(Prince Adrian Pictured)

Notus watches Megaera leave before sighing and standing to leave himself. He heads out and takes the back path out of the grove, moving as far as he could from the world. He soon exits out of the woods and comes across a large wall. He pushes a stone that just slightly protrudes from the wall and a section opens up to reveal a pathway. He closes the door and in the light of a glowstone, changes out of his street clothes and his cloak. He changes into a simple outfit, with elegance and grace and with the insignia of the royal family on his back. He stores away the clothes and cloak into his bag and heads up the stairs. He reaches the top to reveal another hidden door and steps through and into the Royal bakery. Miss Gold, the Royal Baker and Notus Godmother notices and laughs.

"Hello Notus, did you have a nice visit with your friends?"

"Yes I did, Aunt Gold. Thank you for asking. Are the muffins done?"

The baker woman pulls out a tray of muffins, steam rolling off of them.

"Just got finished with them, fresh out of the ovens. They're blueberry, so go ahead and have one."

Notus grabs one and bites into it, relishing the deliciousness. He nods to Miss Gold.

"It's very delicious Auntie, Thank you. I'm sure the King and Queen will love them."

"That is true. Your mother is looking for you by the way. She has some news to tell you, and last I saw she was in her quarters. I would go find her."

"I was going to. I have news for her as well."

Notus grabs another muffin as he wolfs down the fist and heads out of the bakery and into the Main hall of the castle. He passess by the different workers and they nod to him or greet him as he goes. When he comes to the grand stair and begins to ascend, someone pushes past him and he nearly falls. The child of the Captain of the Royal Guard was glaring at him. The boy who has teased him mercilessly his whole life.

"Watch where you are standing, Noxious."

"Hello Taran, I was not aware you were around. I thought Pigs stayed in the pen, but I guess not."

"Easy for you to say. I know what you did in town today."

"What? Got struck by lightning and somehow survived? I guess that you wished I hadn't lived."

"You know that was Magic, and not many people our age have lightning Magic. I think you can though."

"Really? That's amazing. Why, if I could do Lightning Magic, I could Strike you and finally get some peace around here instead of listening to the squeals of a calf who tries to follow in his father's shoes." Notus says bitterly.

Taran glares at him in anger, face going red.

"At least my father is something. My father is the pinnacle of good and everything right. Your father was a criminal and you and your mom should have been thrown out. At least the execution was entertaining, or so I hear."

At that, Notus snaps. He makes his way slowly up to him, and Taran backs away, somehow scared of him. He pushes him up to the wall at the top of the stairs and glares at him.

"You will never speak of my father again. You will not speak of my mother in that light again. You will hold your tongue, or else. You know who my friends are? They are people who will give you nightmares and drive you to the brink of insanity before you can even mutter a single yelp. So silence, you filthy, dirty pig. Or else you will learn the true definition of frostbite."

To emphasize his point, Notus raises his hand and his hand turns blue and frost comes rolling off of it. Taran shivers and nods, fearful. Notus smiles and his hand returns to normal and he pats Taran's shoulder.

"There you go, now run along and play swords like a good little boy."

Notus walks right past him and makes his way slowly to his mother's quarters, grinning smugly and full of pride at what he did. He soon comes to his mother's door and knocks.

"Come in, Notus."

Notus enters to find his mother, a young, beautiful woman with Silvery Blonde hair and emerald eyes, wearing a simple pale blue dress and purple shawl. She motions for him to close the door, which he does promptly. He walks slowly over to his mother and she embraces him, wrapping him up in a tight hug with a smile.

"I heard that you got struck by lightning today. Are you alright?"

Notus looks at his mother who wears a concerned look on her face, glancing him over.

"Yes mother, I'm just fine. It was just a light touch, and it was a freak accident. Megaera healed my bruising, so I am just fine."

His mother relaxes and sighs in contentment and leans back.

"Good. You're lucky to have a friend such as Meg. Anyways, I have some news for you."

She gestures for him to sit down and he does, sitting in the small chair akin to hers. She sighs and smiles softly.

"I met someone."

Notus stares at her blankly before nodding.

"Okay. Is he a good guy? Is he kind to you?"

"Oh, yes. He is super sweet, helpful, and so valiant. He makes me happy again."

"Is he local?"

His mother nods and sighs wistfully.

"Yeah, he is. He's a really good guy. He has a lot of money, but he doesn't care much for it, and I like that."

"So he's humble, kind, and loves you. That's all I need to know really."

"I just wanted to make sure you knew and that you were okay with it. I did love your father, but I've been so lonely. I finally found someone who loves me and I would like to continue seeing him. I just wanted to make sure you were okay with it."

Her look of concern and worry causes Notus to sigh before chuckling lightly.

