Drafts/News scenes in demo /Next update first scene.

Hello guys, here I am again. In the public update (and also in the private link), I also brought new options and scenes, not many, actually it's just one more, with that, other scenes and repercussions. I wanted to bring this earlier, but there wasn't enough time. So in case you want to reread the demo (private or public), there will be other options and scenes involving the nobles and Vul.

Additionally, here is a draft of the beginning of the next update, which I also plan to bring soon.

Ps: This draft will also be available to members of the first tier, which is an exception this time, as I know I took a while to bring the updates, especially for them. So here's a sneak peek/draft for you all about the next update.

2,500 words.

Note: Draft. So other things and scenes may be added later when the update is released, okay. Just as choices and more.

Ps: Not all of Hayden's pronoun codes have been added.

*page_break It wasn't a choice, not exactly.

You could stay and rest, it was right, but you couldn't. Not even go to the small party. Fortunately, or unfortunately for them, Asther and Vax were with you, walking on each side of you as you followed Tyler through the castle corridors to Cecilia's room.

Tyler had come to you with a message. Or rather, information that Cecilia didn't want to get out, not even to you, but he came because he knew and heard what had happened, although Cecilia had not realized that Tyler had heard.

*if tyler_friendship = true
Tyler's loyalty to you proved useful once again, although young Krevan is not the most present for most of the day, you knew that you could count on him if you needed. And now, it's not a matter of you needing, but of you acting.

*if tyler_friendship = false
Although you have an idea of why Tyler called you, you are still a little suspicious. Because, what would Tyler gain besides a scolding from Cecilia for calling you and telling you what he heard?

[i]"Two. Lady Ilia from the Balek house, the younger sister of Balek, and young Lord Vontes, nephew of Lord Robert. They left the castle and went into the forest. I don't know much about the rest, but Cecilia, Hayden, and the others seemed very worried." Tyler had stated. "I don't like being an idiot, but it seems like something you should handle. After all, the girl is from the Balek family."[/i]

He was right, in more than one way. Although you asked if maybe the girl had asked permission to go out with the young Lord Petrunian, apparently young Ilia should have been sick in her room, while young Vontes would be resting in his room. But both had left, and Hayden and Cecilia were aware.

Which, of course, has already put you on alert. Because why would Hayden know about two young heirs, especially a Darian and Petrunian, who sneaked out of the castle? Smelled like trouble, and problems. It reminds you of what Hayden himself did, sneaking out, and if he had influenced the two heirs to do the same? Maybe he was after...

"Are you sure?" You ask Tyler as all of you come across the white door of Cecilia's room. "It might not be anything serious." You hope, but you know it's a foolish hope.

Tyler snorts, with a playful look, as if he knew exactly what you were thinking. "Hayden is involved, there is escape and lies, and you know very well what our precious and noble ${h_prin} is like. Cecilia being involved just confirms the obvious: Problems."

He opens the door, and you enter, the other three following to stand on each side and behind you.

Cecilia was leaning on a table with crossed arms, looking at Hayden with what seemed to be frustration, and Hayden was sitting on the bed with shoulders slumped and hands together. Caio and Elia were on the opposite side, both looking concerned.

When you enter, followed by Asther, Vax, and Tyler, everyone looks at you. Cecilia surprised, while Hayden shrinks with a grimace, cursing under his breath.

"Cecilia." You call, staring at her. "What's going on?"

Cecilia sighs, moving away from the table and looking over your shoulder. "Tyler, what did you say-"

"Don't blame him. He did what he had to do." You interrupt. "Explain."

*if romance_cecilia >5
She returns the gaze to you. "It's nothing you need to worry about. I'll handle this." She says, with a softer look. "You should be resting."

*if romance_cecilia <5
Cecilia clenches her jaw but responds. "Nothing serious. just a few... inconveniences." She says, looking at you, as hesitant as she may be. "Nothing I can't handle. It's okay."

"Tell me..." You cross your arms and gesture with your head to Vax, who leaves and closes the door to stand guard outside, and you return your gaze to the Marven heiress. "Why did one of the heirs of one of the most important houses in Darian disappear with a Petrus boy without their families knowing?"

