A few days later.
After the second trial was finalised, the academies were granted a five days break before the third trial commenced. It was enough time for everyone to prepare themselves for the third event, to heal the injured teammates, train themselves and come up with new strategies to fight against competition. Especially after the spectacle the Edrath Academy instilled in everyone's minds, it was a fearsome competition they needed to properly prepare for.
And while everyone else flocked for Cassian's attention, only Sora Curzon slowly distanced himself from Cassian. As a subtle change settled between Cassian and Sora, at first, nobody noticed.
But little by little, he stopped orbiting around Cassian like a clingy secretary glued on his side.
Instead of being cooped up on his side all the time, Sora was slowly fitting himself with the rest of the academy, within the few days he was already becoming like a true student of the Edrath Academy. And instead of participating in the trials anymore he resolved himself to be their number one supporter instead and he made friends with the Crimson Vanguard and the other students that were curious about Cassian through him. Others were simply vying for a way to romantically approach Sora but he didn't find it bothersome at all, if anything he felt like he finally belonged amidst the crowd and he had friends of his own while experiencing the academic life he had never dreamt of achieving as an elven fugitive.
And as days rolled by, whenever he disappeared, there was a high chance he could be found somewhere deep within the academy's vast library. For Sora, those hours became precious as it was a rare moment for him to come across some informational sources about his magic. Rare records regarding Moonborn bloodlines were almost impossible to find in public sources especially for a cheap price and yet the Edrath Academy's archives held fragments of knowledge he had never seen before. And for free at that.
Ancient texts, forgotten theories and records of magical mutations. Anything that might explain what he was and why his mana behaved the way that it did. And anything that might help him survive as a fugitive Moonborn elf.
But most importantly—...he wanted to find anything that might help him protect the unborn child.
So while carrying Cassian's heir not only did Sora indulge himself in ancient books but he also quietly began training at his dormitory at every chance that he got.
He learned how to circulate mana properly, how to stabilize his unstable reserves, how to increase his mana pool capacity, how to strengthen himself while carefully diverting nearly half of his mana toward the growing life inside of him.
It was an exhausting process and it was also undeniably painful, especially when he was doing it all alone. But he endured it all, because he knew very well that in order to survive as he couldn't stay beside Cassian forever—...he needed to ready himself for the hardships all alone and learn how to survive without being dependent on his mate that would eventually leave him.
And at the very least he wanted to leave with a healthy child.
A child that would survive it all with him.
Cassian noticed everything.
Every absence. Every missed visit during the night. Every day that Sora didn't appear at his side like he usually did and experiencing the coldness of his bed that was already used to the warmth of the half elf always snuggled on his arms and their mana humming in sync as if they were two people in one.
But now it all felt so distant.
And the more he noticed, the worse his mood became....it all felt as if it was torture. Not being able to be with someone who was already closer to his grasp. And everytime he tried to reach out to Sora, Sora made excuses and Cassian was forced to move back and grant Sora the space he needed.
During the fourth day of their granted break. The Crown Prince sat beneath a large oak tree overlooking one of the academy courtyards. His crimson eyes followed a familiar figure crossing the grounds below, stalking his every move.
It was Sora Curzon.
He was laughing with several members of the Crimson Vanguard. Not even glancing his way. And a heavy sigh escaped Cassian's lips as he silently watched over Sora clicking his lips in annoyance.
"Sora has been keeping a lot of distance from me lately," Cassian's gaze remained fixed on the half-elf below.
"Do you think he's preparing himself for when we finally break the bond?" He wondered, muttering to himself and Lucien just shrugged, he truly had no idea about what was happening with Sora either and not that he cared anyway. If anything he was glad that Sora was distancing himself from them.
"I have absolutely no idea what that elf is thinking My Lord." Cassian frowned.
"He doesn't even come to my room anymore." The words sounded almost accusatory. "He used to appear every day and every night, clinging on to me to never leave his side but now—....now he is behaving so strange that I can't even keep up."
Lucien blinked. Unbothered by Cassian's whining next to him. In fact he has no idea what to even say to make him feel better. So instead he'd rather listen.
"Although he has left me hanging and alone in this coldness of the world, his mana pool seems to be expanding and is stabalized instead of chaotic."
"I heard he's started training." Cassian immediately looked at Lucien.
"Training?"
"I suppose the young elf has started improving his magic capacity and learning how to properly wield it while draining half of it for the child." Cassian's brows furrowed. "If that was the case then he should have just came to me and I would have assisted him with it. I am his mate after all and the father of that brat inside of him."
Lucien casually shrugged.
"Perhaps your highness that is the reason why he didn't want to come to you, he didn't want to be dependent on you."
"He is supposed to be!" Cassian's voice snapped, losing all of his cool as irritation flared up his chest for no apparent reason. Lucien silently stood on his side and then sighed shaking his head.
'He is hopeless,'
'Absolutely hopelessly falling in love with that troublesome creature of his. And somehow...He still hadn't realized it..'
Cassian sighed calming down.
"I'm sorry Sir Arden... I'm just deeply worried."
"It is understandable your highness. Is there anyway I can help you ease the burden?"
"That's the problem...there is none other than waiting for Sora to come around." Cassian's jaw tightened.
"He is carrying my child and he is my bonded mate."
"He shouldn't have to struggle alone while I am still here and wealthy. I mean I am a Crown Prince and I lack nothing, he is mine so why can't he just embrace it?" Lucien stared at him. Cassian suddenly realized how possessive he sounded, yet somehow that only irritated him further.
"He could simply ask for anything that he wants and I will provide it to him whole heartedly instead of pulling these nonsensical stunts. What does he want from me? Is it attention?...—In that case then he has got it so what more does he want from me?"
Lucien rubbed his forehead and Cassian crossed his arms. Clearly dissatisfied, upset and particularly jealous. Though he would rather die than admit the last part.
"Your Highness, instead of worrying yourself so much for someone who is clearly doing well without you. How about focusing on accepting the invites from the foreign delegations?, the foreign nobles and kingdoms seemed interested in conversing with you."
"Well isn't it obvious that those fossils want to just suck up on me?....I am not interested in any of them, I just need to know that my brat is still okay and well mana-fed." He clicked his tongue looking towards the courtyard again.
"Would I be wrong if I just went down and dragged him to my room right now?"
"Calm down your Highness. For a matter of fact let us go. The emperor and the empress summoned you to their quarters remember?" Cassian sighed calming down his mana that was already flaring inside of him and then he turned to look at Lucien with a calm expression.
"Let us go then Sir Arden, I will deal with Sora at the later course.
"Yes your highness."
*****