Predictability was not only boring, but it was, well, predictable.  Suspicions were proved right.  Dinner was indeed a slog without the Princess at the table.  Orion wasn’t completely positive that he’d heard everything Mother was talking about.  Father, as usual, was a non-participant, as he focused on his food and drink.  A few mutters and grunts were all he was offering this evening.  Hopefully, she wouldn’t be asking any questions with whatever it was she’d been talking about.  If she did, he’d fail miserably.  There was also a chance that she wasn’t even speaking to him in particular, but to both of them in general.<br/><br/>“Sweetheart, did you hear what I just said?” Mother inquired.  So much for that idea.  Seemingly back from his self-induced fog, Orion looked her way with an apologetic smile.  “Sorry, Mother, my mind was elsewhere,” he stated.<br/><br/>She smiled that motherly smile, as if she knew exactly where his mind had gone to.  The Prince wouldn’t put it past her if she did indeed know.  “I know, I could tell, dear,” she said before one last dig.  “Please don’t turn into your father.”  Over to you, Dad.  Nothing.  All too predictable.<br/><br/>“What I asked you was that am I to understand Cassiopeia is joining you at tomorrow’s practice?”  Now how did she find that out? Orion wondered, while also thinking of how many spies did she truly have.  Though of course, Mother would never refer to them as spies.<br/><br/>Orion nodded, followed by, “That is correct.  She asked to come along.  I don’t believe she understands the sport in its entirety, though I did explain the basics.”<br/><br/>“Do you think this is wise, for her to be there?” Mother questioned.<br/><br/>Shrugging, her son said with a mild frown, “I don’t see any problem.  She’ll probably watch from the stands or the sidelines.”<br/><br/>“That’s not what I meant, my dear,” she stated.  “Is Angus still on the team?”<br/><br/>Bingo!  So<i>that</i>explains her concern.  It was well-known that Angus Kilpatrick was quite the ladies man.  Orion believed she needn’t worry.  During their horse race, he fondly recalled her temper tantrum after her horse balked at clearing the wall, thus flinging her to the ground.  He almost chuckled at the memory.  And then there was her admittance of being a party girl.<br/><br/>“I wouldn’t worry about Angus, Mother,” he said, hoping to reassure her.  “Cassiopeia will be fine.  She can take care of herself.”  The Prince smiled at her, as if that would soothe everything.  “She’ll be just fine indeed.”  Skepticism still ruled her expression.