Boring Royal Shenanigans

We’ve reached Zéphuros, the capital of Êôs-Astraios. It was a six-hour journey from our duchy: Notos, in a northwest direction.

This city does live up to its name—the wind is gentler than in our lands. The sun is high up in the sky, with not a single cloud as companion, radiating enough light for flowers to bloom everywhere.

Most importantly everybody seems to be enjoying their lives.

Can it be that bad?

But… looking closer… These smiles are too much for me—uncanny in a way. They don’t look false, but they don’t look real either.

Will Sara’s smile be replaced with this?

She left early together with her maids, apparently it’s tradition for not only the husband but also the bride’s family to not see her until the ceremony.

“Hey Rey. Would you check on Fangy from time to time? I’m sure he’ll feel lonely.”

“If you aren’t the one to check on him, I'm sure he’ll bite me to death…”

“Don’t be dramatic, he’s a good boy.”

“Are you really going?”

“It’s my role as the daughter of this household.”

“Since when do-”

She dashed—in a blink of an eye she was right in front of me, she rose onto her tiptoes and put her finger on my mouth.

“Shhhhh… let’s part ways on a good note yeah? take care would you? My little brother. Make sure to visit me often. I’ll be waiting for you.”

I couldn’t react, the authority they have over me is the same, even with her small body, she commanded respect, for her decision, for her resolution, as if speaking would be a fault—Tiara would also interrupt my sentences whenever she deemed it necessary—and before I knew it the chariot had already taken off, the horses cried, even they knew this was not right.

I haven’t changed, not even a little since that day, I’m still the boy who woke up to find his sister gone, and the worst part is—this time I knew what was gonna happen and still let it play out.

At least this time I had a chance to say goodbye.

Upon arrival we were received by the King’s herald who took us to the castle. There were a lot of different places which I’d like to visit on our way there, especially the library. It’s essential to learn how to use magic properly after all, but I had to wait.

What caught my attention even more were the decorations.

“What are those?”

“Are you talking about the decorations for the spring festival?”

“Yeah”

“This year’s festival will coincide with the Prince and Lady Sara’s wedding. In order to wish for a good harvest we decided a promising young couple would be a nice sight for the gods. So that’s why the city is filled with both decorations and good luck charms.”

A… nice sight?

“I see…”

———————————————————————————

The king received us warmly, the queen seemed a bit reluctant on the idea of her son getting married to Sara, but she confessed her worry over the lack of interest the prince seemed to have with women affairs.

We sat at the dinner table, and waited for dinner to start.

Father and the King got along rather well, they are old friends, and like old friends they talked, mother and the Queen hadn’t much in common but when it came to complaining about their husbands, they could talk till dawn.

Shortly after the socialization process started—I met the third prince.

I went to take some air when it happened.

“You must be Rey I presume.”

“And you must be Lloyd.”

“Oh, did Sara tell you my name?”

“No but the city was covered by your names.”

“Haha, true. Well, I hope we get along. I’d better be friends with the brother she doesn’t stop talking about. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

He extended his hand.

“It’s a pleasure.” We shook hands

“We should be heading back, the banquet is about to start.”

“Right.”

During the banquet, at one point my mouth couldn’t stand shut.

“And where’s Sara?”

Silence stretched through the dining room.

“You mustn’t worry about Lady Sara, she’s been taken to a worthy room, and she’s been handled with utmost delicacy and care.” The butler said.

“Where’s her room?”

“Lady Sara expressed her distress about Lord Rey trying to talk with her, she explained the situation and said her younger brother is quite close to her, so she expressly ordered for us to keep her location a secret, if you insist on contacting her then feel free to write a letter, I’ll humbly give it to her.” The butler said.

She wouldn’t say that… would she?

“There must be a misunderstanding, I just wanted to know if she’s safe.”

“Oh safe she is.” Lloyd said, somewhat sarcastically.

“I’m sorry I don’t feel well, may I excuse myself?”

“Of course, William, show him the way to his room.” The King commanded.

“I’ll go with you!” Mother stood.

“Don’t worry I’ll be fine, I’d feel guilty if I made you miss the rest of the night, rest assured, I’ll be fine.”

“Are you sure…?”

“I’m not a baby anymore.” I smiled at her.

“Let him go Rachel, he’ll be fine.”

“If you say so…”

———————————————————————————-

“Say William, you’ve worked with the royal family for a long time?” I asked him as we walked through the hall.

“Yes, all my life sir.”

“So do you know how this engagement came to be?”

“I’m not sure about the details but it seems Prince Lloyd grew fond of Lady Rachel when Duke Richard took her to visit the capital.”

“Fond of her?”

“Regardless, it’s a nice deal for both parties, so rest assured, your sister is in good hands.”

Good hands?

Why do I get this sensation? That there’s more than what catches the eye.

“I noticed the Queen to be a bit reluctant? Why so?”

“I couldn’t tell sir.”

“Then William. Do you get any rest throughout the day?”

“No sir. It’s my duty as a butler to stay alert.”

“Say William. If you could get a rest, would you wish for it?”

”We’ve reached the room sir.”

“You didn’t answer my question tho. Would you?”