Celestia had prepared everything for Cassian's return—her gown was tailored to perfection, her skin glowing with powder and scent, and the garden was arranged for their private tea meeting. As the crown prince approached, she gave her most radiant smile and stepped forward gracefully.
"Welcome back, Cassian," she said sweetly, eyes gleaming. "It's been too long."
Cassian returned her smile, but it was brief, courteous—lacking the warmth she expected.
"Celestia," he acknowledged, taking the seat across from her.
They exchanged pleasantries. She spoke of palace matters, of festivals planned in his honor, and the banquets she hoped he'd attend with her. But his responses were vague. Disconnected. His golden eyes, though sharp, wandered now and then, distant and contemplative.
Celestia's smile started to falter.
"You seem distracted," she said after a while.
"I am," Cassian admitted plainly. "Something unexpected happened earlier."
Her heart skipped, hopeful. "Did something trouble you?"
His eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
"I collided with one of Shinomi's servants in the corridor."
Celestia blinked, then scoffed softly. "You're thinking about a servant?"
Cassian didn't answer right away.
"He was… peculiar," he said at last. "Striking. Almost unreal. I've never seen someone like that in this palace."
Celestia's hands curled tightly in her lap.
Cassian's gaze returned to her, but something in it had shifted. "I was thinking… perhaps I'll speak with Shinomi. If that servant isn't too vital here, maybe he could accompany me for a while. Just a few months. I could use someone like him at the villa. Someone interesting."
Celestia's jaw clenched, though her voice remained calm. "Is this truly necessary?"
But Cassian had already made up his mind.
---
Later that evening, he found Shinomi in the training court, overseeing the soldiers' formations.
Cassian got to the point.
"Your servant—Ren, was it?—he caught my attention today."
Shinomi didn't respond at first. His expression remained unreadable, arms crossed as he watched two soldiers sparring. Only after a long silence did he speak.
"What about him?"
"I'd like to take him with me. Just temporarily," Cassian said. "He has a presence I find… useful."
Shinomi turned his eyes slowly to Cassian.
"That won't be possible."
Cassian raised an eyebrow. "Is he essential to your affairs?"
"Not particularly. But Ren doesn't adapt well to new environments. He dislikes change," Shinomi replied, voice calm but final. "Even if I ordered him to go, he'd find a way to escape and return."
Cassian studied him. "He seems obedient."
Shinomi gave a small, humorless smile. "He obeys only when he wants to. You'd be surprised."
Cassian's eyes narrowed slightly, catching something strange in Shinomi's tone. Possessiveness? Protection?
"Hm. I see," Cassian murmured. "That's unfortunate."
Shinomi didn't answer.
Cassian gave a short nod and walked away, but something told him this wasn't the end of it.
And Shinomi? He remained still in the courtyard, his eyes dark, his thoughts unreadable.
You're already trying to take him?
Not happening, Cassian.
---