“Is there anything further?”

Alex looks at B’lail in his most princely manner and asks, “Is there anything further, B’lail?”

“As a matter of fact, there is, Your Highness.” The young man steps forward, reaches into his pocket, and retrieves an item. He hands it to Alex and whispers in his ear, “Remember your father’s concerns about all the pregnancies as of late.”

Alex looks in his hand and finds a condom, its wrapper emblazoned in gold with the royal seal.

“Of course, B’lail,” says Alex. “Thank you.”

Awkwardly, Alex begins to open the wrapper, when B’lail interrupts. “Please, Your Highness! It ill befits the dignity of your office to tend to such things yourself!” Turning to Cooper, he says, “Well, what are you waiting for? Do you expect the prince to have to put that on for himself?”

Cooper glances down at Alex’s hands, and after only a moment’s hesitation, smiles and takes the condom from his hands. She tears open the wrapper and kneels down in front of Alex. Placing the condom between her lips, she takes the waistband of Alex’s boxers with both hands.

Alex takes a breath, bracing himself, when he sees Cooper take a deliberate look in B’lail’s direction. Alex gets the message. She wants him to send the servant out of the room.

Alex hesitates. He tried to do that once already with a subtle question, but B’lail remained. He really doesn’t want to raise unnecessary suspicion.