pretty things.

Mattias held onto her laced hands, unfortunate fate put him in these shackles and kept him from holding her hand properly out in the world. He was happy to see her even in this position. A glimpse of her beauty would help him last years in this cell. He would never speak of the truth. He decided long ago that dying for would be an honor–loving her was an honor. “I didn’t think your brother would let you come, but I see he has grown soft for me.” It was a joke, something to lighten the mood as they sat in an empty room, letting his laughter accompany them. “I prepared myself to never see you again the moment I stepped into this hell. I knew you could never come and see me, which is why I’m telling you now that you should never come here again.” Mattias was well aware of the trouble Aera would encounter if the world found out she was visiting the man who killed her husband, allegedly. “What if this news reaches the Gods? If they find out about the death of your husband and you plan to free the man who killed your husband. What do you think will happen? To you? To Haneul? Your sisters? Your mother?” His fingers grasped her gently, leaning in as closely as he could without making a sound as he stared at her features blankly. A woman whom he loved for years, even in his past life. He could hear the scream of horror the night of the accident. He never sprinted so fast towards her, not knowing of the crime committed and not caring as long as Aera was safe. The plan was simple: Mattias covered himself in Hale’s blood and carefully took the knife from Aera’s hand–the number of stabbings would make it clear to authorities that he did it out of jealousy. Mattias knew the day of his arrest would come; a staff member would have seen it all, but he had to silence the one who witnessed Aera murdering her husband. He planned everything, but now he was hearing words of freedom, which made him smile. “I could never change your mind, you stubborn woman.” Before pulling away, Mattias placed a single kiss on her forehead. “I’ll bite. What’s the plan? Do you have a plan?”

“If the Gods hear of it then it is my head that will be buried, not yours, not Haneul’s, not anyone else’s but my own.” The desire to raise her hand in front of the various councils of Euphoriam and allow the blame to rest on the guilty head had grown now that she had laid her eyes on him. “Hale is… was, he was cruel and my life was already over the day I married him, so to give up my physical life for yours wouldn’t cost me a second thought.” Her breath had grown unsteady, shaken by the singular thought of leading her life without him; even if their chances of being together were sunken lower than they had been on her wedding day. Eyes desperate in their scan of his features, committing them to memory in case the tides turned wholly against them. It was Mattias’ smile that broke the waves in her mind and allowed the weight to sink off her shoulders even if temporarily. “There’s a plan but it’s very much, you have to trust me, kind of plan.” Aera had been haphazard at best, twirling loose strands of connections together and tugging at all the favours she’d ever been owed. “I don’t know if you met Minji, always with Snow and gives you the idea that she’d snap your neck if you looked at her wrong, but anyway she knows someone who can help us.” She drew his hands to her lips, to quail the rising panic seized her throat at the plan she had spun on her own; and continuing to speak against his skin. “But that part doesn’t matter yet, there’s been a bribe to the guard that’s currently coming on shift and he’s giving us a ten-minute window to get out.” Her hands shifted grasping for his wrists and the chill of metal stunned her; the component she hadn’t placed thought in as she tugged on his restraints. “Oh.” At attention, her feet planted firmly on the floor as she shot upward, fingers still laced around metal while her eyes left him as a secondary planned formed once she settled on the box marked for emergencies only. “Oh, you’re really going to need to trust me.” She released him to seek out her intended target, setting her elbow against the glass to find the alarms had already been cut for their escape. “And I really hope you don’t love your fingers too much, Haneul always said I aim like a drunken goose.” 

The days inside the cell were immensely long, walking from one end of the room to the other in an attempt to pass the time. He throws peddles in hopes that the door will magically open, except his neighbor would easily put an end to his shenanigans. “How did a royal find his way down here?” A very good question. Mattias remembered the day perfectly, he was heading into town to buy something sweet for the woman who claimed his heart. “She’s not a fan of too sweet.” These happened to be the last words relating to Aera before the bakery was surrounded with soldiers. “Mattias Yang-Monarch, you’re under arrest for the murder of Hale John Thrones.” Under arrest? Murder? Mattias glanced over his shoulder, reaction time cut in half as he was dragged through bakery doors. “And, that’s pretty much the jist of it.” The investigation regarding the murder was ongoing; Mattias kicked a pebble across the concrete room with shrugged shoulders as his fellow inmate spoke of equality and fairness in the justice system. “I guess we don’t have the immunity everyone thinks we do.” His expression fell, darkness covering his blue eyes, knowing his innocence but proving it would be difficult. “You have a visitor.” The guard spoke sternly, unlocking the bars and then, after shackling him, guiding him to a separate room. He expected his mother, sobbing in an expensive handkerchief before addressing the bad news. Until his eyes met with hers, Mattias couldn’t deny how madly in love he was with the woman in front of him. He’d gladly rot in this prison for her. “What brings you to my lovely quarters, Princess?” He sat down carefully as he waved away loyal guards, indicating a private conversation and gently placing his shackled wrists on the table. “Did anyone see you?”

