I looked myself over in the mirror of my bathroom. The hair I had trimmed down to almost a buzz cut to play the role of Jasper Ruloc had already grown out to just past my ears. I knew my regular treatments had helped with that. Though it was still not close to the length I had when I had first come to the College. I’m sure my father would have a word or two to say about that when I returned to the Palace.

  Caretaker Yoshi had given me the green light to travel this afternoon. He did say I should still have two more treatments, but I could get those on the ship back to Dyniss. The majority of my lung had healed, and there was very little restriction in my chest when I breathed now. I marveled at the Remaker’s ability to grow back lung tissue so quickly, and was grateful the blaster shot I received had only been a temporary inconvenience.

  Unfortunately, the one who’d delivered it to me had not faired so well. Markus had informed me this morning that under direct orders from the Emperor and officiated by King Rainus, Pledge Pezeri had been executed in front of a special assembly of the entire College as warning to others who still might have hard feelings against me. It had been a somber day since then, and it it weren’t for the dinner I had already planned for this evening, I might have spent the entire day cloistered in my room.

  But I was determined to not stay trapped in a dark mood. My guests would be arriving any minute, and they deserved more than a morose host. So I had picked myself up, taken a teeth chattering cold shower to wake up my senses, and then dressed in sable pants and a dark blue shirt, leaving off my long coat. I wanted to look nice, but not too formal.

  My navy blue shirt shimmered a bit in the soft lighting of the bathroom. The fabric slick with a particular shine that after my time as a normal citizen of the Empire I realized only those of the noble houses wore. It was the only sign of my station that I would allow myself this evening. My aim was to make my guests as comfortable as possible, so perhaps they would feel like they could talk freely. But I also felt a need to not be afraid to claim my place of birth, being Jasper Ruloc had thought me that too.

  For better to worse, I was an Imperial Prince, and the sooner I accepted that, the better it would be for everyone. Denying that part of myself would only cause more problems in the long run, and I had to think that maybe much of the unpleasantness at the College could have been avoided if I had realized that sooner. Because I knew that part of my eagerness to adopt the role of Ruloc was an attempt to escape my life as the Heir. And the vast majority of my encounter with Hame back at the Palace stemmed from my anger at having to come back to Ethia at all. Like it or not, this was my life now, and I wasn’t going to try to run from it any more.

  I adjust the high collar of my shimmery blue shirt. It wrapped tightly around the majority of my neck and dipped into a shallow v at the front just below my Adam’s apple. It was a restriction I did not like, but like everything else, it was something I would make myself adjust to.

  After fiddling with my shirt a little more, I decided I was just stalling for time. So I stepped back from the mirror. Made sure everything was in place and headed for my bedroom door. A moment later, I stepped out into the living area to find several people already gathered.

  King Rainus was talking to a man who had been introduced to my two days ago as Arch-Major Nathias Roth. He and a squad of his men had taken over the courtyard and acted as my outer security. I was also informed by Markus later on that the two of them had been friends since childhood, and that I had known Nathias too and played with him from time to time during my time at River Palace. When I had learned that, I made sure to extend an invitation to him to my dinner and I hoped that I’d get to chance to speak more with Nathias to begin what I hoped would be another friendship.

  Both men turned to acknowledge my presence as I stepped into the room. King Rainus was the first to respond.

  “Adar, it is good to see you up and about. There is much more color in your cheeks today.”

  I smiled warmly at him. I had seen him on several occasions during my recovery, though he made a point to keep his visits short and limited so as not be too intrusive. He would come to my room or out to meet me on my side of the balcony to enquire of my health or just to give the latest update from Captain Dexter. This had been the first time since I’d come back to the chalet that I had ventured out into the living area of the suit.

  “It feels good. I did enjoy the down time, but there is only so much sitting around a person can do before it becomes annoying,” I replied.

  The King chuckled. “Indeed.”

  He then swept a hand toward the back of the living area where the large dining table and eight chairs sat. The redwood table was brimming with food, and an assortment of wonderful smells wafted to me. My stomach growled. In my foul mood over hearing of Pledge Pezeri’s execution, I had skipped lunch entirely and the heavy aroma reminded me quite unpleasantly of that fact.

  “I said I would take care of the food and drink part of this little dinner you wished to have. And so it is ready for when our other guests arrive,” the King continued with a satisfied grin.

  I heard a snort behind me. I turned to see Markus leaning against the wall of my bedroom with a frown on his face.”Once again, taking credit for something you didn’t actually do, Old Man. It was my friend Orlick and a few of the others from the Lower Cantina that put this spread together.”

  “Markus, it’s quite alright. I didn’t expect your father to cook it all himself,” I gently chided him in a low voice.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Markus shrugged, stood up from the wall, and walked until he was standing by my side. He eyed the food intently like he might just walk over and start without the rest of us, and what I’d learned of my old friend the last few days, I was surprised he was showing that much restraint. The man loved his food.

  “Orlick just left,” Markus said. “He had to get back to help with dinner hour at the cantina, but he said not to hesitate to call if there was something else we might need.”

  I surveyed the abundant dishes on the table. Much of them I recognized from the few times I’d eaten at the cantina. All of it looked delicious. My stomach growled its approval and desire to be fed as soon as possible. “It all looks amazing. You will have to thank him for me.” I then turned to address the King. “And I thank you, Rainus, for helping coordinate what looks to be a very promising meal.”

