There was a gentle knock at the door. We both looked at each other, not entirely sure who it could be. My father addressed whoever it was to come in. To our surprise, Dacian walked in. He poked his head around the door, met our eyes and smiled nervously, before entering and closing it behind him. He greeted us before taking the other seat to my right.

It was always a shocking reminder of how little Eli looked like his father when I saw Dacian. Dacian was like an uncle to me, but I didn't see him often outside of our usual family dinner every night. He was slightly taller than me and way bulkier. He was broad shouldered and boxy, having a very strong, masculine frame. His cheek bones and jaw line were defined and slightly masked behind a dusting of dark stubble. His skin was a plaer tone, the first of many contrasts from Eli. His hair was a very dark brown which was styled in a slicked back manner, showing off his defined windows peak. The only similarity between Eli and his father was their eye color, though Dacian's were a much darker and deeper blue.

Dacian's most defining feature, apart from his very deep voice, were the scars on his face. Two thin and white scars ran parallel across his face, one beginning between his eyebrows, the other though his right eyebrow, leaving a bare patch. They ended together on the center of his left cheek after crossing the left side of his nose. They were a sensitive subject for him, and I didn't know the full story behind them. I respected Dacian's privacy but had heard from my father the reason for them stemmed from an accident that claimed the lives of his parents. 

"Hello, Dacian!" My father said, beaming to see his best friend. "What brings you by? Or were you joining us upon our entrance and I just forgot?" He smiled nervously, expressing he often forgot such small details.

Dacian smiled gently. "No, I'm just stopping by." He said, his voice always a surprise due to its very low tone. "We hadn't planned this, but I was hoping to join the lounge with the two of you. It's... Not the most thrilling thought to join the party by yourself with people who will be eager to speak with you." He said nervously, glancing away similarly.

That was the other thing that was interesting regarding the genetics of the Noble family. Their personalities. Dacian was a dark, tall, and intimidating person, but internally he was a shy, nervous, and awkward individual. He masked any sign of it in his line of work, but his more casual side showed his true colors. He was just like Eli in that sense: Caring, considerate, and confident when they needed to be, but they were both truly more awkward, shy, and nervous underneath.

It was a stark contrast to Cronin, who looked very similar to Dacian. Cronin was the opposite: Boisterous, confident, and sometimes quite arrogant (though never meaningfully). He was quite an adventurous and wild soul, wanting to try anything and everything he could get his hands on, especially in the ways of military, combat, or training. Though underneath, and only with a very select few, would he show his soft and considerate interior. He cared very deeply about those he loved and would often put himself before others to protect the ones he loved. It was something all the Noble's shared: A deep desire to protect.

It was why the loss of their wife/mother was so difficult for the family. It was where Eli got his looks and passions from and Cronin his personality.

"I... Hadn't considered that." My father said. "You and Cronin would be joining on your own time, likely before Sonjay and me. All the guests would swam you as the only one to speak to, huh!" He started to laugh, much to Dacian's embarrassment. "Sorry, Dacian! I hadn't even considered it. You're just like me in that since; Nervous to talk in a more sociable sense, hm?"

He was glancing away nervously. It always made me smile to see my father and his interactions with Dacian. My father was an outspoken soul, not afraid to share, while Dacian was quite reserved. He didn't tolerate uncomfortable or embarrassing situations well, while my father (much like myself) embraced everything that made him uncomfortable, thus making him immune to such awkwardness. My father would often embarrass Dacian just by being his outspoken self, sometimes speaking too comfortably for Dacian. If the two were alone, I'm sure Dacian would be as wild as my father! Fortunately, it seemed Dacian was loosening up around me; It just took a minute sometimes.

"You and I have always agreed on that," he said, "social situations meant to get to know people casually are a bit... Tricky. Not to sound egotistical, but how are we supposed to connect on a personal level? We manage a country, Simon, forgive me if I say it's hard to connect with people because of that."

"You're telling me..." I muttered behind my hand, which my head rested on. I had caught their attention, making me blush slightly. "I'm going into this "party" today to speak with people my age and who I'm meant to date. I'm a prince! The heir to an entire country! How in the world am I supposed to find common ground with them?"

"It's easier said than done," my father said, "but we all must remember they're people just like us. Though their work and normal lives may not be to the same extent that ours are, we all share something, it's just a matter of finding it." He gestured to me. "Your painting and creativity, Sonjay! One of the Arranged are bound to be artistic in some form or another, whether it be dance, painting, art, or music! That might be an ice breaker; I doubt any of the Arranged know that about their prince."