Draped in mourning black, Aera felt more akin to the reaper stepping onto prison soil than a woman coming in defence of her friend. Or at least, it was what the outside world was to believe, rather than a princess who had inadvertently sent the man she loved to prison for murdering her husband. Settled into a private room graciously by guards, but she wasn’t built to the glances shared between themselves once the recognition flickered behind their eyes on her identity. Breath caught once the guards broke away and for the first time in days, she was allowed to view Mattias and in a single release of air, she shuddered into heartbreak of what she had done. “I missed you.” The words were out, unable to catch them before the guards had allowed them the opportunity to be alone. “And I’m so sorry.” A click of the door had sprung her into movement, hands gloved in black lace reaching for those shackled on top of the table that stood between them. The cool metal of his restraints jarring, her fingers tracing his locked wrists and gently hooking her fingers with his. “No, no one but the guards saw me; my mother didn’t want me to see you, but I begged Haneul to let me…” She spoke fast, information that didn’t truly matter at that moment, not when he was shackled. For several seconds she fumbled with what was important when she had so much filling her mind, sighing once she settled on what was needed. “I’m going to get you out of here, Mattias. I promise you that.”

Women from all houses took approximately thirty seconds to surround Mattias and block his path to the drinking station. Mattias planned to miss the grand festivities, but his mother insisted on showing his face. Since Theo would be in attendance, there would be no excuse for him not attending. “You look so handsome.” One woman spoke while another nearly lunged herself in his direction. “You look ravishing.” Mattias grinned as the women started to argue amongst themselves over a compliment that would capture his attention. “I appreciate both of you.” Both hands rose to hover under their chins; thumb pressed along their lower lip with a lovable smile. “Would you two be dears and fetch me a few drinks?” The attention gathered from women was inevitable, and he had learned to cope with it. He was always praised for his features, but Mattias would never claim he was the most dashing in all the lands when another held the title from Seven Seas. He laughed at the thought of the women lining up for days to ask for his hand in marriage, selling out newspapers in the Lands of Euphoriam. “Hm?” The sudden heat surprised him, and no one dared to be close to him, let alone from behind. “Ah, my little butterfly.” Mattias let her scent overcome him and settled around him as the world became more tolerable. The only person he could see was her. His head turned slightly and bubbled laughter escaped his throat. His attention never steered from her beauty, even behind a mask. “You’re acting as if you don’t have a brother who had women surround him at every event.” He appreciated these moments more than he could express to her but thinking negatively wouldn’t solve any problems. Not with the woman he fell for at first sight. “Are you suggesting you would like to dance with me? How could a commoner like myself dance with someone who shines brighter than the stars?” Mattias spoke playfully before running his lips over her temple, carefully turning to face her entirely and gently brushing a strand behind her ear. “May I have this dance, Princess?”

There was a flicker of fear that Mattias would reject her before he had an opportunity to recognise who it had been and a strong heartbreaking fear that he would push her away once he did figure her out. Fortunately, Aera faced only a rise of blissful laughter that weakened all her resolve to restrain herself in his presence. “My brother certainly pays the woman to give him attention, I have sworn it since we were teenagers. He can’t be that popular.” Her eyes rolled although it wasn’t spiteful, laughter of her own rising and getting lost in the music. “It’ll be difficult to dance with me when I shine so bright, but I’m sure you’ll manage just fine.” The temptation to touch him grew with such intensity once he had angled himself to face her. On a usual day, she would be restrained, falling back and creating a distance not to fall into her desires, but the mask had made her fears flutter away even as she stood on her husband’s domain. Her fingers tapped the curve under his chin and drifted down his neck until she was toying with the top button of his shirt. “I’m not a princess tonight.” Her hand shot upwards again to hover her index finger over her lips, careful not to touch him this time, afraid that a touch to his lips would be her fatal undoing. “I will, however, gladly accept that dance.” More than aware of the females that circled him like prey, ready to dive at him with ravenous beaks and halted by the obstacle she’d become. Both hands reached out to catch the tips of his fingers and with a smooth movement, slid her fingers between his and leading him away from his admirers and towards those that danced; freed from the shackles of their titles. “I can’t remember the last time we danced.” In fact, the night they last danced was emblazoned on her mind, the memory often coaxing out smiles in the most untimely moments. She stopped her lead, taking a single step forward while simultaneously tugging him towards her, beaming up at him once they were locked together.

