The Only Son Amongst The Daughters Of Eros

"That was an excellent negotiation, Young Master," Ilyon praised Aeric as they both walked down the carpeted hallway of the castle.

"Thank you, Ilyon. However, after the Beast Glade clearing and the War, we are going to have a lot of work in his hands, trying to grant the promises I've made today. Else I could start a civil war."

Ilyon looked away in thought. "That is true."

"I hope Mother takes all of this gently. I might be taking advantage of her affection towards me, but... if it's for the sake of the people of Starlight, then I'm fine doing it. I can spend the rest of life apologizing."

The courier clicked his tongue. "An admirable notion, my prince. If you do not mind, I was wondering; I saw you talking to Lady Seraphina Ivermere after the meeting."

Aeric raised a brow. "Yes?"

Ilyon shrugged, then blurted out. "Well, it appeared to be a very interesting discussion."

The prince stopped on his heels, just as they were about to climb the stairs and turned to look at Ilyon. "Your curiosity is suspicious, Ilyon. You wouldn't have been this anxious if I had been talking to any other family head. What is the matter?"

Ilyon shook his head wearily. "Well, it's just that Lady Seraphina is generally looked down upon amongst other Branching families."

Aeric frowned with disinterest. "Why? Because of her choice of business?"

"No. Not that, Young Master. Erothyria as a world fully embraces desire and lust. It is simply because of her marital scandal. You see her present husband now wasn't her first. That one had died from a killflower poisoning. The investigation is still on going till now after many years, but many already believe that she's the one responsible."

Ilyon hesitated before continuing. "Especially after she took over the business and all its wealth, then remarried. She might be truly innocent, but being around that woman at times like this — in public — is scandalous."

Aeric pouted while nodding his head in thought. "I see, no wonder why it seemed like they were all united in disliking her back in the courtroom."

He then gave Ilyon an assuring gaze, placing a hand on his shoulder. "However, it is nothing that you should worry yourself with. Lady Seraphina met me to apologize for what happened all those months ago during my Coming of Age. She said she had not scrutinized the courtesans herself and that was why the assassin had managed to slip through. Her support for the mission is also a part of her apology."

"Ah," Ilyon nodded. "I see. That is kind of her to say that."

"Indeed it is." They both stopped in front of a door after arriving at the top floor of the castle. Aeric's eyes narrowed instantly as he looked at the door. "You can go now."

"As you wish, Young Master." Ilyon bowed, then went down the stairs that they had just climbed, returning to the duties of arranging the castle back to normal so that Mother Guinevere wouldn't recognize anything suspicious on her return.

Aeric returned his eyes to the door, then after an exhale, pushed it open and entered inside.

Melina was sitting in her bed, playing with a silver ball of Divinity above her palm. She was dressed in normal house clothes, not the normal training gear that Aeric expected.

Her eyes lit up as he entered inside and she allowed the ball to die off, turning her focus to the Prince.

"What are you doing?" he asked her, furrowing his brows. "You should be in the training expanse with Alzera."

Melina sighed. "She's not a very friendly person that Alzera, is she?"

Aeric sighed. "She is. You just have to grow on her first, give her time. Believe me, she didn't like me at all at first either."

"Really?" Melina looked skeptical. "Because she seemed to be gushing about you from what I noticed. She kept asking what you were doing. I told her you were in a meeting, and then she'd ask again how it was going. How was I supposed to know, I wasn't in the meeting."

Aeric watched Melina sneer and hiss, and it reminded him that this was basically still the same sharp witted, bitchy and snappy Melina he knew. Except she wasn't bitchy and snappy to him.

Also, Alzera was asking about him? That was good news, maybe the chances for another Insemination would increase since she was clearly still thinking of him.

He could use the upgraded Skills in the battle.

Melina's eyes slowly lifted up, watching him think. "How did the meeting go by the way?" she asked. "Did you get their sponsors?"

Aeric replied, "I did."

"How many of them?"

"All of them."

She jerked her head back, surprised. "You got all of them to sponsor you? All the Branching Families of your Region?"

Aeric glanced at her and said, "Yeah."

"Gee." She downturned her lips. "You really do know how to talk your way into anything."

He didn't know what to say to that. His eyes just looked at her profoundly, then at her cleavages that were popping out of her low cut gown. Tempting.

"We could go again right now if you want," she smiled mischievously.

Aeric sighed, looking at the window. "No. I need to save my stamina."

That caused an aggressive brow raise from the princess. "Save your stamina? For what?"

Aeric didn't answer.

She got down from the bed and stood beside him. "Who are you saving your stamina for?"

He turned away apathetically. "Why do you instantly believe that it's a who?"

"I'm not gonna run you dry of energy or strength," she stated.

"We've had sex twice, Mel." Aeric said with a sigh. "Both of those times, I slept off after. All you do is run me dry of energy, you succubus."

Melina blushed.

"Look, you have to train. Tomorrow is very important and Alzera and her team are one of the best beast killers there is. We don't have much time before the Glade."

"Okay, I will." She agreed with a soft nod. "What about you? What will you be doing?"

"I'm going to Elysium," Aeric replied.

Melina frowned. "Elysium? Faeryn and Phoebe will be fine training on their own."

"I'm not going for them," he said, heading for the door. "I'm going to see a Healer."