"Your Highness," Bella's voice carried a hint of suppressed laughter as she helped Mikhail adjust his formal robes, "I never thought I'd see the day when you'd have two noble ladies under your roof."
"Indeed," Lydia added from where she stood by the window, her usual stern expression softened by amusement. "The Fourth Prince, once overlooked by all, now finds himself quite... popular."
Mikhail shot them both a warning look, though there was no real heat in it. "This is a delicate political situation, not some romantic farce."
"Oh yes, very delicate," Bella giggled, smoothing out a wrinkle in his sleeve. "Lady Valerie with her brilliant mind and shared magical interests, Lady Aria with her proper upbringing and betrothal rights... whatever will you do, Your Highness?"
"I'm not doing anything," Mikhail protested. "Valerie is here under house arrest, and Aria is merely exercising her traditional rights as my betrothed."
Bella's face suddenly turned serious, her childish nature showing through as she wagged a finger at him. "Your Highness mustn't play with ladies' hearts! Mother always said that leading multiple women on is the mark of a scoundrel!"
Mikhail nearly choked. "Bella! I'm not- That's not-"
"She has a point," Lydia observed dryly. "Though perhaps not expressed in the most... diplomatic terms."
"I am not leading anyone on," Mikhail said firmly. "Everything I'm doing is for political survival and the good of the empire."
"Of course, Your Highness," Bella nodded sagely, though her eyes still sparkled with mischief. "Just like how you specifically requested Lady Valerie's favourite tea be stocked in the kitchen. For the empire."
Mikhail opened his mouth to protest, then closed it again. Sometimes there was no winning with these two.
"The dining room has been prepared," Lydia reported, taking pity on him. "Though you might want to arrive quickly. Both ladies are already there."
Mikhail's eyes widened in alarm. "You left them alone together?"
"Of course not," Lydia smiled thinly. "I'm not completely without sense. But even the best chaperones can't prevent... polite conversation."
~~~ ~~~ ~~~
In the dining room, the atmosphere could have frozen flame. Valerie and Aria sat at opposite ends of the table, each the picture of noble grace, each pretending the other didn't exist.
Finally, Aria broke the silence. "How... fortunate that Prince Mikhail has provided such comfortable accommodation during your house arrest, Lady Valerie."
"Indeed," Valerie replied smoothly. "Almost as fortunate as his tolerance of outdated betrothal customs that allow uninvited guests to impose themselves in his home."
"Uninvited?" Aria's smile could have cut glass. "I assure you, our union has been planned since childhood. Your presence here is the unexpected element."
"Plans change," Valerie observed, casually adjusting one of her research journals on the table. "Especially when better options present themselves."
"Better?" Aria's laugh was like silver bells with edges of steel. "My dear Lady Valerie, do you really think your current... situation... represents a better option? Your house stands accused of treason, and your father is imprisoned. Hardly the sort of connection a rising prince would seek."
"At least my connection with Mikhail is based on mutual interests and intellectual compatibility," Valerie countered. "Rather than dusty arrangements made by parents who thought him worthless at the time."
Aria's eyes narrowed. "You presume much, using His Highness's given name so casually."
"He prefers it," Valerie said simply. "But then, you'd know that if you ever actually spoke with him about his preferences."
"Ladies," Mikhail's voice cut through the tension as he entered. "I apologise for my tardiness."
Both women immediately transformed, their expressions shifting from barely concealed hostility to perfect welcome.
"Your Highness," they chorused, then shot each other irritated glances for the synchronicity.
Mikhail took his seat at the head of the table, acutely aware of the charged atmosphere. "I trust you're both comfortable with the arrangements?"
"Oh yes," Aria smiled sweetly. "Though speaking of arrangements, I've been thinking about our wedding date."
Mikhail carefully controlled his expression. "Oh?"
"Given the current political climate, Father thinks it might be wise to move it forward. To show stability and unity in these troubled times."
Valerie's hand tightened slightly on her wine glass. "How interesting that House Terra seems so eager to cement alliances now that Prince Mikhail has shown his true power."
"Not at all," Aria replied serenely. "We've always known his worth. Unlike some who only recently discovered his... attractions."
"The wedding date," Mikhail interrupted firmly, "is something we should discuss privately, Aria. For now, let's enjoy our meal."
The rest of dinner proceeded in a similar fashion - elaborate dishes served with sides of veiled insults and garnished with political implications. Mikhail found himself playing peacekeeper, diplomat, and buffer all at once.
As the final course was cleared away, Mikhail couldn't help but think that facing the dimensional dungeon's dangers might be easier than navigating this particular social minefield.
"If you'll excuse me," he said, rising from the table, "I have some matters to attend to in my study."
"Of course," Aria smiled. "Though perhaps later we could discuss those wedding arrangements?"
"Actually," Valerie interjected, "His Highness promised to review some of my research on draconic magic. For the investigation, of course."
Their gazes locked across the table, each daring the other to back down.
[System Alert: Current situation complicating planned dimensional exploration.]
"Ladies," Mikhail said with carefully measured authority, "we'll have time for everything. But for now, I really must attend to some urgent business."
As he left the dining room, he could feel their eyes on his back. The night ahead would be challenging enough without adding romantic complications to the mix.
But as he heard the slight clink of wine glasses and renewed murmurs of perfectly polite warfare behind him, Mikhail couldn't help but wonder if perhaps the dimensional dungeon might be the safer option after all.
The temporal currents still pulsed through his awareness, but now they seemed almost peaceful compared to the currents of emotion running through his villa.
Time itself might be unstable, but at least it didn't engage in passive-aggressive dinner conversation.