The words 'I'm ready, my love' repeated nonstop in her brain, it was annoying to hear him address her in such a manner. Everyone knew that the two hated each other, but Irelia also knew that no one would spread the word of their arguments. "I hate it when you call me that." Her fingers spread carefully around his left arm, glancing straight ahead as the man directed them towards long hallways, rights then lefts until they reached the destination. Irelia had false hope that Phoenix received her message, but it wouldn't hurt to present herself in case he did arrive with a package. The minute the doors shut behind them, Irelia retreated her arm until it was greeted with a kiss from Phoenix. "Fight? I don't see him enough throughout the day to have a chance." She rolled her eyes, attention panning over to another woman. "You have to be Princess Aera from Devotion, correct?" It didn't take Irelia long to recognize the hand stitching from the famous Arthur, but it soon was confirmed with the crescent of Devotion. "I'm leaving your side now, don't miss me too much, asshole." Irelia removed herself from the two monsters, walking towards the woman who wore beautiful clothing. She showed respect with a bow before walking straight towards the window, sighing that she could finally see another view of the land. "What brings you here? Did Phoenix threaten you? He tends to do that with people. It's strange, isn't it?" This was officially the first time that Irelia presented herself to another house before it was met with refusal even attending with Dae would end in disaster. She disliked the idea of meeting with other elegant houses because the views never aligned, Irelia knew only a few other less important figures that indulged in her activities. "I think you invited me to your wedding, but I decided to stay home and pluck the petals from the roses because I hate crowds of people."

Aera regarded the cousin of her husband with all the respect she extended to any opposing royal, she curtsied in perfect unison with the bend of Orion’s back, no familial warmth fluttering between them and she was content to keep it that way. The extended family she gained from marriage was those she avoided communicating with beyond the surface. Happy to be caught in greetings with Irelia, her smile brightening as she slipped to the side with her, although her eyes were swift to follow Phoenix; she didn’t trust him not to set a knife in her back the moment she turned away. “I have heard your name fluttering around many courts and I’m happy we finally have a chance to meet.” Aera eventually snapped her focus away from the man who brought her here, allowing Irelia to take the full field of her vision. “Ah, fortunately, threats did not bring me here.” Although they had erupted on arrival and that was a fact Aera was more than happy to conceal. “Phoenix had me interested in his tasks regarding Orion, I thought it would be fun to accompany him.” It wasn’t a lie, she was more than interested in his activities and she had hoped they would bring her entertainment initially; now she was hooked in the hope her world wouldn’t crumble by the end of the day. The mention of her wedding had ignited laughter, a moment that allowed Aera to relax and ease herself to sit on the edge of the windowsill, placing the package she held neatly on her lap. “Weddings are quite the affair when Devotion plays a part in them, although Hale refused many of my house’s usual trimmings, it would have been overwhelming if you don’t enjoy crowds.” Her eyes slipped down Irelia’s frame, she had looked well despite Phoenix’s insistence that she had been unwell, though there was an energy that seemed to ebb off her that caused Aera’s heart to constrain. She looked as if all she needed was someone to comfort her. “I have a gift for you.” She painted a smile even brighter on her lips, presenting the parcel despite her misgivings, her eyes darting towards the males to find them locked too deeply in their conversation to listen to her or Irelia. “I assure you I’m not particularly happy to give you this, they were procured by Phoenix and not myself. I’m afraid if I don’t give you these, he will grow suspicious. If you do not trust him, please rid yourself of these the moment you’re alone.” She kept her voice level as she stood, reaching for Irelia's hand with her left and placing the box in her palm with the other, knowing that if she didn’t comply with Phoenix’s ask - it would be assured that she never would be allowed to see Mattias again.

Phoenix found her ability to continue admirable knowing many would have sat silently while he peeled away at their fears. He was upset that she would rather be a decent human than create chaos with him, but not everyone was cut out for his line of work. "Information is everything, you of all people should understand this as a Princess." Lying to her was ineffective even if explained his plan in detail to her, there would be no one who would be willing to stop him. He was the son of Hades a spitting image of the man who would destroy a planet to have one thing: Power. All he desired from her was empathy, Phoenix declared himself a shell when she died except when it came to his sister. Snow was his biggest weakness, filling him with vulnerability even considering the idea that she would get hurt. "Orion doesn't trust anything I give his wife because he suspects that I might poison her. I write him every day, confess my love to him every second that I get, and decide to reject me of all people." Although he was teasing, there were plenty of occasions when Phoenix would speak on how he'd devote his life to Orion. Throwing him finger hearts whenever he had the chance, but it's been a few months since he last visited Strife. "If you want, you may open the cloth and take a look for yourself." He had no reason to hide anything, all herbal medicines looked similar to ones that delivered hallucinating highs. Phoenix prepared to continue buttering the woman until a servant walked through the doors, head faced down as he spoke. "Prince Orion and Princess Irelia will be with you shortly." Finally, Phoenix was growing old just waiting for his man who was clearly not his man. His social battery was slowly being drained by Devotion, his soul begging to be sent back down to hell to stop the warm floral scent radiating off Aera. "Do you know anything about witches?"

