Page 28 of Six Types of Apology

“That’s half the battle. Is this celebration event going to cause any problems? I’ve already put it off once because you couldn’t travel, but I really can’t justify doing it again. You know what the advisers are like. They’ll start spouting off their nonsense about you not taking your position seriously, or worse, they’ll be muttering in the hallways about what could possibly be wrong with your husband that you don’t want to go public with him.”

“It’s in two days, isn’t it?” Taking his mother’s hands, Vincent said, “Is it all right to tell you I’m not looking forward to this. I know we have to do it, and yes, I know I’m usually the life and soul of the party. But what if I do something wrong and Orion’supset again? I genuinely don’t want to hurt him again, but some behaviors are habits for me. Maybe I need boundary training or something?” Vincent still wasn’t sure.

“Tell me what you did wrong at Carntan? I didn’t get any details. I was only told your husband left you because of it.”

“I humiliated him, multiple times. There was the kissing at the receiving line, actual kissing…” Vincent went through the whole thing. How he didn’t want to appear rude, how Orion didn’t actually say anything, the incident with Lady Violet, which had his mother frowning. “I didn’t want to be rude…”

“And that’s what got you into trouble.” His mother tapped him sharply on the cheek. “You are a crown prince, remember that. You’re allowed to be perceived as rude sometimes. Nobody has the right to kiss you at a receiving line, or even air kiss you unless they are of the same rank as you. Now think about it. What are you going to do if someone tries that at this event? I know you’ve played fast and friendly with many of our society family members here as well as Carntan. I’m not saying those favors weren’t freely given and consensual, because I know they were, but you need to have a strategy in place, so you don’t allow those liberties again.”

“Morgan told me that what I should’ve done was told that person that they had disrespected me and my husband and that they had to leave immediately. And…I should probably demand a formal apology for Orion, too. Is that allowed?”

“That’s a good strategy. Do it. Now what about the business on the dance floor? Incidentally, Morgan was right. The first dance should always be with your husband and the person who jumped the queue so to speak was again, grossly out of line.”

“All right. If someone asks me to dance the first dance, I say no thank you and take Orion out onto the floor. If anyone asks meto dance after that, I am still going to say no, because I don’t want anyone dragging me into a quiet corner, causing gossip. My husband would not like that. Yes, that’s what I’ll do, and if I do get twitchy feet, and Orion is too tired at that stage to dance, I’m not going to make him feel bad about it, I’ll dance with one of my sisters instead. That will work, won’t it?”

“This is you, setting boundaries that you’ve never done before. What do you think?” But his mother was smiling, so Vincent was on the right track.

“I think I’m proud of my husband, I want to spend my time with him, and if anyone interferes with our celebration I will let them know they will no longer be welcome at the castle.” Vincent ran the words through his head again. “I can say that, can’t I?”

“There have been a few times in past celebrations when I wished you had said something like that, but yes, my son. As I said, you’re finally growing up and it warms my heart to see it. Although can I add a further piece of advice and suggest you remind your husband that his status is now elevated as well? The King and Queen of Tyrion might not have considered his needs or voice important, but here in Faast, the royal family supports each of their members to set their own boundaries, and I’ll support your husband’s right to speak up for himself, as much as I do yours.”

“Hmm, good point. It might take a while for Orion to understand how different things are here, but I will tell him.”

“Just keep repeating it until he understands it’s true. Now, tell me about how you got callouses of all things. Were you genuinely mining, in an actual mine?”

I’m so lucky I have my mother,Vincent thought, feeling a lot better as he told stories about his time working in Orion’s mine.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Faast was distinctly different from Tyrion, but in so many positive ways. Orion’s first clue on that had been the way Vincent’s mother had greeted him when they’d first arrived. Rather than be formally presented, as Orion had expected, Vincent had taken him through into a beautiful and comfortable sitting room where five ladies were waiting – the queen and Vincent’s four sisters. There was a huge cheer when they walked in, the young ladies jumping up and clamoring for hugs from Vincent who was more than happy to give them.

Used to a more formal protocol, Orion ducked past them and went over to the only woman present seated in a large chair. Bowing low, he said, “Queen Julia of Faast, I’m Orion, previously prince of Tyrion. I’m so very pleased to meet you.”

“Aren’t you an absolute delight.” Queen Julia had stood up, and seconds later, Orion was being hugged, by a queen, and while it shouldn’t have been unusual because he’d been raised by one to, it really was. Not only that, but after he’d been hugged, the young ladies decided it was their turn, grabbing him in turn, stating their name, and claiming he was their new brother now. “And the favorite one,” Rosalyn had said, poking her tongue out at Vincent.

It was fun and chaotic, the way Orion imagined families could be, even though he’d never experienced it himself. He was truly grateful though when Vincent stepped in and said Orion needed to rest. No one thought it was unusual or rude of him to leave. The queen just asked Vincent to find her when they were settled so they could have a chat and catch up.A chat. Orion’s mind was buzzing as Vincent took him to what would be their suite, but his heart was warmed by the genuine welcome.

After a quiet night, and after checking that John was equally settled and pleased with the room that had been allocated to him, Orion was happy to agree when Vincent offered him a carriage ride around the city the next morning. “I have an open topped carriage,” Vincent said with his typical excitement over breakfast. “It will make it easier for you to see things and for people to see you.”

Considering Orion wasn’t sure the good people of Faast would even be interested in him, given how they didn’t know who he was, he still agreed. Vincent’s excitement was quite contagious.

“I was thinking, I probably need to find a tailor, if that’s possible. John has complained many times about the lack of formal clothing in my wardrobe. I will need something suitable for the event tomorrow night. A robe in the royal family colors perhaps? Would that do?” Orion looked up to see Vincent watching him with a strange expression on his face. “What’s wrong? Should I wear the Tyrion colors instead?”

“I was really hoping you’d wear one of the waistcoats I bought you.” There was that pout again. “You look so handsome in them, and I was thinking if we took one of them to our tailor, then I could get him to make one that will fit me before tomorrow night, so we’d be in similar outfits.”

“You think that would be suitable for your mother’s event?” Orion’s mother would’ve had a fit if she’d seen him wearing something made by a woman from the markets. “They are not specifically formal wear, and I don’t want to offend your mother. Are you sure she won’t mind?”

“They are beautiful, they suit you, you’re comfortable wearing them, and I personally think I’d look absolutely dashing in something similar.” Vince struck a pose, making Orion laugh.

“You would look dashing in sack cloth, but I’m warning you now, the one you get made won’t be as beautiful as the ones you bought me. You’re going to wish you’d bought some for yourself from the same market where you got mine.”

“Hmm, do I sense some Tyrion Faast rivalry here? Challenge accepted. Let’s head out.”

/~/~/~/~/

The city of Faast was a sprawled out vibrant mass of light colored stone buildings, wide cobbled streets, and bright awnings over shop windows where groups of people congregated to chat as they were doing their shopping. Orion kept turning his head, one way and then the other, trying to take it all in. Faast clearly enjoyed the mechanical side of life. He spotted a steam powered food cart, and someone was pushing a second cart that also appeared to have a steam powered device on it.

“What are those?” He asked, noticing large contraptions on almost every corner. They were huge and appeared to be an engine of some type, although they all had a large wheel on them as well wide pipes that seemed to go underground, and even a coiled hose on each side of the devices.

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