Chapter Twenty-One: Handling It | Part 1
“Benn, how in the universe can you do homework when you’re leaving on a trip in half a bar?” Rhea broke their studious silence with a huff.
If Thirtyx didn’t know better, he’d think it was a normal day for the prince, who pored over a notebook with nothing more than his messenger bag at his side. But that morning, he’d watched Benn fold a suit and a change of clothes into said bag and head to class like he wouldn’t be on a global projection tonight accepting an award for his Magic Comp score.
True to form, Benn gave his eyes a halfhearted roll, like addressing his sister was hardly worth the effort. “It’s a three-bar carriage ride, some pomp and circumstance, and an overnight stay. Besides, this isn’t homework. I’m rebutting a Dragonfolk councilor’s very outdated views on Veriths, and I’m too riled up to stop now.”
Thirtyx lowered his eyes to his own paper, on which he’d written three words the entire study period. When he wasn’t wrestling with the guilt of how hard his friends were fighting on his behalf, he was stealing glances at Seerla. They’d synchronized their timing such that they typically looked up around the same time, and considering how little he could have of her right now, those occasional glimpses were the highlights of his day.
As long as they didn’t get caught.
“This whole event is a waste of time,” Benn grumbled, dropping his pen. “I can’t work on this in the carriage with Azirenne and Bavarren, then there’s a fancy dinner before the ceremony, and after the ceremony, I’ll need to be a good little prince and socialize, so I’ll be exhausted by the time we get to the inn.”
Rhea smiled encouragingly. “But national recognition might help your cause. If any of those councilors watch the projection or see the photos in tomorrow’s news bulletins, you’ll be at the top of their minds, and your words might carry more weight.”
Thirtyx caught Seerla’s eye, and his stomach fluttered. Part of him knew he shouldn’t care so much about these frivolous games with so much else happening, but he couldn’t help it. His mood had skyrocketed over the last week or so, even as he’d been kicked out of Service Club and wholeheartedly ignored during class.
Benn snorted. “That’s not the only advantage of getting away for a while.”
It took Thirtyx several fracs to realize Benn was staring at him and several more to connect that look to his statement. “Hey!” Thirtyx snapped. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means you and Seerla are nauseating us.” Rhea made a face. “Look, we’re happy for you. We really are. But seeing you melt into a gooey puddle like this is…”
“Unnerving?” Benn offered. “Exasperating? Vile?”
Thirtyx crossed his arms. “As someone who can literally be nauseated by people’s energy, I’m a little offended.”
“Come on, Thirtyx,” Rhea sighed. “We all know those gross couples who can’t keep their hands off each other. Wyex and Seryllis, for instance. If they had the same color scales, they’d look like a single entity most of the time.”
“But Seerla and I aren’t a couple and can keep our hands off each other. That’s the whole point of this arrangement.”
Benn tried to hide his grin behind his hand, but at Thirtyx’s very pointed look, he dropped his hand and cleared his throat. “I was… just… going to say that I’ve seen you and Seerla do things with your eyes that put to shame anything Wyex and Seryllis have done with their hands.”
Thirtyx’s fist connected with Benn’s arm. Rhea cackled as Benn massaged his tricep with his opposite hand. “Yeah, I could definitely use some time away,” Benn said with a wince.
Thirtyx raked a hand through his hair to regain his composure. He cast a sidelong glance at Seerla who, much to his delight, was watching them from the corner of her eye, fighting off a grin. At least she wasn’t annoyed with Rhea and Benn’s involvement.
Calley Jones 