"You're focusing too much on getting his attention with your hands," you say. "Owls are more about listening. He'll focus better if you remember that."
Dominique blinks, and mutters a quick thank-you. He whistles to Lightning. "Here! Here, boy!"
Both owl and owner relax, and you can tell that Lightning feels more at ease. As you carry on speed training, Emile keeps a sharp eye on Dominique, but they do not need to step in.
Next
The birds have enough energy that you can get on with falconry training through the afternoon. It's nearly sunset when you bring them back to the mews. You carry . inside on your fist, but nearly collide with someone as they're striding out.
"Hey! Excuse me!" snaps the person.
You blink, recognizing the newcomer immediately. It's Princess Javi of Zaledo. The younger child of the Zaledoan monarchs. Standing here in Archambault uniform, her golden eyes narrowed and glaring at you.
Tiresome," Javi pronounces, and sweeps out of your path.
She turns to her bodyguard, a middle-aged woman with impressive muscles.
"Can you believe this?" she says testily. "I suppose I shouldn't expect Prince Hugoz to conduct himself properly, anyway…"
Beside you, you sense Asher's tension. Though Asher called out Beaumont's brusque manner yesterday, they have no such standing to snap at a royal.
For your part, you're not at all surprised to see that Javi is immediately making everything about herself—nor that she's being so hostile. The last time you saw her was at the Zaledoan Prince Rosario's wedding to Potentate Darian of Jezhan. As with most weddings, tensions ran high, especially with Javi.
Each time you interacted, Javi would say something beyond your grasp of Zaledoan that you could not quite understand. The interpreters would rush to fill you in, but it made conversation stilted and awkward. Then, when you gave your official congratulations in front of everyone, things came to a head.
When it was time for the toasts, you rose at the correct time and called for quiet for Rosario and Potentate Darian. But Javi interrupted to say that she was so overcome with emotion that she had to give her own spontaneous congratulations.
Everyone forgot you in the cheering and applause, and you were certain that Javi did it on purpose.
To add insult to injury, you had to endure Rosario's parents and Fabien chatting over your head about how you and Javi would make a wonderful match. The worst part is that it's true. Politically, at least. A second heir marrying a second heir: it's perfect symmetry.
And now you have her glaring at you here in your mews. Her gaze shifts over your shoulder, and she flashes a bright smile.
"Apologies," she says, and sweeps past you to greet Dominique.
You dart your foot out and Javi stumbles, biting back a curse. Before she can right herself, you lead . to her cage, taking some time to feed her a treat.
Outside, Dominique's helping Javi to her feet, and Javi's graciously thanking him, but that doesn't matter. You know where you stand.
Javi carries her own kestrel into the mews while Dominique murmurs admiringly; when you emerge, they're both cooing over a kestrel whose feathers are clean and bright, but which looks very placid, verging on lazy.
"What's his name?" Dominique asks, stroking the bird's chest feathers.
"Silver," Javi says, a note of pride in her voice. "I've had him since I was little. I wasn't about to leave him alone at home."
Javi does not reply. Still petting the kestrel, Dominique jumps to his defense. "Oh, Prince Hugoz, don't say that!"
Javi waves a dismissive hand. "I don't care what you think of him," she says to you, "or anyone else."
With that, she stalks out of the mews.
Next
Whatever you thought of being the only royal at Archambault, having another around feels jarring. Over dinner, Pascal announces Javi's presence with immense pride. "I'm delighted that the Academy's reputation has brought two royals to our walls!" he says.
The applause is deafening. Your table, which seats you, Asher, Beaumont, Dominique, and Javi, is the most stared-at and eavesdropped-on section of the entire banquet hall.
For her part, Javi seems to be enjoying Dominique fussing over her. "May I pour your juice, Your Highness?" Dominique says, with a formal tone that he's never used toward you, and Javi flicks her fingers extravagantly towards her glass.
"Please, do," she says. "That's so kind."
Asher frowns. "May I get you another drink, Prince Hugoz?" they murmur. They don't need to ask what you'd like, since they're aware that:
Asher tops up your wine glass with their usual smooth efficiency, but as Javi gives another delighted, sparkling laugh, they shift restlessly. Their expression is carefully neutral: they're struggling with tension.
"Javi's ridiculous," you murmur. "Ignore her. I'll be fine."
Beaumont snorts behind his hand, having evidently overheard. Asher shoots you a grateful smile. Their shoulders relax, and they carry on eating happily.
As the dessert plates are tidied away, you hear Javi say your name, and bring your attention back. She isn't talking to you, but to Clemence, who has come over to greet her.
"…yes, my parents have dropped a few hints about building more of a relationship with Westerlin," Javi says, "and maybe that would involve marrying Hugoz, but, well. Just because Rosario's marriage made the Jezhani royals pleased, that shouldn't mean I have to be under pressure. The entire Westerlind-Zaledoan alliance shouldn't fall to me to handle."
Clemence looks like they bit off more than they could chew in the political discussion stakes; Javi speaking so casually about diplomatic alliances and the fate of nations seems to have rattled them. For Javi's part, she looks pleased with herself.
.Javi's eyes widen. "No. That's not what I—don't be ridiculous," she snaps.
You've obviously struck a nerve. She rises with a sniff.
"Come, Ibarra," she says to her bodyguard. "I need to finish unpacking."
As the end-of-dinner bell rings, students surge for the doors. You head for Vercher House.
Next
The elaborately wallpapered common rooms would not look out of place in an aristocratic club. There's a small library nook, a billiards table, and an ornately carved and inlaid chess table. Dominique makes a beeline for the card table and starts shuffling, beckoning the rest of you over.
"My aunt," he says, "taught me to read cards for the future. Let's read them for this year!"
"You're a charlatan from the county fair," Beaumont accuses him, but brings up chairs for you and Asher before sitting down himself.
Dominique cocks his head charmingly. "An extremely attractive, compelling charlatan," he says.
Beaumont snorts. "Look at the ego on this one."
Ignoring him, Dominique shuffles the cards once more and turns to you. "Won't you pick, Prince Hugoz?"