Erik tapped his foot impatiently in the hotel's now empty lobby. The sole worker hid behind the counter trying hard to make their presence as little as possible. But with every tap that seemed to grow louder as time passed by, they began to fear for their life. The worker sent a silent plea to whoever the noble was waiting for to hurry up and come down.
The old butler that had entered with the noble quickly came back down the stairs. He rushed to the noble's side and whispered. What was said could not have been good as the noble's face turned red with anger. The worker gave up and with as little noise as possible disappeared into the back room where the other night workers were silently quivering. Their eyes widened and they welcomed the worker with open arms before closing the door and barricading it. Whatever happened out there, was no longer their problem.
Erik paid little mind to the workers' sudden disappearance, but Bert kept a careful watch on them. If what he thought was about to happen, was to happen, then it would be better to have no one around to witness it.
"This wouldn't have been a problem, if you had been watching him." Erik seethed.
Bert frowned, knowing full well that the blame was going to fall on him no matter what. He let out a small sigh, "We were watching him." He reaffirmed, "It's just we weren't expecting a fire to break out at the show." Bert recalled how chaotic the show was once the fire broke out. It was a miracle no one had died, but in the chaos he had lost sight of the Young Master.
Erik scoffed, "If you would have used your brains you would have realized that Nox had planned to start the fire from the beginning." He rolled his eyes and leaned on his hand. Once he discovered who the rat hiding in their mansion was he feared that it was too late, but to find out that not only had the rat disappeared, but that his son was taken by Nox! Ha! He shouldn't have been surprised.
He glanced at the staircase, his eyes narrowing. Although this situation was not ideal, in the end it might have been the only thing that kept Aether safe. "When should we be expecting him?"
Bert let out a dry cough and looked away, "The Young Master has fallen asleep after a quick bath, it shouldn't be too long now."
Erik's eyes narrowed and he snarled, "A quick bath." He repeated, the disdain dripping from his voice was enough to let Bert know that the consequences of Nox's actions will not be good. "After what he has done to my son. Ha!" Erik barked out a laugh, "That's the least he should be doing."
Bert frowned, but nonetheless agreed. It seemed that his intuition was right. There would be an addition to the house starting tomorrow. He could only shake his head knowing what was in store for the young prince.
"Bert. Make sure everything is prepared-"
The stairs creaked and all eyes fell on the figure descending the stairs. Nox was dressed loosely in a plain black shirt and pants. His hair was still wet from the bath and a few faint marks could be seen on his skin. Erik seethed at those marks, knowing full well where they had come from.
"About time you showed up. Sit." Erik gestured to the seat opposite of him.
Nox chuckled and took a seat, "Apologizes, but I had prior engagements to take care of. I'm sure you would understand." Nox leaned back, smirking as he spoke.
Erik internally seethed, but after a moment he smirked, "You better be prepared after what you have done."
Nox smiled, "Of course. I will take full responsibility."
Erik smiled and Bert knew it was too late. He sighed internally. He had witnessed what it was like to prove yourself once committed to a Frenzel. Proving yourself as a person was not good enough. One must also prove their strength, power, and cunningness. The household after all was all about power.
Though, perhaps it was a good thing that a Prince was the one to choose Aether. Anyone else probably wouldn't be able to survive.
"Good. Then I'll send a notice to the King immediately." Erik flicked his wrist and Bert immediately left to write the letter.
Nox frowned, "I see no need to send a letter to my father."
Erik chuckled, "Of course I need to send a letter, after all starting today you will be living in my household."
Erik paused, thriving off the confused look on Nox's face. He let out a harsh laugh, "Were you unaware? I would have thought for sure that your father would have warned you of what it means to get in a relationship with a Frenzel. Then again, your father probably wouldn't care, after all for him this is simply another way to grab power." He stood up, gazing down at Nox, "The Frenzel household does not just choose anyone to be their partners. No, they must prove themselves first. Just like my father before me and my wife you are to spend a year living in the Frenzel household, doing everything we ask of you and more. If by the end of the year you are deemed to not be worthy of the Frenzel name, you will give up all pursuits of Aether. Understand?"
