(Tiren's POV)
I am the best.
"Wow, Tiren is fantastic.""I feel safe knowing he's heir to the throne.""We're lucky someone so reliable was born first.""None of his brothers come close..."
That's what I used to hear—every day. Until he was born. Then suddenly, it all changed:
"The fire chose him… he's a Chosen! An incarnation of the Original!""The young prince is the most beautiful baby I've ever seen.""He's a prodigy!""We're so lucky he was born to rule. His strength is beyond imagination."
Comments like that followed me everywhere, on a loop. I hated it. And with each new compliment about Serco, I hated him more.
Then I'd look at him—tiny, round face, big eyes—an adorable little brother. And I hated myself for hating him.
Two years passed.
My brother was now about four and a half feet tall, far less adorable, sardonic, and much easier to hate. Even though he wasn't fully grown, many of the servant girls stared at him longingly. He ignored them completely.
One day, I saw him in the training room, staring at a candle. My element is Earth, so my training was always physical. Curious (and irritated), I walked over.
"What are you doing?"
He obviously heard me but said nothing.
"I said, what are you doing?"
"You have eyes—use them," he replied.
That was the last straw. I moved to scold him and grabbed his wrist.
Instant regret.
His skin was scorching. I yanked my hand back, skin tearing from my fingertips. I'd never felt anything like it.
"I'm sorry," he said mockingly, his voice full of barely suppressed laughter.
"You bastard! What did you burn me for?!" I shouted. I had only meant to get his attention, not start a fight.
"It was an accident," he replied with a smirk.
He really thinks he's better than me… I've been alive centuries longer. I should put him in his place. Even if his potential is higher, right now, I'm stronger. He needs to understand that.
"...Since you're training anyway, why don't we spar?" I suggested.
He agreed without hesitation. Not even a flicker of fear. That pissed me off even more.
I'd show this little twerp not to underestimate me.
Needless to say… I failed. He injured me so badly that even with rapid healing, my arm had to be re-broken and reset to heal properly. The burns took weeks to fade. Even after I recovered, just looking at him made my skin feel like it was on fire again.
Years passed. Nothing more happened between us. I thought about confronting him again—but I hesitated. Fear held me back.
Then… an opportunity presented itself.
He brought a girl home from school. Said it was to "study." I knew she liked him—the way her eyes clung to him made it obvious. His interest in her seemed minimal, but it was something. He'd never brought a girl home before.
"Thank you for helping me… I've been so lost in class," she said, nudging her shoulder against his.
"That's because you're an idiot," Serco replied.
She playfully hit him, and for a second, he grinned. Then he noticed me.
"What do you want?" His voice was cold. And the moment our eyes met, I flashed back to our fight.
"You've never brought a friend home before. I just wanted to meet them," I said.
The girl lit up.
"I'm the first friend you brought home?" she asked.
"You're not my friend. You're a student," Serco replied, looking away with a pout.
She pouted too… I guess it was contagious.
"I have to go to the bathroom!" she said suddenly, standing up.
"I'll show you," I offered. "By the way, what's your name?"
She smiled and followed me down the hallway.
"Rose," she said.
Once we were far enough away, I asked, "Do you like Serco?"
She turned bright red.
"Of course not!"
Infaniyans are usually good at masking emotion. Not this girl—she was an open book.
"Then… is there anyone you are interested in?"
"No!" she snapped.
"That's a relief… maybe next time you visit, you can come see me too?"
Her face reddened again. She looked at me, flustered. I know my brother's attractive—infuriatingly so—but he's cold, distant, and rigid. I'm older, taller, and handsome too.
"...If you want me to," she mumbled.
"I definitely want you to. I'd love to see you again," I replied.
She was too stunned to respond.
"This is the bathroom," I added.
Her brow furrowed. She rushed inside.
Back in the library, she and Serco fought. Something about him not wanting a hug… and her yelling that he should "know her well enough by now."
The next time she visited, she came only to see me.
Serco didn't show it, but he was bothered. And when he's hurt, he just turns colder. That drove her away.
He'll never admit it, but she was his first crush. And she ended up with me.
Every time I lay with her, I felt victorious.
When he stopped reacting to us, I lost interest in her. I ended it.
After that, he didn't bring any girls to the palace. He even requested a separate residence while attending school.
Annoying.
Still, I liked not seeing him every day.
Sometimes I'd spot him outside, surrounded by people vying for his attention—male and female. He mostly seemed annoyed by them. But occasionally, a new girl would show up. One, he'd allow to hold his hand. One who made him smile.
I didn't sleep with all of them. But I always found ways to sabotage them.
Whenever I caught one alone, I'd plant little seeds of doubt:
"Wow, he brings so many girls home." "Thought you were the same girl as yesterday—my mistake." "Oh, you're not the one he told me about… weird."
Those seeds always grew. Sooner or later, the girl would lash out at him, accuse him of cheating or not really caring.
And Serco? He never explained himself. He didn't care enough.
He just walked away.
Eventually, his reputation became so bad that even our parents heard about it.
"Your promiscuity reflects poorly on the royal family. Do you know how many girls have come to my throne crying, with their parents, because of you?" Father asked.
"They sound stupid and immature," Serco replied, completely unfazed.
I stood hidden behind the door, enjoying every second.
"Is that all you have to say?"
"They approached me. It's not my fault they're a bunch of delusional—"
"Serco!" Father snapped.
"...bitches," Serco finished anyway.
Father sighed heavily. "If I hear one more complaint, I will punish you. Either transfer schools, or I'll hire an at-home tutor. This is unacceptable—you represent this entire household."
"Do whatever you want," Serco said, then stormed out.
He passed me in the hallway and spat a string of profanities my way.
More time passed.
Serco became almost completely antisocial. An outcast. But one girl clung to him with desperate puppy eyes.
Silver hair, asymmetrical bob, plump pink lips. Slightly tan skin, pink cheeks dusted with freckles.
One day, I saw her out shopping. Alone.
Perfect.
"Hey," I said, stepping beside her. She was flipping through clothes.
"What the f&%k do you want?" she snapped. Her voice was cute, but the way she used it was crude and uncivilized. Her accent was… unrefined.
"I'm Serco's big brother. Tiren."
The second I mentioned Serco, her whole demeanor changed. She blushed slightly and bowed her head.
"Oh… it's nice to meet you. I'm Crescent."
Suddenly full of manners.
"Oh… Crescent? Huh. Serco hasn't mentioned you before. I thought you were the new girl he was seeing… but I guess not. Sorry."
"...No, it's okay. We're just friends," she said quickly.
Her voice cracked on friends. She dropped the clothes in her hand.
"Goodbye," she said, turning and walking away.
Oops. Guess I miscalculated that one.
I actually talked to the wrong girl this time.