“I was JOKING Robert, good grief. Do you honestly think we’re going to find anything in here about elephant riding?”
“The protocol book has been perfected over centuries; I’m certain that at some point one Royal or another had to ride one and if so it would have gone into this book.”
The two men peered over opposite pages of the over-large manual on all things decorum, propriety and protocol. There were a few “pocket” versions, which Robert always seemed to have nearby – but a full copy resided in the rooms of each Royal. Easily the height of Herbert’s forearm, it was also a very wide book – printed in mockingly small text. Currently they were situated in the portion of the book relating to transportation, though Robert had argued that the section for Entertainment would have been more useful. “Elephant riding is simply not a practical means of getting around!”
“It served Moreau and his shadow well enough, didn’t it?”
“Yes well…it’s still impractical.”
The Deamone man gave a roll of his eyes and continued down the tiny lines of text, the lack of substantial breakfast making him have to pause and take a break every once in a while to rub his drying eyes.
“There’s nothing here.” He grumbled after a few minutes.
“It has to be here.” Robert insisted, flipping the page. Both men spotted it at the same time. Herbert’s expression was reticent, but his blonde companion was practically glowing. “I can’t believe this.” The Deamone man chuckled before bursting into hearty laughter. Herbert picked up the dusty book and carried it triumphantly into the room where the two women were having their meal.
“We found it!” He declared, striding confidently over to the Princess and laying the book out before her – a cloud of dust rising in the air. “Elephant protocol.”
Alarice’s expression broke into what could only be described as serene anticipation. The dark-haired man at her side guided her sight onto the specific lines,
“Oh dear.” She laughed lightly. “I’m not supposed to ride without a …howdah…What is that?”
“It’s a type of saddle, highness.” Robert interrupted, apparently having memorized the decorum for elephant riding already. Anyone could see that he was displeased at the thought that they’d breached protocol – however obscure and irrelevant the offense had been. “We shall have to have one made…” A maid in the background scurried out of the room, the invisible request no doubt already making its way through the palace. The war had cost battle-ready Deamone only a third of what it’d cost unprepared Licia – but Licia had much richer reserves. And in this golden city, budget was all but a distant memory. Alarice had moved to protest but the maid was gone and there was little she could do.
“What’re we having?” Herbert asked loudly, slipping into his seat beside his charge. Robert rolled his eyes and stood at the door, his arms behind his back. The rest of the meal seemed to fly by quickly, at least until the subject of her engagement came up.
“You do realize that the King means to see if Mr. Moreau possesses anything that might make for an advantageous marriage, don’t you?” Herbert said bluntly as he picked something off of the Princess’s plate with his fork and shoved it neatly into his mouth. Robert made a little noise of disapproval, but explained to Eirian. “Her highness has consented to waive her right to choose a husband, in favor of reviewing a list compiled by the advisors of both kingdoms.” Herbert rolled his eyes, “Yeah and she didn’t see fit to tell me about this decision at any point.” The man grunted.
The young royal seemed to pick this moment to stand, which caused both men to straighten and stand respectively. “I’m going to bed.” She sighed softly, glancing apologetically to the blonde girl. “Miss. Lindval would you please help me prepare?”
“But I…” Herbert began to interrupt, before he was silenced by one of Robert’s raised brows. “…I’ll go sweep the room, Highness.” The man finished, his eyes hardening. It was clear there were things left unsaid – and that they would remain so, at least for this night. Robert joined Herbert in his sweep and only when they were sure that the room was clear did they allow the two women to enter the innermost chamber of the Princess’s quarters, her bedroom.
“When the Princess is situated, report back to me. I’ll be standing out here.” Robert whispered to Eirian, his hand making momentary contact with his new partner’s arm as he held her back. When she was gone, he couldn’t forget the warmth of the skin that had seeped through the thick material of her dress. It stayed with him for the rest of the night.