The three boys stepped forward as one, their movements deliberate but uneven. I couldn't tell if they were nervous or simply bored. 

I blinked at them.

Chastice held me higher, almost like presenting me to them. 

The one feminine boy with brown hair and hazel eyes stepped forward first. 

"Hello Aerea, I'm the first Prince, Prince Phillip and I'm 17," he responded, seemingly uninterested in me. 

The second boy who looked like a younger Chastice grinned when he saw me. "She's tiny," he said, leaning in just a bit. "My name is Ryland. I'm the second prince. I'm 16 years old,"

I blinked again.

Then the third boy with red hair stepped forward. He didn't speak right away. He just looked at me—really looked. Not with a smirk or a frown, but like I was a puzzle he hadn't finished yet.

"Hi, I'm Prince Arthur, the 3rd Prince. I'm 14."

So this is that prince. He doesn't seem like he'd hurt a fly. But looks can lie. I should know.

He reached out slightly, not to touch me, but as if he was testing whether I'd reach back. I didn't. I just stared. He stared too.

"She's thinking," he added, more to himself than anyone else.

Chastice chuckled then bounced me gently, and I made a noise—half squeal, half something else. Everyone smiled except the first boy, who had already moved one. 

My father cleared his throat.

"So now that we have that out of the way, perhaps we shall move this into the dining hall," He said signaling one of the butlers to go and make sure everything was prepared 

"Maybe His Majesty can even enlighten us on why he decided to abruptly visit my humble territory," my father grumbled. 

"Haha of course Aldous, let's sit down and talk over it," Chastice said as we all made our way to the dining hall. 

They all got seated and I was handed off to Mabel by my mom.

Wait..he hasn't addressed Rain or Aerin this whole time, it seems as if he's ignoring them...

I look over at him as I'm seated in my high chair next to Alaerea and he's talking with Prince Arthur in a low voice about something.

As if he felt my eyes on him he looked right up at me. He flashed a playful smile and he went back to murmuring with Prince Arthur. 

"Alright Your Majesty might you please tell me what's going on," My father impatiently asked. 

My uncle paused and looked up with another smile on his face, this time it being directed at my father. 

"Well if you insist," he said rolling his eyes. "I've come here in hopes of meeting my niece and perhaps with a marriage proposal." He said nonchalantly. 

Duke Aldous rubbed his head and responded. "And to which one of my children may you relay this offer too?" 

"Well not the two little bastards amongst others you have running around," he said waving his hand. 

Ouch, just straight to the point huh? 

"I've come to offer one to Aerin and set up an arrangement for Aerea once she gets old enough." 

I'm only 10 months and I've already been offered a marriage proposal. Sigh..this is to be expected of royalty I guess?

Hopefully it's not some older man..

I looked over at Aerin and Rain, both clearly tense, shoulders stiff. Aerin's lips were pressed tight, his gazed locked onto the emperor with something unreadable.

Rain stood lightly shaking as if he was about to lunge across the table.

I feel a twinge of guilt. Even if I wasn't the cause I was clearly an excuse. 

"Well then," Father said, fingers clasped together, with a glint of amusement and something else I couldn't quite tell in his eyes. "Go on." 

"Before I go on I want to want to be enlightened on some things," uncle said as his tone turned serious. "How has Aerin been developing with his ability?" 

They're discussing us as if we aren't even here. He could've simply asked Aerin that question..

"He's been rather...lackluster with his improvement as of late," my father said unimpressed.

"He can't do anything but conjure up little sparks of fire with his hands,"

"Aldous you can't just-" 

"Alaerea!" My father sharply. "It doesn't matter right now, his ability isn't anything special to be kept a secret," he spat.

Alaerea's mouth shuts with this indifferent look on her face. 

Sheesh what's his issue? It's not that serious at-least Aerin has an ability. I would kill to be able to make fire on my own. 

Now that I'm thinking about it he would never bring up his ability when he visited me. Could it be he's ashamed of it? 

I glanced over at Aerin again and he looked on the verge of tears almost. His head was down as if his lap was the most interesting thing in the world. 

This has got to be the most uncomfortable dinner I've ever been to even in my last life. Usually I'd eat in my room with Mabel feeding me. Damn would I love to be in my room right now..

