Ch. 2.1 (Orilis)

I opened my eyes unwillingly, the last few days had ensured that I had less than the average hours of sleep. 

I was exhausted, and exhaustion combined with my new anxiety and caution from my recent scare was not a good mix. It had been a full day since then. Had Vail told anyone? Would anyone have believed him? 

The memory of the cemetery flashed in my mind, I sighed, another tally for my collection I suppose. Disgust curled inside my stomach, I knew Vail would make the choice he did but told myself he couldn't make a choice if he never knew there even was one to make. Clearly I still needed to watch my decisions despite nearing adulthood. So much for growing up and becoming wiser. 

Although I might be becoming after all because the side of me that somehow managed to be awake so damn early was already chastising me for not having Liv check to see how much Vail knew. My judgment could have been much better in that situation. Goddess forbid there is ever a next time, I thought, shivering. 

We had been so close to discovery, hell, we still didn't know if Vail told anyone about what he overheard. Sighing, I shifted under the linen sheets, the warmth of summer was nearing its close and we would have to begin dressing for autumn soon so my chambers temperature were not as warm as I liked.

 Groaning as stiff muscles shifted, I got out of bed, throwing the sheets off with more enthusiasm than I felt. Always good to put on the mask bright and early, I thought with a bittersweet smile. 

Walking naked to my dresser, I contemplated summoning a maid to prepare my colder outfits, I disliked the constant presence of attendance in my wing of the castle for the sake of secrecy so I normally dressed myself for better or worse.

 I traced my hand against the rough granite walls as I walked leisurely over to my well polished dresser. 

Chuckling, I realized that Liv had made herself scarce when I had risen. I distinctly remember her warmth next to me as I fell asleep and her silky light, gold bronze hair brushing against my chest…is she still embarrassed about seeing her lover naked? For obvious reasons I thought that was hilarious and made a mental note to tease her about that later. 

Smirking smugly, I prepared myself for an easy morning of going through lists of people and making sure I hadn't been exposed by Vail and his supreme level of idiocy. I Would make an appearance in court in the afternoon but I had a good four ish hours until then. 

A knock on the servants entrance to my quarters changed my plans. 

I quickly finished pulling on my comfortable gentle blue tunic and black breeches. "Enter," I said, tugging at the hem of my tunic, annoyed that the seam was in need of repair. It was my favorite, I’mverycomfortablesofuckoff outfit. 

A maid wearing an anxious expression entered my bedchamber with a message written on parchment that ruined my amused mood. I knew that look and I did not like it. By the end of reading the hand scrawled message I was inwardly fuming. It read one sentence; 

My son Orilis, it would please me greatly if you could come to our monthly family breakfast for a bit of bonding time with your brothers, you don't see them often enough. 

- King Lanq IV