Chapter 7: Mental Preparation (Gone Wrong)

Astra stepped inside, slowly turning his head, scanning every inch of the room like a detective investigating a crime scene.

The bed was massive enough to fit five people comfortably. The carpet beneath his feet was softer than any blanket he'd ever owned. A crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, sparkling like something out of a royal palace. The furniture was polished, and elegant, and looked way too expensive for him even to breathe near.

Astra dramatically spun around and threw his hands in the air;

"This isn't a room! This is a LUXURY SUITE!!! Am I supposed to live or pay rent?!!!"

Kael, leaning against the doorway, smirked;

"Oh, don't worry. I'll bill you later."

Astra turned back toward the room, pointing at different things as he spoke;

"Look at this! A whole-ass couch in a bedroom!! What am I supposed to do, invite guests over for tea before bed???!"

Vael, ever calm, responded, "You can use it however you like."

Astra gasped and pointed at the massive wardrobe;

"That closet is bigger than my entire house!!"

Kael snorted; "That's the smallest wardrobe"

Astra spun to face him; eyes wide; "there's a bigger one?"

Vael cleared his throat;

"Astra, if you're done panicking-"

"I absolutely am not!!" Astra huffed, waving his arms at the fancy drapes; "why do these even exist?! Are you hiding secret passageways behind them?!"

Kael smirked; "you're welcome to check."

Astra paused. Considered. Then quickly shook his head;

"Nope! Not doing that. That's how people die in horror stories!"

His grandmother, watching the entire scene unfold, finally chuckled and walked over, placing a gentle tap on Astra's shoulder; "Dear, it's been a long day. Get some rest."

Astra let out an exaggerated sigh; "Fine, but if I get lost in this room, just know I died somewhere between the mini living room and the walk-in closet."

Kael smirked; "NOTED."

Astra groaned, flopping onto the bed; "this is too much I was not built for this level of wealth."

Kael shrugged; "Then sleep on the floor."

Astra immediately clung to the bed; "I take it back. This is my bed now. I live here."

Vael sighed while rubbing his temples. He glanced at Astra's grandmother and noticed how exhausted she looked. The day's events had taken a toll on her- anyone could see it in the way her shoulders drooped ever so slightly. Without hesitation, he stepped closer and held out his hand;

"Ma'am, you look tired. I'm sorry for making you walk through the halls... I had no idea it was this tiring to walk around this house, I usually fly all over to my room." Vael said gently, "Hold my hand. I'll lead you to your room. It has a softer bed- it should be good for your back."

Astra's grandmother blinked in surprise, then let out a warm chuckle, taking his hand without hesitation; "such a polite young man. Thank you, dear."

Astra finally came to terms with the absurdity of his room, he followed along as Vael led his grandmother to hers. When they reached her room, Vael pushed open the door, revealing the beautifully furnished space. The warm golden light, the well-stocked bookshelf, the elegant- all of it was inviting. But Astra's attention went straight to the massive, luxurious bed.

He narrowed his eyes; "Hold on a second…"

Vael led his grandmother inside, guiding her toward the bed; "Please, rest well, Ma'am. You've been through a lot today."

Astra's grandmother smiled and patted his hand;

"You're very kind, Vael. Thank you."

Meanwhile, Astra was still frozen in place, staring at the bed. His hands slowly curled into fists.

Dramatically, he dropped to his knees; "This isn't fair."

Vael sighed; "Astra-"

"This is a conspiracy!!" Astra wailed, flinging himself onto the floor. "I thought my bed was soft, but this- this is even better" he pointed accusingly at Vael; "You rigged this!"

Kael, standing at the doorway, smirked; "Well, obviously. Grandma gets the best bed"

Astra shot to his feet and dramatically threw himself onto the bed, pressing his face into the mattress. A muffled groan of betrayal escaped him;

"AH!! I wish I was old too!!!... I belong here!!"

His grandmother chuckled; "Dear, if you want, you can sleep here for the night."

Astra immediately sat up; "REALLY??!!"

Kael grabbed the back of his collar and effortlessly lifted him off the bed;

"NOPE"

Astra flailed. "LET ME GO!! I'm an old soul- I deserve a soft bed too!!"

