During lunch.
The grand dining hall was filled with the rich aromas of spiced tea, freshly baked breads, and roasted meats. The long mahogany table was set for the entire household, a rare gathering that had not occurred in years.
Cassian sat at the of the table, flanked by Lucien and Sora. Across from them sat Elysia, Elise, and Tristan, who occasionally shifted his posture to ensure the sapphire-pommeled dagger at his belt remained visible. Aurelian sat slightly apart, picking silently at the food on his plate.
As servants cleared the first course, Cassian set his teacup down with a quiet clink that drew the room's attention.
"Before we continue," Cassian began softly, looking around the table,
"I have an announcement to make. I must return to the Imperial Palace today evening."
A sudden hush fell over the room. Elias stopped pouring tea mid-motion, and Elysia's fork dropped onto her plate.
"Today?" Sora frowned slightly, turning to him.
"You've only just arrived."
"My father has declared a week-long imperial celebration in honor of my return," Cassian explained with an apologetic smile.
"The court expects my presence for the preparations. However, I am not leaving you behind. The Emperor expects the entire Arden household to join me at the palace tomorrow morning."
Cassian gestured toward the windows facing the distant capital.
"Because of the distance and the scale of the festivities, the whole family will be housed in the palace's West Wing for the entire week. You will all be my honored guests at every banquet."
The room immediately burst into chatter—Elysia and Elise squealed in excitement about court gowns, while Tristan looked toward Lucien with wide, uncertain eyes. Sora offered a calm, approving nod.
Only Aurelian remained quiet, his gaze fixed firmly on his untouched plate.
*****
By the second night of the imperial banquets, the grand hall of the Imperial Palace was a spectacle of dazzling light, cascading silks, and booming laughter. Nobles from across Edrath gathered to toast the returned prince.
And throughout the week, Cassian did his best to navigate the overwhelming mountain of court duties while tending to his family. Because Tristan had grown up isolated from the imperial court he kindly asked Cassian for his guidance and Cassian was happy to oblige since they had grown closer now as father and son. He made a conscious effort to keep the boy near him and teach him a few things, introducing him to high-ranking lords and quietly guiding him through complex royal etiquette.
From across the sparkling hall, Aurelian watched them.
Every shared laugh between Cassian and Tristan felt like a quiet rejection. Every time Cassian patted Tristan's shoulder or adjusted the boy's formal mantle, a cold weight sank deeper into Aurelian's chest.
'He found the son he actually wanted,'
Aurelian thought bitterly, taking a heavy sip from his goblet.
The lingering resentment began to bleed into their daily interactions.
When Tristan proudly tried to show Aurelian a sword form Cassian had corrected earlier that morning, Aurelian had merely brushed past him with a cold, cutting remark: "Keep practicing, Tristan. Maybe if you swing hard enough, he'll give you another shiny trinket."
At that time Tristan had flinched, hurt and confused by the sudden venom from a brother he had always looked up to.
On the fourth night, while the ballroom echoed with music, Aurelian retreated to one of the high stone balconies overlooking the palace gardens. He leaned against the balustrade, staring out into the dark trees.
"You look like you're planning a treasonous coup," a deep, smooth voice called from behind.
Aurelian turned to see his cousin, Caelen. The nineteen-year-old broad-shouldered warrior leaned against the arched doorway, two goblets of spiced wine in his hands. He tossed one toward Aurelian, who caught it effortlessly and then sighed.
"I'm just getting fresh air," Aurelian muttered, turning back toward the garden.
"Right," Caelen chuckled, walking up to stand beside him at the balcony rail. "And that's why you've been glaring at Uncle Cassian and Tristan for four days straight like you want to challenge them to a duel?"
Aurelian's jaw tightened.
"I'm not glaring."
"Aurelian, you're my cousin, but you're terrible at hiding what's on your face," Caelen said gently, his golden eyes narrowing with genuine concern.
"Now Tristan is miserable because you won't even look at him, and Uncle Cassian looks like he's walking on eggshells every time you enter the room. What is going on with you?"
"Nothing," Aurelian snapped, his voice sharp with defensive pride. "Tristan has his father now. They're clearly doing fine without me ruining their little family picture."
Caelen let out a heavy sigh, running a hand through his golden curls.
"You're being completely blind. Uncle Cassian isn't replacing you. He's trying to build a bridge with a boy who grew up believing he wasn't wanted. Meanwhile, you're standing over here pushing everyone away because your ego is bruised?"
"You don't know anything about it, Caelen," Aurelian growled, his knuckles tightening around his goblet.
"You grew up with two parents who adored you. You didn't spend nineteen years being told your father left you behind!"
"No, I didn't," Caelen replied calmly, unbothered by Aurelian's temper.
"But I do know that Uncle Cassian looks at you every single time he steps into the room, waiting for you to give him a chance. You're the one holding the blade, Aurelian, and you're stabbing yourself with it."
Aurelian turned his back on his cousin, staring stubbornly into the dark gardens below.
"Leave me alone, Caelen."
Caelen watched him for a long moment, shaking his head in quiet frustration. "Suit yourself. But if you keep acting like this, by the time the week ends, you'll be the only one left standing in the dark."
Without another word, Caelen turned and walked back into the warmth of the roaring ballroom, leaving Aurelian alone in the cold night air with his own stubborn bitterness.
*****