''You woke her up.''
The Crown Prince's hand halted on the silk wrap. He sighed slowly and then gazed at Aiden.
''Kaelin didn't wake her up. The bandit did.''
''Bandit? What bandit?''
''The...bandit Kaelin met on the outskirts,''
''You went to the outskirts?!'' Aiden's voice rose.
''Kaelin woke up there,'' he smiles. ''And Kaelin saw Miana.''
''...Aaah,'' Aiden sighed. ''You should be careful.''
The young prince continued to open the snack wrap. Soon, the scent of freshly baked buns filled the air. He rested his head on the bookshelf as he began to eat.
''I sensed the domain spirit in the Luminaria Glade days ago. Did you go to that forest?''
''Kaelin might have.'' He murmured, mouth half filled.
Aiden sighed again.
''I don't even have time to yell at you. The cleaning bell was rung on my way here,''
''Kaelin know,'' he grumbled. ''Kaelin's not attending.''
''And father would yell at you,''
''Say something new.'' Kaelin rolls his eyes, snuffling the bun in his mouth.
''You're the heir Kaelin.'' Aiden tried to reason with him, but only seemed to agitate him more.
''Kaelin has six elder brothers and two elder sisters. Can you people be more useful?''
Aiden's eyes widen, and then he bursts into laughter.
''Kaelin, you're the only direct heir.''
''Kaelin is the only child without his mother.'' The Crown Prince said.
His words rendered Aiden speechless. Oppressive silence reigned afterwards, with just the scent of buns in the air.
Aiden sighed, yet again.
''Kaelin, you know how you usually sneak to the palace ruins...''
''Don't blackmail Kaelin.'' Kaelin cut in sharply.
''Even when it is against the rules,'' Aiden pressed on.
''Kaelin hates, fourth brother.''
''I won't mention a word about it, only if you attend the cleanings.'' Aiden roughed his hair.
''Is fourth brother attending?''
The Royal family is attending. We would go together.''
Kaelin huffed in annoyance, but said nothing else.
''So? Will Kaelin attend?'' Aiden teased.
''Not fun! Kaelin does not sound like that!''
''Okay! Okay, I'm sorry.''
THE ROYAL CLEANINGS RITUAL
The grand hall was hushed, the morning sun casting long, solemn shadows through stained glass windows. The palace gate, always shut, was wide open.
Tall, regal figures of the Royal family entered slowly, robes flowing, faces a blend of duty and unease. The air buzzed with witty and sarcastic conversation, thrown at each other.
Queen Namerie had personally overseen the clothing of the fifth prince, Lyonel, and the third princess, Amon. Fifth Prince Lyonel wore a Black velvet cloak with silver trim and intricate embroidery, while Third Princess Amon wore a dark grey robe with gold accents.
The princes' betroths approached from the east wing of the palace, led by guards and maidens. The crown Prince's betrothed, Princess Lyra, wore a blue flowering gown with gold accents and a high collar, adorned with a silver brooch, while Prince Lyonel betrothed wore a peach dress with dark gemstones and black leather gloves.
Among all, who stood out was the crown prince, with a cloak of deep charcoal gray, almost black, finely woven with subtle patterns that catch the light only at certain angles. The fabric is luxurious yet restrained, embroidered with delicate gold filigree tracing ancient royal symbols along the collar and sleeves.
His high collar frames his face sharply, and hints of crimson thread shimmer like veins through the design, nodding to his unique bloodline. Unlike others who wear brighter or heavier colors, Kaelin's attire is elegant but with an edge of mystery—commanding respect while keeping him apart from the rest of the royal family.
Even his valet, Ryker, had a stunning appearance, almost mistaken for one of the king's sons.
Fourth prince, Aiden, was not any different. The high collar, rich, deep black fur, and intricate embroidery shout royalty with an edge.
All eyes seemed to linger on him—some with admiration, others with barely veiled hatred—but he barely noticed. That was, until his blood-red gaze caught a figure steadily approaching through the palace hall.
