The morning after the quiet signing felt entirely different from the night before.
Word had spread.
By the time Nael stepped into the outer halls of the palace with Leo at his side, the corridors were alive with movement. Courtiers bowed deeper than usual. Ladies smiled with knowing glances. Knights struck their fists to their chests in formal salute.
"Congratulations, Your Highness."
"Sir Leo."
"May this union strengthen the kingdom."
Nael handled it with his usual bright composure—smiling, nodding, even teasing a few familiar faces. But Leo remained half a step behind him, steady and watchful, his presence a constant shield.
The formalities had begun.
After the private signing at the church, today was about acknowledgment—records sealed with the royal crest, signatures entered into the palace registry, blessings recorded under witness. It was not as intimate as yesterday, but it was necessary.
They moved through the grand hall where the royal scribes waited behind long polished tables. The king and queen presided from the raised platform, observing the proceedings with quiet satisfaction.
Nael leaned slightly toward Leo while a scribe droned through formal declarations.
"Why does everything official sound like a funeral announcement?" he whispered.
Leo's lips twitched faintly. "Because it must sound important."
"It sounds exhausting."
"You only have to stand there and look princely."
Nael shot him a look. "I am princely."
"Of course," Leo replied smoothly.
The final seal was pressed. Wax cooled under the royal insignia.
Applause echoed once more through the chamber.
But before Nael could slip away, an attendant approached and bowed. "Your Highness, the Duke has arrived."
Nael's expression brightened instantly.
Leo didn't need to ask which duke.
They turned together toward the entrance.
Marnard stood near the great archway, dressed not in ceremonial splendor but in dignified travel attire—deep forest green lined with subtle gold stitching. He looked every bit the formidable noble of the duchy, yet there was warmth in his eyes as they settled on his son… and then on Nael.
Nael didn't hesitate.
He crossed the hall with unrestrained familiarity and threw his arms around Marnard.
"Master! How are you?"
A few nobles stiffened at the informality.
Marnard chuckled, patting Nael's back once before gently easing him away.
"I am not your master anymore, Your Highness."
Nael immediately pouted. "But you were when I was seven. What's the difference now?"
"The difference," Marnard replied patiently, "is that you are now my son's betrothed. Titles must change."
Nael folded his arms. "I don't like it."
Leo stepped forward at that moment, bowing respectfully. "Father."
Marnard's stern composure softened further.
"You handled yourself well yesterday," he said quietly.
Leo met his gaze evenly. "I did what was necessary."
"And what you wanted?" Marnard asked.
A brief pause.
"Yes."
That single word seemed to satisfy him.
Nael looked between them. "Are you two having a secret father-son conversation in front of me?"
"You are the center of the conversation," Marnard said dryly.
They moved to a quieter side corridor away from the thick crowd. The high windows cast long beams of daylight across the marble floor.
For a few moments, they simply stood together—not as duke and prince, not as knight and royal—but as something more personal.
Marnard studied Leo carefully. "You understand what this means."
"Yes."
"You are not only binding yourself to him," Marnard continued, his tone calm but firm. "You are binding yourself to the crown, to its enemies, to its burdens."
Leo didn't waver. "I am aware."
Nael listened, uncharacteristically quiet.
"And you," Marnard turned to Nael gently, "must understand that my son's loyalty has always been absolute. If you falter—"
Nael straightened. "I won't."
There was no teasing in his voice this time.
Marnard watched him for a long second. Then he gave a slow nod.
"I know."
The tension eased.
They spoke for a while longer—of the journey from the duchy, of the formal announcements yet to be sent, of minor political ripples already forming among the nobility.
Eventually, a palace aide approached discreetly to inform them that the midday council awaited Nael's presence.
Marnard stepped back.
"I will take my leave now, Prince."
Nael frowned faintly. "You're leaving so soon?"
"I have duties awaiting me as well."
He turned to Leo. "Take care of yourself."
Then, after a small pause, he added with meaning, "And the prince."
Leo inclined his head.
"I will."
Before Marnard could turn away fully, Leo reached into the inner fold of his uniform and withdrew two small velvet-wrapped items.
"I prepared these," he said.
Marnard's brows lifted slightly.
Leo handed him the first—a small carved charm, intricately designed with protective symbols etched along its surface.
"For my brother," Leo said. "It's infused with restorative herbs from the eastern province. It should help ease his illness."
Marnard's fingers tightened subtly around it.
"And this," Leo continued, presenting the second item carefully.
It was a hairpin.
Delicate, crafted from pale silver, shaped like intertwined branches with a single sapphire set at the center. The stone caught the light beautifully.
"For Mother."
Even Marnard, who had faced battlefields without flinching, seemed momentarily at a loss.
"It's… exquisite," he said quietly.
"It's suited to her," Leo replied simply.
Nael leaned closer to inspect it. "That's one hell of a gift."
Leo glanced at him lightly. "Language."
Nael grinned.
Marnard cleared his throat softly, regaining composure.
"She will treasure it."
Leo hesitated a fraction before speaking again.
"Take care on your way back. And… take care of Brother. And Mother."
A faint, almost boyish pause.
"And of course, yourself too."
Marnard's stern expression broke into something warmer—something unmistakably paternal.
"I will."
For a moment, he placed a hand on Leo's shoulder.
Not as a duke.
As a father.
Then he stepped back fully, nodding once to Nael.
"Your Highness."
Nael didn't bow this time. Instead, he stepped forward and embraced him again—less impulsively, more gently.
"Visit soon," Nael said.
Marnard chuckled. "We shall see."
And with that, he turned and walked down the long corridor, attendants following behind him.
Nael watched until he disappeared from sight.
"He looked proud," Nael said quietly.
Leo didn't answer immediately.
"Yes," he finally replied.
They stood there for a moment longer in the sunlight filtering through the high windows.
Then Nael nudged him lightly.
"Come on, fiancé. We still have to survive the council."
Leo exhaled softly, the faintest hint of amusement in his eyes.
"As you command, Your Highness."
Nael glanced at him sideways. "You're still calling me that?"
"In public."
Nael smirked. "But now I'm your fiance "
Leo sighed " okay, Nael let's go "