Kayeni watched in slight confusion as her comment on kale sent him into a tizzy - really, what was wrong with a leafy green vegetable that would send him into such a flurry? Maybe it wasn't her comment on food, but something else?

She didn't know. She could only watch in slight bewilderment as he hurried away before even making sure she was inside the room. She stepped inside, and the doors closed behind her as... crap. iIn all of his excitement - or whatever it was - over her comment on kale, she had forgotten to check out the door and the amount of guards behind it.

So now she had no idea what was waiting for her outside her door, with no reasonable excuse to check, and hence no way out. At least, for now. At least, there was a window, and the ground didn't look too far away.

Briefly exploring the chambers she had been given - they were actually quite nice, considering what she had been expecting - she came to quite a dead end. She was - essentially - a prisoner in her room without much reason to go out, despite her desperate want to go out and release some of her energy somehow. The amount of scorn she had taken from the prince, the way that the entire council had stared at her - she had pushed it all down, but somehow, she always needed it to come back up at a later point. She couldn't exactly do much about it in here. Or, at least, not now.

There was always the window. Crossing quickly over to it, she was relieved that it was most definitely openable. But, by how much?

She unlatched it and gave the window frame a tenatative pull. It didn't budge.

She silently cursed. No way there really wasn't any way for her to get out. She gave it a really big pull, all the pent-up annoyance going with it, and instantly regretted it as it pulled free of the frame and went crashing right into her face.

Ouch.

The window juddered in silent protest, but thankfully stopped moving as she fell - hard - onto her bum on the floor. She could almost feel the red line that went down her face and stomach where the edge of the window hit her, and she looked angrily at the window, which had stopped juddering and was now peacefully open.

Rule number one - apparently, the windows are a bit stiff and only need a bit of force. Although, it would have been nice to know that before she tried pulling it.

Quickly checking to make sure she wasn't bleeding - she wasn't, but there'd be a mark of an angry red line down her for the rest of the day - she picked herself up, and furitively peeked outside, just to hear the door creak open behind her. Whipping around, she looked at the guards who had opened her door and peeked inside.

"Your highness, are you alright?" the guard who was looking inside tentatively asked her.

She waved her hand dismissingly, preferring not to spend much more time talking to them. The sooner she could be out, the better. "Yes, yes, I'm fine. Just a bit of trouble opening the window." She hoped they couldn't see the red line down her face.

"You can go now. I'm fine," she added on when the guard hesitated. Bowing silently, he shut the door, and the moment the door closed, Kayeni boosted herself off the windowsill, eyeing the room with a moreo practiced eye.

What could she use? Clearly, her privacy could be invaded at any time by the guards, and while she inwardly seethed at it, she couldn't exactly do anything about it. Potentially she could tell them? Or - aha. Now, that was a plan indeed.

Stalking over to the door, she rapped her knuckles on it. How ironic it was, she idly mused, that she had to knock on her own door to let herself out. It was like she was on the outside - and really, after a bit of consideration, she technically was after all. They wanted her confined in this room.

The door - yet again - creaked open, and this time from the limited view that she had, she could also see that there were... at least four guards along the corridor between her and her escort.

Jeez. Talk about overkill much? If Kayeni had been in Bjorn's shoes, she would have allocated three at a maximum. Maybe four. But from what she could see, there were far more than four.

Attempting to ignore them, and attempting to ignore how she really was supposed to be trapped in here, she spoke to the same guard that had opened her door earlier.

"Private?" Without waiting for a confirmation, she steamrolled on. "Private, I'd prefer if I was to be left alone for the next few hours. I would prefer it if you didn't disturb me until otherwise." That also includes opening the door if you hear any other sounds, she was tempted to say - but withheld it at the tip of her tongue. Her tone wasn't the most pleasant tone she had used - it had a more hard, grating edge that commanded that she be obeyed. One that she hadn't used against the prince.

