After the formalities, the royal family retreated to a more private sitting room, its tall windows offering a sweeping view of the palace gardens and the distant lake, where the afternoon sun kissed the water into sparkling ripples. The room smelled faintly of polished wood and warm tea, a subtle comfort against the bubbling tension of the royal brothers.
As soon as they were inside, Ravel and Marcus flanked Nael, their alpha energy almost tangible. They leaned in slightly, golden eyes curious, expectant. "So… what's the plan, Nael?" Ravel asked, voice smooth but pressing.
Marcus chimed in, arms crossed, a frown tugging at the corners of his face. "Don't leave us hanging. We need to know how you intend to handle this."
Adrien lounged casually nearby, silver hair catching the light, velvet eyes glinting with amusement. He didn't need to press; his presence alone made the other two restless.
Nael's lips curled into a teasing smirk. He glanced at Adrien, sharp and playful. "And you," he said, narrowing his eyes just enough to make Adrien squirm under the look, "why did you boast in front of them that I told you my plans?"
Adrien shrugged with casual grace, a hint of a grin on his lips. "I had to. Someone had to show them who your favourite brother is."
Ravel and Marcus stiffened immediately, the air thick with silent frustration. Their composure wavered, their usual patience melting under the twin flames of rivalry and curiosity.
Nael's smirk softened into a more genuine curve, his tone light, teasing. "I had no choice," he explained. "Adrien caught me off guard. I had to tell him—or be caught entirely. So be patient, you two. I'm already nervous enough."
He let his gaze drift toward the lake visible through the tall window, lips curving slightly in anticipation. "Where's Leo?" he murmured, almost to himself. He stood and began pacing gently, hands behind his back, eyes scanning the room, a soft warmth in his movements.
Adrien leaned back, watching him with quiet amusement. Ravel and Marcus shifted uneasily, clearly trying to mask the mix of curiosity and envy that danced across their expressions.
Nael's voice softened, barely audible, but filled with confidence and mischief at once. "I can feel him," he said, eyes sparkling as they searched the room. "He's hiding somewhere, sneaking a peek at me, probably using the lake as his cover."
A light, almost imperceptible laugh escaped him. The tension in the room didn't vanish, but it transformed—it became a gentle warmth, the kind that made hearts beat a little faster, soft smiles flickering on faces usually hardened by duty.
For a moment, the brothers simply watched him, realizing that even in a room full of strong alphas, Nael's energy—his charm, his confidence, his playful aura—could bend the atmosphere to his will. Even Adrien, ever confident, allowed a soft shake of the head, a smirk playing at his lips in quiet admiration.
Nael dashed through the corridors, calling out in increasingly panicked tones. "Leo? Leo, where are you? Don't play hide and seek now!"
Every corner he turned, every corridor he searched—empty. Even the servants he passed looked mildly alarmed at his frantic pacing. He muttered under his breath, "Did he… abandon me? What do I do? What if he just… left?!"
By the time he reached the far end of the hall, his steps slowed. His shoulders slumped, and a hiccup escaped. Then another. Then—full-blown, sniffly, dramatic crying began. "Why… why would he do this to me?!"
Finally, utterly defeated and dripping with melodrama, he turned back to the room where his brothers were waiting. Without a second thought, he barreled straight into Marcus's arms. "Brother! I'm abandoned by Leo!" he sobbed loudly, flailing slightly as if gravity itself were conspiring against him.
Marcus blinked, caught off guard, then grinned and wrapped Nael in a bear hug. "Oh, calm down, you drama king. He hasn't abandoned you," he said, half-amused, half-patient.
Ravel and Adrien leaned against the doorframe, eyebrows raised. "Uh… are we invisible now? Nael, we're over here!" Ravel called.
Nael peeked over Marcus's shoulder, sniffling, and squinted at them. "I see you… but Marcus, my brother has a reliable back. Like… bulletproof, dragon-scale reliable," he said, voice serious as he dramatically nodded.
Adrien rolled his eyes. "Right… sure. Totally reassuring."
Ravel smirked. "I guess we'll just be the unpaid backup squad, then."
Nael snuggled into Marcus's chest with a triumphant little sigh. "Exactly. You guys can sit there, watch, learn… and maybe take notes. One day, when Leo reappears, you'll know what true loyalty looks like."
Marcus shook his head with a laugh. "You're impossible, little brother."
Nael grinned through tears, wiped his nose on his sleeve, and muttered, "Impossibly adorable, you mean."
The brothers groaned, Ravel muttering, "I'm surrounded by idiots," while Adrien shook his head with a bemused smile. And somewhere in the palace, Leo probably peeked around a corner, trying not to laugh too hard at the chaotic scene he'd inspired.