I chuckled nervously. "True... I never sell any of my paintings, but there are people out there who want a lot of money for one of the prince's originals. Unless they've asked about my painting, I doubt they'd know I even do."

"And you, Dacian, you're a man of the sea! You can't tell me you don't enjoy fishing, or boating, or anything nautical! At least one of the families here this afternoon will share that interest."

"It's just a matter of bringing it up..." Dacian said softly.

"You make a good point." I said, suddenly defeated.

My father rolled his eyes again. "You guys are missing the point. We're human just like everybody else! Connect on something less... Grand than our royal positionings. Be more grounded, alright? I will do something similar, of course."

"Alright, alright!" I said, laughing at my father's optimism. "A positive outlook is my job, Dad! I respect it." I grinned.

He returned it. "I learned from the best."

Dacian chuckled. "Eli could learn a thing or two about your positive look, Sonjay."

"Oh, I've been trying, and I haven't—and will never—give up! It's rubbing off on him, I can tell!"

"I hope he'll be alright without you until you find your footing in the Arranged." I raised my eyebrow, asking what he meant. "The Arranged is a new aspect, and daily, part of your life now. I really hope you can find some time to spend with him when you can. We all know he needs and looks forward to it."

"Of course. My intention isn't to forget about Eli. I never could! He's my best friend."

Dacian smiled gently with a bit of sadness in his eyes. "I wish he would come to these sorts of events. I know he isn't directly involved in the Arranged and probably doesn't feel he needs to, nor does he have to, but he'd be there more for us," he looked between the two of us, even nodding to the side to imply Cronin. "I'm sure he could care less about meeting the Arranged or their families, but he'd be there for us. Especially you, Sonjay."

I was taken a bit aback. I thought I had accepted Eli wouldn't be attending, but I guess I hadn't from my surprise and disappointment after Dacian's words. I'm sure it was on my face when Dacian looked at me with understanding.

"He reached out to me this morning and told me he would be going into town around the time the Arranged were to arrive," Dacian explained, "as well as through lunch, but we all know he's avoiding it for one reason or another."

"I was expecting that, but I still can't help but be disappointed." I sighed softly. "You're right, he's there for us rather than anything else. He... Eases my nerves."

Dacian nodded, agreeing. "He eases my nerves too. If Eli, a more shy and nervous person than myself, can attend such an unfamiliar situation, I can do it too. What does it mean for me if he can't?" Dacian looked slightly panicked.

"Eli can perform in front of filled theatres." My father said. "A bit of socializing is nothing for him! He's probably not coming because he doesn't want to be in the way considering nothing about the Arranged involves him. Not the security, not the military, and not the courting. I'm sure he just feels like a weight and wanted to avoid that feeling for himself."

I nodded, trying to convince myself. I knew there was more to his avoidance of the Arranged than just feeling like a weight. He was avoiding it for some reason, and I suspected it was because of me. I didn't know, and likely wouldn't know the true reason, but he was probably frustrated with the whole event because he would be losing me to the Arranged. I knew I would be frustrated too if my crush was seeing other people.

My mind panicked realizing what I had just mixed up. Eli was my best friend; He was just disappointed I would be losing time to spend with him in favor of the Arranged who were complete strangers! Maybe he was upset on my behalf as he knew I was hesitant about the Arranged. Or maybe... My breath hitched, something both my father and Dacian heard despite their discussion. They took a moment to look at me, concerned, before continuing.

Or maybe he was frustrated his crush was seeing other people like I imagined?

I was thankful neither of them asked me what was wrong, as I was certain it was written all over my face. I did my best to bury it, but kept my lips pursed as I begged myself not to run with the thought. I didn't want to entertain myself with the possibility as it would be too painful to even imagine the joy coming from it. Even if it was true, it would be much too complicated to deal with. Eli was in a relationship already, the Arranged was about to begin, and how would our father's feel if we were to date? My father wanted my happiness and to ensure the safety of the country, but what about Dacian?

I didn't need to distract myself from my thoughts when my father suddenly sounded surprised. I looked up to see him checking his watch immediately followed by him standing. A wave of panic swept through me, gripping my chest and heart with a cold sweat. Finally, what I had been dreading was about to begin. There was no turning back now, and there was no hope of my dream coming true. After what felt like years of yearning after Eli, the time had finally come. It was time for me to move on.