It didn't take a genius to notice that Nox was dressed as if he were attending a ball. To commoners the clothes looked like everyday outfits that nobles wore if not fancier than usual, but Erik could recognize the fine silk woven into the shirt. After all, he had similar shirts made from the same designer.
The question was, why?
He knew why Nox had made an appearance. After what he did, Erik expected at least this much. The ridiculous amount of gifts was just a bonus, but the outfit? The outfit was unnecessary, unless he had a purpose.
Erik eyed his daughter and wife who were diligently looking through everything. He didn't miss the subtle hand movements as they grabbed certain items and placed them in their pockets or quickly handed them over to the servants without Nox noticing.
He glanced back over at Nox, scowling as he noticed the other not even paying attention to them, instead the others eyes were glued to the staircase that led to Aether's room.
Without hesitation he made his way over to Nox. "To arrive under such short notice. I was curious to see what you were up to, but to think it was to deliver gifts." Erik sneered more than smiled as he spoke. He stopped right in front of Nox, blocking his view of the stairs, "Now that they have been delivered, you are free to see yourself out." He gestured towards the door with a mocking smile.
Nox's gaze shifted towards him for a single moment before drifting to the side, "Has Aether's wounds been treated this morning?" Nox asked. "I heard the medicine used to treat flesh wounds has an undesirable sting to it."
Erik's face darkened. "He wouldn't have to be taking it if it weren't for you." He sneered. "Now if you know what's best for you, leave."
Nox didn't spare Erik a glance, his eyes still focused on the staircase. Erik clicked his tongue as he moved to block Nox's view. had to move. He smiled triumphantly at Nox's obvious displeasure.
"I won't repeat myself. You are not welcome here. Especially after what you did. Now leave."
As if Nox hadn't heard his words, he continued to speak. "I brought some treats for Aether." he gestured to his side where a Knight moved forward with a basket filled with delicately packaged treats.
Erik scowled at Nox's blatant disregard to his warning. Shaking his head he shifted his focus on the treats. They were small and cute, abnormally so. Something unlikely made by a Prince. In fact the cute design almost reminded him of-
"Brother Nox?" Erik's head snapped to the small figure that appeared by Nox's side.
Erik heaved out a long sigh. He hadn't seen the princess sense that night and he would have liked to keep it that way. Dealing with one Prince was enough, he didn't want to deal with a princess as well.
She too was dressed up as if she were going to a ball, but she had never been to one. So for her this might be a normal everyday outfit, Erik wasn't entirely sure, but that was the least of his worries.
Why was she here?
Irina frowned as she looked around the room, "Is Aether here? I don't see him." She mumbled out while clutching onto a small black rabbit doll. "Big brother Nox." She gazed up at her brother and tugged gently at his pants, "Brother, where is Aether? You said Aether would be here." She pouted.
Nox chuckled and patted her head, "He is upstairs resting." He grabbed the basket of treats from the Knight's hand and gave it to her. "Why don't you head up first and I'll follow." Gently, he pushed her back and urged her past Erik and towards the stairs.
Erik frowned. He could see what Nox was doing. Using the innocent to pave the way for him. His scowl deepened and he took a step towards Irina, intending to stop her, but his wife spoke before he could.
"Aether is still very…exhausted both mentally and physically from his ordeal." His wife handed the object she was inspecting to a maid and walked towards Irina. She glanced for a single second towards Erik. Her eyes speak more than her words. Erik could only clench his teeth and wait and see what his wife was planning.
Irina gazed up at his wife with wide and worried eyes, "Is he okay?"
His wife did not respond.
Irina looked even more panicked at the silence, "Is it bad?" She glanced between his wife, the presents, Nox, and then finally at the treats. "Treats…" she began hesitantly, "…they made me feel better whenever something bad happened to me. Maybe when he sees this he will feel better too!" She nodded enthusiastically to herself and showed the basket of treats to his wife.
His wife sighed, "Of course. Treats would make anyone feel better. I'll make sure to give it to him."
Irina shook her head, "No. I wanna give it to him. Please." She held the basket close to her small body as if protecting it from harm.
His wife could only sigh in defeat and gesture towards the stairs, "Let me show you the way."
Irina beamed and glanced back at Nox, "Brother, I'll go first." She gave a curt nod and ran up the stairs with his wife in tow.
