Terrin watched Zurgth recede into the distance. He couldn’t believe such a majestic feat of engineering was his true home. Looking at the delicately carved city with its monstrous white stone gates and its intricately carved pillars took his breath away. Nothing from the past two days seemed real. He felt like he was drowning in riches and formalities. Everything was happening too fast. At his party, he couldn’t get a free second to do anything. Olfe, Lira’s youngest adviser, encouraged him to get to know every lord and lady living in the castle. Terrin tried his best to remember the flurry of names, titles, and noble families, but the only one he really paid attention to was Garen from the House of Almasi because he’d doted on Elurra the entire evening. Every time Terrin tried to get near her, another noble introduced themselves or another girl asked him to dance. By the end of the night, he was thoroughly exhausted and disappointed. He’d hoped Elurra would come to see him off before he left, but his hopes of reconciliation vanished with his view of the white city.
“Did you enjoy the party last night, Your Majesty?” Olfe asked from his seat across the carriage.
Bajor, one of Lira’s older advisers, looked out the window and watched the scenery pass by. Terrin got the distinct impression that there was considerable tension between the aged and youthful advisers represented in Tipet’s court. Those whom had lived through the time of the Demons were much more distrustful towards the other kingdoms, he had noted the night before during his conversations, while the newest generation sought to change their isolated stance and promote trade. He guessed Lira had intentionally selected a representative from each stance to mentor her son. The difference in opinion would give him a good breadth of knowledge on the conservative and liberal views within the court.
“It was quite the experience,” Terrin said, trying to delicately describe the exhausting evening.
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“It’s important to collect information at such gatherings,” Bajor cut in curtly as he turned his attention to the prince. “So, let’s test your memory. List all the noble families and their members.”
Terrin groaned inwardly.
“The Almasi family,” he started.
Bajor nodded. “Can you name all the living members?” he prompted.
Olfe looked a bit taken aback by his associate’s daunting question.
“Garen Almasi, son of…Tomas and Karen Almasi?” Terrin said weakly.
Bajor’s lips pressed together in a thin line of disapproval.
“Lord Rupert and Lady Cynthi. Lord Garen is the oldest of three. He has one brother and one sister. Name them,” he demanded.
Terrin’s mind was completely blank. “Aleah and Kai?”
Bajor gave him a disapproving look again. “Lady Jonnica and Lord Orlin. Cynthi is from the Almasi bloodline. She has a brother. What is his name?”
“Lord…Blade?”
Bajor sighed, and Olfe stifled a laugh.
“Lord Nerv. Let’s try a different family. Name another.”
“The Kanto family,” Terrin said straight away, blurting out the first family name that came to mind.
“Good. Who is the senior member of the family currently?”
Terrin had absolutely no idea. He couldn’t even remember the name of the girl he had danced with most of the night.
“Um…Lord—”
“Lady. Lady Yerma. Did you learn anyone’s name, save Garen Almasi?”
“Erm…” Terrin searched his memories, but everything felt fuzzy. He was exhausted, and he couldn’t remember any of the hundreds of names people had thrown at him the night before.
“Bajor, lay off,” Olfe insisted. “The prince is obviously tired and overwhelmed. You cannot possibly expect him to learn the name of every noble in the castle during a noisy dance. Not to mention he is sleep deprived and in need of a long rest. Give him a break.”
Terrin sighed with relief and gave the younger man a grateful look. Bajor sighed heavily.
“Fine. I will give the prince time to sleep, but when he wakes, we will continue with our lessons.”
Terrin’s groan of displeasure was audible.