POV: KAELIS DRAYDEN
Timeline: Two weeks after the trial
Location: Arventis Royal Palace
Two weeks since Isolde was sentenced. Two weeks since the trial ended. Two weeks since we finally got JUSTICE.
And somehow, life continues.
I'm in the Arventis throne room, but it looks different now. We're renovating. Tearing down the dark tapestries Isolde favored. Replacing them with lighter colors. Windows opened. Sunshine streaming in.
Making it OURS. Not hers.
"The South Wing is almost ready," my new advisor—Lord Castor, who proved trustworthy during the trial—reports. "We've converted it into public offices. For citizens to bring grievances directly to the crown."
"Good." I approve the plans he shows me. "And the memorial?"
"Construction begins next week. In the royal gardens. For Queen Seraphina and King Aldric. Public space. Anyone can visit."
"Perfect." I sign the authorization. "What else?"
"Trade agreements with Nocterra and the Tidelands are finalized. King Ravion and King Nyx both signed. We're looking at unprecedented economic cooperation between the three kingdoms."
Three kingdoms. Working together. Because of what Kieran and I built.
It's surreal.
"And the nobles?" I ask.
"Settling. Most are relieved Isolde is gone. A few are still nervous about their positions, but overall..." He pauses. "Overall, Your Majesty, the kingdom is STABLE. Happy, even. They're calling this the 'New Dawn.'"
New Dawn. I like that.
"Thank you, Lord Castor. Dismissed."
He leaves. I lean back in the throne.
It's finally starting to feel like MINE. Like it belongs to me. Like I BELONG here.
Kaelis? Kieran's voice through the twin bond. You busy?
Just finished court business. Why?
Want to meet up? Neutral ground? I need twin time.
I smile. Twin time. We've been doing this. Weekly meetings. Just us. No politics. No kingdoms. Just brothers.
Absolutely. The usual place?
See you in an hour.
The "usual place" is a tavern on the border between Arventis and Nocterra. Small. Quiet. Run by a sweet old lady named Marta who doesn't care that we're kings.
We meet there. Incognito. Just two guys having drinks.
Kieran is already there when I arrive. He's wearing normal clothes—jeans and a t-shirt he somehow got made in this medieval world. Still adjusting to 1833 fashion.
"Hey twin," he greets.
"Hey twin." I slide into the booth across from him. "How's Nocterra?"
"Chaotic. Good chaotic. Ravion is implementing reforms. Opening up trade. Softening the 'Dark King' image." He grins. "Turns out people are less scared of him when he's not actively threatening them."
"Revolutionary concept."
"Right?" He takes a drink. "How's Arventis?"
"Healing. Slowly. But healing." I pause. "We're building a memorial. For our real parents. Seraphina and Aldric. I thought... maybe you'd want to be there. At the dedication."
Kieran's eyes widen. "Really?"
"They're your parents too. You deserve to honor them."
"I'd love that." His voice is thick. "Thank you."
We sit in comfortable silence. The twin bond humming between us. Peaceful. Content.
"Kaelis?"
"Yeah?"
"Are you happy?" He asks it seriously. "Like, REALLY happy? Not just 'not in danger' happy. But actually happy?"
I think about it. Really think.
Two months ago, I was running from a wedding. From responsibility. From everything.
Now I'm a king. I have a kingdom. I have Nyx. I have Kieran.
I have PURPOSE.
"Yeah," I say finally. "I think I am. It's weird. It's overwhelming. But... yeah. I'm happy."
"Good." Kieran smiles. "You deserve it."
"So do you."
"I know." He laughs. "I'm working on it."