Erik watched as Nox's gaze trailed after the two, without warning he took a step to the side and tried to pass Erik once more. Erik sneered and blocked his way once more.
"Irina is perfectly capable of delivering the treats herself. As I've said before, you are not welcome here. Not before and especially not now."
Nox's eyes drifted towards him, "I would like to see Aether." His voice was flat and devoid of emotion and yet Erik could still faintly hear the anger teetering on the edge.
He smirked. "No."
"…You let Irina go see him."
Nox let out a small puff of laughter, "Of course, Irina is harmless. You on the other hand." Erik scoffed, "Your presence will only cause him harm."
"Oh?" Nox smirked, "How so?" He took a step forward, his hands in his pockets as he leaned forward.
Erik's eyes narrowed, "You were the one to cause him harm. Seeing you will only cause more physiological damage and that wouldn't be good for him."
Nox leaned in, "How would you know what's good for him or not? Hm?" He took another step forward, the shadow once calm now dancing around his feet.
Erik humphed, "I'm his father. It's my duty to know what is good and bad for him. To show him what is right and wrong." He glared at Nox, "Seeing you now, after everything you did to him." He shook his head, "As a father it wouldn't be right to let my son's attacker into the same room as him."
Nox let out a mocking laugh. He brought a hand to his eyes as if he were wiping away tears. "How funny."
"What's so funny?"
"That you think you know what's right for him." Nox took another step forward. "Your idea of right was to cast him to the side and forget about him the moment he was revealed to have no abilities. Your idea of right was watching from the sidelines as he was beaten black and blue to the point of death." He leaned in even closer, "Your idea of right was hoping that he would die."
Nox was so close that Erik was forced to step back. Nox didn't let him escape and took another step forward, closing the gap between them once more.
"And yet, the moment he proved himself useful, revealed his intelligence, you all of a sudden cared for him? Took him in and gave him the basic needs that every Frenzel child before him was given." Nox scoffed, "So who are you to decide what is right and wrong for him? Hm?"
Erik sneered at the other words. What Nox had said was true and he wasn't ashamed of that. After all a Frenzel's worth lies in their strength and having an ability was the basic qualification, those that can't prove themselves, well they didn't last long. Erik easily ignored the others taunts and focused on one tiny detail.
"How do you know what his life was like before? Hm? I don't recall ever announcing that I had a youngest son and if I remember correctly Aether would have never crossed your path." Erik looked Nox dead in the eye, "So, I'll ask again. How do you know what his life was like before?"
They stood there in silence for a single moment before Nox let out a small snort and rolled his shoulders as he took a step back.
"Well, if you would excuse me. I am going to see Aether." Nox walked past Erik, bumping his shoulder in the process.
Erik was dumbfounded. His lip twitched and he snarled. Fire began to envelop his hands as he clenched them and turned around. "No. I will not allow it." The fire surrounding his hands began to darken as the shadows under his feet rose to join the fire in a deadly dance.
Nox paused in front of the stairs. His hands still in his pockets. Without even moving the shadows underneath him swarmed into a giant dark mass that spread out to all corners of the room like devouring snakes.
Nox turned around.
Erik feels a chill down his bones.
The shadows around him licked at his skin as if they were trying to become one with his skin. It moved as if it was a living breathing creature that threatened to devour everything and anyone in the room. Nox's face was hidden within the darkness, but Erik could clearly see the sharp blue eyes glaring down at him like a beast hunting its prey.
For a moment Erik couldn't breath.
He let out a choked laugh. A monster. He was truly a monster. He couldn't believe the King hadn't noticed the beast hiding amongst his sons. Then again, when would he have the time to look?
"How about a deal?" Nox suddenly said, breaking Erik out of his thoughts.
"A deal?"
Nox smiled, "Yes, a deal."
Erik knew to not trust others' empty words, especially when it came to the Princes, but a part of him was intrigued by the others' words. Nox was not well known in the noble circle. The other nobles were too busy focusing on the succession battle and sense Nox made it known that he had no interest in the throne, the nobles didn't focus on him. But with everything that Nox had shown him these past months, he couldn't help but think that Nox knew more than what he let on.
'It might be worthwhile to hear what he has to say.'
Erik let the fire and shadows die down and said "Go on."
Nox smiled.