"Hello, little brother."

  Elianna was looking at Nicholas when she noticed he had gone completely frozen. Beside him, Celine had stopped walking as well, and Elianna watched as Nicholas paled, and his warm smile slowly faded away.

  Looking forward, Elianna's eyes fell on a figure who was leaning against the wall, their leg bent, with the sole of their shoe pressed against the wall, while nonchalantly picking at their nails. Behind him stood four guards, poised and ready. Elianna's brows raised as her eyes looked the figure up and down, giving them a quick assessment. And she felt... unimpressed.

  The figure had a thin build and looked nowhere near as physically built as Nicholas. He was dressed in neat royal apparel, with a silver coronet atop his neatly combed medium-length blonde hair. With the figure before her calling Nicholas his brother, it didn't take long for her to deduce she was looking at Tristan.

  When Tristan's head swiveled in their direction, Elianna noticed how he had his father's dark blue eyes. However, she had noticed before how William's gaze was steadfast and unwaivering, while Tristan's looked cold and condescending—a far cry from Nicholas' warm, sea-green eyes, in Elianna's opinion.

  Tristan's cold gaze landed on Nicholas, slowly looking down his frame, before meeting his gaze. A low, humourless chuckle escaped his lips, "Finally grew some balls and decided to return, I see."

  Elianna's brows shot high, and her eyes widened at Tristan's utter rudeness. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Nicholas flinch. Irritation began to grow inside her, and it took Elianna less than a minute to decide she didn't like this Tristan.

  "Fucking seriously?" Celine scoffed, crossing her arms. "Not even together for thirty seconds, and you can't help being a fucking dick. How typical."

  The guards standing behind Tristan all looked surprised before sharing gazes.

  Tristan's eyes flicked to Celine, his head tilting in apparent condescension, "Relax, my dear cousin. I'm just greeting my little brother, who I haven't seen in years." His gaze flicked to Nicholas, "Right?" His eyes narrowed as he spat, "Brother."

  Nicholas' jaw clenched, and he sighed deeply, "Hello, Tristan. Finally decided to return from your hunting trip. It's a shame you couldn't enjoy it a little longer."

  Elianna's eyes flicked to Nicholas, looking him up and down. She observed how tense he was and how uncomfortable he looked. Her brows furrowed as she had never seen him like this before. Hearing shuffling, Elianna looked forward, watching as Tristan pushed himself off the wall.

  Using his right hand, Tristan picked a piece of lint off the lapel of his royal attire before turning to face Nicholas and the others, "Well, I thought it was about time to return to see how things were going here." He raised his right hand, with his eyes glued to his thumb and index finger, as he rubbed them together. "Imagine my disappointment when I got here, only to learn you had left for the beach house." His cold eyes snapped to Nicholas, with his lips curling into a cruel grin. "Wouldn't be hiding from me, would you, brother?"

  Celine rolled her eyes, letting out a sigh, "Oh, for fucks sake. Get over yourself. Not everything is because of you."

  Tristan chuckled, looking at Celine as he raised his chin, "I beg to differ, my dear cousin. A lot of things are because of me."

  Elianna raised a brow, and a small scoff escaped her lips, seeing how supercilious Tristan was being. Tristan's eyes snapped to Elianna, and she noticed how Nicholas went rigid beside her.

  Tristan's brows slowly raised as his blue eyes slowly traveled down Elianna's frame, sending an unwanted shiver down her spine.

  "My, my," Tristan began, his head tilting to the side. His gaze flicked to hers, "Elianna, I presume."

  Elianna raised a brow, "You'd presume correctly."

  Tristan's eyes fell again, and Elianna's body tensed, seeing that he was looking at her chest. A low hum escaped from Tristan's lips, and Elianna unconsciously crossed her arms, covering herself.

  Nicholas' eyes narrowed, noticing Tristan's gaze and how Elianna was beginning to look uncomfortable.

  Elianna's gaze flicked to Nicholas, noticing him step closer to her, and her lips curled as she relaxed slightly.

  Tristan's eyes narrowed, his gaze flicking between Nicholas and Elianna—a slight grin forming on his lips. "Well," Tristan began, lowering his voice as he stepped closer to Elianna.

  Nicholas' fists clenched, watching Tristan intently.

  Celine's eyes narrowed, beginning to feel suspicious of Tristan.

