Chapter 312: 312:Reunion.
As Lilith and Atheline approached, several servants waiting outside bowed respectfully before opening the doors.
"The Lord and Lady are waiting in the drawing room."
Atheline smiled.
"Thank you."
The familiar scent of polished wood and fresh tea greeted him the moment he stepped inside.
Very little had changed since his last visit only a few weeks earlier. Paintings depicting generations of the family still adorned the walls, while shelves filled with books and historical records occupied nearly every corner of the spacious room.
His mother looked up first.
"There you are."
She stood from her chair with a warm smile, crossing the room without hesitation.
"I’m beginning to think the High King enjoys keeping you from your family."
Atheline chuckled.
"He insisted on receiving us first."
"As he should."
She gave him a brief hug before stepping back.
"It has only been a few weeks, so I won’t pretend I’ve missed you terribly." She smiled mischievously. "But it’s still nice seeing you."
"It’s good to see you too mother."
Lord Helmer set aside the document he had been reading and stood.
"You both made it in good time."
He inclined his head respectfully toward Lilith.
"Your Majesty."
She returned the greeting with a small smile.
"It is good to see you again, My Lord."
"And you as well."
There was no awkwardness between them anymore. Months of working together and his recent visit had made the relationship far more natural.
Helther entered from an adjoining room carrying two additional cups of tea.
"I thought I heard familiar voices."
He looked toward Atheline before smiling.
"You’ve come back sooner than expected though it was still expected, i think I’m negating myself."
"The engagement couldn’t exactly happen without us."
"I suppose not."
The brothers clasped forearms briefly before taking their seats. It was a simple comfortable greeting. Neither needed elaborate words.
The white fox chose that exact moment to hop down from Atheline’s shoulder. It landed lightly upon the carpet before immediately wandering toward his mother.
"Oh?" She crouched slightly. "So you’ve come to visit me instead."
The fox sniffed her hand before nudging it expectantly. She laughed.
"It seems you’ve learned very quickly."
Lilith watched with mild amusement.
"It has discovered that everyone spoils it."
"It isn’t wrong."
His mother gently scratched beneath the fox’s chin.
"It’s still growing."
"It sheds less now," Atheline added. "Thankfully."
Lilith slightly laughed.
"I remember when it first hatched. You looked ready to carry it everywhere."
"I almost did."
The fox rolled onto its back without the slightest concern for dignity. Lady Althea looked toward her son.
"I think it likes this house."
"I don’t think it has much choice anymore."
Tea was served soon afterward and the conversation drifted naturally. His mother asked about daily life within the Dark Elven Kingdom, his father inquired about road reconstruction after winter while Helther jokingly asked whether training had continued despite the demands of ruling.
"It has," Atheline replied. " but not as often as I’d like."
Lilith glanced at him.
"You’re neglecting to mention that you’ve nearly destroyed two training grounds."
He looked genuinely innocent.
"They were repaired."
Helther laughed.
"That sounds about right."
"She was responsible for at least half of the damage," he deflected just as fast.
Lilith calmly sipped her tea.
"I deny nothing."
Even Lord Helmer smiled.
"It seems marriage suits both of you."
His wife nodded in agreement.
"You’ve become... lighter."
Atheline looked surprised.
"Lighter?"
"You smile more."
He paused before quietly admitting,
"I think I’m happier."
No one teased him for saying it; instead, the room fell into a comfortable silence. Lord Helmer looked toward Lilith
"You’ve carried the burden of an entire kingdom for many years. I appreciate what you’ve done for my son."
Lilith met his gaze.
"And I appreciate what he has done for mine."
The answer was simple but sincere.
Not long afterward, another servant entered the room.
"Your Grace." The servant bowed. "The Crown Prince has arrived."
Helmer smiled knowingly.
"That was faster than I expected. He probably came the moment someone told him we’d arrived."
Moments later, the Crown Prince strode into the drawing room without the slightest sign of ceremony. His eyes immediately found Atheline.
"So..." He crossed his arms. "I hear becoming king hasn’t made you any less difficult to find."
Atheline stood, laughing.
"It hasn’t even been long since we last saw each other."
"It felt longer."
They embraced briefly before stepping apart. Solaris looked him up and down.
"You’ve changed."
"So everyone keeps telling me."
"I mean you’ve started standing like Father."
"...That’s slightly concerning."
"It should be."
The room filled with quiet laughter. Solaris greeted Lilith respectfully before accepting the tea offered to him.
"I hope he hasn’t caused too much trouble, your majesty."
She considered the question.
"He asks far too many questions."
Atheline looked offended. "I ask reasonable questions."
She rolled her eyes. "Yes, you do."
Solaris nearly laughed into his tea.
"I remember constantly asking my father questions until he reached the end of his leg."
"And?"
"My father gave me a lecture that lasted an hour."
Atheline sighed dramatically.
"So there truly is no escape."
"There never was."
The conversation gradually shifted toward tomorrow’s engagement.
"The palace has been busy all week," Solaris said.
"Delegations started arriving three days ago."
"I noticed."
"The western gardens barely have enough room for everyone’s carriages."
Helther smiled.
"And tomorrow the entire capital will probably be watching."
"They always do."
Atheline leaned back comfortably.
"I imagine the princess is nervous."
"A little, which is surprising." Solaris looked down at his reflection in the tea," but she’s ready."
There was pride in his voice.
"As is her fiancé."
Lord Helmer added quietly,
"He’s handled the sudden responsibility well."
Atheline nodded though he wasn’t all that excited.
"I’ll be sure to congratulate him properly tomorrow."
"I’m sure he’d appreciate that."
Outside the windows, the afternoon slowly gave way to evening. Servants carrying flowers, banners, and ceremonial decorations hurried through the palace grounds, making the final preparations before the following day’s celebration.
The atmosphere throughout the capital had become festive. Musicians practiced in distant courtyards. Knights polished ceremonial armor until it gleamed beneath the setting sun.
Everywhere one looked, people were preparing for tomorrow.
Solaris eventually stood.
"I should probably rescue Father from the mountain of guests still arriving."
Atheline laughed.
"I don’t envy him."
"You shouldn’t." He looked toward his childhood friend. "We’ll speak properly after the ceremony."
"I’d like that."
The two clasped forearms once more before the Solaris departed. Helther soon excused himself as well, leaving to oversee several matters within the estate.
Before long, only Lilith and Atheline remained. As they walked back toward the royal guest residence through the quiet palace gardens, the evening breeze carried the scent of newly blooming flowers.
The white fox trotted happily between them before suddenly sprinting after a butterfly drifting lazily through the air. Atheline watched it disappear into a nearby hedge before smiling.
"It doesn’t have a single worry."
Lilith looked ahead toward the brightly lit royal palace, where tomorrow’s celebration awaited.
"For tonight..." she gently slipped her hand into his. "...neither should we."
He smiled, giving her hand a gentle squeeze as they continued their walk.
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