Brothers II

#28 Book Of The Hidden

“Who died?” “Uhm– sire…” “Who?” Lord Vesri looked away. “I already said his name, sire…” "How?" “They said he stopped taking care of himself...” "Oh…" Lord Vesri looked up to find King Aden's eyes glistening, staring into his own thoughts and not to what's around him. “Okay… Uh– You can leave now.” “Are you sure–“ “Yes– Actually, no. Let me leave first.” King Aden walked away, far from their camp, far from the eyes of his people, where they won’t see the tears falling from his eyes… “You really had to die so soon, huh?... You really are miserable through and through… I– And I couldn’t help you… I never helped you didn’t I? …I suck at being your friend… Ever since that day… I never became your friend… didn’t I?!” Aden fell to the ground, heavy tears falling to the grassy ground beneath him…

I was 14 years old then, I was visiting Kiness for political reasons. I wasn’t interested in politics even one bit. So I sneaked out of the great hall and upstairs, having a little tour around the castle. Then I found a place filled with scrolls and papers but one caught my eye, it’s a book, a pretty book with beautiful designs in my favourite colour. I wasn’t the type to care for other people’s stuff, I mean, I am King so, I took the book and brought my scribe, asking him to read it. He was hesitant, protesting a bit telling me that the book isn’t mine but like I said, I’m a little entitled. *Sigh* “Fine, here we go… 

Prince Solus came to me, asking for her mother. I was confused on why but then I remembered that the King is coming. He doesn't do anything to the Prince which is good but he has crossed the line of not being good; he's cold, far too cold… I tried to switch his attention, distracting him. But he started crying, throwing a tantrum at me. I still tried but I eventually gave up, leading him to his mother.

The next day I checked him from afar. He did not seem to be in any pain and I didn't see any new bruises when I got close. I don’t know but yesterday may be one of those rare days where the Queen isn’t so horrible. Though I think it was only because the King was there; I doubt that he'd notice if it happened though. I really wish that the King would pay more attention at home. He's always out fighting wars, joining that bloody crusade. He can’t even speak our language properly without a foreign accent. Though it's fine, the kingdom is doing well in the hands of the Queen, as much as I’d like to admit. However, the Prince definitely isn’t.

The King went off again, to the north where our neighbor is causing some problems. I came with him. I didn't really plan to though, I wanted to spend my time and days keeping an eye on the future King instead, keeping him safe. But the King insisted and I was left with no choice. I can only hope that the Prince will be fine and well upon my return.

I had finally come back to where I wanted to be just to find the Prince under the rain, alone, with his response delayed. He did not seem to be in any pain, until I accidentally brushed his shoulder… I asked him, again, hoping that he’d finally open up on how evil the Queen is, but he won’t as always… The Prince even defended her… I don’t understand. Why is he protecting the person who’s abusing him? Is he being threatened? Even if he is, he should know that we can still do something; I am here… Maybe that's the reason? Trust? Maybe… Highly likely… Either way, something needs to be done and I can't do this without the Prince himself…

The book was about Lord Scer’s day, specifically of you and how he tried his best to protect you and get you out of your vicious childhood but… you just won’t cooperate, like now… You really are a private person. I asked the scribe to read the very beginning, the beginning where Lord Scerl found your situation, but there’s nothing. The book started like it had been going on for a while. I always knew you, you are that old King who has a very bad temper. That’s how I saw you and I avoided you… Until I found that book… your past which no one would expect. I decided after that moment that I would be your friend, you don’t have to tell me about your past, I just want to make you feel like you aren’t alone. I mean, I often find you alone, you’re always a loner ever since I met you, the only people I find with you in a friendly atmosphere are always your son… Now that I think about it… You’re a good father… A really good one. Even if there’s some negative feelings against you from Fromena, I always see you try to be close to her… And Prince Macil… He loves you, he told me that himself. And even if I never became your friend, you became mine and… You’re a really good friend. The best, actually.