Maraus, Year of Severus, 15, I.R., the 77th day of Fall, Arenfall

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"How is the meat, brother?" Prince Arterius sipped his tea from the cup, hoping that it will help him digest the heavy meal he had during breakfast.

Prince Veritus looked at him yawning. He wasn't looking at his brother but rather beyond the barren landscape of the mines, ignoring his brother's question.

"It's been two days, brother." Prince Veritus sighed. "When are you going back to Arteria?" He asked bluntly.

"Arteria…" Prince Arterius guffawed, "You do know that I do not have a place there…at least not yet…not until—"

"I saw those weird-looking stones yesterday." Prince Veritus stood up from his seat and continued to gaze at the gray and cloudy horizon, still refusing to look at his elder brother. "Those things don't strike me as much of a weapon unlike what your ideas did."

"You don't get it, Veritus." He calmly sipped his tea. "Those things ARE the much powerful weapon."

"Well, why don't you show it to the Senate?" Veritus turned around with an annoyed expression. "Why are you stalling? You do know that we are currently in a war with—"

"With whom this time brother?" He glared at Veritus. "The Vridian rebels? Those Northern beastfolk? Or could it be with the Ardents again? Are the borders failing once again or have they gotten another weapon that is tough for us to—"

"I do not need your sarcasm!" Veritus gritted his teeth. He approached him; fist clenched.

Prince Arterius knew he was no match for his brother. Strength wise, he was nothing more than a speck of dust against him. If Veritus would punch him or snap his neck right there, no one would be able to stop him. With only the both of them around, he knew how easy it would be for his brother to hurt him or worse—kill him.

But he knew his brother won't go that far. He's too smart of that; actually, he's too ambitious to lift a finger on him and risk his title to the throne. Regardless of how incompetent the Imperatur and Veritus think of him, killing him would still be an unforgivable crime. Fratricide and other forms of familial killings were frowned upon by their society. Aside from being heartless and ruthlessly primitive, the killings constituted the degeneration of logic and society. Being a Prima would put either of them, and the royal line in jeopardy if they ever decided to do it.

Although afraid of what his brother might do, Arterius stood his ground calmly and sipped his tea without showing a slight ounce of fear over his stronger brother.

"I am not being sarcastic." Prince Arterius sighed. "You and I both know how far rooted our history is with war. You've been there yourself, I'm positively sure that you do not want a war to drag for so long, would you?"

Prince Veritus did not answer. Instead, they were lock in a heated staring contest. Prince Arterius knew that if he averted his gaze he would surely lose his argument and he hated the very thought of it. He mustn't lose; he said to himself. This was the only physical contest he knew he could have a better edge over his brother.

A few moments passed and finally Prince Veritus' eyes got tired. His younger brother blinked, conceding to him. He wanted to relish the little victory he got, but his brother was persistent and still insisted.

"Regardless of what you are saying, you still have to go home." Prince Veritus took a chair and sat right in front of him. "Father ordered you to go home. He knows you have failed in your wager and would not banish you, for this…fiasco." He explained.

"I was never treated the same way as you do, brother. You know that!" He paused and patted his brother's shoulder. "He will still find a way to humiliate me!"

"So, what? You'll still be part of the family. You will still have some of your privileges!"

"You really don't get it. Veritus." He stood up and took his cane. "I will lose my claim to the throne. I know it's a long shot but, I want to claim the throne just like you do, and that down there is my ticket to get to the throne." He walked away and left his brother inside his tent and forcibly end the conversation. He didn't want to hear the things his brother wanted to say. It was useless at that point, especially because he knew all too well how his brother also wanted the throne.

His brother usually doesn't care with what he does (most of the time, if it doesn't involve him directly or if it was a weapon.) So, being suddenly there at the Crescent Isle and forcing him to go back home and face his father was unusual of him. It hinted Prince Arterius that indeed his brother would also love what he has, the birthright to the throne. The same birthright he had wagered against his father and witnessed by the Senate.

He went directly to his godfather's tent and found Lord Prestonheim sitting on his table, brooding over a bundle of parchments lying in front of him. His eyes were focused on a specific parchment. He read the contents of the letter without making a sound. His forehead creased; all the while, massaging the bridge of his nose.

"Have I caught you at an inopportune time, godfather." He approached.

Lord Prestonheim snapped out of his trance and smiled to him, "No, of course not. You're always welcome here!" The silver-haired commander stood up and took a chair for Prince Arterius to sit on.

Prince Arterius noticed how important the letter was to his godfather. Even while getting his chair, the old man didn't even let go of the parchment. This intrigued him so much that he couldn't help but ask his godfather about it.

"Oh, this letter!" Lord Prestonheim exclaimed. "This is from one of our close allies at the Senate. He was telling me that he stalled the Senate from visiting the Crescent Isles..." He sighed and shook his head.

"But even then, we are running out of time." Arterius already knew the rest of the letters contents just by looking at how gloomy his godfather's mood was.

"I tried what I can, Prince Arterius but—"

"Even you couldn't shelter me from the inevitable."

Lord Prestonheim tore the letter and threw it on the ground. "Prince Arterius, I wouldn't let you suffer at the hands of your father and be ridiculed by the Senate. I can arrange a voyage for you…away from here."

"I understand, godfather." Prince Arterius clicked his tongue in frustration. "But I am not running away. I know that sounds foolish and might cost me my life, but…just…be there for me, godfather when I face the music. I think I can handle it." His voice trembled at the thought of his defeat.

Lord Prestonheim looked at him straight in the eyes and hugged him tightly. It was a gesture that completely baffled him but felt comforted. It felt like his mother's hug, warm and full of care. He clenched his jaw and tried very hard to control his bursting emotions. He shouldn't cry in front of him as much as he would love to do that.

Lord Prestonheim let go of him and patted his shoulder, "Son, as long as I am around, I will make sure that no one could harm you! Not even the Senate nor your family. I swore my oath to you!"

Prince Arterius nodded and smiled to him, "I want to thank you for that, godfather…" Before his emotions could overwhelm him, he decided to exit the tent. Not far from his tent stood his little brother, Prince Veritus along with Commander Maceus Crovar and some knights surrounding the pair.

He could hear his brother's boisterous laughter as he tried to tell the knights of his exploits, thumping his chest over his victories and sort.

"Brother! Come here!" Prince Veritus called out.

"What is it brother?"

"I was just telling these knights about my experience with the wars I had been to!"

"Oh, they…loved it, I presume."

"Love? They worship it and want to join my exploits in the future…better yet, after looking into that hole!"

"Hole? What do you mean, hole?!" He looked at both men with confusion and anger. "Commander Crovar what is the meaning of this?!"

The young commander simply laughed, "Oh please, leave me out of this! I had just gotten my breakfast when I stumbled along Prince Veritus."

"Brother, that is not a good idea to go down there!"

"Why, who's stopping me?!" Prince Veritus grinned. "Men, noble knights, would you care to join me down the hole?"

The knights clamored with a big yes to Prince Arterius' horror.

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Shout out to Daoistnhqzj8. Thanks for reading my book, hope you liked it!