Slowly Burning

Family Reunion

It was finally time for the yearly royal harvest. Since the old king was overthrown, the current royal family had decided that once a year they would work in the farms for one day, getting their hands dirty. Of course, since the tradition was over hundreds of years old, most of the time the royal family had their workers do it for them, then get themselves all grubby to "prove" that they were hard working like everyone else, like the common folk.

Unfortunately, Val was never like that. He was always the one putting in the effort to actually pull it off. His sister would use magics like the wind to make the job easier while his brother just lazied our completely like his father and not do a thing. His mother tended to help him time to time but she was not expected to help most of the time as she caught colds very often in the winter and was often exempt from this tradition, the people loved her so it wasn't really a problem.

Zeke got ready for the day, this time putting on some overalls and a gray turtle neck. He rolled up the sleeves and then went to go help Val. Prince Val loved wearing overalls since his mom always encouraged him to wear them, and not the normal royal attire. This would be the first time Zeke did meet Linx and Rae though, he often wondered what they looked like as there were nothing but portraits of them.

Zeke would find Val on his bed, struggling with the buttons on his overalls, but he had gotten his rain boots on easily enough. "Would you care for some assistance or face the kingdom while looking like a fool?" Zeke asked with a small grin, only for Val to glare daggers at him. If looks could kill Zeke would be dead nine times over and on his way to his tenth death, probably something involving his head getting smashed in.

Val gritted his teeth, before giving a forced smile. "I rather not look like a fool when I get punched by a giant golem." He shot back. Ouch. Right where Zeke's pride was hurt the most. The brunette laughed it off, before going to help Val with his buttons. Begrudgingly, Val accepted the help though he was contemplating biting Zeke in the arm just because he was annoyed.

Zeke looked him over a few times before going to get a hairbrush and run it through Val's unruly curls, attempting to keep them poofy rather than the flat mess he was making, "you know your majesty, you really should be happier. Her Majesty Linx and his Majesty Rae are finally coming home."

Now Zeke had really done it. Val grabbed on to his arm and gave him a small bite. "Just because Linx and Rae are home doesn't mean anything, Linx would leave right away and I don't trust Rae. He's plotting something I can feel it in my bones."

The bite earned the prince a swat to the back of the head, which he took well enough. "Really, there's no need to be so suspicious of your brother. Just because your father is aging doesn't mean anything, he's first in line for the crown either way." Val gave a small pout at that, Zeke was supposed to have his side on everything apparently.

Zeke sighed, "I mean look my sister became Queen. I'm sure she'd like to fix the mistakes my father made..." He trailed off, remembering that she had tried to poison the prince. "I mean, she's smart. She'll probably work on reorganizing the kingdom to a way that works for her before she tries anything here."

The mistake his father made. It wasn't a mistake. It was an assassination, he wanted the royal family gone so he could invade. The terror of the night plagues Zeke. The night it happened, he heard the Queen's cries for help. She was unarmed while his father was armed with a spear, his favorite weapon. Queen Miora was in her dressing room, applying makeup when he attacked her. Zeke burst through the door, taking out his knife, that damn cursed blade and went after his father.

They battled for a few minutes, Zeke was able to keep his father at bay but it was already too late, the Queen was bleeding out. Zeke had been screaming as well, mostly for the queen's sake. His cries for help were only heard by one person.