Nox walked around the palace, his mind drifting to his wrist he was held tight with and pulled around. He wasn’t going to lie and say he wasn’t scared. He really was. What scared him was how limp he was under Castor and didn’t fight back. It brought back unpleasent memories.

“Have I really not gotten stronger?”

Nox let his arm drop, trying to erase that fear that grew in his chest. He gave a little laugh, feeling a little silly. He knew he had gotten stronger, otherwise he would have never set foot in that horrible place again.

There he was, bidding against Ari Tiky. The vile man who nearly killed his older brother, disfiguring him. The vile man who….

Nox took a deep breath before making his way to his own quarters. He had to think of something different, something that kept his mind away from “that”.

So he did something he wasn’t expecting to do.

He hummed a tune. A tune in which he forgot a long time ago.

A smile returned to his face.

Tomorrow was another day after all.

And he was extremely tired from the traveling he did.

This whole things was not just physically taxing but mentally as well. Nox knew he wouldn’t break from it though.

If anything, he was a bit envious of the Sun Prince, whom seemed to be left in the dark, even regarding matters of his own Kingdom.

“Ah, to be ignorant again…” Nox mused, only to jump a bit when a questioning voice came his way.

“It’s blissful I take it?” A young man, sat haplessly on a railing, dressed in moderate Knight clothing. “What’s got you so humored Nox?”

Nox relaxed, bowing his head as the Knight jumped away from the ledge.

“Our kidnapped victim seems to be more of a country bumpkin than a Prince.” He enjoyed the Knight’s presence. “So what brings you out, Sir Match? Are the Knight’s Quarters no longer to your liking?”

Sir Match frowning heavily, crossed his arms, keeping pace with his young lord. His fiery, short red hair, seemed to stand on end.

“The group went out drinking again and it’s just not my thing.” He gave a yawn. “Besides, Sir Qua has her eye on me for some reason….” He frowned even more. “I don’t even known what I did wrong…”

Nox nodded, listening as his most trusted Knight rattled on and on. He knew tho, there was a point he would stop rattling and get the real reason as to why he was there.

“Seems to me Sir Qua is just keeping an eye on you to keep you safe….” He knew it was coming.

“It’s because you told her to...wasn’t it.” The Knight didn’t dance around the Moon Prince like so many others did. He as up to the point.

“You are mad I didn’t tell you where I was going.” Nox smiled brightly, trying to deflect the red heads anger. “I dare wouldn’t ask you to come to a place like that…”

“AND why not?” The Knight took two strong steps forward, before turning and looking at the Prince with anger in his eyes. “You are my friend and you went to that place without me, alone…” He clenched his fists, tears in his eyes. “What happened if you got caught….”

“I didn’t, so no more with the “what if’s”….” Nox relaxed, accepting that he wasn’t going to be able to escape those dark thoughts. Those memories he wished to forget. “I was thinking of you my friend. I didn’t want you to return to that nightmare we escaped from….” Nox patted his friends shoulder, trying to comfort him. “So please Teddy, don’t think I left you behind, when I didn’t….”

Teddy nodded, whipping away the tears of worry and anger.

“Just don’t do that again, okay Nox?”

Nox remained silent because he knew he couldn’t keep his word on that. He knew no matter what he said on that matter, would leave to an understanding outcome, so he changed the subject.

“What to you say we go to the library tonight? Find a new book to read?” He knew Teddy’s anger was still warranted, yet it seemed he knew his friend wasn’t going to answer him. “ And I can get the Maids to deliver us some cakes and cookies…” He watched as Teddy thought over the option of food and books.

“If you get Miss Kou to deliver the treats...I wouldn’t mind…” A soft blush crossed the Knight’s cheeks , leaving Nox to poke fun at him.

“Awe, I knew it!” He teased even more. “Should I have Miss Kou read to you then?” Nox gave a small laugh as his Knight turned away to hid his blushing face.

“Do you want to go read or what…” Teddy returned back to walking, leaving Nox to catch up.

“I’m coming. I’m coming…” He was tired, he wasn’t going to lie about that but he wasn’t going to pass up the chance to try and hook up his friend with the nice Maid girl. “So what do you want to read? Horror or R-o-m-a-n-c-e?”

“Drop it will you!”

The two bickered in the hallway, as a cloaked person watched from the shadows. With a tired sigh, they too left.

It was going to be a long night it seemed.