[h1][center][color=E77298]Anastasia[/color] & [color=85aabd]Wystan[/color] & [color=93a477]Zarai[/color] & [color=ab274f]Wulfric[/color] [/center][/h1] [hr] [color=93a477]”Yessss!”[/color] Zarai exclaimed, letting go of one of Anastasia’s hand to throw it above her head. She expected pain there, but she could only feel a dull sensation coming from her side. [color=93a477]”I want some warm baked goods, two cups of the hottest hot cocoa and a big plate of fluffy eggs.”[/color] Her voice silky smooth as if she were describing a lover. [color=E77298]”I think I’m falling in love.”[/color] Anastasia reached forward as if the items she described were floating in the air. [color=93a477]”What about you, [i]princesa[/i]?”[/color] Her attention then turned to Wystan, [color=93a477]”And you? In need of some hot buns?”[/color] [color=85aabd]”I am quite content.”[/color] The bodyguard shook his head, his eyes still on the departing Count Calbert. [color=E77298]”Zarai’s not in need of hot buns since she already has some.”[/color] The princess giggled, and Zarai winked her way. [color=E77298]“Well, we can head over to our carriage and take the ride back up town. The baker at the ball told me where his bakery is. Best pastries I’ve ever had and I know for sure you’d love them, Zarai… Then we can go find you some nice fluffy eggs. Ser Barrios, you like eggs too, don’t you? You look like an egg kind of guy.”[/color] [color=aa86ca]"I am a bit of an egg guy, Your Highness."[/color] Sir Barrios agreed, not willing to pass up the opportunity for some breakfast when all he had was a few pieces of toast in the morning. Anastasia began to lead the way to the carriage as they spoke, her guards still silently tailing them. It was still stationed by the front of the park. [color=85aabd]”The baker at the ball… would this be the person we know as ‘Ezra’?”[/color] [color=E77298]“Yup! Think so!”[/color] It was only a few minutes before they were pulling up in front of the fountain on Wulfric Road. They had been about to make a left when Anastasia rose in her seat. [color=E77298]”Wait! Stop! I think I see Wulfy.”[/color] Wulfric was in fact just passing by - on foot, because he’d decided on a stroll to the race track despite running late. He saw one of the royal carriages, and his sister within. He paused to offer a nod in greeting to her and company. But they were clearly heading in opposite directions, and Anastasia also seemed just fine. Thus, he went on his way after that brief acknowledgement to each other. Anastasia furrowed her brows as her brother continued casually on his way. Determined, she swung open the door and called out, [color=E77298]”Wulfriiiic! Yoohooooo!”[/color] Involuntarily, Wulfric’s eyebrows raised at the beckoning. He and Anastasia hadn’t exchanged a word when they were both at the archery contest. He’d figured she was more than content with her current company and plans. But it looked like, for whatever reason, she felt compelled to call him over. So, he backtracked a few steps, and stopped by the opened carriage door. [color=ab274f]“Hello, sister,”[/color] he greeted. He glanced at his friend. [color=ab274f]“...Zarai.”[/color] The guards received an assessing look each. Though to Wystan, he also offered a small nod. [color=ab274f]“Shall we continue this outside or inside?”[/color] Wulfric asked. He didn’t want to hold a conversation while he was standing outside and they were all within the carriage. Sir Barrios bowed his head, [color=aa86ca]”Your Royal Highness,”[/color] he greeted. [color=93a477]”Don’t you look happy to see us.”[/color] Zarai beamed at Wulfric, hoping to get an annoyed look from him. She scooted further into the seat and patted the empty space next to her. [color=93a477]”Come on in, Your Royal Highness. Don’t just stand there.”[/color] [color=ab274f]“Oh, I’m absolutely thrilled, Zarai,”[/color] Wulfric deadpanned. But unlike his friend was insinuating, he didn’t actually mind. He arched an eyebrow at her mildly. If she was calling him by his full title, then that knight had been set to keep her on her best behavior by her mother. Which was not especially surprising, all things considered. When it became clear the others would remain in the carriage, he climbed in. Before he did, though, he notified the coachman to remain parked while he was inside. Anastasia greeted her brother with an affectionate tone. [color=E77298]“Hi, Wulfy!”[/color] she had exclaimed. [color=E77298]”Yes, come sit!”