When it came to Ryu, though, Lord Kenji had always been careful to maintain his neutrality, despite being related by blood, however tenuously. Kenji was neither in the traditionalist camp that opposed him, like the Sanadas, nor was he one of the reformists, like Mizuki and Hiroshi’s parents.
And here he was now, talking in a low, impassioned voice with Princess Nitya, his friends hanging on his every word.
If Ryu could use his friendship with Nitya to get Kenji on his side, it would help him immensely when the time came to ascend the Twilight Throne.
If the princess was the key to making headway with Lord Kenji, Ryu would need to make sure that he spent more time with the princess.
~
As planned, Ryu made time to talk more with Princess Nitya, engaging in conversations that flowed effortlessly.
They discussed matters of diplomacy, cultural exchange, and the challenges they both faced in bridging the gap between their worlds. He could not in truth call her a friend just yet, but he tried his best to make sure the princess thought of him as an ally.
Now, Ryu stood at the edge of the grand gardens, watching the little group before him. His gaze lingered on Princess Nitya as she engaged in lively conversation with Ella, Mizuki, Hiroshi, and Lord Kenji over tea.
A warmth and ease radiated from the princess, drawing people toward her like moths to a gentle flame.
Was this the princess’s true face?
Could he trust her?
Ryu could not deny that over the past few weeks, Princess Nitya had made a concerted effort to build bridges and foster connections with everyone in the Twilight Court. Was it just the actions of a seasoned diplomat? The girl was only twenty-four, a mere child compared to his own age, but according to the books in his library, the early twenties was the human age that corresponded to an Elf’s first few centuries of life.
This meant that Princess Nitya, unlike him, was a natural talent at diplomacy.
He had seen rulers who had the talent for building relationships and finding allies where there had earlier only been adversaries.
Just a few moons before, he and his uncle Erlan had visited the Drakazov kingdom, where the human Prince Luka had managed to impress them both as a man of principle.
The prince had been friendly, but cautious, and by the end of their trip, Ryu had agreed with his uncle that Prince Luka Kamenv was an ally worth nurturing.
He had tried to emulate the friendly but neutral demeanor of the prince when it came to Princess Nitya, and Ryu flattered himself that he was succeeding in forming a relationship with his new ally.
And yet, he sensed that the princess was using her diplomatic skills against him. Too often, he had found the princess mirroring her conversation partner. He had noticed how Princess Nitya often seemed to respond with the exact reaction the person she was talking to was looking for, which only served to endear her to them.
It felt too much like a performance.
But for whose benefit? Was it all just a ploy to build a better relationship with a new ally, like he pretended to be interested in the princess’s tales of Sunvaara?
Ella, he’d noticed, was fascinated by the princess’s tales of growing up in the sandstone and marble forts of Sunvaara, and Nitya’s tales of colorful chaos during the Festival of Colors, and her reminiscences of growing up as the younger sister to the Crown Prince of Sunvaara.
Now, as Ryu observed Ella and the princess talking, he couldn’t help but be struck by the contrast between them.
Princess Nitya reminded him of a beautiful mirage, an illusion that reflected to the viewer whatever it was they wanted to see.
Ella, on the other hand, was like a deep lake—still, calm waters hiding raging, passionate currents that broke upon far shores where the sun dawned bright and blinding.
Ryu shook himself. Really, he was being ridiculous. Comparing women to lakes and mirages. The bond was getting to him, he was becoming as irrational as the humans.
Putting on a smile, Ryu went to join the little group for tea.
Lord Kenji looked up as he sat at his side, giving him a bland, polite smile. Ryu suppressed a groan. Despite his subtle maneuvering to draw closer to the older Elf and form a deeper friendship—or at least, secure an understanding to become allies in the Court—his cousin seemed to be determined to keep Ryu at a distance.
Later that evening, as Ryu sat in his study, he smiled as he looked over his correspondence. It was as if the gods were smiling on him. Just today he had been thinking of the human Prince and his diplomatic skills, and now the man himself had written to Ryu, offering his advice and assistance.
Prince Luka had heard that the Sunvaaran empire had sent an emissary to the Twilight Court, the letter read, and the prince wondered if Crown Prince Sekhar had come to visit him. Luka advised him to be on his guard around the Crown Prince, that the man was a power-hungry opportunist who was looking to expand his influence across the Four Kingdoms.
Ryu leaned back in his seat, tapping his quill against his chin in thought.
