Silence fills the small shop, neither men knowing what to say to this child's sudden request. It takes a few moments and a couple knowing looks before anyone speaks up again.
[Sylvar] I'm not sure that would be possible.
[Thrain] Look kid, we like you, but we're also running a business here. We've got other clients waiting for their orders too. It's not so easy to just say we'll teach you our crafts.
[Sakyo] I'm not asking for a handout. I'll pay you for your time.
[Sylvar] I don't know. Do you think we could spare some time?
[Thrain] Maybe an hour after we close, but I can't do it every day.
While they're contemplating whether they have the time to teach, Sakyo pull out the materials of the Dreadbear and places them at their feet.
[Sakyo] I can offer these as payment if you'll accept them.
[Thrain] Hold on, aren't these from that bear that took over the northern forest? How'd you get your hands on these?
[Sakyo] Just cause I bit off more than I could chew doesn't mean I didn't save it for later.
Sylvar kneels down, observing the pelt while Thrain takes more interest in the bones.
[Sylvar] These are some rare materials, and in such pristine condition too. Are you sure you want to trade these for a few lessons? You could probably get more if you sold them to the guild.
[Sakyo] I'm sure. You don't need to teach me everything, I just want to learn the basics on crafting and enchantments.
[Sylvar] I don't know, what do you think?
[Thrain] It's a good deal. Maybe we could take him on as an apprentice. That way, he'll be able to learn, and it wouldn't interfere with our work.
[Sylvar] True, I guess we can swing that. Alright kid, you've got yourself a deal. Let's say you can drop by around noon every other day. Sound fair?
[Sakyo] Perfect, thank you.
[Thrain] Alright, now get outta here. It's getting late and your parents are probably worried about you.
On that note, Sakyo begrudgingly heads home once more. At the castle gates stands the same three who waited for him just a few nights before.
[Garm] Welcome back, Master.
[Sakyo] Hey, what are you all doing out here?
[Garm] I was waiting to welcome you home.
[Kaya] I followed her when she ran out here.
[Ren] We need to talk. Kneel.
Sensing the seriousness in her voice, Sakyo does as Ren says while she stands in front of him with her arms crossed.
[Sakyo] Umm, what's this about?
[Ren] How could you not tell me you're engaged?! As your first wife, I need to know about things like this!
[Sakyo] I'm sorry, I should've told yo- wait what, first wife? When did that happen?
[Ren] Don't change the subject. It's your responsibility to tell me when you want to add more wives to your harem. I won't allow you to take this princess as your wife until I've met her. (pout)
[Sakyo] I-I understand. (I have so many questions, but maybe it'll be easier to just agree with her. She just looks so cute when she pouts like that.)
[Kaya] It is important to tell her this stuff. You've gotta be more honest about your feelings.
[Sakyo] Say that again after you've told "beauty and oblivious" here your feelings.
[Garm] ?...
Kaya can only stand there blushing, her words coming out in a stuttering mess every time she tries to think of a retort. Luckily for her, Garm is still completely clueless about her crush on him.
...
Within the castle walls, Sakyo stands dressed up next to the king. Reika stands behind them among the other royal knight.
[Sakyo] (It's actually happening, my fiancé is supposed to arrive in a few minutes. I can't believe how nervous I am right now. Even with a month to prepare for this, I'm still completely unprepared.)
Sakyo can barely compose himself before the gates open. Therianthrope soldiers clad in custom armor ride in on lion-like quadrupeds, leading a heavily decorated carriage inside. When the carriage stops directly in front of the group, the guards stand next to its door.
Out from the carriage first steps a beautiful, armored young kitsune with brown skin and long platinum blonde hair. Despite being cleanly maintained, her long hair appears almost wild. As she steps to the side, she is followed by the young princess with rounded lion ears and chestnut brown hair reaching down to her waist.
Contrasting her guard, the princess exudes an air of sophistication. Her royal presence confirming to everyone that she is indeed the first princess. The king is the first to step up to her.
[King] Greeting, young princess. On behalf of Solareth, I welcome you to our kingdom. I do hope you will find your stay most enjoyable.
As he greets the princess, she bows politely before returning the introduction.
[Princess] Thank you for having me. Our travels proved quite enjoyable. I must say, you have quite a few sights to behold in this kingdom.
[King] I'm glad you found our kingdom pleasing. Please, allow me to introduce my nephew. This a Sakyo, he is the one who will be your fiancé.
