KARANTHIR: 

Did you sleep well my prince?

ZYFAN:

 Much better now that you are beside me. Did you find it difficult sleeping alone?

KARANTHIR: 

I don’t want to upset you, but while we were apart,

 I was never in bed alone.

ZYFAN:

 Oh no?

KARANTHIR:

 Honestly, it wasn’t my fault. I certainly didn't seek company. And I always went to bed alone but when I awoke,
there he’d be.

ZYFAN: 

He?

KARANTHIR:

Yes, Orrie.

ZYFAN: 

Orrie! Your little brother?

KARANTHIR:
Who else?

ZYFAN:
Oh? Well then - I do not mind.

KARANTHIR:

 I did.  You’d be surprised how much space a child of that size can take up. I won’t even attempt to describe the shock of his ice cold feet upon my person.

ZYFAN:

 How terrible for you. It is a wonder that you survived it.

KARANTHIR:

 Sarcasm my prince? Is that something you picked up at court?

ZYFAN:
Perhaps.

KARANTHIR:

 So, are you going to tell me what went on there?

ZYFAN: 

You said it could wait.

KARANTHIR: 

Yes, and I’ve waited, so out with it.

ZYFAN:

 I suppose I should start with the councilors, they have 

decided it is time for me to choose a wife.

KARANTHIR: 

I beg your pardon?

ZYFAN:

 As the next One, I will need a wife. I am sorry for not 

mentioning this sooner. I just thought there
would be more time.

KARANTHIR:

 So we’re to choose a wife are we? How interesting.
There's much to consider. We need to decide
just what we want in a woman.

ZYFAN:
We?

KARANTHIR:

 You don’t think I’d let you make such an important decision
on your own, do you?

ZYFAN: 

This is not quite the reaction I was expecting.

KARANTHIR: 

Oh Zyfan, I already knew you’d need a bride before your
coronation. Seriously, did you think I was raised in a barn? All right
so I was, still, we peasants do have some knowledge
on the workings of the royal court.

KARANTHIR:

 ... So tell me, do they parade the 'candidates' about
- for you to see? 

ZYFAN:

 It is nothing like that. My input will mean very little.

KARANTHIR: 

Pity. I would’ve enjoyed the swimsuit competition.

ZYFAN: 

Her appearance will not matter to the councilors.

KARANTHIR: 

It will to me, as well as her intellect and personality. 

At the very least she ought to be pleasant, don't you think?

ZYFAN:

I am more concerned with ... Karanthir, what if … what if she refuses to allow me to continue my relationship with you?

KARANTHIR:

 That's not going to happen. I’ll simply charm the pants

 off her, so to speak. I’m a very likeable fellow you know. 

She will find me invaluable, you’ll see.

ZYFAN:

 You do realize that I will need to … to ...

KARANTHIR

… to impregnate the lass as soon as the marriage vows are spoken.

ZYFAN: 

Karanthir, what if I cannot?

KARANTHIR: 

Don't the councilors' confirm that sort of thing with seers
so they know an heir is in the future?

ZYFAN:

 Well yes but that is not what I mean. I mean what if I can-not?

KARANTHIR: 

Oh that not. Zyfan, you've been with women before.

ZYFAN: 

That was a long time ago. 

KARANTHIR:
It’s not something that one forgets how to do my prince.

ZYFAN:

 Perhaps but … I like women, I really do ... but not like that. I have never liked ... I mean I just am not very good ...

KARANTHIR:

 … at being on top, so to speak.

ZYFAN: 

Well, yes.

KARANTHIR:

 I can help you with that.

ZYFAN: 

How?

KARANTHIR:

 You let me deal with that …

ZYFAN:

Karanthir I have not finished telling you everything.
There is more.

KARANTHIR:

 More? Are we to have two wives?

ZYFAN:
Two? Why would I need …You are having fun with me.

KARANTHIR: 

Always, but go on.

ZYFAN: 

Washi was there.

KARANTHIR: 

Your infamous ex?

ZYFAN: 

I ran into him, literally. I was rushing to … somewhere and the next thing I knew, I was flat on the floor. When I looked up, he was standing above me.

KARANTHIR:

 With you on your royal bottom, oh my poor prince.

ZYFAN:

 It was not one of my finest moments, believe me. Later, he was at the banquet. His clan has made an alliance with ours
- which includes Washi moving here, for diplomatic reasons.

KARANTHIR:

 Here? With us? In the human realm? For what purpose? 

ZYFAN:

 Who knows? Syrrah told Uncle it was not a good idea,
but he insisted.

KARANTHIR: 

Doesn’t your Uncle know that Washi treated you badly
and then accused you of stealing his precious genie?

ZYFAN:

 Washi made a formal apology to me before the council. He also withdrew all charges concerning the theft of Io. And so, since my Uncle is also the One, I have no choice but to obey his wishes.

KARANTHIR: 

Fine. Let Washi move in. There are a few things I'd
like to discuss with him.

ZYFAN:

 You must let me handle this. I think I am being tested by the One and Washi too. Washi’s brother is the Sheikh . I cannot let him have the upper hand with me ever again. Promise me, you will do nothing.

KARANTHIR:

I can’t make that promise. However, I will give you the time

you need to settle things with him. Then – he’s mine.

ZYFAN: 

That will suffice. Karanthir, there is still more.

ZYFAN:
… Washi kissed me. He took me completely by surprise. I stopped him as soon as it began but I thought you should know.

KARANTHIR:

Did he slip you the tongue?

ZYFAN: 

He certainly did not!

KARANTHIR: 

Really? I believe I’ve lost any respect I may have had for
this ex of yours. If it had been me, I assure you,
tongues would've been involved.

ZYFAN:

Well, now you know all that happened.