A Taste of Freedom Again

The heat of the sun combined with the intense training Aelius created for the audition for his unit made the soldiers tired and sweaty. Their armor of bronze did not help at all in combating the heat, rather it intensified it the longer they wear it. Aeilus was observing the soldiers on a balcony and listing the names that he deems worthy to be under his command. A tall man with silver-gray hair tied into a ponytail and a lean body stood next to him, observing the men as well.

"How many?" he asked Aelius while staring at the soldiers below

"I have listed 20 of them so far, 50 if we lower my expectations" Aelius replied with a frown.

"It means that most of them are not ready for combat yet" The man sighed. "A unit with 20 men will not work, Aelius" he said as he side-eyed the prince, who was busy scribbling notes on paper.

"Don't you think I don't know that? These men will be under my command, and they have to withstand any army. Father is already pressuring me." Aelius wearily replied. "He wants my unit to battle his."

"Well then, good luck with that," the man said, patting the prince's back. "I'll be cheering you on"

"Don't be such an idiot. You're going to battle them too! You're my second-in-command"

"I won't be if I 'accidentally' broke my leg during the battle practice" the man replied to Aelius while smiling.

"I'll break your goddamn leg" Aelius mumbled.

"I'm just joking, geez' said the man, "Ever since you've been named Heir, you became so serious."

"I don't have a choice okay?"

"You do have a choice" the man replied. "Ditch your next appointment and have fun! Come on, my treat. One of the families from Verdant is throwing a party tonight and I heard they were opening their alcohol stock in their cellar for the event" the man said as he ribbed Aelius's side, goading him to join.

Aelius looked at the man and sighed. He did have a point. Ever since he became the Sun Heir he was always busy doing royal duties and tasks. He was up before dawn and would not sleep until the wee hours of the morning. He sighed once again. 'Maybe I do need a break he thought

"Fine, but just for tonight, got it Ambrose?" he said, raising an eyebrow at his friend.

"Yes, your majesty" Ambrose mockingly replied, as he bowed down.

Aelius laughed at his friend's antics. Ambrose was the Airea House's Heir. While their family is not highly regarded in Solaria, they rose to prominence in recent years due to their exceptional skills in combat. The once-regarded peaceful house, became the supplier of ferocious soldiers who are fast and nimble, giving the kingdom an excellent advantage.

Since the combat exercise was a bust, Aelius commanded the officers to finish it for today and reschedule for next month, hoping that would be enough time for the soldiers to improve.

"Give this to General Marcus. Tell him these me were the only suitable ones so far and I'll come back in a month, expecting a lot of improvement from the others." Aelius said as he handed the list to Ambrose.

"And where are you going?" Ambrose asked

"To get ready. We have a party to attend remember?" Aelius said as he walked away. He can hear his friend cheering from behind. 'I do need a break he said to himself, as he smiled.

-------------------

The Verdant family party was on the edge of the capital, where they grow lush green grass and flowers glowing in pastel colors. As the hosts were an offshoot of the main branch, they decorated their mansion with high-climbing vines growing plump grapes, and bushes upon bushes of sweet-smelling roses. Gold and bronze statues were placed in the vast garden, with fireflies as their light source. In the middle was the piece de resistance, a high fountain filled with wine made and aged by the family; guests were encouraged to get their drink directly from the fountain, as the hosts ensure that is was made from their sweetest and most delicate grapes. It was an extravagant affair, as expected from them.

What they did not expect, though, was the Sun Heir's arrival. The lady of the house rushed to make a VIP section within the mansion and the garden so that the prince can have his choice on where he will sit. She also prepared one of the largest rooms in the mansion in the chance the prince decides to stay for the night, making sure that it was primed to perfection with the softest pillows and the best furniture.

It was also not a secret that whenever Prince Aelius attends a party, he will almost always retire at the host's house, with a lady or two in tow. The Lord of the House, knowing this, pressed his daughters to be more presentable and more alluring than before; making last-minute stops at the dressmakers and jewelry stores to ensure that at least one of his daughters be fortunate enough to be blessed by the prince. This was the easiest way to get into the Royal Family, even if it means being a father to a concubine.

At sunset, the guests started to arrive, eager for the wine and the fun, some more eager to see if the Sun Heir will really attend. As the night rolled in, Aelius came to the party, with Mira in tow. Ambrose was behind him, mumbling something about bringing his sister along.

"Did you say something Ambrose?" Mira asked, glancing at Ambrose while Aelius was busy making greetings to the Lord and Lady of the house.

"I said, we don't need a chaperone" Ambrose replied sulkily. He was expecting a fun night with his friend like in the old times, but now with his sister in attendance, they can't have any fun at all.

"How many times do I have to tell you that I'm not here to chaperone the two of you? I'm here as Aelius's partner, " she said calmly with a smile.

"Partner? Sure." Ambrose said with an irritated tone. "But soon you'll be all 'Oh Aelius, don't do this' or 'Aelius don't do that' 'Don't drink that wine' 'Don't have sex' 'Don't have fun'. You're restricting him" He said, a bit angry. This was not the night that he had planned.

"He invited me, Ambrose, it's not like I want to be here" Mira reasoned.

"Who doesn't want to be here?" Aelius suddenly chimed in on their conversation.

"Me" they both replied.

Aelius sighed in exhaustion. The two had been bickering since they left Ember Castle. He knows that Ambrose wants to have fun and they will, but invited Mira to join so that she can ground him before he makes a rash decision that will make his father mad with anger.

"Enough, both of you, " he said sternly. "I went to this party so I can relax and have fun, not be a babysitter for the two of you"

Ambrose and Mira just stood there with their heads bowed down, embarrassed at being chastised by Aelius.

"Mira, I know I dragged you here, but some of your friends are at the corner gossiping, and the mansion has an extensive library on the second floor. Your choice where you want to go, just have fun, " he offered to Mira.

"Okay. Don't leave me here when you decide to go home" she said. She walked away from the boys towards to where her friend's voice can be heard.

"And you Ambrose," Aelius said as he draped his arms on Ambrose's shoulders "Let's go get drunk on wine," he said with a dazzling smile.

"Finally!" Ambrose said. They both walked toward the fountain of wine and drank to their fill.

Aelius doesn't really remember much after they drank more than what they can handle. All he knows is that he was happy and free for just a few hours.

And that was enough for him.