"Be calm Aldous, with time I'm sure Aerin can make up for his shortcomings.." he paused and glanced at Aerin. "If not it won't be the end of the world, his womb will just benefit him more," 

What. The. Fuck. 

I look at Chastice in disbelief. All he's done is ignore my brothers and make outlandishly disrespectful comments towards them. 

Aldous mumbled something I couldn't hear but he obviously looked agitated by the womb comment.

Aerin jumps up and sprints out of the hall as fast as he can before anyone can stop him. 

As my mother rises to presumably go check on Aerin, father stops her. 

"Stay," father says shooting her a glance. "That is something he needed to hear. Maybe it'll give him some drive to improve."

Alaerea clenches her hand but relents and takes her seat. 

I feel a pang in my heart, hoping Aerin is alright. I glance over at the princes. Prince Ryland and Prince Phillip seem to be in their own world as they pick over at their plates. 

While Prince Arthur seems to be the only amused one at this table, seemingly eating this whole interaction up.

How evil. If it was him in this situation he wouldn't be as amused.

But it isn't so he couldn't care less I suppose.

"How dramatic," Chastice said laughing. "Well perhaps you're right Aldous this should give him some sort of drive." 

"What other questions do you have.." father said tightly, clearly over this. 

"Has Aerea shown any signs of awakening an ability?" 

"When she was born and the Doctor examined her he did say there was an influx of aura surrounding her," father paused and looked at me. 

"He said before she reaches the age of 2 she should have it," he said with an unclear look in his gaze.

"Ah just brilliant maybe you've finally had an excellent child..." Chastice said clapping his hands together. "Unlike all your other..mistakes." He finished clearly taking a dig at my father.

My father's face stayed the same, ignoring the snide remark. 

"What. Else?" 

"Hmm," Chastice said as he hummed in thought. "Oh! What is she gonna differentiate as?" 

"He said there's a higher chance of her differentiating as a beta," father took a deep breath then continued. "Only when she truly does is when we'll really know." 

"Ah good," Chastice paused in thought as he looked over at me. 

"For Aerin I want him to formally be engaged to Prince Arthur and then marry him when he comes of age," he said blinking at me then looking back at father.

Isn't..that our cousin? This is a medieval world but why can't he just marry another noble. 

I blinked, praying that this really was a dream and maybe I survived that jump..

"Hmm and what would I gain from this marriage," father said as he leaned back in his chair. 

"You gain a potential chance for your blood to be on the throne and perhaps a minor tax cut," Chastice said. "But we'll speak more on that in private." 

"Yes we will," Father said waiting for Chastice to continue. 

"Now Aerea's situation is a little tricky," Chastice said taking a bite of his food. "Since she hasn't differentiated yet there's different options for her." 

"Continue," Father said blandly. 

Chastice paused and took a drink out his goblet.

"If she differentiates into a Beta or an Omega I want her and Prince Phillip to be betrothed," he leaned in closer and continued. 

"If in the event she differentiates as neither and becomes an Alpha, I want her to marry one of my daughters or omega sons of your pick," 

"Perhaps," Father said bring the conversation to an end. 

The room was quiet now—too quiet. The kind of silence that hums in your ears. The kind that presses against your skull and makes your skin crawl.

I could hear the faint clink of utensils as Chastice continued eating, unbothered. He hadn't even flinched when Aerin ran out. No one truly had.  

Except Alaerea, who hadn't touched her food since. She sat stiffly, hands resting in her lap, her thumb anxiously rubbing circles into her palm.  

Rain, on the other hand, was visibly vibrating. His jaw flexed. His hands were still shaking, but now I could see his nails digging into his thighs beneath the tablecloth. His eyes hadn't left Chastice once—not even to blink. 

They were burning.

But what was more terrifying was that Chastice noticed... and seemed to enjoy it. 

"I must say," he continued, dabbing the corner of his mouth with a napkin, "I expected more hospitality, Aldous. When I grace your backwater estate with my presence, I expect—if not respect—then at least proper decorum." 

"You've done nothing but insult my children," my father said lowly, not meeting his gaze. "My sons."

