“Dear, is something the matter?” inquired the Queen.  Eh? Orion thought, who could she be speaking to, since I haven’t yet made my appearance?  The Prince was just outside of the dining room when he heard Mother’s question.  As there was no immediate response, he assumed she was talking to Father, as he had a bad habit of not always speaking when spoken to.<br/><br/>Gliding into the dining room, Orion noticed he was mistaken.  Her attention rested on Cassiopeia, who mumbled something he couldn’t quite hear.  She looked a little out of sorts, but with the Princess, who really knew?<br/><br/>“Oh, there you are, my son,” Mother stated as she watched Orion stop just shy of his chair.  “Be a dear and see to it that Cassiopeia is safely returned to her room.  It seems a nasty headache has befallen her.”  The Prince glanced Cassiopeia’s way, not entirely convinced that what Mother said was true.  In fact, knowing the Princess, he’d wager that she was royally bullshitting his parents.  He in no way blamed her, however, especially since he had also tried countless times to weasel out of meals at the dining room table.  She would need to be commended for her efforts, as it resulted in its desired effect.<br/><br/>Watching and waiting for her, he looked on with sheer amusement as the Princess thanked Mother profusely, while also apologizing just as equally for having to miss dinner because of something as silly as a headache.  Mother responded by assuring her to think nothing of it, while at the same time motioning to one of the idling kitchen staff to have her meal delivered to her room.<br/><br/>As they began their ascent of the stairs, and knowing they were well out of earshot of anyone (especially Mother and Father), Orion stated, “Bravo, Princess.  I had no idea acting skills were also part of your repertoire.  I would shower you with applause, but I wouldn’t want my clapping to, uh, provoke your headache.”  He smiled approvingly at her, nevertheless.