Brothers

Lenard Geldstein, Month 10, Day 17, Year A.F 652. The city of Rosalia, Kingdom of Rosalia.

The seamstress silently worked around me, taking measurements and writing each and every detail necessary for the clothes I'll be wearing from.

I sigh as I look myself in the mirror, I spoke to the seamstress, "How long will this take?"

The seamstress looks up from her notes, "An hour, my prince."

"An hour!? Isn't that a bit long?"

A giggle replies behind me, "That's because we would have to be fitted together."

The visage that enters the door was one of beauty, I look behind me to see the Araselian Princess, I am poised to marry.

"Princess Eribeth, I wasn't aware you would accompany me for today."

She smiles at me as she walked forward her green eyes glistening in amusement as her handmaiden stationed behind her follow closely. Her body and beauty were one of the few I can ever call the best, I knew our marriage was political, but I plan on enjoying every bit of it.

"Yes, I wish to surprise my dearest fiance at the start of his day."

I smile back at her as the seamstress backs off, "A pleasant surprise, indeed."

The women around us giggle at our polite banter and she walks towards me, standing next to me as she looks to the seamstress.

"I assume it's my turn? for the measurements."

The seamstress looks to her notes and bows, "Yes, Of course."

The seamstress proceeded to take her measurements. I stood back and watched her, before noticing her green skin glistening from the light, her voluptuous frame, increasing my blood flow.

She notices this and winks at me, I merely smile at her as a reply, trying to look unfazed. The seamstress coughs, taking both our attention and I sheepishly smile at her as I sat back, leaving her to do her job.

The recent movement from the south has been more than worrying. And the riots he has decided to start supporting around the kingdom has certainly affected the stability of my faction.

Then again with his only claimant to the throne, under our custody, does it really change anything? The guards have been doubled each one designated to keep guard of him, never leaving him out of their eyes.

I sigh to myself as the realization dawns on me, my father has plans that I cannot stop. But with my own base of power, I could at least influence it just enough to mitigate the upcoming damage.

Fortunately, my pawns have started doing it for me. The thousands of gold flowing to my coffers were more than I expected.

And even with the wealth going to the members of my faction, I am more than delighted with the increased control over those supporting me.

Though, it is unfortunate that Michael seems to have gotten richer and influential enough that some of them seem to curry his favour.

I shake my head at the thought, Michael was always a wild card. His demeanour never spoke of loyalty neither did it show competence.

Then again, this Madelaine he speaks off never once appeared in front of me. For all I know, she might be the one pulling the strings.

It matters little though, he holds no power above his wealth. I can take care of him after I stabilize my rule.

Then there's the Arasel Kingdom, the king has a solid foundation and succession. Something a benefit to us, since they'll be able to help in any situation.

But even with that, the support they offer will always have its strings attached. I can't be blinded by such things, always remain amicable with them while keeping my distance.

Then lastly should be the Northern part of the kingdom, Michael has done more than I expected in that regard, the development might not be on the same level as the south but enough industries have sprung up to keep up in case of a civil war.

Though the riots unsettle me, I believe Orvin talked to me about it, the Church of Deia seems to be having hard time gathering followers.

Even his last incursion there has resulted in his injuries, certainly, significant forces if someone like him gets injured. The clues as well point the unrest towards the Grand Duke supporting it with his wealth.

It was always him, isn't it? Perhaps the riot were his works as well. After all, why would peasants care for what deity they bow to?

The north has always held few farmlands, we can stop something we can't control.

A soft voice spoke to me, "Prince Lenard, I believe we were asking you."

I look up from my thoughts to see Eribeth's small smile, "What was the question again."

She points to a drawing, "I was asking if this design was to your liking."

I look to it to see, the different designs, I look up to the seamstress, "This seems quite new."

The seamstress hurriedly nods, "Yes, it's actually one of the new designs Golden Wear has thought up."

I read through the design, the yellow and green aesthetic was quite symbolic "It's quite new and flashy,"

I glance towards Eribeth, "Something worthy of the new era we plan to create, yes?"

She smiles back at me, "Of course, my dear fiancee."

Athan Geldstein, Month 10, Day 17, Year A.F 652. The city of Rosalia, Kingdom of Rosalia.

There is no feeling more sickening than feeling powerless, powerless to do anything, powerless to stop the tragedy unfolding in front of you.

I feel pathetic as I watch my father throw away everything, everything, in a bid of anger.

A sigh escapes me as I look to the window, a view of the city, away from the ever-evolving game of checkers, my uncle and father seem to be intent on playing.

Checkers, I chuckle to myself, their continuous misguided belief would probably burn this nation into the ground. Winning with one piece on the board.

I stand up from my chair, intent on going to my only place of solace, within this drab and dreary place they call a castle.

The walk was unpleasant, due the continuous interruption by the servants, preparing for the wedding.

Unfortunately, though, such an unpleasant walk was still interrupted by the sounds of explosion. I look to the noise, only to see my brother's training, training with the man whose religion has spread unrest on his domain.

To the point that some of his followers, has already gone to my uncle for assistance. A truly ridiculous situation.

I shake my head as I moved forward, "He has taken every possible avenue for success, but each time he has paid for in another way, Something, I can't believe he hasn't foreseen,"

A chuckle escapes my lips, "Sometimes I wonder if he even knows what's really happening around him."

The servants move away as they whisper about me, about the impending doom my existence has caused. Yet they do not understand, my wish, to have never been born to such a father.

I take steps forward, each one now deliberate, to be heard by the servants as they move away, out of my direction, out of any connection to me.

This is one is a lonely road only meant for me, for none wish to offend the king, certainly now when the wedding comes closer and his victory near complete.

The sounds of armour make me look behind, noticing the guards watching my every move, I chuckle to myself, there really is no escape from here, father has made sure I cannot escape his grasp.

The sun shines brightly upon me and I look up. Perhaps, he plans on killing me if uncle ever made a move. That is certainly a fate I wouldn't wish for but something that remains inevitable.

A few moments after, I stood in front of a magnificent door. Its soft and beautiful decorations are a personal touch of mine, representing the woman behind it.

I pushed the door open as a garden comes into view, its variety of blue flowers, A sight which would have urged her to tears, the gravestone in the middle of a field of flowers.

A smile appears in my expression, she was always a woman who enjoyed the little things. I take a step as I hum her favourite tune, a soft melody rings through as I sway with the wind.

I close my eyes as I take a step closer.

A beautiful smile filled with kindness, regardless of what the world threw her.

A step closer.

Her ethereal beauty, lighting up the room at her mere presence

A step closer.

Her touch, filled with strength and warmth as she took me in her arms.

I stop and kneel on her grave as I continue to hum, I sway with the wind and my eyes blur.

The world turns quiet, leaving me with the sounds of sobbing.

Stuck in a dream, I'll never get back.