It was still early morning and cold when he returned home from the world tree, with more questions than answers.
The moment he got back home, he lay down on his already made bed, enjoying the quiet morning that he finally came to appreciate.
There were no mountains of paperwork waiting for him, only the sound of birds singing outside his childhood bedroom.
He looked towards the window. Sunlight filtered through the large crystal windows, reflecting off the snow that blanketed the estate outside.
Everything looked brighter than it had in the Dark Elven Kingdom. The light carried a warm golden tint instead of the pale silver glow he had grown accustomed to.
He lay still for another minute.
The white fox had somehow moved from the place he had placed it beside him and was now sleeping directly on top of his chest.
"..."
The tiny beast yawned without opening its eyes before curling into an even tighter ball. He couldn’t help but smile.
"So you’re using me as a bed now."
The fox twitched an ear then continued sleeping.
"The joy of having no responsibilities, haa..."
After another few moments, he carefully picked it up and placed it back onto the blankets. The fox immediately crawled after him.
"...You’re persistent but I’m not your free heating pad."
It answered by climbing onto his shoulder. He accepted his fate, it was like raising a child.
A knock startled him from his musing. He looked towards the door.
"Come in."
The door was quietly pushed in and Luther entered. Atheline didn’t move, he felt strangely lazy today.
"Do you need something, Luther?"
"No young master... the mistress requires your presence for breakfast," he quietly said and bowed.
Atheline groaned inwardly. He wanted to go but his body was saying otherwise.
"How has the training been going?" He asked, lifting himself.
Luther bowed slightly then responded. "His training is going well master. He has managed to get a deeper understanding of his space powers. He should be able to increase in rank."
Atheline nodded. "Good, tell the others to increase his training. "
"I will."
Atheline slightly stretched and then straightened his clothes.
"Okay, let’s have breakfast."
The walk to the dining hall didn’t take long. The familiar scent of freshly baked bread drifted through the hallway long before he reached the dining room.
His stomach betrayed him.
He had eaten countless luxurious meals in the Dark Elven Palace over the past months, prepared by chefs who competed with one another to satisfy their Queen.
Yet... Nothing compares to coming home. The moment he pushed open the doors, he was greeted by a lively scene.
His father sat at the head of the table reading several official reports while occasionally sipping tea.
His older brother had already finished half his breakfast and looked as though he planned to finish the other half before anyone else even sat down.
His mother stood beside the table directing servants despite not actually needing to. The moment she noticed him, her face lit up.
"There you are!"
He laughed.
"I wasn’t aware I was late."
"You are," Helther replied.
Atheline rolled his eyes.
"You’re just a glutton. Mother hasn’t eaten yet."
"Tsk! You still took too long."
"..."
There was no winning in this nonsensical argument. His father looked over the edge of his papers.
"Good morning."
His mother nodded then also greeted him.
"Morning."
He returned both greetings before sitting down. Almost immediately a servant placed a steaming plate before him; fresh bread, roasted meat, eggs, fruit preserved from autumn, and hot herbal tea.
He hadn’t realized how much he missed the cuisine of the High Elves until that very moment.
His mother smiled proudly as though reading his mind.
"Eat."
He didn’t need to be told twice. Breakfast was considerably louder than any royal banquet. Mostly because his mother insisted on talking. The moment she sat down, she went into a questioning mode.
"Atheline?"
He glanced up at her and nodded, since he still had food in his mouth.
"How has the kingdom treated you?"
Atheline nearly choked as he tried to answer.
"It’s been marvellous. My wife has ensured I get the best treatment and I’ve never been happier. The sun is the only thing lacking most of the time but it’s still enough to help with my training."
His brother nodded along. "He’s the king, mother, don’t you see it. He seems to have gained more weight and gotten taller. Which is unfair by the way."
Atheline chuckled.
"But I can see the dark circles under his eyes?"
Before he could answer his brother beat him to it.
"He’s still a king, if he looked extremely healthy then I would assume he does nothing but leave all the work to his wife."
"Can you let me defend myself," Atheline hissed at him.
Helther chuckled loudly. His mother didn’t seem impressed by their antics.
"I hope you won’t overwork yourself."
"I won’t mother."
It felt good being treated like a child since almost everyone treats him with respect, hidden disgust, or plain malice.
Helther looked at him, the corner of his lips lifting into a smirk.
"I heard her majesty frightens her whole council to death."
Atheline nearly choked on his tea.
"So she really terrifies them?" His brother continued before he could respond.
Atheline laughed a little then his smile suddenly dropped.
"Where did you hear that... I want to know more."
"Just here and there. You know how rumours spread"
"Tell me about it..." Atheline said in resignation.
His father nodded behind the teacup while his mother just shook her head.
"Concentrate on your food don’t..."
His mother’s words were cut off by an unexpected action. The fox suddenly leaped onto the table. Several servants gasped.
The tiny beast ignored everyone. Instead, it walked directly toward the plate of roasted meat. Atheline reached out but it was too late. The fox had already stolen an entire slice.
His brother burst into laughter, His mother covered her mouth, and even his father smiled.
The fox proudly carried its prize beneath the table before beginning its victory feast.
"That," Helther declared, "is definitely your beast."
"What does that mean?"
"It has your confidence."
"I don’t steal food."
Helther simply looked at him.
"..."
"...Fair."