Chapter 533

Everybody had been hinting and poking at the fact that Eris had brought a lesser fae female to the Day Court, and Lucien was loving every moment of it. He'd almost forgotten that the High Lords of the other Courts hadn't yet seen his brother with Nera, and that this was the first time they had learned of the relationship. Eris had, so far, avoided saying much about it at all, and had shrugged off the light ribbing without much of a reaction at all. This had seemed to only encourage some of the High Lords further, and Lucien found it all highly entertaining. He loved seeing Eris grow uncomfortable and, if he hadn't known Eris so well, he would have thought that his brother had even blushed a time or two.

"You're not the first," Tarquin said, nudging Eris with an elbow, "Certainly not the first High Lord to engage with a lesser fae female."

"Some Courts view such things differently to others." Thesan said softly, and Tarquin nodded in agreement. Lucien saw Thesan's eyes flicker his way for a moment, and knew that the High Lord of the Dawn Court was thinking about what Beron had done to Jesminda.

"Certainly the Autumn Court has never looked favourably upon it." Eris replied, brushing imaginary lint from his sleeves, and not meeting anyone's eyes. Lucien thought that was an understatement.

"Beron is gone now, though." Tamlin said softly, and all eyes shifted to the High Lord of Spring. "This is your chance to rebuild the Court in your own way."

"As I intend." Eris said, and Lucien tried to read the look on Tamlin's face. His friend hadn't ever thought he would become the High Lord of Spring, and had never wanted it. He had not had grand ideas to rework the Spring Court and, as such, the place had remained unchanged for centuries. Was it possible that things were changing now? His old friend didn't really have much of a choice lately with things in Prythian changing around him.

"Prythian does not often see such change." Helion put in, and Lucien wondered if his father was somehow able to read his mind. "So it is quite exciting when Courts take a new route."

"Truly." Thesan agreed.

"I think we can all agree that the Autumn Court has long awaited such changes." Helion added, and the other High Lords around them nodded their own agreement. Eris' face remained in that familiar Courtly mask that Lucien had grown up looking at, but now he knew that his brother was maybe just slightly embarrassed at the fact that so many were apparently interested in his personal life. Eris had focused his eyes and his desire on the Throne his whole life, and he would be a wonderful High Lord, but Lucien wondered if he had ever considered that others would look his way for more than the way he ran his Court. Lucien would not be surprised if Eris had never even considered that his own life would be of interest to others.

It seemed that Lucien wasn't the only one to have noticed Eris' discomfort with the current direction and focus of the conversation, because Thesan made a small sound in the back of his throat and shifted his weight from one foot to the other. "Helion, we were promised a tour of your city during this visit…"

"Indeed." Helion lifted a hand and clapped Lucien on the shoulder. "Lucien has organised that for the morning."

"Ah…" Lucien paused when all pairs of eyes shifted his way. He smiled and gave a slight nod. He had asked many people around the Palace for their recommendations on the best places to visit, and he had compiled a short list of things that he thought the High Lords would enjoy. Being new to the Court himself, he wasn't exactly confident that he had included everything which would be good, but at least he had a plan. "I sure have. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes." He added.