Cold, dark, and isolated. In this empty little room - with only a small bed and single closet, a little boy lay on his back, gazing up at a blank ceiling with a feeling of numbness running through him. His body was littered with bruises and bandages, and he was dressed poorly in only a baggy white shirt and dark pants - yet he felt nothing.

Except for a desperate hunger that churned in his little white stomach. The thin boy, who's pallid features appeared silver under the moonlight filtering in through the vaulted window, shifted to his side slowly as he clutched his growling stomach. Strands of unkempt creamy-blonde hair fell over his face, as he screwed his eyes shut and pursed his lips.

Stop it... He thought to himself, attempting to sleep as he placed a small hand on his empty stomach. You won't be getting any bread till dinner tomorrow, so just wait a little longer...

Just then, the creaking sound of his room's door opening resounded through the air, and the little boy lifted his head, to see a familiar figure sneaking in.

"Mikael, I'm back," the youthful voice spoke, slowly and silently shutting the door behind him. "How are you feeling?"

In his hand, he carried a bright, incandescent lantern, along with a small paper bag that emitted a sweet smell.

The injured boy sat upright, a smile finally forming upon his face as the sole person he liked in this world, stepped into the light. A warm smile and slender figure, those deep, blue eyes that were the same colour as his own, but slightly lighter. And the mid-length raven hair that peaked out of a black cap, curling around his slender neck.

"Daniel..." The blonde boy, Mikael smiled, as his brother set the lantern on top of the closet. Its light radiated through the box-like room, dyeing the room in gold. "You went out?"

Daniel then handed Mikael the paper bag which was in his arms, to which the latter blinked. "What's this?"

"Meat skewers, from the festival," Daniel whispered. "They're all yours. Eat till you're full."

Mikael nodded, his mouth watering as he pulled out one of the kebabs and began to eat. As the taste of steak, coated with savoury sauces and hints of spice melted on his tongue, his ocean-blue eyes lit up in amazement.

"It's good!" He exclaimed, before scarfing down the rest. His pale cheeks became plump, like a chipmunk with how much food he put in. "Aren't you going to have any?"

"You know I don't do well with spicy foods. Also don't choke yourself." Daniel laughed, watching as the boy greedily stuffed his mouth. But it made him relieved to see Mikael eating something so well, instead of withering away in starvation, with nothing but a stale bread as always.

"If it weren't for that girl's help, he would've still been hungry..." Daniel whispered to himself, but his words didn't escape his brother's sharp hearing.

"Hm? What girl?" Mikael asked, swallowing down his food. Daniel sighed softly, taking off his cap before pulling out the coin with the rose engraved onto it from his pocket. He handed it to the blonde-haired boy beside him.

"Well... When I went to get you those skewers, I realised I didn't have enough money," he began to explain, recalling his encounter with the mysterious hooded girl. "A girl who seemed to be hiding her identity gave me a handful of coins, and told me to buy them."

Mikael took the coin, examining it in the dimly lit room. As he continued to munch on the meat, he noticed the rose design imprinted onto the silver penny. "Isn't this..."

"Yeah, it's one of the two Lovers' Rose coins. The girl gave it to me, knowing just how valuable it was..." Daniel smiled, gazing at the floor as he recalled her benevolent smile. "I didn't think kind people like that still existed."

Mikael frowned, gazing down at the coin in his pale hand. His soft, ivory-blonde hair fell forward as he watched it glisten delicately under the lamp light.

"Rather than kind, isn't she just an idiot?" Mikael then scoffed, but his tone turned slightly bitter. "Who gives something like this to strangers? She was probably a dumb kid who doesn't know value. Or maybe she felt attracted to you, like everyone else."

Daniel's expression fell slightly upon hearing this, as he turned to his brother. "I don't think so... The coin was in the pile by chance. She even called me the 'lucky' one." He said, but the look on Mikael's face turned cold. Instead of saying anything, the blonde-haired boy, who's body was littered with bruises, was staring up at his brother with icy eyes void of emotion.

Daniel had seen this look, many times before. And no matter how much he tried to care for his brother, Mikael would always end up wearing the same expression, in the end.

It was a look which read, "you've always been the lucky one, while I've always been made to suffer." But neither of them ever said it out loud. Mikael never verbally expressed his frustrations, never complained about the gaping difference in the way both princes were treated.

Albeit silent about his pains, the second prince displayed his thoughts very clearly.

And he didn't blame him. After all, Mikael was the one who always held the short end of the stick. Ever since their births, Daniel was the lucky one. He had everything. The maids actively abused and tormented Mikael. They called him names, pulled his hair, and locked him up for days in this dingy room with nothing to do or eat.

And those very same maids served Daniel, with kindness and love - always making their expectations of him as the future crown prince clear as day. The favouritism was blatantly obvious, but no one ever did a thing to stop it.

