"Is there anything else to eat?"

Joelin shook his head. "I think that this bread is more than enough to hold us over till we get back."

Aylissa groaned loudly in a way clearly not suitable for a Princess. "I don't care about that. It's just the quality of the bread is terrible."

"It's the best bread the kingdom has to offer."

"Really?" She said, throwing him an unamused look. "At home even our cheapest bread is better than this."

"Well we are in Tana, not Nauplia."

She made a sound of disgust. "I've been to Koda, you know, and have dined with Princess Jonilla herself. That bread was almost as good as the one at home, this doesn't even compare."

"Good for you." Joelin replied, jaw clenching tightly. "If I ever set foot in Koda I'd probably be killed on sight."

Aylissa scoffed. "They'd probably hold and lightly torture you. You'd be killed on sight in Narva, haven't your parents taught you anything?" He really didn't like her tone.

"No, I don't really pay attention on what kind of torture I'd have to endure if I go somewhere I'm not going to go."

"No torture, they'd be quick about it."

Joelin closed his eyes and leaned against the tree, taking a few moments to compose himself. "Aren't they planning on marrying Princess Jonilla off to some lord in Narva?"

"Seems like it. Shame, she was fun to be around." Joelin smirked to himself, not even Aylissa could go into Narva unharmed.

"Well, I've never met her."

"Yes, like I've said, shame."

"I haven't been to Koda, but I've been to Secos and met King Ardan." He said, trying to get one up on her.

"Of course you have, he's your uncle."

At this point his nails were leaving marks on the inside of his palms. Joelin refrained himself from bringing up his trip to Camunia since he knew her mother was from there and she no doubt had visited. "Okay, is there anywhere that I could have gone that would impress you."

"Nydaenia, and possibly Narva."

"Of course I haven't been to Nydaenia! No one has! Are you really so well travelled that that's the only two places you haven't been to?" He asked, frustrated.

Aylissa was silent. "I haven't been to Secos."

"It's cold."

"I know."

They glared at each other for a moment. "Would you like to start heading back, my lady?" Joelin forced out, an evident bite to his tone.

"That would be wonderful." She said, her voice the same as it had been for their whole conversation.

Joelin quickly remounted his horse and a quick glance showed Aylissa had done the same already, watching him with a look that screamed really? He rolled his eyes and they both started off, Aylissa slightly ahead the whole time. Thankfully, like the ride out, they didn't speak, but Joelin still glared at her from behind. There was no way he'd ever marry her.

In his mind, it took way too long to get back to the castle, and even longer to get back into his room. In fact, as soon as the stable boy grabbed the reins of his horse, he took off towards his room, not talking to anybody. When he got there, he threw his bag onto a chair and face planted on the bed.

"Are you alright, Prince Joelin?" Joelin pulled his head up to see Rahis looking at him with wide eyes, his hands paused in their task of putting his clothes away. He quickly looked away once the prince met his eyes. Joelin hated when he did that.

"I don't mind if you look at me in here. And please, just Lin when we're alone. This added Prince is starting to get annoying."

"Yes, your majesty."

"Rahis." Joelin said playfully, his voice mimicking a scolding, which startled Rahis until he looked up to see the prince smiling.

"Alright... Lin." He was clearly uncomfortable with that, so Joelin decided not to push it further. "Would you like me to empty that?" He asked, glancing towards his bag. Joelin just nodded. He watched as Rahis walked over and started shuffling through his bag, pulling some things out. "Are you done with this?" He asked, pulling out some untouched bread.

Joelin nearly laughed. In their haste to leave they didn't even touch the bread they had argued about. "Bring it here." He ordered, sitting up. Rahis walked over and cautiously sat on the bed where Joelin gestured him to. He handed him the bread, which Joelin broke open, still warm. "Here, try it." He handed him a piece, taking the other half for himself and started eating it.

Rahis slowly followed his actions. After swallowing his first bite, he smiled and looked at Joelin, eyes wide. "It's really good."

Joelin returned the smile, a warm feeling in his chest. "It is, isn't it." Rahis' reaction was so different from Aylissa's that Joelin was way happier than he should've been, watching Rahis eat what was probably one of the best foods he's tried in his life.

They finished their bread in silence and Rahis walked over and finished emptying his bag. "Bring me the book from yesterday, would you?"

Rahis quickly did as he was told, not hesitating to sit when Joelin gestured to the bed. The prince smiled at his obvious excitement. He found himself enjoying teaching him to read, only if they'd only been at it for a day. Rahis turned out to be a very quick learner though and already could recognize many words.

They spent the rest of the day going through the book, a very surprised Camayla coming in a few hours into it to deliver dinner, but other than that very few interruptions. That is, until a heavy knock sounded on the door just as it started to really get dark. Rahis quickly stood up and Joelin pushed the book onto his nightstand, calling for the visitor to enter.

He was surprised to see his father enter the room. Taking a second to dismiss Rahis, knowing they wouldn't have time to get back to it, he greeted his father, who looked him up and down.

"I've been waiting for you to come and tell me how it went, yet you're still in your riding clothes! Mind telling me what happened?"

"I didn't realize I was supposed to see you."

"It would've been nice."

Joelin looked down, not able to hold his fathers intense gaze for long. "Sorry, just as soon as I got back I got caught up in a book."

"Ah." King Therond said, well aware of how his son got. "So, how was your ride with Princess Aylissa?"

Joelin started playing with his fingers, a nervous habit. Unfortunately, his father always noticed and got on him about how it wasn't Princely, which made him even more nervous. Thankfully, this time Therond stayed silent, although his eyes were clearly judging. "I really don't want to marry her."

"Oh, come on, she can't be that bad."

"But she is! Every word we've spoken has been an argument or her trying to prove she's better than me! I can never get along with someone like her! Much less come to love!"

"You don't realize it, but the line between hate and love isn't as bold as it may seem."

"I. Hate. Her."

Judging by the look he got from his father, he was in trouble, but to his surprise the king looked forward and started talking. "I didn't like your mother very much when I first met her either." Joelin's eyebrows rose in feigned surprise. He'd heard this story before, but didn't want to spoil his father's good mood lest he get that scolding he was spared. "I mean she was Princess Fanna Navay of the Kingdom of Secos, so far away. Sure, her beauty was the most breathtaking thing I got to behold, but she showed clear distain towards me, which is probably the most repellant thing a person can have when meeting another. Over time she warmed up to me, and now I cannot even imagine loving another. I'm sure the same will happen to you."

"But I don't think she hates me, I think that's just the way she is."

Therond sighed, knowing he was defeated. "I can't offer you much more advice. If you'd like more encouragement on why she's the right choice, talk to one of your brothers or possibly your mother. Goodnight, Joelin."

"Goodnight father." Joelin replied as Therond slipped out.

He didn't even bother changing clothes as he slipped under his covers and shut his eyes, nightmares flickering behind his eyes.