Aera gasped at the revelation that Orion did not trust Phoenix, a dramatic hand thrown against her chest, a faux look of shock painted on her features as she leaned forward. “How appalling, you are the most trustworthy man of all the houses, how dare he believe you capable of poisoning his wife?” With that, she was already beginning to unravel the cloth that was bound in her lap, already a step ahead of him because when he had given her permission to check she was tugging free the knot to reveal the box inside. The pills inside were not unlike those that were delivered to her in the morning and at night, she had been expecting something amiss but the round white pills were in no way suspicious. “Is the Prince not capable of caring for her himself? Or do you believe you have a better concoction for a future Queen?” She brought the box upwards, although she hadn’t expected to find anything in their scent, those at home had a light scent of roses only when they were on your tongue. “It seems you are on your best behaviour today.” Aera chuckled lightly, replacing the lid on the box and then beginning to form a much more charming bow on top of the package with the cloth, much more fitting as a gift than the simple knot he’d handed her. She had secured it in her lap as the staff entered the room and she chose that moment to rise, smoothing down the creases in her skirt in anticipation of their arrival. “Witches?” She tipped on her heel to turn back to face him before kicking off to wander towards the wall of portraits, the package held behind her back as she strolled. “My mother used to bring one to the palace when we were ill. I don’t know a lot beyond the moments I met her and for those I was feverish, and that she still practices, but I do know other houses aren’t so kind to them and rid them from their land. Why do you ask?”

Laughter bounced off the walls, and he leaned back into his seat as his palms settled carefully on his knees as she spoke of nightshade. Phoenix reminisces the times his father would force him to eat small amounts of poisons for his body to grow immune, even to this day he waits for the moment to surprise someone that he has been injecting himself with poison to outplay death. Now the topic of fear was an unusual one, Phoenix mapped out one moment in his mind when fear truly took over and after that he promised to avoid the mass emotions. "Fear?" The image of his lover, face sprayed with blood as she died in his arms while he threatened the gods and shouted to the skies that they would all pay for her death. "I won't lie to you because what is the point? I was once afraid to lose someone very dear to me, but the minute she vanished from this earth then I decided to revoke that useless emotion." He crossed his legs, his head turning to face the decorative scenery of Strife. Something had changed since the last time he visited. The aura of strength was fading for several reasons, but one in particular had been Irelia and that showed weakness. Love was a sign of weakness, Phoenix knew the feeling well enough to understand that his companion was falling in love with his wife. He saw the same weakness in Princess Aera, everywhere he glanced there was someone falling for the trick that Aphrodite had power over, the goddess he wanted to rip to shreds. "I have no interest in your personal life, but I did warn you." Time was ticking, Phoenix needed to conjure up a plan quickly before the end of Hallows-eve and everyone was playing their part too well for him to complain. "The woman who will enter this room is named Irelia, I know you don't know much about her, but she is very sick and I would like to avoid her thinking I care about her well-being." His first plan was set in motion, reaching into his coat to reveal a carefully wrapped cloth that concealed the smell of what was really inside. "I would like you to give it to her. Why? It's a simple gesture for the Queen to be, tell her that a little bird spoke to you about her illness." He set the cloth on the table next to her teacup, fixing his attire before returning to his comfortable state. "It's common courtesy to bring something to a meeting with a powerful couple, don't you agree?" The information he gathered on Aera was plain, the woman was kindhearted from birth, and helping people was always written in her prophecy which Phoenix wanted to take advantage of in these dire moments.

“If you had no interest in my personal life, you wouldn't know anything about me.” Aera’s words were on the heel of his, darting him a glare; she didn’t like to play games, she didn’t have the time for it. “You may be a lot of things Phoenix but a good liar is not one of them, you take an interest in everything and everyone because it suits you quite well to take advantage, correct?” She flicked her tongue, tutting as she sunk further into the chair, pinning her shoulders back and raising her chin. Half-expecting her old governess to emerge from the shadows to claim her acts and conversation were not becoming of a princess. “Irelia? I can’t say that I’m familiar with her.” Aera didn’t look at him as she was still heavily focused on the wall of portraits, distracted by the events that had led her to territory she should have called home but despised with all her being. “It would be a terrible thing to believe you cared.” She finally focused on him, quickly inspecting his expression before dropping her gaze to the parcel he set between them. Half a mind to deny him his request, forcing him to become one with his humanity and show that he cares for someone other than himself, but the level of the request had her eyeing the cloth package with curiosity. “I heard that you get along well with Prince Orion, after all, he is still considered your brother-in-law, should you not show that you care for his bride?” She leaned forward to run the tied edge of the cloth between her fingers, she didn’t know if she trusted this request from Phoenix, it felt calculated and yet she reached for the parcel and held it in her lap. A gracious smile painted on her lips, although a strong determination to find out the game that was wrapped so elegantly in her hands - she was certain it wasn’t a gift she wanted to give, but she played the part regardless. “If she’s sick, I could have brought her something sufficient from Devotion. Our roses are highly medicinal, I suppose this will do for now. I’ll promise to send her something much more fitting for a future Queen.”