Chastice let out a lazy sigh. "Ah, yes. The sons." His eyes twinkled as he took a sip from his goblet. "The soft-hearted one, the fat one, and the smoldering ember. One a disappointment, the other too scared to show his face, and the other one's a disgrace." 

What is his issue? At first everything was alright now he's just throwing salt on the wound.

Rain stood.

Just like that, without a word, he stood up.

Mother tensed. Her eyes flicked toward him, wide. Even Mabel paused, her hand halfway to my face with a spoonful of mashed carrots.

"I suggest you sit down, boy," Chastice said, voice like ice.

Rain didn't budge.

He didn't speak either, but the way his chest rose and fell rapidly made it clear how hard he was trying to hold himself back.

Chastice smiled. A cruel one. "So much fire," he mused. "Too bad you weren't born with the disappointments flames." 

Rain's fists clenched.

"Rain," Father said sharply, not even looking at him. "Sit." 

That single word shattered any resolve Rain built up. His shoulders crumpled slightly. And he sat. Slowly.

I wanted to disappear almost. This dinner seemingly went well in the beginning then it took a turn for the worst.

Why is he being so cruel?

I wanted to cry for him. For Aerin. For Aldous. For all of us.

"Now that we're all calm," Chastice said as if everything was truly calm. "Shall we speak logistics?" 

"No," father said flatly. He said grabbing his goblet, realizing it was empty. "We'll speak more of this in private."

Chastice raised an eyebrow. "Losing that coin drive of yours, Aldous?" 

"Not at all. That conversation has no room at this table amongst the others one we've already had," he snapped.

Chastice chuckled. "Fine. We'll have the marriage agreements drawn up tomorrow for Aerin and Aerea. We can look over those and discuss other topics." 

I caught a brief glance between Father and Mother. It was almost a disagreement type of glance.

The meal or what was left of it continued in silence.

"Have one of your butlers show my boys to the rooms they'll be staying in," Chastice said. 

Aldous waved a butler over. 

"Show them to the guest wing and have them cared after accordingly," Aldous said tiredly.

"Rain your excused and take your sister along." 

The princes stood up and the butler bowed. He lead them to another part of the estate. 

Thank the lords..

Rain almost bolted out of his chair as he grabbed me and quickly walked out of the hall.

He held me tightly as he almost ran to my room.

We arrived in my room and he sat me gently in my crib.

I stood up holding onto the rails and watched him pace back in forth angrily.

"The nerve of him to waltz into OUR home and disrespect all of us," Rain said nearly yelling.

"He always does this when he's bored and father barely does anything.." 

His voice cracked and he slumped down beside my crib.

"I-it isn't fair.." he said softly.

I tried to reach down to comfort him but with my little arms I couldn't.

So I flung myself out of my crib. 

Dumb? Maybe. But worth it? 100%. I barely felt it as I landed on my back.

My body momentarily froze for a moment but I got my bearings and flipped over.

Yeah..ima feel this in the morning. Oh well. 

I crawled to the crumbled boy, grabbing his body to pull myself up. I gently caressed his black hair with my small stubby fingers. 

He slowly glanced up at me with this sad smile on his face. Tears falling down his cheek. 

He hugged me tight.

"I love you," he whispered. I embraced him back.

We sat again in silence, but it was the comforting type of silence. 

We sat like that for what felt like hours. But I'm sure it was only a few minutes.

The door softly opened as someone walked in. I couldn't see since my face was buried in Rains neck. 

"Young master, I'm here to get Princess Aerea to sleep," Mabel softly whispered. 

He slowly let me go and looked up at Mabel. 

"...Alright." 

"Goodnight Aerea," he gently said as he stood up handing me to Mabel. 

He slowly walked out of my room, shutting the door softly. 

"Well that dinner was tense Aerea." She said quietly rocking me back in forth. 

She sat down. 

"Mm" I gurgled in agreement. I felt the day slowly end. 

She rocked me back n' forth as I fell asleep. 

Hopefully tomorrow's better..

...

...

...

Thoughts? 

Next chapter will be from Duke Aldous's POV.

I'll give you all more insight on why the Duke doesn't like Chastice. We'll also check up on Little Aldous and see what the Duke has in store for him.