"Apple, I have to leave. I need to do something with," Berryanna said the moment she entered the dining room.
Her voice carried urgency, the kind that did not invite questions. She took two steps in, already halfway through her thought, then stopped speaking the moment her eyes landed on Pine and Straw.
The room shifted with her silence. Pine reacted first. He pushed his chair back and stood so fast it scraped softly against the floor. He bowed immediately, head lowered, posture stiff with practiced respect. Straw stood too, her movement quicker and far less controlled. She moved toward Berryanna without thinking, her feet already carrying her forward, arms lifting instinctively as if a hug was the most natural thing in the world. She was almost there. Almost. Apple stepped in front of her.
It happened fast, smooth enough that it could have been mistaken for coincidence if Straw had not felt the interruption so clearly. Apple turned toward Berryanna, arms opening wide, his body blocking Straw completely.
"Oh, my little sister, how I have missed you," Apple said, pulling Berryanna into a hug.
Straw stopped short. Her hands dropped back to her sides. Then she folded her arms across her chest, the motion tight and deliberate. She stared at them, her jaw setting as she watched Apple hold Berryanna just a second longer than necessary. She told herself it was nothing. She told herself she was being childish. Neither thought helped.
Berryanna returned the hug briefly, her arms resting against Apple's back, but her attention did not stay there. Her eyes moved over his shoulder, finding Straw almost immediately. The scarf around Straw's neck was impossible to miss, pale against her skin.
Apple released Berryanna and stepped back, clearly satisfied.
"Where are you headed to?" he asked, his tone casual, almost light.
"Prince Vinegario and I have a matter to handle," Berryanna replied. "I will be back this evening, which means you are going to be with Lady Fayrouza. If you need anything, ask the guards."
She spoke as if it were already settled, as if there was no space for objection. Straw felt a small spark of pride at the way Berryanna said her name, clear and firm, but it faded quickly under Apple's response.
"Sure, I know my way around. Don't worry, go do what you do best," Apple said easily. Then he paused, blinking as if his words had finally reached him. "I meant all the best. Bring a cake on your way home."
Berryanna gave him a look that made Straw almost laugh.
"If you need a cake, ask one of the maids to prepare one. I am not bringing any home," Berryanna said.
Her gaze shifted again, landing on Straw. Straw straightened without realizing it, her posture changing under that attention. Berryanna's eyes lingered just long enough for Straw's breath to hitch, then moved to Pine.
"Duke Pine, have you signed the papers?" Berryanna asked.
"Yes, Princess. I have already signed them and…" Pine started, lifting his head slightly.
"Very well," Berryanna cut in. "Then leave, or do you want to continue staying with the prince?"
Pine stiffened. He shook his head quickly. "No, Princess."
"Oh, Princess, he is going to stay in the guest house for some time," Straw added before the silence could stretch further.
Berryanna turned back to her, one brow lifting slightly. "If you are here, who is taking care of the Eastside?"
Pine answered before Straw could. "My mother has the most say in our politics, so I doubt the people have realized that I am gone. Whether I am here or there, nothing changes."
Berryanna studied him. The look was quiet, sharp, and heavy enough that Pine had to resist the urge to shift under it.
"Very well," she said at last. "Your stay in the city should not bring any trouble."
Her gaze sharpened.
"And I do not want to see you pushing my wife into any fountain or pulling her hair," Berryanna continued. "If you lay a hand on my wife, I will forget that you are her brother and make you pay with your life. Because she is mine now to look after."
Her voice never rose. It did not need to. The calmness of it was worse than shouting. Pine felt it settle into his chest, cold and heavy. His fingers curled slightly at his sides, his shoulders tightening as if bracing against something unseen. For a brief moment, the memory of his mother's sharp voice crossed his mind, and he realized with startling clarity that he would still choose this over going home.
"I understand, Princess," he said, lowering his head.
"Good," Berryanna replied.
She turned away from him, her attention returning to Straw.
"Lady Fayrouza, you are now officially my wife. My princess, you are now part of the royal family for good."
Straw's heart stumbled at the words. Officially. For good. She felt warmth spread through her chest, quickly followed by a familiar itch of frustration.
"I thought I was part of it weeks ago," Straw mumbled, "but this still is not a marriage thing without a ring."
She said it lightly, but the reminder hung between them. Berryanna opened her mouth to respond.
"The ring will be available soon. That's not...."
"Why don't you give her our mother's wedding ring instead?" Apple interrupted, clearly pleased with his own suggestion.
Berryanna did not even look at him. "No. I intend to give her a ring made by me, and it is meant for your future queen."
Straw's breath caught. She had not expected that. The irritation softened, replaced by something warmer, something that made her stomach flutter.
"I want to ask a question," Straw said before she could overthink it.
Berryanna turned back to her. "What is it, Lady Fayrouza?"
"I know it was not included in the rules and regulations," Straw said carefully, "but is there a honeymoon?"
"Oh," Berryanna replied, blinking once. "You want a honeymoon?"
"Yes, I do. It's what newlyweds do. After the wedding comes the honeymoon."
Berryanna tilted her head slightly. "Isn't the honeymoon where they consummate their marriage? Haven't we done that already? So we have already done our honeymoon."
The silence hit hard. Straw stared at her. Her mouth opened, then closed. For a moment, her thoughts scattered completely, leaving her blank and painfully aware of Pine and Apple's presence.
"Princess," Straw said finally, "a honeymoon is not about having sex. There is more to it. The moments spent together, touring wonderful places, holding hands while we do that, kissing under the moonlight or sunlight, tasting different kinds of cuisine... together."
She spoke faster as she went, trying to gather the idea into something Berryanna could understand.
"But they all lead to sex at the end of the day, right?" Pine asked.
Straw shot him a sharp side-eye. Pine immediately shifted back, straightening as if he had said nothing at all.
"What I am saying, Princess," Straw continued, "is that a honeymoon is about us spending time with each other. It's a one-time thing. A special one-time thing shared between couples as they embark on the journey of being married. What do you say? A honeymoon?"
Berryanna did not answer right away. She looked at Straw, her expression thoughtful, searching. Then her eyes dropped. The scarf.
"Nice look," Berryanna said slowly. "By the way, why are you wearing a scarf?"
The air tightened. Straw felt every gaze move at once. Her fingers twitched, resisting the urge to touch it. Apple reacted instantly.
"Berry, didn't you say you were going out? Right, okay, bye," he said quickly, placing a hand on Berryanna's back and steering her toward the door.
Berryanna glanced over her shoulder, her eyes locking with Straw's. The question remained there, unspoken but heavy. She hesitated, clearly wanting to push further. Then she didn't.
She allowed herself to be guided away, the image of Straw's scarf and the mention of a honeymoon lingering in her mind as she left the room.