"You are built like everyone else, something will break you whether you believe it or not." The urge to wrap his hands around her neck was unbearable, reminding her who she was addressing with such a tone. The consequences of those actions would be too high, even considering the thought was walking on shattered glass. "You made a mistake? You prevented the investigation from going further because you decided that retrieving the necklace was a better idea than finding out you were involved." Phoenix locked eyes with ones that were doe-shaped, beautiful yet not to his taste, breaking eye contact would mean failure to set dominance over one's soul. "You're the reason why this mother never sleeps, not a single person believed her testimony. You think you're innocent?" It was laughter that danced the walls, he ability to hold power over someone was his only reason to be on this forsaken earth. His body balanced perfectly between too close and too far, the middle holding enough space for each to breathe reasonably. "You cannot threaten me with death, little one. I do not fear death, I welcome it into my home every day, and the only difference between us is that I have no self-control." There was a scent in the air, Phoenix recognized the smell of a threat very well for most of his life was filled with them. "Your husband killing him wouldn't be my problem, it'll be another mistake you made, right? You'll find to cover that one up as well." He didn't feel like playing the game anymore, throat dislodging as he returned to his position with legs crossed, awaiting a visit from a special companion. He changed the subject completely because he rather not put his hands on a Devotion Princess unless it wasn't sexually desired, "Did you try the tea? I think it's delicious, but it might be missing something."

“I’m not claiming innocence, I know that I did wrong, but I have lived alone with the knowledge that someone who was sent to kill me still walks free.” Her family had been beloved, it was the reason that their guards often stood down to allow greetings, and every time they walked the streets, she expected the dagger to find her chest. “I cannot help her mother, even if I were to admit the truth, it would do nothing. I know she has searched for that necklace and hopes it would answer her questions, yet she doesn’t know she passes it so frequently and it had never given her peace of mind.” The Jewel of Ardour resided in plain sight, although Aera had wished it would disappear, it remained hidden in the crevice of Aphrodite’s marble palm in the Sacred Acre. To keep the necklace in her possession was too much to bear, even though she was forced to lie to several family members that it was safe and sound, and she simply chose no longer to wear it. “You may not fear death, but you must fear something.” Aera did not bow under his gaze, she refused to allow him to witness the true fear that she felt by his threats. Hale had never crossed paths with Mattias long enough to speak, Aera had made certain of that fact. “You seem to be under the assumption that Mattias and I partake in an activity that would ignite anger in my husband. There would be no reason for Hale to put his hands on him unless you dared to twist the truth.” She turned in her seat, crossing her legs and setting her focus on the wall of portraits behind her, the faces of her in-laws littered amongst them and Hale had hung proudly to the left of Orion’s largest portrait. Mattias’ life was not the one she feared for with Phoenix’s threat, she knew that Hale would rather place her in a state of eternal rest instead. Aera wished to ignore Phoenix, and if she hadn’t known he was a dangerous man she might have attempted to return home, but he made it difficult. “Is it not sweet enough?” Her eyes darted towards the cups and selection of small offerings laid in front of them, not daring to eat or drink without the presence of her guards despite eating several times in this very room. “Perhaps someone favoured you and added a touch of nightshade, it can be rather musky.”

The conversation took an interesting turn for Phoenix. He didn't expect her to explain why the dead woman's mother wanted to speak to her so urgently, but it was all coming together like macaroons which he quite enjoyed snacking on. His hands wrapped around the expensive original China, lifting the rim to his lips before setting it down with eagerness. "How intriguing." Phoenix flickered through his memory that day, understanding the crime even a motive to kill an innocent. His first thought was a madman, but his deeper intuition was telling him that he knew who the killer was and this was not the time to express his two cents. "You went back to the body and took back that necklace. There's no way that you wouldn't be the first suspect in this case, but since there was no necklace--there was no trace leading back to Princess Aera." Phoenix loved playing the game. Especially when the pieces fit perfectly together. "The more I find out about you, the more I'm starting to believe that you're no better than the rest of us." His words may have been cruel, but he expected this from another Princess and not one who every house claimed to be a doll. "When the mother asks you these questions, I need you to not say a word. I'm sure she noticed your necklace on her daughter that day, but if you kept the secret for this long then there's no harm in keeping it until the day you rot." He knew these words were not enough to convince her, always planning ahead before he took another sip of his tea. "You love him, correct?" Phoenix emphasized the word 'him' to ensure her understanding of which man he was speaking of. "If all goes as planned and you play your part then I'll promise not to harm a single strand on his head. However, if you decide to fuck this up for me, then you have plenty of funeral gowns, right?"

