Star woke up with a groan, the morning sun sneaking through the velvet curtains like it was mocking him. His head felt heavy from last night's drama... Varyn's threats, Elandor's soft touch on his forehead. What a mess. He rolled out of bed, splashing water on his face from a fancy basin. The mirror showed a guy who looked lost... messy hair, bags under his eyes. "One week," he reminded himself. "Just survive this crap."
A knock came... sharp and official. Star opened the door to find Advisor Thorne standing there, mask on as always. "Time for your lessons, consort," Thorne said, his voice flat. "Royal etiquette. Can't have you embarrassing the king."
Star sighed. "Yeah... lead the way." He followed Thorne down the halls, guards trailing like shadows. The palace was alive now... servants rushing, nobles chatting in corners. Some glanced at him, whispering. "The farmer... think he'll learn to bow without tripping?"
They entered a big room with polished floors and long tables set with silverware. Lady Elara was there again, her bun tighter than ever. "Sit," she commanded, pointing to a chair. Star plopped down, feeling like a kid in school.
"We start with basics," Elara said. "Posture. Stand up straight... no slouching like a sack of potatoes."
Star stood, trying to mimic her. Back straight, chin up. But his shoulders hunched naturally from farm work. "Like this?"
"No!" Elara snapped, poking his back with a stick. "Taller... imagine a string pulling your head up."
Star winced. This was humiliating... poked like cattle. He tried again, but wobbled. Thorne watched from the side, arms crossed. "The court will judge you harshly," he muttered. "Fix it."
Next came walking. "Glide... don't stomp," Elara said. Star paced the room, but his boots clomped loud on the wood. "Softer! Like you're on clouds."
"I'm a farmer... we walk in mud," Star grumbled. But he tried, tiptoeing awkwardly. It felt silly... like playing pretend.
Then, the nightmare... table manners. The table had more forks than Star had fingers. "This for salad... this for meat... this for dessert," Elara explained, her eyes sharp. Star picked one up wrong, and she slapped his hand lightly. "No! Outer to inner."
Star's cheeks burned. "Who needs all this? Back home, one spoon does it all."
Elara huffed. "You're not home. You're the consort. Act like it... or the nobles will eat you alive."
They practiced bowing next. Deep for the king, slight for lords. Star bowed too low once, almost face-planting. "Balance!" Elara yelled.
Hours dragged on. Star's back ached, his mind numb. He messed up greetings... "Your Grace" instead of "My Lord." Elara corrected endlessly. "Again... pronounce it clear."
Star wanted to scream. This was worse than plowing fields in rain. He was sweating, frustrated. "Why bother? I'm not staying forever."
Elara paused. "The king believes in you... don't waste it."
Before Star could reply, the door opened. In walked Elandor, casual in a tunic, no crown. "How's it going?" he asked, smiling at Star.
Star straightened quick, heart skipping. "Uh... fine. Just... learning not to eat like a pig."
Elandor chuckled, the sound warm. "Mind if I join? I could use a refresher."
Elara bowed deep. "Of course, Your Majesty."
Thorne nodded, stepping back. Elandor sat next to Star at the table. Close... their knees almost touching. Star felt heat rise. Focus, he told himself.
They restarted table practice. Elandor demonstrated, his movements smooth. "Like this... fork in left, knife in right."
Star copied, but fumbled the knife. It clattered. "Sorry..."
Elandor reached over, his hand covering Star's to guide it. Their fingers brushed... skin warm, a tingle shot up Star's arm. Time slowed. Elandor's green eyes met his, soft. "Gentle... like this."
Star's breath caught. That touch... electric. He remembered the forest, Eli's hand in his as they ran. But now... it felt different. Grown-up. His face flushed. "Got it..."
Elandor lingered a second longer, then pulled back. But the spark stayed... unspoken attraction hanging in the air.
Elara cleared her throat. "Good... now, conversation. Polite talk."
They role-played. Elandor as a noble, Star responding. "How fares the kingdom?" Elandor asked.
"Uh... good? Crops are... nice?" Star stumbled.
Elandor grinned. "Try... 'The realm prospers under your wise rule, my lord.'"
Star laughed. "Sounds fake."
"But necessary," Elandor said, eyes twinkling. Their banter lightened the mood. Elara even smiled a bit.
As they practiced dancing... wait, dancing? Elara insisted. "For balls... hold frame."
Elandor offered his hand. "May I?"
Star took it, hesitant. Elandor's grip firm, pulling him close. They stepped... one, two, three. Star tripped once, but Elandor caught him, hands on waist. Close... breaths mingling. "Easy... follow my lead."
That attraction ignited again. Star's heart raced. Was this just lessons? Or more? Elandor's touch lingered, eyes intense.
Finally, Elara ended it. "Enough for today. Practice tomorrow."
Thorne escorted Star back, but Elandor walked with them. "You did well," the king said softly.
"Thanks... your help made it bearable," Star admitted.
At the door, Elandor squeezed his shoulder. "See you soon." That brush... another spark.
In his room, Star collapsed, mind reeling. The lessons were humiliating... but with Elandor? Exciting. That hand touch... he felt it still. Attraction? Yeah... unspoken, but there.
But doubts crept. Varyn's threat... rebels. Was this pull real? Or distraction?
A note slipped under the door. Star grabbed it. "Meet me midnight... gardens. Truth awaits. -M"
Mira? Escaped? Star's pulse quickened. Go? Or tell Elandor?