Raven took a seat at the counter in Ameren's medical store. "Ahhh! I'm such an idiot!" she exclaimed while smacking the shelf in fluster.
Ameren was taken aback by Raven's sudden outburst and asked, "What's wrong, Lady Raven?" Pouting, Raven replied, "I can't believe how foolish I've been! I feel so embarrassed. What would they think of me?"
Ameren blinked in confusion and replied, "Huh?" Raven gasped, cupping her cheeks with her hands, "I am such a fool! I really wish to bang my head against a wall..." she cried. Ameren patted her head and spoke, "Wait... Could you please explain everything more clearly?"
Raven held onto her hand and gave a nod, saying, "…I...Today, uncle Edgar and brother Draven visited, so, I was in such a good mood, all ready to meet them properly but just as I was about to greet brother Draven properly, I- No! I can't tell." Raven unable to speak further, covered her face with both hands. Ameren watched her speechless, "But just as you were about to greet your brother Draven properly, you...that's it? ...okay..." she reacted.
Raven with depression lines on her forehead, added,
"I ran away."
"OK. So you ran away?"
Ameren struggled to grasp the situation. Raven's expression remained downcast as she explained,
"...I lack courage."
"Is greeting your cousin something that requires courage?"
Raven's gaze lowered, "You won't understand." she held, "I should ask Enya..."
Ameren blinked, instantly shaking her head left to right, "No. It is pointless to ask her. Her mind works on a whole different world. She might just end up beating him, I worry." she told placing her fingers on her temple. Raven looked at her, perplexed.
Ameren let out a sigh and tried to console, "Look Lady Raven, If you mean you're struggling to face him, then I don't know the case but all I can say is stop thinking too much. Just act like you normally do with your brothers. Keep it natural. This way, not even you would feel uneasy and neither would your cousin be left with a wrong impression, get that?"
Raven nodded, "...Okay." she smiled as Ameren turned around, she noticed Raphael knocking on the door. Ameren greeted him, "Yes? Is there something you need, respectful sir?" Raphael bowed slightly, "Lady Raven, Lord Abel has requested your presence. Allow me to escort you back."
"Brother Abel?" Raven held stepping forward, "Alright. See you, Ameren. Thank you." She waved and departed with Raphael.
Returning the gesture, Ameren smiled, "She is so sweet." she wondered adoring her innocence.
The Imperial Palace
"Oh, Draven is back?" inquired the Emperor, his gaze shifting to where Draven was once again seated with clouded thoughts. King Edgar's lips curled into a sneer, "Yes, he was in Arawn's company." Taking a sip of his tea, he commented, a hint of disdain colouring his words. The Empress repeated, "Arawn? But he just went upstairs without a word."
King Edgar rolled his eyes, his tone tinged with both stiffness and slight mockery, "It appears Arawn has become his newfound fascination. The reason behind it eludes me as well." The Empress exchanged a concerned look with Draven, sensing the complexity of his emotions.
The Emperor's voice, firm and stoic, cut through the air, "There's little we can do to change that. Let it be." As he spoke, King Edgar forced a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"Brother Abel? You called for me?" Raven asked as she approached Abel, who stood before the grand facade of the Imperial Palace. Raphael stepped back watching them.
Abel turned to her and nodded, "Yes I did." Raven's fingers intertwined with his, her words expressing her emotions, "I feel happy," she smiled, her cheeks tinged with a rosy blush.
Abel couldn't help it and returned a smile, "Why?" he questioned, with a mischievous grin, caressing her hairs.
Raven playfully bit her lip, her smile bright, "No particular reason~" Abel sighed softly,
"Well. Sorry…I couldn't see you for the time being at all." Raven's gaze fixed at him, touched, "No, really, it's alright. I'm just glad you realised now." She chuckled genuinely.
Abel's smile widened, "Of course…how couldn't I…"
Raven's face lit up with joy as she embraced him and laughed, "I had a feeling you'd say that. Thank you, Brother Abel!" Abel blinked in slight surprise, amusement lighting up his features, "Aren't you a bit too overjoyed today?" He asked, his fingers gently trailing through her hair.
With a warm smile, Raphael reminded, "My lord, the Empress had summoned both of you."
"Right! Come, let's head over! Mother called for us." Abel turned to Raven who nodded, "Sure."
Abel bit his lip, looking ahead and questioned, "Well then, I must ask a question from you… did you...um... come across Arawn lately?" Raven looked at him back, wondering, "Not recently… The last interaction I recall was when he handed me a book to read," she responded, her gaze thoughtful while Abel stared at her.
Playfully, Raven asked, "But why do you ask? Missing him, are you?"
Abel's expression became agitated. "What the!? Absolutely not!" he exclaimed in denial, shifting his gaze. Raven covering her mouth giggled teasingly, "Hehe. You make it seem as if I mentioned some girl. Pfft."
Abel rolled his eyes in exasperation while Raven's chuckle lingered, "Brother, you are so silly! I am kidding. I apologise." she reassured him.
Abel's look faded however, his demeanour soon relaxed, transitioning from conflict to his usual composure. Extending his hand towards her, he offered, "Shall we go?"
Raven's lips curved up as she took his hand, "Mn."
Raphael followed behind as they made their way into the Imperial palace.
