𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧, young royals

5: Sea Salt

5: Sea Salt

"I'm going to kill August."

Without him tracking down my every move, barging into my dorm without knocking, or ceaselessly correcting me on everything from my posture to my eating habits, August also coached the rowing team, which only gave him another opportunity to tryrannize me.

"You know he's only trying to help you, Wilhelm," spoke my brother serenely.  "Don't be so harsh."

I scoffed.  "More like he's trying to make my life a living hell."

Erik sighed.  "Wille, this school, the rowing team... it's all he has.  It's been hard for him since... well, you already know."

I frowned in confusion, putting my phone on speaker as I rummaged through my drawers.

"Since what?" I asked.

"Since his dad killed himself, Wilhelm."

At that, I perked up and froze in motion, furrowing my brows.

"What?" I blurted. "Really?"

I heard shuffling from Erik's mic.

"Yes. You know this, Wilhelm."

I hadn't known. I suppose it could explain some of his behaviours; I suddenly felt a pang of remorse, casting a glance out my window at my cousin, who was stretching his arms and legs by the trail.

"No," I stated, shaking my head even though Erik couldn't see me. "I knew his dad died but not that he... killed himself."

My brother cleared his throat on the other side of the line. "You were probably too young to remember," he told me.

I scoffed, unamused, "No, no... somebody probably just forgot to tell me. Like always."

My brother ignored my comment. For a moment, we remained silent, and I put deodorant on and slipped into a pair of sweatpants. Then Erik spoke up again:

"Mom also wanted me to tell you that they won't be able to make it to the parent lunch," he said.

I sighed, throwing on a t-shirt and looking out my window, where the rowing team was gathering for warm-ups by the trail.

"Couldn't tell me that themselves, could they?" I murmured.

"They're very busy," he replied.

I hadn't expected him to side with me, but I guess it still irritated me.  Erik was so serious now, so adult, since he'd started taking his role as Crown prince more gravely.  He'd turned into this burnished replica of our parents. I was starting to feel out of touch with him, too; I was falling behind.  Maybe it's just that I was too immature. 16 years old, selfish, foolish, and stuck in the rips of my childhood, cursed with the rancors of a little boy and cradling my grudges like they were diamonds. I was just the opposite of my brother, yes.

"Yeah, sure, same old—whatever," I grumbled bitterly, snatching my phone off the shelf. "I have to go before August fucking flips on me again. You still driving me home after lunch on friday?"

"Yes, yes, I will; don't sound so eager, Wille.  Try to have some fun for once instead of just thinking about murder, will you?"

I rolled my eyes and hung up the call.  Asshole.

Shoving my phone in the pocket of my sweatpants, I darted out of my dorm and hurried to the backyard to join the rest of the team.

They were already leaving when I got to them, and I had to pick up my pace to jog to the front, where August was, leading them like a shepherd with sheep.