"We have secured the whole third floor for your use, Your Highness." Ilhan told Somnus with a graceful smile after talking with the innkeeper. "Please go up and rest. The chef that came with us will continue his work of providing safe meals for you."

Somnus nodded at that, and he proceeded to lead his brother up the stairs, still a little wary of the gazes that followed them. Thankfully, Urien stuck to them, who were busy projecting a refined aura of a King that made the common people look away nervously.

Ilhan and the knights that came with them also sensed it, making their hearts beat faster in fear. Once the three disappeared upstairs, the knights started muttering between themselves.

"They say he was from a fallen noble family, yeah?"

"That's what they said but I wonder if he's actually from the Imperial family…"

"His attitude isn't one for a humble or fallen noble, that's for sure. Who would dare act out like that to the Imperial princes in the first place?"

Ilhan turned to frown at them, motioning them to leave with one hand. "Stop gossiping among yourselves and go bring their stuff up to their rooms before resting. I'll figure out who's on security duty later."

The knight chuckled at how cute their Captain shows his concern for them before leaving to do their last job for the evening.

Meanwhile, the two princes and their knight reached the third floor and went into one of the rooms that had two large beds separated by a bedside drawer. There was a large cabinet on one side for their clothes, a small desk and chair on the other side next to a curtained window.

The warm colored lamps around the room gave the impression of a relaxing afternoon glow; they also noticed that the room was slightly colder than the hallway, and the source of it was an air cooler standing by the corner.

The large blue runestone was giving off the cold temperature, while the smaller green ones were blowing it out.

Ordinarily, the princes would rush over to it curiously, as it was something they've never encountered before since their estate relies on mages to control the temperature in the rooms they were going to use.

However, knowing that their instructor is still upset with them, they held back and grumpily sat down on the beds, waiting for their lecture.

Urien didn't disappoint as he stood before them, crossing his arms.

"I want you two to promise me that you will not do such stupid and reckless actions ever again."  He told them firmly.

"If we didn't do that, those mercenaries—"

"Your Highness Letum, you almost killed them out of anger. I think you should learn how to control your emotions first. We already went through this lesson before."

Letum flushed at that, clenching his hands on his lap. "But those ingrates…"

"You will meet many people like that in life. Are you telling me that you will forget about your position as prince and kill them in cold blood like some prince of massacre of sorts? The Imperial family already has a tainted reputation, and your brother is barely holding the Empire together."

Somnus raised an eyebrow at that. "Those monsters or whatever weren't made by the Imperial family. They have always been part of nature…"

"Who said so?"

"Says Lady Eury back when we were children."

Urien pursed his lips at that, his expression conflicted with emotions. He ruffled his wings subconsciously as if he's embarrassed about something before reaching out to flick their foreheads.

"Fine, she's technically not wrong, but the duty to keep those monsters in check falls upon the Imperial family." He told them. "They had a pact with Phoenix after all."

Somnus scoffed at that. "Why should we be tethered to such an old pact when Phoenix was the first one to leave us some generations ago?"

Urien gritted his teeth at that, clenching his hands into tight fists. He looked down at the ground before sighing and relaxing his overall body language. 

"Just go on ahead and wash up, Your Highnesses."

Somnus and Letum flinched at his sudden formal tone.

They have no idea what caused this sudden shift but they both surmised that Urien must be a devout, and hearing their words about Phoenix must be driving a wedge between them.

Going to the Empire without knowing if they could trust anyone else, they have to continue holding onto Urien until their positions are secured. Maybe then they could ask him to stay with them permanently.

"Sir Urien…please don't randomly change between our instructor or being our father figure…" Letum told him.

"We'd like it better if you continue being our father figure." Somnus added quickly.

Urien gave them a tired expression. "Don't worry. I'll continue doing my job until you're back home safe."