Elodie sighed and pressed her fingers to her temples like she was holding her sanity together by force.
"Where is he? Mother needs him."
She checked the main hall. Empty. Training yard. Empty. Library. Also empty, which was suspicious.
Then she stopped in the corridor outside a certain door.
"…Ah," she muttered. "Right. Why didn't I search there first?"
She pushed open Nikolai's door.
Inside, near the bed, Nikolai and Aster sprang apart so fast it looked choreographed.
"Ahem," Nikolai said, already annoyed. "There's a thing called knocking."
"Well," Elodie replied dryly, "there's also a thing called Mother summoning you." She crossed her arms. "And you too, Aster. Your siblings are downstairs and extremely loud about it."
Nikolai glanced at Aster like he was about to say something important. He didn't. He just gave the smallest nod and walked out with princely composure firmly reinstalled.
Aster stood there a second longer, very aware of everything that had just happened. He ran a hand through his hair, muttered something that might have been a prayer or a complaint, then hurried after him.
By the time he reached the staircase, he spotted them.
Eloise stood at the bottom, pacing like an angry general. Rowan lingered behind her with arms crossed and a storm cloud on his face.
Eloise saw Aster first.
"Aster!"
For one hopeful, dangerous second, it looked like she might hug him.
Instead, she smacked him hard on the head.
"What were you thinking?!" she snapped. "Making a deal with Mad Dog? If Catherine hadn't told me, I would've assumed you were dead!"
Aster winced and rubbed his head. "You hit really hard."
"Answer me!"
"I'm not dead," he said quickly. "But I do have a bigger problem."
Eloise narrowed her eyes. "What did you do."
"Well… you see… I'm—"
"What?!" Eloise shrieked before he could finish. "You're engaged to the crown prince?!"
She grabbed the nearest wall like it had personally betrayed her. "Why would he want you?! Not judging, but… engaged? To a prince?! You?!"
Aster opened his mouth. Closed it.
"…I ask myself that daily."
Rowan hadn't laughed. He just stared at Aster, hurt written plainly across his face.
"Hey, bud…" Aster said gently.
Rowan looked away. "You didn't come home."
That landed harder than Eloise's punch.
"I'm sorry," Aster said quietly. Then he brightened a little, like he remembered something. "But hey. I wanted to show you something. I've had this for a while actually, I just… didn't get to."
Rowan didn't look convinced, but he peeked back anyway.
Aster lifted his hand.
"Eveanth."
The sword answered instantly. Light flickered in the air and the blade snapped into existence, retracting neatly into Aster's palm like it belonged there and nowhere else.
Rowan's mouth dropped open.
"…Woah."
He stepped closer, eyes huge. "That is so cool."
Aster grinned. "Yeah, I know. Try not to faint, I just got you back."
They were still hovering over the sword when the air shifted.
Heavy.
Not hostile. Just… dense. Like gravity had opinions.
Eloise felt it first and straightened. Rowan immediately hid behind her again.
A familiar voice cleared its throat.
"Ahem. Apologies. We haven't formally met yet… sister-in-law."
Aster's smile froze.
He turned slowly and gave Nikolai a look that could freeze oceans. Then he reached over and pinched the prince's arm hard.
"I told you not to call her that," he muttered.
Nikolai didn't react. "You did."
"And?"
"I chose not to listen."
Eloise was staring. Just… staring.
It was her first time seeing the crown prince up close. He looked exactly like rumors suggested and somehow worse. Tall. Composed. Silver hair falling in perfectly imperfect disarray. Blue eyes sharp enough to file paperwork with.
"Y-Your Highness—" she started, immediately bowing.
"Please," Nikolai said. "Drop the formalities. Call me Nikolai."
Aster snorted. "He says that like it's not terrifying."
Nikolai ignored him and looked toward Rowan. "And you must be Rowan. I've heard you're brave."
Rowan peeked out, clearly trying to decide if he should be impressed or afraid. He settled on both and stepped forward to shake Nikolai's offered hand very carefully.
"Sorry," Nikolai added calmly. "My pheromones tend to… suppress the room."
"Yes," Aster said. "We noticed. Very subtle. Only felt like standing inside a thundercloud."