Cecilia takes a deep breath and shakes her head, turning her back. This seemed to be the cue for Hayden to speak, looking at you with a tense smile.

"They... wanted to explore the city. Lady Ilia offered to help."

"Without anyone else knowing besides you?" You squint your eyes. "Lady Ilia was sick, in her room. And the boy tired. And even if both of them had recovered, neither of them would be allowed to leave together. Lord Robert would never let his nephew walk with a girl from Darian, let alone a Balek."

Hayden laughs, raising his hand. "There it is, the reason why they didn't tell their families."

You take two steps closer to Hayden. "Where did they go? Do you realize the trouble this could cause?"

"Oh come on, it's not that big of a deal. It's not like it's a crime. They just wanted some time alone without anyone bothering them." He says as if it's no big deal. But the truth is much darker.

"Hayden-"

"They love each other." Cecilia interrupts, turning to you. Releasing an irritated sigh and a look at Hayden. You blink, trying to understand if you heard correctly. "They love each other, they've been dating for some time. The parents don't know, but Hayden noticed, he found out..." Cecilia grits her teeth, looking even more intensely at Hayden, who clenches his jaw and keeps his gaze on the floor of the room. "And he helped them leave the castle to be alone. He-" Cecilia points. "Covered for them."

*page_break Your gaze focuses on Hayden.

You clench your fists. "Is this true?"

Hayden scoffs but nods with his eyes on the floor, and with a tired voice, he responds, "Yes. It is."

"Where are they?" No response. "Hayden! Where are they?!"

Hayden sighs, turning his gaze back to you. "In the forest, they went to the forest. Ilia said they were going to the Asgal waterfall, wherever that is. But she said they would be back soon." $!{h_he} stands up, hands raised in surrender. "Look, no need to worry so much, ${surname}. They'll be back soon. Before nightfall."

"That was yesterday." Cecilia says, making Hayden shrink, and you look at her. She shakes her head. "We don't know what happened, just that they should have come back at least by yesterday afternoon, but they hadn't returned by this morning. They left yesterday, during his escape."

"You..." You look incredulously at Hayden. "You ran away to draw attention to yourself, while everyone was worried and looking for you, they took advantage. Didn't you?"

Hayden doesn't respond, just looks away guiltily, crossing his arms and turning away from you, confirming your words. You couldn't imagine they were so clever, but also so foolish. What if the heirs were dead? Or worse?

Cecilia looks at Caio and Elia. "We thought of going after them, before any relative or servant went to their rooms and found out what happened." She explains. "I managed to make sure no one knew they were missing, that they didn't suspect. But that's temporary. We need to find them and bring them back."

"And you didn't think to call me?" You ask. "Lady Balek is Darian, my people, my responsibility."

Cecila swallows hard. "I thought... I thought it wouldn't be a good idea. You were tired, you had just been through what you went through, I didn't... want to worry you."

"I asked her not to tell." Hayden says, and you see him turn to you, his gaze serious and determined, but his mouth trembling. "I didn't think it would be a good idea."

You were tempted to ask why, but Elia takes a step closer to you, drawing your gaze back to her. "Aren't we wasting time? They may need us now."

"She's right." Asther says, looking at you. "${name}, It's Ilia Balek, we need to go to her. Bring her back."

"And Ventos." Cecilia says.

"I couldn't care less about him." Asther retorts, surprising you with the venom in his voice. "He must have deceived Ilia, seduced her to bring shame to the Balek house, there is no doubt about that. If he's alive, may he not have dishonored her, or I will castrate him before the Balek family has a chance."

"Asther." You call, raising a hand to calm him, but not touching him. "I don't like Lord Robert's family as much as you do, but Cecilia is right, we need them both alive, or we'll have some explaining to do that will bring even more problems."

You look at Hayden as you say this, causing him to shrink. He knew it was his fault, he covered for them, he helped them. What would the nobles say if they knew that the future ruler of Petrus had done what he did? What would the king say or do?

