Tacitus stood behind King Nicodeme as they stood in front of a double set door. That on size alone cause Tacitus felt a sense of anxiety that almost rid him of frozen. Then the intricate designs that were lined out in gold were unreal for him even to comprehend where one could learn to be so skilled in making something so beautiful.

When he realised that the King sent a boy into the room to announce the arrival, it was just in time to learn that they virtually made no sound for doors so big. Only Royalty could afford the luxury he saw before him. Somehow, through all the pain he went through this past year of his life, he managed to find himself a place among these kinds of people.

It may have been forced; he may have been sold. Yet, his mind wondered if he could forgive all that if he was kept warm and fed something he only seldom felt growing up. Maybe he could even be willing no, wanting to perform his duties as the Prince -who had still yet to meet- Shira. Of course, this was all still ifs in his mind, as he didn't know how much of this lifestyle he would be enjoying.

He looked down at the clothes he wore; they were the kind of clothes that never in a million year did he ever think he could afford something like this yet alone have it on his own body.

"Tacitus, the next time this door opens. I want you to walk through with your chin held parallel to the ground. You will look forward at the mirrors hung on the opposite end of the room, straight across from our balcony here. One foot after another, you will stroll up to my side, do you understand?"

"Yes, Sir", Tacitus answered before he indeed registered what he was told to do. It wasn't like he was given a choice to do otherwise or even a chance to ask for additional advice. Since those doors opened and the King walked through.

'Walkthrough chin up, and eyes at the mirrors, ' Tacitus repeated to himself as the seconds seem to be hours as he waited impatiently. He could hear the King speaking on the other side.

He mentioned his brother, and Tacitus' mind reeled back to his talks with Reglan about the Prince. Then the few words Casper had said about his friend. He knew that he couldn't be meeting the devil, and yet his biggest fear was that he would be put to a life of torment.

"Your up." one of the guards caught his attention.

"Thank you" Tacitus hesitated for a moment before looking ahead, remembering what the King had told him to. The doors opened, and he stepped through. The room was silent as he walked in; if it weren't for the mirrors that allowed him to see the people below, he would have thought that he wandered into an empty room.

Step by step, one foot then another, he made his way to the side of Nicodeme. Who quickly introduced him one more time.

"My brother's Shira, Tacitus Uzi." the emphasis on his last name did, however, strike a chord with him. First the question on his family line, then the way he spoke of his name, Tacitus wondered if there was something more to everything than what he was allowed to know.

Tacitus turned his head slightly, trying to see more of the room without bringing too much more attention to himself. The stairs and his head being up kept him from seeing anyone directly below him.

"As you can see, he is quite a catch," King Nicodème, continued and he then gestured to someone out of his sight; he took this time to follow his hand, though, as most would probably follow.

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He points three men stood in the area, yet one stood out a little more; he stood a solid head and shoulder over the others and had a striking image similar to the King. That must be the Prince.

"Dominic, why don't you come up here and join us, show off your Shïra."

As he suspected, the one his eyes landed on came up to the platform. This wasn't surprising as the other two looked older than the King himself, and the Prince was supposed to be his younger brother.

The King stepped to the side, allowing the Prince to slide in on Tacitus's left. He stood close enough that Tac could get a whiff of alcohol off his breath as well as feel the heat radiant off his body. Tac turned his head, looking at him; he was taller than he initially thought from seeing him down the steps. Tacitus looked between the King and the Prince, wondering who was the taller as they both seem to tower the rest of their people.

Tac felt the Prince take two sudden half steps towards him, causing the Prince's front to be flushed against his side. If he wasn't already looking at the two brother's, he wouldn't know that King Nicodeme had shoved the Prince closer. The two shared a look for a moment before the King turned to address the people again.

"I would like to have a conversation with you if you're not opposed." the Prince leaned into his ear, blocking his ability to hear the King.

Tacitus looked up slightly, to where he was looking at the man's face, "Will I still have to deal with this crowd of people?"

"Not if you agree," Nodding his head, Tacitus agreed, "Alright, then after he finishes speaking, we can make an exit."

They both faced the people as the King finished his second announcement, which Tac hadn't fully listened to. Hence, the onslaught of cheers catching him off guard, sending a ringing sensation through his mind.

"Play along, and let me handle most of the speaking." Tacitus nodded and followed the guidance of Dominic down the steps. He was quickly surrounded by strangers grabbing at his shoulder, asking a bunch of questions.

Every limb in his body began to twitch, and the noise around him began to climb into levels that left him with ringing in his ears. Tacitus stumbled over his feet, filling his chest rise and fall heavier and heavier with each step. His vision started to wavier, the colourful clothing and floor started to mix quickly, becoming a kaleidoscope.

His mind spiralled as he tried to figure out what was going on, and at the same time, trying to calm himself down, which only seem to worsen the issue.

"Hey..." a voice broke through as his ringing started to subside.

Looking around, his vision was still moving, but as he got his breathing to be calmer, his vision started to clear.

He heard some snapping; once he could tell what was happening, he noticed a hand in his face.

"Hey, can you hear me?"

"Yes, I'm sorry that's never happened before." Tac's head still felt like it was reeling.

He watched as the Prince backed up, allowing him to see the rest of the room that they were in. It was a sitting room, donned with the colours of the country.

The lounge chairs faced each other, and a frosted glass table sat between them. A large fireplace took up half the wall decorated with a mantle that seemed to be made with an opake white material on the right. To the left, there was a large built-in bookshelf with a cabinet at the bottom.

"Where are we?" he turned his head back to the brunette.

"Not too far away from the ball; if you listen, you can hear the chattering still." The Prince walked over to the cabinet; he pulled out a decanter and poured him a drink. "Would you like some?"

Shaking his head, "I don't drink."

"This isn't alcohol." he turned, taking a few sips from his glass.

Tacitus tilted his head, "What is it?"

"A long-time family recipe is kept in meeting rooms, studies, and receiving rooms. While guest drinks the actual alcohol, we have this the colour is similar enough to trick everyone into thinking it is just the noble family's personal brew."

"Sounds like something your family wants to be kept secert. Why tell me?" Tacitus made his way over to one of the lounge chairs.

The Prince walked over with the decanter in his hand, his glass, and an additional glass. "Well, giving that you will be here for quite some time. I see no reason to hold information from you. You'll also going to have to know this when you are with me. meeting important people." He set the on the table and took his seat on the chair across from Tac. The clink of the glass on the glass caused Tac to wince.

Tac poured himself a drink from a crystal container studying the brown liquid. He hadn't had time to process the past couple of days; well, he had, he didn't want to think about anything. He was enjoying the warm bed and hot food. Now staring at this glass with a drink at the halfway point. Tacitus didn't want to know if he wanted to consider it half full or half empty. Either way, all he knew was his mind was jumbled.

"I have no ill will towards you,"

"Why would you? You wanted me didn't you?" Tacitus took a sip; it was a sweet-tasting liquid with a spicy mix.

"No"

That caused Tacitus to look back up quickly. "What?"

"I didn't want you."