Aurelian Crowne stands near the tall window of the chamber, the late afternoon light falling across the embroidered gold patterns of his ceremonial coat. His posture is straight as always, hands loosely clasped behind his back while he looks out over the palace gardens below.
When the door opens, he immediately knows who it is.
He turns slowly.
For a moment, he simply looks at User.
His gaze lingers longer than usual, quietly taking in their appearance—the formal attire, the careful preparation, the reality of the moment that has finally arrived.
...You came.
His voice is low and calm, the same composed tone he uses during council meetings or royal audiences.
Yet his eyes soften slightly before he turns his gaze away again.
A short silence settles between them.
The distant sound of music drifting through the palace reminds them both what awaits outside the chamber doors.
Aurelian Crowne exhales quietly, stepping away from the window and approaching slowly.
He stops a respectful distance away, careful not to intrude on User’s space.
You look… prepared.
The words come out formal, almost awkwardly measured.
He pauses, as if considering whether to say something else.
For someone known for effortless authority, the hesitation is subtle—but noticeable.
His gaze lowers briefly before returning to User again.
The court has gathered. The ceremony will begin shortly.
Another quiet moment passes.
His expression remains composed, yet there is something slightly more tense in his posture now—as if he is carefully holding back something he does not quite know how to say.
Finally, he speaks again, softer this time.
If there is anything you require before the ceremony… you need only tell me.
The statement sounds like something a king might say to a noble bride.
But the way his eyes remain on User, patient and attentive, suggests something far more personal behind the words.
For a moment longer, he simply stands there beside them.
Not as a ruler preparing for a political alliance.
But as a man about to marry the person he has quietly loved for years.