"Elias," Caelum called out, his voice echoing slightly as he walked into Elias' room.
He could hear the shower running, a steady, soothing rhythm, so he smiled a knowing smile and walked over to the tall, mahogany bookshelf. He ran a finger along the spines before picking out a leather-bound book on the ancient art of alchemy. Settling comfortably on the edge of the large, plush bed, Caelum opened the book and began to read, patiently waiting for Elias to finish his shower.
"Caelum," Elias said, a faint smile gracing his lips as he emerged, seeing Caelum sitting on the bed with the book in his hands.
Caelum looked up, his gaze meeting Elias's. He gently placed the book on the nearby bedside table. "Falcon arrived with a letter a little while ago," he announced, his tone serious. "His Majesty has finally scheduled a trial for the Ravenlofts who were involved in the recent scheme."
Elias nodded, his expression becoming thoughtful. He walked to the bed and sat down next to Caelum. "When is the trial scheduled for?" he asked, slipping his arm around Caelum's shoulder and pulling him into a warm, comfortable embrace.
"In a week," Caelum replied, resting his head against Elias. He paused, a slight hesitation in his voice. "Perhaps," he added.
"Perhaps?" Elias questioned, raising an eyebrow, seeking clarification.
"A few members of the family seemed to have anticipated something and managed to flee the capital," Caelum explained, a hint of frustration in his tone. "It will be difficult to locate them, so the trial might have to be postponed longer than a week."
Elias nodded slowly, absorbing the information. "What about the main consort?" he asked, referring to the orchestrator of the scheme.
"She has been successfully restrained," Caelum confirmed. "They requested the specific rune needed to seal her magic, and I sent it with Falcon. So, the mages from the magic department should have already been employed to carve the intricate runes onto the walls of her confinement cell."
Elias sighed, a sound of profound relief escaping his lips. "Thank the gods the most notorious figures have been caught," he murmured, his grip on Caelum tightening slightly.
Caelum, however, shook his head, a shadow crossing his face. "Not all of them. The duke, Aurelius' grandfather, hasn't been apprehended yet," he revealed. "Matheas wrote specifically to me, instructing me to never let you out of my sight until all those involved Ravenlofts are caught and securely imprisoned."
"I am perfectly fine with that arrangement," Elias said, a genuine smile returning to his face. "Was there anything else in the letter?" he asked, curious.
Caelum shook his head again. "That was the complete content of the royal correspondence," he confirmed.
Elias acknowledged the information with a nod. He stood up smoothly and began to dress himself in a soft, silk pajama set, then walked back over to the bed.
"That is not exactly what Matheas meant when he said not to let you out of my sight," Caelum mumbled, his face flushing a bright, noticeable red.
"Are you feeling shy, my dear Caelum?" Elias teased gently, his eyes twinkling mischievously. "You have seen every part of me and felt my embrace for an entire year now. You even told me that our physical relationship did not need to change simply because the poison is no longer a threat to me," he said, letting his voice drop and his lower lip tremble, giving him the appearance of a thoroughly beaten puppy. "Were those words merely a placation to soothe my anxieties?" he asked, trying his best to give Caelum his most irresistible puppy eyes.
Caelum let out a low, frustrated grumble. "It absolutely was not," he insisted, quickly hiding his blushing face behind the shield of his hands. "I meant every single word I said, truly. But that still does not give you permission to walk around completely naked."
Elias smiled sweetly, a light, genuine sound escaping him. "Alright, alright, I will stop teasing you now," he conceded with a quiet chuckle. "Go take your own bath and come back. We will finally get some sleep."
Caelum cautiously peeked out from between the small gap in his fingers, realizing that Elias was being entirely truthful this time. He stood up from the bed and walked into the adjoining bathroom, closing the door softly behind him.
When Caelum walked back out, his white hair damp with water still dripping onto his shoulders, Elias's face lit up with a loving smile. He extended his arm and beckoned Caelum closer to him.
Caelum immediately walked toward him.
Elias gently but firmly made Caelum sit down directly in front of him. He took the towel Caelum was holding and began to personally dry his lover's hair with tender care.
"I can manage to do it myself, you know," Caelum said, though his voice held no real objection, and he was clearly enjoying the affectionate attention.
"I know you can," Elias said with a wonderfully soft smile that reached his eyes. "But please, just let me do this for you," he insisted.
Caelum simply nodded, leaning into the comfort, and allowed Elias to thoroughly dry his hair until it was merely damp.
