A Banquet Of Blunders

The day began with a flurry of preparations. Ren woke to the palace staff bustling around him, ensuring that Kael—now Ren—was dressed impeccably for the evening banquet. Silk tunics, embroidered cloaks, and jewelry heavier than Ren thought a human could comfortably carry were draped over him with meticulous care.

He tried to lift his arms. Too tight. Can’t breathe. Why did I think I could handle this?

A maid adjusted the collar. “Your Highness, we must ensure you look presentable. The foreign envoys arrive in a few hours.”

Ren groaned. “Presentable… I can barely lift my arms…”

“Confidence, Your Highness,” Lior’s voice floated in from the doorway. He held a folded document, eyes sharp yet calm. “If you carry yourself with dignity, no one will notice discomfort.”

Ren tilted his head. “Dignity… right. Got it.” He could practically feel Lior’s gaze measuring him as he struggled into the cumbersome cloak. Every movement was a battle between poise and total disaster.

By the time Ren entered the grand hall, it was brimming with nobles, merchants, and foreign dignitaries. The chandeliers sparkled above, reflecting gold and crystal across marble floors. Ren’s stomach knotted at the thought of navigating this crowd without making a fool of himself.

Lior walked beside him, calm and steady. “Remember, maintain eye contact and speak only when necessary.”

Ren nodded, though his palms were slick with sweat. Speak… only when necessary… He took a deep breath, trying to summon the aura of authority Kael always carried effortlessly.

The first encounter was with the ambassador from the Northern Realms, a tall, imposing man with a sharp nose and a frown that could curdle milk. Ren’s knees shook as he approached.

“Your Highness,” the ambassador began, bowing deeply.

Ren bowed back, trying to match Kael’s grace. Instead, he over-rotated, nearly toppling into the man’s ceremonial sword. The ambassador’s frown deepened, and Ren froze, cheeks flaming.

Lior stepped forward subtly, placing a steadying hand on Ren’s back. “Careful. Keep your balance and project calm,” he whispered.

Ren straightened, nodded, and somehow managed to nod politely without collapsing entirely. The ambassador gave a curt nod and moved on. Ren exhaled, heart hammering.

Next, Ren attempted small talk with a group of visiting merchants. Kael would have charmed them effortlessly, with witty remarks and an easy smile. Ren? He tripped over words, complimented the wrong items, and nearly knocked over a crystal goblet.

Lior caught the goblet with a flick of his wrist and whispered, “Focus on listening. Respond thoughtfully.”

Ren nodded, muttering under his breath, “Listening… thoughtful… got it.”

By the end of the interaction, Ren had somehow managed to make the merchants laugh—though probably more out of awkward amusement than genuine charm. Lior’s eyes followed him the whole time, calm yet piercing, and Ren felt a flutter he couldn’t explain.

Dinner began, and the hall filled with the clatter of cutlery and low murmurs. Ren sat at Kael’s place, trying not to fidget. Every movement felt exaggerated, every glance felt scrutinized. Lior sat beside him, serene and composed, as if the chaos around them didn’t exist.

A noble leaned in, clearly expecting flattery. Ren’s brain short-circuited. He opened his mouth and blurted, “Your robe… the color is very… bold?”

The noble blinked, surprised. Lior’s eyebrows rose ever so slightly. Ren froze, realizing he might have insulted the entire noble house.

But then, the noble chuckled. “Bold indeed… I’ll take that as a compliment, Your Highness.”

Ren sank into his chair, heart racing. Accidental charm… I think?

Lior leaned slightly closer, voice low. “Sometimes honesty, even clumsy honesty, has its own effect.”

Ren could feel the heat creeping up his neck. Effect… huh? He tried to concentrate on food but couldn’t stop glancing at Lior, who seemed entirely unaffected by the chaos surrounding them.

Midway through the banquet, a minor disaster occurred. One of the younger nobles spilled wine on the floor. Instinctively, Ren reached to help—but in doing so, his sleeve caught a candlestick, sending it tilting dangerously.

Lior was there instantly, steadying both Ren and the candlestick. Their hands brushed, lingering longer than necessary. Ren’s chest thumped so loudly he was sure the entire hall could hear it.

“Careful, Your Highness,” Lior murmured, his voice carrying both reprimand and something softer, almost intimate.

Ren nodded rapidly, unable to form words. Why does every touch feel like… electricity?

Later, Ren found himself outside in the palace gardens, needing air after the suffocating pressure of the hall. The moonlight reflected off the fountain, painting the stone paths silver. Lior joined him silently, walking alongside without needing to speak.

Ren finally let out a long sigh. “I don’t know how Kael does this every day… I’m barely surviving an hour, and I feel like I’ve failed a dozen times already.”

Lior looked at him calmly, eyes soft in the moonlight. “Perfection is an illusion, even for a prince. What matters is how you recover from missteps.”

Ren’s heart thumped at the gentle words. He glanced at Lior, noticing the way the moonlight highlighted his features, how calm and composed he looked. Why am I feeling… like this?

“You… always seem so… composed,” Ren blurted before he could stop himself.

Lior’s lips twitched into a faint smile. “It comes from experience… and patience. You have both potential and determination, even if you cannot see it yet.”

Ren swallowed, heat rushing to his face. “Thanks… I… I’ll try not to mess up completely tomorrow.”

Lior’s gaze lingered a moment longer, unflinching. “I have no doubt you’ll manage.”

Ren wanted to say something more… something personal, but the words lodged in his throat. Instead, he turned away, pretending to examine the fountain while his heart hammered like a drum.

Back in the chamber, Ren collapsed onto Kael’s bed. His muscles ached, his head spun from the social acrobatics, and yet… he couldn’t stop replaying the day’s events. Every glance, every touch, every fleeting moment with Lior resonated in a way that left him dizzy.

He touched the reflection in the mirror, the face of Prince Kael staring back. I have to survive this life… and maybe… figure out what these feelings are.

Tomorrow promised more challenges: lessons in swordsmanship, diplomacy, and perhaps even more close encounters with Lior. Ren’s exhaustion was physical, yes, but also emotional. This strange, new world was teaching him something about courage, responsibility—and desire—he had never experienced in his own life.

And I think… I like it.

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