Aldrich was pleased to know that he wouldn't have to really shoo away his normal meal guests and gave a nod over to where a few were restlessly waiting. They seemed to relax a bit and get back to what they were doing with preparations as the kids scurried off waving to the princess as they went. Allura though, she stayed back continued to talk for a bit more, "Alder takes care of us the most since he's older. He treats us like we're siblings which is cool but just wait until you meet princess Kaida his real sister!" she gushed.

Alder just rolled his eyes and shooed her away right around the time Nana came to bring them to the table to eat. She was always like this when he had company, eager to eat and mingle around, she had been this way since she first arrived at the castle. He couldn't help but love the motherly approach she had since his stepmother was rarely around due to having priorities back at home.

As she left them to grab who knows what he could feel Keira's eyes on him but did not prepare him for the question she asked, "Though, that does make me question something. Do you even know how to handle woman, Alder?" he stiffened and stared at her with wide eyes. Those around them stifled their chuckles to which he threw glares at them before clearing his throat.

"Well," his face reddened considerably more, "I have not yet met the right woman nor have I wanted to fraternize around with the women who threw themselves at any man with money. So," he cleared his throat once again, "you could say I do not have very much experience with women, at least not ones I would like to court." He bit back the urge to say that she was one of the women he didn't want to court at the end and instead she looked away from her. He couldn't help though but hate the way his name fell from her lips, normally in the stories it was said that you should love the way it sounds from the one you're supposed to love, but in this case, it sounded like a threat.

He shook off the thought as others began to join them in sitting to enjoy the feast and looked to him expectantly. He sighed heavily to himself and raised a glass filled with crimson wine, "To our guest Kiera and the hope of future peace after much hardship and war," his voice rang out strong through the now quiet banquet hall. His words hung low in the room for a moment before everyone in unison yelled 'Aye!' and soon the hall was alight with conversation and the sound of food being passed around.

The kids laughed as Dimitri used his magic to create blue fire humanoid figures and dance them around in the air. He could also see Nana gossiping with a few other women and looking his way a few times. When they locked eyes she just gave him a wink which he rolled his eyes in response. It was like nothing had changed other than the person sitting in front of him across the table.

"I do hope you find your stay here comfortable. You'll be returning to your kingdom on the morrow so I can have time to set up a personal room for you when you arrive again to stay longer. I hope to visit your home as well later down the line as I feel it unfair for you to just stay here," he spoke through sips of wine but hadn't touched any of his food. He was always like that when stressed about something; leaving the food to be eaten by everyone but himself.

"I also would like to inform you that you shouldn't go anywhere near the underground floors. The keeper of said floors is not keen on those he does not know trespassing and trust me when I say that those walls allow no screams to be heard," he warned seriously in a low tone as to not disrupt those around him. All at the table knew of the keeper of the crypt below but very few other than the guards have seen him.

"Yes make yourself at home," Ko piped up from next to Aldrich with a kind smile, but the look in his dark blue eyes told her that he was watching, "Oh where are my manners? My name is Ko Lockhart and I am a council member here as well as one of the few tutors that teach about the history of this castle. So, if you have any questions do not fear coming to me with them," he grinned wider. He truly did like talking about the history of the castle since he had been living there the longest, even through the massacre that took the lives of everyone else.

"I'd be careful," Aldrich piped up, "he'll talk your ear off for hours if given the chance," he sipped his wine ignoring the icy glare he received and just shrugged. He wasn't wrong since the last time someone asked he went on a two-hour-long lecture of some of the years of the castle. Couldn't help but feel bad for the poor bloke who just wanted to know how long ago the castle was made.

After a little while, the desserts were brought out which made the kids very excited, almost to the point where he had to step in to calm them down. Nana handled them well enough though while Allura shot Alder a knowing glace that he just grinned at with a raised brow. She didn't maintain the look long when she got her hand on a slice of cheesecake and he went back to slowly sipping his wine.

"I hope you don't find this too rude, but I am very tired, so I do think it is nearing time I retire for the night," Alder stood up with his goblet in hand. He gave everyone a slight bow of the head before locking eyes with Keira, "if you need to speak with me more you can ask anyone to lead you to my chamber or the library where I do most my work," he once again bowed to her before stalking off and out of the banquet hall.

Once outside of the hall his calm demeanor fell and a darkness fell over his features that could only be described as boiling disgust. The whole situation felt off and he hated that he was caught in the middle of it. His father would laugh at him for being so weak to the whims of humans, but he could not help but care for the people he came to rule over. And one day they would see that the once-mighty dragon hunting kingdom is ruled by the very thing they sought to destroy. And hopefully, by then they would like him enough not to raise their blades against him, not again.

