“If there's anything at all I can do for you, let me know. Losing loved ones isn't easy.”

“It really isn't,” Ren agreed, shaking both of Lord Aevis' hands again. “Thank you so much. You're very kind.”

“So, where is your brother?” Lord Aevis looked around, head whipping back and forth in a way that reminded Ren of a watchful ferret. “I'd like to greet the birthday boy before the meal begins.”

“I think he's still getting ready, I'm afraid. I'll ask for him,” Ren said, smiling again as he slipped past Lord Aevis.

He looked around. By the central fountain stood a young man in a maroon and golden formal jacket, engaged in quiet conversation with an older lady. Ren narrowed his eyes, trying to place the man's face. Lord Alasander perhaps? Brother of Lord Elgrin, the ruler of Draxia in the south. Now that Ren thought of it, it was unusual for Lord Elgrin not to make an appearance. Perhaps something had come up, forcing him to send his brother in his place. Either way, it was of little use to Ren.

Lady Cavazé over by the roses, however, had recently acquired seven brand new warships for the protection of her fort by the sea. Chatting her up might prove fruitful. Last time they'd met, she had seemed particularly interested in what was underneath Ren's form-fitting jacket. Maybe it was time to let her have a peek. Ren's father might have been a lowly slave, but at least the man's poor blood had allowed Ren to inherit all of his mother's good looks, his greatest resource in a place such as this.

He was about to approach Lady Cavazé when a heavy hand fell on his shoulder.

The last person Ren expected to see when he turned around was King Halvard. At least this time, the king seemed to have collected himself. He smiled pleasantly at Ren. “Your brother and the king are taking their time. Why don't we bring out some entertainment while we wait?”

It was a rhetorical question, and the king didn't wait for Ren to answer. Instead, he lifted a hand above the crowd to get the attention of the staff. “Let's have Prince Ren's new slave perform,” he boomed. To Ren, he said, “I think you'll change your mind about him. He's talented. Come, let us all be seated.”

Ren grit his teeth. There was no way the guards wouldn't have overheard the king's loud declaration, and when Ren looked around, he saw at least five of them turn to stare directly at him, and then at each other. Slowly, it dawned on him that they weren't going to act and risk causing a scene in front of the Skarlan king. A slow smile spread across Ren's face.