Year 1705, That Same Day...
Kaelith strode down the hallways, moving into his office, which was granted to him as a result of his heir training. Besides, he was 19 by now, and it was time for him to step up the responsibilities. In his mind, he wasn't doing enough yet.
He sat down in front of his desk on his luxury chair. It felt different than the chairs he was used to sitting on, typically dining or comfort chairs. An office chair had a different kind of feel to it- the bulky armrests made of walnut, the stiff padding beneath him, and the circular bump of foam that unevenly and uncomfortably pressed against his back.
He sighed as he leaned forward, avoiding the back support foam as he embraced the papers on his desk in a vivid and exciting dance of ink and caligraphy. His pen glided across the papers, with signature after signature landing onto the paper with such precise perfection that it would impress even the gods of literacy.
Of course, this was all in his mind. Kaelith tended to be a bit of a romanticist, but only in his mind. The same applied to his relationship with his fiancée, Serenya. The poor lad wasn't able to show any of his emotions towards her, despite watching her every step against the soft carpet, the way her arms swung when she turned around at his call, the sweet notes of sound produced by her voice being carried through the air; it was all one big orchestra to him.
There were two knocks at the door. "Kaelith, are you in here?"
Thump... Thump...
[T-that voice! SERENYA!? WHY IS SHE HERE!? P-PAPERS! I NEED TO ORGANIZE THEM!]
From outside the door, Serenya could hear papers being scrambled to positions, items sliding across a wooden surface, and a chair stumping on the ground as it was pushed back. The door swung open in front of her.
"Ah, Kaelith!"
"Yes, Serenya?" Kaelith spoke in a cold, uneventful tone.
Thump Thump Thump Thump Thump...
[My heart... she's so pretty... I could kiss her right now...]
"Here!" She held out a paper bag in front of him.
"What is it?"
"Just a gift."
As Kaelith opened it, he was shocked to see one of the most beautiful pieces of embroidery he had ever seen.
"Th... Thank you, Serenya."
"Can I help?"
"O-oh- Wh-what?" Kaelith whipped around as Serenya brushed past him.
"You've got so much work left... I can help with some of the finances. The Duchess taught me how to do them today!"
"S-sure..."
The duo worked for around an hour that night. In Kaelith's words, it was as though it were all one big symphony. His brass work and her orchestral deity, they all came together and were woven that night, through more than just embroidery.
More realistically, the duo had not said a single word that night since greeting each other.
"I'm done." Serenya placed the stack of papers on his desk, leaning beside him.
[SHE'S LEANING! WHY IS SHE LEANING! IS SHE GONNA TELL ME SOMETHING!? HELLO!?]
"It's 12 o' Clock." She giggled. "Won't you wish me a happy birthday? I'm 17 now."
"Ha..."
Fireworks went off in both of their hearts that night. One more than the other, and it was evident by the fever he had the next day.
_________________________________________________________________________
While resting in his bed, Kaelith was visited by practically everyone he knew besides his father, the duke. He didn't mind it, though; you can't exactly expect a duke to be showing this kind of love and weakness for their 19-year-old son.
Picking up the daily newspaper, Kaelith immediately began choking on the coffee he had in his hand, managing to put it against the bedside table and swallowing the coffee in time.
[Aric is engaged!?!?]
Alas, another person had found out through the public media.
[And to whom!?]
He flipped the page over.
[HE'S ENGAGED TO THAT CURSED GIRL!? TO OUR RIVAL FAMILY!?!?!? WHO ALLOWED THIS!?]
Despite his sickness, he struggled to his mother's office, almost like a broken instrument.
"Mo-" He let out a coughing fit. "M- Muh- Moth- Mother... What is the meaning of this!? To this... thing... of all people!?"
She sighed. "Well, it was bound to happen, you finding out. It was an order from the king. We didn't have a choice. Now, go back to your room, you'll get me sick, you crazed child."
Kaelith sauntered back to his room, bumping into a couple of walls. Some instruments simply aren't ready for symphonies.