After All

Chapter 2: Zane

In the land of Elan, another royal youngster was also struggling to find his place in his family and the war-torn world. The day of Artemisia's betrothal was the same as any other to Zander (although he preferred to go by Zane) Hamilton. After quickly getting ready for the day, he rushed downstairs, eager to get started on his combat training. On the way out the door, he passed by his parents and younger sister Emilia, who were having breakfast.

"Now where are you heading off to?" Zane's father, Lief Hamilton, asked as he skimmed through the battle leaflets.

"The boys and I were going to get some training in before heading to the front lines," Zane explained, adjusting his belt and scabbard.

"Zander honey, don't you think it's time you stepped away from the front lines for a while? You haven't been devoting very much time to your studies." Catherina, Zane's mother, gently asked, trying to remind her son that there was more to life than feats of strength.

"Uh... no?" Zane replied, confused as to why his mother would even suggest studying while they were in the middle of the war.

"Zander, a future king cannot be uneducated." Lief pointed out, glancing up at his son. Zane huffed and folded his arms across his chest.

"A true king would never back down from a fight. Especially when it comes to saving his homeland."

"How's a king supposed to save the world if he's a moron!" Emilia teased, cheekily grinning at her brother. Instead of getting mad at his sister for her snide implications, Zane chuckled and approached her, ruffling her dark brown hair once he was close enough.

"And that is what I have you for! You can do all the boring smart stuff while I save the day!" Zane teased.

"Come now, Zane, your father and I are serious. Your education is very important, and we hate to see you neglect it." Catherina added, rising to her feet. Zane averted his mother's gaze, but before he could respond, he heard his friends calling his name from within the castle halls.

"That's Sam and Omar. I have to go. I'll see you guys tonight!" Zane called out, rushing out of the room. Catherina sighed before returning to her chair, silent in contemplation.

"Don't take it to heart, Rina. That boy listens to no one." Lief retorted in an attempt to comfort his wife from a distance.

"I know. I just wish he would consider his future. Not everything has to be about winning a fight." Catherina replied with a hint of sadness in her voice.

"Don't worry Rina. I'll go with him. Hopefully having a babysitter will make hiding on the front lines seem less appealing." Lief suggested, quickly rising to his feet and organizing his reports into a pile.

"Zane doesn't need a babysitter. He needs a girlfriend! Maybe she could teach him some common sense." Emilia commented jokingly, although all three of them knew that Emilia was right. It seemed that the only thing that could make staying home interesting to Zane would be if he had a girl worth staying home for.

"Well he certainly won't find a girlfriend on the battlefield," Catherina answered, rising to her feet to help the servants clear the breakfast table.

"Why not? That's how I met you." Lief joked, accompanied by a flirtatious smile and wink.

"Last time I checked, we only met because you were trying to rob me," Catherina replied, blushing and grinning at the memory of their first meeting.

"Pirates have to do what pirates have to do," Lief added, approaching his wife and kissing her on the cheek. Emilia saw the tender moment her parents were sharing and made a gagging noise in the background. Meanwhile, Zane and his friends Omar and Samuel had hopped on a caravan headed towards an outpost near the front lines.