The morning arrived wrapped in warmth, sunlight spilling generously across the land. The air carried a gentle heat, not harsh but comforting, settling softly against the skin. Everything felt alive and inviting, as if the day itself was reaching out with quiet energy and promise. Draven woke up first as usual. Took his bath and left for morning training. Aurelian woke up later when the day had fully broken. He freshened up and went for breakfast. It was his first time eating alone with Draven's family. "Good morning, your majesties" he greeted, bowing slightly. "Oh dear, what's with the formalities? Just address us as mom and dad" Queen Calista giggles. "Alright...mom" Aurelian says a little hesitant, he draws out a seat and sits down. "I hope the palace is to your fitting" king Malric states still eating, Aurelian nods,"yes, it's really beautiful". "That's good and if you need anything dear, don't hesitate to ask us" Queen Calista adds, looking at him with a soft smile. Aurelian nods again and starts eating.
After breakfast, Aurelian went to the library in hopes to learn something useful about the kingdom. He found an old book and took it. He settled on a reading table at the corner and opened the history book. He read about the founding of the kingdom, the first king, and other fascinating things about the Nightbane kingdom. As he opened a new page, he jolts back in surprise at the sound of a sharp laughter. "You really think learning about our kingdom makes you part of us", a lady sneered. Aurelian recognises her as a noble lady that had attended the meeting yesterday. "What? Learning history?" She laughed louder. "I'm just trying to gain some knowledge about this kingdom", Aurelian replied. "No one will accept you" she shot, "the same way no one accepts you?" Aurelian retorts. Her facade cracks slightly,"what her you talking about? I'm a noble" "and I'm a prince and the royal consort of your crown prince" Aurelian raises an eyebrow like Draven would and crosses his arms. "What? Did that hit a nerve?" He pushed. The noble lady's face turned red in embarrassment and anger. She scoffed and walked away. Aurelian let out a breath of relief,"didn't expect that to actually work" he sighed. "Wow!" Someone clapped from behind him, stepping forward, "why can't they just leave me alone?" Aurelian thought. He looked back and came face to face with Drusilla. "Did you really think I'd let you be?" She says,"I gave you a moment of peace and I see that you've been gaining majority of the people's support" she continues. "What are you so mad about? The fact that I have some people support or the fact that Draven chose me.. publicly at that" Aurelian says. Drusilla slapped him hard across the face,"who do you think you are? And that..that doesn't mean anything!", Aurelian's cheeks bloomed with the slap mark.His ears rang. For a second, everything went silent. "What do th.." Aurelian starts but she cuts him off with another slap. Aurelian held his cheek from the sting of the slap. Drusilla smirked and dropped to the ground clutching her stomach,"someone help!" She yells and three guards rushed in. "What happened, lady Drusilla?" One asks helping her up. Drusilla puts on fake tears,"he hit me, told me to stay away from Draven" she sobs, the guards looks at Aurelian unsure. "Are you sure about that lady Drusilla?" Another asks, "arrest him! Physical violence is not allowed in the palace, arrest him!" Drusilla says, voice dripping with venom. "I'm not sure we can do that, the crown prince will have our heads if we touch his royal consort", one guard states. Drusilla looks at him, eyes full of fury,"you dare disobey my orders?!" "No, my lady but we can't afford to offend the crown prince either". Drusilla scoffs,"this isn't over!" She says and storms off. Aurelian's shoulders visibly relax,"are you okay, your grace?" One guard asks, "yes, I'm fine" Aurelian answered. Yes, he was fine because even in Draven's absence, he still protected him. Aurelian left the library to look for Draven. He saw Draven at the training ground, still training intensely and he couldn't help but smile,"why does your presence ground me?" He asked himself while watching Draven on the field.