𝐻𝐸𝐼𝑅𝑆 𝑂𝐹 𝑇𝐻𝐸 𝑇𝐻𝑅𝑂𝑁𝐸

𝐶𝐻𝐴𝑃𝑇𝐸𝑅 𝟐

- LYSANDER -

As the night drew to a close, I found myself unable to say goodbye to my friends. Instead, I stood by my parents' throne, fulfilling my duties as the prince. One by one, courtiers and nobles approached, offering their customary farewells and exchanging pleasantries before departing with respectful bows.

I maintained a polite smile, my mind wandering to Seraphina, Thalasia, and Finnian. I wished I could have spent these final moments with them, laughing and sharing our thoughts about the evening. But duty called, and as the heir, my responsibilities often came first.

As another dignitary bowed and walked away, I glanced at my parents. High King Cardan and High Queen Jude sat with regal poise, their presence commanding and unwavering. Yet, I could see the fatigue in their eyes, the subtle signs of a long night well endured.

"Just a few more," my mother whispered to me, her voice barely audible above the murmur of the departing guests.

I nodded, straightening my posture. "Of course."

The next in line was a faerie lord from the Northern Isles, his attire a mix of frost and shimmering silks. He spoke with practiced formality, expressing his admiration for the evening's festivities and his gratitude for the invitation. I responded with equal politeness, my mind still half on the friends I had yet to see.

Finally, the last of the guests took their leave, and I let out a quiet sigh of relief. My parents stood, their movements graceful yet weary.

"Well done, Lysander," my father said, clapping a hand on my shoulder. "You handled yourself well tonight."

"Thank you, Father," I replied, meeting his gaze. "I learned from the best."

My mother smiled, a rare softness in her eyes. "You should find your friends now. I'm sure they're waiting for you."

I nodded, grateful for the reprieve. "I will. Goodnight, Mother. Father."

With a final bow, I turned and made my way through the now-emptying hall. The night had been long, and the weight of my role pressed heavily on my shoulders. But as I exited the throne room and headed towards the gardens, a sense of anticipation quickened my steps.

I finally returned to my chambers, the night's events still playing in my mind. As I closed the door behind me, the quiet and solitude of the room enveloped me like a comforting embrace. I took a moment to breathe deeply, savoring the stillness after the long evening.

I removed my formal attire, feeling a sense of relief as I slipped into something more comfortable. The weight of responsibility and expectation seemed to lift slightly with each piece of clothing shed. Finally, I sank onto my bed, the softness of the mattress a welcome contrast to the rigid decorum of the court.

With a final, deep breath, I closed my eyes. The comfort of the bed and the quiet of the room began to lull me into a much-needed rest.

︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶

In the morning, I was awakened by the sound of slight movements in my bedroom. As I opened my eyes, I saw the maids bustling about, laying out the clothes I was to wear for my first day back at school. They moved with practiced efficiency, each task executed with graceful precision.

"Good morning, Your Highness," one of the maids said, bowing slightly. "We hope you slept well."

"Good morning," I replied, sitting up and stretching. "Yes, I did. Thank you."

Another maid stepped forward, holding a carefully pressed uniform. "We have prepared your attire for the day. Breakfast will be served in the dining hall, as usual."