"Understood?" The guard just looked at her and nodded, a bit fearfully this time, before retreating and closing the door behind him.

Sighing in relief, she turned away from the door, and zeroed in on her next task - blocking the door. She didn't want anybody - anybody, even her little dinner invitation - to disturb her.

The small drawer over here was probably more decorative than useful - it's drawers were empty, anyway - however Kayeni, after briefuly sizing it up, decided it would be light and small enough for her to carry, but not so heavy that it would be a struggle.

Setting her mind to it, she put her arms around it and heaved. It was slightly heavier than she expected, but she managed to pick it up, and carry it to the door.

The only problem was, midway, she tilted the drawers at an angle such that one rolled out and fell onto the floor with a rather loud thunk. Freezing, she waited for the door to open and to be questioned - but no-one opened it this time.

She counted to ten, and still, no-one opened the door.

Thank the gods. More gently now, leaving the fallen drawer behind, she moved towards the door, and infinitesimally slowly lowered it to the ground in front of the door.

Now the door was - more or less - blockaded. She wouldn't be disturbed for a bit.

At least, that was if she planned on staying in the room. The window was still invitingly open.

(Way too long ToT)

Björn Ansgar | 25 | Male | Crown Prince

Björn's footsteps echoed from the corridors walls as he let out a rather loud sigh of relief. Although, now that he was on his own yet again, he was stuck pondering a few things. Like, first of all, why the hell did he care all of a sudden?! Just a couple hours prior his thoughts had been dead set on running his sword through the crown princesses chest, to rid himself of her and her little Galcolian entourage. Now he was actually worrying about what she ate??

"Ugh... Stupid, stupid, stupid-!" He grumbled to himself as he very lightly smacked his forehead with a limp fist. The temptation to walk back to the kitchen was rather strong. If he so wanted, he still could. Go back, tell them to forget everything he had just told them and to prepare everything as usual. 'No... No I bloody can't. They'd think I was going mad.' Björn quickly convinced himself.

For him to rush in there in such a state when the topic at hand was something he shouldn't have even cared much for in the first place let alone to change his mind mere minutes later. The confusion in the kitchen, along with the chefs judgemental looks. Björn knew he wouldn't be able to face that. Their doubt.

He was so incredible after all and they all knew it! If he barged back in there and started to take back his words, they might see it as a sign of his wavering confidence and that was the last thing he wanted. His mind wandered momentarily to Kayeni.

Geez, even if he hadn't left a less than desirable impression on the chefs- Not that he cared what they thought anyways!! They were simple common folk working under his father and therefore, also him! But... The way he had stumbled over his words before. Leaving Kayeni in such a rush. The whole situation was less than ideal.

Björn ran a hand carefully through his hair as he pushed some of the silvery white locks from his eyes, coming to a stop at one of the hallways open windows. A soft exhale left his lips as he leaned over slightly, resting his arms on the stony windowsill.

'...I really made a fool of myself didn't I...?' He thought as a slightly dejected look crossed his features. The whole day had been an absolute trainwreck. A shitshow. A whatever terrible word you could use to describe it would probably still fit. Yet, it still wasn't over. No. He still had to dine with these Galcolian's when the time came for dinner...

"...Tch." Björn gave a small click of the tongue as he realized he most likely should've informed the kitchen staff to not utter a word of his behaviour just before, nor his request. The last thing he needed were the enemy to think he was soft. Like he cared about them. But he didn't. And for the same reasons he had convinced himself of earlier, he wasn't going to try and change it now. His fingers tapped idly in a soft rythym as he contemplated what to do now. Falthyr would be busy along with the council members in the grand hall. The Galcolians were settling into their quarters. Guards were stationed...

'Huh. Guess I don't have much else to tend to now.' He realized as his eyes lit up the tiniest bit.