The man was in his mid-twenties, tall and lean, with sharp features that spoke of Royal blood yet carried a guarded intensity. His dark hair fell just above his intense gray eyes, which held a calm but piercing stare that made it clear he measured everyone carefully. Clad in a sleek midnight-blue tunic embroidered with silver threads tracing subtle sigils of power and loyalty, he moved with a confident, purposeful stride. There was an unspoken tension about him.
As he drew closer, a faint, almost imperceptible smirk curved his lips, eyes flickering briefly to Kaelin's crimson gaze, daring yet respectful.
''Aah....''
Aiden's eye was drawn to the Crown Prince long sign.
''Are the clothes not to your liking, seventh brother?'' He teased, leaning down.
''Kaelin happened to see someone annoyingly familiar.'' There was a heated intensity in the crown prince's gaze as he spoke.
Aiden's brow slightly furrowed, his eye locating the source of the crown prince's discomfort. As he turned, he flinched so hard he almost tripped over the figure towering over them.
''Fi...first brother,'' Aiden muttered, surprise and unease flickering across his face.
The first prince stood tall and imposing, with piercing dark eyes that seemed to cut through the very air.
The tension in the room thickened as the first prince's eyes locked onto Kaelin's. A low murmur spread amongst the gathered, the royal siblings' rivalry as palpable as the morning sun's rays piercing the stained glass.
All eyes seemed to linger on him—like a mixture of awe and envy—but Kaelin didn't flinch; instead, he seemed irritated.
''Greetings, crown prince,'' the first prince's voice cut through the silence, smooth but heavy with meaning.
The air seemed to hold its breath. Even the birds ceased their chirping. All gazes lingered on the first prince, formally greeting the heir.
Every second of Kaelin's silence felt longer.
Seconds stretched painfully as Kaelin's eyes met his brother's, crimson fire burning steadily, but his face unreadable. But then, he raised a brow.
''Aah, the empire dog,''
The air seemed to freeze, the silence thickening like ice. Aiden's eyes widened in alarm, his grip on his sleeve tightening.
The room held its breath, the royal siblings exchanging uneasy glances, before rapid murmuring.
The first prince's expression was the worst of all. His confident stance faltered, his eyes flashing with shocked disbelief. He could simply not understand why meeting his brother for the first time invoked such a public disgrace.
''Sorry?''
Aiden's grip on his sleeve tightened, his gaze darting nervously between the brothers.
The hall held its breath as murmurs burst among the royal family, some shocked, others tense as the insult rang loudly.
"Kaelin," Aiden whispered urgently, trying to intervene, but Kaelin's gaze remained fixed on the first prince.
The tension between the two brothers was palpable, their animosity simmering just below the surface. It was clear that Kaelin's words had struck a raw nerve, and the first prince couldn't seem to phantom why.
''This is odd,'' Kaelin continued. ''Dogs usually greet their masters on their knees, though... So why should Kaelin strain his neck to gaze at you.''
By this time, the first prince was sure he heard right. It wasn't a daydream. He glanced around, suddenly feeling anxious.
''Seventh brother.....''
''Crown prince Kaelin,'' Kaelin cut him off sternly. Should Kaelin have to remind you of proper etiquette? Or the consequence of failing to uphold them.''
The first prince's eyes widened, and he slowly sank. To the Royal gasp, he knelt.
''Forgive my manners, crown prince!''
At the same time, the grand doors swung open with slow, majestic authority as King Gemma and Queen Namerie entered the hall. The king, tall and broad-shouldered, his regal presence amplified by a deep royal blue robe trimmed with gold embroidery that mirrored the ancient symbols stitched on Kaelin's cloak. His dark hair was streaked with silver, and his sharp eyes surveyed the room with a mix of pride and concern.
Queen Namerie followed gracefully, wearing a gown of emerald green that shimmered subtly under the light, her delicate features framed by a silver tiara. Her gaze swept over the gathered family, resting briefly on Kaelin, before turning wide at the sight.
The murmurs quieted further as all attention shifted to the royal couple. Their arrival felt like the calm eye in a brewing storm—powerful, poised, and commanding respect.
The king's eye fell on his first son.
TBC...