18 Fate was truly unexpected

"Crowned princess!"

The entire assembly bowed in respect, she was going to be their Queen someday, she would be the mother of the Ying Empire.

From shame she had been raised from the ashes, now she was one of the most important women in the world.

Fate was truly unexpected.

.

The royalty of the lunar kingdoms are proud of one thing, they were proud of a lot of things actually, but one thing made them who they were. Their crimson hair.

For thy reason, the day the emperor married a commoner with average black hair he had fallen in love with she was only able to become a concubine. To others she was a stain in the bloodline, an eyesore. But she gave birth to the first son, Adonijah.

By the customs of the land he was supposed to be the next emperor just for the sole reason that he was the first son. Unfortunately, he was scorned for his black hair and his throne was snatched away, given to the boy the Queen birthed, Solomon.

Adonijah remembered how happy he was with his mother, how simple their lives were, they spent their time ideally and he was happy without a care in the world.

Even if he didn't have the throne.

Even if he only had his father's love.

Even if he was shunned by the nobles, all the maids and all the enuchs.

Even if he and his mother were deprived of their food or clothing from time to time.

Even when she would sadly smile at him when she thought he wasn't looking with pity and regret.

But not when she died.

Then he was born, Solomon. Adonijah remembered seeing the baby for the first time, wrapped in royal colours, in crimson. His red eyes were enchanting, completely mesmerising. His red hair reminded Adonijah of fresh blood. He was truly lunar royalty, unlike him.

The baby smiled at him, Adonijah had been taken back. The baby was innocent, it wasn't his fault he was hated. It wasn't the baby's fault his mother passed away.

He was untainted by the world, he shouldn't hate him. But he was the son of the Queen, the same person that practically bullied his mother to her death, he should be hated! But he didn't do anything, it's not his fault, he shouldn't be hated, and Adonijah tried not to hate him.

However, Adonijah couldn't not hate solomon.

Solomon excelled in everything, he was the perfect king candidate leaving Adonijah in the dust. Adonijah still smiled at him though and Solomon smiled back everyday like they were normal brothers, like they were the best of friends. But Adonijah couldn't help but look at him with hate filled eyes the day he met her.

She was meant to be his fiance. A red haired woman, a noble from another country, Eleanor. The Queen's niece.

She was a beauty, fiery red hair with shining amber eyes. To him she was the world, but to her he was...

They day they met, the disappointment in her eyes was obvious. A black haired lunar prince, a prince without a future.

They met at the engagement ball and he approached her. She seemed shy, but her eyes said otherwise. "My lady" Adonijah bowed and kissed the back of her hand. Eleanor blushed and her bangs covered her eyes.

"Do you mind to dance? "

"I'm not very good at dancing my prince. "

"Then I'll teach you" Adonijah's head swiftly met the approaching Solomon as he bowed to Eleanor. She suddenly began blushing. Adonijah could only smile, no matter how bad his heart was being squeezed he could only smile.

"Brother" Adonijah said and bowed he had to pay respect to the crowned prince.

"Were brothers, no need for the formality. You wouldn't mind if I taught lady Eleanor how to dance right? "

Adonijah kept the smile on his face. He clenched his fist as he spoke "of course not my prince." Right, he should just keep smiling.

Solomon smiled back before leading the young lady away who was already swept off her feet by him.

As soon as Solomon was out of sight Adonijah grit his teeth, to him the world was cruel, to another the world was a loving mother. He excused himself before leaving the ballroom.

His brother took everything away from him.

He had been able to bear it till now, even his fiance...

Even after Eleanor and Adonijah were married she only had eyes for him.

Even when they were in the process of completing the wedding rites. He could tell she only taught of him. In her eyes. She only saw Solomon.

"Eleanor" he began as he stared into her eyes. "I know I'm not good enough. Bit just don't leave me... I promise I will give you everything, including Queen Lillian's, mother's position. I will make you Queen. For you I will obtain the world!"

Adonijah stayed true to his words. On the day of his father's murder he gave her the crown he promised.

He gave her the position of his Queen.

Now she must only have eyes for him.