Knock. Knock.
"Young Master? Are you awake?" Mina's voice drifted through the door.
Aether groaned at the noise, burying his head further into the pillow, wanting to enjoy the warmth for a bit longer. It had taken him longer than usual to fall asleep and he wanted nothing more than to be allowed to sleep in. He didn't think anyone would mind, after all he was injured.
"Young Master? I am coming in."
Aether groaned at the clicking noise of the lock and the soft click as it opened. Why couldn't they just let him sleep in peace? He turned over, snuggling into the pillows on the other side of the bed. He let out a soft sigh, they were still warm.
Wait…
Aether eyes snapped open, his heart leaping into his throat as he pulled the blankets even further up in an attempt to hide Nox from Mina who was already in the room, walking towards him, but to his surprise Nox was no longer in the bed.
Aether frowned.
'Where did he go?'
"Young Master? Is something wrong?" Mina walked to the side of the bed, her head tilting and her eyebrows furrowed as she placed something on the nightstand.
Aether shook his head, "No, nothing." He placed a hand over his head, 'Did I dream it all?'
Mina's hand replaced his as she hummed, "Hmm, you do seem a little warm, but nothing to worry about. Neal! Hurry up." She yelled behind her.
Not a moment later Neal rushed in with a tray in his hand. A warm plate of food and a single glass of water sat on the small tray. Neal stuck out his tongue as he eyed the objects on the tray with great intensity.
Mina shook her head at the other and quickly grabbed the glass of water off the tray, ignoring the small gasp as water trickled over the edge and spilled onto the tray.
Neal looked aghast at the small stains of water that now littered the tray, "Hey, I was almost there." Neal complained. He openly glared daggers at Mina, not caring if Aether noticed or not.
"Yes, and I'm sure you would get there in no time. No spill and all." She rolled her eyes, "Now, Young Master, the doctor said to take your medicine before you eat. It will help soothe your throat and make eating a bit easier for you." She smiled as she handed over a single pill and the glass of water, completely ignoring Neal who was throwing a small tantrum behind her, mumbling words that Aether could not hear.
Mina did not move from her spot until Aether had swallowed the pill and drank the glass of water. Despite the strange taste that lingered on his tongue, the pill did quick work in easing the pain in his throat.
Mina smiled and without letting Aether move a muscle, she took the glass of water from his hands and gently laid the tray on his lap. A steaming plate of eggs and a small bowl of soup greeted him. Aether almost drooled at the smell alone. Gladly he began to scoop up the eggs and eat.
Mina stood to the side while he ate. She went over a small list of chores for Neal to do despite his constant whining.
Aether ignored the two as he ate. His eyes kept lingering to the empty spot next to him. The bed was still warm and he could barely make out the outline of where Nox had laid. The more he stared at it the more he believed that what had happened last night wasn't a dream, but-
"Are you looking for something Young Master?" Mina interrupted his thoughts. She had turned back around, a new set of bandages in her hand.
Aether shook his head, "No." It was better not to mention Nox. He could only imagine what she would do.
Mina sat the bandages down on the bed and took the now empty plate and bowl from him. Setting it on the nightstand she shot Aether a sympathetic smile as she grabbed the object she had placed down before.
Aether's eyes were immediately drawn to the strange if not unnatural color in the small bottle. A gut feeling told him that whatever it was he was not going to like it. "What is that?"
Mina's smile faltered, a small change that didn't go unnoticed by Aether. The gut feeling grew stronger.
Mina took a deep breath and with a forced smile she opened the bottle and gently dipped a small cloth into it. "This Young Master is a medicine that will help the scars on your neck heal. Now I know it looks…awful, but I promise that in a couple of days your skin will look as good as new."
Aether had a feeling she wasn't telling him everything.
Mina carefully untied the bandages around Aether's neck. Her forced smile dropped at the sight of the injury. Red sharp lines raked down his neck, their bright color standing out against his slightly bruised skin.
Mina's grip on the cloth tightened. "Young Master…" she clenched her teeth, not saying anymore.
