It's all going rather well, then an unwelcome interruption

The young prince daintily picked at his meal of boiled chicken and vegetables with his knife and fork, showing good feminine table manners just like Coraline had taught him. The food was actually rather good, even by the standards of the castle cooks he was used to. It was rather difficult to focus on what he was eating though, when across the table from him that annoyingly handsome soldier kept trying to talk to him.

"How are you enjoying the meal, Marcia?" Castus asked, flashing one of those wide smiles that made the young prince blush hot. It wasn't fair at all! How could this stupid man make him blush just by grinning at him?

"Um...it's good." Marcus stammered. "I like the chicken." He winced as soon as the words left his idiot mouth. His blush somehow flared even hotter, spreading to the roots of his silver hair. So stupid! I like the chicken, what kind of thing to say was that? Castus must think he was some kind of moron!

"She's a bit of a picky eater, I'm afraid." Coraline cooed, reaching over the table to hurriedly adjust one of the ribbons on the young prince's dress. "It took me so long to get her to even want to try anything but her Mama's home cooking." Marcus glanced down at the table, wishing she wouldn't interrupt and say those sorts of things. As annoying as Castus was, it was even harder to talk to the man when his maid kept adding even more embarrassing details to his girl identity, mostly things that made him sound fragile and delicate and totally reliant on her, like some baby bird trapped in the nest. He was starting to wish she'd just shut up.

"I can't imagine how that could have happened, ma'am." Castus replied, a hint of dry sarcasm in his voice that Marcus only just caught. Coraline seemed to as well, because she frowned slightly, but then just tossed her head and decided to ignore it. "I'm glad you're enjoying the food anyway, Marcia." The handsome soldier turned back to the young prince with another of those dazzling smiles. Marcus couldn't stop himself from grinning shyly back, wriggling in his chair at the fluttery feelings flooding through his body. "Now that's a very pretty smile you have there." Castus continued smoothly. "I'm glad I finally got to see it." Marcus let out a very girly yelp of surprise at that, dropping his knife and fork on the table. Pretty, him? He couldn't believe it! His hands flew up to cover his blushing cheeks, as the soldier just kept staring back at him with those dreamy dark eyes. How could he just say those embarrassing things so easily, like it was nothing?

"Well, look who it is!" A voice boomed across the room, saving the young prince from utter embarrassment. He glanced up, then promptly froze in his seat, an icy spike of panic working its way into his chest. Another soldier in full armor and scarlet cloak, only not just any one! It was the same bearded older commander who they'd met with Castus on the night of his uncle's attack. He glanced desperately at Coraline, who was also suddenly sitting stiffly in her seat with a worried look on her face. She turned to him, then raised a finger to her lips. Understanding, Marcus pursed his lips shut as the commander strode over. "Lieutenant Castus, and in such lovely company too, you lucky dog." The older man boomed. He had a mug of ale in one hand, and by the flush on his ruddy cheeks it wasn't his first.

"Captain Titus." Castus rose from his chair and saluted neatly.

"No need for that, lieutenant." The Captain shook his head vigorously. "Sit, enjoy yourself." Castus nodded, then slipped back into his chair as the older man staggered over to stand beside their table. Marcus sat there, trying not to shiver, as the Captain's eyes flickered over him. For a moment he was terrified that long look meant the man somehow knew who he was, but then the Captain started laughing, a loud booming noise that cut across the room. "Ah, if I'm not mistaken that's the very same gorgeous little chit you escorted out the castle on the day of our victory, looking even lovelier now." He chuckled. "Saving the life of our soon to be King, and now getting the girl as well. Being the chivalrous hero has really paid off for you, hasn't it?"

"Yes, I suppose it has." Castus replied, glancing back at Marcus. The young prince blushed again despite his panic as he realized the soldier meant he was the reason! Could the man stop saying these embarrassing things for a few minutes at least? Just so he could catch his breath.

"And I see the beautiful Mother's here as well." The Captain stepped round to Coraline, giving her a wide smile. He held out his hand toward her, palm outstretched. "Charmed, madam."

"Likewise." She replied, placing her hand primly in his. He raised it to his lips and kissed her there, as she sat rather stiffly.

"Thank you again for your help on the day we took the Castle." The Captain continued, still holding her hand in his. His scarred fingers brushed over her own. "We found that secret passage you mentioned, devilishly well-hidden. None of us would even have known the prince escaped that way without you. A shame the little traitor's vanished into thin air. No-one seems to know where."

"Well, I just hope you catch him soon and we can put this unpleasantness behind us." Coraline replied, without even missing a beat. How did she do that, Marcus wondered, as his own heart galloped away like a racehorse in his chest. If he tried to speak now, he was sure his voice would sound like just a strangled squeaking noise.

"If I might impose a little, would you mind joining me at the bar for a drink or two?" The Captain smiled at her, his eyes fixed on her pillowy chest. "Your daughter will be fine under the protection of the Lieutenant, you have my word. I've never met a more gallant and gracious soldier than him."

"That sounds like an excellent idea." Castus cut in hurriedly, glancing between them with obvious satisfaction.

"I don't know if that's..." Coraline began, but the Captain cut across her.

"Come now, I insist." He gave her arm a little pull, and she rose out of the chair reluctantly, looking like she was on the verge of tearing her hand from his grip. Marcus gave her a pleading look. If she made a fuss now over something so small, it was much more likely the Captain would realize something was up. Better she just go along with him quickly so he didn't get suspicious. It seemed she came to the same conclusion at last, because she slumped her shoulders and glanced down at the floor.

"Very well then." She sighed, smoothing down her own dress with a hand. "One drink."

"You'll not regret it, madam." The Captain smiled toothily. "Come, let's leave these two lovebirds to it. Ah, to be young and courting again. Maybe we can recapture some of that magic now?" He laughed again, leading Coraline by the hand towards the bar as his voice boomed across the tavern. She was stiff and ****, and the young prince wondered how the man could just ignore how obviously unwanted he was. Well, at least if he stayed with his maid he wouldn't take another closer look at the silver-haired girl and wonder why she looked so much like the prince was supposed to.

"Finally." Castus breathed across the table. Marcus turned to look at the handsome solder, his hands working nervously over each other under the table. "Just the two of us, alone at last, Marcia." The man smiled gently, those dreamy eyes fixed on the young prince's face. Oh no! They really were alone! Marcus shivered with a mixture of sickly panic and trembling anticipation. He could hardly believe it. Alone with Castus!