  The King had insisted the second time I met with him to call him by his first name, and to not bother with proper formality around him, at least not in such an informal setting. And I had been eager to state the same to him.

  Rainus gave me a small bow of the head to acknowledge my complement. He then motioned to his companion. “Nathias was telling me that he has made final arrangements for our departure tomorrow. We are to leave right after breakfast, if that is alright with you.”

  I nodded to the Arch-Major. “That sounds fine to me. Thank you, Major Roth for all you have done the last few days.”

  The man gave a grin, but I could feel his discomfort and I wondered at that. He had been uncomfortable the first time I had met him too. Was he not sure how to act because we had once known each other as children or was there something else going on that I was unaware of? I decided that I’d try to ask Markus later.

  Before any of us could say another word, I heard the hum of the transporter being activated. A moment later, three individuals appeared and stepped into the residence. I beamed at them.

  “You three have good timing. We were just about to sit down. Come have a seat,” I said to the new guests and gestured to the table laden with food.

  Master Kiev stepped forward immediately with a wide grin. He crossed the room and took a seat at one of the three chairs on that side of the table. Pledge Tau-mine and Hotoe hovered uncertain of themselves near the transporter. So I stepped forward until I was just a few paces from them and eagerly gestured the two toward the table.

  “Please, we shouldn’t dawdle too much. The food will get cold,” I eased them on.

  They both nodded and shuffled toward the table. I stepped around them and took a place at one of the head seats. I was glad to see that Rainus had taken the other head of the table, and Markus was sitting on the long side right across from where Kiev now sat, and next to me. Nathias had taken a space right next to Rainus and one seat down from Kiev.

  Hotoe reached the table before Gayle and hesitantly took the seat between Kiev and Nathias. Gayle stopped a moment as she eyed the two empty seats on the side Markus sat. She slowly made her way around the table to take the seat furthest from Markus, but Rainus cleared his throat.

  “Apologies, Pledge Tau-mine, but that seat is for Jamiss. He should be out shortly.”

  The Pledge froze like she’d almost made a disastrous mistake. She then nodded, looked at the remaining seat next to Markus and stood there considering if she should take it or not.

  “Hotoe, perhaps you could give your seat to Pledge Tau-mine,” I said hastily, not wanting there to be any trouble. I knew that Gayle still had hard feelings against Markus and I silently kicked myself for not thinking about that head of time and dealing with the seating arrangement before we had gotten to this awkward juncture.

  I also had not yet spoken to her of my plan to ask her to be my Protector. I had been waiting to do that after our dinner. I realized now that it might have been better to have had that conversation beforehand and she might have been more amenable toward Markus. Or maybe not. It was hard to say.

  “I’m not some fragile flower,” the Pledge bristled and yanked the chair next to Markus out and sat heavily down. But she did scoot her chair over a little so it was as far away from Markus as possible.

  I barely kept a heavy sigh from escaping my lips. Instead, I stood at my chair and looked down to the people gathered before me. I smiled at them and I took a second to drink this moment in.

  I could remember sitting at this table just a week before and grumbling to myself at how lonely I was and thinking dark thoughts about my social prospects. And now, I had a table full of friends and potential friends filling the seats. It sent a warm glow gushing through me. I wished I could convey those good feelings to these people, but I knew my attempts would be adequate at best. But I did feel the occasion deserved a few words.

  “Thank you all for coming here tonight,” I addressed the occupants of the table as they each looked to me expectantly. “I asked you here because I wanted some way to thank you for what each of you have done for me over the last week. I’m not sure I would be standing here without your interventions.

  “I know a meal isn’t a big thing, certainly not the worth of my own life and well-being, but I know you all are being compensated in one fashion or another from my father. He has told me this in his numerous calls over the last few days, but I wanted to do something that was from me personally. So enjoy this lovely meal, and please, I insist that you all act and speak without censure for the rest of the evening. This is a meal amongst friends.”

  I finished my little speech and sat down. Not a word was spoken, but most of the faces held warm smiles. The most notable was Hotoe’s. You’d think I’d just given him a year’s worth of wages all at once. And Master Kiev went so far as to salute his goblet of wine at me. King Rainus gave me a small nod as if to say well done. While Markus reached for the nearest dish and started filling up his plate with much gusto.

  Markus’s eagerness made me chuckle as I too decided my complaining stomach had waited long enough. I reached for a plate full of a dark succulent meat known as jok. The others started filling their plates as well.

  It wasn’t until I had finished filling my plate that I looked up to see Jamiss had taken his seat at some point, though I never heard him walk from his room to the table. That man was as silent as a cat. I nodded to acknowledge his presence, he nodded back and focused on filling his own plate.

  I then took my first large bite. I sat there for a long moment enjoying the glorious explosion of taste in my mouth. I had to stop myself from groaning out loud. God, what wonderful food. Again, I felt a flush of warmth flood me as I reveled in this perfect moment with fantastic food and these marvelous people. How blessed was I?

  And in that perfect moment, I knew that everything would be alright and that I might even grow to love this new life of mine. All I needed was more moments like these and the friends in which to enjoy them.