Draven woke up later on, his eyes unfocused at first. He blinked once —twice. Then his gaze became clearer, eyes falling on the figure laying beside him —Aurelian. He was sleeping. Draven stared at him, his face an expressionless mask. But he could feel something stir in him. He so much wanted to comfort Aurelian, to hold him and protect him from the world yet for some reason he can't explain, he couldn't express his feelings. It was like some kind of force was keeping him from acting on his feelings. He pulled the blanket over Aurelian and get off bed. His back hurts and his legs feels heavy. He forced himself to walk on unsteady legs till he got to the bathroom. He lowered himself into the bath and turn on the water, letting it seep into his body. After the relaxing bath, he got dressed. His legs felt more solid now, he didn't want to sit around idly so he exited the chambers.
Draven walks through the halls of the palace, making the guards straighten impossibly while the passing maids kept their heads even lower. Draven paid them no mind as he strode to the throne room. He met his father inside. King Malric was surprised to see him there. "Son, you haven't recovered yet, you shouldn't be here", Draven looked at his father,"I don't have time for that, the people needs me..." "The people doesnot need a sick Prince", King Malric interrupts. Draven's eyes narrowed at his father,"I am not sick", he declares, he felt like he would explode from fury but his features hold no reactions. King Malric looked at his son, voice dropping low,"Draven, your condition is not fully stable", his expression shows mild concern for his only son. Draven didn't waver,"I am fine father and I can perform my duties, now if you'll excuse me I have matters to attend to", he didn't wait for his father's response and walked out of the room.
He soon resumed his duties, meeting with advisors, trade and political partners, planning the welfare of the kingdom amongst others. As Draven walked past the library doors, someone called out to him. He turned around and standing in front of him was Drusilla. She had cut her hair shorter but that wasn't Draven's concern. What was she doing here? He was sure she had something to do with the incident or at least knows about it. He mentally scrowled before speaking,"what do you want?" He asked. Drusilla stepped forward slightly, offering a small innocent smile,"I heard about what happened to you, I was so worried but I'm glad to see you're better now" "if that's all then excuse me", Draven replied turning around to leave. "Wait!" Drusilla calls out desperately, Draven waited but didn't face her. "This is all that Aurelian fault, he is such bad luck but you know...you don't have to put up with him", she says, her dripping with false sweetness. Draven didn't reply to her words and just walked away. Drusilla watched him go, her face twisting in disgust as she murmurs under her breath,"why won't you just let him go?"
Draven's thoughts was drawn to Aurelian back at the chambers. Was he awake? He walked towards the chambers but he met Aurelian on his way. "You're awake", he spoke, Aurelian's eyes mlet his and Draven felt something in him shift. "Yes, I woke up a while ago and I was informed you returned to your duties", Aurelian replied. "Hm. The people needs their Prince", he says, his gaze unwavering. "But you're not fully healed", Aurelian argues, but Draven didn't back down —he wouldn't. "I know this and I know of your... Contributions to the palace business in my absence and I'm thankful for that", Draven utters, looking at Aurelian with such intensity that made Aurelian want to squirm. His words made Aurelian feel seen. Like what he had done didn't go unnoticed. Aurelian cleared his throat, his neck creeping with colour,"it was nothing", he muttered. Draven tilted his head,"was it?". Aurelian quickly diverts the topic,"are you hungry? You haven't eaten yet". Draven raised an eyebrow before replying "not yet", "then let's go have dinner together", Aurelian suggests, walking to the dining room before Draven could decline and as they both walked forward Draven couldn't help but wonder, "Would he ever fully recover? And if he didn't, would Aurelian eventually grow sick of him?"