Odette

One

Eric

It was the middle of winter and the kingdom was excited for the upcoming festivals. The current king had been ruling  for over 5 years now but soon he would give his duties onto his son. As the stone war ended 25 years ago the humans gained benefits and praised the late King Edward for his efforts in bringing them to their new life

"Eric! Come back here we are not done talking" my father yelled from behind 

"Father, I do not want to attend another hunt. Benedict loves that stuff more than me anyways" 

"You will be king in less than a year. Your brother is not eligible for the throne and I must prepare you!" 

"But father I am 23 years old and wish to live my life" I whined 

All my life I have been stuck in this kingdom forced to follow his rules. It was reinstated the day I was born I would be next in line and since then I've never once been allowed to live my life. I didn't want to be kind 

"You are next in line and I will not allow you to run from your duties" 

"Has it ever occurred to that I run because I don't want the position" 

"No because you don't have a choice! I will not remind you again that in 6 months you will be crowned king so grow up Eric" were fathers last words before he stormed off

Ignoring him I walked towards my study it was a private area where I could be alone. I often spent hours reading books about the past when the humans and mythical creatures live together. When the enchanted forest allowed us to roam freely. My father didn't believe I should read these though and would only allow literature on the kingdoms currency and laws. Every now and then I found time to read what I wanted though

There was a low knock at the door and my older brother walked in. "I hear father and you had another disagreement" he said taking a seat on the couch 

"Yes, he wants me to join your hunt today" 

"You should come brother. I mean you are the next in line" Benedict scoffed 

Though he was older he gained no royal inheritance as he was a bastard child.  Father had an affair with a common whore and Benedict was a result of their adultry. He had been married  to the queen and both were struggling to conceive for a while. When news came out that the king had a son by another women it was thick drama over his loyalty 

Benedict was treated as a common boy and the elders refused to acknowledge him as a royal. Father wasn't kind to him either as he blamed Benedict for ruining his marriage and life. 6 years later the queen became pregnant and she ended up giving birth to a boy. The kingdom was exhilarated as they finally had an heir to the throne but for Benedict it made his life harder. 

Queen Iris was a kind soul. Though her husband cheated and had a kid from his affair she never treated Benedict as a burden before she got pregnant she treated and raised him as her own. His mother had died from childbirth and Travis never spoke of her to anyone if Benedict even asked he only said she was a whore who wanted his riches. 

"Benedict don't make it seem like I want this. If it were up to me I'd give you the throne" i looked at him with sympathy

"No its fine brother. I'm going to head out though I'll see you outside" Benedict said leaving the room 

I wish there was a world that allowed me to do what I want. Father hadn't been the same since I was 15 years old he became silent and depressed. Our family was broken and all anyone cared about was putting a crown on my head. It was never what I wanted or how I felt