Arthur eventually managed to finish his food, keeping his mouth shut for everyone's sake. Given the chance, he would have chosen to rate this breakfast among his worst ever.
In spite of the guardian's behaviour, Arthur wasn't surprised. The growing tension within the castle was all but too clear to him now.
The day before, as Arthur had been rushing to his room, he'd bumped into a fellow phoenix. Rather than scoff and call him names like 'The Failed Usurper' or 'Has Been Prince', the phoenix in question had gotten spooked and spouted a mouthful of apologies before ghosting away from Arthur… a complete rarity for him.
From that moment, it was all too easy to sense the tension in the air. HeatWaves no longer buzzed around the castle as much and they got fewer with each passing day.
