Chapter 5: A Prince's Quiet Resolve
The morning was crisp as Aeryn dressed in a modest, light tunic and soft trousers, his steps purposeful as he walked through the halls of the Felgon estate. The soft sunlight filtered through the windows, casting a golden glow that highlighted the tranquil beauty of the gardens outside. Aeryn felt more at ease in the quiet solitude of nature, so he slipped out through the back door, making his way to the herb garden he had tended to since his arrival.
The herbs were thriving. Lavender, rosemary, and thyme filled the air with their rich, soothing fragrance as he knelt down to pull out weeds and tend to the plants. His hands, though delicate, worked with practiced care. Aeryn had always found solace in caring for his garden, where every plant had its own story, much like the people he had begun to observe in the Felgon household.
He collected a few sprigs of lavender and some aloe, tucking them into a small pouch. His mind wandered to the kitchens, remembering how one of the older cooks, a gruff and weathered man, had been sporting a burn on his hand the last time Aeryn passed through. It had looked painful, though the man had brushed it off as nothing.
Deciding to help, Aeryn made his way to the kitchens. As he stepped inside, the bustle of activity paused briefly, with the staff acknowledging his presence with quick bows and nods. The head cook, a stout, surly man named Galvin, turned with a grunt. "What brings you here, Your Highness?" he asked, his tone respectful but wary.
Aeryn's gaze went straight to the cook's hand, where the burn was still visible, angry and red. "I wanted to see your hand," Aeryn said softly, his voice kind but firm. "It needs to be treated, or it could get infected."
Galvin scowled, clearly not wanting to be fussed over. "It's fine," he grumbled. "Don't need no fancy prince worrying about a little burn."
Aeryn's expression didn't waver. "It needs to be treated if you don't want your hand to fall off," he said, surprising everyone in the kitchen with the bluntness of his words.
The kitchen staff exchanged glances, startled by the prince's toughness. They had all seen him as delicate and fragile, but there was a quiet strength in him they hadn't anticipated. Even Galvin was taken aback, his scowl faltering.
After a moment of silence, the cook grumbled, "Fine. Do what you want, then."
Aeryn smiled faintly and pulled out the herbs he had gathered, crushing the aloe in his hands before applying it gently to the burn. He wrapped it carefully with a cloth, instructing Galvin to keep it clean and dry. "Change the bandage daily and try not to use that hand too much," Aeryn said softly. "It'll heal faster."
Galvin muttered a thank you under his breath, though Aeryn could see a glimmer of admiration in the old man's eyes. The kitchen staff watched with quiet respect as Aeryn finished tending to the burn, realizing there was more to their young prince than met the eye.
Satisfied with his work, Aeryn left the kitchens and wandered the estate, his mind feeling somewhat restless. Eirik's absence left an odd void, and though Aeryn had his responsibilities, he found himself looking for something to do.
As he turned a corner, he nearly bumped into someone he recognized—a council member, the one who had conducted the humiliating examination on his first night with Eirik. Aeryn's steps faltered, his heart skipping a beat as the man's scrutinizing gaze locked onto him. The discomfort crept back into Aeryn's chest, but he remained polite, nodding in acknowledgment.
The council member offered a tight smile and introduced himself formally before excusing himself. But as he passed by Aeryn, he leaned in close, his voice low and cold. "Just because you have him wrapped around your little finger—or your pretty little body," he sneered, letting his eyes drift over Aeryn's form, "don't think you can manipulate him into doing your family's bidding. Remember, this union benefits the Felgons far more than it ever will your house."
Aeryn's throat tightened, his heart pounding with a mix of anger and sadness. He stood frozen in place as the council member walked away, leaving him alone in the corridor with those bitter words echoing in his mind.
Frustration churned inside him, his chest tightening as he tried to shake off the councilman's cruel insinuation. He wandered through the quieter, less-frequented corridors of the estate, lost in thought, until a faint, familiar scent caught his attention. It was the scent of crushed herbs, sharp and medicinal. Curious, Aeryn followed it until he came upon a small, sunlit room with herbs, ointments, and various tinctures scattered across the tables.
Inside, three men in healer's robes looked up from their work, startled by Aeryn's sudden appearance. One of them stepped forward—a tall man with kind eyes and graying hair. "Your Highness," the man greeted, bowing slightly. "I am Garen, the chief physician of the household. My deepest apologies for the examination the other night," he said, his tone sincere.
Aeryn waved it off, though the memory still made him uneasy. "It's alright," he said quietly. "I was wondering if I could look around? I'm interested in medicine."
Garen's face lit up with surprise and delight. "Of course, Your Highness! Please, feel free."
Aeryn wandered through the room, examining the neatly organized herbs and concoctions with genuine interest. The soothing scents and the quiet atmosphere helped ease the tension that had built up from his encounter with the councilman. Garen followed him closely, offering explanations about various herbs and their uses, while the other two student healers watched in respectful silence.
"This is a wonderful setup," Aeryn murmured, admiring the meticulous arrangement of medicinal supplies.
"You have a fine eye for it, Your Highness," Garen said with a smile. "If you ever wish to learn more, you're always welcome here."
Aeryn nodded, appreciating the offer. Though the heaviness of the councilman's words still lingered, being in the physician's room gave him a brief sense of peace—a small respite from the uncertainty and suspicion that seemed to follow him in the Felgon household.
