribes of Nakamar too. Aija is Muvara Yocana. She oversees new things, new ideas. If our inventors, our explorers wish to bring new technology, new learning or new items for trade to our people, then it is our Muvara Yocana that helps process along."
"But Aija is not with the Heduan any more," Filote said.
Casulo noticed Aija wince a bit before she answered.
"I am Muvara until they decide it goes to someone else. That should not be long not before another takes my place."
Kanna`ti turned to Aija.
"No one will cast that vote. You know Muvara Iraja believes you will return. He wills it so, it will happen."
"When will he do anything but be stubborn?" Aija muttered.
Kanna`ti chuckled. "Maybe when his daughter shows him the way."
"Hang on," said Filote. "If Nakamar has no king, how can it be a nation? Does Capaytia recognize Nakamar as its own nation?"
"It does," Gerrit answered. "However, the territories inhabited by Heduan are not considered to belong to the people. Nakamar is simply a place unto itself that just happens to have someone living there."
"That makes no sense," the prince said.
"It does if you plan to capture the territoy at a future time. Luckily none of our kings have had success with conquering lands east of the Fortalezas."
"What if...what if the king of Capaytia were to marry someone from Nakamar?"
A blush returned to Filote's face. Casulo found himself leaning forward in the other table's direction.
"You're going to tip my glass," Jaugan growled.
"Shh, I can't hear."
"You already know the answer. Why do you need to hear?"
Casulo picked up his own glass and stood. He quickly stepped over to the table and sat between Kanna`ti and Gerrit.
"Evening. Is everyone enjoying themselves?"
"I've suddenly become a successful socio-political tutor, Your Excellency. My student is engaged, asking questions, forwarding bold ideas. All among these wonderful newcomers who no doubt deserve all of the credit."
"I heard the prince's question on my way over. It's something he should know."
He and Gerrit exchanged prolonged looks. After about five seconds, things started to feel awkward.
"Are you going to tell him, sire?"
The awkwardness did not go away as Casulo looked at the prince.
Awkwardness, irritation, shame. Casulo tried hard to stop himself from fidgeting with his drink as all of these feelings welled up within him.
"Ahem. Capaytian royalty are legally bound to marry only an act of making a foreign alliance."
"Huh?"
Thankfully, Aija clarified everything with a simply question.
"Your mother was not Capaytian, my Ilo?"
"She was from Debuis."
"And Cas...I mean, His Excellency's own mother was also from there?"
"No. She was Iparralian."
Filote's brow cleared.
"So when Capaytian kings marry, the queen cannot be from Capaytia."
"I just said that," Casulo groaned.
"Gerrit! We can marry Heduan people then! How old do I have to be to marry someone?"
"Betrothals can be formed at birth. Marriage is available once the king debuts after coronation."
"Uh...so am I old enough yet?"
"No."
Casulo and Gerrit spoke this at the same time. The prince sat down looking defeated. A twinge of sympathy and relief ran through the duke.
"Don't look so down, my Ilo," said Gu. "You're not the only one to look this way after trying to court Aija. Ah!"
Aija and Kanna`ti tugged at each of Gu's ears. The table laughed, even Filote. Casulo laughed but started to wonder why he started to feel somewhat disappointed himself.
On his way back to his office, Casulo began to wonder if it was late enough to visit Aija. Right after that, he began to wonder how difficult it might be to procure a marriage alliance with the Heduan people.
Aija already juggles a dangerous life of hiding slaves from ruthless merchants. Now she finds herself caring for a young boy who turns out to be a runaway prince! If that were not bad enough, he is also the younger brother of the most ruthless man in the kingdom, the Paret Duke Casulo de la Cera. Are the dark rumors about the duke true? Can Aija protect the prince and still keep her own identity secret? With so many people relying on her, one wrong move can bring Aija's entire world crumbling down.
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