Luka had lifted a hand to knock once more when the response came, his hand hovered over the doors to Alessio's chambers, his brows drawn. Alessio had told him to leave but the pain in the Prince's voice tugged at him, he materialized inside the chambers, standing some distance away, consternation on his face.
Alessio sighed and walked over to sprawl on his favorite chair, "I told you to leave."
Luka said nothing in response, he didn't move closer but he made no move to leave either, standing like a suit of armor. He knew that Alessio's feelings for the Princess ran a little deep, he didn't care for the human Princess, the only thing he felt when King Vatore took the trouble to tell him in person was worry for Alessio.
He was relieved the human Princess was dead, elated even but he knew better than to let that show. Alessio was clearly hurt by the news of her death, he wasn't a dunce.
"Are you here to rub it in my face," Alessio kept up the conversation.
"King Vatore asked me to keep you company," Luka finally spoke.
Alessio stopped trying to rile him up, closing his eyes, the scent of jasmine rising from the cushions. "Then take a seat, looking up at you hurts my neck."
Luka accepted the invite and took a seat, wisely remaining silent. There was a lot he had to say but he kept it under wraps, the morning sun spilling into the room. His red gaze scanned the room and then unwittingly settled on the Vampire lying atop dark red cushions.
Alessio never wore his clothes right, his dress shirt slipping down a pale shoulder. Luka swallowed, his fangs tingled but he knew it wasn't hunger, at least not a hunger for blood. Mimicking Alessio, he sank into the couch he was seated on, closing his eyes as well.
-+-
King Rolfe was in a visibly good mood as the day of the wedding drew near. King Vatore had been very generous, not only had he graciously accepted Silvan as a replacement for Eleanor, he had also sent back carriages full of treasures.
Rolfe had been sick with worry because the messengers took so long to return but when they finally arrived at the castle, he realized that the delay was because they simply had too many gifts to transport and that was why they took a few more days to arrive.
Now there were only a few days left until Silvan would leave for Vallyn. Preparations were being made, the castle bustling. The period of mourning for the Princess was long past and even the rest of the country had gotten caught up in the preparations.
The news that Silvan would be joining the Vampire court in Eleanor's stead had spread like wildfire, and it garnered mixed responses. Most of the citizens felt sympathy for the second Prince. As the youngest ever High Priest, they knew well of his dedication to the Faith, a faith that abhorred Vampires.
They also felt admiration, the Prince had put away his vestments and willingly accepted to join the Vampire court for the sake of his country. They were in awe of their Prince, reverent and honored to have someone so selfless as part of the royal family.
The center of the preparations, Silvan, didn't change his daily activities even after leaving the temple. The only difference was that he left his quarters more often now, only going to the gardens or the graves of his mother and sister. Otherwise, he remained in his quarters. Despite this, the air of celebration in the air only thickened.
Several trunks were being prepared, and almost all of the tailors in the capital had been rounded up to make clothes for Silvan. As the Prince would permanently be a member of the Vampire court and wouldn't return, naturally, they had to make sure that everything was in order.
Graham hadn't had a good night's sleep ever since the day of Princess Eleanor's death, the King's courtier was personally in charge of the preparations. He knew that the Vampires accepting Prince Silvan in place of the Princess was a new lease on life for the entire country so he didn't want even a single thing to go wrong, expending every effort possible to make sure the preparations were perfect.
Several carriages were prepared, the horses that would draw the lavish carriages innumerable. King Rolfe himself would be accompanying the Prince on his journey to be a guest at the wedding. The country could do without the Royal family for a week or more, with the protection of the Vampires, no country would dare take advantage of this period to attack.
The majority of the preparations involved Prince Silvan's possessions. He knew better than to approach the second Prince for anything however, so all the decisions were left to him. The make of the Prince's clothes, the trinkets and books to be carried along, every single thing.
There was just one thing he couldn't decide by himself, and that was the Prince's menservants. He would need at the very least, a few of them to accompany him to Vallyn. But as this involved individuals that would spend most of their time with the enigmatic Prince, he had to involve Prince Silvan.
So he braced himself and made his way to the Prince's wing. He hadn't had a reason to speak to Prince Silvan ever since the death of Princess Eleanor, and he had hoped it would remain that way, but some things couldn't be completely avoided.
Graham knocked gingerly on the Prince's door, standing with his back straight, a hand behind him. After waiting for a few moments with no response, he tried again. Unlike the rest of the royal family, there were no guards in front of Prince Silvan's quarters so he couldn't even inquire from them the whereabouts of the Prince.
Prince Silvan already refused to be served by a manservant which was why Graham had to approach the Prince about this matter in person.