Few weeks later, the wedding looms ahead now. The final preparations was being done, outfits in check, decorations in place, invitations has been sent and even the meals for that day were already planned. Everything was perfect for the wedding -or was it?
At moonveil palace, Aurelian was in the tailor's place, final fittings being done, his outfits were restitched. After that, he was asked to recite his speech. His words felt mechanical devoid of any warmth. When he was done with his speech, he tested his shoes and jewelries. He was constantly being watched, not just by the palace but the people -his people. He stood in front of the mirror feeling overwhelmed by it all, panic rising in his chest but then he remembers, "I'm rooting for you and maybe it'll be worth it" Draven words. He took a deep breath and felt assured, that this would pass, at least someone believed in him, "I don't know Draven, why is it that you feel safe?" He whispers to himself, a small smile forms on his face, "what will you think when you see me in that wedding dress? You'll loose your mind right?" He chuckles at the mental image. With the newfound encouragement, he carries on, his actions felt less stiff and his words sounds more human.
Meanwhile, at the Nightbane kingdom, Draven sits in the courtroom listening to advisors talk non stop about politics. Everyone relaying their own opinions, then all of a sudden, an advisor speaks up,"crown prince, with all the respect, you are softening, you should take charge, you should control that 'brat' Aurelian" "brat? You forget your place old man, that 'brat' is a prince and my soon to be husband" Draven retorts, "yes your highness but you shouldn't soften for him, don't forget he is nothing but a mere pawn in this political alliance" another advisor adds, "yes and you must prove to your people that you have this prince under your control your highness" says another advisor, Draven looks at them, his softer side for Aurelian conflicting with his royal duties. "Fine, I will do what must be done" he decides, "meeting dismissed" he adds standing up and leaving the court room. He walks past halls that were now decorated for the upcoming wedding, he remembers Aurelian words,"I'm rooting for you too", "I'm sorry Aurelian, I just have to survive this, even if it means pushing you away and suppressing whatever feelings I have towards you" he whispers to the wind.
Elsewhere in the palace, someone was watching it all unfold -Drusilla. She looks at her friends, "I'll ruin the wedding, it must not take place" she paces the room "execute plan A" she says finally.
Moments later, rumours spread like wildfire, people whispered, both nobles and commoners alike, some saying 'moonveil prince is weak', others 'this marriage won't last' while some whispered things like 'aurelian is a failure' and 'moonveil prince is bad Owen' and somewhere in moonveil palace, Aurelian heard, he overheard some servants whispering, some kitchen helps spitting the words, some agreeing with the rumours while others trying to defend him. Aurelian finally loses it, he needed to see his comfort again so he sent a messanger to deliver the message to Draven. Draven had also heard the whispers, so when the message from Aurelian came, he hesitated, torn between palace duties and his growing feelings. After a while of contemplating he decided to meet with Aurelian.
Draven arrived at the meeting spot, only to see Aurelian in tears,"I can't take it anymore Draven" Aurelian says walking over to him, "my mind's falling apart" he wraps his arms around Draven's torso, "please hold me, just for a while" Aurelian whispers, Draven hesitated for a while then wrapped his arms around the crying boy. "It's okay" he whispered comfort words to Aurelian. After moments of comforting Aurelian, his tears finally dissolves into hiccups. "Thank you for meeting me under such short notice" Aurelian says between hiccups, Draven doesn't say anything for a while,"you need to stop this" he says finally, he voice harsher than he intended. "What?" Aurelian flinches surprised, "we can't meet again after this, it is not supposed to be" Draven clarifies, his voice softening at Aurelian's flinch. Aurelian eyes widen slightly, a mix of rejection and hurt flashing through his eyes, "I..I.. understand, I just.." "no, you don't understand Aurelian, our marriage is mere politics, not a marriage of love, I can't have my people questioning my abilities as the crown prince" Draven cuts him off, Aurelian wipes his cheeks,"I guess you've heard the rumours" he says voice low, "yes I have, and I don't want it affecting my kingdom" Draven replies, Aurelian looks at him, "why Draven?" He asks, "why what?" "Why are you pushing me away, all of a sudden" "I'm not, I'm just doing what's best for us" Draven says, "for us or for you?" Aurelian shot, "Aurelian please.." "please what? Stay away? Stop talking? Endure?" Aurelian looks at Draven, eyes wide with sadness and disbelief, "Draven, I thought you understood me, I thought that maybe since we were both being forced, maybe,just maybe, you'll be on my side but I guess I was wrong" Aurelian shouts, "I understand you, I'm on your side..." Draven starts but Aurelian doesn't let him finish, "are you? Cause it doesn't look like it Draven!" "So what?!" Draven shots back, "you think just because we're both being forced means I'm your shoulder to cry on or I have to comfort you?!" Draven retorts, his pulse racing, every instinct of his screaming at him to stop but he doesn't, he keeps going "I'm not your comforter Aurelian, so endure! I also have what I'm going through! But did I come to you and cry?! No! I endured so do the same". Tears now flow freely from Aurelian's face, he looked broken, more than before, he looked at Draven before leaving and whispered, "Why does it feel like the closer we get to the wedding…
the further you're becoming?"