Aleph hissed as he felt Khres’s toenails scratch against his calves. He tried to pull his lover in, but every time he grasped at his curls, he was being pushed against over and over again. Mouthing at the soft ivory skin at the Prevoiran heir’s nape, Aleph whispered hotly against his lover’s ear, “How much longer?”

“Please, love, just… a little bit more…”

The crown prince shifted their position, ignoring the sunlight that pushes past the window drapes until his long silver hair curtained over his lover’s smaller frame. He kissed the young lord’s slender back, nipping and marking him as he sped up the rhythm.

To be fair, Khres indeed fed him dinner yesternight, made up of fruits and bread dripping with honey. As the seer flicked his tongue to lap Aleph’s digits for leftover honey, it was a little bit telling how Khres wanted the rest of last night to end up.

This morning, of course, followed suit.

When they both reached their peak, Aleph cradled his lover’s face in his palms and gave him a searing kiss as they tried to catch their breaths.

“I… told you,” smirked Khres. “It was worth it, hmm? Not only did I give you a wonderful evening, but I was able to bring you a scrumptious breakfast as well.”

“You distracted me,” observed the crown prince as he gathered his hair, reaching for a ribbon from the nightstand to tie it back. “I cannot believe how I keep on falling for it.”

Khres laughed, sweat dripping down his temple, “You love me.”

“That I do… that I do…”

Khres hummed and tapped his arm, “We have to clean up.”

Aleph pressed one last kiss on Khres’s cheek before taking a towel, dipping it in a clear basin of water before going back to gently wipe at his lover’s body and then tending to his own. Khres moved to retrieve articles of clothing, carefully dressing himself and his crown prince.

As they were about to finish, a knock sounded on the main doors of the crown prince’s private quarters. Khres grabbed Aleph’s hand and kissed his knuckles before letting him walk towards the door.

With his clothes barely in place, Aleph opened the door. A maid immediately bowed at his sight, “Your Highness is requested to the dining hall in half an hour, by orders of His Majesty, King Novus.”

Aleph heard Khres making detectable noises as he moved from the bed, and he tried to stay calm as the maid’s face reddened. “If… if your highness wished to not be disturbed…”

“It is alright,” replied Aleph. “If my father wishes to be confirmed, then yes, I will be there in half an hour.”

The maid nodded, her blush reaching down her neck as she made a quick bow, and walked out of his private quarters as fast as he could. Khres giggled as he snaked his arms around the crown prince as Aleph closed the door.

“What did she say?”

“I am requested for breakfast, in half an hour.”

Khres brightened up, “Can I come with?”

Aleph’s face went pensive, making the seer laugh. He then proceeded to button the prince’s garments properly, humming, “Be careful of the queen.”

Aleph raised an eyebrow, wondering what his lover might have seen. Khres gave him a smile, the one that rivals the sun, the one that keeps on taking his breath away. “Trust your father’s decision more. He is king for a reason.” Khres hummed for a moment as if considering his next words. “I won’t be here when you return. My grandmother has summoned me home.” 

“I understand,” Aleph nodded, pressing a kiss against his lover’s dark curls. “I love you.”

“You better, after everything I gave you the past twelve hours.” Khres giggled, seeing Aleph’s pensive expression once more. “But yes, I do cherish you the most, my beautiful prince.”

Aleph found Emet already waiting outside their father’s solar, shifting on his feet nervously, as if he was waiting to be scolded. He looked younger like that, and Aleph can remember the scrawny, wild boy when he had first come to the palace. 

“There’s no need to be so nervous,” Aleph said as he approached, clapping his hand on his brother’s shoulder. “Father won’t say anything bad, I imagine.” 

Emet grimaced. “It’s not Father I’m worried about,” he said. With a sigh, he raised his hand and knocked before Aleph could say anything. It made sense, he thought. Emet was proof that the King did not love his second wife as much as his first, considering his infidelity. With the recent development, the queen would be even more sensitive to such a reminder. 

“Come in,” a voice called out from within the room, and the two princes entered together. The rest of the family was already gathered around the table, and the food was already prepared for them to break their fast. 

Aleph took his seat to his father’s right with a smile. “Good morning, Father,” he said, and Emet echoed the same words following after him. 

“Good, good, you’re all here, we can start,” King Novus said. “We have much to discuss.” 

“Perhaps, the first meal of the day isn’t the best way to discuss politics, Novus?” The Queen asked from across Aleph. “We can just have a meeting later with Aleph and Likha.” 

“Nonsense,” the King waved her concerns off. “This is a family matter as much as it is that of the country.” 

“Did something happen, father?” Likha asked after sipping from her morning tea. 

“We have plenty of good news to go around!” Their father announced jovially. “Firstly, your uncle is coming back to the capital.” 

