That had obviously stalled him for the moment. Losing on purpose was not a concept familiar to the king used to taking what he wanted and never forfeiting anything in his life. Ryland expected it...<br/><br/>...and so was surprised to hear Kethaias breathe out a<i>Very well</i>, and then go on to make a few concessions. It wasn't quite losing on purpose, but it was more than Ryland had thought he'd do.<br/><br/>Ryland's gaze was still locked on Kethaias' when the king began to lean in, and Ryland again caught the scent of him and the intensity of his eyes. He didn't lean away, not even reflexively.<br/><br/><i>Make me smile. I promise I won't hold back.</i><br/><br/>The urge to take such obvious bait welled so suddenly that Ryland nearly leaned<i>in.</i><br/><br/>Instead, he bit his lip--and not against his own smile, for once--unfolded his arms, placed a hand square in the middle of Kethaias' chest, and pushed him back. When he released his lip from his teeth, it was with a small, ruthless smile.<br/><br/>"Tempt me," he said. "Court me. And I might again consider making you smile--whatever I decide that might entail."<br/><br/>He gave a final little push, much rougher than the slow and steady hand from before, and then walked right past Kethaias and out the door.<br/><br/>A minute ago, he might have immediately run to his father in wild indignation and tears. But it suited him now to keep this to himself and see what came of it.<i>Marriage</i>was still something he wouldn't agree to. But it was a fun enough game now to slight Kethaias' pride after he made some effort, and Ryland would be more than happy to salve the wound with a night in bed and then a cheery<i>Maybe in ten years and safe travels home!</i><br/><br/>The only thing that mattered was that Gharreld never find out until the end. As their father was aging, he had given more and more jurisdiction and policy-making over to the Crown Prince, and with enough conviction, he was sure Gharreld would happily sell him off. Gharreld had a good tongue in his head, too, when he chose to use it, and their father was increasingly concerned with seeing his children settled in good stations--with the nation at peace--before he passed on.<br/><br/>There was nothing to distract Gharreld away from the alliance and trade agreement meetings. Military emergencies would be passed off to Vressen, which would be the only outside emergency Gharreld would be remotely interested in--just not enough to abandon even temporarily the meetings happening with Kethaias.<br/><br/>Ryland brought two pieces of cake from a bakery, pretended to forget the name of the place that had let him sample them, ate his piece perfectly fine, and pretended to beg Gharreld for more cultural information for the party.<br/><br/>The slice of cake would take care of Gharreld for... probably about three days, Ryland thought. Their father would forge on but would probably disagree to marrying Ryland off if Kethaias tried to propose it without Gharreld there to butt in.<br/><br/>He went off to Syssiny's room and found her dressing for luncheon with their sister Emmera. They were behind a carved screen which reached just above their chins.<br/><br/>"You both love me, don't you?" he said, flopping onto a couch.<br/><br/>They exchanged glances, and Emmera said, "What have you done?"<br/><br/>"Not a thing," Ryland said. "But if Emperor-King Kethaias or his people come sniffing about for my likes and dislikes, I'd be obliged if you were silent. You both know me best."<br/><br/>Syssiny said, "I think anyone can guess what you like."<br/><br/>"You wound me."<br/><br/>Emmera was doing some intricate ties in the back, and she motioned for Syssiny's ladysmaid to come help her. "Why should King Kethaias be interested in what you like and don't like?"<br/><br/>"Ah," Ryland said. "We have a bet."<br/><br/>"Oh, Ryland."<br/><br/>"Now just listen. If I win, I can ask him for whatever I please. It doesn't have to be frivolous."<br/><br/>Emmera gave him an unimpressed look while Syssiny laughed behind her hand, making a motion he didn't catch before it disappeared behind the screen. "But it will be."<br/><br/>Ryland grinned. He'd won them over. There'd be no quarter for Kethaias there, either. And Batien, Vressend, and Rhiva would give puzzled, stock answers. Really, it had only been Syssiny he'd worried over, but Emmera was astute and liked to see Ryland crossed now and then.<br/><br/>Since Ryland had planned another gift after the dancing, just in case, he went ahead and sent it along to Kethaias anyway. It was an invitation to join him at Banque's famous music hall for a show after dinner. Kethaias would be escorted to the Royal Box.<br/><br/>Ryland would not be in it. Instead, he went with his friends in their private box, which nonetheless had a pretty good view of both the stage and the Royal Box, just far enough away to be recognizable but not to see details unless one had a little spyglass. They were available in the box, furnished as it was with the best chairs, carpet, refreshments, and even a private garderobe and smoking room.<br/><br/>Ryland spent most of the time joking with his friends and gossiping, taking coffee and refreshments, and at one point one of them ended up in his lap. Ryland enjoyed himself unabashedly, even going so far as to draw the curtain partway to hide a corner they disappeared in.<br/><br/>During the intermission, Ryland fixed his clothes and sauntered through the hallways to the Royal Box to see if Kethaias had come--and whether he had been watching him.