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If Kai would not wait for an answer, Rossweine did not find it necessary to provide one. Instead, he simply tilted his head in the energetic youth’s direction, and that was all the movement needed to send him off. Outside, the others were making their way off to the mess hall as well, no doubt for the inaugural first dinner with this new generation of knights. Signar made the offer, and Kai looked to be doing his best to…tactfully draw Nathaniel’s attention away from Julian. And considering Liese’s own intentions, it went without saying that the Brendorn child was doing their best to acquire Dot’s friendship.

He closed the door shut. Locked it. And then laid down upon the bed that would be his for a good fraction of his life.

The bedding was hard, sturdy, the sort that felt good to rest one’s back against but not good if one slept in any other manner. The ceiling lacked any adornments that made looking up at it bearable. There was no space for books or paintings, hardly any space if one wished to dance. One would be hard-pressed to fit any instruments in here, and one would be even more hard-pressed to fit any meaningful accoutrements to live self-sufficiently. But it was an adequate place nonetheless. He closed his eyes, feeling for the lake within him, its surface as still as a mirror, its waters fed by the spring beneath. This was a special exhaustion, having to think so much of others, having to consider all the pieces that had to be put in place before he could fade off into becoming a figurehead.

It must be done, however. He remembered Manegold’s directives even now. Keep an eye on the two Aura users for signs of tangible improvement. Keep an eye on the Absolute so they remained loyal to the Royals. Keep an eye on the Light to discern where their allegiances stood. And, above all, do nothing that would besmirch the efforts of his elders through association.

Another breeze drew into the room, curling back his tawny hair. He had his ten seconds to rest. If these years were the only years in which he needed to put in effort, then so be it.

Rossweine rose from his bed, smoothed out the wrinkles in his clothing, and swung the door open once more, ever the perfected ideal of a prince. His gaze settled on Signar once more.

[b]“It’ll be rare enough, once training begins, that we will all choose to dine at the same time. Let’s wait for [i]them[/i],”[/b] a glance towards the ensorcelled door, [b]“to join us, and we can exit as one.”[/b]

Of all the things in the world, securing a specific table was low on Rossweine’s list of priorities.

[b]"But if you would like to go ahead, Nathaniel, then do as thou wilt."[/b]