Derek made his way silently in the hallway, only the click of his cane could be heard. His mind was wild. More with that he was an idiot who did something stupid and said something stupid, without, once again thinking.

He was angry and that made him even more angry.

He took a deep breath, trying to regain his composure. It was then he became embarrassed. Mortified even. He was crying in front of someone he didn’t even known and was being an idiot during the whole conversation.

“Nox was right….” He lamented on the thought of being called childish. Lost in his rant and mental anguish, he let his feet guide him down old pathways he used to walk when he was younger. He was so lost, he wasn’t even aware he made it to the main hallway until a familiar click threw him back.

Two large doors opened up behind him in a haste, causing Derek to jump from the sudden movement. King Aldrich looked at his son with a guilty look, not expecting him to be there, let alone, scare him.

"Derek..."

The son had his back to his father, but his shoulders sank. The boy took his hood off to look at his father with his one good eye. That eye seemed to glow in the darkness. That one eye could see the look his father gave him. It was a look of feeling sorry.

"Father. …I…."

Aldrich walked up, surprising Derek by how fast he could move. A soft hug came, causing the 2^nd prince to fall forward.

"I’m glad you came out of your quarters. It’s good to see you again."

Derek raised his arms up, hugging his father in return. He smiled into his father’s dark robes.

"I had to come out sometime….” He closed his eye taking a breath. “Besides, I had to come see what got Nox singing again….”

Aldrich pulled away from his son, his arms still clasping his shoulders.

"Nox is singing again? "

Derek shrugged. Cracking a small, broken smile.

"He’s humming, so it’s a start…"

The King smiled, looking down at this son’s face, who noticed and looked away. Derek was still not used to that pity in his eyes.

“Did you have a fight?” Aldrich raised an eyebrow at that. “Your face is flushed and eye is red.”

Derek didn’t really know what to tell his father.

“I ran into Nox recently. To put it in such short words, he told me to knock it off…” He paused a bit. “And I spoke to the Sun Prince in private.” He sighed heavily. “He asked about Ari and I freaked a bit…”

The soft smile on the Kings face faded.

“What? Why would he ask you about him?” This was something that caught the King full attention.

“Castor told me that Nox talked about what happened to me…” He swallowed. “I don’t believe he really knows the whole story, as he did question me on other things about it. “

Aldrich frowned heavily. He knew his Nox didn’t tell him everything, that would be too easy.

“I’ve been conducting an investigation on the matter of what has happened.” He lowered his head, it felt heavy with the crown on it. “Nox has been very secretive and sly as of recent. I am sure you are aware of that as well…” Derek nodded at that. Aldrich wished his sons spoke the truth with him more. “All I get from him is the potential for peace….”

“Then trust him…” Derek spoke it so clearly, it caused Aldrich’s eyes to widen. “With Nox, if there is something in his power, he will do it. Even if its a little misguided….” He held his arm, smiling a bit. “He told me to get over it and I thought he was mad….” He laughed a little. “Turns out he didn’t need babying, all he needed was a challenge to keep going and with that Sun Prince rescue, I say he’s on the right track…”

Aldrich kept getting surprised.

“I’m glad you spoke to Nox...as for the Sun Prince, I was going to talk to him too…” He thought over that name his son spoke. “Since the Prince told you of Ari, I think it would be best to send off another hawk to the Sun King with that name attached.” He watched as his son caught on. “ Nox was able to get bidding ledgers from the Black Market. Ari Tiki was one of the bidders registared at that event, though a proxy went under that name." How Nox was able to get the ledger in the first place was something he would ask later.

The colored drained from Derek’s face.

“So he really is alive….” He looked at his father with worry. “What does he want with the Sun Prince?”

King Aldrich was no fool. Not when it came to the Eversea Kingdom he helped end.

“They want the war to continue.” He pressed the bridge of his nose. “If only I had eradicated them all when I had the chance.”

Derek held onto his fathers arm, holding a little tight.

“Father….” He caught his attention.

“Derek it will be alright….I won’t let the Eversea Kingdom come back.” He could tell that his son was still afraid, even if he was a grown man.

“I’m not afraid of that….” He closed his eye. “I don’t want you to lose yourself either.” He thought of Nox and how he would snap at him for being so weak. “You know Nox wouldn’t like that. He would pout if you did something rash….”

“You are not wrong there...but this complicates things….” He wondered what Nox was planning. “I’ll give the 3^rd Prince the benefit of the doubt and let him come to me when he is ready.” He smiled, calming down. “I’ll put my trust in him..” The King pulled his son into another hug. "Since when did you become so wise?"

Derek sighed, he wasn’t sure if he was wise, just becoming less of a child. He couldn’t help bought laugh as he thought.

"Since I decided I am going to become King. .."

Aldrich pulled back, pulling on son’s ears.

"Not until I die! So for right now. ….be free…."

"I will…"

Aldrich gazed at his son, who’s smile was bright and true. It eased something in his heart he didn’t know he had been holding on for awhile.

“Come, it’s getting late…” He seemed to relax more. “Dinner will be soon.”

Derek nodded at that, his heart felt lighter.