The carriage ride to the public gathering was quiet. Not comforting but not too tense either. Aurelian watches as buildings blurred pass till they got to the gathering. A lot of people were there. Draven helped Aurelian out of the carriage and to the centre. The people quiet down as Draven began to speak,"Dear people of Nightbane kingdom, I am here today with my husband to listen and to hear your oppressed voices". The people talked simultaneously. "Hey, hey, can we talk one after the other?" Aurelian steps forward,"shut up! You don't even deserve to be in this kingdom" an old woman yelled and some others agreed with her. Draven stepped close to Aurelian, wrapping an arm around his waist and pulling him to his side. "I will not tolerate any form of disrespect towards my husband, you will treat him as you will treat me" Draven said to the crowd who broke into murmurs. "Silence!" Draven commanded and everyone kept shut,"do you understand?!" He asked and the crowd reluctantly agreed. "Good, now let's hear what you have to say". One after the other, the masses expressed their lament and pain, what they think should be changed and how some political activities were affecting the poor. Aurelian didn't stand still the whole time, he helped, adviced and made sure he wasn't a burden.
After the public gathering, Aurelian and Draven went on an inspection tour. They checked farmhouses, the people's living conditions and their worries. Aurelian didn't just offer advice, he helped out, bought things for the people and had even helped in picking tomatoes in a farm. He was happy to help the commoners and slowly, he began to gain the respect of the people. They didn't see him as just a pretty prince but someone who actually cares about the well being of his people. Draven wasn't as enthusiastic as Aurelian but he did what he could, he helped Aurelian out here and there. And made sure he does get hurt. At one point, when someone's gaze had lingered too long on Aurelian, Draven wrapped both arms around Aurelian and glared daggers into the man's skull.
They got to the house of a poor farmer, the man lived in a small hut and rears some cows but it wasn't enough for his daily expenses. He was very skinny and because of that, Aurelian offered to cook. He asked the guards to get some ingredients from the market and used part of it to make a proper meal for the man. The man was very grateful and ate to his satisfaction. But Aurelian didn't stop there, he gave the man some money and also asked for his farm to be enlarged. Draven smirked and whispered in Aurelian's ear,"I'm so jealous of this man, he got to taste your cooking before I did", Aurelian smacked his arm and continued helping out. Draven watched him,"you're really something else, you still help out those that have hurt you", he shook his head and followed behind Aurelian.
When that was done, Aurelian insisted on buying things for the children. "You're going to drain my royal pockets", Draven said but still gave Aurelian more than enough money. Aurelian bought snacks, drinks, toys and books for the children. The kids where more than happy. Their parents couldn't stop thanking Aurelian. Aurelian also conducted a medical check on the people and those that were sick got proper treatment and herbal medicines.
The evening settled in gently, wrapping the world in a quiet calm. The sky glowed faintly as the last light of day faded away, leaving behind a soft, soothing atmosphere. A cool breeze drifted through, and the noise of the day slowly disappeared. The inspection tour finally came to an end and the people wished it didn't, Including Aurelian. The people who once sneered at him now regretted their words and saw with their own eyes that this prince wasn't just a pretty face, he cares -And that matters. Draven helped Aurelian into the carriage before entering himself. "You were really good today. I'm impressed". He says with a smile, Aurelian looked at him, you weren't bad yourself", Draven's neck burned with colour and he quickly looks away clearly his throat. Aurelian chuckled, he had seen the flustered expression on Draven's face. As their carriage rode off the people couldn't stop talking about the tour and how helpful and kind Aurelian had been to them. "Everything seems so peaceful right now, I can't help but wonder.. how long will it last?" Aurelian thought as they rode back to the palace.