“I should have left the necklace alone, I panicked and I thought I had no choice.” It was an idiotic choice, one that had her forced to avoid the calls of a mother who wanted to know what happened to her daughter and why. “As you said, it was like an animal had done it, I would have been cleared of any wrongdoing. I barely had the strength to remove the necklace, I couldn’t have done what that monster did.” Her fingers folded along the hem of her dress in an attempt to conceal her trembling hands and to pull away from the memory of her hands coated in red. An image that came with an uncomfortable stickiness to her palms, the blood that was cooling and drying under her fingernails. “I’m nothing like you. I made a mistake, I didn’t knowingly hurt someone.” Her head snapped, for the first time in several minutes looking at him straight on rather than avoiding his gaze. She was many things but she would never be cruel, at least she would never be with intention. Although she was thankful he didn’t request that she admit her fault; her relief was short-lived. Him. There was no doubt of the man he spoke of. Mattias was more than love, he’d become the driving force that kept her alive, willing her to carry on until she could see him next. “I have no intention of telling her mother anything, but I also have no intention of allowing you to threaten me either.” She shifted her weight, leaning forward in her chair and casting a glance towards the door before settling entirely on Phoenix. “If you touch him, speak to him, or hint to anyone of my feelings regarding Mattias, I will be commissioning a gown for your funeral, not his. Even if I have to tell Wednesday every last one of my secrets, I’m assured that she’ll assist me quite well to do it.” 

As much as he wanted to convince her of his ability to keep a promise, he had more important thoughts to focus on and now that he had a Princess from Devotion by his side then no one would question his intentions. "Mind you, I don't judge who you choose to admire in private. I have nothing against the pretty boy, but I know some people will not be happy to hear about the affair." That would be the end of that topic, Phoenix was happy enough to know that Mattias was a sensitive subject for her. It was simple enough to catch the next carriage to Strife, everyone shuffling to make sure the plans for the biggest event was in order, and no one paid much attention to strangers being dropped off at the front door. "So, they never found the man who killed her? Are we even sure it was a man who killed her?" He questioned, remembering the autopsy file of a woman being brutally murdered, and how he got hold of those files were confidential. "I read about the murder and it doesn't sound like a human would do this. I wouldn't even do that--did you know he strung up her guts? It was atrocious to read." Phoenix shuddered reading the comments on how a different person located a different part of her body. "Your Highness," He stopped in his tracks, glancing over at the man who caught his attention. "Unfortunately, your meeting with our Sire will have to be a couple minutes." Phoenix shrugged his shoulders, following the path of the servant as he led them to a quite room. "I set up warm tea and treats while you wait." Without acknowledging the man, Phoenix returned his attention to Aera. "Who do you think did it exactly? Why would the mother want to talk to her after all these years?" He took advantage of the situation, unbuttoning his suit before falling delicately into a chair then proceeding to grab a cup of tea. "Make yourself comfortable, we may be here awhile if it's his wife acting up again. You'll like her, I don't know why--but you will."

The details of the case were hard to hear again, Aera had created a distance whenever it was mentioned, yet this time she couldn’t hide as she walked side by side with Phoenix. “No, they had barely any leads and when they did, those they focused on were released as innocent men in little to no time.” It was unnerving to witness in real-time, that day after day, no one was found and not a single person in Devotion held a clue. “Can you please not talk about guts?” Her stomach churned with a memory that had haunted her for years - an image no one knew she had witnessed. She twisted her frame to grasp his arm to stop him from speaking, but also a balance as they took the stairs into the depths of Strife’s castle. Aera had barely acknowledged the staff that had led them through the darkened hallways, the conversation they were having was perfectly at home in the dungeon that Strife had wished to be. “I look forward to meeting her, I’m sure I’ll adore her.” A relatively simple response while he had pushed her mind into unwanted territory. She settled into silence once she sat, tucking her legs away from Phoenix and forcing her focus out the window, eyes feigning interest in the statue that lined the courtyard beyond. After a few minutes, she sighed, realising that a form of honesty was going to be required with a man who didn’t seem like he was going to stop digging. “The day she died, we argued. Actually, I argued with her nearly every day of my life.” Aera set her eyes on Phoenix, fearful that she would find distrust, for if someone like him didn’t trust her, not a soul would. “I foolishly made a bet with her, she wanted the Jewel of Ardour if she won.” Her fingers instinctively rose to her neck, the ghost of the royal heirloom that had hung around her neck since she turned ten remained even though nothing currently adorned her. “I gave it to her that morning and they believe the attack began in the royal hall, on the dais that reflects my name. So my theory, above all others, is that she was not the girl that was supposed to be hung by her insides, it was supposed to be me, but that does not make it easier to find a suspect.” 

