Chapter 2: The new present

5 Years Later

Riona stared across the dining table at her brother, who was entirely dwelling in his thoughts. Drystan was dabbling with the potatoes again. It was an old habit of his but strangely, times would never be the same as they were back then.

They had been separated for 3 years after the incident as Knight Radan Venetus fought to drive the Moths back out of the kingdom. Riona had been sent to live with her best friend Vance and as for Drystan, he was to live with the young pastor, Johan. Of course, the siblings had been separated with reason. One was that if they were to be discovered by the enemy, only one heir would die while the other was still safe. Two, they had been sent to their new housing to learn certain skills. Riona was to train with all the upcoming guards while Drystan was to study strategy and governing tactics.

As firstborn, Drystan was expected to be the future ruler though the court put their favourite on the throne instead. Riona was announced to be queen after their revenge had taken place but before the official crowning, she was just to be treated with respect as she worked alongside her brother.

Riona sat back with a sigh, "Have your spies not shared any new information from the shadows? I feel you are keeping me from enlightenment."

"I refuse to discuss plans of revenge over dinner," replied Drystan, jabbing a potato with his fork, bringing it to his mouth. Riona rolled her eyes with a huff, "Then what better time do we have? You're always out sneaking between the castle halls and the stables. Do not think that you are invisible."

"Well," started Drystan mockingly, straightening his posture while folding his wings smugly, "If you were to spend time out of your study, perhaps then we could discuss a bit more in the garden tomorrow."

"You know I despise strolling outside," she snapped.

"Indeed I do."

Riona squinted her eyes towards him: "As I said, you are not see-through like the shimmering lake of quarts. Your selfish intentions of keeping me oblivious of the outside is remarkably ugly. I can see it from here."

"Is that so? I am invisible compared to you, Riona. Believe me, when I say, I have no intel on the Moths. You are the one who will slaughter them. I am merely the strategist who sits on the sidelines and occasionally scribbles notes. I wouldn't keep you in the dark about them as you do yourself," he said monotoned and gracefully stood with shine reflecting off the tiny butterfly scales of his dusty blue wings.

Riona stared towards him as he left. Frustration did not flawlessly describe the burning in her chest nor did the word fury. Nonetheless, she was seething. She gritted her teeth, her hands itching to chop something with a sword.

"Instead of slicing up the cushions of your bedroom, why don't rather indulge me on a moonlit stroll?" proposed an all too familiar voice, hidden away from the candle light. Riona leaned her cheek against a propped-up fist. She craned her neck to find the butterfly no other than her trusted knight, Vance Venetus, standing beside the entrance of the dining hall. He was a tall man with broad shoulders, the typical body type of a guard but what set him apart was his calmness. One wouldn't paint him as calm and sane-minded because his wings were black with dark brown faded edges, deep red blotches patterned the hindwings and a white stripe moved up on each wing. It was rare to find a butterfly with dark wings and they were usually nefarious looking but his... His were grand.

She hated sunlight but moonshine was acceptable. Yet, her brows furrowed. "How do you manage to always show your face when I'm unhappy?"

"I might have a knack for it but the maids have complained about replacing torn pillows. You of all people should know from childhood that acquiring bunny fur is quite an arduous activity," stated Vance. Riona pushed herself up from her seat and her feet strode past the knight in shining armour. She turned her head with an exhale, "Well, are you coming?"

Vance grinned cooly: "But of course."

The garden was a majestic sight to behold. A small smile tugged at Riona's lips as the sweet scent of nature tickled her nose. Fine moss served as grass, trailing across rocks, forming little hills. The castle was situated on a hill itself. A large tree grew at the side of the ridge, it too was covered with moss. Shade only stretched beside the castle but never over it. Butterfly people enjoyed relishing in the sun, thus why the gardens were grand. Roses, Ageratum, Begonia, Poppy, Allium, Balsam, Columbine flowers and many more were scattered along stone pathways. Sundroplets danced between the flowers while fireflies would occasionally visit above the castle.

Vance walked ahead and planted himself on a wooden bench. He motioned for the princess to join him and certainly, she did as any young woman would next to her inamorato (secret crush). A memory emerged in her mind:

Vance leaned back on his arms on the field, silently observing the princess. The sky was orange, it had been right after sword practice. Riona attempted to weave daisy crowns in her lap. She was frowning ever so softly, concentrating, but stopped. "What's wrong?" asked young Vance, leaning to look at her face. Her glistening eyes flicked towards him with a hint of worry as she spoke, "If I were to disappear, will you look for me?" He laughed, pulling her into a side hug. She always seemed to worry about the most random of things. "Always," he said, "And if I disappear, I'll still search till the end of the earth under every rock and leaf."

"Really?" She smiled.

"Really." He smiled back

"Vance... Do you think I worry too much?" she queried out of the blue. Vance leaned forward to look at her gorgeous face. "Why do you ask?"

"I assume you heard what I told my brother this evening, about him keeping information from me."

Vance nodded, turning his face towards the sky. "Ah, yes. Well," he shrugged, "You are an anxious butterfly. I would guess it is to be expected."

She whipped her gaze towards him: "There is no need to say it out loud. I am aware of my struggles."

"That you are anxious? Scared that he might just be against you?"

"Of course! Would you not be if you had a brother, such as mine, who warns you constantly to watch your back? Vance... It is as you said. It is expected, but you have no need to say it so brazen."

He raised his hands in submission. "I did not mean to offend you. Let us go back, I'm sure you have a long day ahead of you in the morrow and consulting your brother will surely be draining."

She stood, not waiting for him to offer a hand like a gentleman. "I shall see you tomorrow then, goodnight," she said curtly and walked, leaving Vance to his thoughts.

"Why are you always so hot-headed," he signed to himself, "Not even Mercy was as difficult as you are."