After the meeting with Draven, Aurelian visibly withdrew both emotionally and physically. He avoided everyone and moved through the wedding rehearsals in silence, the rumours that once made him feel insecure and overwhelmed now does nothing to him. It stopped hurting… not because it healed, but because he grew used to it. He grew used to the insults, the relentless whispers and the venomous looks. Because even the one person he thought he could take comfort in now saw him as a burden. He stared at his reflection in the mirror, he looked starved, not because he was hungry but because he couldn't eat, he couldn't sleep and his bones felt weak. Yet, he forced composure into his movements, he controlled his actions because people couldn't see him weak, especially not when the rumours were still circulating.
Back at Nightbane, Draven couldn't focus, his attention was divided, he had even snapped at an advisor during a meeting. He looked miserable. There were dark eye bags under his eyes. He couldn't sleep, couldn't rest. Guilt was eating him alive, any time he closed his eyes he would remember Aurelian crying, if he tried to focus or listen to an advisor, Aurelian's words would echo in his head, "the closer we get… the further you're becoming…". He runs his hand through his hair for what felt like the hundredth time that day. His outfit for the upcoming wedding was ready, his speech was perfect, even his shoes were available yet, he was restless, Aurelian's words were haunting him, he felt guilty for snapping at Aurelian like that, for hurting him that way. Every sound felt too loud, breathings felt too heavy, he was very irritable and everyone around him started noticing. They threaded on thin ice around him and made sure to avoid him.
Drusilla noticed this and immediately saw an opportunity. She was sure there had been a misunderstanding between Draven and Aurelian and she was going to use this to her advantage. She had the chef prepare food, then she took it to Draven's chambers, "you need to eat something" she says sweetly, "leave it on the table" Draven says gruffly, "need a massage, it'll help you relax", she offers putting the food on the table, "leave" Draven says, "what? I just.." "leave" Draven repeats cutting her words off. Drusilla scrowls but dare not disobey so she left -for now. She wasn't going to give up yet, so she gathered the workers together and addressed them,"We've all seen that our beloved crown prince is in a foul mood recently and I'll have you know it's because of that trash -i mean prince from moonveil, so please be understanding and don't take it personal if he snaps at you" she says. The workers clapped and whispered praises about her, some said,"lady Drusilla is so reasonable" some said, "she's the one who's fit to stand by the crown Prince's side". Drusilla's smile widens at their whispered words, "come on, get back to work". Word spread quickly about Drusilla's 'thoughtfulness'. Draven heard about it soon but just let it slide but Aurelian? It only made his heart break more, was he really that worthless? Was he that unfit to stand by Draven's side? Why didn't Draven speak against the whispers?He looked down at his hands and smiled bitterly, he couldn't even talk to his sister, she was busy with her own preparations for the wedding. A servant walks in with food,"your highness, your lunch" "take it away, I'm not hungry" Aurelian murmurs, the servant scoffs, "so picky" she mutters under her breath, Aurelian's eyes snapped to her,"what did you say?" "Nothing" she says and leaves with the food.
Later that day, at moonveil palace, in the courtroom, the royal family sits with the advisors, discussing about the marriage alliance and other political issues. Aurelian raises an idea on a political issue but one advisor snaps at him,"what do you know? You're only but an incompetent prince", Aurelian looks down, "you will not speak to my son that way", king Alaric voice rises defending Aurelian. "Your majesty, forgive my blunt language but the words circulating is questioning the abilities of the Prince and if I must say, I question it too" the advisor speaks throwing a venomous look at Aurelian. The court room goes silent. Aurelian stands up and exit the court room. He goes to his chambers and sits on his bed, he clutches his chest, his own breathing too loud in his ears, furious hot tears stream down his face, laying down he whispers to himself, "If this is what the future looks like…
then I'll endure it."