Cassius found his wife in the arms of another. Her hair tie, her favor, was tied around his wrist. Cassius saw red. He ran to Marinus and tacked him on the ground. Then he bit his shoulder. Or, more like, the fabric of Marinus’ shirt.

Marinus gripped the Prince’s hair and tried to tug him off. Theanore screamed and Eliza came running. She glared at the nymph and pointed at the boys who were wrestling on the ground.

“Do you see what you did, you hussy?” Screamed Eliza.

“She is not a hussy!” Screamed both Cassius and Marinus. Then they glared at each other and the fight started anew.

“What is the meaning of this?” Screamed Esmer when she found the chaos before her. Cassius used the commotion her arrival created to tug a cluster of Marinus’ hair and tear it out of the boy’s head.

Marinus howled and punched the Prince in the nose. Blood trickled down Cassius’s nose, and he teared up. He kicked Marinus between the legs. Just like he had heard, the women kicked the guards often, and then Marinus screamed a battle cry and tried to get on top of him, only for Esmer to tug him up and shake him.

“Marinus, what is the meaning of this?” Repeated herself Esmer.

“Ask him, he attacked me.” Said Marinus, pointing at the Prince.

“He dishonored both my wife and his wife!” Screamed Cassius. Eliza nodded and turned her back to the boys.

“If someone doesn’t explain to me what is happening here, I will tan all of your hides! Yes, Thea, yours included.” Said Esmer sternly.

“My husband kissed his hussy on the cheek!” Said Eliza, still not turning around.

“You will look at me when you are talking to me, young lady!” Said Esmer, and a shiver ran through Eliza’s spine. She turned around. Then she felt guilt. Theanore was touching her cheek and crying silent tears.

“Mari just wanted to say hello, Lizzy.” Said Theanore. Eliza knew it was foolish to blame the baby of the group. So, her glare found her husband.

“You are to not greet anyone like this but me! Or I will put poison Ivy in your bed, and you will get the mother of all rashes.” Said Eliza, Marinus showed her his tongue.

“You are the worst wife ever.” He said, and Eliza’s lower lip trembled. “I’d rather be married to Thea any day than to you! Your hair is like straw, and you have a pug nose!”

Eliza touched her nose and teared up.

“You don’t have a pug nose, Lizzy.” Said Theanore, and she glared at Marinus. “That was mean, Mari. Say you are sorry.”

Eliza pointed a finger at Marinus and puffed up her cheeks.

“I am a beauty, everyone says so! Your hair is the color of dried mud, and you have freckles. I don’t like freckles!” Said Eliza, and she smirked at Marinus, who took some of his hair to look at it.

Esmer sighed and went to Theanore.

“Listen Thea, and listen well. You are married now, and that means you have to be best friends only with your husband. Marinus is demoted only to friend and if he keeps trying to kiss you, you are to demote him to an acquaintance. Do you understand?”

Theanore nodded. She was angry with Marinus for how he had insulted Eliza.

“But, Thea.” Said Marinus, but Theanore turned her back on him.

“I am going to have breakfast now. I am angry with you all. Acquaintances.” She then went in the direction of the dining hall.

Cassius pointed at Marinus.

“Theanore turned her back on me because of you. Give back her favor!”

“No way! I am going to castle Orlock. I need this to be close to my best friend.” Said Marinus. Cassius lunged at him again, but Esmer stopped him mid-jump, and she swatted his bottom.

“I will spank you all! You will have a civil breakfast, or so help me!” Said Esmer as she put the Prince back down. He rubbed at his bottom and glared at her. She glared back and he cowered.

Then Esmer escorted the three children to the dining hall, where Theanore was having breakfast with the Empress and the Emperor. As soon as Emperor Casimir saw Marinus, he waved a finger at him.

“Young man, if I hear you have taken liberties with my daughter again, I will exile you back to the sea from where you came from. Am I understood?”

“You told them?” Asked Marinus, betrayed. Cassius snickered next to him, and Emperor Casimir turned to him.

“And you? Wrestling in the dirt like a common ruffian? With a duke, no less! Did you at least manage to get back your wife’s favor?” Asked the Emperor. Cassius took Marinus’ hand, the one where the hair tie was, and held it high.

“He won’t give it back. He is mean.” Said Cassius with a pout on his lips. Empress Orlena surprised them all by chuckling.

“My son, this is not what your father meant by favor. Your princess is angry at you for fighting. Isn’t that right, Thea?” Asked the Empress, and she placed a hand over Theanore’s shoulders.

“They were both irresponsible.” Said Theanore, although she mispronounced the last word. Big words were still not her forte.

“I am sorry, my nymph.” Said Cassius, and then he fell on one knee. “But your honor needed protecting.”

“Toddler drama.” Said Esmer, raising her hands. The Imperial couple sighed.

“Well, nothing to be done now.” Said Empress Orlena. “Children, come and eat. We are leaving in an hour.”

Eliza was the first to go to the table, and she sat down next to Theanore. Then she took a napkin and wiped her mouth clean.

“Princess, I am sorry for my reaction towards you. My husband was to blame.” Said Eliza.

“It is ok, Lizzy. I was so used to Mari being close to me that I didn’t think it would hurt you. I am sorry too. Friends?” Said Theanore, extending her hand towards Eliza.

“Friends.” Said Eliza, shaking it and smiling brightly.