There was so much he could do now without having to watch out for that damned princess. He could practice more with his blade, or visit the library, take a stroll through the garden, perhaps even return to his own quarters. For a while now he had been meaning to sift through his wardrobe, to discard any outfits he no longer wore or cared for to free up space for newer outfits he might come to find sooner or later as he usually did.

Almost every trip out of the castle resulted in a few servants returning with armfuls of stuff he so mindlessly decided to buy. Clothes, snacks, trinkets and other strange affects. Björn could barely recall what well over half of the things were for, what they were named or what they did. But he DID know they were pretty to look at and that was enough for him to keep ahold of them, displaying them on shelves in his room or study for him to gaze at.

'Im getting too distracted. Right. Wardrobe, library, or garden.' He stood up away from the windowsill as a large silhouette swooped by, the scaled figure of a wyvern disappearing up towards Merlnyrh, the second volcano, drawing his attention. It wasn't an uncommon sight in Valvorhm. The dragons and the wyverns, even the occasional drakes. As far as he was concerned, Valvorhm had an unspoken agreement with the creatures. This was their home too after all.

He wouldn't go as far as to say they got along, as the dragons were still incredibly proud beings full of power like winged disasters. But the people of Valvorhm managed. Around the kingdom were even some drakes that chose to live among the people, acting as mounts and loyal companions to some. Björn always pondered what it would be like to fly, or to run so far and fast he could feel the wind ruffling his hair. Sure they had horses, but they stank and definitely weren't as cool as the Drakes were.

They even came in different colours, from their typical browns and reds, to some slightly more exotic and unusual colours like blue, green or even pink. Björns favourites had always been the gold ones. They were incredibly rare, mainly due to them being hunted for their glistening scales... But he wasn't drawn to them for their value. Their strength and perseverance were admirable. Plus. They were way bigger than the other ones too.

The shadow of the wyvern finally disappeared from sight as it dove over the edge, towards the centre of the volcano. Björn felt his lips tug up in the faintest of smiles as he then stepped away from the window, beginning to make his way back to his quarters. After everything that had gone on today, Björn highly doubted he'd be ready for anymore socialization. Not until later at dinner at least. He navigated the castles many corridors, making his way up a flight of stairs before he finally reached the familiar doors to his own room.

Inside, was an absolutely beautiful mess. It wasn't the kind you would expect, of clothes to be strewn across the floors, perhaps even the occasional weapon carelessly tossed aside. Instead the room was littered in all sorts of works and artifacts.

Sunlight danced off a few crystals he had placed around on the windowsills and shelves, the light shimmering and casting the room in colourful glowing lights. Small rainbow spots rested on the ceiling too, where a few plants hung from strung up pots. The green vines had small white beads along them, small buds, flowers that were sure to bloom soon. A desk was situated by the far left wall, beneath a large window that had been opened just a smidge.

Björn stepped in as he softly shut the doors behind him, making his way towards the desk as he found a few of his papers along the ground. The breeze must have carried them off his desk. He stepped around a few small piles of papers with writing and sketches etched upon the parchment, accompanied by some fragments of artifacts he had collected over time. With a hum, he put the pile of papers back where they belonged, allowing his frost coloured eyes to rest on the sight of his works before moving along.

His bed was as you'd expect. A big tangle of sheets and blankets. He would never in a hundred years make it, and he would never have anyone, especially the servants enter his quarters to make it for him. Whether it was out of pride, embarrassment or fear of them stealing something of his, was up for debate. He only ever very reluctantly let them enter to change the bed sheets with new ones when it was absolutely needed.

The amount of convincing it took to get him to agree was always migraine inducing. Like trying to convince a kid to eat their vegetables or to put on shoes. With a soft "oof" he flopped down onto the bed, feeling as his sheathed sword hit the corner of the mattress, causing it to press a little uncomfortably against his side.

His gaze settled on the ceiling as he looked over the sight of his growing plants, the rainbow reflections from the crystals glass like surfaces, and the small patches of colour that came from them too. Blue, green, pink, yellow... So pretty...