[/color] She patted the seat next to Zarai as well, gesturing for him to join them. [color=E77298]”This is so exciting. I have so much I can talk to you about!”[/color] Sighing, he did sit in the indicated position. He adjusted his sheathed sabre so it wouldn’t get in the way yet still remain within reach, then settled himself in between the two ladies. He briefly turned to regard Zarai a bit more carefully. [color=ab274f]“How are you holding up?”[/color] he asked quietly. What he really wanted to do was poke her about how she should polish her hand-to-hand skills. But for now, he refrained. Zarai leaned in so only Wulfric could hear. [color=93a477]”Wonderfully numb.”[/color] Zarai gave him a toothy grin. Her eyes briefly wandered to his sabre, brows arched up in interest but made no further inquiry to it. While it was tempting to ask about the sabre, she would much rather squash her curiosity than have Sir Barrios report to her mother that Lady Zarai was asking the Crowned Prince for some pointers. Such an unlady like thing! The prince just raised a dubious brow at Zarai. She’d been high when he’d seen her at the ball, and now she was once again ‘self-medicating’. He gave her a long look, mildly disapproving yet coolly indifferent. He huffed dismissively, and didn’t otherwise comment. Then, Anastasia spoke to him with much enthusiasm. Wulfric turned to her, mostly skeptical. There were a multitude of things that could excite his sister, some entirely mundane…others very much inadvisable. Still, he merely went for a gentle prompt. [color=ab274f]“Tell me, then.”[/color] [color=E77298]”Okay, so! First things first.”[/color] Anastasia slapped her hands down on her thighs as if to commence the conversation. [color=E77298]“Who’s the lucky lady, Wulfy? How did things go this morning?”[/color] She’d said she had something to talk about, yet was asking for some information first. Wulfric supposed this was his sister’s way of being polite...Or maybe she was just her usual whimsical self. [color=ab274f]“If you’re wondering whom [i]I[/i] am interested in, then it’s Shehzadi Mayet,”[/color] he admitted easily. However, it was unusual for him to express any kind of personal interest in someone else. Even less so when it came to considerations of a partnership. [color=93a477]”Ooohhh,”[/color] Zarai wiggled in her seat, unphased by Wulfric’s all too common indifference. [color=93a477]”All of the Shehzadi are so beautiful.”[/color] She nodded with approval. Anastasia gasped and covered her mouth to keep herself from interrupting. [color=ab274f]“Of those I met this morning…”[/color] a competitive smirk arose, [color=ab274f]“Well, Layla seems like a fun one.”[/color] He then tilted his head, and shrugged lightly. [color=ab274f]“I also met with Lady Saiya, and Lady Crystal,”[/color] he seemed somewhat thoughtful in regards to one or both of them, but didn’t elaborate. [color=ab274f]“So…with the exception of some minor disturbances, things went well.”[/color] Wulfric then reoriented the conversation. [color=ab274f]“And? What was so exciting for you?”[/color] The princess uncovered her mouth and let the words tumble out, [color=E77298]”Wulfy! I am so excited for you. Mayet and Layla are gorgeous and you’re gonna luck out either way. Zarai and I are more than happy to play wingman for you, if you need us to. Although, let's be real here. You're [i]the[/i] Prince Wulfric. Charming, handsome, and known to all as the future King of Caesonia. Mayet’s probably head over heels for you already.”[/color] At the mention of Layla, Wulfric snorted. [color=ab274f]“Layla…? With her, it’s more akin to having someone fun to spar with, or matching against a decent chess player,”[/color] he explained. Rival? Opponent? Competitor? None of those words quite fit, so he left it at the comparison. He was just as amused at the idea that he might need luck, or a wingman. He was about to politely decline when Anastasia claimed Mayet was likely already infatuated. [color=ab274f]“Not that there isn’t some mutual interest,”[/color] he said, amused, [color=ab274f]“but we did just meet last evening, you know.”[/color] Anastasia then responded to his question with a smile, [color=E77298]“You were so exciting for me! I wanted to talk about you!”[/color] Thoughtfully, she tapped her chin as she considered what else he had said, [color=E77298]“I don’t know if I have met a Lady Saiya but as for Lady Crystal… I think… Oooh…”[/color] Her mind wandered back to the chaos at Calbert’s house. [color=E77298]“You know. There is something I should tell you about actually… The Damiens’ house just got attacked.”