Midnight Talks

"Well, I never knew Father had so much to say." Abidemi said as Eden and Sol entered the mansion. Eden shrugged his shoulders as she fixed up her shawl. She closed her eyes as she covered her mouth to let out a small yawn. She wrinkled her nose as walked to the stairway. "Then again I'm not there for family dinners much so I don't know if that is the norm."

"Me either." Eden said. Abidemi stopped, then she looked at Eden. He sighed as he stuffed his hands in his pockets. "I usually eat in my room if we don't have any guests staying with us. From what the servants and mother said, our father does the same thing too."

Abidemi frowned as she pulled her shawl closer to her body.. 'So he really does ignore Mila and Freya too. That sounds sad.' Abidemi yawned again, her eyes a bit droopy as she rubbed them. "Well, I'm exhausted." She looked at Sol before smiling warmly at him. "I had a nice time with you."

"And so did I." Sol said as he gently took her hand and kissed it. He gave her a warm smile. "I do wish I could join you again tomorrow."

"Like I said before. I want to spend time with Daisy and my brother. You'll have me all to yourself when I come to Elov." Abidemi said to him.

Sol placed a hand on his heart. "Doesn't stop me from missing you."

Abidemi could feel her face burn but she still smiled at him. "I should really get to sleep." she said to him. He nodded his head as Abidemi wished Eden a good night and headed to the staircase.

After Eden was sure that Abidemi was completely gone, Eden looked over to Sol. "I'll walk you back to the main building." Eden said while he walked out of the mansion. Sol blinked before following Eden out.

Once they had a decent distance from the house. Sol finally asked him. "How long have you known, brother-in-law?"

"Training. Your powers mostly. That mask may change your hair, eye color, and voice but it could never change the way you use your powers." Eden said while he looked at Sol. "You could remove the disguise here. The servants of Sunflower building don't walk this far and Main building servants won't either."

Sol sighed as he took his mask off.

His hair quickly changed into its reddish-brown color and his golden eyes shine in the moonlight. "I should've known that you would've figured it out. You're much too smart for your own good."

"No. You're just not careful. You're lucky that my sister never saw you using your powers. Because if she did and if she saw Prince Akeem use his magic. She would've figured you out in a second."

Prince Akeem laughed and crossed his arms. "And I won't expect anything less from her." Eden gave him a blank expression which made Akeem sighed. "Are you going to tell her?"

"I'll let her know that I know who you are. If she wants to know then I'll tell her but she respects your secrets too much so I doubt it." Eden said while crossing his arms.

Akeem smirked at him. "Always for your big sister huh." Eden shrugged his shoulders. He smiled. "I'm glad that didn't change. I remember very well that you have always followed your sister around everywhere she goes. Abidemi has almost always spoiled you."

"I was five years old. Of course, she is entitled to spoil me once and a while." Eden said.

Akeem hummed while he looked at the younger man. Smirking as he stuffed his hands in his pockets. "So brother-in-law. What is it that you need?"

"What are your intentions with Demi?" Eden asked him. Akeem blinked before laughing.

"I thought I was pretty obvious. With the way, I was touching her and all." Akeem said with a smile.

Eden gave the prince a blank expression as he frowned deeply. "I need to hear it from your mouth."

Akeem laughed and smiled dreamily. "I want to make her my crown princess. My Queen." Eden shook his head. "Come on. You know that she'll make an amazing queen."

"She would but you have a target on your back. From what my father told me, we have traitors in our courts. " Eden said while looking at Akeem. The shine in Akeem's eyes dimmed as Eden said those words. "You think that we didn't know that, Prince Akeem. There's a reason why my father is uneasy about you. Keeping secrets from us isn't going to help anyone."

"I'm aware of that. I'm aware but there is a reason I'm keeping a secret." Akeem said with a frown.

Eden narrowed his eyes at Akeem who just backed away. "And what's the reason?"

Akeem sighed. "It has everything to do with your sister's magical element, classes, and her level." Eden frowned at him.. Akeem smiled at the younger man. "I still love her. Very much. It's just well."

