Aelius was going through the usual pace of his new role as heir. His past life full of freedom and senseless activities became filled with lessons, meetings, and more senseless activities. Everyday he goes through the same motion – wake up, get dressed, attend the council, attend royal lessons, attend the daily audience, be berated by his father, combat practice, more lessons, eat, sleep. 'Is this what Helio had to do every day?' he thought while walking along the Great Hall of the Sun, as a quick respite from his very busy schedule. The Great Hall of the Sun, is a long corridor with floor to ceiling portraits of the Kings and Queens of Solaria. As he walks along the corridor her stops and stares at his father's portrait; King Helio of Solaria. Even under his father's painted eyes he can still feel his cold and hard stare. Under that scrutinizing gaze, he ponders whether deserves to be heir at all.

"Aelius?" A feminine voice called out. Aelius turned to his left and saw his mother, the Sun Queen, watching him. Descended from the Verdant family, she has eyes as green as jades with a snake like gaze. Small and delicate, his mother's features are a direct opposite of his father. Before, Aelius would try to think of reasons how a dainty woman like her survived the Sun Court and the strictness of her husband, but as the years go by Aelius learned that his parents were made for each other, each complementing their hard and cruel ways.

"Greetings, Sun Queen, Mother of the Lands" Aelius bowed to his mother.

"You're not hiding from your duties, yes?" His mother inquired.

"No mother. I have this afternoon free." He answered her query.

"Good. Join me for tea then." The Sun Queen said as she turned around and walked. When she felt Aelius was not following her, she turned around and started at him. Raising an eyebrow, she asked "Did you hear me?"

Aelius, initially shocked by the invitation, walked towards his mother. Once the queen was satisfied, she continued walking. "Remember, 5 paces behind me" she said quietly. Aelius just nodded and followed her to the Garden of the Suns.

The Garden of the Suns is a sprawling forest full of tall sunflowers, accented by pastel colored roses and chrysanthemums. In the stood the tall golden statue of the Black Sun, a king from the past empire of Celestia. The Sun Queen walked towards the gazebo prepared for tea by the royal maids, and sat down. Aelius stood at his mother's side; he knew better than to sit immediately without invitation.

"Sit down, Aelius" his mother invited, gesturing at the seat in front of her. Aelius sat at the plush velvet seat as a maid prepared sunflower tea and pastries to be placed in front of him.

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The queen stared at Aelius for a short while before talking. "I heard that you're currently adjusting well on you new role as heir" she said.

"Yes, your majesty. It was a quiet adjustment as first, but I think I got the hang of it." He answered proudly.

"You think?" she sneered. "You're not sure?" she peered at him with her snake eyes, waiting to strike.

"Forgive me, that's not what I meant. I've got the hang of it" Aelius replied, his mother's gaze never leaving him. Feeling uneasy Aelius began to eat some cake so he can be distracted from his mother's eyes, while telling her about his days as the new Heir, filling the tense silence. Not once did he peeked directly at his mother to see if her eyes are still on him.

"Sometimes, your action looks so alike from Helio that I thought you were him" his mother said softly.

Aelius looked at his mother and saw that her gaze was still the same, but there was a glimmer of softness on it as well.

He knew his mother was never really cruel before. According to the people at court, his mother was kind and gentle, an angelic beauty even; but was madly in love with his father. During her youth she would do whatever it takes to get his attention. And when the Sun King's radar finally went to her, she gave him her body and soul. The king didn't mind getting married to her, as she was the chief daughter of the main Verdant family. When the king's desire for her dampened, she chased the king again, until she begged the king to at least let her carry his heir, for her love for him was turning into deep hatred.

Helio was conceived from her request, and she poured the obsessive love she had for the king to his brother. She was hardened by years of abuse from his father, and his unloyalty to her and reserved her softness and kindness to her first-born son.

Aelius was born out of hate a few years later. A result of a drunken night that they both regret. A constant reminder of a mistake. It didn't help that Aelius inherited his father's looks.

"You have frosting on your cheek" the Queen said as she raised her gloved hand and wiped Aelius' face. She then gently caressed his cheek. It was one of the few moments of tenderness Aelius received from his mother, and as much as he fought it, he gently rested his cheek on her hand. And for a short moment, the look like a regular mother and son.

The Queen realized what she was doing and swiftly withdrew her hand and gently coughed, clearly embarrassed. Aelius straighted his seat and looked away.

"Don't forget, you have combat exercises with the Duke of Harvest tomorrow before noon" his mother quickly said, "Do not be late"

"Yes, your majesty" Aelius replied. He slowly got up from his seat and bowed to his mother "Please excuse me, I have to get ready for my appointment with father."

The Queen only waved her hand, sending him away.

Aelius walked towards the exit of Garden of the Suns, when he turned around and asked "Mother, do you love me?"

The Sun Queen's piercing eyes where replaced by shock, clearly not anticipating his question. Her lips opened to reply but she suddenly closed them, hesitating to answer. She then gave him a smile with no joy and said "Of course I love you. You are my son." She answered, with her sickly-sweet voice, forcing every word she said. Now go, you'll be late"

Aelius nodded, turned around and walked quickly, swallowing whatever he felt. While they both pretend that her answer was true, they know better than to trust it.

Her hesitation was her real answer.