The Princess delivered six books on black magic and Faes, which he spent most of the night reading. He managed to get through only two before his eyes grew heavy with fatigue. Returning them to the table, he climbed into bed, hoping exhaustion would help him fall asleep more quickly. However, as usual, his eyes remained wide open for another hour or so before he finally drifted off.
As the clock hit seven in the morning, Sevastian was already on his feet getting about with his affairs. Eunice came to prepare him a bath and take his dirty clothes for a wash. It was awkward having a female servant take care of his affairs. In Valeria, it was a male servant who took care of things like this and it was good enough for him.
Poor Eunice tried to start a conversation with him, asking one or two questions here and there, but Sevastian only nodded or replied with a word. The woman eventually gave up and worked in silence. Finally, she left his room and he was able to bath and get dressed.
He ditched his usual black coat for a brown one that almost looked black for how deep the brown was, after fixing his hair and making sure everything was in place, he walked out of the room, thankfully Rohan did the same, so he did not have to go to the dining room by himself.
"Sev, you look ravishing. Remind me to take this coat the next time I visit your chamber," Rohan teased slapping him hard across his shoulder.
"You have plenty of coats Rohan, please, refrain from touching my clothes. You have taken two already within three months." Sevastian replied, adjusting his gloves.
"Just two," he tsked, "I should make it one per month or two. What do you think about that?" He flashed Sevastian a mocking smile.
Sevastian decided to ignore him, if he continued to respond to Rohan. They would argue about the clothes for a hundred years. Instead he changed the conversation, "How was your visit with your mother?"
A sigh escaped Rohan's lips, a flash of sadness passing through his eyes. "It was fine, I guess. She did seem happy to see me even though she was acting quite strangely. She kept mentioning that I should not have come even though she did not tell me why." He explained.
"I am sure she will be fine, perhaps you can talk to her another time when she is in a lighter mood," Sevastian suggested.
"You are truly a good friend, I will think about that Sev. Anyways, how was the visit to the library? I hope my sister did not scare the shit out of you?" Rohan asked with a light chuckle.
Before Sevastian could respond, a pair of three eyes were staring at them.. well, mostly at him as they walked into the dining hall. A man who looked like an older version of Rohan and a woman who also looked like an older version of the Princess and equally as radiant sat at the far end of the table.
The man had amethyst eyes, darker. It almost looked like black unlike that of the Princess. The woman whom Sevastian guessed was the Queen had silver eyes like Rohan. Unlike their children whose eyes were filled with life and cheerfulness, the eyes of the parents were cold and emotionless.
"Father." Rohan said, his voice cold, but calm.
"Rohan, it is good to see you back." The man replied, a smile stretched on his lips that did not reach his eyes.
"Hmm, good morning mother, Lyra." Rohan shifted his eyes to his mother and sister, his tone changing as he placed a kiss on his mother's cheek.
The King's eyes lingered on Sevastian who stood like a statue, clearly uncomfortable in the family stiffness.
Rohan noticed this and moved to Sevastian's side, "Father, Mother. This is Sevastian, he is the advisor to King Azrael of Valeria and also a good friend of mine."
"Good morning Your Majesties," Sevastian greeted politely offering them polite bows.
A smile stretched across the Queen's lips, "Welcome to Luminae Sevastian. Please sit down."
Sevastian returned her smile and did as he was told, taking his seat opposite the Princess while ignoring the King's burning gaze.
"Seriously Rohan? Out of all the people you could have made friends with, you chose a dragon and dared to bring him to my palace." The King spit in anger, his eyes burning.
"I do not think Sev being a dragon has anything to do with my friendship with him. He is a wonderful person," Rohan retorted, his gaze matching with that of the King.
His jaw clenched tightly as he scoffed, "There is no dragon who is wonderful Rohan, they are all barbaric creatures who have no common sense or empathy,"
Sevastian's jaw twitched, he was about to say something, but Rohan beat him to it. "I will not sit here and let you insult my friend King Valdric. When you so wrongfully banished me, Sevastian took me in like a brother and treated me as one. You will speak to him with respect or I will leave this damned place and never return." Silence filled the room, all eyes on Rohan as they had never heard him speak in such a harsh tone.
The Queen broke the silence by placing her hand on that of Rohan, "Calm down son, there is no need to get so angry. Your father is just a little shaken up, you know he does not have the best relations with dragons." She smiled, but Rohan did not return it.
"Sevastian is here and he is not leaving until he is done with what he came here for so, you will all tolerate him and keep your opinions to yourself." His eyes shifted to his Father who was still staring at him, his eyes narrowed.
"We will. The servants are bringing the food, let us not begin the day with such darkness." The queen smiled, trying to lighten the mood.
Sevastian watched as the servants placed different types of food on the table, all smelling so good and delicious. He pulled on his gloves again, a plate was pushed towards him as he began to take his food, his eyes lifted up to see Lyra staring at him. Her eyes filled with remorse and her lip caught between her teeth.