"Abidemi never had a magical status check in the temple in Valtis." Eden stated.

Akeem crossed his arms. "But she had it tested in Elov. Along with your cousin Daisy. She was ten years old and her powers were still unstable but there were obvious signs that she was something special. Neither of them wasn't of age at the time so it was never recorded. Only me, my parents, our trusted guards, and The Valtis King and Queen know about it."

"You mean?" Eden started out as Akeem nodded his head. Eden pinched his nose and groaned. "Why not just tell my father that?"

Akeem sighed. "We don't know who the traitors are. Especially with that woman around, how could I risk it. If I mention the other reason I want her, they will come after her. I don't even trust certain shadows."

"Shadows?" Eden asked. Akeem shrugged.

Akeem looked over to a nearby tree. It looked like no one was there but a slight movement caught Eden's attention. Akeem laughed. "I have three watching over me now. My most trusted ones are around Abidemi right now."

Eden sighed."Father told me that." Eden looked at Akeem. "You said we?"

"There is another masked person but he mostly stayed in Valtis. He's one of the reasons why I'm here." Akeem explained while looking at Eden. "He's also a very dear friend of mine but we don't know each other's identity."

"Why not?" Eden asked Akeem.

Akeem sighed and looked at the sky. "Time and places. He also had shadows around him too. So I figure he is someone of high status."

"Are you going to tell my father all of this?" Eden asked.

Akeem laughed a bit and nodded his head."I don't think he'll let me see her again if I don't."

"Good."Eden started out. He looked Akeem in the eyes. "You need to tell her that Sol and Akeem are the same people." Akeem groaned.

"I can't do that. Not right now." Akeem said with a frown.

Eden sighed. "I know. When things finally calmed down on both sides." The younger man said. Akeem sighed in relief. Eden frowned at him. " You never should let her fall in love with Sol."

Akeem smiled sadly at Eden. "I'm very much aware of that. You won't believe how much my parents lectured me about it."

Eden arched an eyebrow at Akeem. " I don't want my sister torn between two men who are really one person." Akeem sighed.

"I know. I know. I don't need another person telling that." Akeem said.

Eden shrugged his shoulders. "I'm just saying this now. Prince Akeem. "

Akeem glared at Eden. "Is that all my brother-in-law?" Eden nodded his head. The younger one was going to leave until Akeem called out. "What do you know about the Blacklake family?"

Eden stopped before looking at Akeem. He narrowed his eyes at Akeem. "What do you want to know about them?"

"I'm just curious. I just want some kind of clue why they would want Demi?" Akeem asked Eden.

Eden sighed as he looked at the sky." I know they are one of the oldest families and strongest families of the Valtis Kingdom. Most members of the family have core elemental magic is water. Usually it's black water." Eden said while he crossed his arms. "You probably saw that in the sitting room. Logan had activated his powers."

"From what I recall, Valtis doesn't have any places with black water or anything like that." Akeem mentioned. "I know there is a place like that in Elov."

"Well, there are some theories that the Blacklake family came from your kingdom. They do have the characteristics " Eden said. "But there isn't any proof as far as I could tell."

"Ah. I do have an idea why." Akeem said while looking behind him. He closed his eyes.

Eden looked at Akeem oddly. "Something you would like to share?"

"Later. How about you come along to meet my friend?" Akeem asked Eden.

Eden arched an eyebrow at Akeem. "I have plans with my cousin and sister."

Akeem laughed and smiled at Eden. "It's at night. Way after Daisy and Demi finished their outing."

Eden sighed and nodded his head. "Fine." he whispered. "I could do that."

Akeem smiled at him. "Great."

Eden sighed. "I should go back now. Daisy is going to come massively early for breakfast, sharing news in the form of gossip and a plan. I got to wake up bright and early in case she decided to break into my room." Eden said with a groan. "See you later. Your Highness."

Akeem laughed. "Good luck brother-in-law." Akeem watched Eden leave before looking back at the tree. It was really still but he could tell someone was there. He sighed as he walked back.