Nox was quiet for a moment. His eyes met Erik's head on as he processed everything. A smile appeared on his face and with a determined look he said, "Perfectly."
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"Young Master, Young Master, it's time to wake up." Bert's voice drifted into his muddled mind.
Aether grumbled and buried his head deeper into the blanket. "Couple more minutes." He mumbled.
"Young Master. Sleeping in is not good for your health. Wake up now." Bert gently coaxed.
Wait. Bert?
Aether's head shot up, but just as soon as he did so a searing pain shot through his back. He yelped and fell face first back into the bed.
"Now, Young Master. One should know better than to sit up so quickly, especially after what you have been through last night."
Aether's mind was reeling as he took in his surroundings. He was obviously back in the Frenzel household, but he could have sworn he had fallen asleep during…his face heated up and he buried his head back into the pillows once more.
"Now, try to sit up slowly. I have some medicine here to help you with the sourness." Bert grabbed him by the arm and gently guided him to a sitting position despite his groans of discomfort.
Aether's face only reddened once the cup of medicine was placed in his hands and Bert's words finally processed. 'Bert knew! If Bert knew then that means-' He glanced over at Bert's smiling face as he carefully prepared a small plate of breakfast for him.
It was hard to figure out. Bert most definitely told his father. Hell, his mother probably knew as well. The thought of those two knowing brought dread making him want nothing more than to curl back into his bed and die.
"Now young Master, finish the medicine quickly. Then eat your breakfast."
Aether did as he was told, drinking the medicine like it was water. He barely registered the awful taste as the cup was taken from his pliant hands and a plate of warm food was set on his lap.
"Eat every bite. You need to replenish your strength."
Aether's face warmed again. He let out a small cough, "Um, Bert?"
"Yes?"
"How…how did I get back here?" Aether said through a strained smile. Bert paused and glanced back at him with a knowing smile. Aether gulped and looked back at his food, eating it with enthusiasm as he died inside from embarrassment. He could imagine it now. His father, brother and Bert walk into the hotel, then open the door to come face to face with-STOP! He slapped his face, vanquishing the thoughts from his mind.
"Young Master!" Bert rushed over and grabbed his hands. "What's wrong? Why did you slap yourself? Mina! Quickly get a cold washcloth."
"Yes sir!" Mina ran from a side room holding a small washcloth and passed it to Bert. She shot Aether with an apologetic look before turning on her heel and leaving to the side room once more.
Bert placed the cool washcloth on his cheeks. "Hmm, it doesn't look like there would be any bruises, but better safe than sorry. Now, tell me why did you slap yourself?"
Aether opened and closed his mouth. He couldn't tell Bert that he slapped himself because he was thinking of how his father had found out. He knew that Bert knew what had transpired the other day, but talking about it? Out loud? It was impossible.
He shook his head, "It's…nothing. Was just wondering where is, um, everyone else?"
Bert frowned, obviously not believing him, but went along with him anyway. "The Master and Lady are downstairs having breakfast. The Young Master and Young Lady are preparing for school." Bert paused, opened his mouth then closed it before shaking his head. "You will not be attending school today, but that doesn't mean you can relax on your studies. While you relax, we will be going over your studies." Bert pulled out some books and placed them on the side table.
Aether frowned at the pile. He would rather talk about other things than study. Heaving a sigh, he pursed his lips and whispered, "What did father say?"
Bert paused, "Did you say something Young Master?"
Aether groaned. "…What did father say when…when he found out?" Aether curled into himself after he spoke, not wanting to see the look on Bert's face.
Contrary to what he thought, Bert was professional as he spoke, "the Master…was not happy, but there was nothing that could be done to reverse the ... .damage." Aether flinched at that.
Bert smiled, "So according to tradition Prince Nox will be living in the Frenzel household while he proves himself to the Master and the Lady."
Aether froze. "He will do what!"