"Is the news good" Sarina asked, still puzzled by his blank face.
Caspar stood there silently, gazing at her before he finally told her,
"They have agreed to help us."
Sarina was even more confused. The news was great but his face looked as if he was being sentenced prison.
"Was there more sir" she asked, sensing his dismay.
Caspar melted, now changing from indifferent to drained. Sarina almost wanted to laugh at his changing moods, this man was like a pendulum, swinging this way and then that.
"They have only agreed to give aid if I will marry one of the council's daughter."
Sarina's good humor died as she listened to his next words. Now she was confused. Her parents hadn't explained a lot about marriage, but she was aware that in Bamm, individuals were allowed to pick who they could be married to. Guessing from his face, this was not his choice.
"Do you know her" Sarina asked.
'"Yes, you actually met her briefly yesterday. Her name is Vashti Babarak."
Sarina didn't hesitate with her next question.
"Do you like her" she asked.
"She is a beautiful woman and a talented healer" answered Caspar simply.
Sarina wanted to probe further, sensing that something was not right and he was not happy with this but Hashem then interrupted,
"Lunch is served in the dining room, sir, madam." He then turned and left, but he effectively broke the bubble the two had created with their conversation. Sarina did not realize it but she was leaning in slightly, trying to gauge him and he had bent down slightly to keep his eyes on her face. Both straightened quickly and silently began walking behind Hashem, following him to the dining room.
The took their seats and were served generously. While they began eating, Sarina thought about what Caspar had said, that he had to join in marriage for help. But why would they want him to marry one them she wondered. Maybe they liked him a lot and wanted to make him one of the citizens of Azzaran. But that didn't make sense to get married, especially against his will as it seemed like that is what he would be doing.
Sarina couldn't quell her curiosity anymore.
"Caspar, why are you being forced into marriage" she asked directly, not trying to ease him into it.
Caspar didn't look up from his food at first, he just finished chewing the bite he had taken. Then once finished chewing, he wiped his mouth and looked at her.
"I am the lost prince of Bamm."
Sarina's eyes widened, hearing the news. Sarina's baba had briefly told her that the prince had run away. It happened when she was very young, and Sarina forgot the news quickly. The kingdom continued to be run as usual, so there was not a lot to think about.
Even so , she was sitting with royalty! Sarina realized she had not said one thing yet.
"That ..that is incredible" Sarina whispered.
"I have kept it hidden, with Nasir and the council's help. But now with the confrontation this close, it is necessary that others begin to learn my true identity."
"Why did you run away" Sarina asked curiously. If he ran, why would he want to go back. Her mind was swirling with questions.
Caspar looked at her sharply, causing her heart to jump in fear. He could definitely be intimidating when he wanted to be. She felt anger rolling off him, even though she felt like she had asked an obvious question.
"What did you say" he said slowly in a low voice.
"I ..ii just asked why you had r ..run" Sarina now stuttered, scared of his sudden anger.
"I didn't run" Caspar almost screamed. He was losing his control, distraught that that is what she thought happened. Then he looked her face. He could see that he was frightening her, so he took a calming breath and tried to settle down for second.
"Why do you ask that question" Caspar said in a much calmer voice.
Sarina stared at him, a little afraid to speak again, but she didn't want to offend him.
"That is what the kingdom was informed" she replied in a low voice.
Caspar took his head into his hands. He knew that the situation was bad, but he never dreamed that his uncle would stoop as low as to say that he had abandoned his people. How would they trust him now? He wanted to scream in frustration. He had been working so hard here in Azzaran to gain their trust so that one day when he was old enough to to take back Bamm, he would have the support of magic. He still needed physical warriors as well, and he thought the army of Bamm would stand behind him as the returning crown prince. Now he would have to make sure they still considered him worth supporting, worth crowning.
"What else do you know" Caspar asked tiredly.
"Nothing else my lord. I led a sheltered life and my parents did not share anything but vital information to me."
Caspar shook his head. He was in a much more complicated situation than he had first thought.