Draven doesn't let go of Aurelian's hand even as they entered the court room. As the door opened, all eyes fell on Draven and Aurelian then their joined hands. Elowen gasps audibly, fanning herself dramatically. "Are my eyes playing tricks on me or are they really holding hands?!" She asks to no one in particular. The Grand Duke who was present at the meeting looked at Aurelian with pure contempt. A frown plastered on his face. Aurelian's gaze meets the grand duke's and he felt his skin crawl, something about the way the grand duke looks at him didn't sit right with him but he dismissed it, not wanting to put meaning to it or come off as exagerative. His father's voice brings him back from his thoughts. "You both should have your seats", King Alaric suggests. Aurelian takes his seat beside Draven before accessing the people that were present. The kings, their Queens, Elowen, The Grand duke, a few nobles and the advisors and also the war general. King Malric clears his throat and starts,"we all know why we're gathered here today...is to look for a solution to the news circulating the kingdom". He paused, letting his words sink in before continuing,"if there are any solutions you'd recommend, speak up". The entire room falls silent, some throwing subtle glances at each other while the others feign thinking. "I suggest you tell the truth about what happened that day", Draven says, breaking the silence. "That's not an option, it'll only make me look more guilty", King Malric counters. Aurelian speaks up in support of Draven,"I agree with Draven, We also have some intel that what you've been drugged with is the Phantom Veil Elixir". The silence in the room was deafening. "Phantom veil elixir?" King Alaric echoed. "Yes, it is said to only be found in the Northern and Southern region", Draven added. The Grand Duke's face visibly paled,"such can't be found in my region!" He defended. Draven's eyes slowing but surely found the Grand Duke. His expression neutral. "What do you mean by that? And how do you know specifically that it can't be found?" He asks. "Are you accusing me of something, Your highness?" The grand duke questions, his gaze hardening. King Malric clears his throat commanding attention. "I think my son has a point, Valerius". The grand duke eyes the king before speaking,"I know this because I specifically ordered that all poisonous plants be cleared", he voice was certain and convincing. "And when did you give out this order?" Draven questions. "Seven years ago!" Valerius blurts out without thinking, he smirks thinking he has convinced the jury but Draven retorts,"you were assigned to the Western region that time, you only started at the Northern region four years ago". Colour drained from Valerius face and he scrambles for any excuse,"I guess age has caught up with me, I meant to say the Western region", he lies through his teeth with a nervous chuckle. King Malric diverts the conversation,"We're not here to throw baseless accusations just because the poison grows somewhere, we're here for a solution and besides, I know Valerius enough to know that such actions cannot happen under nose", King Malric says, dismissing the speculation. Aurelian's gaze lingers on the triumphant smirk playing on the Grand Duke's lips. "If there are no reasonable suggestions, we'll have to adjourn this meeting", King Malric concluds, rising up from his seat to leave. King Alaric followed suit and then Elowen after her father. Draven glanced at the grand duke who's smirk widen into a full blown grin,"You should be careful with your words boy, otherwise...you might regret it". His words hangs heavy in the air. Draven didn't reply, he just leads Aurelian out and back to their chambers. The moment the door closes, Aurelian groans loudly,"seriously! The grand duke creeps me out!" Draven's gaze soften at Aurelian's visible frustration,"I don't like that old man too" Draven replies, moving closer to him,"and you my beloved were not supposed to say anything about out lead", he added as a matter of fact. "I ...I didn't know!" Aurelian tries to defend himself. "Oh you didn't know but you deserve to be punished", Draven replies, a smirk dancing on his lips. Aurelian tries to run away but Draven's grip was iron tight,"but I'm not fully healed yet, Draven!"
