In the short pause of the discussion, the perceptive Elly noticed Tiara and Saphine looking a bit uncomfortable. Elly at least thought that were their names. Also, in the lull, the two of them gazed at each other and Mor, who, in turn, didn't seem to notice. Still, she could guess what was going on. After all, she had talked to the silver-haired girl and decided to give it all a little nudge.

°Somethings up with Tiara and Saphine.° The human stated.

°I know, but I don't want to pressure them.° Mor answered.

°You noticed? What's happened to my cute, dense boy?° The human lamented.

°You will not believe it, but I am growing up and learning.° Mor stated sarcastically.

°No!° The human stated.

°Yes.°, Mor calmly retorted.

°Ohh!° The human replied with a light chuckle.

°Why do I feel like you made one of your strange human jokes again?° Mor asked.

°I have no idea what you mean.° The human stated.

Mor had become quite adept at talking to the human and not being outed from his facial expressions if he wanted to, which he mostly didn't bother with. He noticed Elly getting up and giving him a quick nod.

"I'm going to look at what my big goof is doing," Elly stated, triggering Orth also to get up.

"Good idea! I'm worried Amber will get himself killed. The man has no sense of self-preservation."

"Quite." Dino agreed, following the lead, followed by Morokhan and Clare, who whispered something to Tiara and Saphine.

Leaving only Mor, his mother, who wouldn't leave her boy, and the two girls in a pretty awkward situation.

°Uff. Awkward.° The human said.

"So, how have you two been?" Mor started. "What have you been up to?"

Tiara looked at Sophie for a second, and she nodded, encouraging.

"We're sorry," Tiara answered, surprising Mor.

"Why?" He asked.

"For how we treated you," Saphine explained. "It was childish, and we didn't consider your feelings at all."

"Losing you really made us realize this, more so because you did that to save us. We wanted to be better," Tiara said, looking down.

"I see," Mor answered.

°Seems like you aren't the only one who grew up.° The human commented.

"Tiara even learned to clean and cook. She really helped your father and me deal with your disappearance." Sophie told her boy.

"Really?" Mor asked, looking at his mother, then simply nodded, looking back at Tiara. "I thank you, it must have been hell."

All three women nodded, and it was Saphine that continued.

"We had a lot of talks, and needed to continue on. Dino's plan was just a way to move on. He does want to get on the throne because of you and change the whole Soul-society to be more equal, breaking down the barriers between noble and commoner. We fully support this idea. However, while we just went along with it in the beginning, I, for my part, found someone." She told Mor.

"Meeting him made me realize that my infatuation with you was a crush. I won't regret those feelings, but this is real now. Also, he's a noble, which made my father very happy."

°Ouch.° The human stated. °You ok buddy?°

°Yes.. I mean, I'm a bit sad, but this was something I felt was long coming. Tiara will probably say something similar.°, Mor answered.

°I'm there if you need to speak about it.° The human offered.

°Not that you could get away,° Mor joked, then answered Saphine.

"Congratulations, Saphine, I'm happy for you."

Saphine nodded, then gave Mor a smile. "Thank you for understanding, but we still can be friends, right?"

°They rip out your heart and then want to stay friends. Women are the same no matter the world.° The human commented.

°She didn't, though, and I would like to stay friends. The attention was flattering and nice, but I knew it wouldn't last.° Mor answered.

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

°Very grown up from you.° The human answered.

"Yes, of course, and I'm looking forward to meeting him," Mor answered Saphine, and he could see their relief at getting this off her chest.

"For me, it's the same," Tiara stated. "Dino needed someone to get the Emerald family on his side, and I'm the offer. It's time for me to accept my future as a princess so future generations can live more freely."

"You will not!" Sophie protested. "I won't give you to anyone you don't love! Also, Mor is back, so you two will get together."

"Aunty, he is probably a nice guy. I just need to get used to it like my sister. And it is, as Dino had said, it is my responsibility." Tiara stated.

"Tia." Sophie scolded the girl. "Don't listen to that hypocrite. You need to decide for yourself."

"Mother, she does. Neither you nor I have any right to tell her anything. She's the princess after all," Mor said.

°True, but very tactless,° the human said, and seeing Tiara's facial expressions made that clear to Mor.

°It looks like she's confused about her feelings and doesn't have this big sense of tradition that Saphine has. So pushing her away just like that is very hurtful.°

°I understand that now.° Mor answered before his combat-trained reflexes made him dodge the slap from his mother to the hind of his head.

"Don't say that. Tia is a sweet and nice girl, so what if she's the princess? Dino also bonded with a commoner!" Sophie growled.