Nikolai moved on without acknowledging the commentary. He turned back to Eloise.
"I heard you're a baker."
Eloise blinked. "I— yes?"
Nikolai handed her a neatly wrapped bag.
She opened it.
Her entire face lit up.
"…This is high-quality flour," she whispered. "Imperial grade."
Aster folded his arms. "Unbelievable. He meets you for thirty seconds and already starts bribing."
"I'm being polite," Nikolai said.
"You're absolutely bribing."
Eloise hugged the bag to her chest. "I don't know what you're talking about. I am immune to bribery."
"You're holding it like treasure," Aster said.
"…I am partially immune."
Nikolai then looked at Rowan. "And I heard you want to be a knight."
Rowan nodded instantly.
"Would you like to see the imperial sword collection sometime?"
Rowan went very still.
Then
"WOAH."
His eyes practically turned into stars. "A whole collection?! Like real ones? From battles?"
"Several," Nikolai said.
Aster dragged a hand down his face. "Great. Fantastic. Flour for one, legendary swords for the other. What's next? You buying the house?"
"I'm not buying anyone," Nikolai said calmly.
"You are buying them."
Eloise clutched the flour tighter. Rowan was already imagining swords.
Aster looked at both of them. "I have known you my entire life."
Eloise smiled sweetly. "He gave me flour."
Rowan added, "He has swords."
Aster looked at the ceiling. "Incredible. Betrayed by baked goods and weaponry."
The tour did not feel like a victory march. It felt like stepping into someone else's dream and being afraid to touch anything in case it shattered.
Nikolai walked ahead at an easy pace, clearly used to halls that stretched forever and ceilings painted like the sky. Behind him, the others moved slower, their footsteps echoing too loudly against polished floors.
Eloise kept her hands clasped together like she was afraid to bump into something priceless. Rowan walked carefully, shoulders tight, eyes darting everywhere at once. Aster lingered between them and Nikolai, watching their reactions with quiet amusement.
Servants bowed as they passed. Knights stepped aside. Every door looked heavier than the last.
Rowan leaned toward Aster and whispered, "Are we allowed to walk here?"
Aster whispered back, "Too late now. If we get arrested, I'm blaming him." He jerked his chin toward Nikolai.
"I can hear you," Nikolai said without turning.
"Good," Aster replied. "Then hear my complaints."
They reached the armory first.
Rowan stopped at the threshold.
Weapons filled the hall from wall to wall. Swords gleamed under torchlight. Spears stood in neat rows. Armor rested on stands like silent soldiers. The air smelled faintly of metal and oil.
Rowan did not step inside right away.
"…Is it okay if I go in?" he asked quietly.
Nikolai glanced back, a little surprised. "Yes. It's not forbidden."
Rowan walked in like he was entering a temple, slow and careful. He didn't touch anything at first. He just looked. His mouth parted slightly, eyes reflecting rows of steel.
Aster crossed his arms. "He's about to ascend."
"Shut up," Rowan muttered, still staring.
Nikolai picked up a practice sword and offered it to him. "This one's safe."
Rowan took it with both hands, like it might disappear if he wasn't gentle. He tested the weight awkwardly, clearly unused to holding something so balanced.
"It's… light," he said in awe.
"That's because it's made well," Nikolai replied.
Aster leaned against a pillar. "If you start crying, I'm leaving you here."
Rowan ignored him completely.
They moved on to the kitchens.
Eloise froze in the doorway.
The space was enormous. Counters stretched endlessly. Ovens lined the walls. Shelves were stacked with ingredients so neatly arranged it looked staged for a painting.
She didn't step inside.
"…Can I go in?" she asked, almost under her breath.
Nikolai nodded. "Of course."
She walked forward slowly, like the floor might reject her. Her fingers hovered over a bowl of flour but didn't touch it.
"This is… too clean," she said. "If I spill something, I might get executed."
"You won't," Nikolai said.
Aster leaned against the doorframe. "Maybe just lightly scolded."
Eloise shot him a look. "You're not helping."
She finally touched the counter, testing it like it might vanish. Then she exhaled, small and relieved.
"I've never seen a kitchen this big," she admitted.