“Is the Western Expansion done then?” Indak asked with a curious tone. He was picking at his own food, glancing at his mother who had been tense since she’d been rebuffed by her husband. “I thought it would be more years.” 

“No, no, but I’ve recalled him to make his reports, and of course, to affirm your brother’s position.” 

“Some of the lords will not be happy,” Likha observed. “The Commander General is an integral part of our Western force.” 

“Uncle could just return once he’s done with his business in the capital,” Aleph said, as he thought the matter over. His father’s younger brother had been away from court for too long, but he remembered taking his own lessons in combat and military strategy from the man. Perhaps, his presence at court can reduce the whispers from other lords and ladies. 

“Just so,” the king agreed, and Aleph stifled a flinch when the Queen placed her glass of water harshly back on the table. “Besides, we can’t have my brother missing a royal wedding.” 

“A royal wedding!?” The surprise exclamation came from Indak, and the younger prince was looking between his sister and Aleph. Aleph was just as confused and surprised as the other. “Whose wedding?” 

“Our second announcement for today,” the King said with a laugh. “The talks with the envoys from Silvestris have been finalized. Lady Loreza has made her offer for Emet’s hand in marriage, and it’s been accepted. We’ll have quite the celebration!” 

Aleph turned questioning eyes towards the youngest prince along with the other occupants in the room. To Emet’s credit, he didn’t shy away from the glances, and suddenly, his earlier nervousness made much more sense. He gave them all a grin as if he hadn’t been fretting outside the rooms much earlier. 

Aleph recovered first. “Congratulations, brother,” he said. “It seems I must prepare a proper wedding gift.” 

“We might be too focused on Emet until his wedding feast, but I hope all my children are cognizant of the fact that they will have to find suitable partners for themselves as well,” King Novus looked at Aleph almost expectantly. “The Erstellen gift should be passed on and this is non-negotiable, especially for you, Aleph.”

“Yes, Father,” answered the crown prince, trying to avoid making eye contact with either Likha or Indak, or even Emet.

“How about Likha?” Harana interjected as she wiped her mouth with a napkin. “If she were to marry a Prevoir, the Grand Oracle would look upon us with more favor, don’t you think, Novus?”

“A Prevoir?” Novus echoed. “Then I must ask the Lady Helena about her opinion as soon as possible. They do have a suitable young lord that I am sure Likha would be willing to take as prince consort.”

Aleph almost bit his tongue as he tried not to show his distaste. Likha marrying a Prevoir would do good for the kingdom, but considering the tension that surrounds them at the moment, this can put a strain not only on Aleph and Likha but also on Khres.

He opened his lips to speak, but the queen beat him to it.

Harana plastered a smile, “It is settled then. If Likha and a young Prevoir were to marry, and if they were to have an offspring with an Erstellen gift, that would bring much joy to your majesty, would it not?”

“Indeed,” said Novus as he downed his cup of wine. “Though I am also looking forward to becoming a grandfather to Aleph’s child. The Acero clan would be overjoyed, as will I.”

“An Erstellen gift is what we aim to pass down the line,” gritted out Harana. “And with Likha already having the gift, she remains to be more than capable of passing it down.”

“Emy also has the gift, though,” shrugged Indak as he smiled at his younger brother. “Maybe he’s gonna trample on all of us and sire a child with the gift. Do you already know how to father children, Emy?”

“I do, dear brother, as I have been of age a few years ago,” Emet pointed out. “In fact…”

“Novus,” Harana called as she dropped her napkin on the table. She stood up, “A word, after breakfast.”

The king sighed as his current consort left the dining hall. He looked over to his children, the tension between them quietly rising. It was to be expected, having named Aleph to the crown instead of the gifted Likha. Yet the Erstellen gift was something given at birth when Erstellen kings and queens are made the way diamonds are forged.

As the tension rises, the pressure bubbles over, and who breaks and who becomes a diamond will be determined soon enough.

Khres’ steps echoed within the Halls of Glace. The hallway to his grandmother’s solar was empty at this time, and the walls were still covered with tapestries and paintings of the previous Visions of the scions of the House of Prevoir. 

Here was the proof of their House’s power. Brutal pictures of wars that have been prevented or caused at the word of a Prevoir. Alliances that shift like sand with a simple whisper of a better future for one or another noble. Ever since he was a child, Khres had hated walking through these halls, these reminders of his legacy. 

Within the solar, his grandmother sat serenely, scrying through a mirror on her table for the future. At the sound of his approach, she looked up with a pleased smile. Lady Helena may have officially retired from her position as their Materfamilia but she had never stopped meddling with their family’s position. 

And none of them have ever thought to question her about it. Perhaps they should have, he was starting to think. 

“Grandmother,” Khres said, inclining his head in greeting. “I’ve come as asked.” 

“Sit down, child,” Lady Helena said, gesturing to the seat across her. “We have much to discuss.”