Chapter Text
In the north, where the mountains rise and the forests are thick and dense, lives a king. He's not just any king. He is one of tales and legends. In his youth, he helped bring peace to a land filled with turmoil. He also united two races that had been enemies for centuries. He leads his people fair and kind.
Yet, he seemingly shattered his own marriage.
࣪˚.𓂅 ˓ .𖤣𖥧˚.𓂅 ˓ ࣪.𖤣𖥧˚.𓂅 ˓ ࣪.𖤣𖥧˚.𓂅 ˓
The little boy waddles his way down the empty hallway. His bare feet make quiet pattering noises. When he reaches his destination, he doesn't knock on the door. He simply opens it and walks inside.
"Shouldn't you be sleeping?" The person inside asks.
"Mmm. I sleep here," the little boy says in a sleepy tone.
The other person inside was a slightly older boy, who just sighs and pats his bed. The little boy makes his way to their bed and pulls himself up. The other boy pulls the covers up to tuck the younger in. The older boy puts the book he had been reading on his nightstand and blows the lit candle out. He tucks himself in and moves closer to the younger boy. With the moonlight that slightly pours in, he can see the younger boy is still awake. He gently pats his hair.
"Jo," the younger boy whispers.
"Yes?" Jo whispers back.
"Why does papa get quiet when the men of Nox arrive?" The younger whispers his question.
"Why don't you ask papa, Maki?" Jo replies.
"Because papa looks sad," Maki answers.
The older boy only hums in reply. They don't speak anymore and simply drift off to sleep.
---
"Jo." A voice calls out softly.
The boy slightly stirs.
"Wake up," the same voice softly calls out.
The boy finally squints his eyes open. A hand gently brushes his hair and his eyes open more. His tired eyes meet his papa's face, who had a gentle smile. The boy lets out a sleepy whine.
"You have to wake up. Your dada wants you to join him," the boy's papa whispers.
The boy sits up and rubs his face. He hears a splashing of water and then a wet cloth is wiping his face. The boy tries to pull away but the cloth follows him, and he lets out a whine.
"Why is Maki with you?" His papa asks.
"Couldn't sleep," Jo replies with a sleepy voice. His papa hums in reply.
"You have to change now. I picked out your outfit."
Jo's papa lifts his blankets and the boy slips out of bed. The boy finds his clothes neatly folded on his tea table by the windows. He sees his papa move to the side of the bed Maki was sleeping on and he gently caresses his head. Jo turns forward again and changes his clothes.
When he's finally dressed his papa fixes his outfit a bit. He helps him with the cuffs of his coat and fixes his waistcoat and puff tie. Jo looks at his papa who smiles at him, but the smile doesn't quite reach his eyes. The boy pats his papa's head and smiles at him.
"Your off to breakfast in the east wig, where the visitors are roomed," his papa says.
Jo nods at him and makes his way out of his room.