"We both know the answer to that question, Princess." Phoenix huffed under his breath, adjusting the button on his suit as he approached the exit. "I would've found another way, but I decided to follow the hierarchy system and had to speak with you anyway. It's a win-win situation." He knew that Haneul would never grant him permission, it seemed like he was sticking to hating Phoenix which he didn't mind. "Hale?" A glimmer of images flicked through his mind as he attempted to match a face to the name, Phoenix cared little for Aer's personal life as she was never a target in his book. He snapped his head back to her before stopping inches away from the door, glancing over her shoulder to make sure not a soul was listening in to their conversation. "Are you talking about the man who enjoys beating women? I have had a list of complaints from plenty of past relationships to kill him. Regarding his whereabouts, I don't keep tabs on pathetic mortals, but I can find out when he steps foot on land again." Phoenix lowered his gaze, penetrating her soul with his dim eyes before a contaminated smile painted his lips. The turn of events suddenly became interesting, Phoenix knew this potential threat would work in his favor and it almost brought him a tinge of joy. "If you help me, I promise you that he'll be found dead. I don't need an answer from you because there are ears everywhere, but I can guarantee that you won't need to pretend that you don't find Mattias extremely appealing." His last words before kicking open the door, head turning to face a familiar one. "Wednesday." Phoenix hated this woman, she was everywhere when he was supposed to be the legendary trickster, and there was nothing on her that he could exploit which bothered him. "I don't plan to kill her, I'm just planning to take her to a woman who wants to speak to Princess Aera about her daughter." The silenced killed him until Wednesday spoke sternly, making no contact with Aera, every word directed towards Phoenix. "If there is a scratch on her, even the smallest one, I will deal with you myself." A shiver was sent down his spine, he truly hated his woman, Phoenix bowed momentarily before walking past Wednesday. "She's rather terrifying."

Aera’s head turned to view Arthur in her peripheral with the slip of information from Phoenix, thankful to find that he was busying himself with returning fabrics to storage rather than listening to the conversation. She could not risk another gaining insight into her relationship, especially not insight that would draw her family's attention and unravel alliances her marriage had made. “I don’t need to hear what others have whispered in your ear about my husband. I needed to simply know if he was currently on Strife soil, nothing more.” She straightened herself, adjusting herself as she slipped into the shoes that waited for her by the door, giving her well-desired height when she stood next to Phoenix. Much more comfortable when she wasn’t being towered above, although he had twisted the conversation in his favour, information that she believed to be a secret had her locked in his gaze with nowhere to hide. “If you think I need to make a deal about Hale’s fate with you then you severely underestimate who you’re speaking to. I’d sooner believe that Haneul couldn’t charm every woman on this planet than that I could trust your word.” She raised her hands to brush his shoulders, choosing to ignore that he had been on the mark when it came to Mattias, although her eyes had shot to the door in a half-expectance to find him waiting on the other side. A sigh of relief that it had been Wednesday and Phoenix did not possess the power to draw Mattias to the door with a single mention or her heart would potentially the terrible decision to sign her husband's death warrant. “If Haneul asks, I’m visiting the temple.” Aera was swift to seize Wednesday’s hands, little space between her and her brother on an average day, that he would find out who she was with and where in less than an hour. “And if you’re worried, find me in the Sacred Acre if I don’t return for tea.” Cherry lips pressed the female’s cheek while she was stepping aside, and falling into the the stride that kept pace with Phoenix’s. “You haven’t seen terrifying until she’s practically force-feeding you porridge.” Countless meals had been returned to her until a satisfactory amount of bites were taken, unlike any staff she had ever encountered before, Wednesday had been the only one to waltz into their lives and seize control with genuine care. “It is nice to know that you find her terrifying, I might make it out of today alive.” She quickened her pace to the South-facing exit, taking the steps two at a time so that the guards on their loop wouldn’t tread across them on their exit. “I also need you to make haste or we’ll have an entourage of guards breathing down your neck all day.” 

"It's the one and only." Phoenix brushed back a strand of his hair, sinking into a comfortable cushion before crossing his legs. Each hand was carefully placed on his knee while he listened to her speak about the dead. "I figured her name would be something exotic." His patience was growing thin, fingers tapping along as his mind attempted to keep up with her wording until 'brutal murder' was mentioned. "How brutal was her murder?" Phoenix decided within himself about mentioning his method, clearing his throat to part his lips again. "I'm going to perform a spell. It is more like a seance if we want to get technical, but I need a few things before I can begin." His leg unraveled, rising from the comfortable position, and made its way toward her. "I need access to the Scared Acre and you're the only one besides your brother who can get me in without being questioned. You see, I'm not on good terms with Euda guards." That was a nice way to put when put into retrospect, Phoenix murdered one by slicing his throat and tossing the body toward Minji. In his defense, he would claim it was self-defense. "The mother would love to speak with you as well, but I can't think of a reason why? I find it strange that you know nothing more about Rose-Lane's death, but she wants to speak with you? You're hiding something, little cricket." He shrugged his shoulders, choosing to not push the subject any further because he needed supplies from Strife. "Anywho, would you like to join me? I'm going to pay a visit to Strife, I have an acquaintance there who may know the whereabouts of a witch." Phoenix paused to glance over Aera, eyes squinting in a slight displeasure as his head tilted. "Unless you want to continue cutting off your air supply."

