"Don't worry too much about the Prince's private affairs," Kolton says, kneading my shoulders somehow roughly and gently at the same time.
As someone who usually keeps things to my own business, I find myself delving deep into the events of each day when I'm talking with Kolton.
"Are you feeling better about the City of Stars now, Meghan?"
"I still feel a little bit homesick, but I think that's what to be expected. And having you talk to me is nice. Helps me feel... less lonely."
Kolton gently grabs my chin, looking at me with a level gaze. "Let me know if anything is bothering you at all, yeah? We're on your side, Meghan. I know sometimes it doesn't feel like it, especially because His Majesty treats you with such roughness, but we're all happy to have you here."
"Thanks, Kolton."
He smiles, releasing my chin, and continuing with the massage.
"How's it going?" Vera asks, walking into the room holding a clipboard and wearing the Royal Birdbath uniform. "He roped me into this," she grumbles softly to me, as she sets down the board and ties her hair back.
"Going well." I use a different room everyday, sometimes using a bath or a massage or an otherwise calming activity to wind down. "How's work?"
"It's fine." She smiles tightly. "You've got a big day tomorrow."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah." She lets out a small breath. "I've been pulling strings left and right, and you can finally take some more official courses at the Academy. Now that we've established you're a raven Birdsong – which is awesome by the way, congrats!!! – you'll have three hour-long classes followed by two hours of review. And unfortunately... your review is always going to be with Prince Kwan. As per his request."
"Wait. He wants to work with me? I thought he hated me!"
"I don't understand men sometimes." Vera shakes her head, making me laugh, before shooting her brother a quick look. "No offense."
Kolton grins. "None taken. But Vera, you should really get to your job. At the reception counter. Not in the massage quarter."
"I know, I know. Just wanted to check in on my friend. Can I not do that?" Something seems off about her. Nervous, almost. She almost never talks like this.
"You can do that," Kolton says. "But you also worked out with her all afternoon today. Are you saying that you spent all that time not checking in with each other?"
"Okay, you caught me. I came to bring you this." She hands him a parcel, which he quickly hides in his pocket, sending me a furtive look, which I respond to with a shrug. Not my business, not my problem. "I'll be at reception!" She gives me a wink before disappearing, shutting the door gently behind her, leaving me and Kolton to our own thoughts.
"Have you ever gone to the Academy of Stars?" I ask, regretting it when he winces visibly.
"I washed out," he says. "It was way too intense for me, so I quit, and came to do this instead. Turns out I enjoy this much better than being yelled at by a bunch of rude professors. Don't worry! You'll probably be fine. I just enjoy seeing how much I help people rather than believing something I read in the news, you know? I'm not into politics or fighting, I just want to help people... emotionally. Because sometimes that's the largest problem, and a lot of people forget that. Or neglect it." He shoots me a meaningful look. "Just take care of yourself. That's all I'm asking."
~
The walk through the City of Stars is starting to feel more and more familiar with each passing day. I still wouldn't want to take it alone, but I think I could figure it out on my own if I really wanted to. It gives me a sense of belonging. But I know I still won't know it as well as Chicago. Chicago was my home turf. This is a new, foreign place with new, foreign rules.
