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CHAPTER I

Bathed in the glow of the red orb above, the Southern kingdom was scorched by the heat of the midday sun high above. However, green and cool the grounds of the kingdom's castle were and within its gardens, a naughty and curious boy of four years excitedly ran away from his caretaker.

A familiar cabin, south of the castle, the little boy came upon. And in finding the door slightly ajar, he peered inside cautiously; his cool blue eyes searching. Marking no one present, he still called: "Brother?" There was no reply and so he happily let himself in.

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It was during that same time, having much research to do, the little boy's brother was returning from his visit to the main library to his cabin which served primarily as his laboratory. Currently, he was devising a potion; a poison, to be exact. And now, armed with the books he acquired in his satchel, his manservant alongside him, he became absorbed in the words and immersed in his own musings as they both approached the cobbled lane.

Behind him the manservant observed saying, "Your Highness, the door."

Only then, did the crown prince take notice of his surroundings. And at once, observing the door open wide, he stuffed his book away and stomped toward the doorway and shouted: "Alex!"

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The tables were high. And the little boy wondered what strange things did his brother have atop them today?

Things such as smelly bugs and plants and colourful liquids were usually found there. With his small hands, he struggled somewhat as he dragged a tall stool across to one of the tables. And in placing it close, he climbed upon it.

Black and bulbous. A ceramic bowl full of shiny juicy berries greeted him.

'If I took one or maybe just five, brother may not notice' the little boy thought

Tall upon the stool he stood and stretched; reaching in with his tiny fingers he grabbed a few plump ones. The juice immediately stained his hands.

He sat to enjoy his reward when his brother's voice startled him, causing him to spill a few of the berries.

"Alex! What are you doing?!"

Swift was the crown prince in removing the satchel from around him, before slamming it down onto one of the tables. His brother was grasping at something and some of those 'somethings' were also on the floor below him.

With eyes wide in panic, he ran over and grabbed his little brother's arms; wringing free the berries from his tiny grip.

"What are you doing?!," he demanded yet again.

"I just wanted to see-"

"Did you eat any?!"

"N-no"

"Tell me the truth!!" screamed the crown prince as he squeezed his brother's cheeks revealing the insides of his mouth. "Did you eat any?!!?"

"Ow! No. Brother…you're hurting me"

Then the crown prince shouted into his brother's face: "How many times have I told you?! Over and over again. Do not enter my cabin!!"

"I'm sorry"

Alex's caretaker appeared suddenly, out of breath and quite flustered exclaimed: "There you are!"

And the caretaker upon noticing the crown prince's peeved disposition, hastily apologised saying: "a-Apologies, Your Royal Highness. I lost sight of the young prince for only a moment. It won't happen again."

Alex squirmed in his brother's hand, teary eyed, as he dragged him along. Turning upon the man, the young prince yelled: "You lost sight of him?! Do you know what could've happened?!! You can be certain that I'll be reporting you to Father."

Then the caretaker, bowing and pleading said: "p-Please, my Prince. I beg you…it was- My deepest apologies. I promise-"

"Here!" he said, thrusting his little brother into the servant's direction, "Take him back to mother at once!"

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That afternoon, inside the King's study, the accused caretaker, youngest Prince, the Crown Prince and his manservant met before the King. Here, they all stood, save for the trembling caretaker on his knees

"y-Your m-Majesty?"

"I asked, what should I do with you? Any suggestions?"

But at this the man whimpered as the king continued: "Clearly the future of this Kingdom cannot be left in the hands of someone as incompetent as you."

"p-Please. Your Majesty!" cried the caretaker, "i-I won't- it shan't happen again," and he began to weep.

"I heard those words last time as well. But, today you are correct. You indeed shall not ever do it again. And to assist you with remembering…" said the King. And with a simple wave of his hand, he ordered: "Take him to the shed and introduce him to the furnace there. Have his hands forever serve him as a reminder."

The Crown Prince, with his manservant, Cyrus, at his back observed from a corner of his father's study with a sense of delight as the man was dragged away, sobbing uncontrollably.

To his youngest, the King now turned. "Alexander..", he began calmly, looming over the little boy.

"Y-yes father?"

"You disobeyed. Again. Refusing to listen to your brother. And when you disobey Roman, you disobey me. Do you understand Alexander?"

"… yes, father."

"Good!" the King said, pleased with son's answer as he removed from the top drawer of his desk, a broad flat stick. "To help you remember this time- stretch forth your hand."

But on seeing this, the Crown Prince interjected: "Father? Alex promised me that he won't ever do it again."

"Oh?" remarked the King. "So, you mean for me to spare him? Again?" he questioned sternly of his eldest who gave no reply. "Leave now Roman. Cyrus?"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Then Cyrus gently took hold of the prince's shoulders to lead him out. But before his departure, Roman marked the trembling of his baby brother. Thusly, he began to feel a stinging sensation in his eyes and so, quickly turned away his face as he walked past.

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Fair was the next day, Alex found himself seated at his desk awaiting his tutor for he had studies to tend to despite his wounded hand. Cradling his tiny arm in the other, he attempted to wiggle his finger but winced as the pain shot through him.

Unexpectedly, the door eased open, creaking as it did. And instead of his teacher, he was met by his favourite brother; who loudly stated upon entering the classroom: "No more sword or archery practice for you for a while baby brother!"

"Damian!"cried Alex.

Damian sauntered in smilingly and kneeling beside Alex, he took hold of his brother's bandaged hand. He made a hissing sound before exclaiming: "Ooo!… Still hurts?" he asked concernedly.

"M-hm. And I can't play the piano with mother either"

"Hmm…there is that as well, but you're okay." said Damian, who smiled and dishevelled his brother's short, silvery white hair.

"Damian…?"

"Yeah?"

"Father said," began Alex sadly, "that I wasn't allowed to stay with mother anymore and I won't see her ever again."

"Hmm, father is simply a little angry right now. I don't think he meant it." Damian comforted him by saying.

"You think so?"

"Of course!"

"Oh, okay." said Alex. But then he questioned again, "Brother?"

"Hm?"

"I don't think brother likes me very much. Do you think he hates me?"

"Why do you say that?" asked Damian. But his brother remained quiet, unanswering with his head hanging low. "Alex?" addressed Damian, "Roman told me what happened. He was only protecting you. And besides, he pleaded with father last time. Have you forgotten?"

Alex gave no reply. Damian however, smiled and spoke gently saying: "I know that he could seem a bit mean, but he really isn't."

"Then why did he tell father on me?"

"Well... it's because he's the big brother and you did something wrong, so he had to tell father." answered Damian. "So, next time, if he tells you not to do something, you listen, okay?"

"Okay" Alex replied softly before he questioned again, "But brother?"

"Yes?"

"Do you always listen to big brother?"

Taken aback, Damian scratched his head and fell silent.

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