This no longer affected just two houses, but all families, including the royal family. The repercussions and complications were numerous, they could bring war, judgment, and a burden on the royal family that could lead to chaos.

Darians and Petrunians are not forbidden to marry, to love, but the few who do always bring problems, and sometimes even death. Besides exclusion, there could be fighting over territory issues between the houses, there could be guilt and punishments or even judgment for you, for your family in this specific case. It's no wonder that marriages between Petrunians and Darians are only more accepted when they're commoners, but nobles? No. Nobles have lands, inheritances, and strong lineages. Most believe that mixing bloodlines through marriage and children would stain the blood and legacy left by their ancestors.

Some even think that maybe it was a plot to take the lands for Darian or Petrus. Or that the union in this way would be cursed, that it could bring much evil... There are many stories, many things said to justify the non-union of blood and marriage between Darians and Petrunians.

The truth is that Petrus and Darian may be allies, but they were far from loving each other. Like a loveless marriage, full of past resentments, and myriad fears about the future.

You can already imagine what Lord Robert would say at the council. "She seduced him! She wanted to kill him! Or shame him! Your Majesty, without a doubt, the Duke was aware! It was on his lands, he should have known, he must have let the girl take him! This is an outrage, Your Majesty must punish them for this shame!" And in truth, you believed he believed that, but you also knew his fear beyond this would be that some, if not all the lands of his family, would become Darian property, not Petrus, thus becoming vassals of your family, and not Petrus.

The fear would be that they would become Darians, they would become part of Darians. At least partially, but the partial part would be ignored, of course. Besides, the final word would be from the king, but the fear would still be there. After all, your father wouldn't allow Darian lands to be annexed by the Petrunians.

"They'll be back soon." Hayden says, snapping you out of your thoughts and your gaze, which huddled the body. "They must... they must just be enjoying their time alone, that's all."

You sigh, looking more tired than you should. "Hayden, do you know the kind of scandal this can cause?"

Hayden rolls his eyes, but you see fear in his eyes. Not of you, but of what he caused. "Oh come on, they're grown-ups, they can take care of themselves."

"That's not the point." You grit your teeth, taking a deep breath, trying to calm down. "If they haven't returned, they may have gone beyond the forest, they may have run away, do you understand that? If they have fled..."

"Even better." He interrupts, with an empty look, as if he didn't care.

"They could die, Hayden! Only El knows what will happen if they find out. If they're still alive, something serious could have happened to them. Kidnapping, death, torture. If someone or something has gotten hold of them..." You clench your jaw, turning your gaze with a grunt, both of anger and frustration. You don't have a moment of peace, do you? No. Of course not.

"You don't have to go." Cecilia says, bringing your attention back to her. "If you don't want to. I know you're tired and you deserve to rest more than anyone." She points to the others. "We can handle this, we'll figure it out. I promise."

"You can't promise that." You reply. "And I will, it's my responsibility as well, whether I want it or not."

Cecilia nodded, although she didn't seem so certain.

"Let's go." The voice was Caio's, who spoke for the first time in the room, drawing everyone's attention. It didn't seem to be his intention, or something he liked, as he shivered under the glances, crossing his arms, looking smaller than he really is next to Elia. "Please. They... they may need us now." His gaze was on Cecilia, just as hers was on him, something unsaid passing between them.

Cecilia goes to her brother, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Okay, let's go. I'll send a message to my father, telling him we went out for a walk. The king won't like it, but with all of us together, that should calm him down, at least a bit."

Hayden huffs but says nothing, just glancing away to the side.

"Good." You look at Asther. "Find Kori and Sofia, they may be useful."

Asther nodded with a somber look, leaving the room, and everyone moves to do the same.

*fake_choice
#But you pause. "Go ahead, I want to talk to His Highness alone." Your gaze goes straight to Hayden, who didn't seem pleased with the prospect.

#But you pause. "Go ahead, I want to talk to Cecilia alone." Your gaze goes directly to Cecilia, who seemed hesitant.

#You follow them, to leave the room and soon the castle.