A brooding older man glanced at Nox in a haughty anger. His royal robes in disarray, as he had sat down hastefully. His crown discarded on the ground, tossed in a fit of rage not to long ago.

"Nox…." The older man rested his tired eyes on his son before him.

Nox gave a playful smile, crossing his arms.

"Yes, King Aldrich?" If his father wanted to play games, he could play along.

The King rolled his eyes, knowing full to well where this was going. His own son wasn’t going to even let him say his full name out loud in anger.

"You are either a brilliant man or a stupid fool. But I’m more upset that you were there in a place like that."

Nox made his way up to the King, grabbing the discarded crown. It felt heavy in his hands as he made his way up to the throne. He placed the crown on his father’s head, before sitting on the large arm rest. He hadn’t done so since he was a child and wondered if he was pushing it at this point. He flashed a smile, trying to look innocent.

"I heard the rumors about our special guest. I could not let someone like that go. I figured we could use him for leverage." He already assumed his father was informed of the Sun Prince’s presences.

Aldrich lifted his hand up, placing it up on his son’s head. His hard look faded away to a soft grin. He wondered where he heard those “rumors”.

"You had me worried is all…Last time Derek and you were taken there, he almost lost his life…. And you..."

Nox glanced away, feeling guilty about that. He knew his father worried for him. As for “that” part of his life, he didn’t want to hear anymore about it.

"Which is why I took up self defense and practice more with the sword. …Besides, I’m not worried, after all the information was correct. Castor, the Prince of Nardia, Kingdom of the Sun, was the high prize."

Aldrich lowered his hand and bringing it up to his nose. He felt his blood pressure growing.

"How much did you spend? "

"98,700……" He sucked his lips in. “And some travel expenses….”

The King took in a deep breath, letting it go.

"I suppose the price for peace can be high…..” The King gave a soft smile. “But not as high as your life…”

Nox got off the chair, making his way back towards the hallway with a slight skip to his step. He didn’t want his father’s guilt coming out and dragging down his mood.

"Love you papa!"

Nox ran out leaving the King to sigh heavily. The older, grandfather looking figure came into view.

“Coleman….What am I to do with my children? “

Coleman shrugged his shoulders, almost humming.

"Do what I have gave to you.” The old man crossed his arms. “Love.”

Aldrich rested a hand on his chin, using his knee for elbow support.

"Was I ever that wild?"

A smack to the back of Aldrich’s head and a stern frown came from the older man.

"Nox is by far the most temperamental of the lot among your children. He thinks things with his brain, not his member."

The King looked hurt.

"Oi, brutally honest much?"

Coleman turned to leave as well.

"You are my son first, King second. So I can be honest, brutally or not."

Aldrich was left alone, relaxing in his chair, left thinking about what was to come next.

For he had the crown prince of the Sun in the Kingdom of the Moon. Eventually he had to send word to the youth’s father.

“Why did I become King again?” He shook his head, tired of the weight he carried. “Now for that letter….” Aldrich thought he might as well add his own thoughts to the King of the Sun. “It should take a few days for the messenger hawk to get there….” He was tired of this already.

It was part of his duty after all. Being a King and a father, he had to investigate all possible dangers to his Kingdom, his people and his family.

Having a Crown Prince from a nation with an already shaken peace treaty by shady means in his own Kingdom was something dangerous indeed. Aldrich didn’t know whom he could trust either, as those “rumors” Nox heard were spot on. How and why he received them as another matter he’d have to discuss with his son later on.
For now, one thing at a time.

“How exactly do I write this letter without coming off as threatening?” He really hated being King.