The afternoon drifted quietly into early evening, the sun hanging low and casting a rich golden glow over everything. Shadows stretched longer, and the heat of the day softened into a pleasant warmth. The air felt calmer now, touched by a light breeze, as the world slowly eased out of its busy rhythm and into a more peaceful, unhurried pace. Draven was walking with an advisor talking about some duties and activities he had to fulfil. "Your highness, it would be best if you visited the grand duke about this matter." The advisor states,"I'll see to that", Draven replied. From the corner of his eyes, Draven saw Aurelian eating some grapes by the grand stairs leading to the kitchen. But what caught his attention wasn't the fruit or where Aurelian had chosen to eat the fruit. Hisgaze darken and he clenched his fists, "who dared to touch him?" He thought as he stormed over to Aurelian. Aurelian's breath hitched as his face was lifted and he quickly stands up,"who hit you?" Draven asked,"huh? It's..uh.. it's nothing serious" he replied not wanting to escalate the issue. "There's a slap mark on your face and you tell me it's nothing?" Draven questioned, his anger rising. "Tell me who it is, Aurelian", he added. His tone was final and left no room for arguments. "Uh.. it's.. Drusilla.." Aurelian replies fidgeting with the hem of his clothes. "Heragain?!" Draven all but yells, his chest rising and falling with every breath. "I'm going to deal with her this time"he says but as he turns to leave Aurelian grabs his arm,"Don't! It'll only make matters worse" Aurelian pleads. "What? She hurt you Aurelian, I won't let it slide" Draven replied, he was visibly vibrating with anger,"Aurelian as much as I want to listen to you, she must pay" Draven adds, removing Aurelian's hands from his arm and walks away. He found Drusilla with her friends in the kitchen eating and laughing while servants rushed around to satisfy them. "Drusilla!" Draven called out from the doorway, Drusilla flinched hard, she knew she was in trouble,"uh.. your highness...what are you.." she starts,"I warned you but you didn't listen, what do you take me for? Someone to be disrespected?" Draven cuts her off. "I..I don't know what you're talking about", Drusilla lies through her teeth, her heart pounding in her ears. Draven stepped closer, meeting her eyes before he grabs her by the throat, "I told you not to hurt Aurelian yet you did", he releases her abruptly and wiped his hands. "As much as I want to kill you, the palace rules won't allow it, but... Guards!!" Draven called out, some guards ran in, standing at alert, "yes, your highness" "lock her up in the dungeon till she learns her lesson" Draven commanded and the guards rushed to carry out the order. "You can't do this to me Draven! I'm the duke's daughter!" Drusilla struggles against the guards grip, "sure I can" Draven says as the guards dragged her away. Aurelian walked in at that moment and Drusilla yells at him,"you.. this is all your fault!". Her friends quickly scrambled away, not wanting any part of the punishment while both guards and servants watched, mouth agape. Aurelian nudges Draven, "I told you not to do anything to her, she'll only come at me more", Draven turned to him and cups his face, "and every time she does, I'll protect you and punish her", he says. Aurelian's heart pounded loudly against his chest at their proximity that he was sure Draven could hear it. Draven leaned in a little, their faces dangerously close to each other, his eyes darted to Aurelian's lips, plump and round. Aurelian closed his eyes tightly, his breathing uneven, his mind spiralling, "what's happening? He's so close we could actually..." Draven pulls away and clears his throat, making Aurelian open his eyes,"why did I do that? I almost kissed him?" Draven's heart raced faster as he thought. "I should get going, I have duties to attend to", he said, already turning to leave, Aurelian stared at him, exasperated. "How can he just do that and turn to leave?" He thought. Draven walked away, his mind not settling, "he was just there, yet I couldn't", Draven's thought drifted,"Am I... falling for him?"
