When Stars Fall (NaNoWriMo22)

Chapter 20

The night has been especially turbulent. A night full of various tensions and unchecked fears. For, miles and miles away from the population, awaits the Prince Etraous in his family summer house. His journey, for one reason or another, ended quite earlier than the rest of his brothers. Unlike the others, he's the only prince who least desires the crown that corrupted his family. Just as he thought to escape to his mother's home, someone else was of the same mind. Prince Horaxias rode from the palace to the Royal House. He noticed his brother's carriage and immediately became interested in why he'd strayed so far from the kingdom.

The word "house" is not the best way to describe the Late Queen's home. It is a manor. A palace of sorts. Either way, this is the only property that has absolute privacy. No servants, no guards.

Horaxias enters the house with strong strides until he reaches the sittingroom. Low and behold, Etraous is also there, lazily drinking his spirits. "Evening, brother." Horaxias greeted Etraous amicably enough. But the scorn was still in his voice. His abrasion to his own blood is cold. It does not north his brother, however. Etraous simply beckoned him to sit. "Funny seeing you here, little brother. I would've thought you'd be yapping at the heels of the others."

"Our brothers have disappeared off the face of the realm," Horaxias poured himself a glass, "I doubt they have made any progress." He drank.

"Have you found a lead on the King's Diamond, then?" The question itself was harmless. It was asked with genuine curiosity. No ill will whatsoever, but the ears of the listener held such animosity that he had heard what he wanted to. "No I have not." He swirled his drink slowly, ever so calculating. "Why? Have you?" Etraous shrugged. "I have heard whisperings that one of our brothers has sought out the Diamond. That he knows where it is and where it's going." Etraous laid his head to rest against the cushioned seat. The talk of politics have made him weary.

" 'Where it's going'?" Horaxias laughed, outraged by his wording. "Has it grown legs and learned how to walk now?" Etraous shook his head, laughing along with him. "Not at all. It is in possession of someone." Horaxias snapped at attention. He leaned forward and stared down at his brother's relaxing state. How can he be so unconcerned by this? One of our brothers has the Diamond! No, someone else has it. The realm would've announced if a new king has succeeded in attaining his right. Even in that, he was still unsure. "Who has the Diamond?"

Etraous sighed. "I know not nor do I care." Horaxias is left baffled by his brother's uncaring behavior. "Etraous?" He opened his eyes and finally looked at his brother. "Why have you stopped searching for the King's Diamond? What exactly are you doing here in isolation?" For the time in years, Horaxias truly wanted to know what it is on his mind. For the first time in so long, he wanted to learn something about his brother. "I'm not taking the crown, Horaxias. I've grown tired of being an accomplice of the hatred that has come about because of it."

This was true. Etraous had wished for many years to retire from his duties. This was his opportunity to do just that. "I will stay here," he closed his eyes again, "and feel mother's presence. Live in it. Breathe in it. It is what I must do." Horaxias scoffed silently, turning away from his brother. Could it really be this easy? Stepping away from duty? Giving in to isolation and turn our backs to what we believed our whole lives? No... My brother is a coward. He simmered in his poison. "Our father would skin you alive for what you have done."

"Father has done worse."

"Father never paid attention long enough to know what we have done or what we had the capability to do." Horaxias hissed at his brother, the venom dripping from his canines. His brother stilled as if he felt the sting of the words. As if he, himself, had been bitten by the viper. "Whatever do you mean by that, Horaxias?" He shifted in his seat, turning to face his brother fully. "What do you believe yourself to be capable of?" Horaxias smiled wildly. Alas,
Etraous was too late to realize who his brother was. What kind of monster his father created behind closed doors. Horaxias pulled his needle from his boot and flicked it at Etraous, puncturing his throat.
"Murder, dear brother," he stood slowly as he watched his brother struggle to breathe. "Did you really think that our eldest brother simply died from disease? Or that the second was taken aback by his own horse? Or, maybe, that father had succumbed to his age?" Etraous eyes widened at the revelation.

Yes, the youngest son of the Old King has a long record of murdering his relations. He has worn the face of the grieving brother, the weak prince, the humble kin among the litter. No, this master of disguises has played the game longer than we know. Unfortunately, all will have discovered it far too late. Poor prince. He can no longer warn his brothers. The light in his eyes dimmed as he slumped forward, dropping to the floor. The wood stains red with his blood. All the while, Horaxias has none on his person.

Without a blink of his eyes, he left. He left his brother's body on the floor. He did not think twice.

I fear that this has taken a turn for the worst, my family. This prince is not out for a crown. His eyes seek something else. Something that many mortal have no doubt searched and failed. This Prince Horaxias will burn the Realm to attain what he has most desired. That of which he has yet learned of himself. But I see. I see what he wants. It's the same thing that many greedy mortals before him want: power, control, time. He wants to shine brighter than his brothers. He wants to burn longer than the stars. I'm afraid to say it, but if he were to discover who has his father's jewel in their possession then it will not end well for Alcyone nor Averett.