“Then why aren’t you asking my brother?” Aera knew the answer to the question; her brother would never have bowed to Phoenix’s desires, yet she wanted to toy with him. “I know you’re trying me first because if Haneul says no, it’s final, right?” There was a twinge of curiosity that had Aera tilting towards agreeance, the desire for a moment to divulge into an activity that was much more exciting than the plan that was stuck to Wednesday’s clipboard. “She wants to speak with me?” Aera’s attention had waned until that moment, head snapping upright - a thousand correlations fluttering through her mind of just why a dead woman’s mother wanted to speak to her. “I have no idea why, she must be mistaken.” She was sharp, mind reeling with the possibilities, hands rising to clutch her stomach to soothe her composure. “From what I’ve heard, going anywhere with you increases the odds of losing air supply.” A light smile pulled on her lips despite the potential severity of her comment. Several flutterings had broached her quarters, from Haneul’s mouth to the maids, that Phoenix’s frequent visits to Devotion hadn’t been necessarily peaceful. A comment that bit her off enough time to think over his offer, even as Arthur insisted that he was happy to allow her to leave. “Fine, I’ll join you, but only to stop you from blowing up the Sacred Acre.” She was swift to pull the curtain between them while allowing herself to be stripped of her gown and redressed in a dress several layers lighter. “Perchance, do you know if Hale has been around?” A question that she would avoid asking under any other circumstance but she was almost certain that her husband had been on an extended trip, and meant that he was far from Strife. She didn’t miss a beat the moment that the curtain was pulled back again, stepping down from the podium and making the move straight to the door.

The seasons were changing, and everyone covered head to toe preventing any cold breeze from invading their natural warmth; Phoenix adjusted his cashmere scarf gifted by his sister, softer than he could ever imagine, while he made his way towards the busy halls of Devotion. "Wednesday." A simple greeting between the two, Phoenix wouldn't dare bother the woman while she was at work. He would never admit how terrified he was of her when her anger boiled over. "Oh, Princess Aera, I know you're somewhere in this mess of clothing." He pointed towards the famous attire that Arthur had created for Devotion, strolling around the area as he stuffed his face with complimentary treats. "I'll talk and you can listen." Phoenix refused to do business with those of Devotion, but today seemed a little different. "A woman by the name of Caroline approached me about something very interesting. It's about her daughter? Lane? Rose? Rosie-lane was her name which is quite the name." His fingers ran over the expensive attire, counting each special stitch as he continued to speak. "She talked about how she would love to speak to her daughter again. I told her that I would speak to a person who was acquainted with her and it seems you were the last person to speak to her before she was gutted in the middle of the townhall." Phoenix wanted answers before he went ahead with an unreasonable request. He found this year's Eve to be mediocre, no one was dying or pleading to be set free. t was too normal for him. "What did you know about her? Do we know who killed her?"

There was nothing better than a ball to a man like Arthur, the moment the invitation settles on the lap of a member of the house, he is already bustling to create countless designs. The most recent design locked around Aera’s head, trapped in place as he fiddled with a mistake on the bustle he noticed only once he’d dropped the fabric over her head. The addition of another voice caused her to jolt, lost in the mass of the dress that concealed her, given no choice but to listen to the male that had barged in, although he had drawn her mind to an event that caused her heart to squeeze and she was prepared to call her dismissal when Arthur made a sudden movement behind her. Hands shooting to the bust as Arthur tugged the dress into place, securing the fabric against her chest, while finally taking in the male that came bearing unusual questions. “Oh, it’s you.” The questioning made more sense when it came from Phoenix, and many of her suspicions dwindled, although they didn’t entirely fade. “I attended a few classes with her since we were children, but sadly…” She caught her breath once Arthur began to tug at the strings of her bodice, releasing her hold on the neckline and dropping her hands to rest on top of the layers of frills that fell from her waist. “I’m not that well versed in Rose-lane, when I spoke to her that day her boyfriend had just proposed and she was showing me her engagement ring.” A memory that should have been fond, extending her blessings and preparing to send flowers, yet it ended in a brutal murder. “No one has ever been tried for her murder. Most assume that it was her fiance, considering he disappeared two days after it happened, but please for the love of Aphrodite, do not be asking me this to get her poor mother's hopes up."