  Tristan held his hand out toward Elianna, "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

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  Elianna's eyes flicked down, observing his outstretched hand. She was well aware of the implications of rejecting such a gesture from someone in Tristan's position, as it would be perceived as offensive. But, she didn't care as her eyes flicked up, meeting his gaze. She kept her hands tucked, as she said, "Can't say the same."

  Tristan's jaw ticked, his fingers curling slightly.

  Nicholas smirked, feeling a sense of pride toward Elianna.

  Celine covered her mouth, stifling a laugh.

  The guards standing behind Tristan all gaped in shock.

  Tristan eyed Elianna for a moment before he lowered his hand and grinned, "Come now, don't be like that. There is no need to be rude."

  Elianna shrugged, "I just don't want to touch you, is all."

  Tristan's eyes narrowed before flicking to Nicholas, and turning ice cold, "And yet, you're fine standing beside a murderer."

  Elianna's brows shot high before her head whirled toward Nicholas, seeing his eyes wide and skin turning pale. He had a pained expression on his face, while his eyes looked shattered. Nicholas' mouth opened and closed, before he shut his eyes tight, and looked down. Elianna's lips went partially agape, and her heart cracked at Nicholas' reaction. The sudden dislike Elianna felt for Tristan was now boiling into hatred.

  "You fucking asshole!!" Celine yelled.

  Elianna's eyes snapped to Celine, seeing pure unadulterated fury in her facial features. Celine was quick as she stepped forward and pushed Tristan with two open palms to his chest.

  Tristan stumbled back, and the guards all around gasped and gaped.

  "Don't you dare fucking say that!" Celine seethed as Tristan regained his footing.

  Tristan casually stood straight, straightening his jacket, before glaring daggers at Celine, "Truth hurts, doesn't it?" His gaze snapped to Nicholas, who was still just standing still with his eyes closed. Tristan scoffed, "Still letting others fight your battles, I see." He shook his head, "You're so pathetic. You couldn't be king, so you thought you'd run off and try to feel important by becoming a stupid fucking mage."

  Elianna saw red, her anger boiling over. She glared at Tristan and yelled, "Shut up!" Tristan's head snapped to Elianna. Nicholas' eyes opened, looking at Elianna with surprise. Elianna gritted her teeth, "Don't talk to Nick like that! As far as I can tell, you're the pathetic one!"

  Nicholas' gaze warmed as he looked at Elianna, and his lips curled.

  Tristan's gaze darkened on Elianna, "Know your fucking place when speaking to me."

  Elianna's jaw clenched, and she was about to speak when her eyes flicked to Nicholas as he stepped forward and said, "Talk to me however you want, Tristan."

  All eyes flicked to Nicholas, and Tristan narrowed his eyes, seeing that Nicholas was meeting his gaze.

  Nicholas continued, his voice firm and expression unwavering, "But you don't ever speak to her like that again."

  Elianna's brows raised, her cheeks reddened, her lips curled, and her stomach fluttered as she looked at Nicholas.

  Celine smiled with pride at Nicholas.

  Tristan raised a brow, eyeing Nicholas, "Wow, you grew some balls for a moment." He looked Nicholas up and down, "But don't think that just because you came back here with some muscles, that you're big and strong."

  Nicholas narrowed his eyes, "While it seems you have neglected your training as a knight. I thought better of you, brother."

  Tristan's eyes flared, "Looks can be deceiving. Don't think that I cannot best you."

  Nicholas raised his chin, "Maybe you would like a personal demonstration on what I'm capable of."

  Elianna tensed as the hair on the back of her neck stood up. She knew Nicholas was beginning to exert a small amount of his aura, and by Tristan's growing, infuriated expression, she knew he could tell as well. Elianna looked at Nicholas, seeing this steadfast side of him, and she thought it was... enticing.

  The guards all shared a gaze, looking unsure of what to do.

  Elianna looked toward Celine, who must've sensed her gaze. As their eyes met, Celine gave Elianna a nod, and Elianna knew what that meant. They would both step in if necessary and help Nicholas.

  Tristan looked at Nicholas darkly, "Why? Planning to kill me, too, murderer?"

  Nicholas balked, his eyes falling slightly.

  Elianna's gaze narrowed in anger and confusion at Tristan calling Nicholas such a cruel thing.

  Celine gritted her teeth, conjuring a ball of wind in her hand, and stepped forward, "I fucking warned you!"