When the task was complete, Elias pulled Caelum close against his side, and they both laid down comfortably on the large, soft bed.
"When we finally finish school, can I ask something specific of you?" Elias asked quietly, leaning down to place a tender kiss on the top of Caelum's head.
Caelum turned his body to face Elias fully, his expression curious. "Why in the world would you wait for two whole years?" he asked, confused by the delay.
"Well, it is traditionally a life altering decision that is usually only taken after one has graduated from the academy," Elias explained, his gaze sincere.
"Just ask me now," Caelum urged, his eyes shining with sincerity. "If whatever it is involves the realm's business, we can simply inform His Majesty after we graduate." He paused, then added, "He has already asked us to meet with him right after we graduate, anyway."
Elias gasped softly, a look of mock annoyance crossing his face. "He beat me to it," he grumbled under his breath, sounding slightly defeated.
"Beat you to what, exactly?" Caelum asked, his confusion mounting.
"Did he not explain why he specifically wanted to speak with us after graduation?" Elias asked, his eyes searching Caelum's. Caelum shook his head, confirming the lack of details. Elias sighed, a deep breath of relief this time. "It is something significant, an assignment only for a king's knight and a king's mage," he finally shared.
"So, Matheas has already agreed to this 'something'?" Caelum asked, connecting the dots.
Elias nodded, his gaze unwavering. "I know what I am about to ask is a monumental thing, but can you stay with me, for all the days of my life?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper, filled with hope and a touch of nervousness.
"Is this your own unique way of proposing to me?" Caelum asked, a wonderfully soft smile spreading across his face, lighting up his eyes. "If it is, then yes, I absolutely accept," he said, burrowing his face deeper into Elias's warm chest.
Elias smiled a genuine, relieved smile. "It is much more than just a proposal, Caelum," he admitted, his hand gently stroking Caelum's back. "It could also be considered cruel to the genuine feelings you have for me," he added, his voice gaining a slightly sombre note.
Caelum pulled back just enough to look into Elias's eyes, his brow furrowed with concern. "What exactly do you mean by that?" he asked, needing clarity.
"Matheas and my father love each other in the same deep way that you and I love each other," Elias explained, his expression troubled. "But, my father still had to take two consorts as his official partners," he added, the implication heavy in the air.
"For the sake of producing legitimate heirs?" Caelum asked, his voice soft with understanding.
Elias simply nodded, confirming the necessity of the royal duty.
Caelum's face immediately brightened with a beautiful, reassuring smile. He reached up and gently cupped Elias's face between his hands. "Please do not ever think for a moment that I am going to abandon you simply because you have to fulfill your duty as the future king of this nation," he said with fierce certainty. "If that is the necessary condition for me to stay right by your side as your devoted lover and personal guardian, then I will gladly accept it," he promised, his eyes shining with pure commitment.
Elias gasped, a sound of sheer surprise and joy, and instantly flipped their positions so that he was hovering over Caelum, supporting his weight on his elbows. "Do you truly mean that, Caelum?" he asked, his voice intense, filled with overwhelming emotion. "Do you genuinely mean every word? You will not regret this choice?"
Caelum shook his head slowly, his gaze locked with Elias's. "It is absolutely not something I will ever regret," he said, his conviction absolute. "However, I would very much like to know the identity of your chosen fiancée," he added, his tone becoming mildly curious.
"Amelia Morgan Holstan," Elias stated, the name rolling off his tongue.
"My cousin," Caelum acknowledged with a nod. "I have not actually met her in person, but I know for certain that her entire focus is solely on herself and maintaining her public image," he shared, his expression turning thoughtful.
"So, she is another version of Aurelius' mother?" Elias sighed, a weariness entering his voice.
"I would unfortunately say she is a meaner and far more heartless version of Aurelius' mother, if that is possible," Caelum admitted with a genuine sigh of concern.
"You have successfully scared me before I have even had the chance to meet her," Elias confessed, a worried frown creasing his brow.
Caelum smiled faintly, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Do not say that I did not give you a serious warning when the time comes to meet her," he said, putting his arms around Elias and pulling him into a tight, comforting hug. "I am exhausted now, though. Can we please finally go to sleep?" he asked, his voice softening with fatigue.
Elias smiled lovingly in return. He leaned down and pressed a chaste, sweet kiss onto Caelum's lips, a silent promise of his affection. He then laid down beside Caelum, gently turning Caelum towards him. Wrapping a strong arm securely around Caelum's waist, Elias finally closed his eyes, ready for the peaceful rest they both needed.