"Have you looked at the portfolio I sent you?" Edmund asked as he spread jam over his toast and tried not to grin at the Principal Painter in Ordinary before him. "I thought it was very promising."

"Ah, yes," drawled the portraitist, adding enough sugar to his lassi that Edmund's teeth hurt when he watched him sip it. "Very colorful and bold. How old is the child who made it? I would encourage them to keep the bold palettes, but maybe check to make sure the paint is dry before smashing projects together like that. Unless that is the point, but I'm afraid that's a little too experimental for my tastes."

"The artist is four so you don't have to worry about her taking your position just yet," Edmund answered before adding "but then, she's a raccoon and pretty much an adult. Watch out, my friend, or you'll be out of a job."

The head royal painter nodded in appreciation and then savagely kicked him under the table.

"I'll get you back for that later," the king promised, even as he tried not to laugh.

Peter, walking by with his own strongly brewed cup of tea, grumbled at the both of them. "Save it for the bedroom, lads. It's too early for flirting."

The younger king and royal painter managed a whole minute of peace before the kicking started up again.