"You can use it while you're here," Nikolai said.
She blinked at him. "Use… it?"
"Yes."
Aster snorted. "Careful. She'll move in permanently."
"I will not," Eloise said quickly, then quieter, "Maybe just a little."
Rowan rejoined them, still holding the practice sword like a treasure he didn't deserve.
By the time the tour ended, their steps had slowed from sheer overwhelm.
Everything was too much. Too grand. Too polished. They looked like guests who hadn't figured out where to put their hands.
Nikolai led them down a quieter corridor and opened two doors.
Their quarters were spacious. Soft beds. Clean linens. A window overlooking the gardens. Nothing overly extravagant, but far beyond anything they were used to.
Eloise stepped inside and immediately stopped, afraid to go further.
"…We're staying here?" she asked.
"Yes," Nikolai said.
Rowan walked to the bed and pressed a hand into the mattress. It sank under his palm. He pulled his hand back quickly like he'd done something wrong.
"It's too soft," he said. "What if I mess it up?"
"It's a bed," Aster said. "Its job is to be messed up."
Eloise sat carefully on the edge, posture stiff. "Are we allowed to sleep on this?"
Nikolai looked at them, then at Aster, then back at them. "Yes. You're allowed to sleep."
They both relaxed just a little.
Aster leaned against the doorframe, watching them take in the room like it might disappear if they blinked.
"Try not to look so terrified," he said. "You'll make him think he's scary."
"I am scary," Nikolai replied calmly.
Rowan looked at him, then quickly looked away. "A little."
Eloise clutched the bag of flour he'd given her like proof they were welcome.
"…Thank you," she said quietly.
Nikolai nodded once.
Aster sighed. "Great. They like you. I've lost them."
Eloise did not sit for long.
She stood again, brushing imaginary dust from her skirt, posture straightening the way it did when she stepped behind a bakery counter to deal with a difficult customer. The softness in her eyes from the tour vanished. What replaced it was older. Protective. Steel wrapped in flour and patience.
"Nikolai," she said.
He turned from the window.
"Seriously speaking," Eloise continued, voice calm but firm, "I do not know why you want my brother to be engaged to you."
Aster opened his mouth. "Great, starting strong .."
She held up a hand. He shut up.
"But," she went on, gaze steady on the crown prince, "if you ever hurt him… I will be very disappointed. And I will treat you the way you treat him."
Rowan, standing near the bed, nodded once. A small nod. Very serious. Like a tiny knight swearing an oath.
The room went quiet.
Nikolai blinked once.
Then he chuckled.
Not offended. Not angry. Amused.
"I would expect nothing less," he said. "Of course I will treat him properly. He is my future spouse."
Aster made a strangled sound. "Please stop announcing it like a royal decree."
Rowan's eyes widened. Eloise's ears turned pink. Neither of them corrected Nikolai.
Nikolai just smiled, calm as ever, like he had all the time in the world to get used to this.
Aster did not.
He reached over, grabbed Nikolai by the ear, and dragged him toward the hallway.
"Excuse us," Aster said through clenched teeth.
They stepped outside.
The door shut.
Aster immediately let go and spun on him. "I didn't know you were going to offer them rooms here."
Nikolai rubbed his ear, unbothered. "Would you have preferred they stayed somewhere else?"
"That's not the point," Aster snapped. "Of course I want them safe. But if anything happens to them—"
His voice sharpened. Protective instinct flaring fast and hot.
Nikolai watched him for a moment, then smirked.
"Relax," he said. "I'm doing this because we're about to become family."
Aster flushed. "Don't say that so casually."
"It's not casual," Nikolai replied. "It's obvious you three are siblings."
He tilted his head toward the closed door.
"She had the same expression you do when she warned me," he added. "That look. Like you're ready to bite if someone touches what's yours."
Aster crossed his arms. "Maybe I will."
Nikolai's smirk softened into something quieter. "Good. Then we understand each other."
Inside the room, Eloise and Rowan were still standing awkwardly, afraid to wrinkle anything.
Outside, Aster exhaled slowly.
"…If they get too comfortable, it's your fault," he muttered.
Nikolai leaned back against the wall, looking entirely pleased with himself.