An hour had passed, and the grand main hall of Elyndria was filled with the chatter of nobles, courtiers, and officials, all waiting for the youngest prince to make his appearance. Nael, however, was still absent—he would be summoned later, as was custom.
In the quiet corridors, Leo appeared like a shadow moving effortlessly through the polished marble floors. The moment Nael caught sight of him, his heart leapt.
"Leo!" he called, running toward him. "I thought you vanished!"
Leo's hand came down gently to pat the top of Nael's head, a rare smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "How could I disturb your time with your family?" he replied softly.
Nael's eyes narrowed playfully, but there was genuine concern in his voice. "Last time… are you sure you don't want to back off?"
Leo's expression remained firm, unwavering. The confidence in his stance gave Nael the assurance he needed. Without a second thought, he flung his arms around Leo in a tight hug.
"Thank you so much, Leo," he whispered, burying his face against Leo's chest. "If you weren't here for this part of my life, I would've been completely doomed. I… I will never forget your support."
Leo's strong arms wrapped around him, steady and comforting, holding him as if to say, I've got you, no matter what.
Nael pulled back slightly, just enough to look into Leo's eyes, still glowing with relief and gratitude. "I'm ready," he said softly, a determined smile forming. "Let's face it together."
Leo gave a small nod, his hand brushing lightly over Nael's. "Always," he said, and together, they started walking toward the grand hall, side by side.
The moment was quiet, fleeting, but it carried the weight of unspoken promises, trust, and an unbreakable bond—one that would guide them through the challenges that awaited in the main hall.
The grand hall was a whirl of anticipation. Alpha males, the most eligible and distinguished of Elyndria, had gathered to present themselves before Prince Nael. Each wore their finest attire, polished and perfect, carrying the air of confidence—or at least the practiced confidence of someone accustomed to getting what they wanted.
Ravel, Marcus, and Adrien, Nael's own brothers, remained perched on their royal seats, their expressions veiled with disdain. To them, the sight of these strangers vying for their youngest brother's hand was… intolerable. No way. Never. We will not let anyone take him from us.
They exchanged subtle glares, a silent agreement that each of these candidates would be carefully judged—by more than just Nael. Their father, King Alaric, sat calm and composed, exuding authority. Their mother, Queen Marlia, observed with a faint, knowing smile. She had orchestrated this gathering as much to witness the display of ambition and ego as to oversee the proceedings.
"This is our brother," Ravel murmured under his breath, his jaw tight.
"Exactly," Marcus said through clenched teeth, watching the confident alphas parade through the hall. "We're not handing him over to anyone unworthy."
Adrien, ever the strategist, leaned back and allowed a faint smirk. "It's amusing, isn't it? Mother enjoys this too, watching their intentions clash like flames against stone."