[/color] Any levity the prince had gained and expressed until then dissipated in a moment. [color=ab274f]“Attacked?”[/color] he asked, an attentive sort of tension spreading throughout him. His voice and expression were suddenly rather serious. Unconsciously, his palm went to the hilt of his sword. But as soon as he realized it, he let it go; it wasn’t as if there was any danger right there. [color=ab274f]“What happened?”[/color] he asked. He could (and would) get a report straight from the guards, but first wanted to hear whatever his sister and Zarai had to say about it. Zarai patted his arm as if to calm him, [color=93a477]”Count Calby told us that he had invited Kazumin to his home to talk to him, something about stalking his daughter. I think the girl is just too afraid of everything, but anyway,”[/color] she waved her hand, [color=93a477]”He claimed that a woman attacked his home and took Kazumin and ‘vanished from thin air.’”[/color] she tried not to hit Wulfric in the face with her air quotes. [color=93a477]”His home was a mess from what we saw.”[/color] Wulfric looked over his shoulder, sending a frown at Zarai. [color=ab274f]“Claimed? If his home is a mess, then clearly, there was an attack.”[/color] He wasn’t sure what Zarai was doubting or trying to insinuate. His immediate thought was that the culprit was the same woman Calbert had indicted for the murder of his daughter. But that was just an assumption on his part. Still, [i]if[/i] it was her, then it was thoroughly strange to him that she would choose to do this, now. In fact, the whole thing was odd. [color=ab274f]“So, you think that this woman, what, invaded his home just so she could kidnap Nagasa? Or–?”[/color] [color=93a477]”Well, of course there was. I’m not saying it wasn’t attacked.”[/color] Zarai rolled her eyes, she wasn’t an idiot. [color=93a477]”What I am trying to say is that the man isn’t very… friendly?”[/color] People like him and her parents weren’t exactly saints, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if someone who got sick of being punched down finally decided to strike back. [color=ab274f]“Ah, I see,”[/color] Wulfric’s tone was one of realization. [color=ab274f]“You believe he [i]got what was coming to him[/i],”[/color] he stated sardonically. He gave Zarai a sharp smirk. [color=ab274f]“And you think you aren’t cut out for politics,”[/color] he needled her slyly. As soon as he turned to his sister, Zarai gave the back of his perfect little head a mocking smile. [color=93a477][i]... and you think you aren’t cut out for politics.[/i][/color] she mouthed with another roll of her eyes. Which was rewarded by a soft jab from Sir Barrios. [color=E77298]“Sounded like Kazumin and this chick knew each other to me. Calbert said they ran away together… Oh my… Do you think they’re in love?”[/color] Anastasia’s eyes sparkled at the idea and she smiled and cupped her own cheeks as she proclaimed, [color=E77298]“That would be soooo cute!”[/color] [color=ab274f]“Cute.”[/color] Wulfric turned back to his sister, a disapproving frown darkening his features. He was about to remind her that this was hardly the time for frivolity. But something else about what she’d said nagged at him. [color=ab274f]“Ran away together…Just what reason did [i]Nagasa[/i] have to run?”[/color] he pondered. Because, no, this wasn’t the kind of situation where romance would play a part in. At this point, he did turn to the guards who’d accompanied Anastasia, and queried them on the details. Such as what they’d seen and heard at the estate, if they had any further information on the attack, and if it seemed like there was anything like a proper investigation already ongoing. [color=ab274f]“Well,”[/color] Wulfric said once that was done with. [color=ab274f]“This was certainly intriguing, but I do have some other matters to attend to. Whatever [i]this[/i] situation is all about, I’m sure Damien will come running to the castle to say his piece sometime today yet,”[/color] he chuckled a tad darkly. It was bound to be fascinating, for more than one reason. [color=ab274f]“See you,”[/color] he said idly as he went to get out. But then, he turned to Anastasia thoughtfully. [color=ab274f]“Oh, sister? Let’s meet up around 6 pm, if you’re free.”[/color] [color=E77298]”Sure! I’ll be there! Stay safe, Wulfy.”[/color] [color=ab274f]“You too,”[/color] Wulfric retorted, then left. After that, the group continued on their journey for some tasty grub.