The first thing Eirik noticed was the silence. It was different from the soft rustling of leaves outside his window in Valeidio, or the distant murmur of servants starting their day.
This silence felt thicker, unfamiliar, as if the very air carried the weight of a foreign land.
His eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, he was utterly disoriented. The room around him was dark, unfamiliar shadows stretching across the walls, and for a split second, panic gripped his heart.
He sat up abruptly, blinking as his senses struggled to catch up with the realization that this was not home.
The bed was too soft, the sheets too cold, the room smelling faintly of something woody and sharp, something distinctly Zephyros.
As the events of the previous day began to come back to him, vertigo set in, and he had to close his eyes and take a deep breath to steady himself.
Zephyros. He was in Zephyros.
His heart sank as he remembered why.
The marriage.
Prince Kaelix.
The marriage alliance, that were meant to save his people from the looming threat of war.
Eirik's chest tightened as he thought about his family back in Valeidio. His mother's kind face flashed before his eyes, the way her voice had trembled the last time he saw her.
He thought about Lucian and Julian, the twins, and how they must be feeling without him around. They had clung to him the day before he left, wishing they could stop him from leaving.
And Theron, his elder brother, always so strong and stoic, but Eirik knew better. Theron must be worried sick about him, perhaps even angry at their father for allowing this marriage to happen.
Eirik made a mental note to write to them as soon as possible. He needed to tell them that he was safe, that he would find a way to make this work, even though his heart ached at the thought of being away from them.
His thoughts were interrupted by a slight rustling noise.
Eirik glanced around the room, his gaze settling on the figure standing by the window, silhouetted against the morning light. It was Sadiki, his personal guard, his confidant, his… so much more.
Sadiki had his back to him, and though the room was dim, Eirik could see that he was holding something in his hand, studying it closely.
"Sadiki?" Eirik called out, his voice still rough from sleep.
Sadiki jumped slightly, startled, and quickly hid a piece of paper inside his uniform. He turned to face Eirik, his expression a mixture of concern and something else, something Eirik couldn't quite place.
"My prince, you're awake," Sadiki said, his tone carefully neutral.
Eirik frowned, his earlier disorientation giving way to a creeping suspicion. "Is everything alright, Sadiki?" he asked, his voice softer now, more probing.
"Yes, of course, my prince," Sadiki replied quickly, perhaps too quickly. He straightened his posture, his usual confidence returning as he added, "I was just… keeping an eye on the city. Zephyros is still new to us, after all."
Eirik studied him for a moment longer, noting the way Sadiki's eyes flickered, the way his posture was just a little too stiff. Something was off, but Eirik decided to let it go for now.
He sighed and rubbed his eyes, trying to shake off the last remnants of sleep. "I suppose we'll both have to get used to it," he murmured.
As he blinked away the grogginess, Eirik's gaze shifted to Sadiki's attire, and he couldn't help but notice that something was different.
It took him a moment to realize what it was. The uniform. Sadiki was wearing a Zephyros guard's uniform - dark, with intricate silver embroidery and a high collar that accentuated his broad shoulders.
"Sadiki," Eirik said slowly, his frown deepening, "why are you wearing that uniform?"
Sadiki hesitated, his jaw tightening just enough for Eirik to notice. "It's… part of the protocol, my prince," he explained, his tone carefully measured. "Now that we're in Zephyros, it was instructed that we adopt their customs, including the dress code."
Eirik scoffed, the idea of conforming to Zephyros customs grating against his pride. "They can force us to marry, but they cannot force us to abandon our identity," he said firmly. "I will continue to wear the attire of Valeidio. I won't let them strip that away from me."
Sadiki nodded, though there was a hint of reluctance in his eyes. "Of course, my prince. But as your guard, I thought it best not to make things difficult. It's just a uniform, after all."
Eirik's gaze softened as he looked Sadiki over again.
Despite his misgivings about the situation, he had to admit that the uniform suited Sadiki well.
The dark fabric contrasted sharply with his rich brown skin, and the cut of the uniform emphasized the strength and elegance of his form. Eirik felt a warmth bloom in his chest as he took it all in, a faint blush coloring his cheeks.
"I may not like their protocol," Eirik said with a small smile, "but their uniform looks good on you. In fact, I'd say it makes you look even more… imposing. Attractive, even."
Sadiki's eyes widened slightly at the unexpected ccompliment.
He glanced down at himself, as if seeing the uniform for the first time through Eirik's eyes.
A slow, warm smile spread across his face, and he stood a little taller, his chest puffing out just slightly. "Thank you, my prince," he said, his voice tinged with genuine gratitude. "Your words mean more to me than any uniform ever could."
Eirik watched as Sadiki caught his reflection in a nearby mirror, a new light in his eyes as he appraised himself. There was a moment of quiet pride in Sadiki's expression, a newfound confidence that hadn't been there before.
Sadiki turned back to Eirik, his smile still in place. "But you, my prince," he said, his voice softening, "are the one who is truly attractive, no matter what you're wearing...you'll always outshines all."
Eirik's heart fluttered at the sincerity in Sadiki's words.
He hadn't realized how much he needed to hear something like that, especially now, in this strange place where he felt so out of place. He smiled back at Sadiki, feeling a surge of affection for the man who had been by his side through so much.
"Thank you, Sadiki," Eirik said quietly, his eyes shining with appreciation. "I don't know what I would do without you here."
Sadiki's smile softened into something more tender, and he bowed his head slightly, a gesture of both respect and devotion. "I'm honored to be here, my prince. And I promise, I will always be here, no matter what."
Eirik nodded, his chest tightening with emotion. Before he could say anything more, the door to his chambers opened, and his two maids, Lila and Amara, entered with their usual quiet efficiency.
They carried trays of breakfast, fresh fruits, warm bread, and tea, and quickly set about arranging them on the small table by the window.
Lila glanced at Eirik, her expression brightening when she saw that he was awake. "Good morning, Your Highness," she greeted him warmly. "We've brought you breakfast. I hope it's to your liking."
Amara, ever attentive, noticed the slight tension in the room and her gaze flickered between Eirik and Sadiki. She didn't say anything, but Eirik could tell she was curious, though too polite to ask.
Eirik forced a smile, trying to shake off the lingering disorientation from his earlier thoughts. "Thank you, Lila. Amara. It looks wonderful," he said, though his voice was still a bit distant.
As the maids busied themselves with their duties, Eirik couldn't help but steal a glance at Sadiki, who was now standing a bit more to the side, watching the proceedings with a careful eye.
The piece of paper he'd hidden earlier was still on Eirik's mind, and he wondered what it could have been, what it could mean. But now wasn't the time to press him. There was enough uncertainty in the air already.
As Lila poured the tea, she smiled at Eirik. "You'll adjust to Zephyros soon enough, Your Highness," she said, her voice full of quiet reassurance. "It's different, yes, but it's not all bad."