(XUL)

Aurenolia paced anxiously outside the infirmary door. A pair of twin guards, their long black hair pulled into matching high, tight ponytails, were posted on either side of the door, watching her curiously but they didn’t dare question the crown ‘prince’ about the strange boy ‘he’ carried out of ‘his’ bedroom in the middle of the night. Their sharp, masculine features were completely identical in every way, except for the dark mole on the right eyelid of one of the twins which was only visible when he blinked. The two kept sharing a look every time the ‘prince’ turned ‘his’ back to them.

“Altyrion!” An authoritative voice boomed. The two guards straightened up fully and Aurenolia paused in her pacing, “What are you doing out of your room, half-dressed in the middle of the night? Do you think this is a manner befitting a prince?”

Aurenolia turned on her heel to face her father, bending at the waist in a deep bow, “Apologies, Royal Father,” with a hand on her chest and still lowered into a deep bow, she fiddled with the lapel of her robe rubbing it between her thumb and forefinger, “But there were rather strange circumstances that prompted this atrocious behavior of mine.” The two guards perked their ears up, hearing an explanation was on its the way.

“Oh?” Was all the King needed to say to prompt Aurenolia to continue.

“I went out onto my balcony to enjoy a few breaths of fresh air when suddenly a young boy fell from the sky! Landing right on my balcony!”

One of the guards stumbled forward in shock. His brother glared at him until he sheepishly straightened back up. But even the brother who had managed to keep his cool was internally wondering, what kind of excuse is that Your Highness? Who would believe it?!

Aurenolia continued on without pause, paying no mind to the brief comedy routine being acted out a few feet to her left, “The boy was unconscious, heavily injured, and with barely any breath in his lungs. I decided it was imperative to bring him to the doctor first and ask questions about his origin laters”

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“I see,” the King nodded, “you may relax.”

The young guard’s eye twitched, his dark mole visible for half a second, what do you see? Please share it with us.

Aurenolia finally got to straighten out her back and look at her father. The heavy, jeweled crown was absent from his head and his clothes were simpler and less decorous than during the day but his demeanor was no less regal and imposing. But with his long black hair slicked back and nothing on top of his head one could clearly see that his hairline was receding at the temples.

The King turned to the infirmary door and took a few steps forward, “The boy?” he asked the twin guards.

The smarter and calmer, but younger of the brothers stepped forward and bowed low at the waist. “Answering Your Majesty, the boy seems to be about the prince’s age. His clothes and hairstyle do not belong to any of the clans of the Yelii. They most closely resemble the peasants of our neighbors across the sea. But his hair was black like a child of the Yelii. He truly was unconscious and heavily injured, his face terribly burned. However, the physician stated the boy’s life should not be in any danger. Anything else Your Majesty wishes to know may have to wait until the boy wakes up.”

“In your opinion, does the boy seem dangerous?”

The guard glanced over at the anxiously tapping foot of the prince, “No...” the guard answered.

“Are you willing to put your life on the line for that answer?”

Sweat broke out along the guards back, “Your Majesty?”

“You’ll watch over the boy. If he is suspicious, kill him. If he harms anyone you will be held responsible with your life.”

“Understood, Your Majesty.”

The King glanced at the silent other guard that had the same face as the one he was talking to, “Your brother will join you.”

In sync, the twins answered, “Yes, Your Majesty.”

The older twin sighed in relief quietly when the King turned his back then threw a questioning glance at his brother who deliberately ignored him.

“Altyrion, return to bed. You can inquire after the boy in the morning.”

Aurenolia chewed her bottom lip, wanting to argue but knowing she had no argument she could make. She bowed once more, “Yes, Royal Father.”