153 Jealousy Leads to Dinner

The sun was starting to slowly set and the night life was starting to make the slow transition from sleepy to a beehive of activity. As Clovis walked outside and looked at the sun, a frown creased his lips. He had no intention of fighting with the guild for so long. Dinner at the palace should be over by now and there was no telling where Lady Kyera had gone to when left alone for so long. The sound of the Zither player catching his ears as he walked out into the starlight, he wondered for a moment how Raina was doing.

He had become accustomed to listening to her practice at night. The sounds of the Zither he heard now was much more articulate and well practiced. The thought crossed his mind to invite the master to play for his daughter. Perhaps give her some pointers. As these thoughts played through his head he moved toward the mustic to see who was playing these sounds. The sweet soft sounds of the music was almost heavenly.

The woman behind the zither was familiar to him. Her long white hair was pulled off to the side in a simple braid as she played through her chords with a soft smile on her face. Though her eyes were softly closed as she plucked the strings, he could see her at peace as she did. He had never seen her like this, soft and vulnerable. A woman that was more than just a healer inside. As he watched her, the song came to a slow end, and she opened her eyes bowing her head at those gathered to watch her.

"Thank you for your music, My lady." A Man greeted her, bowing as she bowed her head again to him. She slowly stood to her feet and smiled.

"Thank you for listening, Master Aren." She greeted and he chuckled at her. His dark eyes smiling slightly as he smirked at her. Kyera smiled at him as well her eyes sparkling with mischief. Clovis made his way forward, unsure as to why that exchange bothered him so much.

"Will you join me for dinner, My Lady. You are obviously a Master of the Zither as I am of the Vocal Arts." Aren invited her with a hopeful tone. She tilted her head and began to speak as a light hand came to rest on her hip.

"Kyera, My dear, I apologize for being late. The Guild talk took longer than I expected. I made plans for us for dinner since we have stayed out past dinner in the Palace." Clovis told her, interrupting the situation as if he was completely unaware of it. Aren's eyes widened slightly as he bowed to him instantly. "Oh, our favorite entertainer, Aren. I hope I am not interrupting?"

"No of course not, Fourth Prince. It is always a honor to be in your presence." Aren replied, sweeping a much more elegant bow. He offered a friendly smile but there was a certain amount of ice in his eyes which did not escape the prince's notice.