𝒯𝓇𝒾𝓃𝓀𝑒𝓉 || 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓟𝓻𝓲𝓷𝓬𝓮𝓼𝓼'𝓼 𝓙𝓮𝔀𝓮𝓵𝓵𝓮𝓻𝔂 𝓑𝓸𝔁 𝔁 𝓞𝓒

𝒪𝓃𝑒

Fanfare blasted through the throne room, as two sets of heels clicked in tandem across the red carpet leading to the dais, whereupon sat the Emperor of Arbezela, Jaider de Secramise.

"Their Highnesses Ariana de Secramise, the first Princess of Arbezela and Celeste de Secramise, the second Princess of Arzebela have arrived!" The herald announced. The princesses approached the throne, pinched their skirts and curtsied low.

"Your Majesty, the shining sun of the great Empire of Arbezela," the first girl began, her voice soft and sweet as honey. "We offer our congratulations—"

"—upon receiving the news that the Royal Army recently emerged victorious in the ongoing war." Her sister finished her sentence, as both girls briefly allowed their gazes to flicker upward.

Two pairs of waiting eyes landed on the king, one the same shade as his own, the other a startling bluish-green. His face was unreadable for a second, before a huge smile split his face. He raised Ariana and Celeste from their curtsies. "Oh, my lovely daughters!"

The girls allowed smiles of their own as their father grasped their hands. "More importantly, we are most relieved at your safe return, Father."

The ends of his moustache turned up, crows feet appearing at the corners of his twinkling eyes. "Indeed, my little princesses are the best." The Emperor, mindful of propriety, squeezed their hands once more in a final affectionate gesture, before dropping them as a figure stepped up behind him. With an undeniably similar appearance to that of the king, albeit much younger, fisted a hand over his heart, raising his head highly. "The whole Empire rejoices over news of your achievements, your Majesty! I, Bavilo de Secramise, the first Prince of Arbezela, and thrilled with your great victory!"

The Emperor's warm demeanour dissipated in an instant, the stone cold expression back on his face as he spared his son a careless glance. "Yes, yes. I know," he stated dismissively.

A muscle in the first prince's jaw pulsed as he slapped his palm over his breast more aggressively, eyes blazing. "Please allow me to accompany you in your next battle! I, Bavilo, swear to bring you your enemy's head!"

Ariana raised a hand to her mouth, the tiniest of sarcastic coughs escaping her lips. Celeste glanced at her sister, digging her fingers into her arm to have her remain silent. Jaider turned to his son, eyes hardening to a disdainful glower. "That's not what your swordmaster tells me. Focus on honing you skills before making such an outlandish request."

Bavilo flinched and looked away, feeling the sting of rejection, further intensified by the pitying eyes of the twins on him. Ariana twisted the blade even more as she further highlighted his lack of potential. Looking at their father mournfully, she clasped Celeste's hand. "As Bavilo said, if only Celeste could be granted the honor to join you in battle, Father...I would also be willing..." Celeste kept her expression carefully blank. The Emperor softened in the blink of an eye once more. "I know how capable you are, my dear daughters. However it is too dangerous out there, so I beg of you not to take this to heart."

The girls beamed brightly, their smiles dazzling everyone in the room. "Yes, Father." Ariana chirped.

At the other end of the banquet hall, the other royal siblings watched on as the Emperor continued to fawn over his daughters, remaining indifferent to a red-faced, fuming Bavilo. Haveron de Secramise, the second prince, cringed, worrying his bottom lip anxiously. They're at it again...I need to remain out of their line of fire....

His brother, Kamal de Secramise, the third prince, simply stifled his chuckle, eyes glinting.

How enjoyable it is, to sit back as these fools fight it out.