Sitting in a chair, Soren read through the parchments listing the best chefs carefully.

The Queen had asked him to find at least five of the most skilled ones so that each could focus on a separate dish, ensuring the feast would be ready in time. Guests would hate to eat meals that weren’t freshly cooked at the Hunting Festival.

He rubbed his temple and sighed. The task sounded simple, yet nobles’ egos made it unnecessarily complicated. Every chef came with their own patron, and every patron expected their cook to be "the star of the table."

It’s not like they’ll get any money from it anyway...

He sighed again, placing one parchment aside, a faint frown forming on his lips.

"If only people cared as much about taste as they do about names..." he muttered. After all, they only wanted their titles to linger on everyone’s tongues.

Having shut himself down for the whole day, he barely noticed how much time had passed. He glanced at the window pane—the sky had turned a peachy orange—the sun was setting down. The snow was slowly melting, although the road was still covered with it, like a white blanket.

Just then, a faint knock sounded at the door.

"Enter," Soren said.

A young knight stepped in, bowing deeply. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

"Sir, His Majesty the Queen requests your presence. He mentioned it concerns the arrangements for the royal guests who will reside in the Royal Guest Wing in the east."

Soren raised an eyebrow.

"The Queen?"

The knight nodded.

Soren stood, adjusting his cloak before leaving his office.

"Very well. Tell him I’m on my way."

He paused briefly, his gaze falling on a particular parchment he hadn’t noticed before, hidden beneath the others. It was yet another letter from Crown Prince Rihaan.

He exhaled quietly, sliding another parchment over it.

The festival was only days away—meals, performances, hunting routes, security—everything had to align perfectly. And with the Emperor attending this year as well, even a single mistake could spark chaos. His father rarely missed it, unless it was due to an important event.

Still, a faint smile crossed his lips.

It’s been years since Zayden last joined one of these gatherings... and for him to attend with a partner and son...

He chuckled softly. He could never have imagined it if someone had told him six years ago.

As Soren made his way down the corridor, the faint chatter of servants echoed through the marble halls. The palace was alive again—bustling with preparations.

Flowers kept fresh with magic were being carried in woven baskets, banners hung from the ceiling, and gold-trimmed carpets were rolled out for inspection.

When he reached the Queen’s chamber, the guards stationed outside bowed deeply.

"His Majesty is inside," one of them said, bowing deeply to the Imperial Crown Prince.

Soren nodded and entered once they opened the door for him.

Leon was seated by the window, sunlight painting his blond hair in red-ish shades. Scrolls and lists were spread across the low table before him—guest names, accommodations, the order of arrival.

Yet even amidst the clutter, he maintained a grace that made the room seem lighter. Not suffocating like when he visited the Emperor.

"Ah, Your Imperial Highness," Leon greeted warmly without looking up. "I trust you have already chosen our chefs?"

Soren stopped a few steps from the table, bowing slightly. "Nearly, Your Majesty. I have narrowed the list to six. And please, call me like you always have.

"Ha ha ha, alright, Soren," Leon said, glancing up at him with a faint smile. "Now, about the guest quarters... We can’t house the nobles in the main palace. The Empress’s wing is out of the question—she’s already made that very clear," he chuckled.

Soren’s jaw tightened, though he said nothing. Leon never showed any form of remorse for the Empress. He always made sure she kept living her life as she wished while he bore most of the burden of an Empress’s duty. Sometimes, Soren felt embarrassed due to that.

Leon continued, tapping his finger lightly against the parchment.

"Hmm... The eastern guest wing will do. It’s distant enough from the Empress’s quarters, yet close enough to the gardens for evening gatherings. But..." His voice dropped slightly, his gaze turning thoughtful.

"Make sure the Duke of Velmor and his sons are not placed too near the royal family members of Cilisa. Last time, they nearly blew the place up before the opening toast," he shook his head. "Can you believe it? In front of the Emperor at that! Just for some piece of land..."

Soren sighed.

"I remember. I still have the broken goblet as a souvenir," he chuckled. It was an evident jest.

Leon chuckled, covering his mouth to hide his amusement.

"Then keep it as a reminder—that pride and alcohol rarely mix well."

As their laughter faded, Soren’s gaze softened.

"You seem... brighter today, Your Majesty. Happier. Has something good happened?"

Leon smiled faintly.

"Eiran came to visit earlier."

Soren blinked.

"The little one? I can’t imagine anyone refusing him. I haven’t had the chance to meet him because of all this..."

The Queen’s gaze softened, lips wider with a smile.

"No one could. He’s... quite like his father in that way."

For a brief moment, silence fell between them—one heavy with unspoken thoughts. Because technically, Leon was also Soren’s father, even if not biologically.

Then the Queen exhaled, setting the parchment aside.

"Tell me, Soren... Do you think Zayden has changed?"

Soren narrowed his eyes, confused.

"Changed? In what way?"

Leon nodded slowly.

"He seems softer. More... human. Just like he wanted to be. It’s strange to see him like this after all those years."

Soren allowed himself a small smile.

"If anyone could change him, it would be that man—Ren."

"I wonder," Leon murmured, almost to himself, "if love can truly soften a man who had been forged by war."

"Are you stating my brother is a beast?" Soren joked.

But Leon didn’t find it funny. He remained silent for a moment, his expression serious.

"...He is a demon. Even if he hates to admit it, it won’t change the blood running in his veins."

The smile on Sorrn’s lips dropped immediately.

"Are you talking about her?.."

Leon nodded, lowering his gaze.

"I have seen her grow older, after all."

"We shouldn’t mention her. She is a forbidden topic in the palace," Soren forced a smile although it didn’t reach his eyes.

The Queen simply looked at the parchments, giving the red-haired man a quiet nod.