Chapter Ten
Vessels
The rays of the sun glistening off the water that rippled beneath the speeding hulls of the tiny ships caused a playful ruckus among the nobles who were already taking bets on which vessel would prove victorious every time the small cannons fired, helped Ayanda forget her worries for the moment. They all sat beneath the shade of a large, sheer tented canopy and indulged in what had to be some of the most decadent grapes and apple slices Ayanda had ever tasted. "Mmm," she audibly moaned after placing a grape in her mouth while the nobleman passionately discussed which ships they had chosen and why. Ayanda grinned to herself and held up the pair of binoculars she had been given by one of the staff members so she could see the ships better. "The details are impeccable," she said to nobleman Lucius who sat beside her. "They truly are. I know warships have greatly advanced since the Middle Ages but there's just something so... majestic about the vessels of that time, wouldn't you agree?" Ayanda nodded. "I can't believe the little cannons are real. It's kind of cute." Lucius chuckled. "I suppose but they are also dangerous." Ayanda's brow furrowed. "Really?" "Oh yes milady. Those cannons pack enough force to break skin and put out an eye if you're not careful." The corners of Ayanda's mouth stretched down for a quick second in uncertainty. "Then why use them at all if serious injuries can occur?" "Authenticity. And there's no real need to worry since the cannons are only aimed towards the others ships and the staff who operate them are well trained and the only ones authorized to work the boats." "Hmm, that makes sense I suppose." Ayanda responded before turning her attention back to the battle where one vessel sunk another. Groans of disappoint and cheers of victory rang out from the other nobles much to both Lucius and Ayanda's amusement as they watched those who had lost hand money to those who had won. Lucius looked over at Ayanda and said, "very glad I didn't join in on that particular wager because I surely would've lost." Ayanda laughed and he asked if she would be alright on her own while he went to speak with the others as the staff set up to test out the other ships. When she assured him she would be fine, he smiled and left, only to be replaced by nobleman Caspian. He greeted her with a bow before gesturing to the seat next to her. "May I sit with you?" "Please do." Ayanda responded. He sat with a sigh and looked out at the water. "The weather is quite lovely today." 'The weather? Really? Tell me about your talk with Cesar!' She thought to herself before outwardly saying, "I agree. Perfect for this type of activity. I hope the night's temperature is the same." Caspian grunted lightly, "I believe it will be. Did Lucius inform you of the history of model warships?" "He did and it seems funny that it started in the 1970's and yet here they make and use ships that date back hundreds of years before then." Caspian smirked. "Yes well I'm sure you've noticed that a lot of things around here are.... antiquated in some way or another." Ayanda shifted in her seat. "To say the least. It's that way in Obren too, actually even more so." They sat quietly for a moment until she turned to him. "I can't help wondering why that is though? I mean given the year and all that's happened historically, I just don't understand why countries like Craorus have yet to catch up I guess." Caspian's eyes narrowed while he gave her a look of contemplation. "Well, Craorus and the countries like where you were born, don't have complete access to more modern technologies like televisions and cellular phones for one reason or another but also, the blending of tradition with more unconventional methods of this time help to keep the monarchies alive." Ayanda kept her mouth closed while she ran her tongue along her teeth. "Is that truly a good thing?" Caspian's brow creased. "Princess?" "I just mean that many of them were abolished like in the states where I.... was raised for good reason. And for the most part, we seem to be doing better without a royal ruler than countries with one." 'Aw shit,' she thought to herself as she studied the surprised look on Caspian's face. 'Probably not a good idea to insult the way a country he lives in works especially since I'm supposed to be a ruler too.' Ayanda groaned quietly to herself as she thought about what to say to make up for her faux pas, but before she could even open her mouth, nobleman Caspian said, "there are downfalls and upsides of living under the rule of anyone whether sovereign or political. But in all my years, I've never seen any person completely content while having to abide by the laws of another because we're all human and therefore subject to some type of failure. I find what truly matters when it comes to leadership is a clear head, unbiased heart and a listening ear which thankfully prince Cesar has like his parents and grandparents before him." Ayanda's lips pursed as she pressed them together from both impression at all Caspian had said and relief from not having offended him.
Realizing his mention of Cesar could be a good way to change the topic of conversation so she could find out what Cesar may have said about her after having walked away from the ball, she corrected her posture and folded her hands in her lap. "I can't argue with that astute observation. Tell me if you would, do you feel confident in your assessment of the prince?" "I do." "What about me? Do you think I would be a good leader from what you know of me?" Caspian's gaze traveled over her face before he gave an emphatic, "No your highness I don't." Ayanda sucked in her lips to keep her mouth from falling open in shock. 'Damn, don't bother holding back or anything.' She thought as she cleared her throat. "Oh. I see." Caspian leaned forward and placed a hand on the arm of her chair. "With the many conversations I've been privy to and the time I've spent with you, I feel certain that you'd be a great ruler." Ayanda's head fell back as she laughed, making Caspian smile. She looked back at him. "It's not polite to tease a royal." He gave her a playful pout. "Or wise might I add depending on the royal which is why I felt comfortable doing it to you. You have a very kind heart and joyful spirit that nearly outmatch your outer beauty." Ayanda's cheeks blushed, and she looked away to keep from feeling more embarrassed. She felt a shift that made her look back to see that Caspian had sat back fully in his seat with a smile. "Forgive me your highness. I've made you uncomfortable." Ayanda bit her bottom lip, feeling silly from how much his compliments affected her. "No, it's quite alright Caspian, I'm just not use to flattery." He side-eyed her. "I highly doubt that's true but it's best I don't dwell on it lest I get myself in trouble both with my wife and prince Cesar." Ayanda turned her head to look at him. "That's right, you're married. Shame on you for flirting with anyone other than your wife." Caspian chuckled and held up a finger. "I did not flirt. I just made an observation. I can't exactly be blamed if my compliments towards the fairer sex come off as anything salacious simply because I'm charming." Ayanda rolled her eyes. "You sound like Cesar," "Well, in my youth before having met my wife I was much like him. But now I just can't imagine life without her and my existence before her seems so empty." Ayanda's face softened as she saw the love and adoration Caspian had for his wife clear as day upon his face. 'Ugh what do you care what Cesar said last night? That was before you punched him like the dummy you are.' She berated herself. 'But.... then again, the queen of Drizia did say that Cesar's jealousy might mean that he wants me. And he actually said the word wife when referring to me last night. But he also still slept with some of the other women right after everything that happened last night.' Her jaw tensed in frustration while her thoughts went rampant. 'Okay just try asking him what he and Cesar talked about. I have to know for sure if I have even close to a semblance of a-' the realization hit her like a freight train. "Caspian, earlier, you said that you'd risk getting in trouble with both your wife and prince Cesar.... what did you mean by that?" Caspian looked from her to the water, his face serene and his eyes serious. Ayanda was on pins and needles while she waited for him to answer her. Finally, he took a deep breath, puffing up his chest and said, "If the prince chose you for a match, I believe it would be the best thing for the future of both our countries." Ayanda was about to respond but was interrupted by more shouts of irritation mixed with hurrahs when the next battle between ships was over. Caspian got to his feet, turned to Ayanda and said, "I think the spectacle tonight will be much more thrilling than this practice has been. Make sure to keep your eyes open princess." He smiled with a bow and went over to the other nobles. 'Keep my eyes open... what the hell does that mean?' She thought to herself while watching more money exchange hands again before other bets were placed.