Nox hummed to himself as he made his way around the kitchen, trying to get in a better mood after running into his moody older brother. He did feel a bit guilty being so sharp with him.

The palace cooks giggled and watched with joy as the youth worked hard on the Sun Princes meal. He was so lost in his own world, that he almost didn’t see his younger brother watching him.

"What are you doing? "

Nox gritted his teeth in annoyance. Seemed like no matter what, he couldn't avoid any of his family.

"Preparing the meal for our guest. Why are you so interested Dani? "

The youngest prince jumped up on to the kitchen counter, kicking his feat back and forth.

"Because I haven’t seen you this happy in awhile…." The boy lowered his head a bit. “And I heard you humming...so it was nice to hear again….”
Dani watched as Nox went back to working on the meal. A smile graced his face.

"We’ve had a bad few years. I’m hoping if everything goes as planned we can get Dick back and make a peaceful treaty with the Sun. …and things will hopefully get better. …"

Dani brightened up.

"We can get Dick back! "

Dani looked thrilled, it was something he wasn’t expecting.

"It’s been 3 years, but he’s coming back home. ….Which is why we need to take care of our guest till then… Want to help me?"

Dani nodded, jumping down and ready to take orders.

In the shadows of the dark kitchen, a playful laugh escaped watching as the two boys caused a bit of trouble for the kitchen staff.

Derek had his red cane to keep him balanced. His dark, green silk cape, covered his head.

He watched as his younger brothers talked and he listened to what Nox had planned for the Sun Prince. That their eldest brother Richard, had the potential to be returned to them. He felt foolish to think Nox had gone mad. If anything, he had grown stronger than he had ever been before. Derek didn’t see it, simply because he wasn’t there.

He hid himself away, doing what his brother said he did.

Feeling sorry for himself, when Nox too, suffered.

And yet, there was Nox, laughing, humming, almost singing a song.

He had changed and so should he.

He had to start somewhere and he knew who he had to talk to.

He didn’t stay long before taking a hidden passage, leaving the growing laughter behind him. He had to talk to someone. 

The Prince of the Sun was the only one he could think of.