Ko seemed to brighten up when he heard that the princess was interested in what he had to say about the castle. He was born inside the walls of the kingdom to some nobles who followed the old king so he was taught at a very early age about the castle. He learned how it was built, when it was built, and who had done it as well, and everyone knew he was fascinated by it. How could someone build something so massive with little to no magic use?

He had to stop himself as well from gushing when she said she would tell him about the castle she lived in. He has traveled a few times to their kingdom back when he was small, so he knew very well the sights Velaris had to offer. He had to stop his travels there once Alder took over due to the rising tensions and other matters, but there was nothing much he could do about it.

He gave her a bright smile in return, "I do hope to hear about the castle in detail, it has been a very long time since I have visited Velaris when I was a boy, I would love to hear how it's been."He returned his age back to his food when he felt the scrutinizing gaze of Dimitri at the side of his head but just shot the boy his normal lazy grin. He was far too cautious for someone so young, but then again he is in charge of keeping the kingdom safe along with Alder.

When Alder got up to leave Zira left alongside him and gave both him and Dimitri a nod before closing the doors behind her. "Do not mind the King's attitude Princess," Dimitri finally spoke up, "He is still not quite used to being in the presence of other royalty such as yourself. Especially none as kind as you seem to be," he bowed his head in a form of apology, but his words while seemingly innocent had an edge to them. Dimitri was not an easy person to fool, not with magic or silver-tongued lies, but as no danger presented itself he said nothing. He had no evidence either to support his suspicions on the princess either.

When Kiera stood to leave and asked to be shown her room Ko stood up with a smile, "I can lead you to the guest rooms," he motioned with his arm for her to follow, "This way."

Nana gave him a look as he led her off but said nothing as she returned to her conversation with the other kitchen staff and kids. He just rolled his eyes and continued on, "You know, Kiera," he started, "this hall used to be filled with the finest paintings and ornaments," he gestured to the now baren walls, "but now the walls lay bare with the exception of a few things like the painting of Alder's late mother." he pointed to the human-sized painting of a beautiful woman. Her skin was pale and stood out against her fiery red hair, but she also looked sickly even with the kind expression she wore.

"It was said that she was ill when the painting was made but she wanted something Alder could keep so he'd never forget what she looked like," he smiled and glanced back to her, "quite sweet don't you think?"

Alder knew that Zira would be behind him as he exited the dining hall but he could care less at that moment. He was angry, confused, and just hated the whole situation as a whole, but he had to keep it together. "Alder," Zira spoke up behind him. Her voice brought him back to reality and grounded him at least for the moment.

"What Zira," he growled out as he stomped down the long hall towards where his chambers were. He needed a drink, something a bit stronger than the wine they were serving, and he needed somewhere to lay down. To calm his burning nerves.

"Your horns are out and so are your claws," she pointed out pointing to her head then to his. His walking stuttered then stopped as he brought his hands to hair, and sure enough, all four horns were fully grown and his crown was skewed to the right.

"Great just great," he growled as he continued his stomping down the hall. Workers that noticed him gave him a wide berth of space knowing the darkness covering his features meant he was livid about something. Zira just sighed to herself knowing full well that if he didn't calm himself down he would transform as he had once before in the castle throne room. That did not go over well and the messenger that was sent never made it back to the kingdom they were from. She still gripes him about it to this day.

Soon enough they made it to Alder's chambers where he all but ripped the doors open and stomped in. Zira just sighed heavily once again before following him inside. She was one of the only ones who would ever follow him into any room when he was pissed off because she knew he would never do anything to purposefully hurt her.

"Get out!" he screamed when he noticed her following, his voice bouncing and echoing out down the hall.

She stood her ground though and raised a brow, "I will not."

"That is an order Zira! Get. Out." He stomped up to her, towering over her at his full height. She could see the blue flecks in his now slitted eyes and as he spoke lowly she could see his fangs had grown in.

She just glared right back up at him before pushing him back and stepping in through the door fully, "Then what?" Her voice was calm as she pushed him again making him stumble back. "Let you destroy yourself?" She asked and pushed him again making him step back a few steps. "Let you be their monster?" She pushed him again but this time he hit the foot of his bed and fell over it.

Alder was completely taken aback by her actions, but it distracted him from the boiling anger and hatred. "Zira-"

"No." she cut him off as she walked around and grabbed a bottle of honey mead, "Drink this you angry reptile." she shoved it into his side.

Alder just stared at her for a moment before he busted out laughing at her last comment, "Never thought of you to be the joking type." he coughed out as he righted himself on the bed.

"It got you to stop throwing a tantrum," she shrugged and leaned against the bed next to him.

He just sighed and took a drink not having the energy to really argue with her on that note. She was right, he was throwing a tantrum, but he had no idea how to handle what was going on. "Thanks, Zira, sorry for yelling at you," he sighed and handed her back the bottle. She just gave a nod before taking a drink herself and putting the bottle back.