Page 111 of The Lost Art of Seducing a Mage Warrior

Renny tilted her head, then answered. “He says that would just feel weird at this point, like trying to go back in time when he knows he can’t. He’s Kee for us.”

Perian had to wonder how much of his identity was wrapped up in being a prince and how disassociated he felt now. But he’d said what he would prefer, and Perian would respect that. Even if it felt a little weird calling a prince “Kee”. Renny had sneaked into Perian’s vocabulary since she had made sure he got used to calling her that before he learned who she was. He knew that Princess Larenia existed, he knew that technically RennywasPrincess Larenia, but he kind of still separated the two in his mind.

“So, anything new happening, Kee?” Perian asked politely.

Renny rolled her eyes at him and duly reported that nothing new had happened recently, although there was talk of attending more functions with their mother. With Renny less tired than she had been in years, her mother was cautiously considering more events, which meant Kee got to attend too.

“It’s pretty boring, mostly,” Renny confessed. “But I know it’s all important if you’re actually ruling a country.”

She sounded like the last thing she wanted to do was rule a country. She was still young, and her mother would hopefully live for many years to come, but that fate still loomed in her future. Perian assumed she would be given more and more duties as the years progressed—assuming her health permitted.

He wondered what would happen if the worst were to occur. Who was the next heir after Renny? But he was definitely not going to ask. She’d been looking better almost every time he saw her, and he could only hope that she’d turned a corner and was on the mend. If the ailment had mysteriously struck her when she was younger, it could just as easily mysteriously stop affecting her, couldn’t it?

Perian sure hoped so.

The rest of the picnic thankfully passed with no heavy topics of conversation, and they were simply able to eat and chat and eventually lean back and look at the clouds in the gap in the shrubbery for a little while.

It turned out Kee had eyeballs that were just as faulty as Renny’s.

“That is absolutely not a cat,” Perian declared. “It does not resemble a cat in any way.”

“Two against one!” Renny exclaimed.

“That’s cheating,” he protested.

But she was giggling, and Perian liked the sound of her laughter.

They parted in good spirits, and he was able to return the basket and then head back to Brannal’s rooms, feeling remarkably in charity with the world.

He settled down in the chair by the fire, and a gentle touch on his shoulder roused him some time later. He hadn’t even realized he’d fallen asleep.

Brannal was looking at him with concern. “I’m sorry to wake you.”

“No, I’m glad you did,” Perian said, shifting back in the chair so that he was sitting up properly. He blinked, stretched a little. “I didn’t even realize I fell asleep, but I definitely don’t want to spend the night in the chair again. Is it time for riding?”

Brannal still looked a bit concerned. “If you’re tired, we don’t have to—”

“No, no, I insist,” Perian said, rising to his feet. “I think the last couple days caught up with me, but I just got a nap to help deal with that. I’ve really been looking forward to riding with you.”

Brannal shot him an unimpressed look. “So you can race off into the distance and leave me in your dust?”

Perian smirked. “Well, I can’t help it if I’m on the superior horse, now can I?”

“Those are fighting words,” Brannal said, but he was smiling.

“Truthfully, Warrior is an excellent horse. It’s just that Prince Horsey is even better. Someone has to be the best, right?”

“And the best just happens to be the horse that you’re riding?”

Perian shrugged. “What can you do?”

Brannal huffed an exasperated breath, though he still looked amused. “Come on, let’s get you and that ego out to the stables.”

“By way of the kitchen,” Perian instructed. “I promised treats last time.”

“Bribes work well for you, do they?”

Perian eyed Brannal, because there had been quite a bit of tone there.

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