The morning crept in softly, sunlight slipping through the curtains and resting gently on the floor. The air felt cool and fresh, carrying the faint sounds of birds singing outside. Everything seemed calm and peaceful, as if the world was slowly waking up, ready to begin again.
The representatives of the Nightbane kingdom had arrived at the moonveil palace. In the throne room sat king Alaric, princess Elowen, prince Aurelian, the royal advisors and from the nightbane kingdom; king Malric, prince Draven, their royal advisors and some guards. But Aurelian, he was glaring daggers at Draven who didn't even look his way, not even once. King Malric clears his throat commanding all attention on him. "The kingdom of Nightbane is here not to fight or cause more conflicts but to offer a solution to the impending disagreements between our kingdoms, a treaty." "And what does this treaty contain?" King Alaric asks, voice clear and calm. King Malric glance at the royal advisors who steps forward and read from a scroll "according to the drawn peace agreement between both kingdoms; moonveil and nightbane, a political marriage should be arranged between prince Draven from nightbane and Prince Aurelian from moonveil kingdom" "WHAT?!" Aurelian stands from utmost surprise, his chair scraping loudly against the marble floor "I will not agree to this, this kingdom will not agree to this absurd treaty" his sister, Elowen tries to calm him down "No sister, I will not marry that demon!!" Aurelian all but barks. "And who's the demon?" One of the royal advisors from nightbane questions while guards draw their swords ready to defend the crown prince. "Everyone stand down" king Alaric commands but the guards of Nightbane didn't listen to him until king Malric gave a curt nod, then they slowly lowered their weapons "I suggest your crown prince watch his tongue" king Malric says with a cold smile. King Alaric rises to his feet and gestures for the messenger to read their reply to the treaty, the messenger steps forward and read aloud "Regarding the peace agreement between the two kingdoms, the kingdom of moonveil... agrees to the treaty, may our union be blessed" "what?! Father?! I will not marry.." Aurelian tries to protest but his father cuts him off "you will marry Prince Draven of Nightbane kingdom Aurelian, you will do what is right for our kingdom, your kingdom as the prince". Aurelian couldn't believe his ears, his father actually agreed to marry him off because of politics! He looks over at Draven who has an unreadable expression on his face "you..! Aren't you going to say anything?" He shouts, pointing a finger at Draven. "Words are not needed when a conclusion has been made" Draven baratonic voice carries through the room sending a shiver down Aurelian's spine. King Alaric smirks "Aurelian why don't you take prince Draven around the court, I would like to discuss something with king Malric " Fine but don't expect me to be nice" Aurelian gruffly replies walking out of the room without caring whether Draven was following or not. Draven gave a subtle nod to the kings and then followed Aurelian out the throne room.
They walk through the corridors and halls, they passed by the library, imperial garden and finally came to a halt at the training ground. Draven eyes were immediately drawn to the archery yard, Aurelian looked at him "why did you agree to the treaty? And don't give me that for my kingdom bullshit" Draven gaze drops to Aurelian "what other reason should there be?" Aurelian facepalms and mutter under his breath "Yeap I hate you" Draven just looks back to the archery yard and remembered when they were seventeen.
He had come to this kingdom before the conflict, that day Aurelian had been mad about a comment his sister had made so he took it out on archery and he-Draven had challenged him, they tied but that only made Aurelian more angry and Draven had whispered under his breath that day "...cute", they played a rematch and he emerged the winner but ever since then Aurelian had seen him as a rival. Their father's had even tried to settle it but Aurelian wouldn't budge claiming Draven had cheated which was an insult to his ego. So since a rival was what Aurelian wanted he'll give him one, and then they competed in everything, swordsmanship, archery, knowledge,combat, hell even while eating and who wakes up earlier.
Aurelian scoffed bringing Draven back to the present "remember that time when you thought you could beat me? How foolish of you" Aurelian says with a hint of pride in his voice "i did beat you though" Draven counters "wrong! You almost,but you did not" Aurelian says and begins walking again before Draven can correct him but Draven had no intention of correcting so he just smirked, silent and short and they continued their stroll through the palace walls.
By the time they returned to the throne room the evening had settled in slowly, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink. The sun dipping below the horizon, leaving behind a soft glow that hugged the world. The air cooled, and the sounds of the day faded into a gentle quiet. Aurelian and Draven walked into the throne room with their fathers already exchanging goodbye greetings. King Alaric walks over "king Malric and I have come to conclusions that the wedding shall take place soon" "soon? When's that?" Aurelian questions still mad about this whole arrangement"in three months" king Alaric affirms with a nod "three months?! Father, it's like you're eager to sell me off" Aurelian protests but his father wasn't listening, not this time "and we shall visit the nightbane kingdom before that time comes" king Alaric states before exchanging greetings with king Malric one last time. Draven meets Aurelian eyes and gave a curt nod before turning to leave with his father and other representatives of Nightbane kingdom. They were departing now but are sure to meet again.