Still, Daniel always pre-emptively tried to take the blame for anything bad that would happen to Mikael - even if it wasn't his fault. He was always filled with guilt for what their maids would do to his brother — because he was the son of a concubine who supposedly murdered the emperor and empress.

But just because he shared her blood, the second prince was treated like scum. Even though Mikael resembled his father, the emperor, more than the first prince did.

Daniel couldn't tell whether or not his brother held malice toward him for this. But nothing brought him more fear, than the idea of Mikael abandoning him.

The dark-haired boy clenched his teeth at the sight of that cold look, and before Mikael could say anything more, Daniel suddenly jumped onto him.

"...Brother?" Mikael stayed as still and silent as a statue as his brother hugged him closely, realising that the raven-haired boy was trembling. He buried his face into Mikael's neck, and could feel his fingers clasping onto the back of his baggy, tattered shirt.

"I'm sorry," Daniel whispered, his voice quavering. "If only I wasn't such a coward..."

Mikael opened his mouth to say something, but no words came to mind. He knew his brother was the only person in this world that cared for him.

And Daniel, was the only one who Mikael received kindness and love from. Despite their differences, his brother always looked after him, especially when the maids weren't there.

He sighed softly, setting aside the bag of skewers that were almost squashed from Daniel's sudden hug. Mikael then wrapped his arms around his brother, who had a larger, healthier stature than him.

"I can't deny that you're a coward, because you are," Mikael spoke softly, closing his eyes. "But I'm still alive because of your help. So stop blaming yourself."

It was true - Daniel was terrified of the maids who abused his brother. After watching first-hand as a child — the pain Mikael was put through, it was understandable that Daniel was afraid of experiencing the same torment. He had developed a somewhat docile nature towards the maids because of this. Adults in this world were cruel, and it pained him because he had no power as a child, despite being a prince.

Daniel frowned, laying his head on Mikael's shoulder. "When this is over, I'm going to make sure that those maids are whipped and sent to the mines," he spoke through gritted teeth. It was then, he finally released the blonde-haired boy and sat up, gazing with determination in his eyes. "I promise... I'll become someone who's able to protect you."

Mikael's expression remained unchanging, before a small smirk formed on his face. He lifted his hand slowly, up to his brother's cheek. "But how will you do that? We're going to be separated soon." He spoke in a rather teasing tone, but his words pierced through Daniel with realisation.

"You're right..." Daniel frowned, pulling away. As he stared down at his hands, strands of his wavy black bangs fell over his face.

It hadn't been long since the princes were told they would be living in separate ducal houses from now on. As the son of an Atlan, Daniel would be soon taken in by his biological uncle, and raised as a prince under his care.

Meanwhile, it seemed Mikael was going to be put under the authority of Duke Cherliann - a frightening and cold-hearted man who was infamously known for being the empire's most dangerous weapon. For Mikael to be in his care... He won't be safe at all.

"Then, when we're older, and I've become a prince that's able to protect you," Daniel frowned. "Let's be together, Mikael."

"What am I, a princess you want to marry?" Mikael scoffed jokingly. Although his brother's words filled him with hope, he knew a day like that could never come to pass. They were enemies who would be pitted against each other to battle over the throne. But of course, Mikael had no intention of inheriting the title of Emperor, or fighting his brother for it.

When the time is right, I'll renounce my right to the throne, and run away from this empire.

"Alright." He simply said, deciding to give in to his brother's dreams. In the end, it was Daniel who had a bright future. It was okay for him to look forward to it, because he would later become the empire's ruler.

Daniel may be a coward right now, but he's going to become a frighteningly strong emperor in the future.

I'm just someone who will live in his shadow... And I'm fine with that. Mikael thought, gazing back down at the coin that was still clasped in his hand. The rose on its smooth surface glinting under the light.

"You should have this back," the blonde boy smiled, handing the penny to his brother. "I'm sure that girl you like would be happy if you kept it."

Daniel blushed, as his eyes darted to the floor. "What are you talking about... I don't even know who she is." He replied, hiding his flustered expression behind his hand.

"Well, she was definitely a noble from what you said," Mikael observed, smiling. "No one hands money like that to strangers unless they're rich. I'm sure you're bound to meet her again."

Daniel smiled softly, gazing down at the little coin. "Alright... I guess you have a point."

The two brothers fell into silence as Mikael picked up his skewers again, before Daniel stood up. "I should go before they realise I'm not in my room," he said, turning to his brother. His honey-coloured skin partially illuminated by the lantern's warm radiance. "You should sleep soon, Mikael."

"Mhm. Goodnight, Brother." Mikael smiled, finishing the last skewer as he watched Daniel head out of the room, quietly sneaking out so that he wouldn't be caught by the maids. Once he had gone, he gazed down at the empty bag in his lap, with only the wooden sticks left inside.

"The Cherlianns, huh..." he sighed softly, setting the bag aside and hugging his bare knees. Strands of pale hair fell over his face, as his blue eyes gazed at his white little feet.

"I wonder... If they'll be the death of me."

😭