"Mother, I don't mind at all. Do what you want to do, okay? You don't need my approval. If you love him, be with him. Okay?"

His mother nods and sighs in relief.

"I have news for you too mother."

His mother sits up, suddenly alert.

"You're not injured are you? I thought Meg healed you."

"No mother," Notus says with a laugh. "That's not it. I am healed and just fine."

"Oh, sorry. Go ahead and tell your news then."

"I'm leaving to go on a trip with Megaera. We're going to go to Domus and visit with an old family friend of hers who will help teach us to master our mancery, and to give her more information on her family."

"Are you certain you should go? Domus is home to a few very bad people. Thieves, murderers, the like."

"We're not going to Venicea mother. We're visiting a small town to the south, a town called Dimos. It's a quaint little town with a booming gemstone and livestock market. It will be perfectly safe. "

His mother sits quietly for a few minutes before nodding.

"Okay, I guess I won't worry then. How long will you be gone?"

"I don't know. Maybe a few months, maybe a year. I am unsure right now. It depends on how long it takes to get there and to learn what we need to learn. We won't rest until we learn how to master our gifts. But I promise, I will bring back something nice for you, maybe something blue. I know how much you like sapphires."

His mother smiles and hugs him tight. He hides his face, feeling slightly ashamed of the lies he just told his mother but suppressing it.

"When do you leave?" She asks, as she pulls back from the hug.

"We leave at sunrise."

Her eyes widen and she stands in a hurry.

"Notus Roland, why did you not say? We need to get your things packed for the trip. Hold on, I'll get started."

He watches amused as his mother rushes around, searching before pausing and turning around to face him, red faced.

"Oh, right, you have your own room."

Notus stands and hugs his mother with a light chuckle.

"I'll get packed immediately. I have to meet Meg for Dinner in a few hours so I won't have time to say goodbye to everyone. You'll need to tell Old Gideon that I won't be around to help take care of the horses for a while."

"I'll let everyone know of course. The queen will be disappointed as will Princess Veronica. They were hoping you would join us for tea tomorrow and regale us with one of your songs."

"Really? I almost never sing anymore." Notus responds in surprise.

"I know. But Princess Veronica heard you singing to the horses and was enthralled by you apparently. But they will have to wait. I will explain it to them tomorrow. Go, pack your things dear."

I leave her room and make my way back to my own and close the door behind me. I sigh in relief and begin to pack. All the while, I think about the invite my mother got and sigh. Princess Veronica was always a very sweet girl, and I could tell she had some interest in me. I was never blind to that. But she would be livid if she knew, her, the queen, and my mother. I am so lost in thought, I never hear my door open.

"Notus."

I turn to find a young, tall boy with Caramel brown hair, silver eyes, and dressed in regal robes entering my room.

"Prince Adrian. To what do I owe the pleasure?" I ask coyly.

He grins and walks up to me.

"I was just seeing how the my good friend and Mancer partner is doing. I heard he was struck by lightning today in the market." he replies in the same coy fashion.

I scoff and he pulls me in and embraces me, planting a kiss upon my lips and I laugh softly.

"Stop that Adrian, you know we can't."

I pull away and continue to pack.

"Why not? I love you and you obviously love me, so why not?"

"You are the Prince, and I am simply the son of the Royal Consort. It could never be. Besides, although it may be normal and accepted throughout the land, it would never work for us. Our positions are far too different."

"My mother doesn't think so. She already knows what I like, and she says I may find love wherever I may. I do not think it may affect us the way you think it will. The Royal Family will accept it."

I sigh and buckle my bag and turn to face him sternly. He just stares at me with unrequited love.

"You do not understand Adrian. I fear for what my mother may think. I fear how the people, who look upon me and my mother with disdain behind the backs of the Royal family, will react to an announcement that the Heir to the Throne Plans to love and bond forever with the son of the Royal Consort whose father tried to overthrow the kingdom but was only spared since his mother was blissfully unawares and he himself was just a babe."

I walk over to him and plant a soft kiss upon his lips.

"I do love you, but I fear we may be in positions that will not guarantee happiness of peace."

Adam simply stares at me quietly and sighs.

"You are leaving." He states quietly.

"Yes, I leave at Dawn. I am travelling with my friend in order to perfect my Mancery and learn more about both my Magic and Myself. I will be gone for a long while, although I am uncertain as to when I will return. But it will not be far too long."

Adrian stands tall and kisses me once more, long and slow, before smiling and stepping away.

"I will be here when you return, and I will show you that your fears are nothing to worry of, and we can finally be happy and boond for life. Believe in me. Oh, and you should not fear your mother. She already knows. She is more intuitive than you know.

He walks out of my room, and I am left only with my things and the scent of lavender and peaches, his scent.