Crown Prince

At the Royal Palace.

The Orion Empire was known for its strong army and most importantly the Rulers. Whoever was going to be the next King, should possess the greatest power. 

The Orion Empire was blessed with many people who could claim such power, but only a few could manifest it.

"Brother, do you think Bren will be able to manifest more power?" Prince Aeron asked as he looked at his elder brother, Prince Darcy. Although none of the three brothers shared a mother, their bond was always strong. Maybe that was the reason why no matter who would claim the Crown Prince title, they would be happy.

"Let's just hope that father makes a decision today. No matter who claims the throne, we all will always stick together. We don't kill in blood." Prince Darcy's eyes glowed with seriousness as he looked at his brother.

Although all three brothers shared identical hair colour, their build and eyes were different. Anyone can tell who was the eldest. After all Prince Darcy was the tallest with a strong build and sharp blue eyes that turned to black. It was a unique colour that cannot be mistaken for someone else. His hair was dark blond making him look mature and serious.

Prince Aeron, on the other hand, had much lighter blond hair with a sharp jawline. His brown eyes made him look elegant and easy to approach while Prince Bren stood at a similar height as his second brother but his dark brown eyes made him look like an innocent deer, someone who needs contrast protection.

"Brother…" Prince Bren smiled as soon as he saw his two brothers approaching. His eyes grinned as he wanted to say something but he knew it was not the right time. Many people surrounded him. He knew he had to stay in the demeanour of a proper Prince. After all, today was his birthday. And the most important part was that it was his 20th birthday.

Prince Bren was a little excited and nervous at the same time. How could he not be when he saw his two brothers? Both of his brothers looked happy in his eyes, but somewhere he knew that they might be nervous too.

'What if I am more powerful?'

'What if my power surpasses my brother's?'

Many thoughts were running through his head but he could not voice them out. All eyes were on him and he was well aware of it. After all, it was the nobles who always wanted to create a rift between them. Royal politics were never a good thing.

"Do your best." Prince Darcy said as he put his hand over Prince Bren's shoulder. Although Prince Darcy looked and sounded serious, his younger brother knew it was a blessing from the heart.

Prince Aeron smiled as he looked at his Prince Bren. "Do you even need it? I know you will do well. Just don't be afraid and keep your heart calm."

Prince Bren nodded his head in agreement as he saw his brother leave and enter the palace.

"Did you see it? He talked to Prince Bren"

"Do you think he tried to curse his younger brother?"

"After knowing that Prince Aeron has less affinity towards the powers than his, Prince Darcy has become really arrogant."

"Maybe he hopes Prince Bren to fail. Then he could be the Crown Prince."

"But what about the curse? No one has forgotten it? How can he rule if he could not find…"

"Shhh…"

All the whispers surrounded Prince Bren who clenched his fist in rage. He wanted to let all these people know that it was not Prince Darcy's fault that Prince Aeron could not manifest large power. And it will not be if he could not either.

And as per the curse…. Prince Bren shook his head as he removed the thoughts that were popping in his head. 

"With a curse or no curse, no one could deny that he is the greatest warrior." Prince Bren said after clearing his throat loudly. He wanted everyone to know his own thoughts. After all, he would not be a young and naive Prince who could get influenced by the words of people surrounding him and he wanted everyone to know it. "Let's go."

The throne room was beaming with excitement but as soon as they saw Prince Darcy and Prince Aeron enter, the once excited room soon fell silent. Prince Darcy looked around as he could see a little scared in the eyes of some other nobles, but he remained quiet. 

Both the brothers gave their respect to their father as they took their seats.

"Prince Bren will be entering now.." An announcement was made and soon the room beamed with life again as if the small incident did not happen.

Prince Darcy looked at his younger brother who had a smile on his face as he walked towards their father. Prince Darcy was happy but he was a little worried for his innocent brother too.

'Will he be able to handle the responsibility?' A sudden thought crossed his mind as Prince Darcy closed his eyes to contain his thoughts. 

What is the use of thinking like that now? Nothing is going to change anyway. He was bound with a curse and he did not know how to remove it.

He remembers how he suffered from the curse. A cruel witch placed it on him when he slayed them but could he blame them? No.. How could he when he killed them? 

'If only father did not send me to battle at the age of 13..'

'If only I could turn back time..'

But Prince Darcy knew that there was no use of such IFs. There was nothing that could be done. 

The Orion Empire was on the verge of expansion and as the eldest son, he had to contribute. He wasn't asked but ordered to go on battles and win them. It was either his life or theirs. It was the way his father had always thought of him.

Prince Darcy came back to reality as he shook his head. There was no need to think about the past now. He can only look forward. He still had one-fourth of his power and it was more than enough. If only he could break the curse he could manifest his whole power.

"Take a step towards the orbe and place your hand on them." The priest said as he guided Prince Bren towards a round crystal. The light emitted from them can directly identify how much intensity a person's power possesses.

Prince Bren was nervous. He looked at his two brothers who had to go through the same situation as him. When he saw them smiling at him, Prince Bren regained his confidence as he placed and took deep breaths. 

His heart was beating fast. There was a slight fear in him but soon Prince Bren remembered his second brother's words.

'I need to stay calm.'

'The orbe does not react to unstable heart'

With his thoughts, Prince Bren tried to maintain a calm demeanour. He controlled his breathing as he closed his eyes. He thought about what he was doing and tried to make his heart understand as well. He cannot let all the people that came here just to see him down.

Soon Prince Bren's heart calmed down and before he knew it, the orbe started illuminating light.

Everyone gasped, making Prince Bren open his eyes as he looked at the orbe. His eyes forced on it as he saw it throw the lights out. Soon the room was filled with light and no one could see anything. But before they could look forward to the orbe, the light was sucked into the orbe again.

Prince Bren smiled nervously. He had seen this many times, but when he was the one experiencing it firsthand the feelings that he got were completely different. 

"The Thirst Prince and Second Prince have a similar amount of power." As soon as the priest's words fell on the ears of people, they did not know how to react. 

The King looked at the youngest, who was not sad at all. All Prince Bre could do was smile as he looked at his brother as if being proud.

The King shook his head. He knew that he did not have any other way to solve the problem now. He had three sons and the results were clear. There was nothing he could do now.

The King looked at the priest and then at his three sons. He did not know when his son Prince Bren had already taken his position beside his two brothers.

"The results are out. We cannot delay declaring the Crown Prince now. The Empire needs an official heir." The priest reminded the King who nodded his head.

The King looked at his sons whose gaze was focused on him. He took a deep breath as he said with a slightly trembling tone.

"The result is seen and confirmed by all. There is no denying that all of my three sons have the power and are capable of ruling over the Orion Empire after me, but as per the custom, the one who has the most power will be crowned the Crown Prince."

The King smiled as he said with a proud tone, "So the Crown Prince of the Orion Empire will be …"