"He did?" Mor, Tiara, and Saphine asked together.

"Yes, he did. So don't say things like "because princess or commoner", both of you! You are now both my children, and nobody will take you from me. Again." Sophie stated.

Dino stood at the slightly open door and listened, Morokhan leaning against the wall right next to him. After listening in, the prince let out a sigh.

"What do you think?" He asked his oldest friend.

"Do you want an honest answer or the one you want to hear?" Morokhan asked.

"You know, I always want an honest one from you," Dino said.

"Slow down and give Tia her freedom. She's a bright girl who needs to see the world and wouldn't be happy locked away, no matter how glorious the mansion is. To her, it would always be a prison. Also, your whole plan lost its drive. With Mor's return, let's take our time and do this right," Morokhan answered.

"Do you think I'm a hypocrite?" Dino asked.

"By forcing Tia to fulfill her duties as a royal woman while you go off choosing a commoner as a wife? Yes, I do." Morokhan stated.

"How much of that is, you wanting Mor to end up with Tiara?" Dino joked.

"Who knows? That is for the two of them to decide." Morokhan answered, then returned his attention to the crazy duel between the two young men.

Mor nodded, then looked at both Saphine and Tiara. "Let me explain my reaction. I was very flattered and quite happy with your attention, but I couldn't let the difference in status go. A future with either of you was just so out of reach, so I'm able to be happy for you right now."

"Dino would have rectified it, even if I had to force him to," Sophie stated.

"Mother, you can't do whatever you like. There are rules and laws." Mor sighed.

"Mor is right," Saphine said, and Tiara nodded just as Dino entered and sat down with a sigh.

"Let me add my thoughts to this." He said.

"Did you listen in?" Sophie asked, and Dino nodded.

"Of course. However, this is not important right now. Tiara, do you still love Mor?"

"I don't know, I think so." The girl stated, unsure.

"How about you, Mor?" Dino asked.

"I haven't given it any thought," Mor answered.

°Don't think, answer.° The human advised, but Mor didn't see the wisdom in that and ignored it.

"Then the solution is easy. You either start something or not. This old classist tradition has been in the way of our family's happiness long enough. In my eyes, you are just two young Soul-kin, nothing more, nothing less. Mor, you still have a favor, and Tiara, you should have some more trust in me." Dino said, and after having told his peace, he got up and left again.

"See," Sophie said proudly. "So when will you bond? I'm looking forward to grandchildren."

"Mother!" Mor shouted.

"Aunty!" Tiara added at the same time.

Saphine broke out into laughter at that outburst.

"Why are you laughing, Miss Traditionalist? Shouldn't you protest it?" Tiara grumbled.

"The prince has given his permission, so there's nothing to protest. This is the privilege of the ruling class." Saphine answered, chuckling.

"And you are fine with it? Aren't you envious?" Tiara asked.

"No, looking back at everything objectively, my infatuation with Mor was just that extreme because of you. I didn't want to lose against the princess, and that drove my interest to a full-blown crush. However, I'm sure that I would have also been happy at Mor's side if he had decided for me, but he got and let himself get killed." Saphine stated.

"Hey! I'm right here." Mor said.

°Yeah we got better!° The human added.

Saphine just gave him a cheeky wink before returning to her calm and stern expression.

"Is that how you think friends function? Riling each other up?" Mor asked.

°Well, she's not that far off.° The human stated.

"Maybe," Saphine said, matter of factly.

"We're getting nowhere like this, " Mor said. Let's postpone this discussion for now. We don't need to decide anything right now."

He got up and made for the door, wanting to join the audience for the ongoing fight. However, Tiara stopped him, rushing up, rising onto her toes, and giving him a quick kiss. Mor stood there stunned for a second as Tiara let go and put on a thoughtful look.

°My boy still got it.° The human chuckled.

"What was that?" Mor asked.

"I was just following my feelings. I'm confused and need to be sure," Tiara answered.

"I don't understand?" Mor said.

°Whoo! My Osmium piece is back! For your information, this is where you ask what the verdict is.° The human celebrated.

"Don't worry," Tiara stated, walking past him.

°What verdict?° Mor asked.

°Not me, you idiot, the girl!° The human teased.

Mor left after Tiara, still confused. Elly quickly sidled over to him with a big grin.

"I saw that." She stated.

"Great, then. Can you tell me what that was? I don't understand how it got to that point after the somber discussion," Mor grumbled.

"You know, a girl's heart is fickle." Elly snickered.

"Great, you're no help. As always." Mor sighed.

"That's my job as your little sister. Never helping, always teasing." She grinned.