Dinner time was a feast, as everyone ate and drank. Nobles were sure to be graceful while eating but commoners? This is a once in a while event so they ate without any thoughts. King Malric stood up, clicking his glass,"Everyone! A toast to our blessed union!" "Cheers!" Everyone chorused and continued eating. "Ah! It's getting late, the newly couple should go to bed now" Queen Calista says with a knowing smile making almost everybody laugh -almost. Aurelian and Draven stood up, they gave their final greetings and headed to their chambers.
The chamber was dimly lit and rose scented. Draven locked the door behind them,"so..." "So what? You want to consummate the marriage?" Aurelian asks flatly sitting on the bed. "No, nothing like that!" Draven immediately replies moving towards the bed. "I just thought... maybe you'd like to talk now?" He adds, "it's late, get some rest" Aurelian dismissed him laying down on the bed. "You still have to change into your night wear" Draven says trying to build a conversation, Aurelian sits up sighing,"I'll change later, you go first". Draven removed his cloak and undo his ceremonial tunic, "hey! What do you think you're doing?!" Aurelian asks on top of his breath, his face flushed red,"you can't just undress!" He practically shouts. "What?" Draven asks confused, he looked at Aurelian and noticed his flustered expression and he understands. "So my husband can't see me bare?" Draven teases, a small smirk playing on his lips. He faces Aurelian fully and takes off his tunic. Aurelian's eyes darts to Draven's chest. His eyes trace the form of his chest and the hard lines of his eight packs, his throat suddenly goes dry as his eyes followed the perfect structure of his V-line. Aurelian was thankful Draven was wearing pants and at the same time he dreaded the pants for not letting him feed his eyes. Draven's smirk widens seeing Aurelian ogle him up. "Maybe the intense training was worth it after all", he thought. Aurelian's instincts and desire were warring, he was still emotionally broken but his body was betraying him with his reactions. He cleared his throat and looked away,"get dressed I'm not impressed" he said trying to maintain his demeanour. Draven's smirk falters at Aurelian's words, he wasn't sure if what Aurelian was saying is true because of his red face. "Aurelian...we should talk" Draven starts after putting on his night robe, Aurelian also changed into his night robe,"we have nothing to talk about". "Please, Aurelian just hear me out" Draven pleas running a hand through his hair. "Fine, speak" Aurelian says uninterested while sitting on the bed,"I just..what happened that day at the border.." Draven starts but Aurelian cuts him off,"nothing happened, you just made me realise that I was a bother to you"
"No, you're not"
"Oh really? It's not just about the border anymore Draven!"
"Then What is it about? Talk to me"
"I'm sorry I came in between you and Drusilla, I ruined your relationship" Aurelian finally said with a short humourless laughter. "What?" Draven was even more confused, nothing was making sense anymore to him. "She told me about it, about the both of you" Aurelian replied, "about us? What are you saying?" Draven's frustration was over the top now. "Stop acting dumb Draven!" Aurelian snaps,"she told me everything! You two were together, and because of me, because of this marriage, I ruined that" he says, his voice cracking,"you could have stopped the marriage...Draven". "What are you talking about? I don't even talk with Drusilla, why would I.." Draven looks at Aurelian,"when did she tell you this?"
"When you were giving out your speech"
"Nothing happened between us Aurelian, nothing at all" Draven affirms. Aurelian stares at him for a long moment "I'm going to sleep now" he mutters at last. Before Draven could even nod, Aurelian turned away, laying down and pulling the blanket over himself. Draven stared at Aurelian's back for a while before muttering under his breath,"I miss the old you". He laid down also facing the other side and covering himself up. That small whisper was not meant for Aurelian to hear but the breeze carried it to him anyway. Aurelian heard the words, his chest tightening and breathing felt a little too hard for him. He didn't know when silent tears flowed from his eyes. "I miss the old me too" he whispered silently. "But they broke me, my kingdom, my family and the whispers and somehow I'm taking it all out on you" he thought to himself, still sobbing quietly. Draven felt the blanket shaking silently, he knew what was happening but chose to let Aurelian have his space. And as they both closed their eyes, on the bed, so close yet so far, they wondered if things would eventually get better.