The dawn arrived earlier than the day before, casting a faint chill through the room as the sun struggled to warm the stone walls. Rhae stirred from his slumber, his gaze falling on Kaisan nestled against him, the more petite man's arms wrapped around him snugly. He sighed, satisfied at the lovely sight he woke up to and continued to watch Kaisan sleep. 

Kaisan, half-awake, groaned and frowned, then squirmed. In a half-asleep haze, he pushed away the morning arousal that was rudely rubbing against him, disrupting his peaceful morning. He sighed in exasperation, torn between the warmth of the blanket and the need to escape from this early morning disturbance. 

"Stop, put that monstrous thing away…" Kaisan mumbled irritably against Rhae's chest. Rhae chuckled,  the sound rumbling through his chest, causing Kaisan's head to bounce lightly. Kaisan's hand flew up and smacked an exposed pec in frustration.

"Alright, alright," Rhae grinned, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he looked down into his arms at the exhausted young man. Even with his deep, sleepy frown and eyes squeezed shut to hide from the light, he still looks like an oil painting - a masterpiece. He kissed the fluffy tousled bed-head and carefully adjusted his pelvis to alleviate the discomfort. He glanced around the room awkwardly as he tried to find things to focus on in an attempt to calm his mind. 

"We're not doing it first thing in the morning. There's swimming today, and I don't want a leg cramp to drown me due to fatigued muscles." He groggily continued, ramping on about his morning anxiety. Rhae suppressed a laugh, not wanting to be smacked again.

"What else is on the agenda today?" Rhae murmured softly, playing with the messy pink mop on top of Kaisan. Kaisan peeled his face away from Rhae's chest and squinted at him.

"Water sports, boat rides, um… waterside picnics. Then, they'll pull out the lake yacht tonight and set off fireworks. More of a cocktail party than a ball or anything…"

"Are we going to have another active day?" Rhae laughed, recalling how tired Kaisan had been the day before.

"Absolutely not! It's a good day to relax. Let's do a leisurely boat ride through the canals branching from the lake. Then, a nice, cozy, lazy picnic that must include a nap on a full stomach. That's the kind of day I'm looking forward to." 

"Does that include another mandatory visit to a family meeting?" 

"No formal meeting and meal today, but more of a check-in after I get changed. But my cousins invited me to lunch. You're welcome to join us for that. It'll be in the main guest banquet hall." In return, Kaisan snuck his tired hand up to the back of Rhae's neck to play with his short hair. 

"Oh? I can join you today? That sounds delightful. Your family seemed lively and harmonious when you all played together each time." Rhae thought to himself, remembering the two previous interactions. Kaisan fell silent for a moment.

"I get along well with my mother's family. But my direct family, especially my siblings…" He stared off into space before sitting up in frustration. "Let's not talk about them. We don't get along. You can't choose your family, but if I could, it would be my maternal grandfather and aunt."

"What matters is that you are not alone and have family to reach out to," Rhae softly said as he leaned forward and rubbed Kaisan's back. Then, bent his head down, he gave gentle kisses along the back of Kaisan's neck and shoulders in a show of comfort. Kaisan looped his arm back around Rhae, looked up, and kissed his cheek with a meek smile. 

"Let's keep breakfast light today. My family are big eaters, so you will definitely feel the urge to keep up with them." Kaisan shyly laughed. Rhae nodded as he exited the bed to pull on the call rope to summon the servants. While waiting for them to respond, both Kaisan and Rhae slipped on their robes and moved to the table beside the large framed window overlooking the garden path. A moment later, a knock sounded on the sturdy wooden door. 

"Enter," Rhae called out from the table. Two servants, the same two as the previous day, entered and bowed respectfully. 

"What may we do for you this morning, my lords?" The head servant inquired calmly.

"We'll have a light breakfast today, please. And since it's early, coffee instead of tea would be perfect." Rhae requested, throwing a look at Kaisan, who nodded in agreement. 

"We also have some freshly made fruit juice. Shall I bring that as well?" the servant asked, catching Kaisan's interest.

