Just prior to arriving at a side entrance/exit to the castle, Bernard couldn’t help himself any longer as he abruptly stopped the Prince right where he stood.  “Forgive me, highness, but, you seem resigned to go through with this marriage.  My only concern is your happiness, whether it’s with this Princess or someone else.”<br/><br/>Orion snorted in reply, saying, “Make no mistake, Bernard.  This marriage has absolutely nothing, I repeat, nothing, to do with happiness.”  He shrugged sarcastically, then went on, “But alas, I am clearly mistaken.  There are those who will be happy, but I guarantee amongst the happy, it will be neither me nor Cassiopeia.  For if this was to be a joyous marriage, then I should be courting her right now, Bernard, instead of competing against her!”<br/><br/>To his credit, the Prince’s attendant didn’t even bat an eye at his tirade.  He did, however, inquire, “Do you even like her, Orion?”  The question, simple as it was, enthralled the Prince.  “On my Mother’s grave,” he said, (never mind that the woman was still alive!), “but I think I do.  Like her, that is,” he was very quick to add.  “Marriage potential?  Hell no!  Not even close.  But I do like her spirit, and let’s face it, with an inner drive like that, she must be a tigress in bed.”<br/><br/>That last comment from the Prince was a little much for Bernard, as he choked on it and needed a moment to regain his composure.  Orion, however, just grinned like an idiot, evidently amused.  “Why on Earth would you even say such a thing?!  You have no idea what you’re . . .”<br/><br/>It was then the Prince decided it was time to cut him at the knees.  “Oh, give me a fucking break, Bernard!  Do not stand there and tell me you haven’t noticed how smokin’ she is.  And that would be smokin’ hot, by the way, just in case you didn’t know.”  A wink probably didn’t help, as Bernard could only gape at him with a horrified expression.  “I admit, she is attractive, but to say . . .”<br/><br/>Again, Orion interrupted (as rude as it might be, he is a Prince, so there).  “Attractive?!  That’s all you have to say about her?  I saw you checking her out, by the way, pretty much from the minute she waltzed into the dining room.”  And yet again, his valet looked at him in aghast, but still not knowing how to defend himself.  “And then,” he said, while wagging his finger at Bernard for emphasis.  “And then, she changed into riding gear.  Y’know, tight pants and knee-high boots.  Now look me in the eye and tell me you did not take note of that ass of hers.”  A smirk, accompanied with a raised left brow, and his attendant stumbled, “Pre- . . . Preposterous!  I did no such thing!”  He never looked him in the eye either.<br/><br/>“All right.  If you say so, Bernard,” he replied.  If only Bernard could see his own blush, he would surely take his last declaration back.  “Now let’s get in there already.  We’re probably late as it is.  And we wouldn’t want the Princess dropping F-bombs in front of the parents, now would we?”  Orion laughed at the thought, though he would actually find it highly amusing if she did so.  But he was also aware of the fact that Cassiopeia probably knew better than that.