Chapter 22

Sol laid awake in bed, aching all over. The past couple days had been hellish and if he hadn't been so looking forward to leaving the Royal Mount, he would have given up on going at all a long time ago.

Jade hadn't cut him even a little bit of slack and the only time he had ever gotten some respite was when he slept, every of his waking hours was spent in preparations.

Well, most of the time it was just him leaving his wings out constantly but that alone was so draining.

Now it was the night before and although he was exhausted he couldn’t fall asleep, it was really no surprise considering how much he anticipated this.

He had seen paintings of the city below before but there was no comparing that to the real thing.

He would be up at the first crack of dawn tomorrow and afterwards he would get dressed up and make his way down to the King’s palace, the royal procession would begin from there.

Thanks to Jade’s hard work, he could now manageably pass off a noble stance while riding a horse with his wings out and that was the most important part.

They would all go down the Royal Mount together, in the company of the Archangels and highborn members of the council in carriages.

Then the procession would begin proper, the King leading it through the crowd of people clamoring to get a glimpse at the royal family which consisted of the King and his sons.

Rolling over on his far too large bed, Sol thought deeply if the civilians even knew about him.

If they hoped and clamored to finally see him among the King’s sons in the procession.

He supposed that he would find out tomorrow, if he could just manage to finally fall asleep.

When his train of thoughts finally slowed down, it didn’t take long for him to start to feel drowsy and was soon fast asleep.

Despite the fact that Sol had slept late, he was up bright and early the next day, the anticipation not fading.

Jade was meticulous about all the preparations because as early as it was permitted, Sol’s carriage was already pulling up to the King’s palace.

He sat stiffly in the carriage, although it was quite spacy within, it felt like a little box because he had his wings out.

Fortunately, he didn’t have to remain in that cramped up position for very long because other carriages started to show up immediately.

They all had to get down from their carriages to bow down when the King made an appearance.

Sol caught Finis' eyes staring at him and he also saw Archangel Ethrond who steadfastly avoided looking at him.

What had Prince Finis done to him?

He wasn't really curious, occupied with far more important things at the moment.

After the King got into his carriage, everyone else started to get into theirs so that they could follow behind.

Naturally, the princes would follow, then the Archangels before the rest of the highborns.

Sol muttered an inaudible thanks to Jade who was kind enough to help him up.

The last thing he needed was falling flat on his face in front of the entire occupants of the Royal Mount.

He still wasn't pleased that he had to step on someone else's back to get into his carriage but he was too busy trying not to bruise his wings on the edges of the carriage to pay attention.

They had ridden the horse drawn carriages today as well as everyone else, which meant that Jade would join him in his carriage and that was comforting because then he had someone familiar with him.

After getting in and getting comfortable in the lavish interior of his carriage that was done in shades of blue, plush cushions with gold tassels all around.

Jade got in after him with far more grace than Sol could ever dream of achieving.

"Are you alright?" He found himself asking his personal servant.

Jade had also dressed up for the occasion, in the formal robes that personal servants to royalty wore, his dark red hair bound above his head.

Jade shook out of his thoughts at this question, looking at a loss for a brief moment.

"I should be asking you that, your Highness." He replied in a formal tone, his hands clasped in front of him.

"You can drop the formality when it's just the two of us, Jade." He reminded his personal servant sheepishly.

"I'll drop it when we both survive today, your Highness." Jade said bluntly, bowing this time.

Sol winced, he should have expected that. Jade was even more stressed out than he was.

All that would happen to him if something went wrong would be the King and his brothers' fussing over him and the embarrassment he would feel in the moment.

He doubted that the members of the High Council would even be surprised, he stumbled everytime he walked whenever he was around them.

But Jade would get the wrath of the King, he didn't want that for his best friend.

He would do this, not just because he wanted to get more freedom for himself but also for Jade's sake.

He would have to do everything perfectly and not make even one slip up.

He wanted to look out the windows badly but he knew that would only get him a reprimand from a strung up Jade, he would do that on their way back.

The carriage procession had began in earnest, Sol sitting stiffly in his bulky clothes and wings.

When he wasn't looking, Jade gave him concerned looks.

He alone knew how hard this was on Sol but the Prince bore through it bravely, he was quite proud of him but he didn't let it show because if he did, it would only make Sol let down his guard.

"You didn't say, are you alright?" Jade prodded, unable to hide the concern in his eyes.

Sol gave him a small smile. "Of course, don't worry too much about me now." He reassured him.

Jade wished it could be that easy.