"Yes," Kaisan replied eagerly. The head servant nodded, turned to give his junior a look, who bowed and left for the food. The head servant rolled the beverage cart from the hallway and started brewing the coffee. 

Once served, the servants tidied the room, opening windows for fresh air and drawing curtains. First, he opened the patio window to bring in fresh air. Then he gathered scattered clothes and neatly placed them on a nearby chair. Finally, he moved to the bed to strip off the old sheets. He returned to the hall, where a laundry cart must have been, and returned to refresh the bed with clean sheets.

"Excuse me, my lords. Would you like the clothes sent for cleaning or just pressed?" the head servant inquired.

"The larger set can be taken for cleaning. The smaller set can just be pressed." Rhae replied, turning his head in the employee's direction. The head servant nodded and opened a small servant's closet behind the door, bringing out an ironing board and iron. He moved his way to the fireplace and started a small number of logs, placing the iron on a rod overtop to heat up. 

"My personal attendant won't raise hell with me today for returning in messy, wrinkled clothes," Kaisan joked to the older man. "Thank you."

"My pleasure, my lord. I would have done so yesterday as well. It was my mistake not to ask sooner." He replied.

"No, no, I left in a hurry for a meeting. It's on me." Kaisan waved away the servant's concerns. The older man smiled gently.

"Thank you for saying that, my lord." He responded, standing up after picking up the hot iron with a padded glove and moving to the ironing board. The other servant knocked and re-entered a moment later, pushing a cart with a few selected plates. He placed a plate in front of each and lifted the lid off the tray. It was a standard continental breakfast with some fresh croissants, butter, jam, a few slices of different types of cheese, a small pile of fruit, and two slices of hot sliced morning sausage. 

The servants efficiently carried out their tasks while Rhae enjoyed his breakfast with measured calm, observing Kaisan's enthusiastic consumption of croissants and cheese. While Rhae ate each bit separately and calmly, Kaisan immediately went to the sliced-open croissant to build a sandwich. Rhae watched, bemused by how the young noble ate with gusto. It most definitely matched his fiery and straightforward daytime personality.

"If we are not joining them until lunchtime, you can take your time eating," Rhae teased gently.

"I still must make haste. Father demands morning check-ins, and I also must be impeccable." Kaisan replied between bites, his mouth full. Rhae gave a subtle frown, remembering the speedy meal but lack of substance he had the day before - as well as the amount of alcohol he had - and resolved to monitor his intake.

"Are you feeling any lingering effects from last night? Feeling nauseous?" Rhae pressed gently. Kaisan waved him off, trying to dismiss the concern. Deciding not to push further, Rhae let the matter drop. "Then at least have some of the fruit before you leave for your assembly."

"Yes, yes. Nag away," Kaisan chuckled as he stood up, popping a few grapes in his mouth. "You're like an old man sometimes."

"Why you-" Rhae started to swat playfully but missed as Kaisan dogged out of the way with a mischievous grin. He walked over to retrieve his clothes from the servant who had just finished ironing. The servant smiled, bowed, packed up the items and retreated from the room so they could change privately. 

"In front of my cousins and in private, you can just call me Kai," Kaisan called over his shoulder as he slipped on his clothes. He walked over to Rhae to request help with buttons. "But if there is any official gathering or assembly, 'Lord Kaisan' is probably the best title to go by."

"Understood," Rhae nodded while a soft smile played on his face. "Than 'Lord Rhaegal' for me. You're the only one who calls me Rhae. My mother calls me Gale, or her little nightingale."

Kaisan looked up at Rhae's shadowed face, looking down at him as the taller male buttoned his sleeves for him. He closed his eyes with his own smile and nodded lightly. 

"What a charming nickname. I will see you in the dining hall for lunch then, oh lovely blackbird." Kaisan joked as he placed his hand on Rhae's cheek, pulled him down and kissed him gently. As Kaisan pulled away, Rhae pulled him back and kissed his forehead.

"Until later, my lovely little fairy," Rhae whispered to him. Kaisan made a gruff sound as he pushed away and left the room, his ears bright red.