Vael sighed; "Kael, take Astra to his room."

Kael nodded. He carried Astra towards the door while Astra dramatically reached out toward his grandmother; "Grandma, save me!!"

She only laughed; "Take care, Astra"

Before leaving, Vael turned towards Grandma; "Ma'am, if you need anything. Please let me know" his voice calm but firm.

"Rest for a while," he said. "You can use anything you like… it would be better if you freshen up and change into something comfortable. I'll call you when the food is ready."

***IN THE HALLWAY***

Astra still dangling in Kael's grip like a misbehaving cat, he immediately perked up at the mention of food;

"Wait, food?" he blurted, twisting in Kael's hold.

Kael arched an eyebrow; "Oh? Now you're interested?"

Astra ignored the smug look on his face and tried to wriggle free; "Let me go!! I need to prepare my stomach!!"

Kael smirked; "And what exactly does 'preparing your stomach' involve?"

Astra, still dangling in Kael's grip, suddenly stilled. He turned his head slowly, locking eyes with Kael, his expression dead serious;

"Mental preparation."

Kael blinked he stared at him for a long moment. Then, his lips twitched, and he outright laughed;

"You… you're unbelievable... why would you prepare mentally for a MEAL??"

Astra, however, remained completely solemn; "You don't understand. Food isn't just about eating- it's about experiencing. You have to prepare your mind, your soul, your entire existence before indulging in a truly magnificent meal."

Kael smirked; "Oh? And what if the food is terrible?"

Astra narrowed his eyes; "Then I prepare for battle… one time I-"

"Just go freshen up." Vael interrupted, clearly used to his antics by now; "I'll call you when the food is ready.''

Astra huffed; "fine. But if this food isn't worth the mental preparation. If I find out it's just soup or something-"

Kael finally dropped him; "then what??"

Astra landed on his feet, dusted himself off, and narrowed his eyes; "then… then" he thought for a moment.

Vael smirked; "then what, Astra?"

Astra crossed his arms and said; "Then I will eat DOUBLE out of spite." he said proudly, in a way that made it sound like the most profound comeback ever, as if he had delivered the ultimate mic-drop moment. A heavy silence fell over the hallway.

Kael and Vael exchanged glances at each other… and then both laughed, unable to take him seriously.

Kael clutched his stomach; "you… you think it was some great comeback?"

Vael wiped his laughing tears; "Oh! I'm scared!! Please leave some food for us, ASTRA THE PRINCE!!"

Astra still not realizing what was happening, he narrowed his eyes, he looked at both of them with a puzzled expression; "why are you guys laughing?? It was a great comeback."

That didn't help, it only made them laugh harder.

Kael leaned against the wall for support; "Oh, no!! You're right, Astra. I'm trembling from your wisdom." He dramatically placed a hand over his chest; "I don't think I can recover from that one."

Vael smirked; "truly, what a devastating verbal attack. I may never look at food the same way again."

Astra huffed; he crossed his arms; "You two wouldn't understand. You lack DEPTH!!!"

Kael wiped away a fake tear; "NO, no you're right!! We should all take a moment of MENTAL PREPARATION before meals now."

Vael nodded solemnly; "We should. Thank you, Astra, for teaching us, we will now eat our meal the right way"

Kael turned to Vael; "we should make it a rule. No eating until we sit in a complete silence and mentally prepare ourselves for five minutes."

Vael smirked; "Ten minutes. To properly align our spirits with the meal."

Kael gasped; "you're right, anything less would be a crime!!"

Astra stood there, completely dumbfounded. His mouth opened slightly as if he wanted to say something, but nothing came out. His face slowly turned red-not from anger, but sheer embarrassment.

Vael and Kael both were still laughing, the whole hallway was filled with their laugh. They were clearly enjoying every second of his suffering.

Realizing there was no winning this, Astra clenched his jaw, turned sharply on his heel, and stomped off towards his room in DEFEAT. Then, just as Astra reached his door.

Kael cupped his hands around his mouth and called out; "MAKE SURE TO PREPARE MENTALLY, ASTRA!!"

Astra froze mid-step. His shoulders tensed. He wanted to SCREAM but instead, he took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself not to throw something at Kael, and he slammed the door behind him.

To be continued….