The Imperial Palace (COUNCIL CHAMBER)
Raven, accompanied by Raphael and Abel, entered the hall. The Empress let out a resigned sigh, "Abel dear, why are you so late? We had to wait for you." Raven quickly intervened, "I apologize, Mother. We got caught up in conversation."
A warm smile graced the Emperor's lips as he observed Abel and Raphael who seemed to gaze at Raven. The Empress's expression softened as she turned to Raven, her voice calm, "Dear Raven, you mustn't stay outdoors for too long." Raven playfully pouted, "Oh, come on," she whined softly. Her attention then shifted to Draven, who seemed quiet and reserved. Concern prickled at her mind, "Huh? What's bothering him?"
King Edgar's voice cut through the air, "Alright, enough of that. Let's get on wih this meeting." Everyone nodded in agreement, and Abel took his seat. Raven cast one more glance at Draven before heading upstairs.
King Edgar glanced at Draven, "Draven! What's wrong? Has a spell silenced your voice?" he commented irked as Draven eyed him back, "Hmm? No. I am fine." his response, however, was delivered with a certain stiffness.
The Empress noticed Draven's demeanour and asked, "Draven, my dear, are you truly okay?" King Edgar's frustration showed, his fist clenched, and eyes rolling. Draven nodded, reassuring her.
A warm smile graced the Empress's lips, "Good to hear." Abel's gaze, meanwhile, remained fixated on Draven. He found it peculiar, "He's rarely like this." His thoughts were interrupted when King Edgar's voice broke the silence, "Leave Draven be. Perhaps his dearest friend has finally forsaken him."
Draven, abruptly alert, faced King Edgar, his voice a low whisper, "Enough." His turquoise eyes glinted silver from the corner. King Edgar, as if captivated by the intensity, fell silent.
Abel's fists clenched, frustration and confusion warring within him, "Arawn... Why can't I grasp you? Every action you take drives a wedge between us. How is it that he can understand you...so well?" His gaze remained fixed on Draven, reflecting his internal conflict.
The Emperor's tone grew solemn, "I had summoned the the Counsellor of Affairs, the Trade Emissary, and the Naval Commander. They should be arriving shortly. Let's await their presence." The Empress and Abel exchanged concurring nods.
Moments later, the grand council chamber doors creaked open. A figure emerged, his steps deliberate and measured. Donned in a robe of rich blue fabric, intricate golden embroidery glinted as the Counsellor of Affairs approached the table. The weight of his presence hushed the room, courtiers and advisers trailing respectfully behind. With a nod of respect to the Emperor, the Counsellor of Affairs took a seat, ready to offer his insights.
Following, the Trade Emissary strode in, his personal assistant next to him. His dark green and deep red attire caught the light in a mesmerising display of patterns. A warm smile escaped his lips as he exchanged nods and friendly glances with those all of those present. Approaching the table, he met the Emperor's gaze and extended a sincere hand to King Edgar. With an introduction to King Edgar, he too was ready to discuss the terms that would shape the trade relations between their realms.
Next came the resounding entrance of a domineering man, none other than the Naval Commander. His presence was marked by an air of authority. His navy-blue coat, adorned with golden buttons, displayed the emblem of the realm's maritime powers while a hat rested at the side of his crew cut hair. Whispers faded as courtiers focused on the figure's arrival, his subsidiaries close behind. With a bow to the Emperor, the Naval Commander took his seat as well.
Draven and Abel shared fixed gazes at the figures. Exchanging respectful salutations, soon the meeting begun.
Walking along the corridor, Raven's hushed steps carried her with a sense of purpose until her gaze spotted Arawn within his room where a soft glow of candle light cast a warm ambience. Her stride came to a gentle pause, her gaze fixated on him as she softly called out, "Brother..."
Arawn's attention was drawn, as their gazes met.
After a short pause, Raven's hand lifted in a delicate wave, her fingers tracing an almost hesitant path through the air. Arawn responded with a nod, his eyes briefly closing in contemplation. Approaching her, he inquired,
"...What's wrong?"
Raven, gazing back at him, asked, "Um. Won't you be attending the meeting?" Arawn, who did appear quite urgent, shook his head in response, "...I must say, I have other commitments, elsewhere." Raven pondered upon his words and nodded, "Alright..."
Raven's smile held a mix of emotions as she suddenly spoke up, "Brother. I was actually wondering... What's going on with Draven? He seems quite down."
Arawn regarded her, his expression guarded, "...He is troubled, it seems the case..." he held.
Concern etched Raven's features as she probed further, "But why? Has something occurred? Can you tell me? Please."
In response, Arawn's gaze drifted, his voice was as soft as a whisper, "I am inclined to suggest...his ties seem to conflict with his father..."
Raven gasped like a sudden gust of wind stirring the air, "Does that mean, their relationship isn't quite well?" Arawn confirmed her suspicion, "...That's true."
Raven's gaze dropped to the floor, her fingers subconsciously intertwining as she absorbed Arawn's words, "But why? It's so unfair. Why would his father do so?" she uttered dismayed.
As if unravelling a thread of complexity, Arawn's red gaze grew darker meeting her eyes, "It could perhaps be rooted in something deeper...Be it, resentment towards me."
Raven's eyes widened in sudden realization, her heart quickened, a surge of curiosity tugging at her,
"...Resentment? Towards...you?"