11. Master of the Wind

The prince gave Tarmin’s cooking a passing grade, saying it had been a fine meal that warmed his heart.

Tarmin smiled proudly, stacked the dishes, and disappeared into the kitchen. Enya watched him go, then turned to Emin.

“So, why are you here? You didn’t come yesterday.”

“Hmm? My dear little sister, are we the sort of people who simply exchange a few words about business and then go our separate ways? It pains me to think you see it that way.”

“Your Highness, if you don’t hurry up and tell me, Big Sis might come.”

“Eldona? Hahaha! Let her come! I’ve been thinking our relationship has plenty of problems anyway!”

The prince sat upright in his chair and laughed heartily, but the magical charms hanging all over him to ward off spells robbed him of much of his dignity.

Enya gave him another pitiful look. The prince twitched at the sight of her face, then smoothed back his disheveled hair and said,

“Well, you little rascal. I don’t know why I’m the one getting scolded, but I didn’t come to this city to be henpecked by women, you know? There’s a saying in Akraba that a man should be the wind, and a woman the grassland.”

“Pardon? The wind? …Don’t tell me you’re here to meet another woman!?”...