Aether noticed her gaze and shook his head, "I'm fine. It doesn't hurt that bad." He gave her a reassuring smile, but that only seemed to worsen her mood.
"Whoever did this…" Her lips twitched and she snarled, "They will pay."
Aether gulped at her sudden proclamation "Mina, I know you mean well, but I don't think getting revenge is-"
"No, Young Master." Mina shook her head and bowed slightly, "For a servant, getting revenge on those that harm you is the least we are required to do."
Aether stared at her, mouth agape and eyes wide. Never had he heard of such a thing. And even if that were true then why had he never seen the other servants getting revenge for their master?
Though, with how strong his siblings were, it seemed unlikely that their servants would ever need to get revenge for them.
"Now, please sit still. This might…sting a little."
Aether had little time to prepare before the cloth was placed on his neck. "Ouch!" The stinging pain radiates across his skin causing him to flinch and jump away from Mina and the horrible cloth. With shaky hands he clenched the blanket and pulled it around him, shielding his neck.
Mina sighed helplessly, "Young Master. I know it hurts, but it will only hurt for a little bit."
Aether shook his head. He knew that wounds take time to heal and that sometimes they require help from medicine, but that! That thing wasn't medicine, it was poison. It had to be!
"Young Master." Mina frowned. She glanced behind her at Neal who had long since stopped doing the chores he had been assigned and instead was half peering at a few jewels that lined a mirror. He caught her glance and walked over.
Aether knew what was about to happen. He stood up and tumbled out of the bed. "No! I'm not using that…stuff. Just bandage it and I'll be fine." He walked backwards as his two servants walked around the bed, backing him into a corner.
'Shit.'
"Young Master, this servant apologizes, but this is the Master's orders." Mina gestured at Neal and before Aether could even think of jumping into the bathroom or, against better judgment, the window the door behind him slammed shut and his body was gripped by an invisible source. No, not a source, but wind.
"Let go of me." Aether struggled as he was brought back to the bed, the wind holding him down as Mina leaned over him with that awful cloth.
"Take a deep breath, this will only hurt for a little bit. The sooner we can get this done the better."
Aether bit back a scream as the cloth was placed on his throat.
——————
"Brother? Are you sure this is the way?" Irina asked, her eyes glued to the window.
There was a soft chuckle from across from her, "Yes. I am sure." Nox sat with his eyes closed, leaning against the seat with his arms crossed. He wore a tight black shirt that opened just slightly at his neck line. Blue crystals adorned his cuffs and a silver necklace that had a small dragon attached to it was on display. He wore his usual black pants and dress shoes. It was an outfit that to others would seem like an everyday outfit for him, but to the eyes of Irina it was different.
"Brother, why are you dressed up?" Irina had been learning with her tutor what clothes were fancy and what clothes were not. Though not as beautiful and overly complicated like her other brothers, it was still made of high caliber. She could tell at first glance that this outfit was assigned to be used for special occasions.
Nox hummed at her question. "I'm not sure what you mean?" He teased.
"Brother." Irina huffed, her cheeks puffing out as she pouted.
Nox chuckled. His eyes drifted towards the window as he watched the scenery pass them by, "Why do you think one would need to dress up?"
Irina frowned as she thought, "For special occasions and…to make a good impression?" She tilted her head, her eyes wide and filled with unease and suppressed hope. A look that she wears often these days.
"Exactly."
"But, we are not going to a banquet. We are going to meet Aether, right?" Irina's frown turned into one of confusion.
Nox smiled and gently patted her on the head. He was still unsure of what he was doing, the books he had read didn't explain things in great detail, but by the way her face lit up, he knew he was doing something right.
"We are." He leaned back.
"So, we need to make a good impression? But why?" Irina looked down at her dress, noting that it looked cuter and fancier than her other dresses.
"We need to leave a good impression on our future in-laws." Nox simply stated.
"In-laws?" Irina repeated the word. She had never heard of the word before, but for some reason she liked it. "Is Aether going to be our In-Law?"
Nox smiled, "No. He will be something more."