[Sakyo] Hello, it's nice to meet you. My name is Sakyo Wolfen. It is my great honor to be engaged to a princess of such unparalleled beauty such as yourself. (Nailed it! Good thing I rehearsed this greeting so much. )
[Princess] It's nice to meet you as well. My name is Nymera Lexa Raefauna. I look forward to getting to know you as my future husband.
Both children politely bow to each other after their introductions are made.
[King] Sakyo, why don't you show the princess to the garden. Take this chance to get to know one another.
At his insistence, Sakyo leads Nymera to the castle garden. Her personal guard follows shortly behind, but not before her eyes admire the female knight captain leading the other Raefaunian knights to their temporary barracks.
In the garden, Sakyo and Nymera walk side by side with her guard following just a few feet behind.
[Sakyo] The flowers are nice, aren't they?
[Nymera] Yes, very much so.
...
The awkward silence is deafening, neither one of them knowing what to say or do next.
[Sakyo] You look very lovely in that dress.
[Nymera] Thank you, I picked it out myself.
...
[Sakyo] (This is so awkward. I have no idea what to say on a date. I never got the chance to go on one in my last life. How the hell do people do this?!)
As they continue their stroll through the garden, a familiar presence approaches quickly, followed by a certain white werewolf. Nymera's guard takes a defensive stance in front of her, hand on sword, as the two get closer.
[Guard] Princess, please stay behind me.
[Ren] Finally, I caught up with you.
[Sakyo] Ren, what are you doing here?
[Garm] Forgive me, Master. I tried to tell her it was not wise to interrupt your stroll.
[Ren] Never mind that. Of course I'd be here when my position as first wife is being threatened.
Seeing such a situation unfold right in front of her, the princess is barely able to hide a smile before joining the entertainment.
[Nymera] Stand down, Yukina. Sakyo, may I be so bold as to ask who these people are?
At her orders, the princess's guard releases her sword, stepping aside.
[Sakyo] I'm sorry about this. These two are my personal maid and butler.
[Garm] Apologies for the late introduction. I am Garm and I have the pleasure of serving Master as his butler.
[Ren] And I'm Ren, Sakyo's personal maid and first wife.
[Sakyo] Ren, this isn't the time for that!
[Ren] Of course it is. I can't just stand back and let another woman try stealing my position as your first wife.
Behind their argument, Nymera can't hold back her laughter anymore. This isn't the same as her polite demeanor from before. This laughter is purely derived from joy at the entertaining sight being laid out before her very eyes. Everyone falls silent as the princess's calm and graceful façade is broken, tears beginning to form in her eyes from laughing too hard.
[Nymera] I'm sorry, I couldn't resist anymore. Ren, was it? You don't have anything to worry about. I have no intention of stealing Sakyo from you.
[Sakyo] Wait, what do you mean by that?
[Yukina] Princess, are you sure this is the right time to tell him that?
[Nymera] Yes, it looks like this is the best time while we're all relaxed. Sakyo, forgive me, but I can't marry you. This engagement was decided by my father, but I don't want to get married yet. I mean no offense, but I only agreed to this engagement for the sake of my kingdom.
[Sakyo] Oh, thank goodness.
[Nymera] (pfff) You could at least pretend to be disheartened by this.~
[Sakyo] I'm sorry, but I never wanted to get married either. I only agreed to this cause of the alliance between our kingdoms too.
[Nymera] I see, it would appear we both had the same idea. I'm glad we could see eye to eye.
[Ren] So, you aren't going to steal Sakyo from me?
[Nymera] No, I'm not, but now that this is out in the open, we may have another problem.
[Sakyo] The state of the alliance, right?
[Nymera] Precisely, our engagement was supposed to act as a symbol of the alliance between our kingdoms.
[Sakyo] But if our engagement falls through, we won't have that symbol anymore. People could get the wrong idea and rumors could start blowing up about the reasons why it didn't work.
[Nymera] This is quite the dilemma. I don't wish for our kingdoms to suffer a loss simply because of our own desires.
[Garm] If I may, your highness, it would appear that there is no need to worry. You and Master are only engaged to be married, however, your marriage would not be until you both come of age.
Nymera's ears perk up at hearing such a simple solution to their dilemma.
[Nymera] You're right! Even if we don't want to get married, we can still remain engaged, and the alliance would still stand.
[Sakyo] Good thinking, Garm. Looks like you hit the nail on the head.
[Garm] Hm? I did not hit any nail.
Sakyo and Nymera can't help but laugh at Garm's confusion. With their initial doubts and worries put to rest, the group spends the rest of the day enjoying each other's company.