  Tristan's head whirled toward Celine, and he coated his fists in fire magic, "Do your fucking worst!"

  The guards looked panicked, wanting to step in, but unsure of what to do.

  Nicholas sidestepped, moving in front of Elianna protectively, gaining a small smile from her.

  Elianna's eyes flicked down, seeing Nicholas' ice magic beginning to swirl around in his palm. Her stomach dropped, seeing that this was escalating incredibly fast, and someone was bound to get hurt.

  "ENOUGH!!"

  The hallway went incredibly silent at the booming voice. Nicholas, Celine, and Tristan canceled their magic, and their heads whirled toward the voice. All the guards standing around quickly moved to stand against the walls, revealing William standing several feet away, with Freya beside him, and several guards behind them.

  William's hands were clasped to the small of his back, his jaw was clenched, and he looked irritated. He slowly began to approach, his eyes flicking between Tristan and Nicholas, "Is this how you would greet each other?" He stopped, staring down at his two sons, "This childish behavior is below your positions. Understood?"

  Nicholas met his father's gaze, his jaw clenching. He knew he didn't start this squabble, but he wasn't about to argue with his father. So, he bowed ever so slightly, "Yes, father. Please forgive my actions."

  Tristan rolled his eyes, before he grinned at Freya, "Aunt, Freya, how are you? It's been a while."

  William's eyes narrowed on Tristan.

  Freya's eyes flicked to William, before she sighed and looked at Tristan, "I'm fine, Tristan. Thank you." Her gaze then flicked to Nicholas, looking concerned.

  Nicholas smiled at his aunt, showing he was fine.

  William stared at Tristan for a moment before he looked between him and Nicholas, "This childish bickering stops now. I don't want to hear anything about you two fighting for the remainder of Nicholas' time here." He looked directly at Tristan, "Understood?"

  Tristan let out a sigh as he looked at the ring on his finger, while twisting it, "Yes, Father."

  William narrowed his gaze, "Look one in the eyes when they are speaking with you."

  Tristan raised his eyes, meeting his father's gaze with obvious annoyance, "Yes, Father."

  William and Tristan stared at each other for a moment, an awkward silence falling upon the hallway. Nicholas' brows furrowed, wondering what was going on between the two of them.

  After a moment, William looked around at the others, "All of you, follow me."

  William turned and began to walk down the hallway. Everyone began to follow, with Tristan walking directly behind his father.

  Freya fell back, so she was walking beside Nicholas. She leaned over and whispered, "Are you alright? What happened?"

  Nicholas looked down and shrugged, "I'm fine. Tristan was just being Tristan."

  Celine, who was listening, chimmed in, "Tell her, Nicholas. Tell her what he called you."

  Freya's eyes narrowed, "Tell me what? What did he call you?"

  Nicholas shook his head, "Nothing, don't worry about it."

  Elianna looked at Nicholas, confused, wondering why he wasn't telling her. She was still angry at Tristan for calling him such a cruel thing.

  "Nicholas," Freya said sternly.

  Nicholas sighed and looked at Freya, his eyes slightly watery, "He called me a murderer."

  Freya's eyes widened, fury apparent in her gaze. Her jaw clenched before she looked forward and nodded. She wrapped her arm around Nicholas' shoulder, and drew him in closer, holding him tightly.

  Elianna smiled, seeing how closely Freya was holding Nicholas as she comforted him. She knew Freya truly thought of Nicholas as her own son. But as Elianna looked at Nicholas, her heart cracked at seeing the pain behind his eyes, knowing what Tristan had said really troubled him. She knew that what Tristan called him was incredibly cruel, but for some reason, she felt there was more behind it.

  So, Elianna fell back and moved over to where Celine was walking and whispered to her, "Hey, why did Tristan call Nicholas that? You know, a murderer?"

  Celine looked at Elianna before her gaze flicked to Nicholas and softened. She sighed before looking back at Elianna, "Sorry. But, you're going to have to ask Nicholas that."

  Elianna nodded in understanding, "Alright." She looked at Nicholas, noticing Freya still comforting him, "I hate seeing him like this."

  Celine sighed, "Me too." She shook her head, "Tristan always made him feel this way. It's why I don't like him."

  Elianna looked forward, her eyes narrowing on Tristan's back, "Neither do I."