Broken Heart, Shining Crown

CHAPTER THREE: The Letters

TW: mentions of violence, blood, swearing, and panic attacks

My Dearest Amantius,

I hope this letter finds you in better health. Your brother has been quite the hassle lately, nearly coming close to stabbing me once. But his little face when he slammed his hand into the bars of my cell because of his anger made it all worth it.

Unfortunately, as of writing this, he has left my side. Quite sad, as I had thought we were starting to form some kind of bond with each other.

Nonetheless, I regret to inform you that he has tore up your last letter after I had read it.

Ignatius should hopefully give you this letter soon.

Until we meet again,

Dragomir Aimar Berryann, Crown Prince of Ilferro

My Dearest Dragomir,

I hope you're taking good care of yourself. I believe it would be in your best interest if you didn't try to rile up Kleitos. He could majorly hurt you, given the opportunity. To be frank, I confronted him about the situation, and well, a lot of harsh words were spoken.

Healing has been an exhausting process. Part of this comes from the endless amount of bedrest, which my elder sister, Cassiopeia, has been adamant about me getting. The other part comes from the sheer amount of boredom it provides. In a way, we are both being held prisoner. I am stuck in my room, while you are stuck down in the dungeons.

But, do I have the right to make a complaint? You are stuck down in the dungeons, for heaven's sake! My condition is nothing compared to yours. I do hope you are getting proper nutrition down there. Aromatiche isn't the cruelest kingdom in the land, and royal prisoners are few and far between. However, when we do have a prisoner, we are certainly not kind.

I promise that you won't be trapped down in the dungeons for much longer.

Please stay safe,

Amantius Alexander Aurora, Prince of Aromatiche

My Dearest Amantius,

Luckily, Ignatius has provided me with some proper nutrition for the past few days. Though it's not the best food I've had, it's better than starving I suppose.

Kleitos' visits have become shorter recently, which is sad as he was one of my only sources of entertainment. He can currently only stand an hour within my presence before he storms out of the dungeon. He surely has some entertaining forms of letting his anger out, but may I suggest getting him a punching bag or a sparring dummy? He'd surely benefit from it.

I do hope that your health has improved since I last wrote. I've barely gotten any sleep due to a fair bout of insomnia I have developed. It seems to be quickly fading away, though.

Maybe my parents will come storming into the castle one day and try to get me back. That'd be quite entertaining, would it not? I swear I heard their voices earlier this morning, though it might've just been my imagination.

I'll try my best to stay out of trouble, but I am an Ilferroite; trouble is practically in my blood.

Until we meet again,

Dragomir Aimar Berryann, Crown Prince of Ilferro

My Dearest Dragomir,