Morning sunlight poured in through the tall windows of the east wing. Aiden, still rubbing sleep from his eyes, stepped into the hall only to see Cassian already waiting for him, arms crossed and eyes gleaming with a strangely soft anticipation.
"You're up early, Ren," Cassian said, tone casual.
Aiden gave a small bow. "I've always been a morning person, Your Highness."
Cassian tilted his head, smiling. "Do you still enjoy traveling?"
Aiden blinked, surprised. "Yes! It's been… almost four months since I've left the palace grounds. I used to love the spring tours when I was a child."
"Then come with me," Cassian offered, stepping closer. "I plan to visit the Southern vineyards today. It's quiet, beautiful—and I could use your company."
Aiden's entire face lit up. "I'd love to!"
His voice was sincere—so bright and eager that Cassian's chest tightened unexpectedly.
But later, when Aiden asked permission from Shinomi, his mood was quickly doused.
"No," Shinomi replied without even looking up from his scrolls.
Aiden pouted. "Why not? I'm not skipping work. He's a prince."
"That's exactly why," Shinomi muttered.
Aiden huffed and tried again. And again. And again. He even brought pastries from the kitchen, left sweet notes, and followed Shinomi around like a puppy for hours. Eventually, Shinomi finally sighed in defeat.
"You can go," he said.
Aiden's eyes widened. "Really?!"
"But," Shinomi added sharply, "only if I go with you."
Aiden blinked. "You…?"
Shinomi looked away. "Just in case something happens."
---
Later that afternoon, the royal carriage arrived at the palace gates. Cassian stood beside it, dressed handsomely in travel robes, arms folded as he watched the doors open.
His smile was warm when he saw Aiden hop down, cloak fluttering around him. But then—his smile froze.
Shinomi followed right after, wearing dark traveling armor, sword strapped to his side.
Cassian stared.
"I didn't invite you," he said flatly.
"I know," Shinomi said.
"…Then why are you here?"
Shinomi raised an eyebrow. "Ren insisted."
"I did not!" Aiden protested immediately.
Shinomi ignored him and walked forward to enter the carriage. "He begged me not to leave him alone with you. I couldn't say no."
Aiden's jaw dropped. "That's not what happened at all!"
Cassian narrowed his eyes, then turned away, muttering under his breath. "Ridiculous…"
Just as they were about to board, a delicate voice chimed from the path.
"Wait for me!"
Everyone turned to see Celestia, dressed elegantly in a soft lavender cloak, her smile radiant and carefully practiced.
"I heard about the tour," she said sweetly, walking up beside them. "It's such a lovely idea. I've decided to come as well."
Cassian's polite smile looked more like a grimace. "Of course."
Aiden was already squeezed between two royalty with far more power than he had, and now with Celestia joining too—he could feel the awkwardness pooling like water at his ankles.
As they all stepped into the carriage, Aiden sat stiffly between Shinomi's ever-watchful silence and Cassian's subtle side glances, while Celestia's hand casually brushed against Cassian's every few seconds.
No one said it out loud, but the tension in the air was heavy, sharp as glass.
And Aiden… stuck in the middle of it all, still unaware of the storm he was in the eye of.