Bastian considered whether he should step in to help Henrietta, but Grand Duchess Callisto swooped in and rescued the princess before it came to that. She set the matter straight and Duke Wyldon was forced to sit there and accept that Princess Henrietta might be happy romping around a Dark Enchanted Forest.

  And luckily, the rest of the afternoon tea continued without incident. Peregrine was particularly interested in Callisto’s etiquette lessons, and watching her practice international Valarian mannerisms was more enjoyable when he thought about how she would react to Peldeep decorum.

  He wanted to dress her in white silk robes with pink peonies to match her hair, and drink tea with her under the cherry blossoms at home. He had a perfect cream silk at home, and his fingers itched to carve out peony print blocks so he could ink the fabric himself.

  “Bastian?” Peregrine’s voice drew him out of his thoughts, and he dutifully poisoned her drink.

  He didn’t use a skill, simply reached out and poured some of the contents of the provided Frist Vine Sap into her cup. The poison itself wouldn’t do much, but it did colour the tongue blue and numb the taste buds. Anyone foolish enough to actually drink the stuff wouldn’t get to enjoy their afternoon tea or snacks.

  Peregrine raised an eyebrow at his lack of subtlety and he shrugged, “I’m not very stealthy.”

  “Really?” Peregrine lifted the glass in her hand and tapped it with a fingernail, nodding when she heard the change in tone without using a spoon. The crystal glasses were designed to ring differently depending on the contents.

  Bastian’s [Ice Aura] paired with his dragon bloodline made him hard to miss– even if he wasn’t a broad shouldered tank.

  “It isn’t one of my skill sets,” He leaned down close to whisper in her ear, “so I’ll be counting on you to protect me from nefarious rogues this evening.”

  Her ear twitched, from his teasing or from his breath, he could only guess.

  “This evening?”

  “If you’ll do me the honour–”

  “Now that everyone has had a chance to test the glade crystal,” Duchess Calisto called from the head of the table, cutting off Bastian’s reply. “We can move on to Peldeep fan etiquette.”

  If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  An attendant stepped forward with a tray of fans, and after a moment’s hesitation, Peregrine selected a white fan with lilac lace trim close to the colour of his eyes.

  She snapped open the fan and verified his hopes with a soft, “So we can match tonight.”

  He couldn't stop grinning for the rest of the tea party, up until he dropped off Peregrine at her magical elevator and found Rebecca waiting for him. “We've found Their Highness, and Prince Malakai found more people involved with the poaching. He's routed out two more groups, and the boat they were all using to export goods out of the harbor."

  Malakai wasn’t one to let evil doers escape, and he was as quick to act on Madame Potts’ casts as his parent. Especially when it came to poachers. Three years ago, the royal prince had died from mana burn while fighting off rainbow whale poachers - saving a baby whale in the process. He’d been [Resurrect], and the whales had left a rainbow in the bay all summer as thanks.

  Bastian hadn't taken a stance on the inheritance question, but he secretly hoped Malakai succeeded.

  “Where is Rowen?” Bastian asked.

  “They’re in their room, preparing for the ball.” Rebecca eyed Bastian with a look he couldn’t place.

  When she didn’t say anything else, Bastian pressed, “What?”

  “You’re not guarding Their Highness tonight.” It wasn’t a question.

  “Nelson’s on duty. Why– did you want to take the shift?”

  There were always a slew of assassination attempts at these events, and it was a great opportunity to prove oneself and earn achievements. It could even lead to a promotion. Nelson wouldn’t care either way, he was happy with his job as royal healer.

  She shook her head. “No, though I’m wondering if our knight commander might need his own guard?”

  “Me?” Bastian frowned. “Why? What have you heard?”

  “Nothing. Though that doesn’t mean Sumbria isn’t planning anything.” Rebecca pointed out. “If they’re serious about this marriage of convenience, tonight would be a good opportunity to trap you–”

  “Unlikely.” Bastian knew that cutting off his subordinate when they were only worried for his safety wasn't a good plan - especially when Sir Rebecca didn't look like anything he said was going to convince her. Still, he couldn’t see Peregrine kidnapping or seducing him for political reason. Bastian had a feeling like if he just told her to drop it, the lizardkin would go out of her way to protect him whether he liked it or not.

  "It is likely," Rebecca countered. "Anything can happen at one of these balls. Remember Lord Frank the Baldorin goldsmith?"

  He did remember. The dwarf had been found with the Baroness Liliana Grainger in the act out in the garden and had to marry the baroness. Bastian didn't think it was a good comparison though - since the pair were still happily married six years later.

  If this was only about Peregrine, then he might have argued his case... but Rebecca was right and there were other powers at place. He wouldn’t put it past Crown Prince Deryl to organize something duplicitous.

  He sighed, “What do you suggest?”