Drakon froze, a myriad of thoughts running through his mind.
He had, after all, spent a lot of time agonising over what he wanted to say. It didn't help that the white-haired young man in front of him was one of the most elusive people he had ever met - Alden had a very frustrating knack for disappearing without any trace.
Putting a stop to his chaotic thoughts that threatened to spill over like a volcanic eruption, the Ember Heir bowed.
"Alden, you have my sincerest apologies. I'm terribly sorry for trying to take Ignia from you. That was the height of arrogance and disrespect from me. I now know that the world doesn't just revolve around me, and I'm actively working on ridding myself of this conceit. You'll forgive me, though, if there are instances when it slips through. It's quite a hard thing to remove, you see. If there's anything I can do to atone for my sins, anything at all, please let me know."
There, he had said it.
…All that he wished to get off his chest.
He had apologised and admitted his mistake, something his previous self would have visibly balked at. However, Drakon was no longer his younger self. He had grown and matured - if not more enlightened now regarding the error of his former ways.
Drakon was glad he had taken another step towards change. This moment would doubtless serve as an key milestone in his quest for self-improvement, showing he had what it took to one day achieve the transformation he desired. A change that not only benefited him, but also his future children as well.
Assuming he still lived, of course.
Drakon secretly held his breath, his head still bowed.
He wondered what Alden's reaction would be.
Would the young man disregard his apology?
Would he still despise him?
Would he proceed to ignore him?
Would he decide that he did not want anything to do with him anymore and instruct Drakon to get out of his sight?
...These were all fair reactions in Drakon's opinion.
'Ah, I hate this anxious feeling.'
It reminded him greatly of the times he earned his father's displeasure simply for existing. The Ember heir gritted his teeth and raised his head slightly, jaw clenched tight at the memory.
There, he witnessed Alden cycle through a few different emotions in response to his admission of guilt. Surprise, anger, doubt. Before finally, a begrudging acceptance that Drakon was indeed sincere settled on Ignia's owner.
"Why are you inside my home?"
Alden asked, his tone ice-cold.
A bitter smile played on Drakon's lips. It seemed he would not be forgiven anytime soon.
'It's okay, this is the least I deserve. I've endangered his life on more than one occasion.'
The Ember heir consoled himself with such thoughts. As long as he still lived, he had a chance to right his wrongs with Alden. All he had to do was continue showing the white-haired young man his sincerity and hope the passage of time helped smooth things over.
Drakon exhaled a turbid breath.
He scrutinised the white-haired young man more closely, noticing that the crimson in Alden's gaze had become a little deeper since they last met. Alden also appeared colder, his body radiating a dark and slightly sinister aura.
Whether that was because he had grown stronger, or because of some other strange phenomenon, Drakon did not know. What he did understand, though, was that he would be in a heap of trouble if he did not answer Alden's question. Already, he could sense Ignia's owner struggling to contain his impatience and failing slightly, if the furrow of his brows were any indication.
Drakon sighed internally, racking his brain for an adequate response.
He didn't want Alden to misunderstand.
"He was here to see me."
Thankfully, before the Ember heir could say anything, a stunning young woman with golden locks and jade green eyes for gems came to his rescue. Drakon shot her a grateful look, to which she returned with a small dignified nod of her own. The flame wielder then shifted his gaze, watching as Alden and Celeste locked eyes. The tension in the surroundings seemed to multiply.
It was as if the very air itself crackled with energy.
A brief flash of pain - and was that a little suspicion and jealousy? - suddenly flickered across Alden's features.
Something must have happened between the young man and Celeste. Drakon didn't know exactly what occurred nor was he really inclined to pry, but he had a good guess at what might have happened. Shaking his head, and pretending like he hadn't just seen something he probably shouldn't have, the Ember heir cleared his throat.
"I requested an audience with her to discuss the Festival and get her thoughts on the upcoming Inter-Sanctuary tournament. That, and also…"
Drakon hesitated, scratching the side of his head. A slightly embarrassed grin tugged at his lips.
"I wanted some advice."
Alden's brows rose to his forehead in an expression of muted disbelief. It was as if he doubted the notion that a proud and arrogant heir like Drakon had let his pride go and sought someone else for advice.
Drakon sensed his eyelid twitch. He let Alden's reaction slide because it was quite fair. Especially, since he had been a real mighty jerk before the invasion. However, that didn't make seeing that any less painful. But, the fact that it did hurt was probably a good sign he was on the right track.
Drakon sighed and shook his head again.
"What kind of advice?"
Alden grilled him, his one good eye narrowing in the red robed heir's direction. Drakon shared a quick glance with Celeste, then averted his gaze.
He coughed awkwardly.
"The romantic... kind."
Drakon felt the back of his neck flush. His cheeks reddened like someone had set them aflame, and the tip of his ears also burned like two hot coals.
A stunned silence overtook Alden for a moment, before the white-haired young man composed himself.
He forced out a pale smile, clearly shocked that the thought of love even existed in Drakon's mind.
The Ember heir laughed lightly to himself
'I'm a little surprised myself.'
Shaking his head subtly with amusement - as the red in his cheeks, neck and ears slowly faded -, Drakon lingered. Then, he stepped forward and laid a hand on Alden's shoulder.
Ignia's owner tensed under his touch. Drakon pretended not to notice.
"I should get going now, It was nice seeing you again."
Then, his friendly demeanour slowly dissipated, turning serious as he fixed his peer with an intense stare. Sparks of fiery resolve ignited in his brilliant, polychromatic gaze.
"I meant what I said earlier. I truly am sorry. I swear a mighty oath upon the Great Flame that I will never attempt to steal your familiar ever again. The Asterons can serve as our witness."
With that, the red robed heir swivelled his neck and looked in Celeste's direction, nodding to the Chosen of the Divine Sovereign… before tapping Alden lightly on the shoulder to indicate he wanted to leave.
Afterl all, Drakon still had a few errands to run.
'I wonder how she's doing.'
He thought as he left the grand home.
Regret and longing swelled within him like a furious, roaring flame.
Drakon shivered, a bleak chill threatening to seep into his heart.
Wisps of steam rose from his figure as he traversed the cold.