The morning air in the Royal Inner Court was heavy with the scent of smoldering incenses.
Malachi glided down the long archway, his silk robes sweeping silently over the floor. His curly hair was still slightly disheveled, though he looked considerably more rested after leaving Kizari's quarters.
"Brother!"
A high pitched voice echoed through the corridor. Malachi paused, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips as Princess Nyxian stomped toward him. Her long, fiery red skirts billowed behind her, her posture radiating pure annoyance.
"Little Xian," Malachi drawled, resting a hand on his hip. "You are up so early."
"Do not play coy with me!" Nyxian snapped, coming to a halt right in front of him and poking a slender finger firmly on his chest. "You have been dodging the court for days! You waste away your time wandering in the human realm, ignoring your nobles, leaving the council in chaos, and now you neglecting sister-in-law!"
